Video games have become one of the most complex ways of storytelling and a piece of artistry, combining the latest technology and imagination. Over the years, particular video games have risen above becoming mere recreation to providing players with breathtaking campaigns, stunning visuals, and unique gameplay. These are not only the games within the delivered narrative that span open worlds or go along a more linear route but rather the games that are worth the experience.

This list celebrates two decades of gaming excellence – described with a special appreciation to the single-player games. These are the games that became standard, or raised how high just the limits could go, but above all else, made players to finally stop and admire the game. From being a game set in a post-apocalyptic world which requires a game to appreciate the minimalistic beauty, to a more dramatic one that has mythical elements to it, our list allocates between these types of games each of which can be enjoyed at minimum once in a lifetime.

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Red Dead Redemption (2010)

Rockstar Games delivered a masterpiece in Red Dead Redemption. This open-world cowboy adventure captured the fading era of the Wild West with stunning visuals, a compelling narrative, and unforgettable characters. The combination of thrilling gunfights, horseback exploration, and a poignant story made it a landmark title.

Red Dead Redemption is a Western-themed action-adventure game played from a third-person perspective. Players take on the role of John Marston, completing story-driven missions—linear scenarios with specific objectives—to advance the narrative. In the epilogue, control shifts to John\’s son, Jack.

Outside of missions, players can freely explore the open world, which includes the fictional American states of New Austin and West Elizabeth, inspired by the Western United States, and the fictional Mexican state of Nuevo Paraíso. Horses, the primary mode of transportation, come in various breeds with unique attributes. They can be tamed in the wild, purchased, or stolen. For faster travel, players can also use trains and carriages.

The game world features vast, rugged landscapes dotted with wildlife, bandits, and occasional travelers, as well as settlements ranging from remote farmhouses to bustling towns. Players can experience or engage in random events such as ambushes, public hangings, stranger encounters, ride-by shootings, and animal attacks. Optional side activities include dueling, bounty hunting, herb gathering, gambling, and hunting.

The game features an Honor system, which reflects the player’s moral choices. Positive actions, like capturing outlaws alive or aiding strangers, increase Honor, while negative actions, such as committing murder, decrease it. Honor influences how non-player characters (NPCs) respond: high Honor leads to friendlier interactions and store discounts, while low Honor causes suspicion and may lead to establishments closing their doors. Additionally, the Fame system determines NPC reactions based on the player\’s notoriety.

Players can disguise their identity during criminal activities by wearing a bandana, adding a layer of strategy to their actions.

Platform(s): PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows

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Black Myth: Wukong (2024)

Black Myth: Wukong stunned the gaming world with its visually spectacular trailers, which many doubted could be real. Yet, the final release silenced skeptics. Utilizing Unreal Engine 5’s Lumen technology, this game offers some of the most intricate and realistic environments seen to date. The attention to detail is astonishing, from the individual leaves and water physics to the meticulously designed enemies and armor sets. Every item is a fully rendered 3D object, making exploration an immersive experience. While the expansive environments can sometimes feel overly vast, the overall graphical prowess of Black Myth: Wukong sets a new benchmark for realism.

Black Myth: Wukong is an action role-playing game with elements characteristic of the Soulslike subgenre. It is played in single-player mode from a third-person perspective, placing players in control of the Destined One, a monkey protagonist inspired by Sun Wukong from Journey to the West. The protagonist wields a staff based on the Ruyi Jingu Bang, which can extend and shrink during combat.

The game’s combat system offers versatility through three distinct staff stances—smash, pillar, and thrust—allowing for dynamic fight strategies. Combat mechanics emphasize resource management, with players accumulating focus through light attacks, well-timed dodges, and other actions. Once the focus meter is full, a focus point is gained, enabling heavy attacks. These can be executed alone or integrated into combos during light attack sequences. Stamina governs actions like sprinting, dodging, and attacking, while spells, divided into categories like mysticism, alteration, strand, and transformations, consume mana and have cooldowns.

Transformations play a significant role, enabling the protagonist to shapeshift into creatures or beings with unique movesets and health pools. For instance, the \”Red Tides\” transformation turns the player into Guangzhi, a wolfman wielding a flaming glaive. Transformations are cooldown-based and do not consume mana but remain active until depleted by attacks or loss of health.

Spirits offer both skills and passive effects when equipped. Defeated yaoguai chiefs may drop spirits, which players acquire by absorbing them into a gourd. Spirit skills function like transformations, enabling unique attacks powered by qi. For example, the Wandering Wight spirit performs a powerful headbutt.

Vessels provide passive effects and activation abilities that consume qi. An example is the Plantain Fan, which creates a hurricane capable of staggering enemies. These mechanics, alongside the game’s intricate resource management and combat systems, offer a richly layered gameplay experience steeped in Chinese mythology.

Platform(s): PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox Series X/S

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Final Fantasy VII Remake (2020)

The long-awaited remake of Final Fantasy VII reimagined the beloved classic for a new generation. With updated visuals, expanded storylines, and refined gameplay, it honored the original while carving its own legacy.

Final Fantasy VII Remake is the first installment in a planned series of games reimagining the 1997 PlayStation classic Final Fantasy VII. This installment focuses on the opening section of the original game, set in the sprawling metropolis of Midgar.

Players assume the role of Cloud Strife, a former soldier of the Shinra Corporation turned mercenary. Cloud joins the eco-terrorist group AVALANCHE in their fight against Shinra, a company draining the planet\’s life energy. The game features fully reimagined visuals, replacing the pre-rendered environments of the original with real-time polygonal graphics. The narrative has been expanded, with deeper character development and notable new story elements.

Gameplay combines exploration and real-time combat, reminiscent of Final Fantasy XV. The battle system includes an updated Active Time Battle (ATB) mechanic, where the ATB bar fills gradually over time or more quickly through attacks. Once charged, players can pause the action to perform special abilities like magic, items, and powerful moves. These abilities can also be assigned to shortcut buttons for seamless real-time combat. Each action consumes a segment of the ATB bar.

Players can switch between party members during battles, each with unique skills and combat styles. Cloud excels in close-range melee attacks, while Barret specializes in long-range attacks. Magic and powerful summons of large creatures are available, and the Limit Break system enables characters to unleash devastating moves once their gauge is charged.

While emphasizing real-time combat, the game retains strategic elements, such as selecting weapons and magic for each character to use, blending action and tactical gameplay in a richly detailed retelling of a classic story.

Platform(s): PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows

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God of War 3 (2010)

The conclusion to Kratos’ rampage against the Greek pantheon, God of War 3 was a spectacle of epic boss battles and intense action. With fluid combat and breathtaking set pieces, it marked a high point in the original trilogy, delivering the chaos and carnage fans had come to expect.

God of War III is an action-adventure game with hack-and-slash elements, played from a third-person perspective. As a single-player experience, players once again control Kratos, navigating a fixed-camera perspective through combo-based combat, platforming, and puzzle-solving gameplay.

The game features a variety of Greek mythological creatures as enemies, including centaurs, harpies, chimeras, cyclopes, satyrs, minotaurs, Sirens, cerberuses, and Gorgons. Players engage in combat using Kratos\’s signature weapons and abilities while also solving puzzles and traversing the environment. Movement challenges include climbing walls and ladders, jumping across chasms, and swinging on ropes to progress through the game.

