Video games have always been my favorite pastime, ever since I was a kid. Each game was a new adventure, a new experience. In the 28 years of my life, I’ve played a multitude of games. Let me share with you some of my favorite games in those 28 years. These games are presented in no particular order and contain my thoughts, based on my personal experiences.
1. Metroid Dread
Metroid is one of my all-time favorite series, and this game delivered in story, atmosphere, and gameplay. The movement made traversing the game fun, even during the inevitable backtracking that’s so ingrained in any Metroidvania game. The combat is very engaging and introduces a broader range of abilities for ranged and melee attacks. During quick-time events and certain cutscenes, it made me incredibly happy to see Samus portrayed as such a badass. Like a real seasoned bounty hunter of her caliber should be.
The Metroid games have always been on top of it with their atmosphere, and Metroid Dread is no different. It was exhilarating to explore the planet ZDR, and I wondered what threats I would encounter. The story is a direct sequel to Metroid Fusion and reveals fascinating lore regarding how Samus became who she is. Not to mention the twist that unfolds late in the game. The ending brought a satisfying conclusion, and if Nintendo were to continue down this storyline, I wonder where they would take it since Metroid Dread felt like a final send-off to the Metroid and Parasite X threat.
2. Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
Once again, as I’ve stated, Metroid is one of my all-time favorite series. However, there are two types of Metroid games. There are the original 2D side scrollers, and then there are the first-person 3D games. The first-person games, also known as Prime games, give the game’s combat an entirely different feel. I loved being able to see things from Samus’s perspective and engage with the world in a way that can’t be captured from the 2D Metroid games.
Out of all the Prime Games, I would say Metroid Prime 3: Corruption is my favorite. While Metroid Prime is more nostalgic, being the first in the series, I think Metroid Prime 3 hit the mark in terms of exploration and atmosphere. I still remember the first time I set foot on the planet Elysia. My 11-year-old brain almost exploded. Being able to travel to other planets and finding the Pirate homeworld was such a revelation. It wasn’t the first game of the series to do it. Metroid Prime: Hunters technically was the first game to allow exploration of other planets, but the worlds in Hunters felt small and confined, which was understandable due to the game's nature and premise.
Each planet in Metroid Prime 3 felt more vast and dense. The same applies to the other bounty hunters you engage with in Prime 3. While in Hunters, you’re having to constantly fight the other hunters until the endgame, in Metroid Prime 3, you get to work side by side with them. Until their eventual corruption. The exploration, visuals, and boss fights made this game the prime of Primes.
3. Ori and the Blind Forest
I remember hearing about this game as a teenager on YouTube. I can’t remember the YouTuber I was about to watch play it. But before he started, he explicitly stated that the game must be experienced rather than watched. I took that to heart and immediately stopped the video. A few months later, my parents had purchased an Xbox One that came with a free copy of Ori and the Blind Forest, and I was ecstatic. When my parents went to sleep, I booted up the game, and I was taken on an emotional ride.
Not only was it a Metroidvania game, but the art style and visuals were so gorgeous and unique. I was engrossed just from the opening cinematic. The game’s story is a simple one, but touches on very powerful themes, especially of revenge and loss. And it explores these themes with barely any dialogue, with Sein and the Spirit Tree having little to no real dialogue. The ending was satisfying and hopeful, despite Kuro’s sacrifice to make it so. This game will always have a special place in my heart.
4. Kingdom Hearts 2
When Kingdom Hearts was released initially, my parents bought it for everyone in my house to play. My parents were big fans of Final Fantasy, and the idea of Disney mixed with that caught their attention. I remember that although my parents tried to play it, I was the first in my family to beat the game. While Kingdom Hearts was certainly not perfect, it played a massive role in shaping my childhood. It also paved the way for Kingdom Hearts 2, which is, without a doubt, one of the best games of all time.
Especially if you knew of the story from 358/2 days, which, as a kid, I did not. However, even without that context, the story of Roxas still hit me. His pain, sorrow, and longing for the life he was robbed of. This was further fueled by the rerelease of KH 2, the Final Mix. Being able to fight Roxas, after learning all the context, made this one of the most impactful bosses in my entire gaming experience. The storytelling was phenomenal and still retained that goofy, childlike wonder from the first Kingdom Hearts. The ending was by far the most satisfying ending out of any game I have played. To this day, it still brings me to tears.
5. Dark Souls 3
My first introduction to the Souls games was Dark Souls 2. My best friend knew I was big into challenging games and challenge runs, so he recommended I try out Dark Souls. Since Dark Souls 2 was the one he played the most at the time, that’s the one I got so we could play together. It was different from any game I’ve played before at the time, and I admit I had moments where I wasn’t sure if I would like this game, but I stuck with it. Though Dark Souls 2 was my introduction to the series, Dark Souls 3 was the first Souls game I played through completion. DLC and all. While I was still new to the gameplay and style of Souls games, what gripped me were the bosses.
