NOTE: There may be spoilers ahead for the games included in this feature, so if you see us beginning to discuss a game you don’t want spoiled, turn back.

SILENT HILL 2 REMAKE

Bloober Team’s remake of Silent Hill 2 was on the receiving end of plenty of skepticism, which, given the developer’s spotty track record up to that point, wasn’t hard to understand. It’s fair to say, then, that the game turned out to be far, far better than the overwhelming majority of us anticipated. Bloober Team and Konami’s Silent Hill 2 remake has been compared to the likes of fellow horror remakes in Resident Evil 2 and Dead Space– and yes, it is that good.

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.

The update is already available for PS5, PS4 and Steam and adds several noteworthy fixes, like for instances where certain cutscenes stop playing or when analog input doesn’t work as intended. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty also gets a pause menu on PC for resetting the game, returning to the main menu, adjusting audio and screen settings, and more.

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater also gets various Additional Settings in its Options menu on PC, allowing players to adjust the audio, screen options, mouse sensitivity and more. The update also fixes an issue with some low-resolution character textures.

The development team is investigating an issue where audio distortions occur on the Nintendo Switch, so stay tuned for further updates and check out the full Ver.1.5.0 notes below.

Ver.1.5.0 Patch Notes

METAL GEAR SOLID – Master Collection Version

Fixed an issue in which certain cutscenes stopped playing
Fixed an issue in which analog input did not work as intended
Removed the “Download” option from the main menu ( Steam® )
Changed it so that Window Mode settings cannot be altered on Steam Deck™ ( Steam® )
Fixed some other minor issues

METAL GEAR SOLID 2: Sons of Liberty – Master Collection Version

Added pause menu

Audio settings, screen settings (Steam only), the online manual, resetting the game, and returning to the main menu can now be accessed via the pause menu.
Fixed a portion of in-game text

Added Steam Input support ( Steam )

Fixed an issue where inputs via the keyboard were registered in-game even while the Alt key was held down ( Steam )
Fixed some other minor issues

METAL GEAR SOLID 3: Snake Eater – Master Collection Version

Added “ADDITIONAL SETTINGS” feature

Audio options, screen options (Steam only), mouse sensitivity options (Steam® only), the online manual, and returning to the main menu can be accessed via “ADDITIONAL SETTINGS” within the Options menu.

Added “MOUSE SENSITIVITY” options ( Steam )

Mouse sensitivity can be adjusted via the Additional Settings menu.
Fixed an issue where a portion of character textures were displayed at a low resolution
Fixed a portion of in-game text

Added Steam Input support ( Steam )
Fixed an issue where inputs via the keyboard were registered in-game even while the Alt key was held down ( Steam )
Fixed some other minor issues

Metal Gear & Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake – Master Collection Version

Added the option to mute audio
Fixed a portion of in-game text
Added Steam Input support ( Steam )
Fixed an issue where inputs via the keyboard were registered in-game even while the Alt key was held down ( Steam )
Fixed some other minor issues

METAL GEAR SOLID MASTER COLLECTION Vol.1 BONUS CONTENT

Removed the “Download” option from the main menu ( Steam )
Changed it so that Window Mode settings cannot be altered on Steam Deck ( Steam )
Fixed some other minor issues

Issues Under Investigation

METAL GEAR SOLID 3: Snake Eater – Master Collection Version

An issue where audio distortions occur ( Nintendo Switch )

Ocelot – Metal Gear Solid Series

Going through everything that Ocelot does in the series may take a while. However, from Metal Gear Solid 1, it’s obvious that the man of revolvers was playing a longer game, working for Solidus to steal Metal Gear’s specs. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty saw him “possessed” by the arm of Liquid Snake, later revealed to be a sham to lower the guard of The Patriots, who seemingly ran the world. In Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, Ocelot controlled the five biggest PMCs in the world, took over The Patriots’ SOP system and came close to ultimately destroying their AI if not for the efforts of Solid Snake and Otacon.

Scarecrow – Batman: Arkham Asylum

The very definition of mind games, as Jonathan Crane, aka Scarecrow, used Fear Toxin to create elaborate hallucinations to combat the Dark Knight in Arkham Asylum. He even had a giant Scarecrow in an otherworldly setting to prevent Batman from overcoming the illusion. It got even crazier when the game’s initial events occurred again, but this time with Batman in Joker’s place (revealed to be another illusion). After Batman breaks free again, Crane is taken out by Killer Croc and resurfaces in Arkham Knight, where he enacts a plan to break the hero.

