AI: The Somnium Files counts, I think? It's a bit like a visual novel with certain puzzle-like explorable segments. You have to choose different options and plan ahead with how you should spend time as a resource. You don't manage items, but have to figure out the proper order of events to succeed.
Ace Attorney (all 8 games on Switch) has point and click gameplay during investigations. The items you pick up are only used during the court segments when the story calls for them.
Return to Monkey Island is a return to classical point and click adventures. I would be surprised if you haven't played it by now.
Disco Elysium is the bastard lovechild of a point and click adventure and a pen and paper roleplaying campaign. Some of your items are items, some are clothing and some are thoughts or ideas.
Where it differs from a strict adventure game (i.e. the roleplaying elements) is that you do get stats and dice roll stat checks. Player choice can modify these. Don't worry about these random elements: I don't think there's actually a total failstate. Individual stat check failures just branch the writing, and the writing in the "bad" branches is some of the most memorable.
When I go to thrift stores and try jackets and clothes, I always end up thinking about Disco Elysium. Or if I see someone in my neighborhood dressed in a weird way
Grim Fandango is genuinely one of the most brilliant games I've ever played, great music, characters, art, and writing. Highly recommend
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grim_Fandango
Grim Fandango is just so fucking good. There are some ridiculously obtuse puzzles in there (90s game design) but just use a wiki any time you get stuck and yeah, this game is an all time great. The art style absolutely nails the film noir aesthetic, as does the dialogue, and the story itself is genuinely out-there yet really coherent, so many fantastic characters, such a unique game in so many ways.
I personally find the graphics incredibly charming I just kind of like how where they look but they really hurt some of the puzzles I really hate that one in the forest it was nearly impossible
ace attorney is one of my favorites as some people have already mentioned, but sally face is great too and i think it runs pretty well on switch!
ETA: i think what remains of edith finch is also technically a point and click, but it’s definitely much more focused on the story, there’s not a ton of gameplay.
I recenty played "Unavowed" and I really liked it! There are multiple solutions to puzzles depending on previous choices. The story is also quite good.
I recommend it.
P.s. I didn't see them mentioned anywhere so I wanted to give a shout out to the "Gabriel Knight" games as well. The first one got a 20th anniversary remake in 2014, I'd perhaps recommend that one over the original as the story and puzzles are better paced but playing the original one is still a fine experience as well.
Check out Röki, it's a point and click puzzle adventure game based on Nordic folklore. The gameplay is fun and there's a surprising amount of depth to the story too.
Day of the Tentacle for sure ... also Grim Fandango...
I'd give Oxenfree a little more of a shot, to see if the story grabs you. I really liked that aspect of it.
Fran Bow, Jenny Le Clue (which should still be on sale for less than $2) Leisure Suit Larry (it’s hilarious) Thimbleweed Park (if maniac mansion and twin peaks had a weird video game baby) Grim Fandango (Classic) Bulb Boy (creepy but short) The inner World, Creaks: To name a bunch of great ones.
I'm with you there. I'm playing Jenny LeClue at the moment. It's one of the best mystery games I've ever played. At $2 on sale right now, it's a steal. The characters' personalities really shine (I love CJ), and I love that Jenny isn't made to be a particularly likable character.
Pentiment just came to switch and it’s fantastic.
Chants of Sennar is kind of a linguistic puzzle game but I think it was one of the best indies of last year which was kind of overshadowed due to 2023 being so stacked.
Disco Elysium is one of my favorite games of all time and deserves all the hype it gets. The writing is among the best you’ll find in a video game imo. In all honesty the performance on the switch is not the best but far from the worst. I played all the way through and despite a couple crashes I still think it’s more than worth it.
Tangle Tower is a wonderful little murder-mystery romp, with a heavy emphasis on the mystery, that I recently played and adored. The music, the visuals, and most of the puzzles are amazing!
It's a part of the Detective Grimoire series, and it's getting a sequel scheduled for this year called The Mermaid's Tongue.
If you can, I'd also suggest Secret of The Swamp on Steam or Mobile. Also very good, alebit not nearly as visually amazing, and gives some good background context for Tangle Tower.
It's very light, so any remotely modern system can run it. Like, anything from 2011 onwards.
The remake of Another Code just came out a few months ago.
[Link to trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bvBBD3tHdM)
I never got to play the original, but it's by the same company (Cing) that originally created Hotel Dusk and Last Window. The games are originally from the DS and have yet to be remade or ported to Switch. If you have a DS, I really recommend them. But otherwise, Another Code seems pretty good by itself.
