You’re Not a True Gamer Until You’ve Played These 10/10 Games

Some gamers enjoy a wide variety of genres, while others only like one type of video game and never branch out. Truly special games only come around every so often, but when they do, it’s important that they’re recognized. It’s impossible to make a game that everybody will like, but there are some titles that anyone who calls themselves a gamer has to play at least once in their life.

Nobody can be told what to play or what to like, but some games have become household names or staples of the genre that just have to be experienced. And with life taking hold and games demanding a much larger time commitment, it can be pretty difficult picking which titles to play and which to ignore. All that being said, these 10/10 games are must-plays for any gamer.

10 God of War Set a New Standard for Reboots

The God of War Series Has Been Completely Reinvented

The God of War reboot took the franchise in a bold new direction, feeling like a natural progression that kept the core elements of the series but also introduced creative ideas that add new depth to the story fans know and love. While the previous games were steeped in Greek mythology, 2018’s God of War sees Norse mythology take over as the main inspiration. Now a father, Kratos has abandoned his chaotic and vengeful ways to live out his days in peace with his son, Atreus. After the death of the boy’s mother, the pair set out on a journey to scatter her ashes at the highest peak in the nine realms.

While the reboot does have a heavy focus on narrative, the combat and gameplay did not suffer for it. The game shifts to over-the-shoulder, third-person combat, and it is cinematically presented in a continuous shot with no loading screens or camera cuts. There’s also a compelling, heartfelt story that portrays Kratos in a much kinder light than ever before. He’s tired of fighting at this point and just wants to be left alone, but he can never escape his past. The God of War reboot is worth playing, even for those who never picked up the original series. With rumors of a new Atreus spin-off, now is the perfect time to dive in.

God of War

Systems

Released

April 20, 2018

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language

Developer(s)

Santa Monica Studio

Publisher(s)

Sony

Engine

Proprietary Engine

After wiping out the gods of Mount Olympus, Kratos moves on to the frigid lands of Scandinavia, where he and his son must embark on an odyssey across a dangerous world of gods and monsters.

9 Prey Is One of the Most Immersive Sims of All Time

Players Have Never Had More Freedom Than in 2018’s Prey

In the world of immersive sims, Prey takes the top spot, with few even coming close to its level of quality. That unforgettable opening sequence sets the precedent for the rest of the game, promising a level of immersion that’s truly unmatched. Players take on the role of Morgan Yu, a scientific researcher studying the alien life forms known as Typhons aboard the Talos 1 space station. When the Typhons break free, it’s up to Morgan to keep them from destroying the ship or making their way to the Earth below. The sense of dread and danger is ever-present, and most players will have a hard time shaking that fear when playing through Prey.

Prey is a first-person shooter where players use telekinetic powers granted by Neuromods to battle Typhons and any other enemies lurking aboard Talos 1. Part of what makes the game so terrifying is the world design. Somehow, the developers were able to create a world that felt thriving and alive, but at the same time, barren and empty. Prey is a standout hit of the immersive sim genre and is a must-play for fans of the genre.

Prey

Systems

Released

May 5, 2017

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood, Language, Use of Alcohol, Violence

Developer(s)

Arkane Studios

Publisher(s)

Bethesda

Prey is one of the latest titles on this list, and it is definitely one of the most memorable as well. As a 1st-person horror adventure, it offers a tense and moody atmosphere with a unique and terrifying alien threat. The game also has shooter gameplay, but that’s less robust compared to the narrative and the sense of dread the game builds. Made by the developers of Dishonored, the game is a challenging and emotional journey. It offers plenty of scares but also explores something far more frightening – the human condition.

In Prey, players take on the role of Morgan Yu, who is male or female depending on which you choose at the beginning. Morgan works on the space station Talos I, where they research an alien species called the Typhon. The Typhon have a variety of psychic abilities and can shapeshift into inanimate objects. Things quickly go wrong, and Morgan must fight to survive as the Typhon break loose and take control of Talos I.

