My favourite gaming genre has to be the classic 2D point ‘n’ click adventure. Although there are equivalents today still appearing, for me the best of the best are already out there from years gone by and some playable on many platforms thanks to the marvelous ScummVM engine.

I am still working on MIDI music enhancements for various games such as Simon the Sorcerer, Discworld, Beneath a Steel Sky, Inherit the Earth, Flight of the Amazon Queen and another (which I will be announcing in the next week or so) and I am hoping to share my admiration for a genre that should never be forgotten.

With this in mind, here is my top 10 point and click adventure list of which I consider personally to be the most memorable of all time:

  • 1) Simon the Sorcerer – Adventure Soft
    This was actually my first game on the PC after playing and loving the subtitle-only version on the Acorn Archimedes. I was so excited when I heard I would be getting a PC that I rushed down to the shops to buy the talkie version of the game on PC CD-ROM in anticipation of it arriving. Full of charm and magical statements, Simon the Sorcerer is my favourite game of all time never mind just point and click adventures.
  • 2) Broken Sword: The Shadow of the Templars – Revolution Software
    Full of mystery and intrigue, George Stobbart goes on an adventure taking you along with him in this fantastic quest full of fascinating locations (my favourite being Ireland) and lovable characters.
  • 3) Full Throttle – LucasArts
    Dazzling video animation and music for the time (in fact the reason why I upgraded to 8mb of memory… wow!) with murder, leather jackets galore and eerie settings. Only as Ben, leader of a biker gang called the Polecats can you solve the mystery and save the day.
  • 4) Discworld – Teeny Weeny Games and Perfect 10 Productions
    Follow Rincewind in the Discworld universe created by Terry Pratchett to rid the enormous turtle world of a ruthless rampaging dragon. Starring the voices of Eric Idle, Jon Pertwee and Tony Robinson this title provides masses of humour and bizarre puzzles.
  • 5) Broken Sword II: The Smoking Mirror – Revolution Software
    Continuing on from the success of the first in the series, join again George Stobbart as he is yet again flung into chaos and sets of for another trek across multiple locations. Not quite as interesting a subject as the Templars, but still a great romp through wonderful gaming heaven.
  • 6) Simon the Sorcerer II – Adventure Soft
    In Simon the Sorcerer II: The Lion, the Wizard and the Wardrobe, Simon’s voice may have changed (from Chris Barrie to Brian Bowles), but the magical adventure continues. The return of the Swampling with his own fast food chain is probably the highlight of the entire game as you read through the items on the menu. A very good sequel, but lacked the exploration I adored so much from the original.
  • 7) Day of the Tentacle – LucasArts
    Another gem of the many from LucasArts, the title features a tentacle (yes a tentacle stay with me here!) who is bent on taking over the world. It is up to Bernard Bernoulli, Hoagie and Laverne to travel in time thanks to Dr. Fred’s Chron-o-John’s (time travelling toilets believe it or not!) to stop this mad tentacle from reaching his goal.
  • 8) Sam & Max Hit the Road – LucasArts
    Welcome Sam and Max the Freelance Police in their hysterical journey to locate the missing Big Foot (or Sasquatch). Featuring the two characters, Sam a large dog and Max a crazy rabbit allows for double the fun in every aspect of the game.
  • 9) The Gene Machine – Divide by Zero
    One of the unsung heroes of point and click adventuring, The Gene Machine features an unusual lead character with the very pompous yet amusing Piers Featherstonehaugh (pronounced Fanshawe). The locations and animations are very appealing as they are set mostly in Victorian England from the dark and gloomy slums to the darn right posh establishments. A great classic that requires a stiff upper lip at all times to be enjoyed properly.
  • 10) Touche: The Adventures of the Fifth Musketeer – Clipper Software
    Not the most amazing graphics ever seen in this genre, but some of the best laugh out loud moments for me have come from this game. With a noble quest in one hand and a sword in the other, Geoffroi Le Brun is set to travel around France in an attempt to fulfil the dying wish of a nobleman taking his will to the rightful heir.

I am sure there are some of you are wondering why I haven’t mentioned Monkey Island and maybe some other classics, but these are my top 10 point and click adventure games that I played the most and enjoyed.

Make sure you consider your top 10…

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James Woodcock

James is a Freelance Journalist, Copywriter, Author, Blogger & Podcaster specialising in gaming, gadgets and technology, both retro and modern. Ever since he experienced the first controllable pixel movement on the television screen, he has been entranced by the possibilities and rewarding entertainment value generated from these metal and plastic boxes of delight. Writing hundreds of articles, including commentary and reviews on various gaming platforms, whilst also interviewing well-known industry figures for popular online publications. Creator of the ScummVM Music Enhancement Project and host of the Game & Gadget Podcast. View his portfolio for more information.