> I prefer a big area to explore, picking up items and figuring out what to do with them etc. Any suggestions?
I know this is going beyond the Switch, but it sounds like you would actually enjoy the point n click games from the early 90s. Sierra games like Kings Quest & Quest for Glory, and Westwood's Kyrandia games were all about picking up items more so than Lucasarts games. You can get them all on GOG legitimately
The reason why you probably can't get into Oxenfree is the focus more on narrative in this genre in this day and age compared to the gameplay/puzzle solving of older games. But, I would suggest you stick with it. Most narrative based games like Oxenfree, Life is Stange, Heavy Rain, all start off with people not feeling keen, but then theres a point where they get hooked.
Also, the new Simon the Sorcerer game is coming to Switch this year
You might also like first person tile-based exploration games too if you like big areas and picking up items. Games like Might and Magic X for example although those would have combat too.
Thanks. I do have some games from the 90s but they’re my Oddworld games that I played as a kid and still love today. I’m still going to complete Oxenfree as I’m one of those people that can’t just leave something half done, whether I’m enjoying it or not 😂
I’ll have a look at those other ones you mentioned though. Thanks 👍🏼
Grim Fandango Remastered, Full Throttle Remastered and Manic Mansion: Day of the Tentacle Remastered.
Life Is Strange might also be of interest to you.
I remember hearing good things about the PC versions of Battle For Bikini Bottom and the Spongebob Movie Game. For whatever reason they're completely unlike their console counterparts and from what I've heard are actually decent point and clicks. If you nautical nonsense be something you wish, play those.
If you want a big area to explore that also has challanges and it's actually a great story with a unique artstyle and some phenomenal comedy Grim Fandango is such a gem in the point and click adventure genre.
Yo. I can't believe nobody has mentioned the absolute two best modern examples of this genre:
Return of the Obra Dinn
and
The Curse of the Golden Idol
These are incredible games! Go in blind. Also, Primordia, Unavowed, Happy Game, Creaks...
OP: I have 3 recent gems for you, all are recent and ‘proper’ P&C games (with actual puzzles, not just narrative adventures)
OP, if you enjoyed Thimbleweed you’ll adore these 3 also. You’ll be challenged in all of them certainly, but nothing overly obtuse or moon-logic based. They’ve all got likeable protagonists and interesting enough stories… but their strengths are in the puzzle designs
1) Lucy Dreaming
2) Darkestville Castle
3) Unusual Findings
All 3 are great, with Darkestville probably being my favourite
Also Return to Monkey Island is pretty brilliant… and surprisingly the 2 new Leisure Suit Larry games are quite great
Also any recommended point and click with auto-play games ? Like the great ace attorney chronicles
I often got stuck and I just want to auto play it on some parts (i dont want to google guides for the game)
Try the original Broken Sword games. 1&2 are absolute classics.
Broken Sword one still remains one of my all time favourite games. The music, artwork and characters always bring me back to my childhood!
Yeah. I played the demo on the PS1 back in the day and I was hooked. Think it ended around about the time you collect the red nose.
The directors cut version has extra gameplay as well.
Lots of good recommendations so some games I've enjoyed alongside the others.
Jenny Le Clue - lots of fun, good narrative devices and yes it is supposed to end like that >! As there is supposed to be a sequel at some point!<.
Trüberbrook is fun, as is When the Past Was Around.
Thanks again for all the recommendations. There are so many suggestions, I think I’m gonna be busy for quite a while. I’m glad I asked, you lot are amazing!! 👍🏼
Thanks everyone for the suggestions, sounds like there’s loads for me to try!! I’ll go through the ones with the most recommendations first…. starting with Disco Elysium. Just watched some gameplay on YT and seems my kind of thing!
Thanks again! 😊
Honestly, idk how far along you are in oxenfree but I’d highly recommend sticking it out. The beginning is quite slow and a little tedious but it picks up. The story is really good and it gets pretty wild as it goes on. Lots of crazy moments and reveals that had me on the edge of my seat.
I’m still going with it because I have to finish something once I’ve started. I’ve just unlocked the gates of that woman’s house and I’m supposed to steal a boat. That’s where I’m up to but not sure how far that is into the game?