Puzzles range in complexity, with some requiring simple object placement while others demand precise timing and mechanics, such as a rhythm-based puzzle reminiscent of Guitar Hero.

Players can collect Gorgon Eyes, Phoenix Feathers, and the newly introduced Minotaur Horns. Gorgon Eyes and Phoenix Feathers increase health and magic meters, respectively, while Minotaur Horns enhance the items meter, allowing for extended use of secondary weapons, known as \”Items.\” These collectibles provide meaningful upgrades to support Kratos\’s journey and enhance gameplay variety.

With its blend of fast-paced combat, platforming challenges, and intricate puzzles, God of War III delivers an epic conclusion to Kratos\’s mythological saga.

Platform(s): PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4

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Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II (2024)

As a sequel to the critically acclaimed Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, this game redefines realism in gaming. The facial animations and motion capture are so advanced that they often blur the line between in-game graphics and live-action footage. The bleak, rocky landscapes complement the intense narrative, creating a cohesive and immersive world. Though the gameplay may not innovate much beyond its predecessor, the graphical achievements of Hellblade II are nothing short of revolutionary.

Senua\’s Saga: Hellblade II is a third-person action-adventure game that builds on the foundation of its predecessor, blending puzzle-solving, environmental exploration, and an in-depth exploration of Senua\’s mental state. The game introduces new gameplay mechanics, including an updated combat system, dynamic weather effects, and realistic physics that influence both exploration and battle scenarios.

Players navigate a range of treacherous landscapes, from ice-covered slopes to storm-battered coastlines. These environmental challenges, combined with the dynamic weather system, add layers of strategy and immersion to both traversal and combat.

The revamped combat system emphasizes fluidity and strategic depth. Senua\’s expanded repertoire of moves allows for varied fighting styles, including a time-slowing mechanic for precise, rapid strikes. Encounters feature a diverse array of enemies with unique attack patterns and vulnerabilities, requiring players to adapt quickly and make full use of Senua\’s combat skills to survive the more intense, fast-paced battles.

Exploration plays a central role, with players uncovering hidden collectibles like Lorestangir posts and discovering lore-rich hidden faces that deepen the narrative. Puzzles are seamlessly integrated into the environment, often requiring creative interactions, such as deciphering runes or manipulating surroundings to advance.

The game retains its psychological horror elements, delving into Senua\’s psychosis. The ever-present voices accompanying her serve as both guides and obstacles, enhancing the immersive storytelling and heightening the tension of her journey.

With its combination of engaging combat, environmental exploration, and psychological depth, Senua\’s Saga: Hellblade II continues to push narrative and gameplay boundaries in unique and thought-provoking ways.

Platform(s): Windows, Xbox Series X/S

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Control (2019)

Remedy’s Control delivered a surreal, action-packed adventure filled with supernatural powers and a mysterious narrative. Its unique setting and gameplay mechanics made it a standout title.

Control is a third-person action-adventure game set in the enigmatic Oldest House, a Brutalist skyscraper in New York City that serves as the headquarters of the fictional Federal Bureau of Control (FBC). The FBC investigates Altered World Events (AWEs) and collects Objects of Power associated with these events. The Oldest House itself is a Place of Power, with an interior that defies spatial and temporal laws, constantly shifting into a vast supernatural realm far larger than its exterior.

The game\’s narrative begins with the emergence of the Hiss, a hostile interdimensional entity attempting to breach this reality. The Hiss corrupts both the architecture of the Oldest House and the minds of FBC employees, turning them into enemies. Players control Jesse Faden, who arrives at the Oldest House searching for answers about her brother’s disappearance during a past AWE. She becomes entangled in the battle against the Hiss, ultimately assuming the role of the Bureau\’s Director.

Mechanics
Control adopts a Metroidvania structure, allowing exploration of a large, interconnected map at a nonlinear pace. Players unlock areas and missions as they progress, encountering Control Points that serve as save points and fast-travel hubs once cleared of enemies.

Jesse acquires psychokinetic powers throughout the game, such as launching debris at enemies, levitating, and temporarily seizing enemies\’ minds to turn them into allies. Completing missions and side quests rewards skill points to enhance these abilities, as well as resources to upgrade the Service Weapon—a multifunctional firearm that can transform into forms like a close-range shotgun or a long-range sniper. Both the Service Weapon and Jesse\’s attributes can be customized with perks.

The game also includes optional time-limited mission alerts and side quests, offering additional rewards for players seeking to expand their experience.

Enemy Encounters
The Encounter Director, an A.I. system, dynamically adjusts enemy interactions based on the player\’s level and location. Most adversaries are FBC agents possessed by the Hiss, ranging from standard gun-wielding humans to heavily mutated entities with supernatural abilities.

With its unique blend of non-linear exploration, engaging combat mechanics, and a deeply atmospheric setting, Control offers a compelling experience that blurs the line between reality and the supernatural.

Platform(s): PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Stadia, macOS

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Fallout: New Vegas (2010)

Despite a rocky launch with technical issues, Fallout: New Vegas remains a cult favorite. Obsidian Entertainment’s masterful storytelling, deep RPG mechanics, and faction-driven gameplay solidified its place as one of the best entries in the Fallout series.

Fallout: New Vegas is an action role-playing game set in the post-apocalyptic Mojave Desert, years after a nuclear war has decimated much of the United States. Players can experience the game from either a first-person or third-person perspective, and take on the role of a courier who survives an assassination attempt from an unknown assailant. The central quest is to track down the would-be assassin, leading to a larger conflict between various factions vying for control of the Mojave. In addition to the main storyline, the game offers numerous side quests that players can choose to engage with, providing even more depth to the experience. Completing all quests in the game is estimated to take around 100 hours.

At the start of the game, players can customize their courier\’s appearance, including gender, age, and race. They also allocate points into S.P.E.C.I.A.L. stats (Strength, Perception, Endurance, Charisma, Intelligence, Agility, and Luck), each ranging from 1 to 10. These primary attributes affect 13 secondary skills, such as Barter, Energy Weapons, Explosives, Guns, Lockpick, Medicine, Melee Weapons, Repair, Science, Sneak, Speech, Survival, and Unarmed. For example, a high Intelligence stat will improve proficiency in Medicine, Repair, and Science.

As the player progresses through the game and earns experience points (XP), they can increase their skill stats. Experience points are gained through various actions, such as defeating enemies or completing quests. Upon reaching certain levels, the player can select perks, which are permanent upgrades that provide useful benefits. For example, the Rapid Reload perk increases gun reload speed by 25%.

With its open-world exploration, faction-driven narrative, and customizable progression system, Fallout: New Vegas offers a rich and immersive experience in a dangerous, post-apocalyptic world.

Platform(s): Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

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Cyberpunk 2077 (2020)

Despite its rocky launch, Cyberpunk 2077 remains a visual marvel, especially with the addition of community graphics mods like the Dreampunk 2.0 pack. These enhancements elevate the game’s already impressive visuals, utilizing path tracing and advanced camera effects to deliver a cinematic experience. The base game’s character models and environmental details hold up remarkably well, allowing modders to enhance its fidelity further. The end result is a polished, hyper-realistic version of Night City that feels alive and vibrant.