Their design, lore, and everything else got me hooked. Not to mention the satisfaction I got from actually beating a boss. After bashing my head dozens of times during some of these boss fights, it felt good to learn their attack pattern and beat them with little to no difficulty. That’s when it clicked. This is likely what drew most people to the Souls games. That feeling of accomplishment. The challenges, while hard, are usually fair. All of this mixed with the gorgeous visuals and emotional NPC questlines (Siegward of Catarina, I’m looking at you) solidified this as one of my top 10 games and favorite Souls game of all time.
6. Undertale
Undertale is one of the most impactful games of all time, especially as far as Indie games go. Similar to Ori and the Blind Forest, I went into this game without prior knowledge, as it had to be experienced firsthand to be truly appreciated. I’m glad I did. It was something new, but I also felt nostalgic at the same time. When I first got to the Toriel boss fight, I knew this game was going to be something special. The music, perfectly titled Heartache, hit like a bus. I barely knew this woman, but what little we do get from her, she’s very clearly grieving. I was scared to fight her and wished for anything that could prevent me from doing so.
The tutorial from the very beginning stuck with me as I exhausted all the options I could without fighting. This allowed me to spare Toriel. From then on, the right choice was to play the game in that manner. If I could beat bosses by sparing and talking, I would do so with everything else. Little did I know, I was embarking on an emotional rollercoaster. Meeting all these fun characters and learning the history of this underground world was refreshing and exciting. When I finally reached Asgore, I was not only fighting for my life physically, but emotionally as well. This was the one boss I couldn’t talk my way out of. Like most people, I initially got the neutral ending before going back and obtaining the True Pacifist ending. Toby Fox is a genius, and this, along with the phenomenal soundtrack and musical storytelling, really solidified this game’s place in my top 10.
7. Final Fantasy VII
Final Fantasy 7 is another game that holds a special place in my heart. Growing up, I would always watch my Dad play it, to the point where if I was in another room, I could tell where he was just from the music alone. Everything about this game set the bar for JRPGs for me. The characters in Final Fantasy 7, especially the party members, just worked so well. They all fit together in their own, weird, special way. The soundtrack is fantastic, and the battle theme is something that will permanently be ingrained in my brain. The story had so many layers that it took multiple playthroughs for everything to fall into place. Each playthrough allowed for a deeper appreciation of the game. It was truly a revolutionary game, especially for the time in which it was released, and it still holds up to the hype even today. The remakes have only furthered my love for the game, and I cannot wait for the third installment of the remake trilogy.
8. Resident Evil 4
For anyone who knows me, Resident Evil is one of my favorite series of all time. I’ve played all the mainline entries and a substantial number of the side games dozens of times. It’s no surprise that Resident Evil 4 is my top game out of the series, though Resident Evil 2 was not far behind, especially with the remake. However, Resident Evil 4 takes this spot, as I have played this game forward, backward, upside down, and inside out.
No matter how many times I play, it never gets old or boring. The remake was terrific too, and very well done in preserving what made Resident Evil 4 fun, while adding a different spin. I loved the re-characterization of Ashley. While in the original, she’s more of a joke, the remake captures a more realistic portrayal of a young woman in her situation. It makes her more useful, actually working together with Leon. I can always rely on Resident Evil 4 if I’m looking for a good time.
9. Hollow Knight
Another Metroidvania that stuck with me. Hollow Knight’s story, gameplay, visuals, and soundtrack captured me. Exploring this vast world as a little guy with a nail just has its charm, and meeting so many characters along the way, all going through their struggles and trials, makes this world feel even fuller. Many times, I would encounter familiar characters in various locations throughout my journey, and I would be thrilled to see them each time. A friendly face in a world that’s constantly trying to kill you. Great bosses, fantastic music, and gorgeous visuals. This game is perfect for those who enjoy Metroidvanias as much as I do.
10. Monster Hunter Wilds
I would have written about Monster Hunter World, but Wilds to me feels like a better World. Or rather, a World 2. This is purely from a gameplay standpoint, as I know many people are experiencing issues with the game’s performance at this time. Monster Hunter Wilds was a very fun experience, and it was nice to see some new Monsters while also seeing some throwbacks to the older Monster Hunter games.
Although the game is far from complete or as full of content, I do not doubt that it’ll receive the same treatment as World did. There’s still plenty of time and plenty of updates to be made. The game is fun, the combat and gameplay are refreshing, and it effectively captures the badass nature of the Hunter. I’m excited to see what they will add in future updates and expansions.