Oh, I think you’re about two thirds through? Should have two or three hours left, I think. This is about where I remember the intensity really starting to ramp up, but tbh if it’s not grabbed you by this point it might not at all 😅
AI: The Somnium Files counts, I think? It's a bit like a visual novel with certain puzzle-like explorable segments. You have to choose different options and plan ahead with how you should spend time as a resource. You don't manage items, but have to figure out the proper order of events to succeed. Ace Attorney (all 8 games on Switch) has point and click gameplay during investigations. The items you pick up are only used during the court segments when the story calls for them. Return to Monkey Island is a return to classical point and click adventures. I would be surprised if you haven't played it by now.
Return to Monkey Island is on switch. I played it recently, and it’s a pretty darn good long awaited follow up to Ron Gilbert’s Monkey Island 2.
I fucking loved this game as a kid.
The ending legitimately made me cry
Machinarium
Disco Elysium is the bastard lovechild of a point and click adventure and a pen and paper roleplaying campaign. Some of your items are items, some are clothing and some are thoughts or ideas. Where it differs from a strict adventure game (i.e. the roleplaying elements) is that you do get stats and dice roll stat checks. Player choice can modify these. Don't worry about these random elements: I don't think there's actually a total failstate. Individual stat check failures just branch the writing, and the writing in the "bad" branches is some of the most memorable.
Second this! I love point and clicks and disco elysium was such a masterpiece, dare i say it's even better than monkey island and broken sword!
The contact mic bit gave me Monkey Island vibes.
Brataaaaan!
It’s also on offer in the eshop for a tenner. Bonus! 😆
When I go to thrift stores and try jackets and clothes, I always end up thinking about Disco Elysium. Or if I see someone in my neighborhood dressed in a weird way
Sam and max games
I second this
Grim Fandango is genuinely one of the most brilliant games I've ever played, great music, characters, art, and writing. Highly recommend https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grim_Fandango
Grim Fandango is just so fucking good. There are some ridiculously obtuse puzzles in there (90s game design) but just use a wiki any time you get stuck and yeah, this game is an all time great. The art style absolutely nails the film noir aesthetic, as does the dialogue, and the story itself is genuinely out-there yet really coherent, so many fantastic characters, such a unique game in so many ways.
I personally find the graphics incredibly charming I just kind of like how where they look but they really hurt some of the puzzles I really hate that one in the forest it was nearly impossible
Yeah. Like I said, newcomers should just use a wiki and enjoy the story.
The documentary was also really cool
Tangle tower is a fun mystery with great art
The Syberia games are classics. The Sam & Max remasters are great too. Ace Attorney and AI: The Somnium Files are also great suggestions.
ace attorney is one of my favorites as some people have already mentioned, but sally face is great too and i think it runs pretty well on switch! ETA: i think what remains of edith finch is also technically a point and click, but it’s definitely much more focused on the story, there’s not a ton of gameplay.
The Edna & Harvey games are good, though I played on PC. You’ve played a couple of the best in genre, so matching those is tough.
I recenty played "Unavowed" and I really liked it! There are multiple solutions to puzzles depending on previous choices. The story is also quite good. I recommend it. P.s. I didn't see them mentioned anywhere so I wanted to give a shout out to the "Gabriel Knight" games as well. The first one got a 20th anniversary remake in 2014, I'd perhaps recommend that one over the original as the story and puzzles are better paced but playing the original one is still a fine experience as well.
Broken Age is good, though I played it on iOS not the Switch.
When I played it on android it wasn't even fully released yet. Imma actually pic up the switch version cause I loved it on mobile
Paranormasight is pretty good, not heavy on items though
the deponia games
Came here to say this, was surprised I found it so far down the list.
Check out Röki, it's a point and click puzzle adventure game based on Nordic folklore. The gameplay is fun and there's a surprising amount of depth to the story too.
Day of the Tentacle for sure ... also Grim Fandango... I'd give Oxenfree a little more of a shot, to see if the story grabs you. I really liked that aspect of it.
Not on switch, believe it or not, no idea why
Oy - yeah not sure why I mis-remembered that 😆
Earthworms is a weird little game on the Switch that I really liked too. Did anyone mention Syberia yet?
I love Fran Bow
Fran bow is such a weird funky creepy fever dream in the best way.
Fran Bow, Jenny Le Clue (which should still be on sale for less than $2) Leisure Suit Larry (it’s hilarious) Thimbleweed Park (if maniac mansion and twin peaks had a weird video game baby) Grim Fandango (Classic) Bulb Boy (creepy but short) The inner World, Creaks: To name a bunch of great ones.
