You might not have noticed, but we cover an awful lot of different video games on this channel.
Over the years, we’ve ranked entire franchises,applauded critical darlings, and publicly shamed those that let themselves down.
What we’ve never done, however, is curate a list of the games that are, in our humble opinion, nothing short of brilliant.
It’s about time that we resolved that issue!
For this gargantuan list, we gathered everyone
at Team TripleJump, be they presenter, writer,
editor, or Fraser, and asked them this simple
question:
What games would you recommend absolutely
EVERYONE should play at least once?
TO BE CLEAR, this isn’t a list of the best
games ever according to the likes of Metacritic,
nor are we actually ranking them, so the game
featured in the top spot isn’t necessarily
any better than the game at number 101.
Instead this list is our way of chronicling
101 fantastic titles that will always have
a place in our hearts.
The only thing we’ve stipulated is that
they must be available on either current-generation
hardware or the previous one, i.e., any console
released since 2012, or on a PC.
After all, it wouldn’t be very cool of us
to recommend games that it’s near-impossible
to get hold of.
We will be including remasters and remakes
under that umbrella, as long as they’re
worth playing in their own right.
If you don’t see one of your all-time favourites
listed here, it’s likely that they’re
only available to play via an emulator.
Trust us, we’re just as sad about it as
you are.
Let’s get to the entries, shall we?
I’m Ben, I’m Peter, and I’m Ashton from
TripleJump, and here are the 101 Video Games
that Everyone Should Play At Least Once.
101.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015) (Xbox One,
Xbox Series S/X, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
If you’re the sort of person who enjoys
things like Merlin, The Lord of the Rings,
or Game of Thrones (you know, before the bad
times), then you’d probably enjoy any of
the three mainWitcher games.
Most people would agree, however, that The
Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is the most enjoyable
and, what’s more, you don’t even need
to have played the other two to enjoy it.
The Witcher 3 follows Geralt of Rivia as he
tries to track down his daughter Ciri, a young
woman adopted via the Law of Surprise, all
while facing off against various ghouls, goblins,
and monsties, and navigating affairs of the
heart with the many women in his life.
CD Projekt’s masterpiece was lauded by both
critics and players for everything from its
storytelling and well-developed characters
to its stunning art direction and sound design.
If all of that sounds like your cup of tea,
then The Witcher 3 can be played in its original
state on current and previous gen PlayStation
and Xbox consoles, as well as the Nintendo
Switch and PC.
Plus, CD Projekt are hard at work optimising
the game for the current generation, and the
upgrade, which will be free for anyone who
owns the game on PS4 or Xbox One, is set to
be released sometime in 2022.
100.
BioShock (2007) (Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X,
PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
For those of you who are channel regulars,
it won’t come as much of a surprise that
we’ve included BioShock among our favourite
games of all time.
We’ve made no secret over the years of the
fact that we think it’s an outstanding game.
It isn’t without good reason though, as
the 2007 first-person shooter has an awful
lot of things going for it.
Set in the underwater city of Rapture, the
game follows Jack as he attempts to escape
the isolated dystopia, all while doing his
best to avoid the psychotic, genetically-enhanced
Splicers and hulking Big Daddies.
Through the use of the ADAM mechanic (no,
not that one) players are able to effectively
give Jack superpowers, allowing him to set
enemies on fire, electrocute them, and much
more, with just the flick of his wrist.
BioShock is a triumph from start to finish,
immersing players in a stunning world full
of terrifying characters from the second their
bathysphere descends into the ocean.
Though the original was released during the
seventh console generation, a remaster is
available to play on more modern machines
as part of BioShock: The Collection.So, would
you kindly give it a go if you haven’t already?
99.
World of Warcraft (2004) (PC)
We couldn’t possibly curate a list of the
games that everyone should try at least once
without talking about the world’s biggest
MMORPG (or massively multiplayer online roleplaying
game if you wanna get “reasons to shoehorn
in an appearance from Simon Miller” about
this).
World of Warcraft players start out by choosing
a realm to play in, which each boast different
features, then head into the all-important
character creator.
Once there, they can choose their race and
class, as well as making the biggest decision
of all:Do they side with the Alliance or the
Horde?
After that, well, the world (of Warcraft)
is your oyster really.
Naturally, there are more quests than you
can shake a stick at, that level one character’s
going to need levelling up, and, being an
MMO, there’s heavy emphasis on playing with
other people.
Our advice is to go out into the world (of
Warcraft), meet some new friends, plunder
some dungeonstogether, and laugh about all
of the good times you had when you make it
back to the local tavern.
World of Warcraft is exclusive to PC and does
cost players about a tenner per month, but
if you feel like trying it, you can play up
to level 20 without having to shell out a
single penny.
98.
The Last of Us (2013) (PS4, PS5)
It’s probably fair to say that zombie games
have been done to death, no pun intended,
so it really takes something special to stand
out from the shambling horde.
Perhaps the reason that The Last of Us is
a favourite of so many gamers is that it isn’t
really a zombie game at heart, but rather
is a story of human struggle with a post-apocalyptic
setting.
Developed by Naughty Dog and released in 2013,
The Last of Us tells the story of Joel, a
man tasked with smuggling teenage girl Ellie
into Salt Lake City.
Infected with the virus, but showing no symptoms,
Ellie may be the only chance humanity has
to find a cure.
Not only is the story epic, but every character
in the game feels like a real person.
The relationship between Joel and Ellie in
particular captured the hearts of audiences,
and was made all the more touching by the
award-winning voice performances of Troy Baker
and Ashley Johnson.
The Last of Us is a PlayStation exclusive,
so if you don’t own a Sony machine, then
you’re missing out on a fantastic game.
PlayStation owners, however, can pick up a
remastered copy of The Last of Us for both
PS4 and PS5, and they’ll be able to get
their mitts on a remake in 2022.
97.
Mass Effect 2(2010) (Xbox One, Xbox Series
X/S, PS4, PS5, PC)
We toyed with the idea of putting all of the
first three Mass Effect games on this list,
but although the trilogy as a whole is excellent,
Mass Effect 2 stands head and shoulders above
the rest.
Assuming the role of Commander Shepard, it’s
up to the player to assemble a motley crew
of allies and prevent the insectoid Collectors
from destroying humanity.