Cyberpunk 2077 is an action role-playing game played from a first-person perspective where players control V, a mercenary in the dystopian world of Night City. V’s appearance—including voice, face, hairstyle, body type, and modifications—can be fully customized, along with their background and clothing. The game features five primary attributes (Body, Intelligence, Reflexes, Technical Ability, and Cool) that can be tailored to match the player\’s preferred gameplay style. The Phantom Liberty expansion introduces a sixth attribute, Relic, which further expands character development.

The game offers flexible gameplay with three main playstyles: Netrunner (focused on hacking), Engineer (focused on machinery), and Solo (focused on combat). V’s mobility in combat is highly dynamic, with abilities such as sprinting, taking cover, double-jumping, and sliding. Many of these abilities can be enhanced through cyberware implants installed by a \”ripperdoc.\”

Combat involves a variety of weapons and equipment governed by a colored tier system. There are both melee and ranged weapon options, with ranged weapons divided into three types:

• Power (ricocheting bullets),
• Tech (penetrates walls and enemies),
• Smart (homing bullets, usable only with specific cyberware).

Weapons and armor can be customized and modified to suit different combat strategies. Damage types include Physical, Thermal, Electric, and Toxic, and players can adjust their character’s resistance to these types. The game offers a non-lethal approach, allowing players to complete missions without killing anyone, except for robots, by using non-lethal weapons and cyberware.

With its deep customization, varied combat mechanics, and multiple paths to progress, Cyberpunk 2077 allows players to shape their own journey in a gritty, futuristic world.

Platform(s): Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Google Stadia, macOS

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God of War (2018)

The soft reboot of God of War brought a new level of emotional depth to Kratos’ story. With a focus on Norse mythology and a unique relationship with his son, Atreus, it set a new standard for action-adventure games.

God of War is a third-person action-adventure game with a more cinematic and immersive approach. The game features an over-the-shoulder free camera, a shift from the fixed cinematic camera used in previous installments. The game\’s presentation is continuous, with no camera cuts or loading screens, adding to the sense of immersion. Unlike previous entries, which had multiplayer modes, this installment is a single-player-only experience.

The game world is open in structure, but not entirely open-world. The level design is expansive, and a fast travel system becomes available later in the game. Swimming, a feature in past games, has been replaced with the ability to traverse bodies of water via a boat. Jumping is now limited to designated areas like ledges or rock faces. Players face off against Norse mythological creatures, such as dark elves, wulvers, draugrs, and revenants warped by seiðr magic. Valkyries appear as optional boss battles spread across six playable locations, and there are side quests, such as freeing imprisoned dragons who were once dwarves and battling dragons like Hræzlyr.

The player controls Kratos, engaging in combo-based combat and solving puzzles throughout the game. Combat is revamped compared to previous titles, with Kratos using a Leviathan Axe as his primary weapon instead of the iconic Blades of Chaos. The axe, imbued with ice elemental magic, can be thrown at enemies or objects and magically summoned back to Kratos’s hand, similar to Thor\’s hammer, Mjölnir. The axe can be upgraded with runes to unlock magical runic attacks, providing more variety in combat.

Kratos also wields the collapsible Guardian Shield, which functions both offensively and defensively. Additionally, hand-to-hand combat, introduced in Ascension, is used in battles. The Blades of Chaos, acquired later in the game, return with fire elemental magic and can be swung in various maneuvers, offering a more dynamic combat style.

Overall, God of War offers a deep, engaging experience with a blend of exploration, puzzle-solving, and strategic combat that can be customized to the player’s preferred play style.

Platform(s): PlayStation 4, Windows

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Mass Effect 2 (2010)

BioWare’s sci-fi epic improved upon its predecessor in every way. With a gripping narrative, memorable characters, and the famous suicide mission finale, Mass Effect 2 set a new standard for character-driven RPGs.

Mass Effect 2 is a single-player action role-playing game where the player controls Commander Shepard from a third-person perspective. Before starting, the player customizes Shepard’s gender, appearance, military background, combat training, and first name. Players can import a character from the original Mass Effect, allowing previous decisions to influence the storyline, or start fresh with a new character. Importing a character provides starting bonuses and allows past choices to have an impact on the game\’s plot.

The game offers six character classes, each with unique abilities and combat styles. For instance, the Vanguard class excels in close-range combat and shotguns, while the Infiltrator class specializes in stealth and sniper rifles. These classes cater to different playstyles, allowing the player to select one that suits their preferences.

The game\’s overworld is a galaxy map where players explore different locations and undertake quests, many of which involve combat. Some quests include interacting with non-playable characters at settlements. As the player progresses, they unlock new squad members and additional locations to explore. Completing quests grants experience points, which lead to leveling up and earning Squad Points. These points can be used to develop powers for Shepard and squad members, which enhance combat effectiveness. Each power has four ranks, with higher ranks unlocking new abilities or improved effects.

The player\’s primary mode of transportation is a starship, which serves as Shepard’s base of operations. Aboard the ship, players can interact with their squad, customize their armor, and travel to various planetary systems. The ship also allows for planet scanning, which is used to find mineral resources needed to research upgrades. These upgrades can improve weapon damage, health, or fuel capacity. Players can also purchase upgrades, equipment, and decorations for the ship from merchants located in various settlements.

Overall, Mass Effect 2 combines exploration, combat, and character progression, with meaningful choices that affect the story and gameplay, creating a rich, immersive experience.

Platform(s): Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3

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Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora (2023)

Based on James Cameron’s blockbuster franchise, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora brings the lush, alien landscapes of Pandora to life with stunning fidelity. The game’s dynamic lighting and dense foliage make exploration a visually rich experience. While the gameplay may resemble a sci-fi version of Far Cry, the breathtaking visuals elevate it into a league of its own, perfectly capturing the essence of Cameron’s cinematic vision.

The game is a single-player campaign set in the world of Pandora, where the player controls a Na\’vi orphan. The game offers a first-person perspective as the character, originally raised and trained as a soldier by the Resources Development Administration (RDA), is awakened from suspended animation 16 years later in an abandoned facility. The player embarks on a journey across the Western Frontier, a previously unexplored region of Pandora, to uncover the character\’s origins and unite local Na\’vi tribes to resist the RDA\’s attempts to exploit Pandora’s natural resources.

The game features a large open world, divided into three distinct regions, each with its own biomes, quests, and inhabitants. The storyline is partially linked to the films but also presents a standalone narrative. The game supports two-player cooperative multiplayer, allowing players to join forces to complete quests and fight enemies.

The player has access to \”Na\’vi sense\”, a unique ability that highlights interactable objects and enemy weak points. The character is equipped with a mix of RDA weapons like assault rifles and shotguns, as well as Na\’vi weapons such as bows and arrows and spear throwers. Combat progression allows the player to unlock better gear that enhances combat performance.

To craft resources, the player can collect materials in the wild and hunt animals. However, using firearms to hunt animals will prevent the collection of crafting materials. The game also features a Clan Favor system, where the player earns favor by defeating RDA troops, assisting other Na\’vi, and progressing through the story. This favor can be used to purchase rare weapons, armor, and crafting materials.

The player character is highly agile, with advanced acrobatic abilities, such as double jumping. To navigate the world quickly, the player can also ride flying Ikran creatures, adding a dynamic aerial exploration aspect to the game.

