Top 10 Adventure Games

Tom Vasel, Camilla Cleghorn, and Joey Evans take a look at their top 10 games full of action, excitement, and most importantly, adventure!
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[@oslohund]

Roll Player Adventures is such a great adventure game. The choices really matter. So good.

[@nathanwegner]

Sleeping Gods is such a great game. I've played it three times at 16+ hours each time and I still can't wait to play it again and try and find keywords and locations I haven't seen yet in 48 hours of play.

[@k.p.636]

This one never grabbed me. It was only meh for me.. maybe it was because cartoonish artwork, not sure.

[@redmageviewer]

I just got Sleeping Gods for my birthday last week and a couple of my friends and I are about to start playing it next week. So I can't wait!

[@KabukiKid]

Legacy of Dragonholt! That game has some of the best writing I have seen in a game.

[@pierreolivierlepage664]

On LotR: Journey's in Middle-Earth: We played the second box campaign (the one with a Balrog in the box), with Gandalf as a player character. Somehow EVERY encounter we had with the Balrog, Gandalf was in another room, at the other end of the map, etc. So the running gag was that it was cannon because Gandalf never saw the Balrog before meeting it in the Moria in LotR.

[@aleksandarjevremovic2384]

My favorite adventure game (that is better as a solo game) is: Nemo's War (The Ultimate Edition). I know I know it's mostly a wargame but you're playing Captain Nemo for god sake. Cruising the seven seas in the Nautilus made by the sweat of your brow, navigating some of the ocean's most difficult underwater passages, fighting giant squid, sharks and of course sinking imperialist ships. How's that for an adventure game?

[@corrado8955]

Definitely an adventure game. There is an adventure deck!

[@chrisdunn6096]

Glad to see Sea of Legends topping someone's list. It's not top of mine, but it's definitely worth a mention. Certainly in my top 10.

[@PinothyJ]

I am so surprised that this is the first time I am hearing about Waste Knights. Sounds like a blast!

[@Szurumbur]

It was a really, REALLY bad crowdfunding (delays, shipping things year apart, horrible rules).

[@mcstabba]

@@Szurumbur Have they fixed the rules since then? I'm a bit intrested in the game but if the rules are an atrocity I guess I'll skip it.

[@JasonRedeemed]

@@mcstabba The rules are fine, maybe not laid out the best or have enough examples but I've seen far worse rulebooks for less complex games.

[@ziomalZparafii]

I was so excited to play this and finally I bought it for my company and played solo scenario 6 times (I won only once) and also one 4 person scenario (after 6h we stopped ~in the middle or so). It's brutally difficult. The story is nice, the mechanics is fine but the randomness is killing it. On one approach and on my very first move I've encountered a random enemy and roll for our fight. I failed to kill him and he took 2/3 of my health and took my initial and the only weapon and I could not do anything about it. Just a random dice roll and that's it. No way to mitigate it. Plus it's very time constrained so little to no time for exploration. You need to push forward or you will fail. Almost no area to feel the open world. I still like the game and I'm still willing to play more but it's just the most brutal game I've played. And I own Robinson Crusoe which is like piece of cake compared to Waste Knights. Seems like Polish games are quite hard ;-)

[@JoachimErdtman]

Joey, your taste in games rocks!

[@thedicetower]

Thank you!! -- Joey

[@wanderlking8634]

Earthborn Rangers has my interest and I am happy to deliver cookies.

[@a_walk_down_memory_lane]

Great Top 10 lists. My #1 is The Isofarian Guard

[@ryantomczak2248]

My favorite adventure game is one I bet most people have not had the pleasure of seeing. It is Wizards by Avalon Hill. The game has unlimited replayability as no two games are identical. The game is long out of print however, so second hand is the only way to secure a copy. If you ever get the chance to play Wizards don’t pass it up. You will have a great time. The premise of the game is that you take on the tole of either a wizard, sorcerer, or druid. You take on quests traveling around the world and ultimately try to stop the evil forces from spreading and ultimately taking over. It is a vast game with wonderful mechanics. You get to level up your characters throughout the game which unlocks more spells for you. You fight demons and dragons, travel to islands (or not depends how the map is set up to start). You can teleport, fly, sail a ship, or just walk around the world. The quest cards are nicely written too. It is a cooperative game with some competition mixed in near the ending. If I ever get to go to a dice tower convention I will be bringing it along.

