Clair Obscur: Expedition

While traditional role-playing games never disappeared, they did become quite rare for a few years. The release of Clair Obscur: Expedition has managed to remind many people why that style of combat was so beloved. Along with an excellent setting that revolves around serious themes like loss and grief, Expedition also has a solid take on turn-based combat, with every single character in your party having their own bespoke mechanics, be it Maeve’s stance system, how Lune handles elements, or even Gustave’s Overcharge mechanics. Pair this with rewarding high-level gameplay with parries and dodging, and you get one of the best RPGs out there.

Baldur’s Gate 3

Baldur’s Gate 3 finally managed to hit mainstream success, thanks in large part to its strong setting and ambitious design. Baldur’s Gate 3 adapts rules from the 5th edition of tabletop RPG Dungeons & Dragons, and features some of the most interesting and likeable characters that have been featured in games in quite some time. Along with this, it also has an expansive story that kicks things off with a great premise: figure out how to get rid of a parasite in your brain before you end up being turned into a mindflayer. What follows is an epic adventure that carries you through different cities and planes, where countless stories and challenges await.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition

What can we say about The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt that hasn’t been said already? An entire decade since its original release, the open-world RPG has continued to be awesome thanks to constant support from CD Projekt RED, not only through the release of excellent expansions—but also through updating the title to make use of more modern hardware with enhanced visuals. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt continues to have an excellent story, with plenty of wonderfully-written sidequests. All of this, paired with a great combat system leads to a generally fun way to spend hundreds of hours.

Elden Ring + Shadow of the Erdtree

In many ways, both Elden Ring as well as its expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree, represents the culmination of everything developer FromSoftware has learned in developing titles since 2009’s Demon’s Souls. Along with the slow-paced but heavy combat that the studio is known for, Elden Ring and its expansion also feature a great open world to explore, some of the best boss fights it has ever design, and some incredibly dense lore available for players who would care enough to pore through the dozens of item descriptions and conversations needed to uncover it all. Pair this with tools that provide plenty of options for players that might want an easier time through the game, and Elden Ring and Shadow of the Erdtree simply prove themselves to be the best that FromSoftware has to offer.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Developer Rockstar has had many great games under its belt, essentially changing the entire concept of open-world games with the release of Grand Theft Auto 3 and its host of follow-ups, but none of them have been as jaw-dropping or awe-inspiring as 2018’s Red Dead Redemption 2. Acting as a prequel to the original Red Dead Redemption, the title puts you into the shoes of Arthur Morgan as he experiences the age of the cowboy coming to an end as a member of the Van der Linde gang. Along with some excellent character-writing and fun missions, Red Dead Redemption 2 also offers dense gameplay, taking on a simulationist approach to even side activities like hunting or train robbing, giving players hundreds of hours worth of things to do in its massive and lush open world.

Days Gone Remastered

While Days Gone was originally a PS4 game that came out to a middling reception, its release on PC has been a glow-up for the open-world zombie title, with modern gaming PCs being more than capable of handling the hordes of zombies that get thrown at you. Sure, the main narrative may not be particularly noteworthy. However, the side-activities, as well as the general gameplay loop encouraged by the fact that upgrading your motorbike is important, make the overall idea of setting out to scavenge from long-abandoned medical facilities or even rival gang camps an enticing idea.

Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition

While its initial release may have been a bit of a mess, in the years since, Cyberpunk 2077 has proven itself to be an excellent open-world action RPG. Taking on the role of V in the year 2077, you set out to become a legend in Night City. However, one of the jobs you take alongside your best friend Jackie goes horribly wrong, and now you’re slowly dying and the ghost of Johnny Silverhand lives in your head. Cyberpunk 2077, along with its expansion Phantom Liberty, tells an excellent story that takes you across Night City’s various districts and social strata as you try and figure out the evil machinations of the megacorporation Arasaka that led to the development of the thing that has been slowly killing you. Along with an excellent main story, Cyberpunk 2077 also features several well-written and fun side-quests that can range from getting into a rivalry with a Japanese pop group to discussing the nature of sentience with an AI taxi service.

Disco Elysium – The Final Cut

Quite easily one of the most interesting takes on the RPG genre that has been attempted, Disco Elysium – The Final Cut puts you in the shoes of a detective. You explore the city of Revachol, which is seemingly in the midst of a cultural upheaval in some parts, alongside your partner Lieutenant Kim Kitsuragi. Disco Elysium focuses more on conversation than it does action, and one of its most unique aspects is the fact that each aspect of the protagonist’s mind and body has a personality of its own. Through these conversations, you learn more about yourself, about Revachol, and about the world at large.

Mass Effect Legendary Edition

Mass Effect is one of those rare video game trilogies that deserves its “legendary” moniker. The three titles tell the story of a galaxy’s fight against a cosmic, existential threat, and puts players in the shoes of human Commander Shepard who must assemble a rag-tag crew of allies from the various species from across the galaxy as they try to figure out the mysteries behind the forces known only as the Reapers. Along the way, in true RPG fashion, there are also plenty of choices that players have to make, with many of these choices having far-reaching consequences for the galaxy as a whole. While the ending of Mass Effect 3 might be regrettable, the rest of the journey still holds up even today as one worth experiencing.

Prey (2017)

While it may not have anything to do with its 2006 namesake, Prey (2017) is an immersive sim that puts players in the shoes of Morgan Yu. Working for the TranStar Corporation on ethically-dubious experiments, you eventually start serving on the Talos I space station. However, these experiments eventually start going wrong, and the space station comes under attack by an alien threat known as the Typhon. The twist is that these aliens can shapeshift, which adds an extra layer of tension to the gameplay. Even when you’re just exploring an office room, one of the mugs might end up being a Mimic-type Typhon that can attack you at any time, after all. What makes Prey especially interesting is the freedom it gives the player in how they choose to tackle any situation, be it stealth, combat, or even something more creative, like building platforms out of nearby furniture and your Goo Gun to avoid any dangers.

The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim Special Edition

Skyrim is still – at the time of publishing – the latest game in The Elder Scrolls franchise, and there’s a good reason that it has been the best-selling one so far. Taking place in the eponymous region of Skyrim, the game puts players in the shoes of whatever character they might like to be and, after a short opening quest, sets them free in the world. What makes Skyrim fun is that it has hundreds of hours worth of content, not only through its main story, but through several side quests as well. Along with this, the game also has an excellent modding community that has constantly worked on adding more content to the game, as well as improving what’s already there. Generally speaking, The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim is the closest thing we have to a game we can play forever.

Fallout 3

What Skyrim does for the fantasy genre, Fallout 3 does for players that might prefer a post-apocalyptic setting. Taking place in and around a post-nuclear fallout Washington DC – referred to in-game as the Capitol Wasteland – Fallout 3 sets you loose in an open world with a single goal: find your father. More interesting than the main story, however, is the sheer amount of side-content that is available right from the get-go. The first-person RPG will have you cover the entire length and breadth of the wasteland as you try and do as many side-quests as possible thanks to the excellent writing. While we’re at it, the gameplay isn’t bad either; it might be dated by modern standards, but the RPG systems in the game allow for plenty of player choice in terms of how you want to define your play style.

Hollow Knight: Silksong

After years of memes making the rounds on the Internet, Hollow Knight: Silksong is finally out. Putting players in the shoes of new protagonist Hornet, Hollow Knight: Silksong features an entirely new world to explore, and tons of challenging boss fights to tackle. Along the way, there are also plenty of new gameplay systems to explore, including the new healing mechanics, as well as the ability to change up Hornet’s entire moveset if you so desire. Much like the original Hollow Knight, Silksong has an easy claim to the crown at the top of the genre.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

While Marvel’s Spider-Man was already a fantastic return of the webslinger to the gaming medium, Insomniac Games has taken everything about the open-world action game and turned it up to eleven with Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. Not only does it feature an even more epic storyline featuring plenty of Spider-Man’s rogues gallery, it also features two whole Spider-Men taking on the threats to New York City – Peter Parker and Miles Morales. Throw on top a fun plot about both of our heroes growing together, as well as the unique personal issues affecting both of them, as well as the threat of the Symbiote over the whole plot, and you get a great time.