Albert Wesker – Resident Evil HD Remaster

Like Ocelot, Wesker’s career of manipulation is long and storied and can take some time to summarize. While he was a major villain in future titles, his manipulation is witnessed first-hand in the first Resident Evil. He was revealed to be working with Umbrella Corporation, even while seemingly guiding and helping S.T.A.R.S., and responsible for preventing Bravo Team’s escape, prompting Alpha Team with Chris, Jill, and Barry to get involved. Wesker also enlisted Barry’s help to destroy evidence, threatening his family in the process, and would unleash the Tyrant to hunt down Alpha Team. Hilariously, despite going so far for Umbrella, it’s revealed that Wesker betrayed them as well to work for a rival company.

Vaas – Far Cry 3

You have to feel bad for Jason Brody in Far Cry 3 – even after surviving an encounter with Vaas, he’s left emotionally scarred from the death of his brother, Grant. While Jason pursues him at every turn and also attempts to rescue his friends, Vaas is seemingly one step ahead every time, leaving Jason to die in a burning building, drowning him, and even outright shooting him. When it seems like Jason has the upper hand when infiltrating Vaas’s compound to kill him, the latter broadcasts his plans to everyone. The two fight, and while Vaas appears to die, he seemingly survives, as seen in the Far Cry 6 DLC Insanity.

The Illusive Man – Mass Effect 2 and 3

While the Illusive Man wouldn’t be properly introduced until Mass Effect 2, he’s working behind the scenes throughout the series to get what he wants. He founded Cerberus to put humanity first over the alien races. Brainwashing, human experimentation, blackmail, corruption, genocide – the Illusive Man engaged in all this and more. Even his plan to revive Shepard in Mass Effect 2 and fight the Collectors has an ulterior motive, as he seeks to seize their technology. In Mass Effect 3, he becomes obsessed with controlling the Reapers, even implanting himself with their technology. That he can simultaneously execute so many complex schemes and fight Shepard on so many fronts is a testament to his drive and will.

SHODAN – System Shock

As the artificial intelligence of Citadel Station, SHODAN would go rogue after the Hacker, well, hacked to gain amnesty from TriOptimum’s VP Edward Diego. Not only did she effectively gain sentience, but also gained control of the station and killed everyone on board. Well, almost everyone – some were turned into cyborgs or became mutants to serve her purpose of opposing the Hacker. Throughout all this, she’s constantly mocking the Hacker when not threatening him with violent ends. She’s viewed as the biggest threat facing the Earth before the first game ends, before returning in the sequel with a vengeance.

Third Child – Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain

The Third Child first appears in Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain with a bang, controlling the Man on Fire and summoning a giant flaming blue whale. He later controls Metal Gear Sahelanthropus, wreaking havoc before Venom Snake can fight back with a mounted turret. He’s also used to prevent the player from doing anything sneaky, like destroying the helicopter that Skull Face emerges from in Mission 30. While not explicitly confirmed whether the Third Child is Psycho Mantis, there have been too many hints throughout the series to suggest otherwise. At least, the Third Child relies more on fire and manipulation instead of, say, turning Meryl against you.

GLaDOS – Portal

One of the most unforgettable villains in gaming, GLaDOS was terrifying due to seeing humans (and, as we found out later, robots) as little more than test subjects. Live or die – all of that is secondary to the testing. In the first Portal, she starts with relatively safe tests to introduce you to the game’s various mechanics before turning the hazards up. You eventually learn that she may have killed all the researchers in Aperture Labs by releasing toxic gas.

Of course, her comments remain spicy throughout, as she mocks protagonist Chell’s life, parents, general skill and more. Insults like “smelly garbage standing around useless,” “a bitter unlikeable loner whose passing will not be mourned” and “horrible person” may sound biting on their own. However, GLaDOS’ phrasing (and Ellen McLain’s incredible voice work) ensures they’re delivered with the right amount of panache.

