The Top 100 Video Games of All Time - IGN

The Top 100 Video Games of All Time · 99. Divinity: Original Sin 2 · 98. Final Fantasy VII · 97. Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag · 95. Burnout 3: ... Portal2SuperMarioWorldSuperMetroidZelda:ALinktothePastZelda:BreathoftheWildTheTop100VideoGamesofAllTimeOurfirstrefreshsince2019featuressomebigchanges.LoadingBy IGNStaffUpdated:27Jan20228:22pmPosted:31Dec20213:30pmIGN’sTop100gameslistencompassesthebestofthebestthroughouthistory,spanninggenerationsofconsoles,PCs,handhelds,andmore.Ourlistlastsawamajorupdatebackin2019,andsincethen,therehavebeenseveralgamesreleasedthatdeservedtobeadded.Justasimportantly,welookedatthetotalityofthetop100asitstoodandaskedourselvesafewkeyquestions.Thisleadtosomebelovedgamesdroppingoff,andothergameswepreviouslymissedbeingadded.Gamesinourtop100havetomeasureuptoafewkeymetrics:howgreatagameitwaswhenitlaunched,howfunitistostillplaytoday,andhowmuchthegamereflectsthebestinitsclass.Whilepastversionsofthislisthaveputabigemphasisonagame’simpactandinfluence,we’veessentiallytakenthatoutoftheequation.Manygamesthatleftamarkandinspiredfuturedevelopersmaynotstandthetestoftimeandbeallthatfuntoplayrightnow.Or,quitesimply,theymayhavebeensurpassedbyothergames.Withallofthatsaid,IGN’slistreflectsthecurrentstaff’s100bestgamesofalltime-acollectionofgamesthatcontinuetocaptivateuswiththeirstories,wowuswiththeirrevelatoryapproachtogamedesign,andsetthestandardsfortherestoftheindustry.100.Borderlands2TheoriginalBorderlandscapturedtheattentionofgamers,seeminglyfromoutofnowhere,anditssequeltookeverythingthatmadetheoriginalgreatandexpandedonit.FromitsseamlesscontinuationoftheBorderlandsvaulthuntinglore,toitsunmatchedwriting,Borderlands2remainsthehighpointintheBorderlandsfranchise.Borderlands3isoverflowingwithimprovementsoveritspredecessorThePre-Sequel,butBorderlands2stillcan'tbebeatforitsawesomelevels,excellentDLC,andseries-bestvillain,HandsomeJack.-SethMacy(ReadIGN'sReview)99.Divinity:OriginalSin2WhenIwasfamishedforDungeonsandDragons,Divinity:OriginalSin2filledthatvoidforme.I’vesincerecommendedittoallofmyreal-lifeD&Dparties,andthey’veallcomebackwiththesameopinion:ThisisthebestD&Dexperienceyoucangetfromavideogame.Thebuilt-instoryisdecidedlyplentyandnearlyinfinitelyreplayable.Thepremadecharactersallhavetheirownspecialstorylines,andthenumerouswaysthingspanoutdependsonplayeractions,backstorychoices,race,andmore.Regardlessofclassordifficultylevel,DOS2isafunfantasyworldtogetlostinnomatterwhat.-CaseyDeFreitas(ReadIGN'sReview)98.FinalFantasyVIIFinalFantasyVIIisalandmarkJRPGforavarietyofreasons,butmanyofitsachievementshavenowbeenlosttothewindsoftimeandtechnologicalprogress.Yet,itsagehasdonenothingtochangeitsstatusastheseries'mostpopularandbelovedentry,whichhascomeaboutthankstoitswidecastofdetailed,emotionally-drivencharactersthatjourneythroughoneofthemostmemorableworldstoemergefromJapan'sdevelopmentscene.Thepacingofitscontinuallytimelytaleisitsmasterstroke;Squareallowsyoutoslowlyfallforitsrag-tagbunchofeco-terroristsbeforeintroducingitsmainvillain-theforeverchillingSephiroth-andthenfocusingthestoryonmuchmorepersonalstakes,despitetheloomingapocalypse.Whileoverallthestoryisheavy,theworldthrivesonitsidiosyncrasies-avarietyofbizarreenemies,comedicminigames,andabsurdlysizedswords.It'sthiscombinationoflightanddarkthatmakesFinalFantasyVIIsuchanenduringclassic.-MattPurslow(ReadIGN'sReview)97.Assassin'sCreedIV:BlackFlagThereareplentyofentriesintheAssassin'sCreedfranchisethatcouldfindtheirwayontoaTop100list,butforourdubloons,BlackFlagwasasmuchfunaswe’vehadinthefranchise.AC4isanexceptionalblendofboththemassiveopen-worldexplorationandthestealth-focusedmissionstructurethatgavetheseriesitsroots.Itsnavalcombatandoceanicexplorationofferedboundlessfun,andtherestillhasn'tbeenahistoricalgueststarthatrivaledthelikesofBlackbeardorMaryRead.-JonRyan(ReadIGN'sReview)96.MonkeyIsland2:LeChuck'sRevengeWhenMonkeyIsland2cameout,weknewwhoGuybrushThreepwoodwas,soweknewwhattoexpect.Orsowethought.Somehow,creatorRonGilbertthreweveryoneforaloop,endingMonkeyIsland2inacarnival,leavingustowonderifeverythingwe'dplayedinthefirsttwogamestookplaceinaboy'simagination,oriftheendingitselfwassimplyanotherLeChuckvoodoospell.Regardless,thestory,jokes,andpacingwerealltightenedupforthesecondchapter,makingitarguablythebestofLucasArtsadventuregames.-RyanMcCaffrey95.Burnout3:TakedownBurnout3:Takedownisanundeniableclassic.Itspredecessor,PointofImpact,hadfine-tunedthebalanceofhigh-speedracingandvehiculardestruction,butTakedownperfectedit.Thiswasoneofthosegamesyoucouldeasilylosehoursplaying,eitheraloneorwithfriends.However,fewthingscouldruinafriendshipfasterthanwreckingsomeone'sridejustbeforethefinishline–thoughthankfullyallwas(usually)forgottenduringthenextroundofCrashMode.-JonRyan(ReadOurReview)94.Fallout2StartingthejourneyofFallout2asatribesmanwithnothingmorethanaloinclothandaspeartomynameandgraduallyfightingmywayuptoapower-armored,gauss-gunningkillingmachineisafantasticandsurprisinglynaturalfeelingofprogression–onethatfewgameshavebeenabletomatch.Exploringavastpost-apocalypticworldfullofdeadlyraiders,supermutants,anddeathclawsisdauntingbutexciting.Thankstoattentiontodetail,atmosphericmusic,powerfullywrittenmorallyambiguousquests,andvoice-actedinteractionswithkeycharacters,theworldfeelspersonalandvivideventhoughweviewitfromadistantthird-personcamera.-DanStapleton(ReadOurReview)93.LeagueofLegendsLeagueofLegendsexistsinamagicalplacethatliessomewherebetweenintensecompetitionandfunandenjoyablestrategy.Thoughthere’salottomaster,LeagueofLegendsisequippedwithgreatmodesthatmaketheMOBAeasytolearn,yetisstillincrediblychallengingasplayersscalethecompetitiveladder.WhiletheexcellentSummoner’sRiftstandsastheprimarybattlegroundforcompetitiveplay,theothermodesalsoprovideagreatmeansforafunchancetopracticewithChampionswhenthingsgettootense.Withcontinuousimprovementupdatesandaconstantlychangingroster,LeagueofLegendsstandsasoneofthebestcompetitivegamesinexistence.-MirandaSanchez(ReadOurReview)92.MegaMan3MegaMan3tookeverylessonthatCapcomlearnedfromMegaMan2andexpanded,refined,andremixedit.WhiletakingonnewenemieslikeSnakeManandMagnetMan,ourpluckyrobotheromanagedtolearnafewtricksthatwouldbecomemainstaysforfuturegames.TheslideabilitygaveMegaManamuchneededupgradewhilehisfriendlyrobotpooch,Rush,allowedhimtoexploregreaterheightsandfindmorehiddensecretsthaninanyofhispreviousoutings.There’salongrunningdebateastowhetherMegaMan2orMegaMan3isthedefinitiveNESMegaMangame,butforourmoneyit’sthethirdinstallment,handsdown.-ZachRyan91.AnimalCrossing:NewHorizonsWithitsdebutontheSwitch,AnimalCrossing:NewHorizonsmadeabigleapfromlifesimulatortoanewformofartisticexpression.NewHorizonsaddsterraformingtothemix,alongwithoutdoordecorationssoyoudon’tjustgiveahometouranymore.Andifyouareplayingsolo,it’sstillablast:Thecorerocks-to-richesgameisoverhauledandquitefun:Yournaturalresources,fish,bugs,wood,flowers,canbeusedtoeitherbuyorcraftthingsforyourisland.There’sanendlessdailychecklist,butnotalotofpressuretogetitdone–unlessyou’reexpectingcompany.Thismakesforagameyoucancheckinonatyourownpace,andasitmovesthroughtheseasons,visitingyourtowncanbeoneofthemostrelaxing,meditative,andexperiencesoutthere.Sharingthisexperience(andyourcreations)withfriendsalongthewayisaunique,friendly,accessiblesocialexperiencethatnoothergamehasquitenailedsowell.-SamuelClaiborn(ReadOurReview)90.ThiefII:TheMetalAgeThiefIItookeverythingrightaboutstealthgames,andthenaddedadashofsteampunk-infusedmagic.LookingGlassStudiocraftedabelievableworldwheretechnologywasontheriseandthemagicoftheoldworldwasontherun.Addingtothemixwastheperfectanti-herowhowouldn'tevenconsiderthepossibilityofsavingtheworldunlessitmeantnomorehousestostealfrom.ThiefIIgavetheplayeralltherighttoolsfortheperfectheist,alongwithinteractivemapsforwritingnotes.Itrewardedtakingyourtime,andlisteningtosomeofthebestguardbanterinanygametodate.Silentlysprintingalongrooftops,duckingthroughsecretmansionpassages–thegamedidn'tjustmakeyoufeellikeathief,itmadeyoufeellikeamasterofthecraft.-BrendanGraeber(ReadOurReview)Loading89.SimCity2000SimCity2000isabeautiful,funny,detailedsandboxthatgivesplayerscontrolofahuge,customizablemapthattheycanmanagehowtheyseefit.Youcanbuildtheperfectmetropolisoryoucanburnitalltothegroundwithcatastropheslikeearthquakesandalienattacks.Comparedtotheotherentriesintheseries,thegamehitsthatplayeragencysweetspotsoyoufeellikeyou’reempoweredtosaveyourcitywithoutbeingoverwhelmedbychoice.YouneedtomakesureyourSimshaveaccesstoelectricityandwater,butalsothatthey’resafe,haveaccesstohealthcare,andtheroadsaremaintained.Asyourcitygrows,you’llhavetokeeptrackofthingslikemasstransit,entertainment,andtheeconomybutthedifficultycurveneverfeelstoosteep,andsuccessalwaysseemsjustastadiumaway.