10 Games You Need to Play Before Kicking the Bucket (#1 Will Change Your Life)

Today’s gamers have more choices than ever before. With so many new games being released daily, it’s easy for smaller titles to get overlooked. While having lots of options is fantastic, it can also be overwhelming to decide what to play – whether you’re looking for something brand new or a timeless classic.

There are certain games every gamer should play. Some are incredible one-off experiences, but many come from popular series like Resident Evil, Super Mario Bros., and The Legend of Zelda. These games represent the very best in gaming, and the top one is widely considered one of the greatest games of all time.

Bloodborne Is FromSoftware’s Greatest Achievement

Released in 2015, Bloodborne is an action role-playing game created by FromSoftware, the developers known for the Dark Souls and Elden Ring series. Fans often refer to these games as “Soulsborne” – a blend of the style of Demon’s Souls and Dark Souls with the unique elements of Bloodborne. Many consider Bloodborne to be FromSoftware’s finest achievement and have been eagerly awaiting a follow-up for over ten years.

I absolutely love Bloodborne! It’s famous for being really tough, but honestly, it’s so much more than just a hard game. You play as a Hunter trying to figure out what’s causing this terrible blood disease that’s taken over this city that feels like Victorian Europe. It’s technically an action RPG, but the atmosphere is what really gets you – it’s super creepy and full of dark fantasy stuff that keeps you constantly on edge. It’s a really immersive and unsettling world.

Silent Hill 2 Became the Gold Standard for Psychological Horror Games

The Silent Hill and Resident Evil games are widely seen as the building blocks for today’s horror video games. Many survival horror and psychological horror titles try to capture the same feeling as these classic series. Though the first Silent Hill was groundbreaking, Silent Hill 2 improved upon it in almost every aspect. In Silent Hill 2, players control James Sunderland, a man mourning the death of his wife.

Following the death of his wife, James receives a strange letter that seems to be from her, hinting she’s waiting for him in the town of Silent Hill. When he arrives, he discovers the once-pleasant lakeside town is now covered in a disturbing fog and filled with terrifying creatures. In 2024, Bloober Team released a stunning remake of Silent Hill 2. Though the original game remains enjoyable, the remake provides a truly immersive experience for today’s gaming systems.

Resident Evil 4 Changed the Survival Horror Landscape Forever

Look, as a horror game fan, I gotta say Silent Hill and Resident Evil are huge – they basically set the standard for the genre. By the time Resident Evil 4 came out, the series had been around for almost ten years, and we fans were getting pretty familiar with how those games played. There were tons of main games and spin-offs, so we had a good idea of what to expect. But Resident Evil 4 totally threw all that out the window and completely changed what we thought survival horror could be. It was a real game-changer.

Resident Evil 4 was a game-changer. Previous Resident Evil titles were defined by their fixed camera angles and slow-paced, somewhat clunky gameplay. Resident Evil 4 completely flipped that formula, introducing a dynamic over-the-shoulder camera and a faster, more action-oriented style. Players could now actively fight off large groups of enemies and experience thrilling, movie-like boss fights. The game was also brilliantly remade in 2023, and many consider it to be one of the greatest remakes of all time.

Shadow of the Colossus Proves that Video Games are Artistic Visions Come to Life

In Shadow of the Colossus, you play as Wander, who goes on a heartfelt quest to revive a young girl. He travels through a huge, lonely land, facing off against giant creatures called colossi. Each colossus is different, with its own look and a special way to defeat it, making the game exciting and really drawing you in. With 16 colossi to battle, the game is full of unforgettable moments.

Shadow of the Colossus is celebrated for its beautiful art style and straightforward but captivating story. It’s often considered a design masterpiece and a strong example of why video games should be recognized as a legitimate art form. The game was also innovative for its time, featuring realistic artificial intelligence in its characters – the colossal creatures, other NPCs, and even the player’s horse – which greatly enhanced the immersive experience. A critically acclaimed remake of Shadow of the Colossus was released in 2018.

Bayonetta Subverts Stereotypes About Female Protagonists

In the game Bayonetta, players control a witch who fights using magic, guns, and even her own hair. She can also summon demons to help her in battle. While many players consider Bayonetta a standout title, it’s celebrated not only for its exciting and visually impressive combat, but also for its compelling main character.

