Action-Adventure Games

Action-adventure (also known as arcade adventure) video games combine elements of the adventure game genre with various action game elements, usually focussing on exploration, simple puzzle solving, item gathering and combat.

The first action-adventure game was the Atari 2600 game Adventure (1978), which was inspired by the original text adventure game, Colossal Cave Adventure, written in 1975 for the PDP-10 computer. In adapting a text game to a home video console that could only use a joystick for control, rather than typed instructions, designer Warren Robinett created a new genre.

With the decline of the adventure game genre, and their prevalence on video game consoles, action-adventure games are sometimes confusingly called adventure games by console gamers.

In general, action-adventure games are used to refer to any game that combines elements of problem-solving with elements of real-time action-based challenges, with an ultimate goal beyond a high score. Whilst reflex-based actions are needed (often revolving around combat or the avoidance thereof), the gameplay also requires the user to explore and interact with the environment, solve puzzles and gather items. In comparison, adventure games do not have a pronounced action element, limiting action-based challenges to brief sequences or mini-games, whilst role playing games include other elements, such as experience points and other statistic-driven gameplay. Viewpoints of action-adventure games can vary widely, including first-person, third person, bird's eye, side scrolling, over the shoulder or 3/4 view.

Sub Genres

There are a number of distinct sub genres of the action-adventure game, including:

Survival Horror

A sub genre of games such as the Resident Evil and Silent Hill series, in which the player has to survive an onslaught of opponents, often undead or otherwise supernatural. The goal is usually to escape from an isolated town or house that is inhabited mostly by monsters and/or zombies through puzzle solving and fighting. The environment is typically claustrophobic and shown in a third-person perspective, with liberal use of horror movie elements. Although the player's character is usually armed, they are less well equipped than in a first-person shooter. This requires the player to manage their inventory, making sure that they have enough ammunition and healing items to survive the horror setting.