-ChristianHolt88.InsideWiththemechanicalabandonofaMariogameandtheworldviewofWernerHerzog,Insidespendsitsthreebrillianthoursoflifeholdingtheplayerinaloopofintrigue,delight,anddisgust.Playdead'sbleak,gorgeouspuzzle-platformerbuildsonitspredecessorLimboinalltherightplaces–hello,colorpalettes;goodbye,boringgravitypuzzles.Itleavesuswithagamethatsleeklypivotsfrombrain-teasertobodyhorroruntilhittinganendingthatranksamonggaming’sbest.Inside’squietgeniusliesinhowthepuzzlescreepbeyonditsever-changingchallenges,andintoitsstory.I’vespentasmuchtimeormorewonderingwhatitallmeansasIdidplayingthrough.Ifyou’veplayed,youunderstand.Ifyouhaven’t,youneedto.-JoeSkrebels(ReadOurReview)87.Titanfall2Titanfall2isoneofthebestFPSgamesthatmanyhaven’tplayed.Inaseaofindistinguishableshooters,Titanfallanditssequeldaredtodosomethingdifferent.Othershootershaveincludedmechsinthepast,butRespawnEntertainments'dedicationtocreatingrobustrelationshipsbetweenPilotsandTitansstandsout.T2'sleveldesignalsosetsitapartfromothersinthegenrewithitscombinationofPilotandTitangameplay.Stand-outexamplesincludethetime-shiftingfifthmissionEffectandCause,andTheGauntletfeaturedinitstutorialthatstillhasthespeedrunningcommunitysettingnewrecordstothisday.-JadaGriffin(ReadOurReview)86.TonyHawk'sProSkater2WhenTonyHawkProSkatercameout,itwaslikenothinganyonehadeverplayedbefore.Itjustfeltsoinsanelyintuitive,ithadgreatmusic,itjustfelt…cool?Therewasnotonedemographicthatwasn’tdrawnintotheculturalsingularityofgamingandskateboardinglikearent-a-coptoaskatevideoshoot.EnterTonyHawkProSkater2,animprovementupontheoriginalinvirtuallyeverysinglewayimaginable,thepopularityofthegameexplodedinawaythatcouldonlyhaveendedinsteadilydiminishingannualreleases.Still,THPS2remainstheperfectskateboardinggame.-BrendanGraeber(ReadOurReview)85.MonsterHunter:WorldKillamonster,makegearoutofitsparts,andhuntastrongermonstersoundslikeagameplayloopthatcangetoldfast,butMonsterHunter:Worldhastakenthatdecade-oldhookandperfectedit.Worldhasstreamlinedthecycleandmadetheintroductionintomonsterhuntingmorepalatablefornewcomersallwithoutwateringdownthedeepaction-RPGmechanicslongtimefanslovedmost.With14uniqueweaponsthatallcontrolentirelydifferently,endlessarmorcustomizationoptionsthatchangemorethanjustfashion,andincrediblydifficultfightsthatrewardplayerswithanincomparablesenseofaccomplishment,MonsterHunter:Worldisinaleagueofitsownwhenitcomestoendlessreplayabilityandchallenge.Addinthefactyoucanhuntwithyourbestfriends,andyouhavearecipeworthyoftheMeowscularChefhimself.-CaseyDeFreitas(ReadOurReview)84.ResidentEvil2(Remake)ResidentEvil2Remakeredefinedwhata‘remake’couldbe.Forplayersnewtothegame,thiswasameticulouslycraftedsurvivalhorrorexperiencethatfeltcompletelyinstepwiththegenrein2019,whileveteransgottoenjoyalovinglycraftedpieceofnostalgiathatfeltlikethegametheyrememberedfrom1998.Ittrodabrillianttightrope,capturingtheinherentweirdnessoftheoriginalwhileupdatingthecontrolschemetoafluidover-the-shouldercamerafarmoresuitedtothewayweplaygamestoday.Theresultwasuneasybutneverfrustrating,subversivebutfamiliar.Allremakesshouldlearnfromthisone.-LucyO'Brien(ReadOurReview)83.SystemShock2SystemShock2pavedthewayforthegenre-blendingfirst-persongamesthatarecommonplacetoday,perfectingtheformulayearsbeforeanyoneelsewouldeventry.Itspremisewasstraightforward:youfoundyourselfaloneonaspacestationwhereyouwereapparentlytheonlythingleftalive.Well,theonlyorganicthing.RogueAISHODANwasteslittletimeinestablishingherselfasyourformidableopponent.AlongthewayyoupickupelementsofthebackstorythroughaudiologsandcanmoldyourselfinanywayyouchoosefromaDPS/combatfocustoapurehackerthatcaninfiltrateanysystem.SystemShock2wastense,smart,andasgreatasitwasimmediatelyuponitsreleasein1999,aheadofitstime.-RyanMcCaffrey(ReadOurReview)82.MortalKombat11MortalKombat11isquitesimplyoneof,ifnotthemostcompletefightinggamesinexistence.It’sgotoneofthemostimpressivestorymodesintheentiregenre;ahighlyrespectablerosterof25outstandingcharacters,with12moreaddedasDLC;afantasticsetoftutorialmodes;anunrivaledsetofunlockablecosmeticsforeverycharacter;anequallyunrivaledvaultofunlockablegoodiesfoundinthegame’suniqueKrypt,whichisalmostagameuntoitself;andmostimportantly,it’sgotoneofthebestonlinenetcodesacrossallfightinggames.-MitchellSaltzman(ReadOurReview)81.Persona5RoyalPersona5RoyalistheabsolutebestPersonahaseverbeen.Fromitscharacterdesignstoitsjazzysoundtracktothemenusthathousethem,itoverflowswithstyleandflair.Butthisgamegoesmorethanskindeepwithanincrediblycompellingstoryandturn-basedcombatthatrewardstacticalthinkingbothinandoutoffights.WhilePersona5alreadydeserveditsspotonthislist,its2019Royaleditionmanagedtotakeanincrediblegameandmakeitevenbetterwithnewstoryadditionsandinnumerablesmartimprovementstonearlyeverysystem,furthercementingitasanall-timegreat.-TomMarks(ReadOurReview)80.DarkSoulsThemostboringthingtonoteaboutDarkSoulsisitsdifficulty.Why?Becauseitstopsyoufromfocusingonallofthethingsthatmakeitthemostinfluentialgameofthelastdecade.YoufailtomentionhowincredibleLordranis–asinglecontinuouslocationthatspiralsfromlava-floodedruinstoaglisteningcityofthegods.Aplacewherenewpathsoftenleadbacktofamiliarlocations,sothatexploringitforthefirsttimefeelslikesolvingapuzzle.Youoverlookitsprecise,nuancedcombatorthefactithasthemostinterestingandmeaningfulbossesofanygame.Andyoucertainlynevergetroundtodiscussingitsstory,whichrevelsinambiguityandinvitesinterpretationlikenoother.-DanielKrupa(ReadOurReview)79.FortniteOver10millionplayersamassedoverthefirsttwoweeksoftheFortnitereleaseandEpicquicklychangedtheirBattleRoyaletoafree-to-playmodel.Almostovernight,Fortnitebecamethereigningbattleroyalegametoplayasconsistentupdatestothemapandlimited-timegamemodesrolledout.WiththesteadyflowoffreshcontentandupdatestoFortnite’sBattleRoyale,itstandsoutinitsgenreasacolorfulanduniquetitleothergameshaveyettocompetewith.-StellaChung(ReadOurReview)78.Fable2TheworldofAlbioncamealiveontheXbox360,whileFable2wasalsooneofthefirstgamestogiveyouafull-timecaninecompanion.Thedogwas,ingameplayterms,ratherstraightforward,butformanyplayers,thepoochtuggedonyourheartstringsandmadeyoucareabouthim/herinawaythatyoutypicallywouldn'tabovetheaveragehumanorfantasy-petRPG.Solidcombat,amultiple-choiceending,greatmusicandworld-building,andadeftbalanceofaction,adventure,androle-playinghelpedmakeFable2boththepinnacleoftheseriesandoneofthefinestbitsofescapistfantasyevercoded.-RyanMcCaffrey(ReadOurReview)77.GoldenEye007In1997,GoldenEyewasarevelation.Notonlywasitamore-than-decentmovietie-in,butitbecametheblueprintforconsolefirst-personshooters,servingupawonderfullyengagingsingle-playermodethatmadeyoufeellikeBond,withsplit-screenmultiplayerthatquicklybecameastapleindormroomsacrosstheworld.-AlexSimmons(ReadOurReview)76.SuperSmashBros.UltimateSuperSmashBros.UltimateisquitesimplytheultimateSmashBros.game.Fromtherostersizeofnearly100fighters,totheenormousWorldofLightstorymode,tothelibraryofover800classicvideogamesongsjam-packedwithin,it’sagameunlikeanyother.SmashBros.hasalwaysbeensimultaneouslythequintessentialpartyfighter,aswellasoneofthemosthotlycompetitivefightinggames,asplitthathasresultedintwodifferentaudiencesfortheseries.What’sperhapsmostamazingaboutSuperSmashBros.Ultimate,however,ishowitdeliversafightinggameforNintendoSwitchthatisjustasfunforthecasualaudienceasitisforthehardcorecrowd.-MitchellSaltzman(ReadOurReview)75.Spelunky2BoththeoriginalfreewareversionofSpelunky,andits2008HDremakearetwoofthemostinfluentialgamesofalltimeduetotheirmonumentalimpactthatshapedtheentireroguelikegenre.TheHDremakewaslargelyviewedasbeinganearperfectgame,inparticular.Thatis,untilSpelunky2camealong12yearslaterandsomehowmanagedtoimproveuponeverysinglefacetofitsmechanicswithouteversacrificingtheprocedurallygeneratedmagicthatmadeSpelunkysospecial.Spelunky2isagameallaboutstorytelling,onlythestoriestoldaren’ttheonesthegamescriptsforyou,they’retheonesyoucraftforyourselfbyexploringitsconstantlychangingworlds,fightingagainstnearlyimpossibleodds,withboththesuccessesandthefailuresbeingequallymemorable.-MitchellSaltzman(ReadOurReview)74.ReturnoftheObraDinnIt’seasytounderestimateReturnoftheObraDinnatfirstglance.A1-bitgameaboutbeinganinsuranceevaluatoronanemptyboatmaynotlightyourheartablaze,butthatsimpleshellhousesoneofthemostclever,captivating,andunfalteringlyimpressivepuzzlegamesyou’lleverplay.It’samysterygamethatempowersitsplayerstoactuallysolveitsotherworldlycoldcasesforthemselves,relyingontherealdetectiveworkofobservationanddeductiontouncoveritssecretsratherthanhighlightedobjectsandscriptedsetpieces.There’sverylittleelselikeReturnoftheObraDinnoutthere–andonceyouplayityou’llundoubtedlybewishingformore.