Platform(s): PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox Series X/S

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Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018)

A prequel to the original, Red Dead Redemption 2 expanded on its predecessor with a massive open world, unparalleled attention to detail, and a deeply emotional story centered on Arthur Morgan.

Red Dead Redemption 2 is a Western-themed action-adventure game set in an open-world environment that takes place in a fictionalized version of the United States in 1899. The game can be played from both first-person and third-person perspectives and features both single-player and online multiplayer modes. In the main story, the player controls Arthur Morgan, an outlaw and member of the Van der Linde gang, as he completes various missions with set objectives. After the epilogue, the player takes control of John Marston, the protagonist of the first Red Dead Redemption.

Outside of the main missions, the game offers freedom to roam the expansive world, which features different landscapes, from rural farms to bustling towns and cities. The player can engage in combat using various weapons, including firearms, melee attacks, bows and arrows, throwables, and dynamite. Dual wielding is also an option. Arthur can swim, but John cannot.

The world is filled with dynamic elements, such as travelers, wildlife, and random events, including ambushes, crimes, public executions, and animal attacks. The player can witness or take part in these events, with the opportunity to be rewarded for helping others. Horses are the primary means of transportation, and players can steal, tame, and bond with horses, which enhances their riding abilities. The game also includes other forms of transportation like stagecoaches and trains, which can be hijacked for loot.

Players can also engage in side activities such as dueling, bounty hunting, playing poker, blackjack, and dominoes, or collecting items like rock carvings. Hunting animals plays a key role in providing food, income, and crafting materials. The type of weapon used and where the player shoots an animal affects the quality of the meat and pelts, which can be skinned or carried. Items left too long will rot and decrease in value.

The game includes a Honor system that tracks the player\’s moral choices. Positive actions, like helping others and following the law, increase Honor, while negative actions like theft and harm to innocents decrease it. This system affects dialogue and mission outcomes, and players can unlock various benefits depending on their Honor level, such as special outfits, discounts, and loot rewards.

Platform(s): PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows, Stadia

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Portal 2 (2011)

Valve’s Portal 2 expanded on its predecessor with clever puzzles, a darkly humorous story, and innovative gameplay. The addition of co-op mode and new mechanics like gels ensured its status as a puzzle-platforming classic.

Portal 2 is a first-person puzzle game where players control Chell in the single-player campaign or ATLAS and P-Body in the cooperative campaign. The game takes place in the Aperture Science Laboratory, a complex maze with test chambers and behind-the-scenes areas. Players navigate these areas using the Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device, which creates two portals on suitable surfaces. Players or objects can pass through these portals to solve puzzles, such as using them to move across rooms or \”fling\” objects and characters.

The game introduces new gameplay elements, including Thermal Discouragement Beams (lasers), Excursion Funnels (tractor beams), and Hard Light Bridges, which can be transmitted through portals. Players also use Aerial Faith Plates to launch objects or characters through the air. They must disable or avoid lethal turrets and solve puzzles using various types of cubes, such as the Redirection Cube (which redirects lasers) and the Weighted Storage Cube (used for various puzzle-solving purposes). The iconic Weighted Companion Cube makes a brief appearance.

One of the key mechanics involves gels that can be transported through portals. These gels change the properties of surfaces and objects. Orange Propulsion Gel makes characters move faster, blue Repulsion Gel allows bouncing, and white Conversion Gel lets portals be placed on surfaces. Water can wash away gels, returning surfaces to their normal state. The goal in each level is to use the portal gun and available elements to reach the exit door and progress.

Platform(s): Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Switch

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Bodycam (2024)

This multiplayer shooter’s unique selling point is its attempt to mimic the look of body cam footage. The game employs grungy camera effects to add a layer of realism, creating moments that appear photo-realistic. While the gameplay mechanics necessitate certain design compromises, the immersive visual style sets it apart. The imperfections in lighting and rendering add to the sense of authenticity, making it one of the most striking shooters in recent years.

Bodycam is a tactical shooter played from a first-person perspective. It offers four game modes: Body Bomb, Team Deathmatch, Deathmatch, and Zombies. In Body Bomb, players must either plant or defuse a bomb, adding a layer of strategic depth. Team Deathmatch and Deathmatch are more focused on combat, with players battling against each other in various settings. In Zombies, players face waves of undead enemies, requiring them to work together to survive. Each mode emphasizes tactical gameplay, with players needing to plan their moves, manage resources, and use cover effectively.

Platform(s): Windows

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Resident Evil 7: Biohazard (2017)

Capcom revitalized the Resident Evil franchise with a return to its survival horror roots. Its first-person perspective and atmospheric tension created a chilling experience.

Resident Evil 7: Biohazard is a survival horror game viewed from a first-person perspective, marking the series\’ second installment and the first main entry to use this viewpoint. The player controls Ethan Winters, a new protagonist, as he explores the Baker family\’s abandoned estate in Dulvey, Louisiana, in an attempt to save his wife Mia. Ethan can rotate the camera to view his surroundings, move freely, alternate between walking and sprinting, and interact with objects to find helpful items such as weapons, ammunition, and healing supplies. New mechanics include guarding, which allows Ethan to block attacks and reduce damage, and crouching, which helps him fit through tight spaces or stealthily avoid enemies.

Throughout the game, Ethan faces members of the Baker family and Molded creatures, which attack on sight. Despite his limited combat experience, Ethan can use various weapons, from melee options like knives and chainsaws to firearms such as handguns, shotguns, and a makeshift flamethrower. Firearms are less effective compared to previous games in the series, as enemies are tougher, can dodge or block attacks, and won\’t stay down permanently, encouraging stealth and fleeing when necessary. Damage is displayed through blood on-screen and a codex on Ethan\’s wrist.

Ethan\’s inventory starts with eight slots, with additional space available by finding backpacks. Safe rooms, where enemies cannot enter, feature item boxes for storing excess items and tape recorders to save progress. Items in the inventory can be examined, combined, discarded, or used to craft key items and consumables like first aid solutions and ammo. Exploration plays a significant role, with puzzles scattered across the estate that must be solved to progress. Some puzzles require specific items to complete, and VHS tapes found throughout the estate offer additional story insights and puzzle solutions.

Platform(s): PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Stadia, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, iOS, iPadOS, macOS

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Batman: Arkham City (2011)

Building on the success of Arkham Asylum, Batman: Arkham City delivered a larger world, refined combat, and a story packed with iconic villains. It became the definitive Batman game and a benchmark for superhero titles.

Batman: Arkham City is an open-world action-adventure game presented from a third-person perspective. It allows players to move freely through Arkham City, using a combination of stealth, gadgets, and combat to navigate and complete objectives. Batman can silently incapacitate enemies, glide across the city using his cape, and use the grapnel gun to reach high ledges. He has access to \”Detective Vision,\” which highlights points of interest like enemies, collectables, and clues. Players also have access to a criminal database for forensic puzzles and communication hacking.

The game improves upon the \”Freeflow\” combat system from its predecessor, allowing Batman to counter multiple blows, perform aerial attacks, and use gadgets during combat. Enemies vary in difficulty, with some requiring specific tactics to defeat, such as disarming opponents or tackling larger enemies with combo attacks. The player earns experience points to level up Batman and purchase upgrades for his Batsuit, gadgets, and combat skills. Many gadgets from the first game return, including the Cryptographic Sequencer, remote-controlled batarang, and Explosive Gel, along with new tools like smoke bombs, a Remote Electric Charge (REC) gun, Freeze Blast grenades, and the Disruptor.