Little Nightmares 2

Little Nightmares 2 is an interesting game since, while it might appear like a cutesy platformer from the outside, underneath its adorable exterior lies a dark game filled with a surprising amount of horror. The title revolves around a boy, Mono, who finds a girl, Six, trapped in the basement of a dark and terrible house, and the two must work together to make it out alive.Along the way, they will have to deal with many terrifying enemies and other dark secrets of the main setting of the game – the Pale City – and the title makes heavy use of some psychedelic visuals to hammer home the point that the city is not a welcoming place for wayward children.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2

While most open-world RPGs tend to make use of fantasy settings, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 instantly sets itself apart from its contemporaries by instead making use of real-world place, complete with accurate depictions of historical events. Taking place in the lands of Bohemia, protagonist Henry finds himself and his friend, Sir Hans, the victims of a bandit attack on their way to deliver a message to Trosky. What follows is Henry’s attempts to complete his mission, and along the way, grow as a person. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 takes a simulationist approach to its gameplay, with armours and weapons feeling appropriately hard to find and maintain, and crafting systems that will have you reading instructions from books before you go about mixing potions or forging a sword. The title offers hundreds of hours worth of gameplay, along with some of the best sword-fighting mechanics ever executed in a first-person game.

Alan Wake 2

Alan Wake was a masterclass in horror, but its sequel takes things a step further. In Alan Wake 2, players control multiple characters as they explore genuinely creepy locations, face terrifying creatures, and experience it all with an amazing score and exceptional gameplay. This is what horror games should strive to be, and it leaves us eager to see what Remedy has in store for the inevitable Alan Wake 3.

Death Stranding Director’s Cut

Hideo Kojima’s first major project after his departure from Konami, Death Stranding is a game that is quite difficult to explain. Essentially, you are a courier in a world where a global catastrophe has made humanity spread out far and wide, with little to keep them connected to each other. The core gameplay revolves around you taking on delivery jobs and then figuring out how to cross the terrain to get to your objective. What makes this interesting is that Death Stranding is one of those rare games where terrain is quite important, and you can’t just climb any surface you see. This means that you will have to figure out the best route to take that doesn’t risk too much damage to the cargo you’re carrying. Throw on top a bonkers plot that revolves around the concepts of death, the soul and the body, as well as the general creepiness that the ghost-like BTs exhibit, and you have a fantastic time experience, while long, is well worth it.

The Witness

From the developer behind Braid, The Witness is a strange puzzle game that takes a single mechanic – being able to draw lines – and turns it into the entire game. While most of the title will have you finding screens to then solve logical puzzles with your line drawing powers, the whole game essentially blows open at a certain point when you start to discover that the entire world around you is also a puzzle that can then be manipulated and solved in different ways. Along the way, the game also features narration that explores the nature of the island you’re exploring, and what its true purpose might be. All of this is paired with some wonderful art direction and a vibrant colour palette that makes sure that nothing in The Witness ever looks boring.

Ghost of Tsushima

Ghost of Tsushima is an open-world game where the protagonist – a samurai named Jin Kasai – survives an initial battle against an invading Mongol force, and must rally the citizens and soldiers of Tsushima island to mount a resistance against the invaders. Over the course of the fantastic open-world game, Sakai must also come to terms with meanings behind words like honour, and the caste system that Japan was living under at the time. Ghost of Tsushima features simple-but-excellent combat gameplay, as well as quite a few tools for the player should they decide to sneak around instead, as they go around Tsushima liberating settlements from the Mongols and ultimately figure out a way to get at the primary antagonist – Khotun Khan, cousin of Kubali Khan.

The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered

While the original The Last of Us was a great game with a fantastic story anchored by wonderfully-written characters, The Last of Us Part 2 goes a step further, giving us a darker tale that focuses on two distinct characters and their quest for vengeance and redemption. Along with the larger overall scale of gameplay, The Last of Us Part 2 also tells a grander story, and features some of the most fun boss fights to have been put into a title where the gameplay is otherwise quite realistic. On top of all of this, the Remastered release on PC also has a host of extra content in the form of the roguelike survival mode No Return, where you get to take on combat challenges as the character of your choice in a variety of different levels.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

FromSoftware might be largely known for its slow-paced action RPGs in the Souls series and Elden Ring, but with Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, the studio instead decided to take on a much faster style of gameplay where being on the defensive was punished. Rather than hiding behind a shield, in Sekiro, you are instead forced to learn the timings of various enemy attacks so that you can instead parry them, eventually breaking your foes’ posture to then finish them off with a glorious killing blow. The title still maintains much of the FromSoftware DNA, however, including how death works and the emphasis on smaller-scaled levels that are more dense and intertwining, encouraging plenty of exploration. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, despite its differences from the studio’s other games, can easily be considered one of its best outings yet.

Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection

A collection featuring two games – Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End and Uncharted: Lost Legacy – Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection tells two excellent stories. While one tries to wrap up the ongoing plot of Nathan Drake trying to forge a legacy for himself, the other instead features two supporting characters from preceding Uncharted games in the roles of dual protagonists as they set off on an adventure of their own. Where Uncharted 4 offers a polished take on everything the series has had to offer so far, Lost Legacy instead goes for more experimental game design. All in all, both titles are well worth playing, even if you haven’t been able to play the first three games in the series.

Frostpunk 2

The original Frostpunk was a fresh take on the city-builder genre with a unique setting where you have to build and manage a city around sources of heat, since the planet has essentially frozen over. Its sequel pulls the camera back a bit, and instead of having you put down individual buildings, you’re now laying out entire districts with a single click. Despite this more zoomed out take on the gameplay, however, Frostpunk 2 still makes the player choose between two horrifying choices for the survival of their city, much like its predecessor, and the general progression of the title has been taken in interesting directions, such as how trade routes are managed and how districts can boost or bring down one another, depending on proximity. All of this is paired with some wonderful visuals and excellent sound design that perfectly manage to bring your cities to life.

A Plague Tale: Requiem

A Plague Tale: Requiem is a direct sequel to A Plague Tale: Innocence, and revolves around the two siblings once more having to travel together again. This time around, Amicia and Hugo de Rune have to travel south in order to try and look for a cure for Hugo’s affliction. On the gameplay side of things, it offers more of a refinement over its predecessor rather than any radical changes. Players take on the role of Amicia while Hugo helps out from time to time. However, both characters also have plenty of new abilities to play around with in combat encounters. A Plague Tale: Requiem also acts as an absolute feast for the eyes considering its incredible level of visual fidelity and strong art direction.

The Rogue Prince of Persia

After having spent several months in Early Access, The Rogue Prince of Persia was finally out a few weeks ago, and the fact that developer Evil Empire took player feedback quite seriously is evident. The title features incredibly-polished side-scrolling and platforming with smooth animations and a great visual style that still manages to work well with the randomly-generated levels. Throw on top some fast-paced combat that rewards quick timing, as well as a large variety of weapons, and you’re going to have a great time as you figure out the time-bending story of the Prince who is trying to save his people after previously having been the unwitting instigator of this doom to begin with.

Middle-earth: Shadow of War

Middle-earth: Shadow of War builds on everything its predecessor did in expansive ways. It brings back the much-beloved Nemesis system, which allows protagonist Talion to face down various kinds of Orc enemies, each with their own unique personalities and fighting styles. On top of this, the Orcs winning the fight also means that they’ll get stronger, making the subsequent rematch even harder. The Nemesis system alone makes Shadow of War worth your time, but if that’s not enough, it also has a fun story exploring an alternate timeline of the Lord of the Rings books where a giant war was waged against the forces of Mordor well before the events of the books take place. The gameplay also serves as an excellent evolution of the classical style of open-world action gameplay we saw over the last couple of console generations.

Shadow of the Tomb Raider

In Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Lara Croft embarks once again on a perilous hunt for a precious treasure. However, in her carelessness, Croft accidentally sets off a chain of events that threatens the world, and now she must find a way to stop the destruction. On the gameplay side of things, it offers fast and responsive gunplay as well as plenty of options for some stealth, including the ability for Croft to cover herself in mud to blend in with her surroundings better. The star of the game is undoubtedly the platforming, and with plenty of tombs for Croft to raid, Shadow of the Tomb Raider offers just about everything you could ask for.

