Welcome to week one of the Boss Rush Bucket List! The writing staff at Boss Rush has curated a list of the top 50 games released since 2014 that are a must-play. Five games surrounding a genre or theme will be featured every Friday at 10a.m. until September 3rd. The fifth game of each article will count down the top ten, so stick with us to find out which title is our number one recommended game!

This week, we catapult into some of the best action-adventure games out there! (Note: The action/adventure category will have a total of 3 parts in this series)

Spider-Man

By: LaMont

Developer: Insomniac Games. Publisher: Sony

Release Date: 09/07/2018. Platform(s): PS4, PS5

Spider-Man in three words: Ambitious, fun, spectacular

Marvel’s Spiderman is an action-adventure game that puts you in the exploits of the great Spiderman and Peter Parker as he tries to balance his crazy life. In between saving the city by stopping robberies, kidnappings, drug deals, he also has work at a laboratory with Dr. Octavius and help Aunt May at the homeless shelter. The reason why I chose this game could be summarized in a few words, but it deserves so much more praise for details in graphics, the combat system, and ability to upgrade speeds in traversing the city by you guessed it, web slinging. The city of New York is alive with people walking the streets, cheering the web slinger on as he kicks some hoods’ butts!

I absolutely love the story and chemistry between Mary Jane, Aunt May, and Miles Morales, who eventually becomes the star with his own amazing game in the DLC Miles Morales. The game received high praise, and although I could be biased and just say I love this game because Spiderman is one of my favorite superheroes, but its definitely so much more to that…I am quite positive everyone who played this action filled game would truly feel the same!

Snack Pairing: My snack pairing for this game is definitely extra pepperoni New York style pizza because that’s what Peter Parker likes at his favorite pizzeria, Leo’s.

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

By: Logan

 Developer: Respawn Entertainment. Publisher: EA 

Release Date: 11/15/2019. Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Stadia 

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order in three words: The Force Lives

Jedi: Fallen Order is a beautiful entry into the Star Wars gaming catalog. Fallen Order follows a former padawan named Cal as he tries to escape from the Second Sister. Throughout his travels, Cal finds several Jedi artifacts and visits historic Jedi temples. Cal learns more and more about his former masters and the ways of the Jedi. 

I love this game for the action, but the story is where this game finds its heart. Cal is a likable character, and his curiosity about the world is absolutely fascinating. I have replayed this game twice, and it’s one of my favorites. 

Snack Pairing: Blue Milk and Yoda shaped cookies.

Metroid: Samus Returns

By: LeRon

Developer: Mercury Steam, Nintendo. Publisher: Nintendo

Release Date: 09/15/2017. Platform(s): 3DS

Metroid: Samus Returns in three words: Classic Gameplay Redefined

Metroid: Samus Returns is the remake/reimagining of  the 1991 Game Boy title Metroid II: Samus Returns. Like the original game it remakes, bounty hunter Samus Aran is called in for an assignment by the Galactic Federation to journey to planet SR388 and–the discovered home-world of the Metroids–to eradicate the parasitic organisms. Alone on the mysterious planet, Samus must traverse her way through hostile environments and labyrinths while fending off both aggressive alien lifeforms and dormant technological guardians.

Metroid: Samus Returns garnered generally favorable reviews on Metacritic and is considered a testament to the magic of the Metroid series’ roots as a side-scolling action-adventure game. For those who played the original 1991 game, the refresh of the combat and travel mechanics with an updated aesthetic and remixed soundtrack would serve up a bittersweet trip down memory lane. New gamers who had never played a Metroid game in this style would embark on a challenging adventure with a lot of fast-paced action and puzzle solving elements. This title would also provide a (better) bridge to the story of Super Metroid as well as set up the events of Metroid: Fusion (the respective third and fourth titles in the Metroid series).

Snack Pairing: Gummi Candy, in particular, Haribo Starmix because their chewy texture will remind you of the squishy Metroids Samus must hunt down and rid the galaxy of.

The Last Guardian

By: Eddie

Developer:  Japan Studio. Publisher: Sony

Release Date: 12/06/2016. Platform(s): PS4

The Last Guardian in three words: A bonding adventure

The Last Guardian is a story of a boy who had been taken from his home to help out a mixed breed animal named Trico. They journey together as the boy tries to solve a mystery that is hurting others just like Trico. 

It made the list because this anticipated game, which was hurt by multiple delays, showcased how a human and pet truly bond and makes that friendship matter. With a strong narrative only through music and cutscenes, it showcases the power of the PlayStation 4 and feels the most original game from the publisher. It’s not perfect, but it’s an experience no other publisher will ever or can execute.

Snack Pairing:  Seasoned fries and a milkshake.

Boss Rush Bucket List Top Ten: #10 Red Dead Redemption II

By: The Madpharmacist

Developer: Rockstar Games. Publisher: Rockstar Games

Release Date: 10/26/2018. Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, PC

Red Dead Redemption II in three words: Outlaws for Life

Read Dead Redemption II is a prequel to the 2010 game, Red Dead Redemption, that follows the Van der Linde gang across a fictional America set in 1899. This is a third-person action-adventure game with an open world, fleshed out characters, and a plethora of side-quests and random events that bolster an already iron-clad storyline.

The game received several accolades, and it is deserving of such. The environment is rich, and your character, Arthur Morgan, can travel anywhere on the map–you can hunt legendary animals, rob trains, upgrade weapons, and live your life at whatever morality scale you wish. This game is a must-play for its immersiveness and attention to detail.

Snack Pairing: Nothing beats chips and salsa with an ice cold Corona while riding with your gang!

Honorable mentions: Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End (2016), Uncharted: The Lost Legacy (2017), Hellblade Senua’s Sacrifice (2017), Pikuniku (2019)

This wraps up week one of the Boss Rush Bucket List. Next Friday (7/9), we reveal the best of relaxing/retro-style games! Remember, there are hundreds of amazing games that have been released since 2014. This is just our personal, curated recommendations list, and action/adventure will return 8/6. If you see a game that is not listed, we would love to hear from you. Please share your thoughts on these nominated games on our friendly Discord channel!

This week’s contributors: Logan, LeRon, LaMont, Eddie V, the Madpharmacist