The game offers approximately 40 hours of gameplay, with the main campaign lasting 25 hours and side missions providing an additional 15 hours. Side missions feature prominent characters from the Batman universe, such as the Riddler, who challenges the player with 440 puzzles. These challenges involve collecting trophies, solving riddles, and using gadgets to disable traps. Completing certain challenges rewards the player with stories and additional tasks, such as rescuing hostages from the Riddler\’s traps.

After completing the story, players can unlock \”New Game Plus\” mode, which allows them to replay the game with all the gadgets and abilities they\’ve acquired while facing tougher enemies. Arkham City also features challenge maps that focus on specific goals like eliminating enemies, using stealth, or completing tasks efficiently. Players can compete for high scores on these maps.

Catwoman is a playable character with her own heist-focused storyline, combat abilities, and unique gadgets. Some of the Riddler challenges are exclusive to Catwoman. Additionally, Robin and Nightwing are available through downloadable content (DLC), each with their own combat styles and gadgets. Robin has a separate story narrative, and both characters can participate in challenge maps.

Platform(s): PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Windows, Wii U, OS X, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch

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Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (2024)

Square Enix continues to set the standard for RPG visuals with Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. From its meticulously crafted character models to its sprawling, densely detailed environments, the game is a visual feast. Locations like Kalm and Junon are brimming with intricate details that showcase the artistry of the development team. While the PlayStation 5 may limit the game’s graphical potential compared to high-end PCs, Rebirth remains an extraordinary achievement.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is the second installment in a planned trilogy that reimagines the original 1997 PlayStation game. It picks up after the events of Final Fantasy VII Remake (2020), following the party\’s escape from the city of Midgar. The game continues the story of Cloud Strife, a former soldier who joins the eco-terrorist group Avalanche to fight the Shinra corporation, which has been draining the planet\’s life energy. Cloud is also drawn into a conflict with the legendary SOLDIER, Sephiroth, who returns after being presumed dead.

Rebirth features real-time exploration and combat with a more open overworld compared to the linear progression of Remake\’s Midgar. Players can follow objective markers to track main story quests and side quests, and the party can ride on Chocobos for faster travel. The game expands on the hybrid action-combat system introduced in Remake, combining real-time melee attacks with the Active-Time Battle (ATB) system. Players control a party of characters and can freely switch between them during combat. Characters can use physical attacks, magic, and consume items for various purposes, including offense, defense, and healing.

A new mechanic called \”Synergized\” returns from the DLC \”Episode INTERmission\” for Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, allowing party members to synchronize their attacks for more powerful combo moves. This expands the tactical options available to the player during battles, enhancing the strategic depth of the gameplay.

Platform(s): PlayStation 5, Windows

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The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017)

Nintendo’s reinvention of the Zelda series introduced a truly open-world design that encouraged exploration and creativity. It’s a game that continues to influence the industry.

Breath of the Wild is an open-world action-adventure game where players control Link as he explores the kingdom of Hyrule. The game encourages nonlinear gameplay, allowing players to explore freely without defined entrances or exits to areas, and minimal instructions. This design philosophy promotes experimentation and rewards players for discovering solutions in various ways. The game features a \”chemistry engine\” that governs the physical properties of objects and their interactions, such as metal attracting lightning during storms.

Link has various abilities like running, climbing, swimming, and gliding with a paraglider, though these actions are limited by stamina. Players can gather items from the environment, such as weapons, food, and materials. Unlike previous Zelda games, weapons and shields degrade over time. Wooden items, for instance, can light fires or collect arrows, and shields can also be used as snowboards. Link can also hunt animals, gather fruit, and collect parts of defeated enemies to cook meals and create elixirs that restore health or grant temporary bonuses.

The Sheikah Slate, a magical tablet, plays a key role in exploration. It allows players to mark waypoints, take pictures for an in-game compendium, create remote bombs, manipulate metal, form ice blocks on water, and stop time for objects. In combat, players can lock onto enemies for more accurate attacks and use advanced moves with specific button combinations. Players can also use environmental features like rolling boulders off cliffs to defeat enemies without weapons.

Climbing is a major mechanic, enabling players to reach areas without following specific paths. Players can also complete quests or challenges to gain rewards. Activating towers and shrines adds waypoints to the map, while shrines themselves contain puzzles or battles that reward players with Spirit Orbs, which can be exchanged for health or stamina upgrades. When Link has enough hearts, he can reclaim the Master Sword, the only unbreakable weapon, though it requires a recharge after extended use.

Other features include the Divine Beasts, giant mechanical creatures tied to unique elements, and Korok Seeds found in puzzles, which expand inventory space. Towns serve as hubs for quests, sidequests, and shops. Players can also use Amiibo figures to summon items or call Link\’s horse, Epona, and other special creatures from previous Zelda games.

Platform(s): Nintendo Switch, Wii U

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The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011)

Few games have had the cultural impact of Skyrim. With its vast open world, endless character customization, and modding community, it redefined what an RPG could be and introduced millions to the Elder Scrolls universe.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is a fantasy action role-playing game set in an open world environment inspired by Scandinavia, filled with wilderness, dungeons, cities, and villages. Players can explore the vast world on foot, by riding horses, or by utilizing a fast-travel system to move quickly between discovered locations.

At the start of the game, players choose their character\’s gender, race (from 10 available options, including humans and fantasy races like elves and orcs), and appearance, with the option to change the character’s look later. Characters have three main attributes: health, magicka (for casting spells), and stamina (for performing power attacks or sprinting). Attributes regenerate over time, and players can boost them with potions or magic. Experience is gained by leveling up skills across three categories: combat, magic, and stealth. Performing actions tied to specific skills raises their experience, and when a skill levels up, the character can increase an attribute or choose a perk.

Combat in Skyrim is flexible, allowing players to dual-wield weapons, magic, or use a mix of both. Players can also dual-cast spells for increased potency. NPCs (non-player characters) populate the world and can engage in conversations, offer side-quests, or be interacted with in other ways, including combat. Killing NPCs may affect quests or the availability of items, and certain actions like murder or theft can lead to a bounty or jail time, depending on the situation. Players can interact with NPCs to marry, hire companions, or join factions like the Dark Brotherhood, each with unique quests.

Weapons, armor, and magic are crucial for success in combat. Items can be purchased, found, or forged, and players can dual-wield weapons or combine weapons and magic. Shields can be used defensively to block damage or offensively for bashing. Weapons have distinct advantages based on their type (blunt, bladed, etc.), and power attacks, which consume stamina, deal more damage. Spells serve various purposes, from damaging enemies to healing or even creating objects, and are learned through spell tomes. Bows allow for ranged combat and can also be used in melee.

Skyrim features a dynamic world with wildlife, some of which are hostile, like wolves and bears, while others are docile. A unique feature in Skyrim is the inclusion of dragons, which can be encountered in the wilderness. Dragons are randomly generated and may attack towns or cities. Players can absorb the souls of dragons to learn powerful abilities called \”dragon shouts\” or \”Thu\’um.\” Each shout is composed of three words, and the strength of the shout increases as more words are learned. These words are found at \”word walls\” scattered throughout the world, or taught by specific characters. Shouts have a cooldown period and can be used strategically in combat.