Black Myth: Wukong

Black Myth: Wukong is an interesting take on a classic setting. The game features excellent boss fights, along with some gorgeous visuals. These aspects are further bolstered by the fact that the combat system is incredible and responsive. Even the encounter design deserves some praise, since Black Myth: Wukong has been designed around the idea of making the player use just about every tool they have at their disposal. There isn’t really much else to say that hasn’t already been said plenty of times already. It did, after all, manage to hold on to its concurrent player count records at launch when compared to any game out there on PC.

Mafia: The Definitive Edition

While the Mafia series has seen a newfound level of success thanks to the recent release of Mafia: The Old Country, the original Mafia is still worth revisiting, especially in its Definitive Edition form, since it now features modernised gameplay and combat systems, as well as a massive upgrade in visual quality. The story revolves around humble taxi driver Thomas Angelo in the city of Lost Haven, who finds himself embroiled with the local mob thanks to a recent car chase against a rival mob. Things slowly escalate as Angelo climbs up the ranks of the Salieri family. Interestingly, the story is told in the form of Angelo confessing to his crimes to a detective, with liberal use of flashbacks as the main storytelling device. The title also features a fun open world to drive through, especially since few games ever use the Great Depression as their setting.

Mad Max

Having come out at a time where many players and critics alike were suffering from open-world fatigue, Mad Max was quite overlooked. However, in the decade since, the title has been vindicated thanks to its excellent open world design and strong gameplay. Mad Max is a unique open world game where the player’s vehicle, the Magnum Opus, is an important form of progression. Much of the game will be spent with you, as Max, trying to find parts and blueprints to upgrade the car. Along with this, there is also an emphasis on vehicular combat, as well as good ol’ fisticuffs and some ranged weapons thrown in for good measure.

Hogwarts Legacy

Hogwarts Legacy is an open-world game that perfectly manages to tap into the world of the Harry Potter books. The title takes place a hundred years before the events of the books, and puts players in the shoes of a budding young wizard joining the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. As they live out their student life, players will also eventually discover a bubbling goblin uprising, as well as criminal wizards. Hogwarts Legacy is one of those games that any fan of the Harry Potter series owes themselves to play because of just how well it captures the magical feelings of the books.

Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon

While Skyrim might offer a fun take on a fantasy open-world RPG, Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon takes a darker turn. The game takes on the classic tales of Arthurian legend, albeit with its own unique interpretations. Along with its vast open world, Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon also features quite a bit of emphasis on first-person combat, be it with swords or at range with a bow and some arrows. There are also plenty of other things to do while you’re out and about, from gathering crafting materials to simply taking a break by sketching some scenery or fishing by a lake.

Star Wars Outlaws

Star Wars Outlaws stands as a redemption story of its own, overcoming early skepticism to win players over. While the game was a mess when it first came out, the developers have taken quite a bit of player feedback to then introduce a host of fixes to the game, from gameplay aspects like improving how stealth works, to the addition of plenty of story content through the release of two expansions. Star Wars Outlaws is a great way to experience the Star Wars universe without the baggage of having to play as a Jedi.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Assassin’s Creed Shadows represents something of a new leaf for the franchise. While many had found the last two releases—Valhalla and Odyssey—a bit too bloated, Shadows pulls its filler and padding back a bit, instead focusing on delivering a few core activities that are actually fun and make the world a joy to explore. It also finally takes the franchise to Japan, and introduces a pair of new protagonists: the stealthy Naoe and the fearsome Yasuke. The two have to work together to figure out the secrets behind Oda Nobunaga’s death, while also dealing with the machinations of an early form of the Templars.

The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered

While Skyrim might serve as a fantastic open-world RPG in its own right, its predecessor, Oblivion, was also a downright excellent game. And now, with the Remastered release, we can once more explore the lands of Cyrodiil as we take on the opening of the Oblivion Gates and a Daedric invasion. Along with this, there are also plenty of side-quests to take on, including a host of factions to join, from the fighter’s guild to the Dark Brotherhood. You can even simply become an arena fighter if that’s all you really want to do, it’s ultimately all up to you.

Atomfall

While Rebellion might be known for its excellent shooter series Sniper Elite, the studio decided to try something different with Atomfall. Rather than taking on Nazi soldiers on covert missions during World War 2, Atomfall instead has you scavenging for resources in a strange world where it is up to you to figure out the game’s story through your own skills of investigation and deduction. While there are plenty of fights you can still get into, you’ll want to be a lot more careful about the kinds of enemies you decide to take on, since you’re a lot more fragile and not as well-armed as you might be in a Sniper Elite game.

Sniper Elite: Resistance

While Rebellion has been experimenting with Atomfall, it still hasn’t left its Sniper Elite series behind. We also recently got the release of Sniper Elite: Resistance, where players take on the role of a brand new protagonist, SOE Agent Harry Hawker, who is taking on missions that run parallel to the events of Sniper Elite 5. Since it is ultimately a spin-off, Sniper Elite: Resistance features primarily the same gameplay as its predecessors, but with quite a bit more refinements in various things, from second-to-second gameplay all the way up to how its missions are structured.

Firewatch

Firewatch is a narrative adventure game where the goal is quite simple; on his first day at Firewatch tower Two Forks, protagonist Henry gets some interesting calls on his radio, which is otherwise only used to contact his supervisor who is based at the Thorofare tower. Things quickly start getting dark, and Henry must figure out who is calling him on the radio, and what exactly is up with his supervisor who he is yet to physically meet. Firewatch doesn’t really feature any combat. Rather, there is a focus on exploration and environmental storytelling, and it’s largely up to the player to figure out where to go and how to get there.

Dying Light

While there have been a couple of sequels out so far, the original Dying Light is still a game well worth playing thanks to its fantastic melee combat systems and parkour mechanics that make travelling through the streets and rooftops of the zombie-infected city of Haran. The story itself is also quite interesting, with protagonist Kyle Crane having been infected with the zombie virus and needing to find a way to curtail its symptoms before he ultimately turns. The title also features an interesting twist on the day-night cycle, with day time being safe for exploration but night time offering far greater rewards at the risk of the player having to deal with incredibly dangerous and more powerful zombies dubbed Volatiles. All of this combined with a fun crafting system that rewards creativity in your weapon choices make Dying Light often feel like it’s still the best game in the series so far.

Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown

Until the release of Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown, the Ace Combat franchise felt like one of the worst-kept secrets in terms of how insane it can be both in terms of quality of gameplay and story. Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown tells a brand new story in the world of Strangereal, with the plot primarily revolving around a massive war between the Kingdom of Erusea and the Osean Foundation. The title features excellent arcade-style dogfighting combat with a host of fighter jets from the real world, as well as quite a few fictional jets for some added fun.

Half-Life 2

Quite an easy contender for one of the greatest games ever made, Half-Life 2 has a sprawling campaign that holds up even to this day thanks to the sheer amount of variety it presents to players, both in the form of different weapons and enemies, as well as the mechanics of various levels. The title was also important in introducing the physics engine that is part of Valve’s own Source engine, and the feature was on incredible display thanks to a weapon like the gravity gun. Throw on top an impressive story that is told in an incredibly minimalistic way without ever cutting to a cutscene, and it’s easy to see why Half-Life 2 is so widely regarded as being such a great game, even in 2025.

Halo: The Master Chief Collection

While PC as a platform is no stranger to first-person shooters, it is hard to argue that the Halo franchise isn’t one of the best that the genre has seen. Thankfully, thanks to Halo: The Master Chief Collection, players can experience almost the entirety of the Halo storyline, starting from the original Halo: Combat Evolved, its sequels Halo 2, Halo 3 and spin-offs ODST, Halo Reach, and even the start of 343 Industries’ (now Halo Studios) run with the franchise, Halo 4. The collection also offers a way to play all of the various games’ levels in remixed orders, following distinct themes like levels that focus on vehicles, for example, to focusing more on certain subplots. Halo: The Master Chief Collection is essentially the best way to experience a seminal shooter series, warts and all.