What’s great about Mass Effect 2 is that
it took all of the things that made its predecessor
so great, i.e., the world-building, storytelling,
and the cast of well-developed characters,
and made the experience better by virtue of
various quality of life gameplay tweaks.
Bioware made improvements to the inventory,
scrapped weapon overheating in favour of ammo,
and integrated the Paragon/Renegade system
into the actual gameplay.
Though Mass Effect 2 simplified some of thefirst
game’s RPG elements in order to focus on
the shooter experience, this ultimately benefitted
the title, keeping the game moving and making
the combat more satisfying.
Although Mass Effect 2 is easily the best
game of the series, we do recommend playing
Mass Effect and Mass Effect 3 as well.
Luckily, a remaster of the trilogy was released
in 2021, so anyone interested in Commander
Shepard’s exploits can experience them on
the current and previous generation in glorious
high-definition.
We can’t recommend you bother with Andromeda
though.By comparison, it’s utterly ploppers.
96.
Borderlands 2 (2012) (Xbox One, Xbox Series
X/S, PS4, PS5, PS Vita, Switch, PC)
Are you the sort of person who loves bright
colours, big guns, and hoarding more loot
than your average dragon?
Then, OH BOY, do I have a recommendation for
you!
Originally released in 2012, Borderlands 2
sees players taking on the role of a Vault
Hunter, and they must ally themselves with
the planet’s many misfits and rogues in
order to defeat the megalomaniacal and devilishly
charismatic Handsome Jack.
Borderlands 2 is an action-packed romp from
start to finish, filled to the brim with slightly
unhinged characters of dubious moral alignment,
and enough content to keep players entertained
for weeks on end.
The scores of ludicrous enemies provide an
excellent way to blow off steam, and the game’s
unique art-style makes players feel like they’re
shooting their way through an animated comic
book.
What’s more, the procedurally generated
loot system means that the game boasts literally
millions of guns, so even the most trigger-happy
among you will be satisfied by all the firepower
that’s on offer.
A remastered version of Borderlands 2 is available
to play on all good current and previous gen
machines, and there’s even a VR version
if you’re that way inclined.
We also highly recommend picking up an edition
that includes the DLC, as Tiny Tina’s Assault
on Dragon Keep is a must-play for anyone with
even a passing interest in tabletop roleplaying
games.
95.
Pokémon Yellow (1998) (3DS)
We’re casting our minds back to 1998 now
to look at a game that captured the hearts
and imaginations of millions of people all
across the world.
Perhaps one of the main reasons that Pokémon
Yellow features among many people’s top
games of all time is that it really does have
something for everyone.
Younger players were enticed by all of the
cute critters, and more mature audiences had
a great deal of fun exploring the many towns
of the Kanto region and battling with their
Pokémon to become a Pokémon master.
The main difference between Yellow and 1996’s
Red and Blue is that the game is updated to
more closely reflect the anime, so alongside
being able to train their very own Pikachu,
audiences got to meet characters, like Jessie
and James, who they wouldn’t have in any
other version.
Though the game is now well over 20 years
old, Poké-fans can still secure their very
own Pikachu.
In 2016, Nintendo re-released Pokémon Yellow
for their 3DS Virtual Console service, retaining
all of the old graphics and sound, but introducing
wireless functionality that allows players
to trade their Pokémon with their pals.
It is worth noting, however, that the 3DS
store is due to close in March 2023, so if
you’re planning on catching ‘em all, you’ll
need to get to it right away.
94.
God of War (2018) (PS4, PS5, PC)
Whilst curating the entries for this list,
we so desperately wanted to include 2005’s
God of War alongside its 2018 reboot, but
it is sadly only playable on the PlayStation
2 and 3.
Consider this an honourable mention though;
God of War 2005, we salute you.
Unlike its predecessors, 2018’s God of War
eschewed the ancient Greek setting and instead
explores Norse mythology.
Set several years after the events of God
of War III, Kratos is now living in ancient
Norway, has remarried, and has a son named
Atreus.
Sadly, his new wife has died, and in order
to fulfil her final wish, Kratos and Atreus
must travel to the highest peak of the nine
realms so that they can scatter her ashes.
God of War enjoyed a huge amount of success
upon its release, pleasing both players and
critics with its rich lore and engaging narrative,
its action-packed gameplay, and the charming
depiction of Kratos and Atreus’ relationship.
If you fancy taking up your axe and joining
Kratos and Atreus on their epic journey, then
you can do so on PlayStation 4 and 5.
God of War was also ported to PC in 2022,
so even if you don’t have a Sony machine,
you can still get a slice of the mythological
action.
93.
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007) (Xbox
One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC)
Not only would we like to commend Call of
Duty 4: Modern Warfare for being an all-round
great game, but we must also applaud it for
its willingness to try new things.
After all, nothing ventured, nothing gained,
and in a world where, at the time, you couldn’t
move more than five feet without tripping
over a World War II shooter, Call of Duty
4 had the balls to do something different.
The campaign takes place in 2011 and sees
players thrust into the midst of a civil war
in Russia, and conflicts caused by a separatist
group’s coup d’état in an unnamed Middle
Eastern country.
Taking on the roles of a U.S. Marine sergeant
and a British SAS commando, players experience
conflicts all around the world.
Unlike many other shooters, Modern Warfare
keeps its gameplay nice and varied, so one
minute, you’ll be heading into a fight,
guns-blazing, and the next, you’ll be sneaking
around on a covert operation.
Furthermore, the game’s story will have
players on the edge of their seats from the
moment they begin the campaign.
Originally released during the seventh generation
of home consoles, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
was remastered in 2016, bringing all of the
action and suspense to a brand-new generation
of gamers.
92.
Outer Wilds (2019) (Xbox One, Xbox Series
X/S, PS4, PS5, PC)
There many video games out there that feature
a time loop mechanic in some sort of capacity,
but few are quite as special as 2019’s Outer
Wilds.
The premise is quite simple: In just 22 short
minutes, the solar system will be wiped out
by a supernova.
Fortunately for our unnamed protagonist, though,
they’re caught in a time loop, so each time
the universe explodes, they get to reset.