-TomMarks(ReadOurReview)73.Dota2Dotaisn'tagame;it'salifestyle.Thehighbarriertoentrywilldriveawaynewplayers,butthosewhocracktheshellandgethookedhaveaverystrongchanceofrarelyplayinganythingelseagain.Its100+heroesallplaydifferently,andcomingclosetotrulyunderstandingonecouldtakehundredsofhours.Eventhen,there'salwayssomethingnewtolearn.Everyfailedstrategy,everydeath,everycomebackisachancetodiscoversomethingnew.Dota2isatitsbestwhenyou'replayingwithateamoffivefriends.Gatheringgold,killingenemies,takingobjectivesasacoordinatedteam,thenmakingafinalpushtovictoryisanincrediblehighthatyou'llwanttoexperienceagainandagain.-MirandaSanchez(ReadOurReview)72.MarioKart8DeluxeMarioKart8Deluxemaybeare-releaseoftheoriginalWiiUkartracer,butitsfunctionisasbothafantastickartracerinitsownrightandamorecompletepackageofanalreadygreatgame.Itsselectionofclassicandbrandnewtracksmakeforanexcellentrotationofracesthatkeepsthingsfreshnomatterhowmuchyouplaywithathoroughrosterofracersandplentyofkartcustomizationoptions.Whileit'snotthemarqueeattraction,MarioKart8Deluxe'ssuiteofmultiplayeroptionsbeyondracingaresomeofthebestthefranchisehashadsincetheN64daysofBlockFort.Butit'sreallythefinelytunedracingofNintendo'slongstandingfranchisethattakesthespotlight—it'sneverfeltbettertorace(eveninthefaceofBlueShells),whilecoursesarebeautiful,wonderfullydetailed,andrepresentsomeofthebestofthefranchisebothnewandold.-JonathonDornbush(ReadOurReview)71.DonkeyKongWhenyouwalkintoaroomfullofarcadegames,somethinglooksdifferentaboutDonkeyKong.Itspastelbluecabinetisabitshorterthantheothers;abitrounder,morewelcoming.Theglowingmarqueeandartonthegamedepictscharactersthatbelongona1960spizzadeliverybox.Whenyouputaquarterin,themachineshowsyoualittlecartoonofanapeclamberingupaladder,mockingyou.Itasks“HowHighCanYouGet?”andtheinstructionsendthere.Barrelsandfirefillthescreenwhilethecharacters’intricateanimationsforeverymovementcontinuetheillusionthatyouareplayingthiscartoon.Youprobablydon’tgetveryhigh.Hopefully,youhavemorequarters.-SamuelClaibornLoading70.TheSims3TheSims3wasafantasticleapforwardinthefranchise,showcasingwhatamoreopenandcustomizablebaseversionofTheSimscouldlooklike.WhiletheSims4hasgrownsignificantlyintheyearsitsbeenout,itsbaseversion(andespeciallyitslaunchversion)lackedinitems,features,andgeneraloptionscomparedtoTheSims3.Ifwe'relookingateachgamefromtheirbasefeaturesandevenexpansions,TheSims3simplydidmoredespitehavingmoresimplifiedactionsandSimsemotions.There'salottoloveabouteach,especiallywiththefreeupdatesdeveloperMaxishasgivenSims4sincelaunch,butTheSims3takesthecrowninbeingthebestbaseversionofTheSimsyet.-MirandaSanchez(ReadOurReview)69.SplinterCell:ChaosTheorySamFisher'sthirdadventureisactuallythreemasterpiecegamesinone.Inthecampaign,astunningreal-timelightingengineandopenmissiondesignallowsyoutoplayincountlessdifferentways:totalstealth,fullgunplay,oragadget-fest.Game2isthefour-missiontwo-playerco-opcampaign,inwhichtwoyoungagentsworktogetherinasidestorythatrunsparalleltoFisher'sadventure.Youliterallyhavetoplaytogether,fromboostingeachotheruptohighledgestogoingback-to-backtoscaleelevatorshafts,theco-opmodecommittedtocooperationinawaynootheractiongamehad.AndthenyouhadSpiesvs.Mercs,whichtooktheasymmetricalmultiplayermodeintroducedinPandoraTomorrowandrefineditintosomethingtrulyuniqueinthegamingworld.Agile,non-lethalspiesplayinginthird-personviewfacedoffagainstslow-movingbutheavilyarmedmercsthatsawthegamethroughafirst-personhelmet.Itwastense,riveting,andbrilliant.-RyanMcCaffrey(ReadOurReview)68.SuperMarioWorld2:Yoshi'sIslandInthiseraofTrophiesandAchievements,completingeverythinginagameiscommon.ButwhenYoshi’sIslandcameout,therewardforexplorationwasgreaterthanaGamerscore:forcollectingalloftheextremelywell-hiddenredcoinsandflowersandthenfinishingalevelwith30stars(whichbasicallymeansyoucan’tgethit),youreceiveda100%rating.Ifyoudidthisoneverylevelinaworld,youunlockedtwomorelevelsineachofthesixworlds.Andtheselevelswereevenharderthantheothers!Ispentmanyhours100%-ingmyYoshi’sIslandcartridgeandthesavestuckwithmeallthewayuntilanunfortunateincidentwhilereviewingacontemporaryknockoffSuperNintendo.I’veneverbeensoexcitedtostartoverfromscratch.-SamuelClaiborn67.SilentHill2SilentHill2wasthefirstintheseriestoestablishthetownitselfasacharacter–inagenreoversaturatedwithrun-of-the-millkillers,zombies,aliens,andothermoreconventionaladversaries,SilentHill2’sfocusonhorrorinarchitecture,inthelayoutandpersonalityofaspace,ofthehumanpsycheturnedtangible,wasvastlymoreinterestingtome.Mostofall,itwasscary–like,actuallyscary:anexplorationofthedepthsofhumandepravityandtheeffectsithasonthepeopleandplacesaroundusthatfewvideogameshavehandledwithsuchadisturbinggraceandmaturity.-LonnieRad(ReadOurReview)66.GrandTheftAuto:SanAndreasPerhapsthemostremarkablethingaboutGrandTheftAuto:SanAndreasisjusthowmuchitdwarfsGrandTheftAutoIIIineveryway.Forgetonecity.Havethree,withvastswathesofforests,countryside,anddesertinbetween.Wantmorevehicles?Haveover250ofthem,includingjumpjets,combineharvesters,lawnmowers,bicycles,semi-trailers,forklifts,andso,somanymore.Music?Noproblem.Howdoes11radiostationsandover150trackssound?Notenough?Howaboutafunctioningcasino?Howaboutajetpack?Howaboutsame-screenfree-roamingco-op?Howaboutfastfoodthatactuallymakesyoufat?AndhowaboutweputSamuelL.Jacksoninit?GrandTheftAuto:SanAndreaswastheall-timebest-sellinggameonPlayStation2–itselfthebest-sellingconsoleofall-time–andit’sjustnotatallhardtoseewhy.-LukeReilly(ReadOurReview)65.XCOM2KickingalieninvadersoffofEarthinXCOM2:WaroftheChosennevergetsold.Thankstoitsprocedurallygeneratedmapsandwiderangeofenemies,abilities,andever-improvinggearandweaponry,thetacticalpossibilitiesforyoursquadareallbutendless.Especiallywhenplayedonhighdifficultyintheno-takebacksIronManmode,everydecisioncanmeanthedifferencebetweenlifeandpermadeathforcharacterswhobeginasblankslaterookiesbutbecomeaneliteteam.(Andthat'sbeforeyouevengetstartedonmods.)-DanStapleton(ReadOurReview)64.ControlOstensiblyadrabgovernmentbuilding,Control'smainsettingofTheOldestHouseisactuallyashifting,twisting,andteleportingbehemoth,whichtheteamusestoconsistentlymarrytheeverydaywiththesupernaturalinincreasinglybizarreandexcitingways.Andexplorationaroundthisworldissomeofthebestinthird-personaction-MarvelmaynothaveevergivenusaproperJeanGreyvideogame,butplayingasJesseFadenoffersenoughtelekineticpowerstoplaywiththatatoncefeelpowerfulandspry,weightyyetnimbleinawaythattranslatestobothexplorationandcombat.Controlmayseemunassuming,justlikeitslocation,onthesurface,butdiggingjustacouplelevelsdeeperrevealshowlayered,nuanced,andenchantingitsworldreallyis.-JonathonDornbush(ReadOurReview)63.CallofDuty4:ModernWarfareAllGhilliedUpwasmyfirstglimpseofCallofDuty4:ModernWarfareinaction,andastwocamouflagedsnipersworkedtheirwaythroughanirradiatedPripyatinUkraine,Iwasinstantlyhooked.Thehighlight–notjustofthedemobutarguablyoftheentiregame–waswatching,breathheld,asanentirearmoredpatroltrundledpast,inchesfromourhidingspot,andit’samomentoftensionthat’sneverbeenmatchedinashootersince.Electricset-piecesandsuperbpacingmakeModernWarfare’ssingle-playercampaignoneofthemostmemorablefirst-personshootersever,butit’stheperfectlybalancedmultiplayerthatmadeitthederigueuronlinegameforyearstofollow.Multiplayershooterswereneverthesameagain.-AlexSimmons(ReadOurReview)62.RiseoftheTombRaiderWhiletheTombRaiderrebootin2013kickedoffanewdirectionfortheiconicheroinethatwasmoreinlinewithmodernAAAstorytelling(read:Larawasgivenadeeperbackstoryandapersonality),RiseoftheTombRaidertookitandranamile.ItcontinuedtofleshoutLaraasadriven,warycharacterwhileuppingtheanteonwhatmadethe2013gamesofun;fluidtraversal,crunchycombat,andbeautifullyintricatepuzzletombs.AddadelicatelytoldemotionalthroughlinecenteredonLara’srelationshipwithherfather,andyou’vegotwhatiscurrentlytheseries’apex.-LucyO'Brien(ReadOurReview)61.Batman:ArkhamCityAfterArkhamAsylumlaidthegroundworkforasuperherogamethathitalltherightbeats,Batman:ArkhamCitytookeverythingtothenextlevelbylettingBatmanlooseinthestreetsofGotham.Notonlydiditnailthefeelingofstalkingandbeatingdownthugswithanimpressivearrayofgadgets,itraisedthestakesofwhatacapedcrusadercoulddealwithinasinglenight.ArkhamCity’sheapinghelpingofinfamousroguesletyouexperiencethemintheirelement,andfoundperfectwaysforBatmantofoilthemviabothbrainandbrawn–leadingtosomeofthebestbossfightseverconceived.Eachsupervillainaddedtotheoppressiveweightoftryingtosavethedaywiththeoddsstackedagainstyou,andthestory’sclimaxremainsoneofthemoststrikingmomentsinvideogames.-BrendanGraeber(ReadOurReview)60.Dishonored2Dishonored2’swildlyfunskillsetisperfectlypairedwithitschaoticplayground;tinkeringwithbothmeansnotwoplaythroughswilleverbethesame.BendDishonored2,tryandbreakit,andyou’llbeamazedandhowdeeplyitcaterstoyourmostderangedexperimentation.Likeitspredecessor,it’salsoincrediblystylish,theSouthern-EuropeancityofKarnacaburstingwithideasandhistory.Playitlow-key,andDishonored2isoneofthebeststealthgamesevermade.Playithigh-chaos,andyou’llneversettleforamereguninafirstpersonvideogameagain.