Platform(s): Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

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Star Wars Outlaws (2024)

Ubisoft’s open-world Star Wars adventure raises the bar for next-generation visuals. From the bustling cityscapes to sprawling vistas, every environment is teeming with detail. The game’s dynamic lighting and intricate character animations bring the Star Wars universe to life in a way that feels grounded yet grandiose. Whether exploring dense urban environments or leaning against a balcony to admire the view, players will find themselves constantly amazed by the sheer beauty of this game.

Star Wars Outlaws is an action-adventure game played from a third-person perspective, where the player controls Kay Vess, a scoundrel voiced by Humberly Gonzalez. Set in the Star Wars universe, the game features open-world environments on planets and in space. Players can engage in various activities, including combat, exploration, and interaction with NPCs.

Combat in the game combines melee attacks and the use of a versatile blaster with several firing modes, including an electromagnetic pulse. Kay can utilize environmental objects like explosive barrels to gain an advantage in combat. She also has the Adrenaline ability, which charges during combat and slows time, allowing for rapid targeting and shooting. Stealth mechanics allow players to bypass enemies or neutralize them quietly. Kay\’s arsenal includes a grappling hook and an electronic hacking device, and she is accompanied by Nix, a small creature who can scan the environment, interact with objects, and assist in combat by distracting or attacking enemies.

Exploration takes place both on planetary surfaces and in space. On planets, Kay uses a speeder bike, while traveling between planets is done aboard a starship called the Trailblazer. Players can also explore planetary orbits and engage in space combat using the ship\’s laser cannon and missiles. Space stations act as hubs for trade and missions. As players progress, they earn credits which can be used to purchase customization items and gear, while upgrading Kay\’s and Nix\’s abilities, as well as enhancing the blaster, speeder, and ship.

The game features four main factions: the Ashiga Clan, Crimson Dawn, Hutt Cartel, and Pyke Syndicate. Kay\’s reputation with each faction is influenced by her decisions and actions. A high reputation grants access to faction locations, missions, and discounts, while a low reputation leads to mercenaries being sent after her. The game also includes a six-level wanted system, where Kay\’s crimes will trigger an increasing pursuit by Imperial forces. Players can evade capture through hiding, bribing, or eliminating enemies. Additionally, the game features dialogue trees, where choices made during conversations can affect mission outcomes.

Platform(s): PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox Series X/S

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The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015)

CD Projekt Red’s magnum opus delivered an expansive open world, deep storytelling, and a compelling protagonist in Geralt of Rivia. With its richly detailed world and captivating quests, it’s a modern RPG classic.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is an action role-playing game played from a third-person perspective, where players control Geralt of Rivia, a skilled monster slayer known as a Witcher. The game offers a wide range of movement and combat mechanics, including walking, running, dodging, jumping, climbing, and swimming. Geralt is equipped with a variety of weapons, such as bombs, a crossbow, and two swords—steel for humans and silver for monsters. Players can switch between swords and perform both light and heavy attacks, block, and counter enemy strikes. Swords require maintenance and can wear out with use.

In addition to physical combat, Geralt can use five magical signs—Aard (telekinetic blast), Axii (enemy confusion), Igni (fire), Yrden (slows enemies), and Quen (protective shield). These signs consume stamina and have limited usage. Geralt can enhance his magic abilities with mutagens and restore health through meditation, food, or potions.

Throughout the game, players also control Ciri, Geralt\’s adoptive daughter, who has the ability to teleport short distances. The game features dynamic environments, with a day-night cycle affecting certain monsters. For example, werewolves are more powerful during a full moon. The game also includes a responsive AI that reacts to the player\’s actions.

Players can explore the open world of The Witcher 3, which consists of several regions. Geralt can engage in combat, complete quests, and gather items by looting enemies or scavenging the environment using his Witcher sense. These items can be used to craft potions and bombs or can be sold to vendors. Geralt can visit blacksmiths and armorers to craft or upgrade weapons and armor.

Experience points are earned through quests, and players can level up Geralt by gaining experience. Ability points can be spent on combat, signs, alchemy, and general upgrades, each enhancing different aspects of Geralt\’s abilities. The game features a dialogue tree that allows players to make decisions that impact the world, leading to multiple possible endings.

Side quests include Witcher Contracts (monster hunting) and Treasure Hunts, which reward players with powerful gear. Players can also participate in activities like horse racing, boxing, and playing Gwent, a card game that was later expanded into its own standalone title. Geralt\’s horse, Roach, can be summoned to help him explore the world, and players can even engage in combat while riding.

The game emphasizes narrative choices and offers numerous side quests, all contributing to the richness of the world and the variety of possible outcomes in the story.

Platform(s): PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

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Dark Souls (2011)

FromSoftware’s Dark Souls became a genre-defining title with its punishing difficulty, intricate level design, and atmospheric storytelling. It laid the foundation for the \”Soulslike\” genre and captivated players with its challenge.

Dark Souls is a third-person action role-playing game centered around exploration and challenging combat. The game\’s world is a large, interconnected environment where players can traverse different areas, though some paths are locked until certain conditions are met. The game\’s structure encourages careful exploration, often learning from past mistakes or finding alternative routes to proceed.

A central mechanic in Dark Souls is the bonfire, which serves as a checkpoint in the game. Resting at a bonfire fully heals the player, restores the healing charges of their Estus Flask, and allows them to level up, attune magic, repair and upgrade equipment, and more. However, resting at a bonfire respawns most enemies in the area, creating a challenging cycle of progression.

Combat in Dark Souls is multifaceted, incorporating melee attacks, ranged attacks, and magical abilities. Melee combat includes a wide variety of weapons, such as swords, spears, maces, and larger, more fantastical weapons like magical swords and massive clubs. Ranged combat offers bows and crossbows, and defensive maneuvers include shields, armor, rolling, backstepping, and parrying to avoid or mitigate damage.

Magic is another key component of combat, with spells like sorceries, miracles, and pyromancies offering offensive and defensive capabilities. Unlike many RPGs, magic in Dark Souls doesn\’t rely on a traditional mana system. Instead, players gain a limited number of uses for each spell when resting at a bonfire, requiring strategic planning to make the most of their magical resources.

All combat options can be modified or enhanced through leveling up, smithing, and the use of consumables, magical rings, and new equipment. The game offers a deep level of customization, allowing players to build their characters in various ways depending on the preferred playstyle—whether focusing on brute strength, agility, ranged combat, or magical prowess.

Platform(s): PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch

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Still Wakes the Deep (2024)

Set on a 1970s oil rig off the coast of Scotland, this indie horror game leans heavily on authenticity. From the period-accurate decorations to the realistic character models, every detail adds to the immersive experience. The game’s surreal moments, featuring grotesque body horror, are particularly impactful due to the lifelike visuals. Despite its small scale, Still Wakes the Deep packs a graphical punch that rivals much larger productions.

Still Wakes the Deep is a psychological horror game set on an oil rig named Beira D in the North Sea during December 1975. The player controls Cameron \”Caz\” McLeary, a Glaswegian electrician who must survive after a catastrophic event, avoiding the pursuit of hostile creatures while trying to escape the rig. The game is presented in a first-person perspective, with Caz having basic movement abilities such as running, jumping, and climbing ladders. However, the game incorporates a unique mechanic where Caz may tremble in hostile environments, causing potential falls if quick-time events aren\’t completed in time.