By exploring the solar system and learning
from previous loops, players can uncover information
about a long-extinct alien race known as the
Nomai, which will in turn lead them to the
cause of the time loop.
The player is left to find things for themselves
rather than being spoon-fed by the game.
That’s all part of the charm of Outer Wilds,
and it’s incredibly satisfying as you find
key pieces of the puzzle and everything starts
to come together.
Unsurprisingly, Outer Wilds was nominated
for several accolades, and won three British
Academy Game Awards and a Golden Joystick.
Though it originally launched on PC and Xbox
One in May 2019, it has since been released
PS4, and can also be played on the current
generation.
Good news for Switch players, as well, as
a port is currently in the works.
91.
Resident Evil (2002) (Xbox One, Xbox Series
X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
Though it may not have been the first survival
horror video game ever made, it’s hard to
deny the impact that Resident Evil had on
the genre.
Resident Evil was originally released in 1996,
but was remade in 2002 with shiny new graphics
and a whole load of additional content.
The game sees Special Tactics and Rescue Service
members Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield
trapped inside the imposing Spencer Mansion
alongside several of their colleagues and
hordes of mindless zombies.
After choosing to control either Chris or
Jill, players must traverse the mansion and
solve a series of puzzles in order to uncover
the conspiracy that lies at the heart of the
whole sorry tale.
Though they are armed, both Chris and Jill
have limited inventory space, which means
that carrying enough reserves of ammo and
health items is basically impossible, so players
will often need to carefully choose whether
to fight their adversaries, or flee.
Resident Evil is able to maintain a consistent
level of challenge and a tense atmosphere
throughout its entire runtime, so if you’re
in the mood for a good spooking that will
also get that grey matter flexing, then there’s
really no better choice.
Though the Resident Evil remake was initially
released on the GameCube, it has since been
ported to a number of different consoles.
These days, it can be downloaded on Xbox One
and Series X/S, PS4 and 5, Switch, and PC.
90.
Fallout 3 (2008) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S,
PS4, PS5, PC)
Before Fallout 3 was released in 2008, it
had been a whole decade since the world had
gotten to enjoy a major instalment of the
series, and, oh boy, had things changed.
In the ten years since Fallout 2, the franchise
had been acquired by Bethesda, who got to
work overhauling the series into something
unrecognisable, though we hasten to add that
it was in a good way.
Gone were the 2D isometric graphics and turn-based
combat of its predecessors, replaced with
shiny new 3D graphics and the V.A.T.S.
combat system.
Set 200 years after the Great War, players
join a protagonist known only as the Lone
Wanderer as they set out into the wasteland
in search of their missing father.
Despite its technical issues, Fallout 3 was
a massively ambitious game that gave players
a hugely interactive RPG experience.
The combination of the barren setting with
the minimalist sound design kept players immersed
in the harsh, post-apocalyptic world, whilst
the V.A.T.S. system helped to make the combat
fun and engaging.
Those looking to try their hand at surviving
the nuclear wasteland can do so on the current
and previous generation, and PC, though PlayStation
owners will need to subscribe to PS Now in
order to be able to soak in all of that radiation.
We don’t recommend actually exposing yourself
to radiation though, we gather it’s not
very good for your health.
89.
Mega Man 2 (1988) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S,
PS4, PS5, Switch, 3DS, PC)
Although Mega Man is now a gaming icon, his
franchise got off to a bit of a shaky start.
The OG Mega Man from 1987 was received well
by critics, but because it didn’t sell very
well, particularly in the West, Capcom were
reluctant to produce a sequel.
They eventually did give Mega Man 2 the green
light, but it was on the proviso that the
teams working on the game did so alongside
other projects, and the staff ended up developing
the title in their own time.
Their hard work and dedication paid off, however,
as the action platformer ended up being a
huge success, impressing critics, and selling
a whopping 1.5 million copies worldwide.
Mega Man 2 once again pits the titular hero
against Dr. Wily, who, following his defeat
in the previous game, has created a whole
load of new Robot Masters in an attempt to
best our little blue hero.
Despite being over three decades old, Mega
Man 2 is still available to play on pretty
much every modern platform.
Fans of the retro title can pick the game
up as part of the Mega Man Legacy Collection,
which bundles together the first six Mega
Man titles for less than the cost of your
average takeaway.
Bargain!
88.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (1992) (Xbox One, Xbox
Series X/S, Switch, 3DS, PC)
We’re sticking with the retro theme for
a moment as we look back at yet another blue
protagonist, only this time, he’s a real
prickly character.
Unperturbed by his previous defeat at the
hands of everyone’s favourite spiny mammal,
Dr. Robotnik returns in Sonic the Hedgehog
2 to try to achieve world domination once
more.
Yet again, he’s after the Chaos Emeralds,
and it’s up to Sonic and his pal, Tails,
to thwart his evil scheme.
Following the success of Sonic the Hedgehog,
players were champing at the bit to get hold
of the sequel, and it did not disappoint.
The levels were well-designed and fun to play,
the graphics were improved over its predecessor,
and Sonic’s new companionwas well-received
by fans and critics alike.
In fact, really the only fault that anyone
could find with Sonic the Hedgehog 2 was that
it was a bit on the easy side, but let’s
face it, when a game is as fun to play as
Sonic 2, that doesn’t really matter.
Sonic’s second outing has been ported to
more devices than we can shake a stick at
(and believe us, we’re basically pro stick
shakers by this point), so fans won’t be
stuck for places to play the game.
Currently, it’s available on PC, Xbox One
and Series X/S, 3DS, and Nintendo Switch.
87.
Nier: Automata (2017) (Xbox One, Xbox Series
X/S, PS4, PS5, PC)
With most of us being Northerners here at
Team TripleJump, when we purchase a video
game, we like to know that we’re getting
our money’s worth, so replayability is absolutely
a consideration when it comes to picking up
a new title.
With that said, there’s replayability, and
then there’s Nier: Automata, a game that
has to be played several times to be fully
appreciated.
Nier: Automata is set in the year 11945AD,
in the midst of a war between human-made androids
and a machine army from another world.
Players take on the roles of several of the
androids, and on each different playthrough,
they’ll explore different facets of Nier:
Automata’s story.