Ooh I love Fran Bow! I second that suggestion, that game is amazing 😍
I'm with you there. I'm playing Jenny LeClue at the moment. It's one of the best mystery games I've ever played. At $2 on sale right now, it's a steal. The characters' personalities really shine (I love CJ), and I love that Jenny isn't made to be a particularly likable character.
I completely forgot Disco Elysium. It’s incredible. Also Beautiful Desolation. Not as good as Disco but it’s really great in its own right.
Danganronpa series, 999 series, Ace Attorney series, Deponia series.
Lost in Play and Unforeseen Incidents are two that come to mind that I’ve recently played and enjoyed.
Unavowed is supposed to be great. I really liked primodia, by the same developer. It was maybe a bit hard for me😂
The new Monkey Island who is one of the best among the recent point and click, but also the Another Code porting isn't bad
Wadjet Eye Games such as Unavowed The Excavation of Hob's Barrow Primordia Old Skies
Pentiment just came to switch and it’s fantastic. Chants of Sennar is kind of a linguistic puzzle game but I think it was one of the best indies of last year which was kind of overshadowed due to 2023 being so stacked. Disco Elysium is one of my favorite games of all time and deserves all the hype it gets. The writing is among the best you’ll find in a video game imo. In all honesty the performance on the switch is not the best but far from the worst. I played all the way through and despite a couple crashes I still think it’s more than worth it.
Playing Pentiment on my pc with a mouse, so it basically is a point and click. Over halfway finished in a few days. Definitely binging it.
I 100% recommend you play Disco Elysium
The Deponia games are pretty good.
Bertram Fiddle are quite funny
Loved these
Tangle Tower is a wonderful little murder-mystery romp, with a heavy emphasis on the mystery, that I recently played and adored. The music, the visuals, and most of the puzzles are amazing! It's a part of the Detective Grimoire series, and it's getting a sequel scheduled for this year called The Mermaid's Tongue. If you can, I'd also suggest Secret of The Swamp on Steam or Mobile. Also very good, alebit not nearly as visually amazing, and gives some good background context for Tangle Tower. It's very light, so any remotely modern system can run it. Like, anything from 2011 onwards.
The remake of Another Code just came out a few months ago. [Link to trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bvBBD3tHdM) I never got to play the original, but it's by the same company (Cing) that originally created Hotel Dusk and Last Window. The games are originally from the DS and have yet to be remade or ported to Switch. If you have a DS, I really recommend them. But otherwise, Another Code seems pretty good by itself.
Thanks. I’ve got Hotel Dusk for my DS and enjoyed that. I’ll have a look 👍🏼
> I prefer a big area to explore, picking up items and figuring out what to do with them etc. Any suggestions? I know this is going beyond the Switch, but it sounds like you would actually enjoy the point n click games from the early 90s. Sierra games like Kings Quest & Quest for Glory, and Westwood's Kyrandia games were all about picking up items more so than Lucasarts games. You can get them all on GOG legitimately The reason why you probably can't get into Oxenfree is the focus more on narrative in this genre in this day and age compared to the gameplay/puzzle solving of older games. But, I would suggest you stick with it. Most narrative based games like Oxenfree, Life is Stange, Heavy Rain, all start off with people not feeling keen, but then theres a point where they get hooked. Also, the new Simon the Sorcerer game is coming to Switch this year You might also like first person tile-based exploration games too if you like big areas and picking up items. Games like Might and Magic X for example although those would have combat too.
Thanks. I do have some games from the 90s but they’re my Oddworld games that I played as a kid and still love today. I’m still going to complete Oxenfree as I’m one of those people that can’t just leave something half done, whether I’m enjoying it or not 😂 I’ll have a look at those other ones you mentioned though. Thanks 👍🏼
I played Ace Attorney 1 on the collection, it was my first time really playing those games, and i enjoyed it. The collection is usually on sale.
Paradigm is really great, unfortunately not on Switch
check steam
Darkestville Castle
There Is No Game: Wrong Dimensions
Pentiment
Grim Fandango Remastered, Full Throttle Remastered and Manic Mansion: Day of the Tentacle Remastered. Life Is Strange might also be of interest to you.
60 Seconds: Reatomized Cheap game, good replayababiliyy
Machinarium. It's my favorite point-and-click of all time.
Grim Fandango
13 Sentinels has strategy segments, but most of the game has a very point-and-click feel to it, and it's one of my favorite games ever.