-LucyO’Brien(ReadOurReview)59.TheWitnessTheislandsettingofTheWitnessenvelopedmeinitsstrikingcolorpaletteandminimalisticsoundscape.Weavedintothistranquilsettinghoweverisaseriesoffiendishpuzzles,eachofferingauniquechallenge.Thesepuzzleshadmescrawlingpatternsonpiecesofgraphpaper,reflectingthesun,andlisteningtothelocalwildlife–Iexploredeverycornerofmybrain,andthisisland,insearchofincreasingly-evasivesolutions.Thefinalchallengehadmequestioningmysanity.Beingstuckononeparticularconundrumseemedfrustratingatthetime,butthatallwashedawayinasenseofnear-unparalleledeuphoriaonceithadbeensolved.Unlikesomanygamesthataredesperatetohand-holdanddrip-feed,TheWitnesshasarefreshinglyhighopinionofitsplayer,expectingthemtothinkforthemselves.It’swhatmakesTheWitnesssochallengingbutalsodeeplyspecial.-SimonCardy(ReadOurReview)58.JourneyJourneyistheclosestavideogamehascometoemulatingtheeffectsofpoetry.Intermsofstructureit’ssosimple:youmustreachasnowymountainpeakvisibleinthedistance.Alongtheway,yourcharactersurfsacrossglisteningdeserts,hidesfromflyingcreaturesmadeentirelyfromcloth,andoccasionallymeetsotherplayersembarkingonthesamepilgrimage.Journeyhasauniqueandspecialtone:it’sdreamlikeandmelancholicforthemostpart,butit’stherapturousconclusionwhichtrulyelevatesit.Wordslike"breathtaking"areusedsoliberallytheirmeaninghasbeenhollowedout,butJourneydeservestocommanditsfullsignificance.-DanielKrupa(ReadOurReview)57.Uncharted2:AmongThievesManygamesattempttoemulatecinema,dealinginthesametropesandstockcharacters.Initially,itlookslikeUncharteddoesthesamething–itfocusesonatreasurehunterwhofrequentlyfindshimselfindangeracrossexoticlocations.ButwhenyouplayUncharted,especiallythesecondinstallment,AmongThieves,yourealizeitsurpassesmuchofHollywoodwithease.Sooftenactionexistsforactionsake–tolookcool–butUncharted2:AmongThievesusesittorevealmoreaboutitscentralcharacter,NathanDrake,andhisrelationshipswithastrongcastofsupportingcharacters.That’snottosaytheactionisn’tspectacular.Uncharted2:AmongThievessetanewbenchmarkforcinematicaction,graphicalfidelity,andestablishedNathanDrakeasoneofthegreatvideogamecharactersofhistime.-DanielKrupa(ReadOurReview)56.OverwatchBlizzardperformedalchemyhere.Overwatchshouldbeleaden–aTeamFortresscoverversionwithtwo-and-a-halfmodesandaMOBAapproachtocharacterdesign.Andyetwhatwehaveisgold.ThekeyhereisinhowBlizzardlookedbeyondsimplymakingagoodshooter–itmadeaninterestingone.ItsbackstoryisPG-13Pixar,itscharactersarediverseandlovable,andmuchmore.Progamers,cosplayers,fanficwriters,ARGdetectivesandeveryoneinbetweenhaveallbeengivenareasontoplayasinglegame–nomeanfeat.Andthisisn’ttoplaydownthegameitself–Blizzarddidn’tmakeaTeamFortressclone,itmadeasuccessor.It’saswift,satisfyingshooter,withawhirlinggame-to-gameinternalmetaofcharacterpicksandcounter-picks.-JoeSkrebels(ReadOurReview)55.ApexLegendsApexLegendscontinuestobringoneofifnotthebestfree-to-playBattleRoyaletofans,anditsshiningaccomplishmentmayjustlieinitsrevolutionarypingsystem.Itsabilitytogiveplayersthecapabilitytoinstantlyandefficientlycommunicateinthemiddleofhecticyetstrategicbattlesisoneofthemostimpactfulinnovationsingaming.Apexalsobuckedthedefaultcharactertrendbygivingcharactersuniquepersonalities.TheseareingrainedintheirDNAandreflectedintheirrelationships,connections,playstyles,andabilities,allofwhichfeatureprominentlysurroundingmediaandin-gameeventstocreateawinningcombinationtogiveeveryoneafavoriteLegend.Apexhasseenitsshareofgrowingpainsovertheyears,butitsdedicationtoitsfans,constantupdates,andevolvingmetagamecontinuetokeeptheattentionoffansnewandold.-JadaGriffin(ReadOurReview)54.HollowKnightInagenreasoldastheMetroidvania,it'srareforagametobreathefreshlifeintoitasmuchasHollowKnightdid.Itswindingsubterraneanhallsaredeeperthanyou’dexpectinjustabouteverywayyoucanimagine–fromitsimpressivesizeandscope,toitscomprehensivebutdelicatelytoldstoryandlore,toitsinnumerableupgradesandsecretstouncover.It’seasytogetlostinitscaves,oratleastlosetrackoftimewhileexploringthem–butonceyoufindyourfootingyou’llbemorethangladyoudid,becausethey’rehometooneofthebestgamesthisgenrehaseverproduced.-TomMarks(ReadOurReview)53.Ms.Pac-ManIrestoreclassicarcadeandpinballmachinesandoneofmyfavoriteprojectswasbringingaMs.Pac-Mancocktailmachinebackfromthedead.Witharebuiltmonitor,restoredart,andofcoursethespeedchipthatmakesitmanytimesfaster,Ms.Pac-Manmadeapopularadditiontomyhomecade.WerunanoccasionalhighscorecompetitionatIGNandsoIthoughtitwouldbecooltobringitintoourlunchroomforabit.Foramonth,themachinewasneverleftalone.Weworkinanofficesurroundedbythelatesttoysandgames,butMs.Pac-Manattractedcrowds.Peoplechangedtheircommutestocomeinearlyandstaylatejusttoplay.Frequentlywe'dbeacrosstheofficeinaconferenceroomandthestrainsoftheMs.Pac-Mancutscenemusicwouldwaftoverandmakeeveryonegiggle.Thereareveryfewgameswhichcancreatesomuchhappinessaftersomanydecades.-SamuelClaiborn52.Counter-Strike1.6ManyofthethingsIvaluemostinskill-basedgames,IvaluebecauseofCounter-Strike:goodleveldesign,team-baseddynamic,thededicationrequiredtomasterit,afriendlysenseofcompetition,andasolidsenseofcommunity.Ittaughtmethejoyofearningmyvictoriesinagame,butalsotheimportanceoflearningfrommyfailures.It’sthereasonIlovefirst-personshootersandthereasonIstuckbyPCgamesatayoungage,andIoweitalltoitsearliestiterations.-LonnieRad(ReadOurReview)51.Left4Dead2Left4Dead2cameoutexactlyayearaftertheoriginal,whichupsetalotofpeoplewho(incorrectly)assumedthesequelwouldbeaglorifiedexpansionpacktothefirst.ButLeft4Dead2doesexactlywhatasequelneedstodo:bebetterineveryway.L4D2-developedin-houseatValve-hasmorecreativelevelsinitscampaign,morespecialinfectedtokill(orplayas,ifplayinginVersusMode),abiggervarietyofweapons,andprotagonistswithsomeactualpersonality.ThoughtheoriginaldevelopmentteamwentontocreatetheasymmetricalmultiplayershooterEvolve,nothinghasquitematchedthevisceralthrillsandscaresofLeft4Dead2,whichstandsasoneofthepinnaclesofmodernco-opgaming.-JobertAtienza(ReadOurReview)50.EarthBoundThestoryofNess,Paula,Jeff,andPoo'sjourneyacrossastrange,slantedversionofAmericawassuchavastdeparturefrompreviousRPGsI'dplayedlikeFinalFantasyVIandChronoTrigger,anditsprobablythegamethatIrentedthemost.Itwasn'tdrenchedinfantasytropesandpathos,butratherbrimmingwithcolor,humor,andsomeoftheweirdestcharactersandeventsI'deverseeninagame.Simultaneously,itknowshowtopackanemotionalpunch.Soyeah,Irentedit.Obviously,itdidn'tcomewiththepack-inplayer'sguide,soIonlymadeitsofarbeforeIhadtoreturnit.ThenIrenteditagain.Andagain.Andagain.Eventually,myparentsnoticedthatmycollegefundwasbeinggiventoBlockbuster,sotheynippedtheprobleminthebudandboughtitforme.It'sbeenmyfavoriteJRPGeversince.-AndrewGoldfarbLoading49.DiabloIIWhathooksyouinstantlyinDiabloIIisjusthowperfectlymeasuredthecoregameplayloopofkilling,lootingandupgradingis.Whetheryou’rejuststartingoutorwadingthroughHellwithahardcorecharacter,DiabloIIhasamomentumthat’simpossiblenottobesweptupin.Theoddsarealwaysoverwhelming,theatmospherealwaysmalevolent,andtherewardalwaysworththerisk.Thesimplejoyofwadingthroughthickknotsofenemieswithmynecromancerandhissummonedbroodofskeletonsandmages,settingoffchainsofcorpseexplosionsandpaintingtheworldredwasanendgameinitself.-CamShea(ReadOurReview)48.StarCraftNotonlywereplayerstreatedtoanexcellentRTSexperienceinStarCraft,buttheirrewardforcompletingsectionsofthecampaignwereevocativevisualsthatfurtherimmersedyouinaworldwherehumansarelosingawaragainstbrutalaliens.AsIplayedthroughthestorylineIlearnedtolovethedifferentlittlecharactersIinteractedwithandfeltgenuineangerwhentheZergmanagedtocaptureKerriganandbendhertotheirwill.Still,thehighlightofStarCraftisitsmultiplayer.FewgamingmomentsareassatisfyingasdefendingyourbaseagainstaZergrushastheProtossorsuccessfullysendinginafleetofTerrantodecimateanenemy'sbase.-DestinLegarie47.WorldofWarcraftIbelievethedefiningcharacteristicthatdrawspeopletoWorldofWarcraftisthefreedomtoplaythegameasyouseefit.Likegroupingwithfriends?Thegamegivesyoutheabilitytostartwithacrewandplaythroughtheentiregametogether,regardlessofraceorclass.Wanttomakeagoatitsolo?Thentakeonquestsalone.Thehigherleveldungeonsandraidsdemandteamwork,butwithitsstellarLookingforGroupsystem,findingpeopletotackleahardbosshasneverbeeneasier.It’salwaysworthmentioningthewarringfactionsoftheallianceandhorde.Whilechoosingafactionseemsatadmoremeaninglessthanitusedto,mainlybecausethefactionsbasicallyaretaskedwiththesamethings,theolddaysofCrossroadsandTarrenMillarememoriessomeplayerswillhaveforever.