The game has RPG elements with branching narrative paths and skills the player develop as they progress. This is where the game is at its best, as players hack and lock pick their way through areas while avoiding being murdered by the unseen Typhon. Morgan also gets a variety of weapons and abilities, but the game is at its best when combat is avoided. You will have to fight eventually, but the guns are fun and the combat is serviceable. It just doesn’t compare to the horror.

For a game that will surprise and terrify you, Prey from Arkane Studios is a must play.

8 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Is a Timeless Classic

The CD Projekt Red Hit Had a Major Impact on the Open World Genre

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is one of the most noteworthy and influential open-world RPGs of all time and has continued to inspire the gaming industry to this day. With its phenomenal worldbuilding, intricate and emotional storytelling, and fantastic mission design, it became a benchmark to beat, even though not many could. Even ten years after its release, The Witcher 3 consistently ranks among the top-played games on Steam Deck.

Related

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt: Why You Should Start Over In 2025

The Witcher 3 is one of the most influential RPGs of all time. Despite some of the heavy hitters releasing this year, it’s worth replaying in 2025.

Geralt of Rivia is a professional monster hunter for hire with enhanced physical and mystical abilities known as a Witcher. When a group of spectral hunters called the Wild Hunt go after his adopted daughter, Ciri, Geralt must traverse a land of fantasy and myth to get to her first. While the combat may leave a bit to be desired, the narrative is where the game really shines. Every mission, no matter how small, always feels meaningful and engaging. When it was first released, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt took over the world, and even now, it still remains top of its class.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Systems

Released

May 19, 2015

ESRB

M for Mature: Use of Alcohol, Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content

Developer(s)

CD Projekt Red

Publisher(s)

CD Projekt Red

Geralt walks, runs, rolls and dodges, and (for the first time in the series) jumps, climbs and swims. He has a variety of weapons, including bombs, a crossbow and two swords (one steel and one silver).

7 The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Is the Best of the Franchise

It Transformed the Zelda Series

There aren’t a lot of franchises that can pull off a reboot as successful as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. It quickly became the number one best-selling Zelda game of all time thanks to its innovative gameplay and unique approach to the beloved series. Hyrule has been transformed into a massive, vibrant open world filled with interesting secrets and lore that fans will love. Players can go around and free the Divine Beasts and collect all the Korok seeds, but some of the most fun to be had is simply playing around with the game’s intricate physics system.

In Breath of the Wild, players once again take control of the young warrior, Link, as he awakens to find the Kingdom of Hyrule in ruins. It’s been 100 years since Calamity Ganon nearly destroyed the world, but now he’s trying to finish the job. Link must use all the strength at his disposal to stop Ganon and save Princess Zelda. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a game with something for everybody and is absolutely worth a playthrough.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Released

March 3, 2017

ESRB

E for Everyone: Fantasy Violence, Use of Alcohol, Mild Suggestive Themes

Developer(s)

Nintendo EPD

Publisher(s)

Nintendo

6 Baldur’s Gate 3 Is RPGs At Their Best

It’s the Most Interactive Form of Dungeons and Dragons

Baldur’s Gate 3 is a role-playing game that absolutely took the world by storm when it was released in 2023. With a ridiculous amount of hype, it blew up seemingly overnight and rode that high all the way to The Game Awards, where it received Game of the Year. Even people who had never picked up an RPG before couldn’t stay away. Essentially Dungeons & Dragons the video game, BG3 sees the party infected with parasitic tadpoles that will eventually turn them into Mindflayers, with players having to traverse the Forgotten Realms to find a cure and maintain their humanity.

2:41

Related

Baldur’s Gate 3: 17 Things To Do Before Finishing Act 1

Baldur’s Gate 3 is a huge game, with players likely to spend upwards of 30 hours in Act 1 alone. Here’s what to complete before moving on.

While the gameplay might not be for everybody, Baldur’s Gate 3 mixes heavy RPG mechanics with rules and features found in Dungeons & Dragons to provide a unique experience players can’t get anywhere else. It isn’t an open-world game, but there are plenty of massive, wide-open areas teeming with secrets to uncover and interesting characters to meet. Baldur’s Gate 3 very quickly became a huge piece of gaming history, and every gamer needs to try it at least once.