Bayonetta is a strikingly beautiful woman who confidently uses her sexuality as a weapon in battle, with many of her attacks having a sensual edge. Unlike many female characters who are simply presented for the male gaze, Bayonetta takes control, using her confidence and sexuality as sources of power – a groundbreaking approach at the time. She rejects being objectified and instead embraces her sensuality on her own terms, making it a key part of her strength. Even now, she’s considered one of the most compelling and well-developed female characters in video game history.

Metroid Prime Was the First Metroid Game to Use 3D Graphics

The Metroid series is incredibly important in video game history for several reasons. It played a key role in establishing the “Metroidvania” style of gameplay, emphasizing open exploration and character development. Beyond that, Metroid is famous for its captivating worlds. But perhaps its biggest impact was introducing Samus Aran, one of the first female protagonists in gaming. She paved the way for many other strong female characters we see in games today.

I first got into Metroid way back in the 80s, but honestly, Metroid Prime is what really blew my mind – a lot of people consider it the best in the series, and it’s definitely one of the most important games ever made. It takes place between the first Metroid and Return of Samus, and you’re once again playing as Samus, fighting space pirates and dealing with some seriously messed up experiments on this planet called Tallon IV. What’s cool is it was the first Metroid game to go 3D and switch to a first-person view, totally changing how we thought about what a Metroid game could be.

Super Mario Galaxy Is One of the Best Games in the Franchise

Super Mario Galaxy is considered one of the best games in the entire Super Mario series, and often appears on lists of the greatest video games of all time. This is particularly impressive considering the Mario franchise has been around since the mid-1980s and includes over 200 games on many different systems. When it was released, Super Mario Galaxy was a visually stunning game for the series.

This game stood out with its innovative gravity-based gameplay, making platforming feel new and exciting even for long-time fans of the Super Mario series. Beyond the gameplay, it was also celebrated for its surprisingly strong story, imaginative level design, and beautiful orchestral music. Many consider it to be one of the greatest Mario games of all time, and it’s definitely worth experiencing.

Red Dead Redemption 2 Is an Incredibly Realistic Open-World Game

Red Dead Redemption 2 is the third game in the Red Dead series, but it’s become the most well-known. Even people who don’t play video games have probably heard of RDR2, and with good reason – it made $725 million in its opening weekend and is considered one of the most important games of the 2010s. Very few action-adventure games have had such a lasting impact.

Red Dead Redemption 2 is a prequel to the first Red Dead Redemption game. Players experience the story as Arthur Morgan, a member of the Van der Linde gang, in a fictionalized American landscape in 1899 – a time when the Wild West was fading away. The game was highly acclaimed for its beautiful visuals, engaging story, and well-developed characters. It also boasts a large and detailed open-world map that truly brings the Wild West to life.

The Last of Us Part 1 & Part 2 Are Must Plays for Gamers

The two Last of Us games are closely linked, and it’s hard to discuss one without bringing up the other. Both are set in a world destroyed by a fungal outbreak that turns people into dangerous creatures, and they’re both essential experiences.

The game begins with Joel, a smuggler grieving the loss of his daughter, who must safely deliver Ellie, a teenage girl immune to a deadly infection, to a group hoping to find a cure. The story then shifts to Ellie, now grown up, and follows her on a brutal quest for revenge after a devastating loss. Both parts of the game are deeply emotional, and it’s best to play them together to fully appreciate the story.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remains the Best Game in the Series

Any list of the best video games needs to include a Legend of Zelda title. There are so many great Zelda games that it’s hard to choose just one – recent entries like Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom are also excellent. However, Ocarina of Time is the Zelda game everyone should play first.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time was a groundbreaking game, being the first in the series to feature 3D graphics. Beyond its impressive visuals, the game follows Link as he journeys across Hyrule to defeat King Ganondorf. A key feature is Link’s ability to travel through time and play as both a child and an adult. Ocarina of Time pioneered many gameplay elements that are now common in 3D adventure games, and it’s still considered by many to be one of the best video games of all time.

2025-10-27 06:47