Aside from its rich, complex narrative, players
were impressed with the game’s artful blending
of the action and RPG genres, its beautiful
presentation of a futuristic dystopia, and
its fun hack-and-slash combat mechanics.
Nier: Automata was originally released for
the PS4 and PC, but was ported to Xbox One
in 2018, PLUS it can be downloaded on both
PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, which is good news
all round.
Unless you don’t have any of those machines,
of course, in which case it’s probably not
very good news at all.
86.
Hollow Knight (2017) (Xbox One, Xbox Series
X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
One of the great things about the rise of
crowdfunding sites is that creators who would
have previously struggled to get their projects
out into the world are now able to do so with
the help of backers willing to invest a few
quid.
In recent years, crowdfunding campaigns have
given birth to a number of excellent indie
titles, and one of our personal favourites
is 2017’s Hollow Knight.
An action-adventure title of the Metroidvania
persuasion, Hollow Knight was unleashed upon
the world following a successful Kickstarter
campaign set up by developer and publisher
Team Cherry.
The game’s protagonist is the titular Knight,
who must uncover the truth behind “The Infection”,
which drove the citizens of Hallownest to
madness and turned them undead.
Fair warning; Hollow Knight is challenging.
Some players have gone as far as to liken
its difficulty to games like Dark Souls, but
while there is certainly a steep learning
curve, it’s absolutely worth it to experience
the atmospheric setting, compelling narrative,
and stunning visuals.
If you are up for the challenge, Hollow Knight
can be found on both the current generation
and the previous one, and regardless of which
platform you choose, you’re in for a fantastic,
if slightly tough, time.
85.
Undertale (2015) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S,
PS4, PS5, PS Vita, Switch, PC)
If you don’t know anything about it, you
could be forgiven for thinking that Undertale
is nothing more than just another indie RPG.
This could not be further from the truth though,
as behind the simplistic art style is a game
with an awful lot of heart.
Undertale tells the story of a small child
who has fallen through a magical barrier into
the Underground; a place beneath the surface
of the Earth that’s full of monsties.
By either fighting or pacifying said monsties,
the player must ensure that the child is able
to make their way home.
The game has received praise from both critics
and players for everything from its story
and characters to its combat and music.
What’s perhaps most impressive, however,
is that all of this greatness was achieved
by the efforts of one man, Toby Fox, who developed
the game, published it, and even wrote the
soundtrack.
Golly, he must get up very early in the morning.
Undertale was originally released for the
PC in 2015, but it has since made its way
to PlayStation and Xbox.
Prefer your Undertale experience on the move?
That’s fine, because you can also play it
on the PlayStation Vita and the Nintendo Switch.
84.
Batman: Arkham Asylum (2009) (Xbox One, Xbox
Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC)
Like most popular superheroes, Batman’s
starred in more than his fair share of video
games over the years, but though many of them
have been great, the title that stands head
and shoulders above the rest is Rocksteady’s
Batman: Arkham Asylum.
The 2009 title follows everyone’s favourite
moody orphan billionaire as he traverses Arkham
Asylum and attempts to thwart the Joker’s
madcap schemes.
On this occasion, Joker has trapped Batman
in the asylum with a bunch of crackers supervillains
that can’t stand the sight of him, planted
bombs around the city, and threatened Gotham
with annihilation should anyone attempt to
set foot on Arkham Island.
Not only is Arkham Asylum the best Batman
title, but it’s often cited by critics as
being the best superhero game ever made.
This is no doubt down to its stunning visuals,
well-written story, satisfying combat and
stealth, and outstanding voice performances
from the likes of Kevin Conroy, Arleen Sorkin,
and Mark Hamill.
If you’re desperate to squeeze your buttocks
into tight latex and kick some bad guy bottom,
then you can play the remastered version of
Arkham Asylum on Xbox One, Series X/S, PS4
and 5, and PC.
Or you can actually don a latex suit and go
fight crime, we won’t judge.
83.
Deadly Premonition (2010) (Xbox One, Xbox
Series X/S, Switch/PC)
There have been a number of games over the
years that have been inspired by David Lynch’s
whacky murder mystery, Twin Peaks, but if
we had to pick a favourite, it would undoubtedly
be Deadly Premonition.
Released in 2010, Deadly Premonition puts
players into the shoes of FBI Special Agent
Francis York Morgan.
The game takes place in the fictional town
of Greenvale, and it’s up to players to
get to the bottom of a young woman’s murder.
To say that Deadly Premonition divided critics
is an understatement; in fact, it holds the
Guinness World Record for being the most critically
divisive survival-horror game ever made.
Some outlets bashed everything from its controls
to its voice acting, whereas others praised
it for just how weird it is.
Don’t get us wrong; we know that Deadly
Premonition isn’t a game that everyone is
going to enjoy because it is, for want of
a better word, batshit, but it is definitely
a title that everyone should experience at
least once.
Though the game can be played on the PC, the
port is notoriously ploppers, so we can’t
recommend you bother with Deadly Premonition:
The Director’s Cut.
Deadly Premonition Origins, on the other hand,
is a decent port, and can be found exclusively
on the Nintendo Switch.
You can also find the original 360 version
on the Microsoft store for those interested
in playing on the Xbox.
82.
Super Mario 64 (1996) (Wii U, Switch)
What?
You didn’t think we’d make a list of 101
games everyone should play without giving
at least one shout-out to the world’s most
iconic plumber, did you?
What do you take us for?
There was some debate down at TripleJump Towers
over which Mario games to include in our definitive
101 (spoiler alert: this isn’t the last
time you’ll see the moustachioed megastar
on this list).
The title that came up time and time again,
however, was the 1996 N64 classic, Super Mario
64.
The title saw Mario make the leap into 3D
for the very first time as he set out to save
his beloved Princess Peach from perennial
menace Bowser.
In order to rescue the damsel in distress,
players need to platform their way around
Peach’s castle, collecting Power Stars as
they go.
Some are just out in the open, whilst others
require Mario to beat a boss, solve a puzzle,
or race an opponent.
Critics were hugely impressed by Super Mario
64, praising the beautiful 3D world, the diversity
of the gameplay, and just how fun it wasoverall.
Feel like stepping up to the plate to save
the princess?