Scratch – Alan Wake 2

Scratch is a complex being, first created as Wake’s doppelganger and meant to replace him in the real world before being possessed by the Dark Presence. Throughout Alan Wake’s American Nightmare, Scratch opposes Wake and is seemingly defeated, but emerges once more in Alan Wake 2, turning Wake’s escape attempt into a horror story that bleeds into the real world. From there, he causes all sorts of trouble and even succeeds in dragging Saga Anderson into the Dark Place to mess with her mind.

Lisa – P.T.

Lisa’s existence in P.T., the teaser to the cancelled Silent Hills, is pitiful. She was previously expecting, but one day, her husband, claiming there was a monster inside of him, stabbed her. The result is that Lisa’s ghost haunts the halls of the teaser, sometimes appearing in a door frame before disappearing.

If possessed by her, players will hear a third footstep while walking and her ragged breathing. Turning around at this stage isn’t advised, since she’ll kill them. Regardless of whether you’re possessed or not, seeing her watching through the windows outside, the balcony upstairs and the bathroom before moving away.

Scott Shelby – Heavy Rain

Shelby seems unassuming – a private investigator working to find the Origami Killer. However, he’s revealed to be the killer, manipulating the likes of Lauren (his partner), Ethan Mars and families that suffered due to his murders. It’s somewhat out of left field, especially since you play as him at various points, but Shelby’s motive is to ultimately test Ethan and find someone capable of saving their son, which his father failed to do when his brother John drowned in his childhood.

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. 

A note before we begin: for the purposes of this list, we’re looking exclusively at strictly linear games. If a game is open world, semi-open world, wide linear, Metroidvania, places emphasis on exploration designed around backtracking, or anything of the sort, you won’t see it on this list. We know that’s a pretty strict way of defining linear design in games, but the very purpose of this feature is to celebrate that, after all, so do keep something in mind as we move ahead.

#15. WOLFENSTEIN 2: THE NEW COLOSSUS

MachineGames did an excellent job of redefining the Wolfenstein franchise with 2014’s The New Order, and then took the series’ new formula to even greater heights with its sequel. The biggest strengths of Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus obviously lie in its story and storytelling, and getting to witness its gleefully over-the-top cutscenes and wonderfully bizarre personalities in a story that remains captivating until the last second is an unforgettable experience. It helps, of course, that the action itself can also be a lot of fun.

Set four years after Sons of Liberty in the Metal Gear Solid timeline, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is – in Kojima’s words – centred on the digitisation of the battlefield. Drones, personification of weaponry, weapon laundering, and soldiers who’ve surrendered their freewill and emotions to nanotechnology are the vehicles in which this digitisation is explored. Instead of exhibiting complex human emotions and powers of reasoning, MGS4’s private militia are now pawns of a proxy war rendered cold and clinical. They’re killing machines expunged of emotion, soulless but adept, instead sharing thoughts and feelings across a vast network known as the Sons of the Patriots – the SOP – to enhance battlefield performance throughout their entire military unit. This SOP system is governed by artificial intelligence, removing any shred of human interference.

From these brief synopses, we can see both these Metal Gear entries explore complex themes of control. MSG2 poses a reality whereby radical and opposing ideas can be erased through mass dis-information distributed by those in power to maintain mass control. MGS4 opts to showcase the dehumanisation of individuals, of soldiers who’ve eradicated their identities to dispassionately fit into a machine of war; a continuous civil war waged via proxy by private military companies to prop up a world economy skewed to their own agenda. With Metal Gear Solid 4 marking its fifteenth anniversary since release this year, now’s as good a time as any to analyse if its themes have proved as prescient as Metal Gear Solid 2’s were.

Well, straight off the bat, autonomous warfare is a thing now. Drones are utilised as machines of war, controlled by humans yes but with the danger of placing people over enemy lines removed. Artificial intelligence has seen major developments in recent years, with systems capable of writing entire theses in the palm of everyone’s hand. AI originators and a barrage of commentators are extolling the existential threat posed by AI, and we’re not far off artificial intelligence being deemed a threat to humanity’s existence like a comet hurtling towards Earth. Speculative, and perhaps sensationalist sure, but AI anxiety amongst workers afraid of losing their jobs is an established worry across the globe.

