10 Action/Adventure Games With No Villain

Video games have generally revolved around conflict. Now, what constitutes a "conflict" certainly varies. It could be Solid Snake attempting to thwart the evil plans of his genetic twin, Liquid Snake, and his army of super-soldiers. Or it could be two individual players sending tiny monsters as proxies in a battle for what is, let's not mince words here, their own personal amusement. Especially in the action and/or adventure genres, players will take the role of a hero and confront a villain.

However, — and you probably already gathered this after reading the title of the list — that's not always the case. Oh, there's always a goal, mind you. There's always something the player is trying to achieve. It just doesn't always necessarily involve a "bad guy." That's kind of rare, though, but I've found enough examples to fill one of our trademark lists. So, let's dive right in!

10 A Short Hike

It's About the Journey. AND the Destination. It's About Both. That's Allowed!

We've all been on a family vacation where one of the kids just didn't want to be there — you might have even been that kid. That's the situation Claire finds herself in, as her family is visiting a national park for a hiking and camping trip. It's dirty, there are bugs and, worst of all, there's no cell service! What are we, animals? Actually, technically, in this game? Yes, but that's beside the point.

The "Short Hike" in the game's title is what Claire — who, we should mention, by the way, is a bird — must go on to reach high enough ground to get a signal and call her friends. It's during that hike that players can meet new people (well, animals), some who need help and some who really want to race. By completing activities, Claire earns Golden Feathers, which give her the stamina to make her way up the rock. As the title suggests, it's not a long game, but it's a good time — no villains required.

9 Journey

The Wheel In the Sky: Children of the Light

My 10-year-old daughter messaged me last night, asking if I knew about a game called Journey. She's a big fan of Sky: Children of the Light and wanted to know what I knew about Thatgamecompany's previous title. Needless to say, I immediately bought it for her (which was easy since it's less than $4 on Steam until July 23, 2026). TGC makes games that really capture a sense of child-like wonder, and Journey is no exception.

The goal of Journey is in its title. Players are dropped into a desolate world, where the only thing the eyes can see is desert and a mountain in the background. A mountain you need to, you know, journey to. Along the way, players can meet other players. They can greet each other with open arms, work together to solve puzzles, and then go their separate ways. There are multiple ways to play through the game, meaning you can play it any way you want.

It can be difficult at times, but you'll eventually make it to that mountain, as long as you don't stop believin'.

8 ABZÛ

Darling, It's Better Down Where It's Wetter

Did you know that we know more about our solar system than we do about our planet's oceans? Well, whether that's true or not — I saw some science guy say it on TV, so it's probably true — the fact is that our oceans still hold wonders and secrets. Some we probably can't even imagine. Which makes for a great setting for an exploration game, and it's one reason why ABZÛ is a great one of those.

ABZÛ drops you in the middle of the ocean, though helpfully without the need for oxygen. That's right, swim around all you want with no air or health meter to worry about. There's plenty of real-world aquatic wildlife to see, from guppies to whales — but you'll also find signs of an ancient but seemingly advanced undersea civilization. So, whether you want to unravel that mystery, or just look for Dory and Nemo (spoiler alert, they're not in this game), ABZÛ has you covered.

7 The Forgotten City

No, Not Cleveland.

I kind of dig stories about villages or small towns that have deep dark secrets. It might be why I'm one of the thirty people that actually enjoyed We Happy Few (seriously unappreciated game, by the way). The Forgotten City is a tale of one of these places — and the curse laid upon said city is one for the ages. Quite literally, as it turns out, as the city itself has been plucked out of time from ancient Rome. And that's not the only time-based shenanigan happening here.

The City (as we'll call it as it doesn't actually have a proper name) and its 26 citizens live under The Golden Rule - "The many shall suffer for the sins of the one." Namely, if just one person does something bad - robbery, theft, insider trading (probably) - everyone in town will be turned into gold statues. So, as you play through the game, you'll be tasked with preventing someone from breaking the Golden Rule and ruining an entire city's millennium. On top of that, there's a time loop going on, which will allow you to use this game's ultimate weapon — knowledge.