-MarkMedina(ReadOurReview)46.StarWars:KnightsoftheOldRepublicStarWars:KnightsoftheOldRepublicalmostsingle-handedlyrescuedStarWarsvideogamesfrompurgatory.ItwasalsooneofthefirsttimesthebelovedIPwashandedtoaworld-classdeveloperinBioWare.Theresultwasnotjustoneofthebestrole-playinggamesevermade,butonethathelpedlegitimizeWesternRPGsonconsolesandestablishthefledglingXboxasadestinationfortop-tierthird-partygames.KOTORwasa40-hourrole-playingepicset4,000yearsbeforetheOriginalTrilogy.Assuch,ithadthefreedomtotellthestoryitwantedandinventanewuniverseofcharacterswithoutLucasfilmslappingitonthewristandtellingitno.AndsowegotRevanandoneofthebesttwistsingaminghistory,andwegotthedarkwitofrobotpartymemberHK-47.Bestofall,wegotaStarWarsstorywhereyourchoicestrulymattered.Choosingtodouble-crosssomeoneyou'dagreedtohelpwouldearnyouDarkSidepoints,andeventuallyyoucouldbecometrulyevilandsadisticallypowerful.ButsotoocouldyourbenevolentactionsbringyoutotheLightSideandmakeyouavirtuoushero.-RyanMcCaffrey(ReadOurReview)45.Fallout:NewVegasLikeFallout3beforeit,FalloutNewVegasthrowsusintoaharsh,post-nuclearAmerica.ButitveryquicklybecomessomethinggreaterthanjustmoreofthesamethankstosomeamazingwritingandtouchesbysomeofthemindsbehindtheoriginalFalloutandFallout2.It’snotlimitedtomechanicaltweakslikeimprovedreal-timecombatandcrafting.Severalfactionswithdeep,shades-of-graycharacterspopulatethewasteswithinterestingmoraldecisions,makingtheconflictbetweentheNewCaliforniaRepublic,Caesar’sLegion,andthemysteriousMr.Housefeellikeanythingbutablack-and-whitechoicebetweengoodandevil.Thefactthatwegettodecidetheoutcomemakesitevenbetter.-DanStapleton(ReadOurReview)44.FinalFantasyVIFinalFantasyVIwasarevelation.Itsdark,steampunk-ladenworldwaslikenothingI’deverseenbefore,andIlovedhowtheheroesweremorebroodingandcomplexthantheircheerypredecessors.Themusicaffectedmeprofoundlyaswell;someofmyfavoriteNobuoUematsupiecesarefromtheFinalFantasyVIsoundtrack.ButwhatreallysetsFinalFantasyVIapartisitsmanyiconicmoments,includingMagitekarmormovingslowlythroughasnowyfieldandCelessingingattheoperahouse.Alongwithitsincrediblestoryandsoundtrack,FinalFantasyVIalsofeaturesafantasticcombatsystemwithawhopping14playablecharacters.FinalFantasyVIisconsideredamilestoneintheFinalFantasyseries,andwithgoodreason.-MeghanSullivan43.PokémonYellowBeforeyoucancatchall151Pokémon,PokémonYellowfirstteachesyouhowtorespectandcareforthesometimestemperamentalcreatures.ThegametakesallthebestelementsfromPokémonRedandBlueandupgradesittomakeitfeelmoreliketheanime.Thebestchangetotheoriginals,ofcourse,wasaPikachufollowingyouaroundonyourjourney.Suddenly,thePokémonweren’tjustcreaturesyousummonedforbattle;theybecomeemotionalcreaturesthataccompanyonyouradventure.They’renolongerjustfightersyoubringalong.ThesmallstoryelementsthatlinkPokémonYellowbacktotheanimewereafunwaytolettheplayerrelivethebeginningofAsh’sjourney,butultimately,PokémonYellowissimplyoneofthebestwaystoexperiencethePokémonuniverse–it'sassimpleasthat.-MirandaSanchez(ReadOurReview)42.MetroidPrimeMetroidPrimewasgorgeousandfast,butitwasalsoamazinglypackedwithdetail:birds,bugs,andotherwildlifeoccupiedtheruinsofthegame,whilehieroglyphsandetchingsrevealeditshistory.MetroidPrimewasalsoalonelygame.MetroidPrimedroppedyouintotheChozoruinswithnoonetotalkto.Exploringanalienplanetsoloiswhattheseriesisallabout,andwhythesubsequentgameswithspacemarinesandhuntersjustdidn'tworkaswell.-SamuelClaiborn(ReadOurReview)41.TheElderScrollsV:SkyrimTome,everythingaboutSkyrimwasavastimprovementoveritspredecessor,Oblivion.Thecraggy,intimidatingpeaksoftheNordhomelandandthesagaoftheDovahkiinweremuchmoreinterestingthantherelativelysedatehappeningsoftheirneighborsinCyrodiil.Butwhat’smore,there’ssomuchlyingjustaroundthecorner,offthebeatenpath,thatyoucouldneverevenstumbleuponitinahundredhoursastheDragonborn.Butthefactthatsuchcarefordetail,forworld-building,forexplorationandforimmersionwaspaidtoeverytome,tomb,andquest,isenoughtocementSkyrimasoneoftheabsolutebestrole-playinggameswe’veeverseen,andoneofthebestgamesofalltime.-BrandinTyrrel(ReadOurReview)40.ResidentEvil4Withaperfectblendofatmosphere,actionandstory,ResidentEvil4totallyredefinedthe3rdpersonshooter,anditfeaturedsomeincrediblesetpieceslikebattlingagainstchainsaw-wieldingmaniacs,giantmen,giantfish,tinymeninNapoleoncostumes,andmedium-sizedcentipedemen.RE4unlockedthetruepotentialoftheseriesinawaythathasn’tbeenmatchedbeforeorsince,andwillprobablyalwaysbethemostuniversallybelovedResidentEviltitle.-JeremyAzevedo(ReadOurReview)39.ShadowoftheColossusFewgameshaveeverinspiredthesamesenseofawethatShadowoftheColossusdoeswithinitsfirst10minutes.ClimbingthatfirstledgeandcomingfacetofacewiththefirstColossusisamongthemostimpactful,andalmostterrifying,experiencesinallofgaming.Fromitsbeautiful,crumblingruinstothehulking,ancientColossi,FumitoUeda’ssun-soakedaction/adventuregameisdrenchedinamuted,melancholyaestheticthathasbecomesynonymouswithhis,admittedlylimited,works.Partlovestory,partmonsterhunt,partparable,ShadowoftheColossusborrowsheavilyfromwhatcamebefore,butinspiresmuchofwhatcameafter.-ZachRyan(ReadOurReview)38.TheLastofUsPart22013’sTheLastofUspulledveryfewpunches,choosingtoeschewatidy,walk-into-the-sunsethero’svictoryforamorallyambiguousrugpull.Itsfollow-upwasmoreunlikelystill;arevengetalethatputusintheshoesofacharacterwewereencouragedtohateearlyon.Somehow,TheLastofUsPart2makesitwork,andthewarringstoriesofitsbeautifullyperformeddualprotagonistsaretoldwithnopunchespulled,onceagainleavingusinamoreambiguousspacethanAAAgameswouldusuallyallow.Plus,itscombatisfluid,itlooksgorgeous,anditssinistercreaturedesignmeansit’sgenuinelytensefrommomenttomoment.Amasterpiece.-LucyO'Brien(ReadOurReview)37.RedDeadRedemptionNotonlydidIgetcompletelylostinthemassivesingle-playerworldofRedDeadRedemption,tothepointwhereI'dstartedtalkingwithabitofadrawlbecauseIwassousedtohearingit,butitalsodrewmeintoonlinegamingunlikeanythingI'dplayedbefore.NeverbeforehadIsosuccessfullycraftedmyownstoriesandadventures(withfriendsandstrangersalike)thaninRedDead'sFreeRoammode.Itwasthekindofgameyoucouldn'twaittodiscusswithyourfriendsthenextday.Everyonehadtheirownamazingtalestotellabouttheirtimeintheoldwest,andyouwereconstantlymakingnewoneseverytimeyouturnediton.-JonRyan(ReadOurReview)36.MetalGearSolidItwasn'tuntilSnakecovertlyslitheredhiswayontothePlayStationthatMetalGearcementeditselfasabigdeal.Themoment-to-momentgameplaywasaboutbeingsneaky,andplayerswererewardedforoutsmartingthedefensesofShadowMosesquietlyandcleverly,butthingsfrequentlygotloudduringiconicbossfightsandover-the-topactionsetpieces.However,whereMetalGearSolidwastrulygroundbreakingwasitsemphasisonnarrativeandcinematicpresentation.HideoKojima'sloveofHollywoodactionmovieswasreadilyapparentthroughslickcutscenes,YojiShinkawa'scharacterandmechanicaldesignsaddedaheavydoseofanimesensibility,andthewholeexperiencesoundedamazingthankstothemusicalcontributionsofHarryGregsonWilliamsandastellarvoicecast.MetalGearSolidlookedlikeamovie,soundedlikeamovie,andfeltlikeamovie,butstillplayedlikeavideogame,strikingadelicatebalancethatthemediumisstillstrivingforovertwentyyearslater.-MaxScoville(ReadOurReview)35.SidMeier'sCivilizationIVCivilizationIVisagreatturn-basedstrategygameonitsown,butitwasn’tuntiltheBeyondtheSwordexpansionthatitbecametrulylegendary,andthehighlightofthe28-year-oldCivilizationseries.Thechangesitmakesaresweeping:itaddscorporations,whichaddanotherreligion-likelayer,fleshesouttheespionagesystemandvictoryconditions,andenhancestheAItoputupagreatfight.Meanwhile,randomeventsrangingfromtornadoestobabyboomsmakeeveryplaythroughevenmoreuniqueandeventfulthaneverbefore.Andthat’sontopofagamethat’ssoaddictivetobeginwiththatit’scostuscountlessnightsofsleepwhilstchantingits“Justonemoreturn”mantraorhummingitsGrammyaward-winningthemesong.-DanStapleton(ReadOurReview)34.TheLegendofZelda:OcarinaofTimeThere'snotatonleftthatwecanreallysayaboutTheLegendofZelda:OcarinaofTimeoutsideofthefactthatit'sindisputablyoneofthegreatestgamesevermade.Notonlydiditredefineaction/adventuregames,butitcompletelychangedthewaytheindustrythoughtabout3Dcombatandexploration.Anepictalethatintroducednewcharacters,newlore,andanever-expandingtimelinetheory,thisversionofZeldatookwhatwasgreataboutitspredecessorsandexpandedonthosethemesandideasexponentially.Solvingpuzzleacrosstime,ridingEponathroughthevastexpanseofHyrule,andthefinalconfrontationwithGanonaremomentsthatwillstickwithZeldafansforever,butin1998theyweremind-bending,genre-defining.-ZachRyan(ReadOurReview)33.MinecraftThepremiseofMinecraftisincrediblysimple—minematerialssuchasstoneandwood,andbuildthingswithit.Yet,thepossibilitiesareincrediblylimitless.Theworldalwaysbeginsasabrightsunnyday,andyouusethistimetochopdowntrees,dig,andmaybeevenslayafewanimalsforfood.It’sgreat,untilthesunstartstosetandtheactualenemiesstarttoappear.It’satthispointyourealizethisisactuallyasurvivalgame,andyou’reforcedtoeitherburrowundergroundormakeaquickmakeshiftwoodcabin.Thenasthesunrisesandyouwatchalltheenemiesburntoacrisp,youarefinallyfreetoexploreagain,youarehitwithajoyousurgetoexploreanddiveevendeeperintothegame.Fromthenon,theonlythingthat’sstandinginbetweenyouandliterallyanything,isimagination.