James Woodcock has 1087 posts and counting. See all posts by James Woodcock

20 thoughts on “My Top 10 Classic Point and Click Adventures

  • Well from those on your list I’ve played “Sam & Max: Hit the Road”, “Discworld” & “Day of the Tentacle”.

    And out of those three, DotT is just the one I remember most of, and is my best point & click experience. Even now I sometimes quote scenes from the movie (“I don’t think you should drink that” or “this must be that woodstock place mum & dad were always talking about”).

    It’s hard to make a list like this, since I would almost have to play them again for 5 min to remember what they felt like.

    Others I remembered playing: the Indiana Jones series, LS Larry (never a big fan though) & of course; Monkey Island!

    A woodchuck should chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood, as long as a woodchuck would chuck wood.

    Reply
  • Nice list. I would definitely agree to put simon among the top 10, just not above any of the great old Lucas games. Monkey Island takes the lead (easily), Grimfandango (OK its not exactly point and click… its more of watch and click :), Sam & Max, Day of the Tentacle, Full Throttle.

    Discworld was so buggy I could not finish it. Broken sword is always worthy buying, and I am waiting for the new release.

    I wonder if you have been trying the recent telltale games recently. Short, but worth playing. Also, the old DIG game was a thing to remember. Even though it didnt sell that good.

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  • In regards to Tell Tale Games, I have played the new Sam and Max demo and although really impressed, haven’t had the need to want to purchase it…. yet.

    Reply
  • yeah nice list.
    I got a question tho. there is this game where you begin playing in some guys room and walk around to kitchen and make sandwich or something, then you go to your computer and get sucked into some kind of fantasy world. A really awesome game that i played a demo of. I would be really glad if someone could tell me the name of this game.

    Reply
    • Maybe Darkseed?

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    • “Out Of This World” – also called “Another World”

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  • According to the clever people over at ScummVM, Companions of Xanth?

    Reply
  • Syberia 1 and 2. You MUST play that point and click adventure. Its ups there.

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  • Thank you so much for this list!
    I remember playing a game with my brother when I was younger… a point and click game with a motorcycle! And finally after years of searching… FULL THROTTLE! All thanks to your list :)

    Myst would have been another one to add to the list, it’s amazing!

    Reply
  • Hi James – a good list here, but I thought I'd just have to mention my all-time-fave point n' click – Gabriel Knight. I think it was the first, or at least, one of the first, truly 'adult' adventure games (and I don't mean 'adult' in a Leisure Suit Larry kind of way!). Have gone back to it recently and it's just as good as it was back then.

    I grew up playing the old EGA King's Quest games, Space Quests, Police Quests and so on – old school adventure games are still my fave gaming genre.

    Reply
    • My first point and click adventure was Simon the Sorcerer on the Acorn Archimedes A3010 (floppy disk version). Never really played the older EGA games, must get around to that :)

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  • It's a good list, im not sure if you played "the longest journey" its an awesome game

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  • Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis was superb.

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  • can anyone help>>> im looking for old point click game but remember very little about it??

    1. you insert a tear droplet into tree
    2. there a guy who juggles knives and if you throw 1 at him he turns you to ice
    3. if you dont throw knife at him he seals a cave with ice
    4.game is set in sum forest area and you have 2 fix a bridge at sum point
    if anyone knows id be greatful

    Reply
    • It's The Legend of Kyrandia.
      Great game, ScummVM supports it as well.

      Reply
  • hmmm..
    I don't see simon the sorcerer being on the top of everyone else's lists
    broken sword/monkey island seem to be the most common list toppers.

    If you want to play some myst style games the most people never heard of..
    try:
    Amerzone
    lighthouse
    Amber: journey's beyond
    syberia 1& 2
    and there are tons of other ones

    amerzone was surprisingly fun
    lighthouse was creepy but awesome
    and the same with amber

    Reply
  • I really suggest amerzone and lighthouse

    you're really missing out if you haven't played these two gems
    and don't worry.. they are not nearly as ridiculously hard as myst

    Reply
  • Monkey island tops all these games

    Reply
    • Anyone know of a game takes place in space at like a space bar and you can control different aliens and one is a centipede like alien it game on a demo disck with broken sword mirrors of fate i believe been looking for this game for ages

      Reply

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