6 Deliver Us the Moon

We Paid for Next Day Shipping

You're not going to believe this, but it's the near future and *gasp* Earth is almost out of resources! I know, right?! If only someone had warned us. Anyway, Deliver Us the Moon puts you in the moon boots of a lone astronaut tasked with saving the day. He's been sent to an abandoned colony on Alan Shepard's favorite Par 3 to get an energy beam working. That beam will send said energy to Earth and everybody can stop complaining.

Because it's just you out there, there aren't any particular people interfering in your mission. The Moon itself, however, seems to have a problem with it as there are all sorts of hazards that can cause you to get lost, leak oxygen, fall into a giant crater, or worse. Survive long enough, however, and not only will you provide Earth with much-needed juice, but you might just discover why this moon base was abandoned in the first place.

5 Animal Well

Giant World, Itty Bitty File Size

Do you see the photo above, the one of gameplay from Animal Well? That photo's file size is probably bigger than the game's. Just from a technical standpoint, this game is a hell of an achievement. It's like if the entire Grid from the movie Tron: Legacy could fit on a single thumb drive. That's just crazy! Nobody in their right mind would suggest that would be possible. Right, Disney?

Pointless gripes about a sixteen-year-old movie aside, I bring up the game's world here because it's that very world that could be considered the "villain" of this game. Animal Well is a tightly designed Metroidvania, where you take the role of a cute little blobby thing that seemingly everything in this world wants dead. Not for any personal reasons. They're just animals and that's what they do. That doesn't make this game any more fun, though.

4 Insurmountable

This Hike Is Far From Short

We circle back around to another game that has you vertically braving the elements. Except this time around, things are about to get way more intense. Insurmountable recreates everything involved in the mountain climbing experience. Not just the climbing part — that's actually shockingly simple compared to everything else.

You'll need to map out which route up the mountain you'll take, which is important as each one is procedurally generated. So, you won't be climbing a single mountain twice. You'll need to make sure you not only have all the right gear, but that it works. And you'll need to worry about weather, oxygen (or a lack thereof), and even your own mental and physical conditioning.

Oh, and there's no respawning. If you fall off the side of the mountain, you'll be starting over. On a different mountain. With a different climber. Because permadeath is a thing.

3 Subnautica

Bloody Handprint Covered Vollyball Not Included

Finding yourself cast away out to sea, with only your wits and some basic tools to survive sounds terrifying as it is. Now, imagine that scenario... on a different planet. That's the position Subnautica puts you in. Your ship has crashed into the ocean of planet 45468, and you need to figure out what you're going to do to survive before you become something's lunch. Also, 45468 sounds like a ZIP code but actually isn't one, though it's really close to those in the Dayton, OH area. Where my dad is from. So, my dad's an alien.

Subnautica was rightfully praised for its immersive gameplay. It's not just the flora and fauna of Planet Dayton you need to worry about. Along the way, you'll be able to build and/or repair machines to help you out — machines that aren't always necessarily reliable. There are no sentient lifeforms, no civilization on this planet out to get you. Just the planet itself.

2 Rain World

It's Not Just a Game World, It's An Entire Ecosystem

So far on this list, there's been plenty of examples of how the "world" in the game is the "villain" and it's what you have to survive. And, make no mistake, those are well-designed worlds, and exploring them is definitely worth your time. But, all of them are basically World 1-1 of Super Mario Bros. compared to the complexity of Rain World.

You see, like the subheading out front should have told you, this is an ecosystem. That means that everything is connected to everything else. Yes, that creature twice your size with the claws and the teeth and the insatiable hunger wants to eat you. But, there's also something even bigger and hungrier that wants to eat them. And that's just one element you need to contend with as you attempt to achieve your life's goal of not becoming something's dinner.

1 Outer Wilds

22-Minutes Ia a Long Time When You Think About It

Finally, we come to a game that brings so many of these elements into one package. A lone astronaut (check) is tasked with saving the planet (check) through crafting tools, exploring the intricately designed world, and taking advantage of a 22-minute time loop (check, check, and check). It's up to you to figure out how to save your home from being engulfed as its sun goes supernova.

Outer Wilds uses real world physics in its environments, both on and off planet (yeah, you can go into space and visit your celestial neighbors if you want). It also doesn't hold your hand, leaving it up to you to figure out how to prevent Armageddon. Assuming you even want to.