In the modern era, gamers have countless video games at their fingertips. New titles are released every day, many of which get lost in the sea of much bigger and more successful titles. While it’s great to have so much variety, all of these choices can be overwhelming and it can be difficult to decide what to play, whether it’s a new release or a classic.
That said, there are certain titles that every gamer should experience at least once in their life. Some are standalone masterpieces, but most of them are straight from well-known franchises like resident Evil, Super Mario Bros.And The Legend of Zelda. These titles are the benchmark for gaming, and number one is one of the best games ever made.
Bloodborne is FromSoftware’s greatest achievement
Released in 2015, Transmitted by blood is an action RPG developed by FromSoftware, the studio behind other Soulsborne titles like Dark souls And Ancient Ring. The term “Soulsborne” comes from the combination of the “souls” of The souls of demons And Dark souls with the “port” of Transmitted by bloodcementing Transmitted by blood as one of FromSoftware’s most iconic titles. Many fans consider it the studio’s best work and have been calling for a sequel for over a decade.
Like most Soulsborne games, Transmitted by blood is known for its challenging gameplay, but there’s more to it than just difficulty. Players control a hunter searching for the source of a blood-borne disease infecting a Victorian-era European city. Although it is classified as an action RPG, the game’s strong horror and dark fantasy elements create a rich and unsettling world that keeps players on the edge of their seats from start to finish.
Silent Hill 2 has become the benchmark for psychological horror games
THE silent Hill And resident Evil franchises are considered the foundation of modern horror video games. Most survival horror and psychological horror games aim to live up to the legacy of these two iconic series. While the original silent Hill is a historic title, Silent Hill 2 surpassed him in almost every area. In Silent Hill 2players take on the role of James Sunderland, a widower grieving the loss of his wife to a terminal illness.
After his wife’s death, James receives a mysterious letter from her claiming that she is waiting for him in Silent Hill. When he goes to investigate, he finds the charming ancient lakeside town shrouded in an eerie fog, with monsters roaming the streets. Silent Hill 2 received an awesome remake from Bloober Team in 2024. While the original is still worth playing, the remake delivers an incredible experience designed for modern consoles.
Resident Evil 4 changed the survival horror landscape forever
As mentioned, silent Hill And resident Evil are two of the most influential horror franchises ever made. By time Resident Evil 4 hit the shelves, the resident Evil The series was an established survival horror franchise for almost a decade. With multiple mainline entries and multiple spinoffs, fans were excited for each new release, but they were also starting to know what to expect. Resident Evil 4 changed all that by redefining what gamers expected from survival horror games.
In reality, Resident Evil 4 was so revolutionary that it reshaped the entire genre. Before its release, resident Evil the games were known for their fixed camera angles and slow, often restrictive gameplay. Resident Evil 4 replaced that with a dynamic over-the-shoulder camera and moved toward more action-focused gameplay, giving players the tools to fight against hordes of enemies and take on intense, cinematic boss fights. The game also received a remake in 2023, which many fans consider to be one of the best remakes ever made.
Shadow of the Colossus proves that video games are artistic visions brought to life
In Shadow of the ColossusPlayers control Wander, the main protagonist, who embarks on an emotional journey to bring a young girl back to life. Wander explores a vast, isolated region where he must face massive creatures known as colossi. Each colossus features a unique design and distinct mechanics for how it must be defeated, creating a dynamic and immersive experience. With 16 colossi in total, the game offers many memorable and engaging encounters.
Shadow of the Colossus is widely loved for its artistic style and simple yet compelling storytelling. Many critics and gamers consider it a masterpiece of intentional design, often citing it as proof that video games deserve recognition as works of art alongside other storytelling mediums. The game was also notable at the time for its sophisticated AI for non-players. Colossi, NPCs, and even Wander’s horse reacted so realistically that it allowed players to immerse themselves in the world. Shadow of the Colossus also received a highly praised remake in 2018.
Bayonetta subverts stereotypes about female protagonists
Bayonetta puts players in control of a witch who uses a combination of magic and guns in combat. She can also manipulate her own hair to perform powerful attacks and summon demons to fight on her behalf. Many players consider Bayonetta one of the most challenging PS3 games ever made, but it’s not just known for its unique combat or striking visuals. The character of Bayonetta is also a point of discussion.