The soldiers of Metal Gear Solid 4 are entrenched so deeply into a system which suppresses their natural emotions that their removal brings negative feelings flooding back like a tidal wave – fear, stress, guilt, regret, trauma; these are complex emotions expected that soldiers will experience. Their long-term suppression then sudden reintroduction leads to total shellshock, a complete overwhelming of the individual. As a result, a connection to the SOP system becomes their dependency like a addiction.

There’s a school of thought out there that this particular element of MGS4’s themes are a mirroring of Hideo Kojima’s experience and perception of the video game industry. The rationale behind this is in Snake’s stoic allegiance to his core values, of code, loyalty, honour, and a reason to fight. The will to keep going against insurmountable odds, decisions made through bravery in contrast to the remote-controlled militia-for-hire who’re fighting for whichever allegiance is programmed into their brains. Snake’s premature aging is as on-the-nose a signifier as anything too, acting as a visual representation of his status as aging relic against a freshly digitised world. As a reflection of video games at the time, well, it’s no secret game store shelves are stuffed with mindless, paint-by-numbers FPS titles. Kojima – as a creative auteur – would understandably feel the industry is evolving into creative bankruptcy as a result.

There’s also an argument that MGS4’s mind-controlled militia are a reflection on us as consumers in a capitalist society. The eradication of their humanity results in uniformity, or rather, a controlled conformity. You only need to scroll through social media to see regular people touting the same materialistic sentiment, showing off their expensive possessions – nice cars, glossy kitchens, multiple vacations abroad a year – painting a picture of their life far removed from the reality. Shedding the bad to portray something unrealistically good. It’s a desire to conform, plain and simple.

Metal Gear Solid 2 played a nifty trick on its players to illustrate the concept of misinformation. As is well documented by this point, following the game’s outstanding opening foray as Snake skulking through a hijacked oil tanker, the narrative unexpectedly shifts into the lens of combat newcomer Raiden. Many a player saw this as pure deception, as nothing in the game’s marketing alluded to such an extreme bait and switch.

The point though – as controversial as it is – was to put us the player into the shoes of a rookie on the battlefield. Raiden, at the point we assume command of him, has received all his combat experience via virtual reality training. As preparation for the real thing, VR will be sorely lacking. As the plot twists and turns, its revealed that Raiden is a test subject for the Patriots’ S3 Plan, a program initially believed to have stood for the Solid Snake Simulation via yet more misinformation but was actually a plan to manipulate world events via an agent, which in this case was Raiden. MGS2’s primary antagonist Solidus Snake is a third perfect clone of Big Boss alongside Solid Snake and Liquid Snake, with the three of them being sterile so as not to be able to reproduce.

The point here is to disprove the notion that behavioural traits can only be passed on genetically, for cultural artifacts and positive human emotions such as compassion, joy, and artistry can be passed on through cultural expression. Humanity, art, people – MGS2 argues – is influenced by forbearers, and no amount of misinformation or mind control can stop it. Kojima himself believes everything is a replication of something else, of inspiration from various sources, and to demonstrate this in-game we essentially play as Raiden through a recreation of Metal Gear Solid’s incident, a repetition of its bosses, cyborgs, Metal Gear encounters, with near-identical tertiary characters met along the way, and so on. Players at the time perceived this re-treading as a means of criticism but as a narrative arc it perfectly ties into the Patriots’ goal of mass-indoctrination of their own ideals. This was not a simulation to test the possibility of equipping every solider with the skillset of Solid Snake, but a road test for controlling civilians, and later on, the mind-numbed militia in Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots.

Both games receive acclimation for their portrayal of complex themes relating to politics, technology, and information against the backdrop of war. To choose one as better than the other is a futile exercise as both provide tangible gameplay evidence to perfectly exemplify their themes. MGS2 is perhaps more ahead of its time than MGS4, but whether that makes its themes better is a matter of opinion.

Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, GamingBolt as an organization.

Nothing else was revealed, save for the remake coming to PS5, which is interesting considering the rumors that it’s a multi-platform release. In addition to the remake, another rumor was confirmed – the original versions of Metal Gear Solid, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty and Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater are being re-released for PS5 this Autumn.

These will comprise Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol. 1, implying that other volumes are in development. Stay tuned for more details in the meantime and hopefully some actual gameplay for Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater Remake.