Well, luckily for you, Super Mario 64 is available
on the Wii U and as part of the N64 line-up
for the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion
Pack, which gives players access to a number
of classic titles, including…
81.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998)
(Wii U, Switch, 3DS)
I’m pretty pleased with that segue, not
gonna lie.
Another Nintendo series that provoked much
argument in the office was The Legend of Zelda,
and as much as we’d have liked to have included
the entire Zelda back catalogue (you know,
except for those horrid Philips CD-I efforts),
we must show some restraint.
There was no doubt in anyone’s mind, however,
that regardless of which combination of titles
we went with, Ocarina of Time would be amongst
them.
The fifth game in The Legend of Zelda series
sees our boy Link travelling through time
to try to reverse the evil that has been brought
upon the world of Hyrule by big bad Ganondorf.
Throughout the game, players can use the titular
wind instrument to play different melodies,
each of which helps Link to solve a variety
of puzzles and brings him one step closer
to banishing Ganondorf’s evil from the world.
According to review aggregator Metacritic,
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is the
best game ever made, boasting a frankly staggering
near-perfect score of 99 out of 100.
As we’ve already mentioned, Zelda fans seeking
the nostalgia of Ocarina of Time can find
the game bundled in with the Switch Online
+ Expansion Pack, and it can also be found
on the Wii U and the 3DS.
80.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (2003)
(Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC)
Over the years, there have been more Star
Wars games than you can shake a lightsaber
at.
There’s one, however, that topped the list
of pretty much everyone here at Team TripleJump
(as well as, spoiler alert, our Every Star
Wars Game Ranked list), and that was Star
Wars: Knights of the Old Republic.
Set some 4000 years before the formation of
the Galactic Empire, KOTOR is an RPG in which
players get to create their very own Force-user
and take on the Sith Lord Darth Malak.
Regardless of whether or not you’re a Star
Wars fan (though if you’re not, Tiny Peter
will fight you) KOTOR has something for everyone.
The game’s story is perfectly in keeping
with the rest of the franchise, whilst still
being accessible for even those who don’t
know a Wookiee from a Wampa.
Additionally, the RPG elements and combat
are meaty enough for hardcore gamers, but
not so much so that they’d turn off newer
players.
The original game can be played on Xbox One,
Series X/S, Switch, and PC.
Before you Sony fans go getting all upset
though, it’s worth remembering that a remake
is currently in the works that is set to release
as a PS5 and PC timed-exclusive, though how
similar it will be to the original, we can’t
say.
We’re good, but we’re not that good.
79.
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (2009) (PS4, PS5)
If you’ve ever wondered what it would be
like to go out into the world and search for
olde timey artifacts but, like our writer,
you’re a massive introvert who would rather
die than do anything outdoorsy, then you’d
probably quite like the Uncharted series.
All of the games are pretty good, but there
are two of them that we’d recommend above
all else: Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, and
another that we’ll get to in a short while.
Cheeky chappy Nathan Drake returns in Uncharted
2, only this time, he’s on the hunt for
the Cintamani Stone and the city of Shambhala.
Upon its release, Uncharted 2 was universally
critically acclaimed, with both reviewers
and players praising the game for its visual
design, narrative excellence, and the portrayal
of Nathan Drake by little-known voice actor
Nolan North.
He’s not been in much; I wouldn’t be surprised
if you haven’t heard of him.
Uncharted 2 was originally released as a PlayStation
3 exclusive, so you’re going to need to
invest in a Sony machine in order to experience
the adventure.
Fortunately, there’s no need to trawl through
eBay to find a decent quality PS3, as the
game has been remastered, and can now be played
on both PS4 and 5.
78.
Halo: Combat Evolved (2001) (Xbox One, Xbox
Series X/S, PC)
When Microsoft launched the original Xbox
all the way back in 2001, they needed an exclusive
that would ensure the console made its mark
on the video game landscape, and OH BOY, did
Halo: Combat Evolved help them do just that.
The game is set in the 26th century, by which
time faster-than-light space travel has allowed
humans to hop around the universe, colonizing
planets besides Earth.
Old habits die hard, I guess.
Players jump into the fancy green armour of
Master Chief, a super-soldier tasked with
uncovering the secrets of the ringworld, Halo.
Naturally, there are other beings interested
in the structure as well and, sadly, they’re
not all friendly E.T.
sorts.
Halo: Combat Evolved won numerous game of
the year awards, holds a staggering average
of 97 out of 100 on Metacritic, and is often
credited with modernizing the FPS genre.
The Halo series is a Microsoft exclusive,
so anyone looking to join Master Chief on
his quest to defeat the Covenant will need
either a current or previous gen Xbox, or
a PC.
The game is available as part of the Master
Chief Collection, which also includes Halos
2, 3, ODST, Reach, and 4, which is, in our
opinion at least, a darn good deal.
77.
Portal (2007) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S,
Switch, PC)
If we could choose to make one piece of video
game technology real, it would undoubtedly
be the Portal gun.
Think of the possibilities!
You could get a beer out of the fridge without
ever having to leave your sofa, cut your commute
down to a fraction of the time, commit that
crime you’ve always wanted to do and flee
the scene instantaneously…
Oh Gosh, this took a dark turn.
Sadly, science doesn’t seem particularly
fussed about turning my dreams into reality,
and so I must make do with playing Portal
for the several-hundredth time.
This fantastic puzzler was first released
as part of The Orange Box, and though Half-Life
2: Episode 2 was the headline act, Portal
turned out to be a surprisingly good supporting
player.
It was like getting to the bottom of an ice
cream sundae and finding a really fudgy chocolate
brownie.
Yum yum.
By traversing a series of test chambersusing
only the provided Portal gun, a device that
fires a pair of interconnected portals, protagonist
Chell must escape the Aperture Science Test
Facility.
The puzzles start out simple enough, but quickly
become more and more tricky as the player
progresses.
Think you can best the chambers and escape
the facility?
If so, then Portal: Still Alive is available
to play on Xbox One and Series X/S. Switch
players can also get a slice of the action
(and, of course, the cake) thanks to the Portal
Companion Collection, and PC players can still
find the original on Steam.
76.
Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (2006) (Xbox One,
Xbox Series X/S, PC)
Though Todd Howard seems to have forgotten
that there are other Elder Scrolls games in
existence besides Skyrim, we have not, and
it’s our hearty recommendation that anyone
who loves a bit of sword and sorcery has a
go at Oblivion.
