Exploring the Point-and-Click Adventure Genre
If you're unfamiliar with the point-and-click adventure genre's origins, let's break things down for you. The "point-and-click" part relates to the genre's PC origins, where mouse control was the order of the day. In a point-and-click adventure, you're literally pointing your mouse and clicking on largely static scenes to interact with puzzles.
And of course, the "adventure" part points to the genre's love of strong narratives and fantasy. When you play a good point-and-click adventure, you can expect a rollicking story and a trip into the unknown. The point-and-click genre came into its own in the early '90s, with the imperious LucasArts spearheading the charge through such greats as The Secret of Monkey Island.
If you have more love for regular adventure games on Android, we got you covered! After a spell out of the spotlight, the point-and-click adventure genre has experienced a partial resurgence, largely thanks to the emergence of smartphones as a gaming platform. Being able to touch the screen rather than click it adds an extra sense of connection to these absorbing games.
Besides a series of rereleases and remakes, we now have a whole bunch of point-and-click originals to enjoy on our Android phones and tablets. These are some of our favorites:
- Thimbleweed Park: Created by Ron Gilbert and Gary Winnick, this game is a modern take on classic point-and-click adventures, blending humor and mystery seamlessly.
- Machinarium: This visually stunning game by Amanita Design offers a unique art style and engaging puzzles set in a steampunk world.
- The Room Series: Known for its intricate puzzles and atmospheric storytelling, this series has captivated players with its tactile gameplay.
- Broken Age: A beautifully crafted game by Double Fine Productions that tells two parallel stories with charm and wit.
- Grim Fandango Remastered: A reimagined version of the classic LucasArts game, bringing its noir-inspired narrative and memorable characters to a new generation.
The point-and-click adventure genre continues to evolve, embracing new technologies while staying true to its roots. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the genre, there's never been a better time to dive into these captivating adventures.