Following a solid albeit not outstanding 2023, adventure games fans can look forward to the release of several long-anticipated titles throughout 2024. As usual for this genre, the selected titles offer a unique mix of intrigue and serenity (sometimes seamlessly intertwined) that you are unlikely to find elsewhere.
Previously in Wccftech’s most anticipated games of 2024: Action, RPG, Horror, Fighting
The Wolf Among Us 2 (2024 – PC, Consoles)
A mainstay of our adventure games lists, The Wolf Among Us 2 should finally materialize in 2024. The game was, after all, announced to be back in development in late 2019. Telltale said it would launch in 2023, but it was ultimately delayed to this year to avoid crunch and switch to Unreal Engine 5. It’ll be interesting to see whether the developers make use of any of the engine’s trademark features, like Lumen or Nanite. Regardless, fans of the award-winning original have been waiting a decade for this sequel, which will be set just six months after the previous season. The protagonist, Bigby Wolf, will be suspended from the role of sheriff and forced to attend anger management therapy sessions.
Open Roads (February 22 – PC/PS4/PS5/XB1/XSS|X/NS/Game Pass)
This new adventure game from Annapurna Interactive features performances from high-profile actresses like Keri Russell (The Americans, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker, The Diplomat) and Kaitlyn Dever (Justified, Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, Booksmart, Unbelievable, No One Will Save You, and The Last of Us Season 2 as Abby).
They’ll play Tess Devine and her mother, Opal, who venture on a road trip to discover long-lost family secrets and possibly a treasure. Of course, their own relationship is also a major focus of the game, which promises a ‘unique and engaging’ interactive dialogue system. Open Roads was also on last year’s list, but this time its release is very near.
Pacific Drive (February 22 – PC, PlayStation 5)
Open Roads shares the release date with another adventure game, Pacific Drive, although this one is decidedly more peculiar. The game made by Ironwood Studios is a ‘first-person driving survival adventure’ where players will have to stay alive in a Pacific Northwest fraught with supernatural perils.
The so-called Olympic Exclusion Zone is filled with dangers, chiefly the Zone Storms, which will have to be outrun at all costs. Luckily, Pacific Drive has an extensive car customization system. Scavenging resources and upgrading the station wagon will be critical to your success. It also sounds like each journey into the Zone will feature random variations to keep things interesting for a long time.
Dustborn (2024 – PC, PS4, PS5, XB1, XSS|X)
Red Thread Games has more than proven its adventure games pedigree thanks to games like Dreamfall Chapters and Draugen. Dustborn is taking a lot longer to make, though. The game was supposed to launch last year, but it didn’t, even though the developer officially said nothing.
Still, we’re hoping 2024 will be the year for Dustborn. In this game, players will take the role of Pax, who joins her friends on an important road trip across a dystopian America. While managing relationships with the crew will be a key part of the title, Dustborn does support combat through ‘weaponized language’, a unique skill that Pax can wield as an Anomal. Music is also said to be central – there will even be a Rock Band-like minigame.
Towers of Aghasba (2024 – PC, PlayStation 5)
Dreamlit Inc. surprised everyone with the reveal of Towers of Aghasba. This stunning open world fantasy game promises to allow players to build out their own islands however they want. They’ll get to construct villages, befriend various wildlife creatures, nurture the island’s natural ecosystems, and even visit their friend’s islands online.
Studio Ghibli’s work has inspired the visuals, while the mechanics draw from popular titles like Stardew Valley, Animal Crossing, and even a little of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, according to the developers.
Honorable Mentions
There are many more interesting adventure games scheduled to launch this year. Here’s another five you should be aware of:
