Adventure games have long been thought to be a relic from the nineties. But for quite a few years now they have impressively proved that they still belong to one of the games industry's nicest genres. Vote here for the best game of the last year!

Alice in Wonderland Score: 78 (by Metacritic.com) Score: 79% (by Gamerankings.com) Genre Adventure Publisher Disney Developer Etranges Libellules Platforms Nintendo DS/PC/Wii Released 02.03.2010 PEGI Summary Journey to Underland with Alice in an all-new videogame inspired by the Tim Burton movie and experience a fantastical world of illusions, exploration and unique gameplay where nothing is quite as it seems. Use the Mad Hatter and a menagerie of characters to unravel the mysteries of Underland. Explore a strange world, battle enemies and avoid traps. Meet bizarre new characters with unique abilities, solve mind-bending puzzles and play alongside your friends. Unravel the mystery of Underland and help Alice battle the Red Queen and defeat the Jabberwocky.

Heavy Rain Score: 80 (by Metacritic.com) Score: 89% (by Gamerankings.com) Genre Adventure Publisher Sony Developer Quantic Dream Platforms PS3 Released 24.02.2010 PEGI Summary Heavy Rain is a dark, immersive and emotionally-engaging experience; one that expands upon the innovative ideas of 2005's acclaimed Fahrenheit to create a noir-thriller where decisions are charged with importance and actions can have drastic and unforseen consequences.

Metropolis Crime$ Score: 74 (by Metacritic.com) Score: n/a (by Gamerankings.com) Genre Adventure Publisher Ubisoft Developer Lexis Numerique Platforms Nintendo DS Released 01.10.2009 PEGI Summary Metropolis Crimes is a DS game which once again requires you to test out your investigative talents. You take control of Red Johnson, private detective, who investigates murders looking for the guilty party. Through mini-games, questions and answers and paying attention, you will get to the end of your investigation without having to think too hard. This is to be played as if you were living through a television series which you enjoy sitting down to on Sunday evening.

machinarium Score: 85 (by Metacritic.com) Score: 85% (by Gamerankings.com) Genre Adventure Publisher amanita design Developer amanita design Platforms PC Released 16.10.2009 PEGI Summary Machinarium is independent puzzle / adventure game developed by the makers of popular web-games Samorost and Samorost2. A little robot who’s been thrown out to the scrap yard behind the city must return and confront the Black Cap Brotherhood and save his robot-girl friend.

The Whispered World Score: 71 (by Metacritic.com) Score: 72% (by Gamerankings.com) Genre Adventure Publisher Deep Silver Developer Daedalic Platforms PC Released 28.08.2009 PEGI Summary This beautiful adventure game whisks the player away to a fascinating fantasy world. Sadwick is a young clown but often far from cheerful. One night, a strange blue creature speaks to him in a dream, and sends him on an adventurous journey. Many dangers await Sadwick, for the world he knows is doomed to crumble and fall.

Lostwinds: Winter of Melodias Score: 86 (by Metacritic.com) Score: 85% (by Gamerankings.com) Genre Action/Adventure Publisher Frontier Developments Developer Frontier Developments Platforms Nintendo Wii Released 26.03.2010 PEGI Summary The follow-up to last year's WiiWare launch title once again puts the power of the wind in the palm of your hand, as you experience Toku and Enril's new adventure to save Toku's mother, lift an ancient curse and thwart the evil Balasar. The elemental powers of Enril the Wind Spirit are used to protect and guide the young boy Toku - power his jumps and glides, suspend and smash new enemies, and explore all-new expanses of the stunningly presented, magical land of Mistralis. Players can instantly transform Mistralis between Summer and Winter, harnessing the brilliance of nature: frozen Winter ponds and waterfalls become deep, teeming Summer pools and chambers in which to dive and unlock secrets, enemies can be frozen or doused, and the very air itself used to form snowballs or moisture-laden clouds. Other amazing new abilities include the cyclone, which can be used to transport Toku, smash powerful enemies and even drill through the rock of Mistralis' diverse, richly interactive Chilling Peaks and Melodia City areas.