It’s all in service of a sprawling narrative that somehow weaves its vast cast of characters elegantly in and out of an ever-growing Norse tapestry. That journey is the definition of adventure - a voyage through realms old and new laced with fearsome foes, pleasing puzzles, and surprising side stories. Its ferocious and varied combat never feels less than fantastic no matter what weapon you choose to wield - whether that be the hard-hitting axe, whipping blades, or any other tools you happen to find along your journey.
God of War Ragnarok is as glorious a blend of action and adventure as you could dare to dream of. And any game that casts you as a cat roaming a cyberpunk world gets our vote, with Stray's mix of simple platforming and puzzles making it one to remember.īut only one game could win, and IGN's Best Action-Adventure of 2022 is. Tunic may look like a gentle Zelda-style adventure with a sword-wielding fox as its lead, but beneath its cute art style lies a quest that is challenging and charming in equal measure. But definitely don't overlook two games whose heroes are a little different from the norm. It's no surprise Elden Ring also makes the cut – it's FromSoftware's most ambitious game yet, and its masterful world building and challenging-yet-rewarding combat combine to make it a masterpiece.