The game emphasizes atmosphere over traditional combat, as it has no head-up display (HUD). Instead, it relies on environmental storytelling and subtle cues to guide players. For instance, colored floaters appear in Caz\’s peripheral vision when creatures are nearby, indicating danger. There are no combat mechanics; players must use stealth (e.g., hiding behind objects, inside vents, or throwing items to distract enemies) to avoid detection. The game also features light environmental puzzles, which players must solve to progress through the story.

As the player navigates the oil rig, they must frequently return to previously visited areas, but the environment changes as the narrative unfolds, adding to the game\’s sense of tension. The yellow paint on various surfaces directs players towards their objectives, ensuring they remain on track without the need for traditional quest markers. Additionally, the game offers a story mode with a lower difficulty, making it accessible for players who prefer a less intense experience while still enjoying the narrative and atmosphere.

Platform(s): Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

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Bloodborne (2015)

FromSoftware’s gothic horror RPG brought faster-paced combat to the \”Soulslike\” formula. Its Lovecraftian atmosphere and challenging gameplay made it an unforgettable experience.

Bloodborne is a gripping action role-playing game played from a third-person perspective, developed by FromSoftware, the creators of the renowned Dark Souls series. Like its spiritual predecessors, Bloodborne blends challenging combat, deep exploration, and intricate world-building, transporting players into the dark and decayed Gothic world of Yharnam. In this haunting environment, players navigate treacherous locales, battle a variety of enemies—including formidable bosses—uncover shortcuts, collect valuable items with diverse uses, interact with mysterious non-player characters, and unravel the compelling main storyline.

At the start of the game, players create their own Hunter, a customizable protagonist whose journey through Yharnam unfolds under their direction. The character creation process offers a range of personalization options, including gender, hairstyle, name, skin tone, body structure, voice, and eye color. Players also choose an \”Origin\”—the game\’s equivalent of a starting class—which provides a backstory for the Hunter and determines initial attributes. While these origins add a narrative layer to the Hunter\’s past, their impact on gameplay is limited to defining starting stats. Further character definition comes through allegiance to one of Yharnam\’s \”Covenants,\” religious factions that offer unique perspectives on the world’s mysteries and lore.

The Hunter\’s Dream, a serene and ethereal hub world, serves as the player\’s sanctuary and operational base. Accessible through lanterns scattered across Yharnam, this haven allows players to replenish health, purchase items using Blood Echoes or Insight, level up their character through interactions with the Doll, and upgrade their weapons in the workshop. Lanterns double as checkpoints; activating one lets players respawn there after death. However, using them also resets all non-boss enemies in the game world. Despite its peaceful nature, the Hunter\’s Dream is not immune to peril—two of the game\’s final boss battles unfold here, tying it intrinsically to the culmination of the story.

Yharnam itself is a vast, interconnected world filled with labyrinthine paths and secrets waiting to be uncovered. While some areas are connected seamlessly, others require teleportation through gravestones in the Hunter\’s Dream. Progression is typically guided by a main path, but optional routes often diverge, leading to hidden locales teeming with challenges and rewards. These interconnected pathways frequently loop back to the central starting area, revealing shortcuts that are invaluable for revisiting sections after death or during backtracking.

With its dark, atmospheric setting, demanding gameplay, and intricate design, Bloodborne invites players to immerse themselves in a harrowing yet rewarding journey through a world shrouded in mystery and menace.

Platform(s): PlayStation 4

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Max Payne 3 (2012)

Rockstar reinvented Max Payne with a darker tone, cinematic storytelling, and intense gunplay. The game’s gritty narrative and fluid combat mechanics made it a standout third-person shooter.

Max Payne 3 is an intense third-person shooter where players step into the shoes of its iconic protagonist, Max Payne. The game introduces several new features to the series, including a cover system, allowing players to strategically position themselves to avoid enemy fire and gain a tactical advantage during combat. This addition adds a new layer of strategy to the fast-paced gunfights. Players progress through a linear narrative, battling enemies across various levels, with seamless transitions between interactive cutscenes and gameplay, ensuring an uninterrupted cinematic experience without traditional loading screens.

Combat in Max Payne 3 is a dynamic blend of strategy and action. Players can rely on auto-aim for precision or utilize the cover system to outmaneuver enemies. When injured, painkillers serve as the primary method for health regeneration. The arsenal includes melee attacks, firearms, and explosives, providing multiple ways to engage enemies. A standout feature of the game is the iconic bullet time mechanic, which allows players to slow down time and witness every bullet impact in stunning detail.

A new addition to the series is the \”Last Stand\” mechanic. If Max’s health is depleted, players enter a brief window of opportunity to eliminate the enemy responsible for the fatal blow. Successfully doing so restores Max to a fighting state, provided the player has at least one recovery item. However, using this feature consumes all remaining bullet time. Another new feature is an enhancement to the shoot-dodge mechanic, enabling players to dive in any direction to evade enemies. After executing this move, Max can remain grounded and continue shooting in any direction, adding flexibility and realism to combat scenarios.

The weapon system has also undergone significant changes. Unlike the previous games, Max can carry only three weapons at a time—two handguns and one two-handed weapon. Dual-wielding handguns is an option, but it requires dropping the two-handed weapon. Otherwise, Max visibly carries the two-handed weapon under his arm, a realistic detail that reflects the game’s commitment to grounded, immersive design.

With its gripping narrative, innovative mechanics, and relentless action, Max Payne 3 delivers an experience that is both emotionally charged and adrenaline-pumping, pushing the series to new heights while retaining its signature style.

Platform(s): PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Windows, OS X

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Stellar Blade (2024)

As a PlayStation 5 exclusive, Stellar Blade showcases the console’s graphical capabilities with aplomb. Running at a smooth 60 frames per second, the game’s post-apocalyptic landscapes and intricate character designs stand out. The protagonist, Eve, and her cyborg adversaries are rendered with incredible fidelity, while the game’s vertical environments, such as a space elevator ascending into the cosmos, offer breathtaking views. Stellar Blade is a testament to the power of art direction in creating visually compelling worlds.

Stellar Blade is a gripping action-adventure game set on a post-apocalyptic Earth, offering a deeply immersive experience from a third-person perspective. Players take on the role of Eve, navigating a world filled with danger and mystery while engaging in combat and exploration that demand both skill and strategy.

The combat system in Stellar Blade is a standout feature, rewarding players who master enemy attack patterns and respond with well-timed counters. Central to the gameplay are two key mechanics: the Beta Gauge and the Burst Gauge. The Beta Gauge fills as players successfully parry or evade attacks, enabling powerful abilities such as breaking through super armor or disrupting enemy combos. The Burst Gauge, on the other hand, charges through consecutive parries and combos, unlocking buffs and devastating special attacks that can turn the tide of battle. The game also takes advantage of the PlayStation 5’s DualSense controller, using haptic feedback to intensify the sensation of combat, making enemy strikes and weapon interactions feel remarkably real.