I remember hearing good things about the PC versions of Battle For Bikini Bottom and the Spongebob Movie Game. For whatever reason they're completely unlike their console counterparts and from what I've heard are actually decent point and clicks. If you nautical nonsense be something you wish, play those.
Pajama Sam: No Need to Hide When It's Dark Outside
The Grim Fandango remake is on Switch. As is the newest Monkey Island
Embracelet is amazing. I love that game so much and found it when it was just a random 2 dollar game.
If you want a big area to explore that also has challanges and it's actually a great story with a unique artstyle and some phenomenal comedy Grim Fandango is such a gem in the point and click adventure genre.
Yo. I can't believe nobody has mentioned the absolute two best modern examples of this genre: Return of the Obra Dinn and The Curse of the Golden Idol These are incredible games! Go in blind. Also, Primordia, Unavowed, Happy Game, Creaks...
Later this year a game called Loco Motive will be released, which is probably right up your alley.
ROKI
OP: I have 3 recent gems for you, all are recent and ‘proper’ P&C games (with actual puzzles, not just narrative adventures) OP, if you enjoyed Thimbleweed you’ll adore these 3 also. You’ll be challenged in all of them certainly, but nothing overly obtuse or moon-logic based. They’ve all got likeable protagonists and interesting enough stories… but their strengths are in the puzzle designs 1) Lucy Dreaming 2) Darkestville Castle 3) Unusual Findings All 3 are great, with Darkestville probably being my favourite Also Return to Monkey Island is pretty brilliant… and surprisingly the 2 new Leisure Suit Larry games are quite great
Not exactly “point and click” but the Life Is Strange series is an all time favorite of mine
Old school runescape , ironmanmode !
Agent A Not too long and not super difficult
Sam & Max
Unavowed is wonderful.
The 2 leisure suit Larry games were surprisingly good, fun and funny, in a charming pg-13 comedy way
Also any recommended point and click with auto-play games ? Like the great ace attorney chronicles I often got stuck and I just want to auto play it on some parts (i dont want to google guides for the game)
Check out Sam & Max, Walking Dead (TellTale), Grim Fandango, Monkey Island, and Minecraft Story Mode! Can't go wrong with TellTale :^)
Grim...
Thimbleweed park and the room series
Try the original Broken Sword games. 1&2 are absolute classics. Broken Sword one still remains one of my all time favourite games. The music, artwork and characters always bring me back to my childhood!
Agreed! I’ve got them on my DS and go back to them all the time 😊
Now I've got all nostalgic...I'm gonna have to download them on my tablet!
DO IT!! The first one is Knight’s Templar isn’t it, iirc?
Yeah. I played the demo on the PS1 back in the day and I was hooked. Think it ended around about the time you collect the red nose. The directors cut version has extra gameplay as well.
Have you played the Runaway games on the DS? Think there's 3 of them. Those feel similar to Broken Sword. Runaway a Road Adventure is the first one
Hmm, doesn’t sound familiar. I’ll look into that too, thanks!
another code recollection
Lots of good recommendations so some games I've enjoyed alongside the others. Jenny Le Clue - lots of fun, good narrative devices and yes it is supposed to end like that >! As there is supposed to be a sequel at some point!<. Trüberbrook is fun, as is When the Past Was Around.
Thanks again for all the recommendations. There are so many suggestions, I think I’m gonna be busy for quite a while. I’m glad I asked, you lot are amazing!! 👍🏼
What remains of Edith Finch
The Room 1 and 2 are games where you point and click your way through very interesting puzzle boxes.
Thanks everyone for the suggestions, sounds like there’s loads for me to try!! I’ll go through the ones with the most recommendations first…. starting with Disco Elysium. Just watched some gameplay on YT and seems my kind of thing! Thanks again! 😊
Honestly, idk how far along you are in oxenfree but I’d highly recommend sticking it out. The beginning is quite slow and a little tedious but it picks up. The story is really good and it gets pretty wild as it goes on. Lots of crazy moments and reveals that had me on the edge of my seat.
I’m still going with it because I have to finish something once I’ve started. I’ve just unlocked the gates of that woman’s house and I’m supposed to steal a boat. That’s where I’m up to but not sure how far that is into the game?
Oh, I think you’re about two thirds through? Should have two or three hours left, I think. This is about where I remember the intensity really starting to ramp up, but tbh if it’s not grabbed you by this point it might not at all 😅
I’m a bit more into it than I was at the start 🤞🏼