[@nshaw1299]

Regarding wanting other tower staff members to play a game you like - Might I suggest a coupon system, where each dice tower staff member gets a named coupon per each other person on staff, on jan 1st. And that coupon makes that person play with you a single game of your choice, one time, during the year.

[@grassnibbler2026]

I'm a bit surprised there was no ISS Vanguard or Unsettled. I just wish I had more time to play all the adventure games I buy. They sit on the shelf staring at me accusingly...

[@RvLeshrac]

I *loathe* ISS Vanguard, and can't even unload my $600 all-in for $450.

[@thing12games44]

ISS Vanguard is very interesting but very long. My guess is that they have not had time to really dive into it.

[@tacotruck4176]

@@RvLeshracwhat is your issue with the game? What type of games do you normally like?

[@marcjohnson4677]

The actor was the reason why I bought Fortune and Glory. He wasn't "in character" just a normal, nice dude who did a very good job at teaching me the game. Felt sorry for the dude because he had lost his voice on day 2 of Gencon but he still taught me the game

[@Joris1111111]

My personal top 10, maybe not everybody will agree all of these are Adventure Games. But they are close enough for me. 1) Quest for El Dorado 2) Luxor 3) Lost Ruins of Arnak 4) Eldritch Horror 5) Forbidden Island 6) Forbidden Desert 7) Flash Point: Fire Rescue 8) Pathfinder Adventure Card Game 9) Escape The Curse of the Temple 10) Exit (games): escape room games

[@jasonsmith1133]

I still have a copy of Runenound I need to try but have just started getting into adventure games so this is a list that gives me some stuff to check out.

[@jameskirk4692]

Very cool that Camilla experiences lucid dreams so regularly and so easily. It's definitely not what most people experience, but there are people who are just naturally predisposed for ludic dreaming! It's such a cool "ability", cool thing to do while you are sleeping. I am surprised that not many people are interested in the topic. It's very fascinating, and powerful, brings tons of possibilities. I tried to train myself to have lucid dreams while I was in highschool. And I succeeded partially. I experienced two dozen or so dreams here and there, but I never mastered control and keeping myself from getting to excited and quickly waking up after discovering I am dreaming.

[@JasonOshinko]

I've only ever had one, it was a long time ago but I still remember it vividly. I woke up before I had the chance to do anything fun like fly.

[@santeeblack3580]

Man, there's a bunch of these I haven't tried yet. But my go to adventures are summit and subterra. Trey was right there amazing.

[@racheldav4643]

Such a great version of The Dice Tower theme!!

[@jennera]

Love this version of the theme music!

[@AnomalousMats]

Anemoia - nostalgia for something you've never known

[@Pacerfan]

Duel of Ages 2!! My favorite game 🙂

[@sbassett11]

Waste Knights is AMAZING!!! can't wait for the expansion to come!

[@Noname6589]

Sea of legends is my wifes favourite game in my collection and I think it is underrated. I would say its problem is, it gets better the more you play it. Because only then you see the amount of possdbilitys this game provides.

[@MerrillWhiteKalEl]

My favorite adventure was Oathsworn.

[@thing12games44]

That’s my #1 rpg in a board game. The game play is amazing. The story is very intriguing. There are some incredible surprises. Absolutely stellar game.

[@nickvandam1214]

Robinson Crusoe, Eldritch Horror, Xia Legends of a Drift System

[@rovingmauler7410]

I’m torn between Xia or Robinson Crusoe as to which is my favorite game of all time. Both so good.

