Essential Tips for Newcomers to Adventure Games

7 September 2025

So, you've decided to dip your toes into the adventurous world of, well, adventure games. Welcome, my friend! Whether you’re about to solve a murder mystery with a talking parrot or navigate a jungle full of sentient vines, one thing’s for sure—you’re in for a wild ride. But let’s be real for a second: starting out can be as overwhelming as opening an Ikea instruction manual written in Klingon.

But fear not! I’ve got your back like an overzealous tutorial level. Whether you're here because you rage-quit after wandering aimlessly for hours or because you don't know why you keep collecting rusty spoons in your inventory, these essential tips will help you level up your game.

Grab your pixelated sword, polish your magnifying glass, and let’s dive into these pro tips—because we’re leaving no quest unfinished, no puzzle unsolved, and no NPC unspoken to.

1. Patience Is Your Greatest Weapon

Look, adventure games are not Call of Duty. You can’t just button-mash through puzzles or zap your way out of trouble. These games demand patience—like, the “wait for a cat to sit on your lap before you move” kind of patience.

There will be puzzles that make you feel like a big-brained genius and others that will make you question your life decisions. Take. Your. Time. Just because you can’t figure it out now doesn’t mean you suck. It just means the game designers are evil geniuses.

Don’t be afraid to take breaks. Ever noticed how staring at a puzzle for hours makes it look like ancient hieroglyphics, but stepping away to grab a snack somehow reboots your brain? Yeah, do that.

2. Click, Talk, Touch… EVERYTHING

Adventure games are the one place where you’re rewarded for being obnoxiously curious. See that weirdly suspicious cactus in the corner? Click on it. Is that random NPC muttering to themselves in a coffee shop? Go talk to them. Got a fish in your inventory? Try using it on the locked door—because sometimes adventure game logic is about as logical as trying to cut a loaf of bread with a spoon.

Pro tip: Anything you can interact with is fair game. Developers love hiding Easter eggs, clues, and jokes in the most unexpected places. Plus, randomly clicking on stuff often triggers hilarious dialogue, which is half the fun.

3. Your Inventory Is Basically a Junk Drawer

Adventure games are like digital Hoarders—you’re encouraged to pick up everything that isn’t nailed down. Found a broken screwdriver? Take it. A random piece of string? It’s yours now. Heck, if you find a moldy sandwich, pocket it like it’s worth a million bucks.

The thing is, you never know when one of these seemingly useless items will save your butt. One minute, you’re questioning why you’re carrying a rubber chicken with a pulley in the middle, and the next, it’s the only reason you’re not rotting in a dungeon.

Pro Tip: If you’re wondering, “Why the heck am I carrying this?” it probably has a purpose—eventually. Or it’s there purely for comic relief. Probably both.

4. Save Early, Save Often

Okay, listen closely here because I’m about to save you from throwing your keyboard across the room. SAVE. YOUR. GAME. And not just one save file—create multiple ones.

Why? Because adventure games have a habit of springing unexpected consequences on you. You didn’t talk to the wizard before crossing the bridge? Congrats, you’re now stuck on the other side, and he’s the only one who can help you.

Trust me, nothing stings more than realizing you have to replay the last three hours because of one dumb mistake. Save your progress like a parent taking 50 pictures of their kid’s first steps.

5. Talk to Everyone (Even If They’re Annoying)

In real life, we avoid talkative strangers at all costs. In adventure games, you need to embrace them like they’re giving out free snacks. NPCs (non-playable characters) are basically walking, talking hint machines. They might drop a crucial clue, give you a quest, or just ramble about their pet llama—it’s all worth it.

Plus, some NPCs are hilarious, rude, or just plain quirky. Think of them as the stand-up comedians of the gaming world. Take the time to chat; you might stumble across some valuable info—or at least get a good laugh.

6. Take Notes Like a Detective

This might sound old-school, but trust me—taking notes is a game-changer. Write down codes, clues, cryptic symbols, and whatever other nonsense the game throws at you. You think you’ll remember that five-digit code the bartender mentioned? LIES.

Keep a notebook, open a notes app, or—if you’re feeling extra fancy—use a whiteboard. After all, nobody wants to backtrack through 20 locations just to remember the color of the weird goblin’s hat, right?

7. Embrace Trial and Error

You’re going to mess up. A lot. But guess what? That’s totally okay. Adventure games are designed to mess with your brain—kind of like those carnival claw machines that make you think you’re about to win a stuffed bear, but then drop it at the last second.

Instead of getting frustrated, turn every fail into a learning opportunity. Tried using the crowbar on the talking door, but it didn’t work? Cool. Now you know Mr. Door probably wants something else—maybe a poem or a tap-dance performance. The point is, keep experimenting.

8. Google Is NOT Cheating (But Use It Wisely)

Let’s address the elephant in the room: using a walkthrough. Is it cheating? Meh, technically yes. Should you feel guilty? Absolutely not.

That being said, try to resist Googling every time you hit a roadblock. Part of the magic of adventure games lies in the “Aha!” moments—those times when the solution finally clicks, and you feel like the smartest person alive.

Use hints or walkthroughs as a last resort, and only check the minimum you need to move forward. Otherwise, you risk turning the game into a glorified connect-the-dots, and where’s the fun in that?

9. Learn to Love the Weird

Adventure games have their own brand of humor, logic, and, well, weirdness. You might need to trade a jar of bees for a monocle or convince a pirate to join your crew by beating him in an insult contest. Just roll with it.

If you’re the type of person who likes strict logic and realism, you might need a mental adjustment. Adventure games are more Monty Python than National Geographic, and that’s part of their charm.

10. Enjoy the Journey (Not Just the Destination)

At the end of the day, adventure games are about the experience. Sure, solving puzzles and completing quests are satisfying, but it’s the little moments—funny dialogues, quirky characters, and unexpected twists—that make these games memorable.

Take the time to appreciate the world the developers have created. Soak in the art, listen to the music, and laugh at the ridiculous situations you find yourself in. Remember: It’s about the journey, not how quickly you get to the end credits.

Bonus Tip: Don’t Give Up!

If you’re feeling stuck and frustrated, just remember: everyone starts as a noob. Even the most seasoned adventure gamers have struggled with pixel-hunting, nonsensical puzzles, and inventory overload at some point.

Stick with it, laugh at the absurdity, and keep pushing forward. Because nothing—NOTHING—beats the satisfaction of finally solving that one puzzle that’s been mocking you for hours.

Final Thoughts

Adventure games can be frustrating, hilarious, and downright confusing, but they’re also some of the most rewarding games out there. Whether you’re navigating a haunted mansion, uncovering ancient secrets, or helping an alien fix their spaceship, these tips should help you tackle whatever challenges come your way.

Now, go forth, brave adventurer. And remember: when in doubt, CLICK EVERYTHING.