Monster Hunter Wilds

Quite possibly the most refined gameplay offered so far in the Monster Hunter franchise, Monster Hunter Wilds represents the pinnacle of the series, if not in its smaller roster of monsters when compared to its predecessors, then at least in its gameplay systems and massive, beautiful worlds. Monster Hunter Wilds features a short, fun story that takes you across the Forbidden Lands as you try to get young child Nata back to his family. Along the way you’ll get to take on several monsters, both new to the series as well as returning favourites, using the weapons of your choice out of 14 distinct options. Monster Hunter Wilds features plenty of gameplay refinements as well, including a mount system, as well as the ability to carry around two weapons that you can switch between mid-fight, which is great since each weapon feels like you’re playing a new game altogether.

Returnal

One of the rare instances of a AAA roguelite game, Returnal is an intense third-person shooter that puts players in the shoes of space pilot Selene Vassos who finds herself having crashed on an alien planet named Atropos. What follows is a psychedelic adventure as she tries to find the source of a mysterious signal called the White Shadow, but the twist is that Selene seems to be stuck in some kind of time loop where, every time she dies, she finds herself waking up at the moment of her ship’s crash. The title is filled with fast-paced and tense combat that has you dodging massive projectiles shot by strange creatures, and occasionally also getting your hands on upgrades for your weapons. The story itself is also quite interesting, pulling in plenty of allusions from myths as she tries to make it off Atropos alive.

Sleeping Dogs

Born from the ashes of the long-dead True Crime series of games, Sleeping Dogs is the closest we’ve ever gotten to having a Hong Kong action movie in video game form. The plot revolves around the adventures of undercover cop Wei Shen who must infiltrate a triad gang in order to take it down from the inside. When it comes to gameplay, Sleeping Dogs is an open-world game with several inter-mingling systems, from driving and vehicular combat, to melee combat with slick martial arts moves, and the occasional bouts of ranged combat when you can get your hands on a gun. The game wonderfully realises its setting of Hong Kong, often showing the stark contrasts between the cleaner commercial areas of the city and the but bright and colourful entertainment districts.

Metro Exodus

Whereas the first two games in the Metro series were more focused on offering linear experiences, Metro Exodus broadened its scope by a considerable amount by opting to set players free in more open environments. While far from an open-world game, Metro Exodus still provides quite a bit of freedom to players in terms of how they want to approach any situation. Along with this, the title also encourages plenty of exploration since, in keeping with series tradition, resources are scarce in Metro Exodus. Exploring is also a great way to get your hands on valuable upgrade materials to improve the arsenal of weapons you will ultimately end up using against not only human enemies, but mutated foes as well. The story is also quite interesting, since it revolves around Artyom, his wife Anna, and their friends the Rangers departing the Moscow Metro system in a train to explore the Russian wilderness.

Gears of War: Reloaded

When the original Gears of War first came out back in 2006, it was considered a mind-blowing experience for the time thanks to its visuals, as well as refinements over the turn-based shooter mechanics we had seen done much worse in plenty of other games. Gears of War: Reloaded, however, proves that the original title still holds up to this day thanks to its incredible campaign with plenty of set pieces, fun and varied weapons to play around with, and some downright fantastic visual upgrades that have been made to take better advantage of modern hardware.

Dead Cells

Dead Cells is one of those rare indie games that manages to get just about every single one of its aspects right. Even something as simple as movement and exploration feel great in the roguelite action game, and the level of variety on offer with the weapons, as well as the meta progression system that encourages not only mastery of the traversal systems, but also a willingness to explore, make just about every run of Dead Cells feel like a fun time. Throw on top some excellent pixel art that really makes its massive boss fights come to life, as well as the plethora of additional content – ends up making it very difficult to put the side-scroller down for good.

Detroit: Become Human

While games made by Quantic Dream might be quite divisive at times, Detroit: Become Human is outright the best title that the studio has put out so far. Featuring narrative-focused gameplay that largely involves having conversations and making choices at key moments, Detroit: Become Human tells three distinct stories in a world where humanity treats sentient androids that it has developed as slaves. All three stories have the player take on the role of a distinct android, where you have to figure out the complex moral quandaries that take place throughout the storylines.

Portal 2

When the first Portal came out, it was widely regarded as a radical new entry in a genre that was otherwise known to revolve around killing things. It ultimately ended up laying the foundations for what would become Portal 2 – a bigger, grander sequel in every way possible. Portal 2 takes place an unknown amount of time after the events of the first game, and has Chell once more pick up the portal gun to find her way out of the Aperture Science facility she’s trapped in. Along with GlaDOS returning once more as a major character, Portal 2 also features a new character in the form of Wheatley. We also get a lot of storytelling in the game, since quite a bit of it has you exploring ancient versions of the bathroom curtain company that would eventually become Aperture Science.

Outlast

There might be plenty of stealth-based horror games out there, but Outlast manages to be something quite special thanks to its use of some real-world history to build up its scare. Revolving primarily around the MK Ultra experiments that were conducted by the CIA, the game puts you into the shoes of independent journalist Miles Upshur who is trying to get the scoop on Mount Massive Asylum for the Criminally Insane. Unfortunately, owing to unethical experiments, most of its residents have essentially gone insane, and now Upshur must figure out how to survive and get out in one piece while also making sure he gets enough evidence along the way. Outlast also makes use of a handheld camera as its primary PoV device, since it offers a night vision mode. However, players will also have to keep a track of their battery consumption, since you don’t want to be trapped in the dark with murderous people around you.

Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

Ostensibly the closest the Metal Gear franchise gets to having a “final” game since it takes place furthest into the future, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance is a major departure for the series. It trades in the tactical espionage action in favour of the more bombastic tagline of lightning bolt action, and puts you in the shoes of a fully cyborg-ised Raiden at the peak of his power. Developed by PlatinumGames, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance features a fantastic combat system that has an emphasis on not only long and vicious combos, but also parrying the enemy’s attacks to open them up for massive counter-attacks. This, along with the Zandatsu system that lets you cut just about everything, be it an enemy’s limbs or a bridge’s support, make Revengeance a treat to play. Throw on top an over-the-top but fun story about private military contractors and a cartoonishly evil US Senator and you have an explosive roller coaster.

Resident Evil

Before the remake of Resident Evil 2 back in 2019 was considered the high watermark for video game remakes, the series had already earned similar acclaim for its remake of the original Resident Evil. Originally released on the GameCube all the way back in 2002, the remake of the original Resident Evil eventually made its way to PC, complete with higher-resolution textures and all of the high-quality upgrades that it got over the original. Even after all these years, Resident Evil still manages to feel like a one-of-a-kind survival horror experience, thanks to its tight level design and generally excellent gameplay that melds environmental puzzle solving and tense action sequences, all while keeping you on the edge of your seat thanks to a constant scarcity of weapons and ammo.

Watch_Dogs 2

It’s no secret that the original Watch_Dogs was a bit of a disappointment, both in terms of its visuals, as well as its story and characters. The series’ second stab at the series in the form of Watch_Dogs 2, however, proved to be a much more interesting experience. Rather than focusing on the brooding Aiden Pearce, Watch_Dogs 2 instead stars a group of scrappy young adults as they venture into the real world to start their careers, but find themselves fighting against an authoritarian regime that is making use of high-tech surveillance technology to control the populace. Protagonist Marcus Holloway is a much more fun character than Pearce ever was, and the attempts of his rebel hacker crew, DedSec, to take down ctOS 2.0 are a wild, fun, and often emotional adventure.

Silent Hill f

After the Silent Hill franchise spent over a decade being missing from the overall gaming scene, the series made a bombastic return with last year’s remake of the seminal Silent Hill 2. A year later and now we even have a brand new entry in the stories franchise – Silent Hill f. The game takes place in the unique setting of a quaint Japanese finishing town in the 1960s, where school-going girl Hinako has a strained relationship with her parents and goes to meet her friends for some solace. However, a sinister fog starts covering the town of Ebisugaoka, and Hinako finds herself trapped and fighting for her life. While there is an emphasis on combat this time around, Silent Hill f is still able to effectively pull off the scares and tense atmosphere that the series is known for.