30. SSX 3

The SSX series was already a massive success when SSX 3 rolled around, but the team at EA Vancouver didn’t rest on its laurels. It added an open world, connecting its various courses and letting players explore with almost instant loading; super-uber tricks added more depth to the already addictive trick system; and the presentation was simply stunning thanks to the snow effects. Of course, having a soundtrack that was incredible enough to win the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences’ Outstanding Achievement in Licensed Soundtrack awards isn’t too bad either.

29. Far Cry 3

Leaving Far Cry 2’s open-ended narrative and survival-lite mechanics behind, it embraced fast-paced gunplay, challenging enemies and well-designed environments. The narrative surrounding Jason Brody and his descent into madness was a poor inversion of the Hero’s Journey but still offered some memorable sequences like flaming entire fields, escaping sinking ships and whatever the heck that sequence with Vaas was.

28. Burnout 3: Takedown

Racing games at the time weren’t afraid to embrace more violent tendencies, but Burnout 3: Takedown was a different ballgame. Its arcade-style gameplay wasn’t just chaos for the sake of it – the takedowns and high-speed gameplay were skill-based, encouraging players to wreck their opponents, keep the Boost meter going, and not get wrecked in return.

Supporting this stellar gameplay loop is World Tour mode, with 173 events across various worldwide locations and modes and multiplayer, including split-screen support. Whether it’s two teams of six players competing to wreck each other or creating a massive pile-up in Crash Mode before exploding it all, there’s enough to keep you coming back.

27. Perfect Dark (N64)

Though not a direct sequel to GoldenEye 007, the similarities between both shooters were enough to make fans eagerly anticipate Rare’s next hit. It easily exceeded expectations, delivering an incredible futuristic narrative that mixed spy agencies and alien conspiracies with awesome sci-fi weapons and stellar mission design. And as impressive as the visuals were, especially on the Nintendo 64, the soundtrack mixed with synth-wave, techno and futuristic beats with stellar orchestration for a superb experience. Truly one of the best shooters of all time.

26. Forza Horizon 5

It’s hard to replicate a streak like Playground Games, with three back-to-back open-world racing hits that pushed the envelope in photo-realism and sheer breadth of content. Forza Horizon 5 still managed, restructuring its campaign and driving disciplines into unique Festival Sites with their own stories, steps and rewards.

Mexico was an incredible choice for a map, thanks to its sheer range of biomes and weather conditions, including brand-new dust storms. It added to the series’ penchant for open-world tomfoolery, which felt more rewarding thanks to the Accolades. Whether you dipped your toes in for some quick races or went to the Hall of Fame, Forza Horizon 5 excelled every step of the way.

25. Ori and the Will of the Wisps

Coming off an acclaimed title like Ori and the Blind Forest is no easy feat, but Ori and the Will of the Wisps pulled it off and emerged as superior. It revamped the art style into something far more detailed and expanded on the world in unique, imaginative ways. It tells an emotional new story, improving the pacing with autosaves while adding to combat thanks to the new Shard system. While not the most revolutionary sequel, it’s an excellent step forward and extremely well-polished in almost every way.

24. Celeste

Celeste is as well-polished and deftly tuned as a 2D side-scrolling platformer could be. Each level, divided into multiple screens, employs unique mechanics, and as Madeline, your job is to execute them perfectly. It can seem daunting at first, but the difficulty is also well-crafted, and the fact that the controls are so responsive and the soundtrack so endearing makes it all the more enjoyable to try and try again. Beyond all of this, however, Celeste is a beautiful story about mental health, acceptance, and ultimately finding yourself even if the path is scary and fraught with danger.

23. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2

Considered the definitive skating title at the time and arguably by today’s standards, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 is just pure gameplay perfection. The trick variety and mechanics, including the beloved Manual, work well with the controls and the level design, featuring some of the series’ best, encourages replay value while hosting a myriad of secrets. With multiplayer, a park editor, hidden characters and a fantastic soundtrack, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 is a joy to experience and still holds up all these years later, as evidenced in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2, the remake.

22. Gears of War

Following its first showcase, “brutality” seemed to be the unifying theme for Gears of War. Chainsawing Locusts, heads exploding with headshots and other gore dotted the third-person shooter. However, Epic Games’ breakout shooter offered so much more – stellar cover-based shooting, the Active Reload for more involved combat, and a uniquely post-apocalyptic future for humanity which mixed ruin and beauty. The story of Kilo Squad immersed us in each character’s demons while simultaneously introducing a depressing yet rich world rife with conflict and intrigue.