[@corrado8955]

Top notch picks there. All 3 on my list.

[@neojaw2192]

I think Camilla would like Fallout (with expansions)

[@beakerkell]

"You gotta do child labor right away" -Joey Evans, 2024

[@searose6192]

45:38 *You need to rewatch Lost….somehow we collectively misunderstood in the early 2000s what actually happened in the last season.* They weren’t dead the whole time, The alternate reality was them meeting and finding each other before heading to heaven together after each having lived a full life on and off the island.

[@gleasoneast]

Any input from y’all on which you would play with kids? And which ages?

[@maarten3811]

My kids are 7 - 9 and we play: 'Adventures of Robin Hood', Chronicles of Avel incl New Adventures, Above and Below, The Dungeon Adventure Games (Tom's 9)

[@Jwlahn]

My 5-year-old daughter loved Andor: The Family Fantasy Game, which is a kids version of Legends of Andor.

[@atarisan1]

+1 for the Escape the Dark Castle Catchapolosa! Need Tom’s reactions on this one.

[@Jwlahn]

I'm looking forward to The Last of Us: Escape the Dark.

[@thedicetower]

I agree, this needs to happen! -- Joey

[@GeeEmm81]

Agemonia and Divinity are two that I’m enjoying at the moment. Waiting on my copy of Sea of Legends to arrive, can’t wait!

[@danielbuday1895]

I think it’s time for a Top Ten Lifestyle Games list. You’re welcome.

[@rachelandryan]

Best adventure game is Mansions of Madness 2e. The stories and exploration are so rich and varied.

[@robertthurman9866]

2ed edition of Tainted Grail is much improved.

[@Jwlahn]

Just got my stuff last week. Excited to get it on the table. I haven't even tried my first edition set because shortly after my wife surprised me with a used copy the campaign for the upgrade kits launched, so I figured I should wait for the improved experience.

[@middleclassboardgamer]

No love for Runebound?

[@AFatalPapercut]

hahaha Tom almost showing Camilla his list at 9:27 and quickly turning it back so she can't see it.

[@yeli14]

Near and far is more enjoyable to me that now or never. The biggest difference in the narration is near and far is a choose your own adventure. Now or never is just different parts of each character’s story

[@soogymoogi]

Camilla being shocked that not everyone lucid dreams is wild. That's super interesting that she's able to so often. I've only managed to once or twice.

[@PablowingUrMind]

I want to make it stop. It feels like your brain is not off at all most of the time.

[@curtislinden9297]

45:15 I just got T.I.M.E. stories at the thrift store and had all the pieces -- Asylum and The Marcy Case were inside. Can someone, without spoiling, tell me if these two will fall into the "season 1-6 Game of thrones" and not "season 7" in toms analogy? lol I don't need to play all the stories, are there certain ones to avoid? It sounds like by toms reaction, the story has an ultimate conclusion? we are going to play Asylum this weekend

[@thedicetower]

1 and 2 are fine. You will enjoy them. - Tom

[@keithhammons2605]

There are additional good stories, just don't expect a big exciting culmination that ties everything together as they initially promise.

[@thing12games44]

Just don’t play the last one, and you’ll have fun and come away with a good experience.

[@txsportsfreak02]

Waste knights sounds awesome!

[@zacharymartin1477]

Temple of Horus is so good. So many memories of my boys and me playing this and temple of chac.

[@andrewturner9108]

Joey's right to call Australia 'America Light.'