Dying Light: The Beast

The newest entry in the Dying Light franchise is seen as something of a return to form for the series. While Dying Light 2 Stay Human did well for developer Techland, the studio itself acknowledged that it had lost what made the original Dying Light great, and hence we get The Beast. Once more putting us into the shoes of Kyle Crane after the events of The Following, Dying Light: The Beast features improved parkour-based traversal over its predecessor, while also bringing in improvements to both melee and ranged combat, all of which is packaged into a fantastic new open world to explore with plenty of variety, both in terms of zombie types and the scenery.

Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter

A reimagining of an absolute classic, Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is a ground-up 3D remake of a seminal 2D sprite-based RPG. As its name implies, it is the first part of the expansive Trails franchise, and puts you in the shoes of Estelle Bright and her adopted brother Joshua as they set off as members of the peacekeeping guild, starting out as bracers and slowly working their way up. The Trails series, while long, absolutely features several stories well worth experiencing, and there is currently no better way to start your journey than with Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter.

Blue Prince

Puzzle games, especially in the indie space, tend to come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Very rarely, however, does one show up that ends up feeling like a revelation. This is precisely what developer Dogubomb achieved with Blue Prince. The premise is quite simple: you are stuck in a mysterious manor – Mt. Holly – where the rooms shift around for no apparent reason. The core of the game is exploring the mansion, but the twist is that the player decides what the next room will be every time they open a door. Blue Prince has a wide gamut of puzzles for players to figure out as they try to make their way to the rumoured Room 46. To throw another wrench in your plans, the house once again shifts its rooms around every dawn. Blue Prince is the kind of game where you can spend anywhere from between 15 minutes to several hours at a stretch as you try to comb through the mysterious rooms of Mt. Holly to find a way to their destination.

Commandos: Origins

While the real-time tactical stealth series Commandos doesn’t really need much of an introduction, the latest release, Commandos: Origins, proves that the genre and style of gameplay still has legs in the modern day. Taking us all the way back to the origin of the World War 2 crew of commandos you play in the original Commandos, Commandos: Origins offers entirely new challenges throughout its various maps, all with more modernised gameplay thanks to updated visuals, as well as a large variety of objective types that will have you make use of just about every ability you and your crew can muster.

30. Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec

Perfection in a video game doesn’t come easy, but Polyphony Digital has come closer than most with several of its Gran Turismo titles. Despite cutting back on the number of cars, Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec is arguably the best of the bunch in terms of physics, AI, and sound (and even its visuals still hold up today). That’s before getting into the improvements with car shops, Gran Turismo Mode, and the long-awaited arrival of Formula One cars.

Nailing down any one aspect of PC gaming is challenging, but it’s that diversity that really makes it shine. Let’s check out the 30 best PC games that have stood out through the decades.

Sons of the Forest

The first rule of playing Sons of the Forest is to experience the original if only to appreciate its story-telling and how things work. Then dive into the sequel and really start to grasp all the different tools that Endnight Games has offered, from solar-powered golf karts and hang-gliders (with launch pads) to an extensive range of firearms, new melee weapons, and mechanics, like AI helpers and a revamped building system. Though its narrative won’t quite hook you, the sheer amount of stuff to do on the island – inhumane and otherwise – provides hours of fun.

Black

Criterion Games might be best known for its work on the Need for Speed series, but its 2006 release Black also deserves a fair amount of appreciation. Despite being a far cry from what the developer was used to, Black was a compelling first-person shooter with some of the best visuals of its time. The story might not be something to write home about, but a solid set of shooting mechanics and thrilling firefights make Black a noteworthy game nevertheless – and it holds surprisingly well to this date.

Grand Theft Auto IV

With the hype surrounding GTA VI plus GTA: The Trilogy’s semi-recent release, GTA IV’s foray through Liberty City’s grimy suburbs has become an outcast. Granted, most of you have completed Niko Bellic’s rise through LC’s criminal underworld already but take a moment to remember it’s surprisingly emotional story, of Bellic desperately outrunning his past in pursuit of a better life for him and his family. If you’ll allow us to describe it as such, its arguably the most relatable narrative in GTA’s canon.   

]]> 604773 https://gamingbolt.com/30-best-games-of-all-time-2024-edition Wed, 29 May 2024 12:44:51 +0000 https://gamingbolt.com/?p=583190 The games industry continues to grow at a rapid pace, with new games releasing left, right, and center. Naturally, some games are better than others and then there are the games that have managed to etch their names in our collective minds through their innovation and quality. With this feature, we will be taking a look at 30 of the best games of all time. This is an ordered list that starts from the bottom and goes all the way up, so keep that in mind.

30. Tekken 8

Tekken is one of the oldest and most revered fighting franchises of all time, and that prolonged status of prestige can be attributed to the developer’s consistent innovation with each new entry. Tekken 8 has recently been released to great critical and commercial reception, and it represents a big leap over its predecessors in more ways than one. With a new Heat system that prioritizes aggressive play and shiny new visuals courtesy of Unreal Engine 5, Tekken 8 is arguably the series at its rest.

29. Forza Horizon 5

Forza Horizon 5 is a game that feels like a love letter to gearheads. It pays due tribute to the artistry of cars and everything surrounding it, and it’s a game that’s just a blissful experience from start to finish. There’s just something special about cruising down a highway while seated in a luxury sports car all while the sun shines down and casts a beautiful reflection across the shiny coat of exterior paint of your car. Forza Horizon 5 has no shortage of such moments, and its ingenious progression system hooks the player for hours and doesn’t let go.

28. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

Arguably one of Naughty Dog’s finest works to date, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is the perfection of the formula that started with the first game. Nathan Drake’s journey of finding the coveted Chintamani stone is a consistently thrilling adventure that rarely takes its foot off the gas – treating the player with one beautifully choreographed set piece sequence after another. Everything from the platforming to the charismatic characters and the gorgeous locales comes together to create an experience unlike any other.

27. Alien Isolation

Developer Creative Assembly’s Alien: Isolation is a game that has perhaps not received as much love as it should have, and that’s a shame because it’s a genuinely great horror game with an interesting trick up its sleeve. Unlike traditional horror games where jumpscares are heavily choreographed, Alien Isolation’s Xenomorph has an intelligent brain that adapts to your playstyle – and that keeps the feeling of cat and mouse chase consistent throughout its run. Add to that some amazing atmosphere, and Alien Isolation becomes a game that will become the reason for your nightmares long after the credits roll.

26. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

Insomniac Games took what worked in Spider-Man 2018 and Miles Morales, and meshed it all together in a big open-world with the sequel Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. While that description may sound reductive, Spider-Man 2 is everything we previously saw but polished to an immaculate sheen. The story of Kraven’s last hunt is filled with plenty of sensational scenes, and all characters get appropriate screen time to shine and build out their character arcs. New suit abilities make combat more interesting, and the boss battles peppered throughout the experience are equal parts thrilling and surprising. In all honesty, Spider-Man 2 makes you feel like the friendly neighborhood webhead.

25. Street Fighter 6

Much like Tekken 8 as we discussed previously, Street Fighter has also managed to remain relevant through decades off the back of its constant innovation of its fighting mechanics. Street Fighter 6 is the latest chapter in the saga, and it takes the learnings accrued from past outings and morphs them into a rather unique open-world structure with the new World Tour mode. What we get is a game that’s bursting with new ideas while still remaining true to its core, and that makes Street Fighter 6 one of the best fighting games that you can play right now.

24. Dead Space (2023)

Dead Space is easily one of the best horror games of recent memory, and EA Motive has done a fabulous of recreating it from scratch and rebuilding it in a way that caters to both new and returning fans. In addition to a massive visual overhaul, Dead Space Remake adds entire new areas, side quests, and weapon upgrades into the mix that make going for a second trip through the USG Ishimura a worthwhile experience. Many of these improvements are iterative in nature, but that only speaks volumes about the quality of the original version and its timeless nature that it all holds up surprisingly well today.

23. Control

Control is not just a great game in its own right, it’s also an important game for the AA games industry at large. Jesse Fayden’s journey of clearing out the mysterious Hiss from the FBC is bursting with creativity, right from the brutalist architecture of the building to its borderline eccentric narrative and its power-driven gameplay and much more. Despite having a middling budget that honestly shows in certain aspects of the game, Control’s excellent suite of ideas is something that can put many of the biggest AAA titles to shame.