And let’s face it, who doesn’t love a
bit of sword and sorcery?
Oblivion takes place within Cyrodiil, and
sees the protagonist doing their darndest
to thwart the plans of a fanatical cult who
intend to open a portal to a demonic realm,
and unleash whatever nasties lie within.
The game transports players to a meticulously
crafted world where they’re free to do,
moreorless, as they please.
Obviously, the main questline should probably
be tackled at some point, but Oblivion never
railroads players into doing it, and they’re
empowered to play the RPG however they see
fit.
Save an artist trapped in his own painting,
lay a ghostly watchman to rest, or busy yourself
finding a load ofNirnroot for Sinderion.
Tamriel really is your oyster.
It’s bad news once again for PlayStation Stans
I’m afraid, as Oblivion is currently only
available to play on Xbox One, Xbox Series
X/S, and PC.
You never know though; once Bethesda have
finished porting Skyrim to every electronic
device in the known universe, they might give
it a current gen remaster.
I wouldn’t hold your breath though.
75.
Half-Life 2 (2004) (PC)
If you like puzzles, guns, and hunky, bespectacled,
sexy boys, then we’ve got a game that ticks
all of those boxes and many, many more.
Set roughly twenty years after the first game
in the series (which, incidentally, is also
rather good), Half-Life 2 sees Gordon Freeman
awakened from stasis to find that the Combine,
a multidimension empire, has conquered Earth
by biologically assimilating its inhabitants.
Guess who’s been left to clean up this big
mess?
Why, Gordon has, of course.
Half-Life 2 is part-first-person shooter,
part-physics puzzler, so players will need
to use their brains and their brawn if they’ve
any hopes of avoiding all of those nasty Headcrabs.
Don’t worry, Gordon, we hear you can get
a special shampoo for them.
Though the game got perfect scores more or
less across the board, it particularly drew
praise for its graphics and physics, which,
at the time, were very impressive, and in
fairness, still hold up alongside titles of
today.
Although Half-Life 2 has previously seen releases
on both Xbox and PlayStation consoles, these
days, it’s only available on PC.
The good news, though, is that PC players
can still pick up The Orange Box, which not
only includes Half-Life 2 and Episodes 1 & 2,
but it also comes with both Portal and Team
Fortress 2.
A bargain at twice the price!
74.
Dead Space (2008) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S,
PC)
They say that “in space, no one can hear
you scream,” but when you’re playing DeadSpace,
people will definitely hear your shrieks of
terror for miles around.
The game follows protagonist Isaac Clarke
as he navigates the spaceship Ishimura in
the hopes of finding out what happened to
his girlfriend, who was the ship’s senior
medical officer.
Not only does he have various alien nasties
to deal with, but he must also battle with
the escalating psychosis in his own mind.
Though it bears a science-fiction setting,
Dead Space drew heavily from survival horror
giants like Resident Evil and Silent Hill,
sending players into the claustrophobic Ishimura
and pitting them against the hostile Necromorphs
with limited supplies.
Put simply: Dead Space is truly scary.
Through its setting, gameplay mechanics, sound,
and overall design, the game is able to cultivate
an insanely tense atmosphere that lingers
throughout its entire runtime.
Both Dead Space and its sequel, Dead Space
2, are worth a look if you’re fond of sci-fi
horror.
The franchise’s third entry is fine, though
thanks to a hefty amount of interference on
EA’s part, it eschews horror in favour of
action.
If you’ve got a pair of brown trousers that
you’re just aching to put to good use, then
you can get your fright fix on the Xbox Series
X/S and Xbox One via backwards compatibility,
or on PC.
73.
Limbo (2010) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4,
PS5, PS Vita, Switch, PC)
We’re going to caveat this entry with a
bit of a warning: Limbo is a very good game,
but it’s one to avoid if you’re already
feeling a bit depressed or anxious.
Definitely play it at least once in your life,
but save it for a day when you’re emotionally
ready.
We don’t want to be responsible for any
severe existential crises.
In terms of its narrative and art style, Limbo
is very simplistic.
The game follows a young boy as he travels
through a forest on the edge of Hell in order
to find his sister.
Beyond that, however, it’s down to the player
to interpret the plot in whichever way they
see fit; is the boy simply looking for his
sister or is there a deeper meaning to it
all?
On the surface, Limbo may not look like much,
but it packs an awful lot of atmosphere and
engaging gameplay into its short runtime,
pitting players against challenging puzzles
and terrifying enemies.
These days, Limbo can be found on pretty much
all current-generation platforms, so regardless
of whether you’re on team Xbox, PlayStation,
Nintendo, or PC, then you too can enjoy the
many feelings of existential dread brought
on by the game.
Enjoy those, you’ve earned them.
72.
Grand Theft Auto V (2013) (Xbox One, Xbox
Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC)
Do you like doing crimes but find that going
to prison takes up far too much of your time?
Then you need some Grand Theft Auto in your
life!
We did toy with the idea of sticking GTA IV
on this list but, although it is a solid game,
it does lose a number of marks for having
your annoying cousin, Roman, call you every
five minutes to invite you out bowling.
GTA V not only lacks the irritating relatives
that let its predecessor down, but it also
has three multidimensional protagonists that
truly bring its story to life.
Throughout the game, players jump into the
shoes of Michael De Santa, Franklin Clinton,
and Trevor Philips, a trio of criminals of
various flavours whose lives intertwine thanks
to their numerous illegal exploits.
Grand Theft Auto V currently sits at a whopping
97 out of 100 on Metacritic, with reviews
praising its multi-protagonist formula, its
gameplay, and the design of its sprawling
open world.
It would probably be quicker to list all of
the places that you can’t play Grand Theft
Auto V since, by this point, the game has
been released for three different generations
of consoles.
For the sake of clarity, however, we’re
happy to confirm that it’s available on
both Xbox Series and Xbone, PS4 and 5, and
PC.
71.
Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped (1998) (Xbox One,
Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
We couldn’t possibly make a list of our
most highly recommended games without giving
a nod to everyone’s favourite wisecracking
marsupial.