She is a naturally beautiful woman who uses her sex appeal as a weapon, with many of her fighting moves being sexually charged. Rather than being objectified, Bayonetta uses her confidence and sexuality as a form of power, something few female characters had done before. While female characters were often too sexualized for male audiences, Bayonetta subverts the trope, embracing her sexuality on her own terms and making it part of her strength. To this day, she remains one of the best female video game characters ever created.
Metroid Prime was the first Metroid game to use 3D graphics
Metroid is one of the most influential video game franchises ever created for several reasons. It helped define the “Metroidvania” genre with its emphasis on non-linear exploration and progression, and the series is also known for its immersive atmosphere. Perhaps more importantly, Metroid was one of the first franchises to feature a female protagonist. Without bounty hunter Samus Aran, many other female video game characters might never have gotten the chance to shine.
Although Metroid started in the mid-1980s, Metroid Prime is considered by many to be the best game in the series and one of the most influential games ever made. Located between the original Metroid And Metroid II: The Return of SamusThe game once again places players in control of Samus Aran as she battles space pirates and conducts dangerous experiments on the planet Tallon IV. It was the first game in the series to feature 3D graphics and the first to take a first-person perspective, redefining what a video game is. Metroid the game could be.
Super Mario Galaxy is one of the best games in the franchise
Super Mario Galaxy is one of the highest rated games in the world Super Mario series and even topped lists of the best video games ever made. This level of recognition is especially notable given the franchise’s long history, dating back to the mid-1980s, with over 200 entries on various platforms. At the time of its release, it was one of the most visually impressive Mario games ever created.
This title introduced a unique gravity mechanic that made platform games feel fresh, even after decades of Super Mario securities. The game also received praise for its story, an often secondary element in the series, as well as its creative level design and memorable orchestral score. He is widely considered one of the best Mario games ever made and definitely worth playing.
Red Dead Redemption 2 is an incredibly realistic open-world game
Red Dead Redemption 2 is the third part of the Dead red series, but it’s probably the one most people recognize. Even those who have never played the franchise have probably heard of it. RDR2, and for good reason. It grossed $725 million in its first weekend and remains one of the most notable video games of the 2010s. Few action-adventure titles have lived up to that legacy RDR2 left behind.
The game is actually a prequel to the original Red Dead Redemption. Players take on the role of Arthur Morgan, a member of the Van der Linde gang, living in a fictionalized version of the United States in 1899, during the decline of the Wild West era. Red Dead Redemption 2 has received widespread praise for its stunning graphics, gripping story, and memorable characters. The game also features a sophisticated open-world map, allowing players to explore a richly detailed and immersive Wild West environment.
The Last of Us Part 1 and Part 2 are must-have games for gamers
The Last of Us Part I And Part two are so deeply linked that it is almost impossible to talk about one without mentioning the other. Both titles are set in a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by Cordyceps, a fungal infection that turns human hosts into deadly zombie-like creatures, and neither should be missed.
In First partPlayers control Joel, a smuggler who lost his daughter during the initial outbreak. He is tasked with escorting Ellie, a teenage girl immune to the infection, to a group who may be able to create a cure. In Part twoplayers take control of a now-adult Ellie as she embarks on a violent path of revenge, determined to achieve justice for the person she loved most. The emotional weight carried by both games makes it difficult to live without one.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remains the best game in the series
No list of great games would be complete without mentioning one Legend of Zelda game. With so many fantastic entries to choose from, it’s not easy to choose just one. Even modern titles, like Breath of the Wild And Tears of the Kingdom, are incredible, solid contenders for any must-have list. That said, the Zelda game players should prioritize Ocarina of time.
Ocarina of time was the first game in the series to use 3D graphics, but its impact goes far beyond its visuals. As always, players control Link on a journey across Hyrule to stop the rise of King Ganondorf. To succeed, Link must travel through time, taking on both child and adult forms throughout the adventure. The game introduced mechanics that have become staples not only in Zeldabut in 3D adventure games as a whole, and it remains the greatest video game ever made.