skyrim

Give Vessel a spin.
Once you figure out how it works you'll be hooked.
https://steamhost.cn/app/108500/Vessel/

Probably Terraria. Lots of people like that game.

ANSWER!

In order to determine the “best”, one would have to play ALL the action-adventure games and who has the money or the time to do that?

Also, time has not ended yet.

That's a very abrangent term. I'd say RDR2 if we're talking about modern games.

https://steamhost.cn/app/22320/The_Elder_Scrolls_III_Morrowind_Game_of_the_Year_Edition/

Retroarch, its like a thousand action-adventure games in one

At first was believing trying to not go the route of a franchise
https://steamhost.cn/app/1225560/Unravel?snr=1_49_4_1592_100727

then since my websites don't show the content decided to just go franchises that are beyond a doubt at the top at this moment give top 10
Wukong
Tomb Raider
Spiderman
Ori and will of wisps
BaTMan
Hogwarts
Split Fiction
Space Marine
Jedi
Ghost of Tshushima

and honorary is
Farcry