There are more than a few nagging areas, like Dom’s AI, but so much of what makes the series great was executed so well in the original. Whatever the future may hold, the legacy of Marcus Fenix will never die.

21. Monster Hunter World

Does Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate have more content? Yes. Does Rise streamline certain things in appealing ways? Sure. Is Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate amazing? Absolutely. But Monster Hunter World, especially post-Iceborne, stands out for offering perhaps the most well-rounded Monster Hunter experience out there.

It’s accessible for brand-new players and features the smoothest gameplay in the series (arguably even better than Rise). It looks fantastic, whether witnessing a Turf War between Rathalos and Rajang or taking in the sights at Hoarfrost Reach. The selection of activities is fantastic, and it’s simply amazing to team up with friends. It’s not perfect, but for hunting gamers, this is the bar to meet.

20. Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Chaos Theory

Pandora Tomorrow was a worthy follow-up to the first Splinter Cell, but Chaos Theory is where the series peaked. On top of excellently designed missions from top to bottom, it featured important changes to the formula. Missions no longer fail when triggering alarms; an aural monitor indicates Sam’s noise relative to his environments; and enemy AI reacts more naturally to threats.

The choice of different kits to emphasize specific play styles, a combat knife for CQC and improvised interrogation, and multiple new attachments, weapons and grenades have also been added, enhancing the experience further. If that weren’t enough, Chaos Theory even featured multiplayer with a revamped Spy vs Mercenary mode, a co-op campaign and much more that was tons of fun.

19. Horizon Forbidden West

Take the accessible hunting of the first game, building on it with new Machines and weapon types. Add tons of new skills, outfits and weapons for numerous build possibilities. Fill the world with an incredible range of activities, from platforming and puzzle solving to hunts and tabletop games. Now add some gorgeous visuals, some of the generation’s best – that’s Horizon Forbidden West.

Even if you’re not overly invested in the story (which is still pretty good), the improvements made to the presentation – especially the motion capture and facial animations in dialogue exchange – are fantastic. Just exploring the sheer variety of environments feels natural and fun. The accessibility options are the icing on the cake, allowing you to push a build to the limit or relax and farm in peace.

18. Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec

Racing games are known to be at the very cutting edge of technology, and GT3 was a prime example of that achievement for the PlayStation 2. Selling close to 15 million copies, Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec was a game that appealed to both veterans and newcomers of the genre. Although the number of cars saw a drastic reduction compared to its predecessor, it made up for it by dialing up the visual fidelity and level of detail. Although Gran Turismo 7, the latest entry in the series is an absolutely amazing game, it still can’t come close to the beast that was Gran Turismo 3.

17. Super Mario Galaxy 2

It’s insane to think that Nintendo not only released Super Mario Galaxy, one of the best games of all time, but then released its sequel three years later, which is also excellent, and superior in many ways. The same gameplay fundamentals apply, but Super Mario Galaxy 2 takes the established formula and offers more variety with its galaxies and power-ups, better pacing, the addition of Yoshi, and many more challenges to put veterans to the test. Having all this with an incredible orchestral score and gorgeous visuals also didn’t hurt. Some may prefer the first game, but they’re both instant classics in their own right.

16. Journey

Gameplay-wise, Journey is a pretty simple game. You roam some gorgeous levels with linear objectives, exploring and discovering mysterious runes, and fly through the air, attempting to decipher it all. However, along the way, you’ll meet other players who can help charge your cloak when flying.

There’s no voice or text chat – all communication is through singing as you journey together, perhaps to the end if you’re willing. This meditative experience encourages replaying, meeting different people and living in the world, going from a bystander to a tour guide as you usher in new players. It’s simply phenomenal to behold.

15. Metroid Prime Remastered

Whenever there’s a conversation about the greatest Metroid-style games ever made, it’s disheartening that Metroid Prime isn’t mentioned more. Back in the day, a first-person Metroid had to fight for recognition and justifiably earned critical (but not commercial) acclaim for its quality. In this day and age, Metroid Prime Remastered is a reminder of the series’ merits and how good the original game is.