-MarkMedina(ReadOurReview)32.Halo:CombatEvolvedHalo:CombatEvolvedsimplyfeltathomeonagamepad,andthefactthatithadalikeableandheroicprotagonist,arichsci-fiuniversethatfeltfleshed-outdespitethisbeingthefirstgameintheseries,andHalobecameaninstantsmashhit.Butitsstorywasonlyhalfofitssuccess.Halowasquitesimplyoneofthebestmultiplayershooterseveruponitsrelease,thankstoitsincrediblecomplementofweapons(two-shotdeathpistolFTW!)thatmixedseamlesslywiththird-person-controlledvehiclesacrossaswathofclassicmapslikeBloodGulch,Sidewinder,Hang'emHigh,andmore.Thatitwasallsettothechanting-monksthemesongthat,likethegameitself,becamelegendary.-RyanMcCaffrey(ReadOurReview)31.Half-LifeWhenHalf-Lifefirstcameoutin1998,itwasimmediatelyobvioushowtransformativeagameitwas.Valvenotonlyproveditwaspossibletotellareal,atmosphericstoryfromwithinafirst-person-shooter,butdiditsobrilliantlythatitslessonshaveinformedvirtuallyeveryshootercampaignsince.SteppingintotheBlackMesaResearchFacilityasmild-manneredGordonFreemanandbearingwitnesstotheaccidentthatsetsoffaninterdimensionalinvasionisamasterclassinintroducingagame’suniverse.Insteadofstoppingtheactionandplayingacutscenetoadvancethestory,Half-Life’staleallplaysoutfromGordon’sperspective,nevertakingcontrolawayfromus,butdirectingoureyestowarditsscriptedevents.Iconicmonsters–mostnotablytheAlienfacehugger-likeHeadcrabsthattransformscientistsintogruesomezombies–andimpressivesoldierAIgaveHalf-Lifeaspookyatmospherebackedupbyenemiesthatposearealthreat.Greatandmemorableweapons,fromthesimplecrowbartothesilentsnipercrossbowandthebiologicalhomingweaponthatshootsalienbees,madefightingthroughthespookyruinsofBlackMesaafantasticbattle.-DanStapleton(ReadOurReview)30.FinalFantasyXIVFinalFantasy14haslongmovedbeyonditsredemptionarcandentereditsdominantera.NootherMMORPGhasspentthepastdecadesoconsistently,releasingcritically-acclaimedexpansionafterexpansion.SquareEnix’shardworkhaspaidofftooaseachyearmillionsmoreplayerssignuptoseewhatthebuzzisabout.FinalFantasy14’ssuccessdoesn’tjusthingeonitsplayabilityasanMMO,butitsappealtofansofsingle-playerJRPGsaswell.Thisdual-threatapproach,plusalevelofdedicationtoplayers’happinessmeansnodiscussionsaboutthebestMMORPGofalltime,letalonegame,canbecompletewithouttalkingaboutFF14.-MattKim(ReadOurReview)Loading29.DoomDOOMchangedmylife.Mygaminglife,atleast.Havingspentmyentireexistenceuptothatpointplayingplatformers,side-scrollingactiongames,etc.on8-and16-bitconsoles,DOOM'sfirst-personshootingwasajaw-droppingparadigmshift.EverythingaboutDOOMwasincredible.Thegraphicswerecolorfulandconvincing.Lightningwasspooky.ItfeltlikeyouwereonaMartianmoon.It'smusicwasmemorable.Weapondesignwasbrilliant,andenemydesignevenmoreso.FromtheimpstotheCacodemonstotheCyberdemon,nearlyeverycreatureinDOOMwasthestuffofnightmares–andinathen-unheard-ofgameplaytwist,theyhatedeachotherasmuchastheyhatedyou.AndthentherewasDeathMatch.WhetheryouwereconnectingtwoPCswithaserialcableforone-on-oneactionorthrowingaLANpartywherefourpeoplehauledtheirPCstothesameplace(bulkyCRTmonitorsandall!)tochainsaweachotherinthegame,DOOMDeathMatchchangedeverything.And,incredibly,it'sstillfun.-RyanMcCaffrey28.TetrisTheclassicRussiantile-matchingpuzzlegamebyAlexeyPajitnovblewmymindwaybackintheday.IstillrememberspendinghourssittinginfrontoftheTVwiththeNESsittingatmyfeet,rotatingbrightlycoloredpuzzlepiecesastheyfellfromtheabyss,attemptingtoarrangethemintohorizontallinesthatwhenassembledcorrectlywoulddisappearandcausemetoadvancetothenextstage.Itwascrazyfun,evenwhenblocksbegantofallatanalarminglyfastpaceandIfellintoafrenziedpanic.ButnomatterhowmanytimesIhadtostartthegameover,itwasjusttoomuchfuntostop.TherewasalwaysthechancethatthistimeI’dgettherightpuzzlepieceattherighttimeandcouldmoveontothenextstage.Inevergottiredofit,andevennowTetrisremainsoneofmyfavoritegamesofalltime.-MeghanSullivan27.MetalGearSolid3:SnakeEaterThere’sareasonasnake’sskeleton,andnotasnakeitself,featuresprominentlyinthetitlesequenceofSnakeEater.ThiswasthegamethatstrippedtheMetalGearformuladowntoitsverycoreandprovedthatitcouldstillfunctionevenoutsideourexpectations.Itforcedustotakewhatweknewaboutespionageandinfiltrationandlearnhowtoapplyitinanew,unfamiliarenvironment,anditdidsowithaboldandelegantunderstandingofitsownsystems.Youcouldhaveallthestealthknow-howandmilitarytrainingintheworld,butoutthereintheunpredictablejungleoftheRussianwilderness,youwereexposed,vulnerable…aNakedSnake.Anditworked.SnakeEaterisarguablyoneofthemostinterestinglovestoriesevertoldinagame,oneofthestrangestandmostexcitingColdWar-eraadventures,andoneofthefirstgamestotrulymakemereflectonmyactionsasaplayer.Itmanagestobetragic,sometimesdevastatinglyso,andyetstillmaintainthatabsurdcomedicflairthatIadmireaboutthisseries.Anygamethatcanmakeyouemotionalaboutclimbingaladderdeservessomekindofrecognition.-LonnieRad(ReadOurReview)26.Half-Life:AlyxVRisstillarelativelyyoungmedium,andwhileplentyofgameshadalreadyshowedoffitsexcitingpotential,noneofthemhadactuallyharnesseditsocompletelybeforeHalf-Life:Alyx.Itraisedthebartoastronomicalheights–forwhataVRcampaigncouldlooklike,whatVRshootingcouldfeellike,andhowaVRstorycouldmoveyou.Partofitsstrengthcomesfromhowcompletelyitembracedthatmedium,pushingtheplayertoinvestigateeverycornerandcreviceinawaytraditional2Dgamessimplycan’t.ButwhilethatmasterfuldesignunequivocallypositionsitasthebestVRgameevergame,itsincredibleworld,story,andencounters(andthewaytheysetthestageforthefutureofHalf-Life)makeitatrulyimpressiveFPSregardlessofplatform.-TomMarks(ReadOurReview)25.GodofWarGodofWardidn'tjustpullofftheimpressivefeatofreinvigoratingandreinventingafranchisethathadseeminglyruncold,butitalsosmartlysubvertedwhatcamebeforetocreateanadventurethatbothplayedtoitspastandstoodonitsownasoneofthefinestgamesofitsgeneration.NearlyeveryfacetofSonySantaMonica'sNorseepicisworkinginconcertwithoneanothertocraftathrilling,memorable,andengrossingadventure.Fromitshauntingscore,tothebeautifullywrittenandactedstoryofKratosandAtreus,totheincrediblefeeloftheLeviathanAxe,GodofWar'simpressivecraftsmanshipshinesthroughateverystep,honoringthepastwhileforgingitsownpath.-JonathonDornbush(ReadOurReview)24.ChronoTriggerChronoTriggeriswidelyregardedasthegreatestRPGofalltime,andforgoodreason.Whatbeginsasatypical“day-in-the-life”adventure,quicklyspiralsintoasprawling,epochjumpingrompthatisequallyexhilaratingandendearing.Createdbya“dreamteam”atSquaresoftincludingFinalFantasycreatorHironobuSakaguchi,DragonQuestcreatorYujiHorii,andcharacterdesignsbyDragonBallcreatorAkiraToriyama,ChronoTrigger’spedigreewasonlyoutshinedbyitsuniversalpraiseuponitsreleaseinthespringof1995.EvenatthetwilightoftheSNES’lifespan,ChronoTrigger’sbranchingnarrative,colorfulcharactersandunforgettablesoundtrackweremorethanenoughtoearnitaplaceonourlistinthistimelineoranyother.-ZachRyan23.PortalThere'sareasonfirst-personpuzzlegamesfarandwideareconstantlycomparedtoPortal—thoughabriefadventure,itsgameplay,tone,writing,andstructuresocohesivelyworktogethertocreateoneofthemostmemorable,challenging,andfascinatingpuzzlegamesaround.Armingplayerswiththenow-iconicPortalgunandthedevastating-andlethal-witofGlad0s,Valveguidedplayersthroughafantasticallyorchestratedandescalatingsetofphysics-basedpuzzlesthatendedwithoneofthemostmemorableend-creditssongsofalltime.Butforasgreatasitspuzzlesare,andthewaytheytakethesimplicityoftwoportalsyoucanshootalmostanywhereintosuchfascinatingterritory,it'salsoPortal'sworld-buildingthatequallymakesthegamesuchamemorabletouchstone.-JonathonDornbush(ReadOurReview)22.StreetFighterIIWhatcanyousayaboutthedefinitivefightinggame,thegamethathasspawnedcountlessimitators,acolytes,andsequels?StreetFighterIIremainsaclassicinvideogamelore,makingseriesmainstaysRyu,Ken,andChun-Liaswellaswordslike“Hadouken”partofthepubliclexicon.Everyonehasafavoritecharacterandthat’sbecauseofitsdiverse,fantasticalcharacterdesign.Whileexceptionallybalanced,theimaginativedesignandhigh-endgraphicsforitstimehelpedsetitapart.StreetFighterIIbecameperhapsthefirstfightinggameglobalarcadesmashanditisstillcelebratedtoday.-ChristianHolt21.SuperMarioBros.Mario'smoveoutofarcadesandintotheMushroomKingdomchangedourhobbyandourindustryasweknowit,settingoffachainofeventsthatshapedgamingasweknowittoday.SuperMarioBros.hasbeenre-releasedmanytimes,butthere'snosuchthingastoomanytimesbecauseit'sstillfunandit'sstillsomekid'sfirsttimeeverplayingagame.Itsinfluencecannotbeoverstated.Example:literallyeveryonereadingthiscanhumitsthemesong,rightnow,frommemory.See?Nowit'splayinginyourheadagain.You'rewelcome.