Baldur’s Gate 3

Systems

Released

August 3, 2023

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence

Developer(s)

Larian Studios

Publisher(s)

Larian Studios

Baldur’s Gate 3 is a role-playing video game developed and published by Larian Studios. It is the third main installment in the Baldur’s Gate series.

5 Ghost of Tsushima Is Every Gamer’s Samurai Fantasy

It’s the PS4’s Most Beloved Exclusive for a Reason

There aren’t many open-world games as beautiful and charming as Ghost of Tsushima. This action-adventure game features a stunning recreation of the island of Tsushima, depicted during a time when it was at its lowest. The Mongol army invaded the island and toppled all forms of government, wiping out anybody who stood in their way. Jin Sakai is one of the few remaining samurai still wandering the island, and it’s up to him to take back his home and save his family. But can he do so without sacrificing his honor? Or will he abandon the samurai way and do what he must to rid Tsushima of the Mongol invaders?

Ghost of Tsushima features an absolutely majestic open world that elaborately blends Japanese culture with pure video game fun. The island is teeming with collectibles to find, enemy camps to clear out, and lovable characters to meet. It’s a third-person action-adventure game focused on sword combat. Players utilize different stances depending on their opponent and can even challenge other samurai to one-on-one duels. It’s one of the most polished open-world games on the market, and while there are some great games like Ghost of Tsushima, it’s ultimately one of a kind.

Ghost of Tsushima

Systems

Released

July 17, 2020

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, Partial Nudity

Developer(s)

Sucker Punch

Publisher(s)

Sony

Engine

Proprietary

 The player controls Jin Sakai, a samurai on a quest to protect Tsushima Island during the first Mongol invasion of Japan. Jin must choose between following the warrior code to fight honorably, or using practical but dishonorable methods of repelling the Mongols with minimal casualties.

4 Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Changed Turn-Based RPGs Forever

Clair Obscur Is a Testament to What Creatives Can Do When They’re Let Loose

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was a sleeper hit that came out of nowhere and is currently one of the front-runners for a lot of people’s Game of the Year. It delivered a unique and original story that didn’t feel like a retelling of something else, while at the same time turning the turn-based RPG genre on its head with some innovative ideas and mechanics. With a cast of lovable characters and a world just begging to be explored, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an experience like no other.

Related

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s Ending, Explained

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is one of the best RPGs in years, and one big reason why is its wonderful story. How does Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 end?

The city of Lumiere is haunted by the Paintress, a being that paints a number on a monolith across the ocean each year, causing everybody of that age to fade away. The residents refer to this event as the Gommage, and each year after its completion, they send out an expedition to travel to the monolith and put an end to the Paintress. While the story may unravel slowly throughout the game, the gameplay is pretty straightforward. It’s a turn-based RPG through and through, but there are some additions, such as a parry system, that really elevate the interactivity of combat. Anyone who hasn’t played Clair Obscur yet is seriously missing out.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Systems

Released

April 24, 2025

ESRB

Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence

Developer(s)

Sandfall Interactive

Publisher(s)

Kepler Interactive

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a ground-breaking turn-based RPG with unique real-time mechanics, making battles more immersive and addictive than ever. Explore a fantasy world inspired by Belle Époque France in which you battle devastating enemies.

In this evolution of JRPGs, real-time actions enhance the heart of turn-based combat. Craft unique builds for your Expeditioners that fit your playstyle via gear, stats, skills, and character synergies. Open an active dimension in combat – dodge, parry, and counter in real time, chain combos by mastering attack rhythms, and target enemy weak points using a free aim system.

With only one year left to live, join Gustave, Maelle, and their fellow Expeditioners as they embark upon a desperate quest to break the Paintress’ cycle of death. Follow the trail of previous expeditions and discover their fate. Get to know the members of Expedition 33 as they learn to work together against impossible odds.