Exploration in Stellar Blade is as rewarding as its combat. Players can scale walls, swing across gaps using ropes, and uncover hidden rewards scattered throughout the environment, including extra costumes for Eve. The world is rich with NPCs who offer optional side quests, allowing players to delve deeper into the game’s lore or focus solely on the main storyline, depending on their preference.

With its precise combat mechanics, immersive exploration, and seamless integration of next-gen technology, Stellar Blade promises an engaging and visually stunning journey through a beautifully ruined Earth, inviting players to uncover its secrets and define their path in this desolate yet compelling world.

Platform(s): PlayStation 5, Windows

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The Last of Us (2013)

Naughty Dog’s post-apocalyptic masterpiece blended heart-wrenching storytelling with brutal survival mechanics. The bond between Joel and Ellie remains one of gaming’s most iconic relationships.

The Last of Us is a masterful blend of action, strategy, and emotional storytelling, set in a hauntingly beautiful post-apocalyptic world. Players take on the role of Joel, a weary survivor tasked with escorting Ellie, a young girl immune to the fungal infection that has ravaged humanity, across a fractured United States. This journey is one of survival and growth, offering tense combat, resource management, and deeply human moments.

Gameplay revolves around dynamic combat scenarios and stealth mechanics. Players can engage enemies with an array of weapons, from rifles and bows to improvised melee tools like pipes and baseball bats. Stealth is equally rewarding, allowing players to avoid confrontation or dispatch foes quietly. The innovative \”Listen Mode\” enhances awareness, revealing enemy positions through sound cues, while a clever cover system provides tactical options during fights. Scavenging resources to craft items like Molotov cocktails and health kits adds a survivalist edge, making every encounter feel high-stakes.

The world itself is rich with detail, from overgrown cities to abandoned homes, all telling their own stories. Between intense combat sequences, players solve environmental puzzles and explore for collectibles, such as notes and comics, that deepen the narrative. Companions like Ellie actively participate in encounters, throwing objects to stun enemies or using weapons to assist in combat.

At its core, The Last of Us is about human connection and resilience, delivering an unforgettable experience that challenges players both emotionally and strategically, leaving a lasting impact.

Platform(s): PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4

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Far Cry 3 (2012)

Ubisoft’s Far Cry 3 introduced an open-world formula that would become the series’ hallmark. With its compelling antagonist, Vaas, and satisfying gameplay loop, it set a high bar for future entries.

Far Cry 3 plunges players into a vibrant yet perilous tropical archipelago, the fictional Rook Islands, where danger and adventure lurk behind every palm tree and shoreline. This first-person shooter follows Jason Brody, an unlikely hero thrust into a chaotic world dominated by pirates and mercenaries. As players navigate the richly detailed open world, they can approach objectives with versatility—engaging enemies head-on with a vast arsenal of firearms and explosives or opting for a stealthier approach with silenced weapons and tactical distractions like throwing rocks to mislead foes. Mastery of these techniques prevents enemies from sounding alarms and calling reinforcements, adding depth to combat strategy.

Jason\’s journey is marked by growth, reflected through the game’s skill tree system, where experience points unlock abilities tied to three themes: stealth and hunting (Spider), brute combat and health (Shark), and long-range precision and mobility (Heron). These upgrades are visually represented by an evolving tribal tattoo on Jason\’s forearm.

The Rook Islands teem with life, from hostile wildlife like leopards and sharks to pirate-controlled outposts waiting to be liberated. Players can hunt animals to craft gear or explore settlements for supplies and side missions. Vehicles like ATVs, jet skis, and even a wingsuit offer thrilling ways to traverse the diverse landscapes. Cooperative multiplayer and competitive modes expand the experience, with features like team-based perks and a map editor allowing players to shape their adventures. With its mix of narrative-driven action, emergent gameplay, and multiplayer modes, Far Cry 3 delivers an unforgettable sandbox experience.

Platform(s): Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

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Nobody Wants to Die (2024)

This indie title combines a dystopian setting with jaw-dropping visuals to create one of the most graphically impressive adventure games of recent times. The futuristic cityscapes, filled with old-timey hover cars and pneumatic tubes, are rendered with meticulous detail. While the gameplay focuses on exploration, the vivid environments and clever world-building make this a must-play for fans of visual storytelling.

Nobody Wants to Die is a gripping first-person adventure game that immerses players in the dual roles of investigator and interrogator, unraveling complex narratives through meticulous crime scene analysis and character interactions. The gameplay centers on uncovering truths by exploring crime scenes, gathering evidence, and piecing together the puzzle of events leading to the crime.

Players engage with characters in dynamic conversations, choosing from multiple dialogue options that can influence the flow of information and uncover hidden motives. Investigative gameplay is enhanced by advanced tools, including the Reconstructor, a cutting-edge device that allows players to visualize recorded footage of past events at crime scenes. This feature adds a unique layer of immersion, letting players \”see\” the crime unfold as they analyze details.

An intuitive evidence board acts as the player’s investigative hub, organizing collected clues and prompting deductive reasoning. Players must connect evidence, draw logical conclusions, and answer probing questions posed by the game, rewarding thoughtful analysis with progress in unraveling the mystery.

Nobody Wants to Die blends a narrative-driven experience with interactive mechanics, challenging players to think critically while engaging with richly detailed environments and characters. With its focus on deduction, choice, and storytelling, the game offers an engrossing journey into the heart of crime-solving, where every interaction and observation brings players closer to the truth—or further from it.

Platform(s): Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

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Grand Theft Auto V (2013)

GTA V pushed the boundaries of open-world gaming with its sprawling world of Los Santos, three playable protagonists, and an engaging single-player campaign. Even a decade later, its impact is undeniable.

Grand Theft Auto V is a sprawling action-adventure game that offers players unparalleled freedom to explore its expansive open world, blending cinematic storytelling with innovative gameplay mechanics. Played from either a third-person or first-person perspective, the game revolves around completing missions—structured scenarios with set objectives—that drive its interconnected narrative. Outside of these missions, players are free to roam the vibrant world, which includes the sun-soaked city of Los Santos and the rugged expanse of Blaine County. The world is significantly larger than its predecessors, teeming with opportunities for exploration and activities.

Players can traverse the environment on foot or through a variety of vehicles, including cars, boats, and fixed-wing aircraft, which debut in this installment. Combat is dynamic, allowing the use of melee attacks, firearms, explosives, and a strategic cover system. Auto-aim provides assistance in heated battles, and health regenerates partially, but players respawn at hospitals when defeated. Committing crimes increases the \”wanted\” level, prompting escalating law enforcement responses, from patrol cars to SWAT teams and helicopters. Evading the law involves skillful hiding and maneuvering to cool down the pursuit.

The story centers on three protagonists—Michael, a retired bank robber; Franklin, a street hustler; and Trevor, a volatile ex-military pilot. Players can switch between these characters seamlessly, experiencing the narrative from multiple perspectives. Each character boasts unique skills, such as Michael\’s bullet time, Franklin\’s precision driving, and Trevor\’s berserker combat mode. Heist missions, the centerpiece of the gameplay, often allow for multiple strategic approaches, requiring AI-controlled accomplices who improve with experience.

Beyond the main story, the world of GTA V is brimming with activities like scuba diving, BASE jumping, and property management. Players can customize characters, upgrade weapons, and even trade in the stock market, creating a deeply immersive and engaging sandbox experience.

Platforn(s): PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S