[@erevisentreri6161]

Tom if you like Jaskier from The Witcher show he has an actual band called The Amazing Devil and they're great. "The Horror and the Wild" and "Farewell Wanderlust" are 2 of my fav songs

[@frankwatanabe]

My #1 is Mage Knight

[@danielbuday1895]

Top 10 Suggestion: Top Ten Board Game Publishers and the Best Game from that Publisher

[@Acenchious]

The theme of not liking Jenny, Yennifer and juniberries is fun

[@Benjahmin1138]

Tom you really should give Frostpunk a whirl

[@robertthurman9866]

Great selections

[@keithhammons2605]

First Martians core scenario was great but the promise of various scenarios and an epic campaign fell so flat - the rulebook was terrible for the base and completely fell apart as the campaign scenarios deviated into terrible mini-games with little relation to the core mechanics.

[@Leiderg]

Well I'm sure not even 11 bit studios know they made an adventure game with Frostpunk lol, some of the choices on these rankings are really nuts.

[@nick-rj1bc]

I guess an adventure game to me is one that tells a story that you feel a part of. I agree that some choices had me raising an eyebrow but if it created a world for them that they felt inside of then it should count.

[@Charger8117]

My #1 is Fallen Land : A Post Apocalyptic Board Game - 2nd Edition

[@victorig2798]

So Bruce Campbel is part of the Dice Tower now? 😮

[@dawsondemars1092]

Praise Joey. The Adventurers: PoH is the best. I love it

[@michaell6549]

Agemonia #1 for me

[@EyalItsik]

Wow, where's that outro music from and how can I listen to more of it?

[@fmgs31]

Roy should have been present in this one

[@njuns999]

Roy if you read this please share your top 10 in the comments 👉👈🥺

[@RealCoolGuy]

Did he say Clank! is not an adventure game? That's literally the first game I thought of after reading the title. The original with the expansion is a standard at my game nights. Probably my #1 but I can see people categorising it as "basic". I haven't played the first Legacy but I did pre-order the one that's coming out later this year

[@trunkage]

Queensland is Australia's Florida so we are definitely partially American

[@ziomalZparafii]

1:21:03 great screenshot if you pause there ;-) Also, lots of Polish games, woo hoo!

[@winstonhammonds3314]

Tom- I know it’s a dungeon crawler, which you did a little while back, but I wonder if you’ve tried Deliverance yet? I’ve been hoping to hear your thoughts about it.

[@dannyp4174]

Firefly is a fun game.

[@salvatorecautela4391]

Was that Tom Savani in the lower right corner of Duel of Ages II?

[@PestiferousJoe]

The Isofarian Guard is a great adventure game it's a shame that no one on the Dice Tower talks or has played it (correct me if I'm wrong).

[@joek3288]

Did you all change the ad settings? Over the last few days I’m now receiving ads between every number - which is awful.

[@thedicetower]

Not intentionally. My apologies, KZbin has changed some features recently that if we don't turn off some default settings every time, it defaults to a massive amount of in-video ads. Sorry, it's fixed now.

[@joek3288]

@@thedicetowerthank you. I love the channel and really appreciate the reply and responsiveness.

[@TheErnieforss]

Saw furiosa last night. It take place in the land down under. They zoomed in where it takes place at the begining of the movie

[@randalladkins7452]

1:16:13 - Bantam West

[@drewmyers7439]

What is that game in the top right with what looks like a scuba diver?

[@ErmacFellwalker]

I'd love for you to have defined the parameters of an adventure game before going into this. I'm really struggling to see how games like Duel of Ages and Slay the Spire are adventure games, but clearly there is something in them that makes them feel adventurous to you

[@sorrowsong08]

Tom, that Witcher game is really good. Joey is actually right.

[@PatrickRes]

Andor is an A+ take

[@sirremicable]

America light.... I have never been so offended :p

[@koalabrownie]

Duel of Ages II is back on the LIST??? tom must have high hopes for 3rd edition

[@Daoshifu]

The Witcher by Netflix takes the characters for the books and completely misrepresents them grossly missing the point of the books' story. I highly recommend reading the books.

[@felicitycarter79]

25:48 I have never managed to win the Jenny scenario!

