Do you hear that rumbling noise in the distance? It's the sound of the avalanche of new games coming this Christmas. The large number of fourth quarter releases is not exactly surprising, since games make for great holiday gifts. Besides, it's dark in the northern hemisphere, which means many people are spending time cozying up in front of their computers to immerse themselves in other worlds.

You might be looking to get some adventure games this holiday season, either for yourself or as a gift. But with so many adventure games available, it can be pretty hard to make choices. Fortunately, we have put together this guide with recommendations for PC, Wii and Nintendo DS titles, both old and new.

Do you have a friend or family member who still thinks games are only about shooting things? Then this is your chance to show them how they can be so much more. Better yet, there are adventure games for all ages — even the little ones (Freddi Fish) or the slightly older ones (Nancy Drew) — so there are plenty of gift ideas to consider. Perhaps someone in your family is already the adventure gaming fanatic, and you want to know what to get him or her. In that case, you have also come to the right place!

For in-depth evaluations of the games, be sure to check out our reviews. Where available we've also included the review scores here, so that you can conveniently check each game at a glance. Below each item in the list are direct links to online retailers, auction and download sites. (Most of these are affiliate links, meaning Adventure Gamers gets an affiliate commission when you make a purchase. So you could say that everything you buy is a gift that keeps on giving!)

New Releases (PC)
You have heard endless talk about these games, endured hours of anticipation for their release, and now maybe you will be rewarded with your very own copy on Christmas morning!

Sherlock Holmes vs. Arsène Lupin
In the fourth Sherlock Holmes adventure, the famous detective is ready to challenge Arsène Lupin, the gentleman thief, invented by French writer Maurice Leblanc, and whose exploits have thrilled millions of readers worldwide. Sherlock Holmes vs. Arsène Lupin is so new that it won't even be in stores yet until 2008, but you can already get it now through the Adventure Shop download service.
Where to buy: Adventure Shop

Darkness Within : In Pursuit of Loath Nolder
In this horror adventure inspired by H.P. Lovecraft, you play as police detective Howard E. Loreid, tasked to solve the murder of a wealthy man involved in the occult, even as you cling to sanity through your own lucid dreams. The game has a built-in hint system with three difficulty levels, allowing you can play Standard, Detective, or Senior Detective modes.
Where to buy: Adventure Shop, Amazon UK, Amazon US, eBay

Sam & Max Season 2: Episode 1: Ice Station Santa
In what is probably the first commercial Christmas special in a game series, comedy detective duo Sam & Max travel to the North Pole in order to deal with a gun-toting, demon-possessed Santa. The Sam & Max games are released like a TV show, with each episode in a season providing a few hours of gameplay. You can buy the Ice Station Santa episode individually, or buy a season two subscription that also entitles you to four more episodes coming in 2008.
Our review:
“It’s laugh-out-loud funny, with very intelligent puzzle design and a totally demented self-contained story which interjects demonic possession into a sacred holiday. An absolute must-play.”
Where to buy: the Telltale Games online store

Agatha Christie: Evil Under the Sun
Based on the popular novel by the Queen of Crime, you play as world-renowned Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. This latest installment in the Agatha Christie series uses an unusual narrative device, whereby the entire plot is unveiled as a recounting of events after the fact. In addition, the original story has been adapted so that even if you've read the book, you don't know for sure what's going to happen.
Where to buy: Amazon UK, Amazon US, eBay

CSI: Hard Evidence
Don't just watch the series, but get involved in the investigations yourself! In CSI: Hard Evidence you will join Gil Grissom, Catherine Willows and the rest of the Las Vegas cast to help solve crimes using realistic techniques and lab equipment. While hardcore adventure gamers may find it too easy and simple to play, it might just have the right difficulty level for fans of the series.
Our review:
“If you liked the previous titles, this is more of the same. But don’t expect to see a big jump in quality; despite its subtitle, this game isn’t very hard.”
Where to buy: Amazon UK, Amazon US, eBay

Culpa Innata
Culpa Innata is the kind of adventure game that tries to go deeper than most. The narrative is fairly non-linear, and the passing of time is simulated in the game, so some actions may only be available at night or during the day. This ambitious futuristic thriller doesn't shy away from complexities, and so it's probably the more experienced adventure gamers that will most enjoy it.
Where to buy: Amazon US, eBay

Cleopatra - A Queen's Destiny
In this historical adventure game from the creators of Return to Mysterious Island and Destination: Treasure Island, you are plunged into a tormented period of ancient Egypt. You play as Thomas the Chaldean, an astronomer, who has to search for two mysteriously missing persons. This fresh title is not yet available in stores, but can already be downloaded at Adventure Shop.
Our review:
“If you’re in the mood for a light and unintimidating adventure to fill your ancient Egypt whim, give Cleopatra a whirl.”
Where to buy: Adventure Shop

Nancy Drew: Legend of the Crystal Skull
A great gift choice for teenage girls! It's the 17th Nancy Drew game, no less, and the developer's experience with the series really shows in the latest mystery.
Our review:
“Legend of the Crystal Skull is arguably the best game in the series, now that its character design finally lives up to quality of the writing and voice work. If you have never played a Nancy Drew adventure before, start here.”
Where to buy: Amazon UK, Amazon US, eBay

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