-RyanMcCaffrey20.UndertaleAsmallchildfallsintotheworldofmonstersandsuddenlyfindsthemselvesthetargetofanancientgrudgethatcallsfortheirdeath.Undertaleputstheplayerinauniquesituation;whereyou'dusuallykilleverythinginyourway,Undertalegivesyoutheoptiontospareeverymonsteryoumeet,thoughitneverrequiresit.Everymonsterkilledorsparedalterssomethingintheworld,whetheritbeanothermonsterwonderingwhathappenedtotheirfriend,anopportunityforahilariousdate,oraslightlyeasiertimewithaspecificmonster'sbullethellbattle.Undertaleisjam-packedwithemotion,charm,anddeterminationtoshowthatyouractionsmakeadifference,nomatterhowsmallyouthinktheymaybe.-MirandaSanchez(ReadOurReview)19.BloodborneBloodborneinitiallypresentsasaworkofGothichorror–youspendtheopeninghoursinchingthroughYharnam’sdarkalleywaysandominouschurches,cullinghordesofmutteringwerewolves–butthissoongiveswaytoaweirdtaleworthyofLovecrafthimself.Butitsambitiousstory–ofreligiousandscientificschisms,ofdreamsandreality,ofidiotgodsandnightmarenewborns–istoldnotintheoverwrittenprosefavouredbyLovecraftbutbyanexceptionallysavagethird-personactiongame.FromSoftwareintentionallyditchedDarkSouls’trustedshieldtoforcetheplayertobemoreaggressive.DirectorHidetakaMiyazakiwantedeveryslashinflictedbyitsarsenalofgruesomeweaponstofeelasifyouwerefightingforyourlife.Asisusuallythecase,hisdesignworksflawlessly.-DanielKrupa(ReadOurReview)18.BioShockBioShockwilllikelyalwaysberememberedforitsgame-changing“WouldYouKindly?”twist,butthefirstadventureinRaptureissomuchmorethanadressed-updupe.Fromfirstencounteringasplicercaringforagunthewayamothercaresforherbabytothestill-enrapturingAndrewRyantwisttowardthegame’send,BioShockdeliversoneenrapturingsetpieceafteranother.That’slargelyinpartthankstooneofthemostmemorablelocationsingaminghistory.SomuchstoryisembeddedinthedilapidatedhallwaysandshutteredroomsofRapture,adecayingunderwaterlabyrinththatdemandstobeinvestigated.Themarkofagoodexperienceisonethatyoukeepthinkingaboutlongafteryou’vefinishedit.AndIstillhaven’tstoppedthinkingaboutBioShock,itsincrediblelocation,andthoseawesomePlasmids.-JonathonDornbush(ReadOurReview)17.TheLastofUsIstillthinkaboutthreemomentsinTheLastofUsatleastonceaweek.ThefirstiswhenJoel’slifechangesinamomentinthegame’sintro.ThesecondmomentarrivedlateintothegameanddemandedImakeacertaingameplaychoicebecausethat’showJoelwouldact,evenifitwasn’twhatIwantedtodo.Thatdissonancestruckme,butmadesomuchsense.ThiswasJoelandEllie’sstoryIwasexperiencing,andthosecharactersfeelsorealthankstothescript,animation,andTroyBakerandAshleyJohnson’sstellarperformances.TheLastofUsmarriesitsstorytellingwithitsgameplay,andnothingmademefeelmorethanthatlastmoment.Thegame’sfinaldiscussionbetweenitstwoprotagonistsisfilledwithsomuchemotionalweightbecauseoftheirexperience–becauseofwhatyouexperienced–thatit’sdifficulttothinkofanotherendingsoperfectlytruetothisunforgettableexperience.-JonathonDornbush(ReadOurReview)16.TheWitcher3:WildHuntForallitsinter-dimensionalthreats,monsterhuntsandmagicpowers,I’vealwaysthoughtTheWitcher3’skeyachievementisinhowitnailsthemundane.Geralt’sfantasyworldisoneofmud,thatchandmetal,hismainquestsarefreelancework,andhelovesagameofcardsdownthepub.ThatsenseofrealityiswhathelpsyouempathisewithGeralt,understandtheworld,andreallyunderstandhowbadthingshavegottenwhenthecrazyshitstartspoppingoff.AnRPGwithenoughcomplexitytosatisfytheurgetotinker,butenoughcharacternevertofeelimpersonal,WildHuntisastaggeringachievementnomatterhowyoulookatit.Itsstorydeftlybalancescosmicthreatandfamilydrama,itschoicesfeeltrulymeaningfulandworld-changinglyeffective,anditlooksgorgeousinitsowngrubbyway.EvenitstwoDLCexpansionsareamongthebesteverreleased.Geralt’sfinaljourneymightbebuiltonthemundane,butthatmakesitnothingshortofmagical.-JoeSkrebels(ReadOurReview)15.Halo2FewgameshadmoreofabuilduppriortotheirreleasethanHalo2,andevenfewermanagedtoliveuptotheminthewaythatHalo2did.MasterChieftakingthefightwiththeCovenanttoEarthwasepic,action-packed,andvisuallystunningontheoriginalXbox.Sure,thecampaigndidn'tsomuchendasmuchasstopped,buttheshockingrevealoftheplayableArbiterandhisstorythatmirroredtheChief'swasatwistnoonesawcoming.Furthermore,andperhapsevenmoreimportantly,Halo2wasthekillerappforXboxLive.Itbroughtthepartysystemandmatchmakinghopperconcepttoconsoles,instantlymakingeveryotheronlineconsolegamelookarchaicinitsinfrastructurebycomparison.Ofcourse,ithelpedthatthemultiplayergameplaywas,well,legendary.-RyanMcCaffrey(ReadOurReview)Loading14.Castlevania:SymphonyoftheNightThereisonespecificmomentinCastlevania:SymphonyoftheNightthatelevatesitfrommerelybeinga“gameIlove”intoitspositionasoneofthebestgamesevermade.It’salsooneofthemostepicvideogamesecretsofalltime.Afteryou’veplayedthroughtheentiregame,defeatingmassivebosses,equippingbadasslootanddiscoveringdozensofsecrets,rightatthemomentyouthinkyou’reabouttowin,youdiscoveryou’reonlyhalfwaydone!Symphony’s(spoilers!)invertedsecondcastleismuchmorethanjustalazywaytoextendthequest.Ithasdevilishnewenemypatterns,newbosses,andfantasticnewequipment.SymphonyoftheNightismuchmorethanjustafunside-scrollerwithanawesometwist,though.Art,animation,sound,gameplay,design…evenreplayvalue,thankstomultipleplayablecharacters,allcometogetherperfectlyforoneunforgettableexperiencethathitseverynoteitneedsto.-JustinDavis(ReadOurReview)13.HadesSupergianthasreleasedastringofincredibleactiongamessinceitsfoundation,butHadesisallatonceitsbestgame,oneofthefinesttakesonandbestintroductionstotheroguelikegenre,andafresh,vibrant,andbeautifultakeonGreekmythology.AsthesonofthetitularHades,Zagreus,you'lltryescapingtheunderworldagainandagainandagain,andHadesmakesthatSisypheantaskconstantlyrewarding(andnotjustbecauseSisyphusisactuallyacharacter).Hadesplacesasmuchanemphasisonthewidearrayofpowersyouearneveryrun,whichallowsforsomuchvarietyinhowyouapproacharun,asitdoesonpermanentprogression,eitherinunlockingweapons,overarchingstats,andmore.Butitdoublesdownonthoserewards,withnewbitsofstory,characterdevelopment,andlorebeingjustasimportanttoeverydeathandrebirthasthemechanicalknowledgeandupgradesyouunlock.That'sbolsteredbyasuiteofincrediblevoiceperformances,funtwistsonGreekmyth,andafantasticsoundtrackthatmakeseachattemptatbreakingfreememorable.-JonathonDornbush(ReadOurReview)12.GrandTheftAutoVIfGrandTheftAutoVisanythingit’sagameofimmense,obsessivedetail.Thereisnoopenworldthatfeelsasauthenticandlived-inasGrandTheftAutoV’sLosSantosanditssurroundingcountryside.Turnitonandpickastreet.Analyseit.Lookattheuniqueshopfrontsthataren’trepeatedanywhereelse.Lookattheasphalt,wornandcracked;punishedbythemillionsofcarsthathavehypotheticallypassedoverit.Lookatthelitter,thegraffiti.GrandTheftAutoV’smadmixofhigh-speedchases,cinematicshootouts,andhecticheistsmaybeoutrageousattimes,buttheenvironmentitunfoldswithinisjustsoreal.Atechnicaltitanandanendlesssourceofemergentfun,it’snowonderGrandTheftAutoVisoneofthemostsuccessfulgamesevermade.Nogamesellsover155millioncopiesbyaccident.-LukeReilly(ReadOurReview)11.SuperMarioBros.3SuperMarioBros.3wasagamethatexceededmyeveryhopeandwishforit,andIspenthundredsofblissfulafternoonsdefeatingKoopaKids,rescuingkings,anddiscoveringsecretsstrewnthroughoutMushroomWorld.Mario3earnedaplaceonmylistoffavoritegameswaybackin1990,and25yearsofgamingprogresshaveyettodislodgeit.SuperMarioBros.3isatextbookexampleofhowtomakeaperfectvideogamesequel.It’samixtureoftheoriginal’sbestelements,combinedwithanalmostexcessiveamountofimaginativenewideas.SomuchofwhatweconsidersoquintessentiallyMario–thesuits,theboos,theoverworld–allactuallyoriginatedhere.-JustinDavis10.DiscoElysiumSimplyput,there’snothingelsequitelikeDiscoElysium.Thepremiseisstraightforward:Abodyhasbeendiscovered,hangedfromaloomingtreeinthebackyardofahostel,andit’suptoyoutoworkouthowitgotthereoverthecourseofthe30-hourstory.It’sauniqueblendofnoirdetectivefiction,traditionalpen-and-paperRPGs,andalargehelpingofexistentialisttheory.Itstwistingplot,acastofmemorablecharacters,andsheerdepthofchoicecombinetocreateanexperiencethatbegstobesavoredinaworldriddledwithcrime,poverty,andviolence.And,somehow,itmanagestomakeallofthisfunand,surprisinglyoften,funny.Itquicklybecomesclearthatthisisn’tsimplyawhodunnit,butajourneythatwillchallengeyoutosolvecrisesonbothprofoundlypersonalandsocietallevels.AgorgeouslydesignedisometricRPGthatmakesyouthinkateveryturnofitsrichlydetailedstreets,DiscoElysiumistrulyauniqueexperience,andonethatwillsurelylivelonginthememoryofanywhohave,formanyyearstocome.-SimonCardy(ReadOurReview)9.Half-Life2Half-Life2foreverchangedourexpectationsforwhatafirst-personshootercouldbe.Itsrichlyimaginedworldandwonderfullypacedgameplayisadelight,neverlettingupandbrimmingwithinvention.TheGravityGunisobviouslytheposterchildofHalf-Life2,turningeachenvironmentintoatactileplaygroundinwhichyoucancreateimprovisedweaponsandsolvebasicbutcleverphysicspuzzles-anditsimportancecan’tbeoverstated-butthere’sanawfullotmorehere.We’reintroducedtoAlyxVance,asupportingcharacterwithararewarmthandintelligence.We’retransportedtoaniconiccity,whereCombinebarricadesloomwithgrimauthority,andStridersstalkthestreetswithanotherworldlymenace.WegettosetAntlionsonourenemiesandinwhichweplayfetchwitharobotDog.Inshort,itisatrulymemorablepieceofgamedesign.