[@MarkB-uu5we]

Oh dear, need to stop Australia bashing, lol!! We are not that dangerous down here and we have the third (I believe) highest life expectancy in the world, so hard to think everything is trying to kill you. We have good antidotes for everything haha. As for Mad Max question, all of them but Fury Road are filmed in and located wholly in Australia. Mad Max Fury Road is still australian as such but filmed and produced in South Africa. Mad Max II (Roadwarrior) confuses our American friends because the movie was released with a US version which has a few scenes cut and although still Australian has american voiceover in parts, most notably the very start of the film. Mad Max III Beyond Thunderdome from 1983 is the one with Tina Turner.

[@koalabrownie]

Joey's wife is from Australia. So- if he bashes it, it's done with affection I'm sure.

[@pietrorasputin52]

Tom, you need to read the books or play Witcher 3, and then you'll fall in love with the world of Witcher.

[@kylemartin7871]

LOST is amazing the whole way through. Do not equate it to T.I.M.E. Stories.

[@mattw.1937]

If "Tales of the Arabian Nights" belongs on this list, how about "Agents of S.M.E.R.S.H."? I like it even better than TotAN.

[@darinherrick9224]

My wife really hated Clank Legacy. I thought it was kinda fun.

[@k.p.636]

Tainted Grail does have the best story...

[@Hannman97]

Star Wars Outer Rim hands down beats Firefly.

[@grog3514]

Why?

[@nick-rj1bc]

@@grog3514 Star Wars is somewhat popular with people. No idea why.

[@grog3514]

@@nick-rj1bc the fact that the IP is popular says nothing about how fun a game is. Look at the review of the boba Fett game. It's pretty bad. What elevates this one above firefly?

[@CharlesBoyung]

​@@grog3514 it's a better game. Vastly inferior property when compared to Firefly (even with its very short life), but Outer Rim is a much better game.

[@grog3514]

@@CharlesBoyung why is it a better game though?

[@MrGratefulg]

Unique means “the only one of its kind”. Please tell me how can something be the Very only one of its kind?

[@Fissi0nChips]

Mansions of Madness

[@peterkun666]

I really expected Lost Ruins of Arnak here :(

[@grog3514]

It's not an adventure game. It's resource conversion with a veneer of exploration pasted on.

[@gottimighty]

Please fix red die on shelf. Thanks!

[@edwindrood2816]

Never liked Gloomhaven. Played it all way through during COVID

[@emmanueldariofernandezarci3757]

I am all for giving things a second chance, but why would you play a 100 hs game that you don't like?! O_o I mean I love Gloomhaven, but if I didn´t I don´t think I'd have gone past the 4th scenario

[@searose6192]

I don’t feel like Gloomhaven is an adventure game….there isn’t any adventure in it at all. There is nothing but fighting.

[@theoldman2821]

Very sad about the reboot of Duel of Ages, Worldspanner. It took away exactly the thing that Tom says he liked and I do too, the mix of famous characters through history, famous fictional characters and a bunch of their own made up characters. Now it's just all made up characters in so you lose that fun anachronistic feeling.

[@corrado8955]

Nope definitely have never been able to control my dreams

[@ralphgraichen705]

Agents of Smersh 😎

[@LucianZweiFawkes]

have you 3 not played talisman?

[@TylerAndToast]

No "so clover"?

[@johannesblank1552]

I don't think strong story elements are necessary for an adventure game.

[@UnimatrixOne]

Tales of the arabian nichts?

[@asan590]

Arkham Horror The Card Game

[@AKKK1182]

The Witcher Netflix series is an awful adaptation of the base material. Just listen to the audio books if you're not interested in the video games. Both of those do an excellent job of pulling you into the world with fantastic writing.

[@AdamJorgensen]

Nice to see Joey recommending Witcher. Tom and Camilla should try it, you don't need to be mega into the books or show (which it's fine not to like, it's crap) to enjoy the game.

[@ntarmstrong1]

Also in the Jenny Haters Club!