22. Half-Life 2

Much like the original Half-Life, Valve’s sequel to this runaway success is also considered to be a revolutionary game. Half-Life 2 took what worked in the original, and spins an even crazier game with large set-pieces, huge levels, and interesting physics-based puzzles that are just the right amount of brainwork for players. It’s a showcase of how to create an enthralling action adventure that’s punctuated with memorable firefights and set pieces galore, and while some of its elements haven’t aged the best – Half-Life 2 remains a blast through and through.

21. Resident Evil 2 (2019)

Capcom delivered a wonderful reimagining of a horror classic with 2019’s Resident Evil 2 remake. Despite taking players on a familiar ride from a different lens, Resident Evil 2 manages to capture the same feelings of hopelessness and desperation as you slowly trudge through the abandoned rooms of the police station all while undead zombies lie in wait for a chance to chew you down to bits. The visuals are a fantastic evolution of the original, and Leon’s unpredictable encounters with Mr. X never fail to add another layer of tension to the entire affair.

20. God of War Ragnarok

God of War: Ragnarok provides a fitting conclusion to the saga that started with 2018’s original, and this sequel is emblematic of all the traits that made the first so iconic. The story carries that same element of spinning well-known mythic tales into uncharted territory before looping back to the same conclusion, and that paired with the excellent character development is what will keep you hooked to the edge of your screen at all times. Of course, the combat has also seen major improvements and there are plenty of boss fights that will test the extent of your fighting capabilities which rounds out this one hell of a game.

19. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

Picking one Metal Gear Solid game out of the lot can be a tough task since each of the games is a classic in its own right, but Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty was a game that was way ahead of its time. With Sons of Liberty, Kojima spins an intricate tale filled with never-ending conspiracies and plot twists all based on a common theme of the rapid spread of misinformation – which is highly relatable in this day and age. Between this and a gameplay loop that surprisingly holds up to this date, Metal Gear Solid 2 is a timeless game that has aged really well.

18. Mass Effect 2

Mass Effect 2 is a glorious space opera that tells the story of Commander Shepard’s fight against the titular Collectors, and that sprawling journey is punctuated by a ton of memorable firefights and branching interactions with intriguing characters. It also features a complex web of gameplay mechanics that combines tactical elements with action-packed shooting, and that makes for a thrilling ride through and through.

17. Monster Hunter World

The Monster Hunter series is on an upward spiral as of late, but if we had to pick one of our favorites from the franchise – it has to be Monster Hunter World. Released back in 2018, MH World thrusts players into a gorgeous map brimming with all sorts of fierce beasts waiting to be bested in battle. There’s a surprising amount of depth in building out your character with different weapons and armor, and the constant loop of getting stronger through well-earned victories is something that will keep you playing for hundreds of hours without getting bored.

16. Starfield

Starfield might not have been everything that fans wanted out of it, but it’s safe to say that it was a really fun experience regardless. Bethesda’s signature attention to detail can be seen in full force here, right from the NASA Punk designs to the many meaningful quests that can be found peppered throughout its massive world and even how the combat has been made more engaging and fluid. It’s a vast RPG complete with a complex web of interweaving mechanics and skill trees, and it’s a game that is really worth sinking your teeth into for a long time.

15. Super Mario Odyssey

Nintendo has continued doing an amazing job with the mustached Italian plumber, and Mario games have consistently experimented with new mechanics that have kept them fun and relevant throughout multiple decades. 2017’s Super Mario Odyssey is a shining beacon of those very characteristics, and it’s a game that will leave you teeming with happiness throughout its run. The ingenious hat-throw mechanic makes traversal more expressive, and the sandbox levels challenge you to combine these tools and collect the many moons that are peppered throughout these immaculately laid-out jungle gyms. And once all’s said and done, you are rewarded with one of the best epilogues of gaming as Mario hops through obstacles while “Jump Up Superstar” plays in the background.

14. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is a spiritual successor to FromSoftware’s Tenchu series, and it’s everything that one would want from such a game. Set against the backdrop of Sengoku Japan, Sekiro is a hard-boiled tale of loyalty as the titular Wolf embarks on a grand quest to save his master from the evil clutches of Genichiro Ashina. Sekiro’s combat loop is a careful dance of frame-perfect parries and smart use of prosthetic extensions, and players have no choice but to master that meticulous ballet if they wish to reach the end credits. Between this and simple yet interesting stealth mechanics, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is a faithful action-adventure game that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

13. Horizon Forbidden West

Guerilla Games painted a beautiful post-apocalypse with Horizon Zero Dawn with its open world that feels like a perfect juxtaposition of our past and future. The contrast between tribal humans living in settlements and technology-driven machines roaming the grasslands has a very enchanting vibe to it, and the sequel Forbidden West takes those concepts and refines them to a tee. It tells a riveting tale of Aloy racing against time to save her planet from the mysterious Corruption, and that story is punctuated with plenty of memorable encounters with fierce machines. The sprawling open world provides no shortage of interesting activities to pursue, which makes Horizon Forbidden West an extremely engaging game that can be enjoyed for dozens upon dozens of hours.

12. Bloodborne

In so many ways, Bloodborne feels like a love letter to the works of H.P. Lovecraft. Right from its dark Victorian London aesthetic to the nightmarish creatures that inhabit its deserted streets and its dreamy yet dreary narrative, Bloodborne is as much a horror game as it is an action-adventure game. FromSoftware changed up its combat formula for the better, forcing players to be more aggressive with their attacks and make judicial use of silver bullets to stun enemies for extra damage. Some of the best bosses in the entire Souls series belong to Bloodborne, and it’s a masterclass of a game that deserves to be experienced by every horror fan.

11. Dark Souls

FromSoftware’s 2011 release Dark Souls is a game that was more than just an action RPG. In an era where AAA games were getting used to watering down their mechanics to appeal to the largest possible audience, Dark Souls forced players to play by its own rules – taking them through an increasingly difficult journey with little in the name of reprieve. In addition to its harsh but fair difficulty, Dark Souls also pioneered interconnected world design with its complex map that’s full of shortcuts and back alleys that connect different areas to one another. Add to that some impressive lore elements and flexibility in build crafting, and Dark Souls becomes an unmissable adventure for fans.

10. Grand Theft Auto V

It’s safe to say that Grand Theft Auto 5 might just be one of the most successful games of all time, and it’s also safe to say that it has transcended its status from a mere video game about wreaking havoc into a pop culture icon. Michael’s story of returning to a world of violence is brought to life with layered satirical humor and adrenaline-pumping heist missions that make for an absolute thrill ride, and the open world is filled with gorgeous locales to explore and characters to meet. And if that’s not enough, GTA Online continues to be an ever-evolving part of the experience that fans just can’t seem to get enough of.

9. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim is an RPG that’s brimming with stuff to do; quests to pursue, armor sets to collect, exotic locales to visit, and much more. Between this and the flexible nature of its gameplay, Skyrim is just as much a sandbox of possibilities as it is a carefully constructed open world. Despite it being more than 10 years old at this point, fans just can’t seem to get enough of it and Bethesda continues to provide more avenues to experience this classic on every new platform on the market. It’s obvious that some might find this business tactic even cheap, but that also speaks volumes about the timeless nature of Skyrim.

8. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is easily developed CD Projekt RED’s magnum opus. Taking place in a fantastical world inhabited by all manner of ghastly spirits and fierce monsters, The Witcher 3 tells an engaging story of Geralt going through all odds to find his lost surrogate daughter Ciri. It’s a massive game brimming with swaths of content, and the best part is all of it is extremely quality stuff. Whether you are taking part in a monster hunt or going through the main story or even completing one of its many side quests, The Witcher 3 remains a quality single-player experience through and through. Add to that some incredibly strong writing, multiple endings, and a picturesque world – and it becomes a game where you could literally spend thousands of hours without reaching the end credits.

7. Dragon’s Dogma 2

Dragon’s Dogma was one of the more underrated games of the seventh generation, and Capcom delivered a grand sequel to it with Dragon’s Dogma 2. It takes whatever worked in the original ranging from the fleshed-out companion mechanics to the emergent open-world and flexible character building, and spins a vast net of ideas that come together to create a vast RPG brimming with imagination and quality content. Sure, there are a few quirks including but not limited to occasionally janky gameplay and comparatively bland visuals – but the merits easily outshine those flaws by a significant margin.