-CamShea(ReadOurReview)8.RedDeadRedemption2AsprawlingWesternthatstandsshoulder-to-shoulderwithGrandTheftAutoVasoneofgaming’sgreatestopen-worldachievements,RedDeadRedemption2isagameofrarescopeandevenrarerquality.Abeautifulodetoanuglyera,RDR2combinesRockstar’smostauthenticandlived-inopenworldeverwithitsmostearneststorytellingtodate,fillinginthegapswithanastonishingarrayofdeepsystemsandnearlyendlessemergentgameplayopportunities.Itsslowerpaceallowsustobingeontheworldlikeavirtualmuseumbut,whentheleadstartsflying,itputsthewildbackinthewest(andthensome).FewgamesmanagethelevelofuncompromisingdetailasRedDeadRedemption2does.Doweneedtodiscussthehorseballsagain?-LukeReilly(ReadOurReview)7.SuperMario64Mariogamesaresynonymouswithfunandinnovation,andperhapsMario64isthebestexampleofthelatter.ItgatheredthecoreelementsofMario’sbest2D,side-scrollingadventuresandworkedouthowtotranslatethemintoagroundbreaking3Dworld.ItwasstillrecognisablyMario–hecollectedmushroomsandranandjumpedhiswaytosuccess,buthewasforeverchanged.Hecouldnowlongjump,triplejump,andbackflip.Whiletheunderlyingchallengeremainedthesameandthelocationswerereassuringlyfamiliar,theshiftinperspectivechangedeverything.What’sevenmoreimpressiveisthatMariodidnotsimplyenteranewdimensionwithease,hediditwithstylethatfewgamesunburdenedwithsuchtechnicalchallengeseverachieve.Mario64mightnowlookalittleblockybutitremainsboldandbrilliant,too.-DanielKrupa(ReadOurReview)6.MassEffect2WhereMassEffectsetthestageforafuturisticMilkyWay,MassEffect2letyouexploreandexperiencesomuchmoreofit.AsCommanderShepard,ItraveledthegalaxyonthebestrecruitmenttripIcouldhavewishedfor,andexperiencedpossiblyoneofthemostheart-wrenchingstories–butwhetherornotthegameendsintearsisentirelyuptoyou.Asyouheadoutforasuicidemission,you’llmeetsomeofthebest-writtencharactersthatfeeloriginalandhavethepowertoevoketrueemotions.Perhapsoneofthebestpartsaboutearningtheloyaltyofeachofthecompanionswasdiscoveringmoreabouttheirrespectivespeciesandseeinghowthey’resurvivinginaviolentgalaxy.MaximumloyaltyformycompanionsinMassEffect2wasnotanoption;formyheart’sowngood,itwasarequirement.-MirandaSanchez(ReadOurReview)5.SuperMetroidSuperMetroid’sminimalisticenvironmentalstorytellingsetabar,waybackin1994,thatIbelievehasstillyettobeeclipsed.TheplanetZebesisatmospheric,oppressive,andextremelylethal.Atfirstglance,theredoesn’tevenappeartobeanystory.Butthenyoustarttolookmoreclosely.Theparasite-riddleddeadsoldieroutsideofanearlybossroom.Thecrashed,half-submergedalienspaceshipthatmayormaynotbehaunted.It’sbrilliantandconfident.Butit’sSuperMetroid’sabilitytoconsistentlyinvitetheplayertobecurious–andthenrewardingthatcuriosity–thatmakesitoneofthegreatestvideogamesevermade.It’snotjustthattherearesecretshiddeneverywhere(althoughthereare,andit’sawesome)–it’sthatthegameteasesyouwithtantalizingclues–items,alwaysjustoutofreach.SuperMetroidisanimpeccableaction-platformer–that’sthe“easy”part.Whatmakesittrulyspecialisitsgeniuscombinationofpuzzle-solving,atmosphere,storytelling,exploration,gamedesign,andgameplay.There’snothingelselikeit.-JustinDavis4.TheLegendofZelda:ALinktothePastFromit’sunforgettablebeginningsguidingaswordlessLinkthroughtherain,tothefinalshowdownwithGanonandutilizingmasteryofswordandbowtodefeatevil,TheLegendofZelda:LinktothePastmeasuredoutaperfectpaceofdungeons,exploration,andagrippingnarrativethatwasalmostunheardofatthetime.It’sopenlandscapewasalwaysinvitingbutneverfeltaimless–strikingtheperfectbalanceoffreedomandpurposeinyourquesttosavePrincessZelda.ThisiterationofHyrulewasmorethanjustmovingbetweenenemy-filledscreens,itencompassedeverythinganimmersiveexperienceshouldbe:avastopenworldthatteasedyouwithsecretshidingjustbeyondyourreach,beggingyoutocomebackwithnewandinventivetools.Eachzone–whetherinthecheerfuloverworld,dimlylitcaves,ortheintimidatingDarkWorld–wasbroughttolifethroughaculminationofdetailslikethesoundoftheTemperedSwordcleavingtheair,thecatchyjingleofapuzzlewell-solved,andtheambienttunesofKojiKondo’sscore.-BrendanGraeber3.Portal2Portalundoubtedlycameoutofnowhereandshatteredthemold,butPortal2tookthatrawandincredibleconceptandmanagedtoshapeitintoamorepolishedandimpressivepackage.Itcrankedthedialsuponjustabouteverythingthatmadetheoriginalsospecial.Themind-bendingpuzzles,thesurprisinglydarkstory,andtheridiculoushumorthatbalanceditout-eachpieceofthatpicturewasrefinedandrefreshedtobuildasequelthatactuallysurpassedtheambitionofanalreadyextremelyambitiousgame,makingsomethingbothfamiliarandaltogethernew.ItgaveusadeeperlookintothewonderfulworldofApertureSciencewithoutcompletelydraggingallofitsmysteriesoutintothelight.Italsomixedits“thinkingwithportals”puzzlesupevenfurtherbyweavingingelmechanicsthatfeltentirelyfreshandcompletelynaturalatthesametime-whilesimultaneouslyandsubtlyusingthemtotiegameplaymechanicsintothestory,patientlywaitinguntilitsincrediblefinaletopayoffthosesetupswithoneoftheweirdestandmostspectacularvideogameendingsaround.Couplethatwithaseriouslygoodco-opcampaignandevenafull-oncustomlevelbuilderandsharingsystemsaddedpost-launchandPortal2hasstayedthehighbarbywhichallfirst-personpuzzlegamesshouldbemeasured,evennearlyadecadelater.-TomMarks(ReadOurReview)2.SuperMarioWorldSuperMarioWorldisarelativelysimplegametodescribe.It’saSuperMariogame,andweallknowwhatthatmeans:Mushrooms;perfectrunningandjumpingaction;andagiantworldtoexplore,crammedwithsecrets.ButwhatsetsSuperMarioWorldapartfromother2DMariogamesisitsirresistiblecomplexity.SubsequentSuperMariogames,liketheNewSuperMarioBros.series,simplifiedtheoverworld,tradingSuperMarioWorld’scoolhiddenpathsforlineartracks,largelyabandonedtheskiesandtreetopsofSuperMarioWorld’sverticallevelsforground-basedobstaclecourses,anddidawaywithflyingalmostentirely(capesrule,helicopterhatsdrool!).SuperMarioWorldisthecrescendototheslowbuildintechnologyandgamedesignthatstartedwithSuperMarioBros.LetSuperMarioWorld’splacementonthislistbeachallengetofuturegamedevelopers.Wedareyoutomakeabettergame:Puzzling,butnotopaque;toughbutnotintimidating;beautiful,funny,joyful,anduniversallyrecognizable.-SamuelClaiborn1.TheLegendofZelda:BreathoftheWildTheLegendofZelda:BreathoftheWildeschewedthesemi-linear,borderlinepredictablepathofthe3DZeldagamesbeforeitinfavorofabold,crazynewapproach:letplayersdowhattheywant,howtheywant,andinwhateverordertheydecide.Bymarryinganopen-endedapproachtoqueststructurewiththeabilitytofreelyexploreavast,beautiful,intriguingworldwithlittlespecificregulation,the3DZeldagametemplatewasshatteredaboutasfastastheaveragebreakableweaponinBreathoftheWild.Theresultisagorgeous,freeingopen-worldaction/adventureexperiencethatevokesthewonderandfearofexploringaboldnewplacewiththeempoweringtangibilityofbecomingitshero.-BrianAltano(ReadOurReview)LoadingWheredidyourfavoritegamefallonourlist?Letusknowinthecommentsbelow!InThisArticlePortal2Thehighlyanticipatedsequelto2007'sGameoftheYear,Portal2isahilariouslymind-bendingadventurethatchallengesyoutousewitsoverweaponryinafunhouseofdiabolicalscience.ESRB:Everyone10+MildLanguage,FantasyViolenceDevelopersValve,NuclearMonkeySoftwarePublishersValve,ElectronicArtsFranchisesPortalFeaturesSteamDeckVerifiedReleaseDateApril19,2011PlatformsPC,Xbox360,Macintosh,PlayStation3GenresShooterTheDeLoreanIsOfficiallyBack,AndIt'sElectricTurningRedReviewLoadingDestiny2:TheWitchQueenVideoReviewDestiny2:TheWitchQueenReviewIGNRecommendsTekken:BloodlineAnimatedSeriesAnnouncedforNetflixin20224hago-ThestoryofJinKazamaandtheKingoftheIronFistTournamentwillarriveonNetflixlaterthisyear.TekkenAdamBankhurst13TekkenAdamBankhurst13TheVillainsofHogwartsLegacyExplained17hago-AnewgoblinandawizardwithpotentialtiestotheHarryPottertimeline.HogwartsLegacyTaylorLyles32HogwartsLegacyTaylorLyles32JujutsuKaisen0:IsThereaPostCreditsScene?20hago-Possibleteasesforthenextseason.JujutsuKaisenMikeMamon7JujutsuKaisenMikeMamon7EldenRingFansDiscoverSecretWallThatOnlyOpensAfter50Hits1dago-Playersarefindingmoresecretsinthegame.EldenRingGeorgeYang69EldenRingGeorgeYang69TheLostCityReview1dago-SandraBullockandChanningTatumaregoodattheirjobs.TheLostCitySiddhantAdlakha78TheLostCitySiddhantAdlakha78StrangerofParadise:FinalFantasyOriginReview5dago-RespectablecombatkeepsthisreimaginingoftheoriginalFinalFantasyontrackuntilthestorycomestogetherintheend.FinalFantasyOriginJadaGriffin370FinalFantasyOriginJadaGriffin370TheBatmanEndingExplained8dago-TheRobertPattinson/MattReevesBatmanishere,solet’sbreakdownhowthisnewDarkKnight’sfirstfilmadventureshakesout.TheBatmanJesseB.Gill+1more156TheBatmanJesseB.Gill+1more156HowHarryPotterFansAreCopingWithJ.K.RowlingFeb1,2021-HarryPotterfandomin2021ismorecomplicatedthanever.HogwartsLegacyJoshuaYehl1.5kHogwartsLegacyJoshuaYehl1.5k