Taking place shortly after the events of the
second game in the series, Crash Bandicoot
3: Warped (or simply Crash Bandicoot: Warped
if you wanna get less European about this)
follows Crash and his younger sister, Coco,
as they attempt to thwart the latest evil
plans of Doctor Neo Cortex.
After Cortex’s space station crash lands
on Earth, unleashing the evil UkaUka, Crash
and Coco must travel through time in order
to collect a whole bunch of powerful crystals
before Cortex, Doctor Nefarious Tropy, and
UkaUka can get their hands on them.
We chose Crash Bandicoot 3 over its predecessors
as it took everything that they did and refined
it.
The graphics were cleaner and more detailed,
the gameplay mechanics were improved, and
the sound design was top-notch.
Don’t get us wrong, the series’ first
two games are also good, but Crash 3 is the
whole package.
Though the original game was only released
on the OG PlayStation, modern players can
pick up the remake as part of the N. Sane
Trilogy for PS4 and 5, Xbox One and Series,
Switch, and PC.
70.
Minecraft (2011) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S,
PS4, PS5, PS Vita, Wii U, Switch, 3DS, PC)
In most instances, if you were to play a game
that had no plot, no objectives, and very
little in the way of combat, you probably
wouldn’t have a very good time.
If the game you’re playing is Minecraft,
however, it’s easy to lose days and days
of your life just mining enough diamonds to
make yourself a gigantic diamond palace.
Nobody told you to do it, and yet here you
are, regardless.
Creating your own fun by mining for materials
and building things is the essence of Minecraft.
Players are plopped into a blocky, procedurally-generated
world, and left to explore at their own pace.
Trees can be punched and turned into work
benches, which then allow the player to make
tools.
From there they can obtain ore, make better
tools, and get to work doing whatever they’d
like.
Build a house, farm some animals, or just
dig downwards to see how far the world goes;
it really is all up to you.
If you own an electronic device, then it’s
likely that you can play Minecraft on it.
The game is available on current and previous
generation Xbox and PlayStation, as well as
on the Switch, Wii U, and PC.
Those favouring a portable experience can
also find Minecraft on the PS Vita and the
Nintendo 3DS.
69.
The Last of Us: Part II (2020) (PS4, PS5)
We couldn’t possibly recommend that everyone
play The Last of Us without also recommending
that they play The Last of Us: Part II as
well.
Part II is set five years after the events
of the first game, by which point Ellie and
Joel have settled into a community of survivors
in Jackson, Wyoming.
It’s not long before their peaceful life
is disrupted, however, and Ellie must embark
on a journey seeking justice and vengeance.
The Last of Us: Part II took what its predecessor
did and built upon it.
The result is a deep, emotional story, fantastic
stealth and action gameplay, and stunning
graphics and sound.
The game also received universal acclaim for
its voice performances, particularly those
given by Ashley Johnson as Ellie and Laura
Bailey as Abby, with the latter winning both
a British Academy Game Award and a TGA for
her efforts.
Those keen to see what Joel and Ellie have
been up to in the years since The Last of
Us can find out by picking up a copy of The
Last of Us: Part II on PlayStation 4 or PlayStation
5.
Those playing on the current gen will get
to enjoy an upgraded version that allows them
to experience all of the horrors in glorious
60FPS.
68.
Detroit: Become Human (2018) (PS4, PS5, PC)
It’s fair to say that David Cage is a divisive
name in the gaming community.
Some consider the man to be somewhat of an
auteur, whereas others feel like he’s all
ideas and no substance.
Upon its release in 2018, Detroit: Become
Human divided critics.
We highly recommend that you ignore the naysayers
though as, overall, it’s a solid game that’s
well worth your time.
Detroit: Become Human is set in the not-too-distant
future.
Androids have replaced much of the human workforce
but, for unexplained reasons, some begin behaving
unusually.
The story follows three androids; Kara, who
escapes her owner, Markus, who is working
to free other androids from servitude, and
Connor, who is hunting down the deviant androids.
Critics praised Detroit: Become Human’s
narrative and character development, as well
as its handling of difficult topics such as
slavery, identity, and what it means to be
human.
Although Detroit: Become Human was a PlayStation
exclusive when it released in 2018, it has
since been ported to PC, so there’s no need
to rush out to buy a PS5 if you’d like to
play it.
Not that you can rush out to buy a PS5, considering
that they’re rarer than rocking horse poop,
but you know what I mean.
67.
Halo Reach (2010) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S,
PC)
“Two Halos in one list?”
I hear you cry, “Have you gone mad, TripleJump?”
Nope, we haven’t lost our minds, it’s
just that the good folks down at Bungie and
Microsoft sure know their way around a first-person
shooter.
Oh, and spoiler alert, this won’t be the
last time you see a Halo game in this list
either.
Sorry, not sorry.
First released in 2010, Halo Reach is a direct
prequel to Halo: Combat Evolved.
Players take on the role of Noble Six, an
elite super-soldier and member of Noble Team.
The game follows the squad as they make their
last stand against the Covenant on the planet
Reach, the last line of defence before Earth.
Some critics have gone as far as to call Halo
Reach the best Halo game of all time, and
it’s very easy to see why.
Players jumping into the game can expect a
top-notch first-person shooter experience,
visuals that are nothing short of breath-taking,
a hugely engaging narrative and a memorable
cast of characters.
The original was released for the Xbox 360;
however, modern gamers can get their hands
on a remastered version of Halo Reach thanks
to the Halo Master Chief Collection,which
can be found on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S,
and PC.
66.
Spyro the Dragon (1998) (Xbox One, Xbox Series
X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
For many of us, Spyro the Dragon is so much
more than just a video game from the 90s;
he’s the mascot of our childhoods.
He was the reason we rushed home from school
in the evening, why we always got up super
early on a Saturday morning, and why our mums
complained that we were always playing on
“the Nintendo.”
[off-mic] Gosh dang it, Mum, it’s a PlayStation!
Put simply, he is nostalgia in a sassy purple
reptile form.
The first game in the series stars the eponymous
dragon as he journeys across the Dragon Kingdom
in order to defeat the dastardly Gnasty Gnorc.
On his way, he must free the rest of the dragons,
each of whom Gnorc has turned into crystal.
How rude.