6. The Last of Us

The Last of Us Part 1 is one of those games that put a strong case for the medium as a legitimate form of storytelling. Joel and Ellie don’t start out on the best of terms, but through the magic of journeys and the hardships that they face – they are able to create a strong bond by the end of it all. The characters herein are beautifully complex with realistic motivations and gray morality, which helps in selling the sheer brutality of this post-apocalyptic world. In terms of gameplay, The Last of Us meshes elements of action, horror, and stealth in a rather ingenious way that will keep you glued to the edge of the screen at all times. There’s a very palpable sense of tension as you carefully tiptoe across abandoned houses, and can hear the faint shrieks of a stalker or the distant gurgling of a bloater. Naughty Dog also ensures to mix things up with the occasional set piece or character developments that make The Last of Us so hard to put down.

5. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild felt like a breath of fresh air (no pun intended) in an open-world market saturated with cookie-cutter games that aggressively hold a player’s hand. Breath of the Wild offered a refreshing sense of freedom with its combat and impressive physics engine, and those aspects are taken to the skies (literally) with Tears of the Kingdom. A bigger open-world that spans the skies above and the darkness beneath, new abilities like Fuse and Ultrahand, and better quest designs are just some of the improvements that the sequel makes over the original. It can put the measly Nintendo Switch to its paces with its heavy gameplay, but it just might be the best game that you can play on this platform.

4. Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth

Final Fantasy 7 is considered to be one of the best RPGs of all time, and to remake that classic from the ground up is as risky a move as it is exciting. Thankfully, Square Enix has done an outstanding job with not only the first part of the remake trilogy but also the latest chapter Rebirth. It builds upon what came before in new and interesting ways, bringing an open-world map into the mix alongside new character developments that make it an entertaining ride through and through.

3. Baldur’s Gate 3

Developer Larian delivered a great RPG with Baldur’s Gate 3, a game that has shocked developers across the globe with its massive scale that goes hand in hand with the level of micro detail in every aspect of the experience. Everything from the combat where you are free to mix and match different spells and tactics to the story that can go on several different tangents depending upon your choices, Baldur’s Gate 3 is a game that will leave you awestruck with its attention to detail. All that combined with a wonderfully well-realized world brimming with lore is something that’s a rare occurrence in the current AAA gaming landscape.

2. Elden Ring

A collaboration between Souls developer FromSoftware and Game of Thrones writer George R.R. Martin, Elden Ring is a sprawling epic that takes you on an unforgettable journey through the mystical world of The Lands Between. Elden Ring perfectly encapsulates the sense of being on an adventure, right from its rewarding nature for player curiosity and design elements that force you to chart your own path through this labyrinthian space and much more. Elden Ring boasts excellent level variety and some of the best and most brutal bosses that we have seen in gaming so far. In addition to this, you also get to experiment with different builds – and that combined with the gargantuan open-world is what will keep you coming back playthrough after playthrough.

1. Red Dead Redemption 2

Red Dead Redemption 2 is more than just an open-world game about cowboys riding horses and looting village banks; it is a genuinely moving tale about the nature of change. It tells a heart-wrenching story about the Van Der Linde gang trying to find its place in a rapidly changing world and the gradual descent of these wonderfully realized characters is what hooks you to the narrative. That descent is also perfectly contrasted with the protagonist’s personal journey of redemption as he forgoes the life he always knew in favor of doing something good with his time. The open-world and surrounding gameplay elements are built to compel players to take their own merry time exploring and tracking quests, and the journey becomes all the more rewarding with the time that you spend with it. It’s a beautiful game with some of the strongest writing we have seen from Rockstar, and it continues to be one of the best games that you can experience right now.

Starfield

Starfield is Bethesda’s newest IP in over 25 years, and it’s a testament to the developer’s amazing world-building chops. The NASA-Punk designs on offer look really amazing, but Starfield isn’t just shown without substance. You get to explore a massive space world inhabited by different cultures and factions, and you get to take on a wide variety of well-written quests that twist and turn based on your choices. Add to that some massive improvements in combat, and Starfield becomes a really tantalizing experience. 

Dead Space

Dead Space is one of the best survival horror games of all time, and the popularity of the recently released remake is a testament to the timelessness of this classic. The protagonist’s journey through the foggy and claustrophobic compartments of USG Ishimura is brimming with ferocious Necromorphs waiting to maul you at every instance of reckless behavior. Between a brutal gameplay loop and ominous atmosphere, Dead Space is an impressive survival horror game that’s just as fresh as it was more than a decade ago.

Horizon Forbidden West

Horizon Forbidden West is a game that takes what worked in the original, and expands upon those concepts in new and interesting ways. Forbidden West thrusts players into a beautiful open-world brimming with both beauty and suffering, and you must do everything in your power to free the world from the titular Corruption that’s raging in full force. The gameplay also features key improvements like expanded mobility options and better platforming, which makes for a worthy sequel.

Ori And The Will of the Wisps

Moon Studios delivered an excellent platformer with Ori and the Will of the Wisps, a game that does a good job of combining a fantasy style story with a smooth-flowing combat loop. The game takes you through a bunch of wonderfully well-realized locales, and what makes it so special is the excellent understanding of when to dish out new powers and new kinds of obstacles – which makes the progression and gameplay loop surprisingly addictive for a single-player game.

Resident Evil 2 Remake

Resident Evil 2 stands tall as one of the best and most important survival horror games in history, and Resident Evil 2 Remake does an excellent job of taking those ideas and presenting them in a way that today’s audience will definitely appreciate. The myriad of visual improvements and gameplay overhauls really bring out the best in Resident Evil 2, and it’s a constantly thrilling experience with a rich atmosphere and brutal gameplay.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Red Dead Redemption 2 is a heart-wrenching tale about the gradual fall of the Van Der Linde gang as law and order start to rapidly penetrate the Wild West. Red Dead Redemption 2 features some of the best writing that we have seen in gaming, and it presents it all with some stunning attention to detail. The world is brimming with different quests to undertake and things to do – and you could spend dozens upon dozens of hours wandering aimlessly and just soaking in the sunsets.

Super Mario Odyssey

Super Mario Odyssey is a wonderfully imaginative game that’s entirely based upon using your magical hat to take control of objects in the world and cross all kinds of obstacles in the many sandbox levels. The mechanics and level designs are top-notch, and Odyssey does a great job of inducing a big grin on your face as you hop and glide through these platforming jungle gyms.

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves might just be the best rendition of a non-stop action movie in video game form. Nathan’s journey to finding the coveted Chintamani stone is punctuated with all sorts of whacky set-piece sequences and frenetic gunfights, and the accompanying story also manages to tug at the heart’s strings without compromising on the signature pompous thrill of the series. 

Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty is a game that was well and truly ahead of its time. The narrative tackled heavy themes such as the effects of information misspread and the power of social media long before any of these things had much value in the world, and it’s all accompanied by a strong foundation of gameplay ideas that beautifully work together with one another. And then, of course, you also have a sizable portion of memorable boss fights that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Set against the monster-infested fantasy world of Continent, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is all about adventuring your way through its many areas in the hopes of finding the whereabouts of Ciri. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a game with a complex web of mechanics and systems that intertwine with each other to create something that’s truly wonderful. Add to that a bevy of diverse and engaging content on offer, and Wild Hunt becomes a truly spectacular experience.

Grand Theft Auto V

Grand Theft Auto 5 is one of the highest-selling video games of all time, and it’s the most profitable entertainment product in all of history – and those records should alone tell you about the game and its massive popularity. Grand Theft Auto 5 dumps you into a beautiful world inhabited by all sorts of colorful personalities, and tasks you to take on daring heist missions or just carve out your own fun in this wondrous sandbox. It’s a game that puts fun at the epicenter of its designs, which makes the final product so much more addictive than its peers.

Grand Theft Auto San Andreas

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas might just be the most influential game of the PS2 generation, and for good reason. Rockstar provided a significant bump in quality over Vice City, incorporating multiple open cities to explore, activities to pursue, and a buffet of mission types to choose from. San Andreas was unlike anything we had ever experienced before, and despite a few obvious cracks – it remains a highly enjoyable game to this date.