Explore an enchanting realm populated by surreal adversaries. Wander through breathtaking landscapes, from the Island of Visages to the Forgotten Battlefield, discovering secrets and hidden quests along the way. Find allies of fortune in creatures of legend and recruit special companions, access new travel methods and discover secret areas in the World Map.

3 Red Dead Redemption 2 Is the Perfect Open World Game

RDR2 Proves the Life of an Outlaw Will Always be Fun

Typically, when open-world games offer hundreds of hours of content, it can feel padded with repetitive, boring tasks that waste the player’s time. Red Dead Redemption 2, however, lets players spend hours simply fishing on a lake or playing poker and still walk away feeling like they’ve had one of the most meaningful gaming experiences of their lives. It’s one of the most detailed and realistic open-world games ever made. Rockstar went above and beyond to make even the tiniest, most easily overlooked details stand out.

Set during the decline of the Wild West, as laws and civilization begin to take hold, the story follows the Van der Linde gang, a group of outlaws trying to stay ahead of progress and avoid capture. Their leader, Dutch, promises to lead them to a land free of laws and full of opportunity. Players step into the boots of Arthur Morgan, Dutch’s right-hand man, who spends the game trying to do what’s best for the gang while guiding their leader back on course. The gameplay may not appeal to everyone, but the rich exploration, staggering attention to detail, and emotional depth of the story are all part of what makes Red Dead Redemption 2 a must-play.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Systems

Released

October 26, 2018

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol

Developer(s)

Rockstar Games

Publisher(s)

Rockstar Games

Engine

RAGE

Played from a first- or third-person perspective, the game is set in an open-world environment featuring a fictionalized version of the United States in 1899.

2 Elden Ring Will Never Be Forgotten

It Introduced So Many New Players to the Soulslike Genre

Hailed as FromSoftware’s masterpiece, Elden Ring is the definitive Soulslike experience. This open-world action-adventure game is the culmination of everything the studio has learned over the years, and it shows. The world design is breathtaking, with lore and key items tucked into every corner, making exploration more important than ever. FromSoftware collaborated with fantasy author George R.R. Martin to craft a narrative steeped in chaos but rich with emotion. Upon release, Elden Ring became an instant landmark in gaming history, and the hype has never truly faded.

Related

How To Play Solo in Elden Ring Nightreign

Elden Ring Nightreign is the newest three-player co-op game, but fans who prefer to play single-player can play solo with just this one trick.

In Elden Ring, players take on the role of a customizable character known as the Tarnished, a warrior who has lost the grace of the Erdtree and been banished from the Lands Between. The Tarnished is called back to this mysterious realm, and players must battle through a sprawling world filled with beauty and nightmares to restore the Elden Ring and become the new Elden Lord. With a gripping narrative and dynamic combat that feels like a natural evolution of the FromSoft formula, Elden Ring will likely remain the king of the Soulslike genre.

Elden Ring

Systems

Released

February 25, 2022

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence

Developer(s)

From Software

Publisher(s)

Bandai Namco Entertainment, From Software

1 The Last of Us Is a Piece of Gaming History

The Naughty Dog Title Changed Gaming for the Better

The Last of Us is widely regarded as one of the greatest games of all time, with its influence still felt throughout the industry today. While the gameplay may feel a bit dated now, the story remains one of the most unforgettable in gaming, and that alone makes it worth playing more than once. Part of what made The Last of Us so impactful was how it proved that players cared about strong, single-player experiences driven by emotional narratives.

Set in a post-apocalyptic United States, the game follows a smuggler named Joel who must escort Ellie across the country, as she may hold the key to saving humanity. Along the way, they face hostile survivors and terrifying creatures infected by a mutated Cordyceps fungus. It’s a linear third-person shooter that respects the player’s time, making every moment count. Though it’s been re-released more times than anyone can keep track of, The Last of Us remains a cornerstone of gaming and an experience no player should miss.

The Last of Us

Released

June 14, 2013

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language

Developer(s)

Naughty Dog

Publisher(s)

Sony