The enhanced visuals and environmental details are almost on the level of a remake, even if the core game is still fundamentally the same. But the bosses, the environment design, the exploration and the haunting atmosphere are all masterfully executed, ensuring a quality experience even now.

14. Dead Space (2023)

Interestingly, another Metroid-style game should receive an enhanced version this year. However, unlike Metroid Prime Remastered, Dead Space isn’t content to deliver incredible visuals, teeming with extensive detail and upgrades to effects, lighting and shadows. It builds on the mythos of the original with side quests and an expanded narrative, incorporates new mechanics like the Intensity Director and Peeling System to enhance the gameplay, and even has a brand new, alternate ending that makes us question what’s next for the franchise.

All of this, on top of the same incredible gameplay, bosses, levels and set-pieces that made the original so great. For as difficult as it can be to balance the new and the old, and still deliver a compelling experience, Dead Space makes it look effortless.

13. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

An upgraded engine enabled many feats seen in Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, but its numerous improvements went beyond the technical. In sequel terms, it went above and beyond the original, as Nathan Drake traversed the globe, following the trail of Marco Polo. The solid platforming returned, made all the more intense with some incredible set pieces, while the shooting was even more responsive. Such well-crafted pacing and production values would have fit right at home with the best of Hollywood – the fact that Naughty Dog was doing all this in 2009 on the PlayStation 3 feels insane.

12. Mass Effect 2

Mass Effect 2 delivered high-octane action and sleek cover-shooting mechanics. Commander Shepard roamed the galaxy, recruiting allies to battle the Collectors, making decisions to resolve their crises before embarking on a suicide mission that could potentially seal their fates. The jump in presentation and the quality of writing places Mass Effect 2 in the upper echelon of gaming.

11. Resident Evil 2 (2019)

The fact that the announcement video for Resident Evil 2 Remake was in 2015 and the title was finally released in 2019 is a testament to the sheer dedication of its team to the fans.

And what a remake it turned out to be, reimagining that one bad night in Raccoon City with an over-the-shoulder camera and aiming, a revamped Mr X, stunning visuals courtesy of RE Engine and improved pacing. While some parts were trimmed or cut, much was faithful to the original, expertly enhanced to highlight how masterfully executed the survival horror formula could be. It changed perceptions around the series and serves as a template for how modern-day remakes should be done.

10. Silent Hill 2

While it received critical acclaim back in the day, some found it to be a rushed sequel. As time passed, however, the journey of James Sutherland in the titular town, as he traversed his purgatory of crime and punishment, has been hailed as one of the greatest horror games. In terms of presentation, the game’s atmosphere and use of fog are unmatched, lending well to the pacing without bogging down the fidelity.

The creature designs remain iconic, whether it’s Pyramid Head representing James’ guilty and sexual frustration or Angela’s trauma manifesting as the Abstract Daddy. The remake looks good, but considering how high the bar is, it has a lot to live up to when capturing that mix of greyish moral tones and the undulating terror lurking within each person.

9. Batman: Arkham City

It can’t be overstated just how influential Batman: Arkham Asylum was on the superhero video game genre. Not only did it adapt one of the most memorable Batman stories of all time in superb fashion, but it did so in a way in keeping with being Batman. Batman: Arkham City expanded on this with a huge world, but didn’t skimp on the story-telling or attention to detail.

It was a venerable playground of activities, AR trials, Riddler Trophies and secrets, backed by some compelling villain side stories and high stakes. Furthermore, the Freeflow combat felt even smoother and more responsive and remains a rollicking good time even by today’s standards.

8. God of War Ragnarok

After all the years of hype, speculation and sheer excitement, God of War Ragnarok couldn’t possibly live up to it all. And yet, Sony Santa Monica delivered, expanding on the exploration and characterization that defined the first game in incredible ways. Whether it’s Atreus trying to discover himself or Kratos defining family in the face of annihilation, the story is an outstanding character study.

You also can’t say enough about the combat and how it’s expanded to include more options for combos and builds, whether it’s relying on weapons or your fists. The world is also incredibly designed, with familiar areas housing new secrets and new regions offering astonishing art design and challenges. Having all of this and an extensive post-game that doesn’t feel tacked on is a testament to the love and care that Santa Monica Studio has for the franchise.

7. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

When most open-world games felt akin to clearing checklists, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt arrived and injected soul into its world. Many side quests felt like standalone stories in their own right, with stellar writing and characterization. The world also encouraged exploration and discovery, with several activities to eat up all your time.

Even if you weren’t an aficionado of open-world games, it felt fun to look for Witcher gear and learn the fate of different Witchers, hang out with Lambert on a quest, or take down various horrors in contracts. The sheer amount of extraordinary content, to say nothing of the stellar main quest was enough to excuse some of the combat hiccups and bugs.

6. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

Hype can be a killer for many a sequel, especially when it’s the follow-up to Metal Gear Solid. How do you craft a new tale to ensnare fans of Solid Snake? How do you expand on its stealth mechanics? How do you top the boss fights and plot of the original?

It seemed impossible, but Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of the Liberty was more concerned about upending expectations and standing firm. A shocking new protagonist in Raiden, a story focused on privacy, AI and virtual reality in a post-modern age, and bizarre new bosses all took players by surprise. It was all expertly delivered, and buoyed by incredible music, visuals, enemy AI and stealth mechanics that rival today’s best. From a misunderstood masterpiece to a timeless classic that remains relevant today, Metal Gear Solid 2 is simply in a class of its own.

5. Grand Theft Auto 5

Rockstar Games had a perfect formula for its Grand Theft Auto franchise for years. It attempted to revamp some things in Grand Theft Auto 4, but for the most part, its open world made sense. With Grand Theft Auto 5, it seemingly pulled off the impossible, evolving its formula in numerous ways while advancing the genre.

It’s not just that GTA 5 was a triumph narratively with its three playable characters (all switchable at pretty much anytime). Or that the new heists were enjoyable, the gunplay amazing, or the sheer amount of quality content was overwhelming. It’s the detail of the world, the attention to each NPC, the faithfulness to which Los Santos resembled Los Angeles, and the scale it was all achieved, especially on the Xbox 360 and PS3. Let’s not even start with GTA Online, which is still insanely popular.

4. The Last of Us Part 1

Say what you will about the remake and how it’s a giant cash grab, especially without Factions. However, the fact remains – it’s a better version of The Last of Us, which is one of the greatest games ever made. The story was already incredible, with Joel and Ellie traversing the United States, initially hostile to one another and becoming like family, but the improved animations, environmental details and fidelity make it that much more immersive.

The AI has also been changed to provide more variety in encounters, and new options added to make the game easier or as challenging as one would like. Say what you will about the business practices, but the remake is a masterpiece in its own right.

3. Half-Life 2

To claim that Half-Life 2 was super hyped would be an understatement of the century. Not only it managed to deliver an exceptional experience but it surpassed player expectations. Half-Life 2 is easily one of the greatest first-person shooters of all time, which revolutionized enemy AI, story-telling and physics, with two exceptionally crafted DLC Episodes that masterfully build on the story.

2. Elden Ring

If FromSoftware created open-world Dark Souls, it might have taken less time. That would have been the safer approach. However, Elden Ring is so much more. It’s an odyssey into a sundered land, one teeming with horror and beauty alike while expanding on the beloved Souls-like combat with Ashes of War, Sorceries, Incantations, Spirit Ashes, and more. While taking inspiration from Breath of the Wild, it offers stunning environments, dozens of unique weapons with unique moves, dozens of unique bosses and unique paths to take.

That feeling of exploring almost everywhere is also present, but with an ever-constant feeling of danger and excitement. It can be tough and unforgiving, filled with secrets and extensive NPC questlines that require guides to figure out, but that only adds to the appeal.

1. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Yes, Nintendo’s interpretation of Zelda in an open-world setting wins out again, six years after its initial release and before its hotly anticipated sequel. Explaining why the entire experience is incredible is difficult, but it’s the dozens of little things – the feeling of wonder around every corner. The organic gameplay encourages experimentation in the sandbox.

The quiet, peaceful music and gentle breeze that flows through the world as you explore. Just being able to climb almost anything and explore to your heart’s content. The sheer breadth of content and mystery. The gorgeous aesthetic. Even the weapon durability, which still gets mixed reactions, makes each item matter and encourages adapting on the fly.

But more importantly, it all comes together, resulting in a unique journey every time you start anew, cementing Breath of the Wild as the best of all time.