Grand Theft Auto IV

Grand Theft Auto 4 tells the story of Niko exacting a long awaited revenge on an enemy while coming to grips with the frailties of living your dream. It’s a compelling story that expertly juggles some heavy themes with the signature humor of the series, and the bevy of gameplay improvements like combat and mission designs haven’t gone unnoticed by fans. Grand Theft Auto 4 is an underrated classic, and deserves a lot more credit and appreciation than it gets.

Red Dead Redemption 1

Yet another one of Rockstar’s works on this list, Red Dead Redemption puts players in the shoes of former Van Der Linde gang member John Marston as he tries to earn his long-due redemption by working for lawful authorities. The Wild West setting marked a fresh change of pace from the bustling metropolitans that we saw in the Grand Theft Auto games, and it’s all brought to life with plentiful attention to detail in aspects ranging from horse riding to mission designs and so much more. 

Far Cry 3

2012’s Far Cry 3 was an incredibly successful venture for the open world genre, and a lot of that could be attributed to the excellent combination of a strong story and an open-ended gameplay loop that’s entirely based on systemic game design. Far Cry 3 takes you from one thrilling mission to the next, and you can spend a ton of time just roaming around the open-world, hunting prey for a fancy piece of equipment or taking on enemy encampments in creative ways.

Mass Effect 2

Mass Effect 2 is a massive space opera where you take control of Commander Shepard and his crew as they embark on dangerous missions across the galaxy. Mass Effect 2’s set of missions and the accompanying story is arguably the peak representation of the genre – which makes it worthy of being on this list.

Gears of War 3

Gears of War 3 combines an entertaining story with its action-packed cover shooting gameplay – which results in a high-octane experience that’s just hard to put down. Released in 2011, the game was supposed to be an end to the original trilogy – and the developers made sure that it all went down in style. This entry features some of the best firefights in the series, which makes it really hard to put down once you get the hang of it. 

Half-Life 2

Much like Alan Wake 2, Half-Life 2 is the sequel that truly showcased the capabilities of the original game. The story of Gordon Freeman taking charge of forming an uprising against the Combine is punctuated with plenty of set-piece moments, and the many physics-based puzzles that pepper the story were ahead of their time. It’s possible that you might notice some pacing issues when comparing it to more break-neck modern titles, but Half-Life 2 holds up surprisingly well even after all these years.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 doubles the action and the fun by letting you switch between Peter Parker and Miles Morales at the flip of a button. It’s a sequel that knows what works within the context of the franchise, and does everything in its right to make the adventure a grandiose one that’s filled to the brim with interesting boss fights and a myriad of main missions that should keep you busy for hours on end.

Bloodborne

Bloodborne thrusts players into a wondrous world that feels like the embodiment of your worst nightmares, and tasks you to trudge through labyrinthian levels that continue to get increasingly brutal with new kinds of enemies and obstacles. The combat dares you to get up close and aggressively push back against enemies, but being reckless with your actions will get you nowhere. 

Shadow of the Colossus (2005)

Fumito Ueda is a master of creating games that have a strong foundation of core gameplay ideas, and those merits shine extremely brightly in his original 2005 PlayStation 2’s release of Shadow of the Colossus. It tells a surprisingly emotional story about a boy tracking down Colossi to bring a girl back to life, and each of the sixteen boss fights has been meticulously constructed with great attention to detail making it a truly special experience. 

Batman: Arkham City

Batman: Arkham City took Batman from the claustrophobic corridors of Arkham Asylum to the large open expanse of Arkham City. The story features plenty of different villains from Gotham’s Rogues gallery, and it’s all stitched beautifully through some amazing gameplay sequences and an open world that’s just an absolute joy to explore.

Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory

Splinter Cell stands tall as one of the most prestigious stealth action franchises of all time, and Chaos Theory might just be the peak experience that it has to offer. The level designs are varied and require players to be thoughtful of each and every action they take, and the feeling of sneaking right past enemy guards in pitch-black corridors is just something truly special. Chaos Theory might be dated in some aspects, but it’s still a game that’s worth playing and worth appreciating to this date.

Alan Wake 2

The original Alan Wake was an inventive action horror game that had a unique setting and featured some impressive mechanics, but it’s Alan Wake 2 that does the needful changes and additions to fully realize the potential of the original game. Remedy’s excellent gameplay mechanics shine brightly, and the Northlight Engine does a wonderful job of presenting it all with astonishing attention to detail. It’s really hard to describe Alan Wake 2’s merits without spoiling it, so be sure to check it out.

God of War: Ragnarok

God of War: Ragnarok is an excellent culmination of the narrative that kickstarter with God of War 2018, and it’s a conclusion that’s well worth the massive journey. Ragnarok amps up the narrative’s emotional and action elements by eleven, and the gameplay has also seen iterative yet appreciated changes that make the end product a worthy sequel and one of the most impressive action-adventure games of all time. Once you are done with the campaign you can jump into the game’s rogue like mode which will add more hours to your gameplay.

Elden Ring

Elden Ring is a game that takes you through an unforgettable journey through The Lands Between. It truly feels like everything the Souls genre has been building towards, and Elden Ring features best-in-class combat customization, a vast open-world peppered with valuable secrets, and large labyrinthian levels where every room tells its own story. It’s a brutal game that asks a lot from the player, but investing something here will yield some intangible rewards that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

Baldur’s Gate 3

Baldur’s Gate 3 is exactly what a massive adventure through a fantastical kingdom feels like. Set against the backdrop of a challenging setting, Baldur’s Gate 3 presents a barrage of gripping moments where you get to meet a bunch of characters from all walks of life – and go on massive treks and come across intimidating encounters. The gameplay is highly dynamic despite it being turn based, and it’s all executed at such a massive scale that it almost feels surreal.

Final Fantasy 16

To say that Final Fantasy 16 is one of the best games in this long-running genre would undoubtedly be a bold statement, but it’s not without its reasons. Final Fantasy 16’s action hack-and-slash game just fits the bill, and what we get is a game where the setting strongly resonates with the fast and frenetic gameplay – making for a tightly designed experience where everything beautifully meshes with one another.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder

Nintendo’s Super Mario offerings continue to be extremely enjoyable adventures for decades at this point, and a lot of that can be attributed to the constant evolution of the game’s level designs and the addition of new kinds of obstacles with each new release. Super Mario Bros. Wonder represents the latest in the line of long-running platformers, and it features a bevy of new obstacles ranging from dangerous level geometry to power-ups that turn Mario into a gargantuan elephant and much more. 

Tears of the Kingdom

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is an important release not only for the open-world genre but for single-player games as well. It’s a game that delivers thanks to player freedom and curiosity which is at the forefront of every mechanic. Tears of the Kingdom is a game that is just hard to put down once you start playing it. 

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons comes from Josef Fares, the mastermind behind popular co-op games like A Way Out and It Takes Two. The game tells a heartwarming story about two brothers working together through a vast world, and the mechanics do a good job of encouraging synergies between the player in new and interesting ways. Between this and the charming art style on offer, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons becomes a great game to play with a loved one.

Resident Evil Village

The Resident Evil series has seen its fair share of remakes in the form of the stellar Resident Evil 2 and the disappointing Resident Evil 3, but it has consistently delivered high-quality follow-ups. These include Resident Evil 7 and its follow-up Village, the latter of which represent the best of what the series offers. Resident Evil Village majestically swerves from one kind of horror to the next without any hiccups, and the action keeps pace with the changing scenery and shifting mechanics. The core gameplay of shooting down zombies is much faster than Resident Evil 7, but it retains the heft and groundedness of a survival horror game that comes together to make it one of the best in its class.

The Order: 1886

Ready at Dawn’s supernatural action adventure title is an odd title, one that never really hit its stride and ended too soon. Nevertheless, the art design and universe were incredible, and the controversial black bars on the top and bottom of the screen disappear when playing on a 21:9 monitor (since that is the game’s aspect ratio). It just makes you wish for a PS5 update all the more, just to see how much better the game would look at higher resolutions natively.