Though Spyro the Dragon is aimed at children,
and therefore lacks the challenge of some
of the other games on this list, it’s still
an awful lot of colourful fun to play.
Each of the five Homeworlds boasts a unique
design, and the wide variety of enemies on
offer keeps the gameplay nice and interesting.
The original Spyro was a PlayStation exclusive,
but the little purple dragon’s exploits
can be enjoyed in stunning high-definition
on most consoles thanks to the Spyro Reignited
Trilogy.
The remake, which also includes Spyro 2: Ripto’s
Rage and Spyro: Year of the Dragon, can be
found on Xbox One and Series, PlayStation
4 and 5, Switch, and PC.
65.
Yakuza 0 (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4,
PS5, PC)
We’re big fans of Yakuza here at Team TripleJump,
and if we could have put all eight of the
series’ main titles on this list, we would
have.
That wouldn’t have been very fair to all
of the other great games out there though
and so, instead, we’ve picked our favourite:
Yakuza 0.
For the record, you should definitely play
the others as well.
Released in 2015, Yakuza 0 is a prequel to
the first game, set some 17 years before the
events of the OG Yakuza.
The game follows Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima
as they become embroiled in a conflict between
various Yakuza factions, each of whom seeks
control of a patch of land called “The Empty
Lot”.
Though real estate negotiations might not
sound like a particularly exciting premise
for a game, you’ve got to remember that
these guys are the Japanese mafia, and they
tend to settle their arguments with guns and
big, pointy knives.
Not only is Yakuza 0 incredibly accessible,
taking place before the rest of the games,
but it’s also an awful lot of fun to play.
The story is interesting, the combat harkens
back to beat-em-ups of years past, and the
whole thing is peppered with Yakuza’s proprietary
blend of weirdness.
If any of that sounds like your cup of sake,
you can find Yakuza 0 on Xbox One and Series,
PlayStation 4 and 5, and PC.
64.
Dark Souls (2011) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X,
PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
To say that Dark Souls is a game that everyone
will fall in love with is a bit of a stretch,
but it is definitely a title that everyone
should play at least once in their lives.
The combat is incredibly punishing, but try
not to let that put you off, because beyond
that, there’s a world of rich lore that’s
just asking to be explored.
Players start by creating their own character
before heading out into the kingdom of Lordran.
By speaking to NPCs, collecting items, and
just generally exploring, players will uncover
the history of the world and figure out who
they are and what their place is.
Players and critics alike praised Dark Souls
for its dark fantasy setting, its deep gameplay,
and its level of challenge, which many felt
provided a massive sense of accomplishment.
Besting an enemy that’s taken a few tries
to finally kill really does feel good.
It was even named the “Ultimate Game of
All Time” at the 2021 Golden Joystick Awards,
beating the likes of Minecraft, Half-Life
2, and Doom to the punch.
Feeling up for the challenge?
You can play the remastered version of Dark
Souls on most modern consoles, including the
Xbox One and Series, PS4 and 5, and Nintendo
Switch.
Fret not, PC players, because Dark Souls Remastered
is also available on PC and, thankfully, it’s
a lot better than that shoddy PC port that
was released in 2012.
We do not speak of the shoddy port.
63.
Spider-Man (2018) (PS4, PS5)
If Batman: Arkham Asylum is considered by
many to be the best superhero game ever made,
then surely 2018’s Spider-Man is a close
second?
After all, whilst it’s great to explore
your dark past, play around with cool Bat-gadgets,
and hallucinate your Bat-nips off, it’s
an absolute blast to swing around New York
City like you don’t have a care in the world.
Though it draws from Marvel Comics and other
media adaptations of the property, Spider-Man
tells a completely new story.
Supervillain Mister Negative is looking to
seize control of New York’s criminal underworld,
and threatens to unleash a deadly virus upon
the city.
It’s up to Spider-Man to put a stop to his
dastardly schemes, all whilst keeping on top
of Peter Parker’s many problems.
Even if you’re not a massive fan of superheroes,
we can almost guarantee you’ll enjoy Spider-Man.
The story is engaging, the combat is fast-paced,
and the combination of an open world and the
web-swinging mechanic makes for a gosh-darned
good time.
If you’re desperate for your Spidey fix,
then you’ll need to dust off that PlayStation
4 or 5 because 2018’s Spider-Man is a console
exclusive, my dude.
Can’t get enough of Peter Parker?
Well, the good news is that a sequel is in
development, and the plan is that he’ll
be back in 2023.
62.
TimeSplitters 2 (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S)
We’d like to take a moment, if we may, to
remember our fallen comrade, TimeSplitters.
We enjoyed your company very much whilst you
were on the PS2, but it seems that you were
not long for this world.
You may be gone, but you shall never be forgotten.
Thankfully, the original TimeSplitters is
the only game in the series to be lost to
time, as both TimeSplitters 2 and TimeSplitters:
Future Perfect can be played on the current
generation.
The first sequel is our fave, though, hence
its spot on this list.
TimeSplitters 2 consists of ten different
levels, throughout which players must attempt
to stop the evil TimeSplitters from ruining
history.
In order to do so, they must collect crystals
in different time periods, from the Old West
all the way through the 25th Century.
Upon its release, TimeSplitters 2 received
universal acclaim, and though its graphics
are starting to look a little dated, the gameplay
still holds up incredibly well.
We recommend getting a couple of friends ‘round
to play split-screen for the full nostalgia
hit.
Though TimeSplitters 2 was originally available
on all three major consoles of the generation,
it is now unavailable on modern PlayStation
and Nintendo machines.
Fortunately, backwards compatibility has come
to the rescue once again, and so you can relive
those heady days of playing TimeSplitters
2 on the Xbox One and Series X/S. Hooray!
61.
Ghost of Tsushima (PS4, PS5)
If you’re looking to take a trip back in
time that’s full of action, suspense, and
a little bit of swordplay, then you might
just get a kick out of Ghost of Tsushima.
Set in the year 1274, Ghost of Tsushima follows
protagonist Jin Sakai as he attempts to protect
the island of Tsushima from the invading Mongol
fleet, led by the ruthless Khotun Khan.
Unable to defeat the invaders through traditional
samurai tactics, Jin travels throughout the
land to recruit allies and must learn guerrilla
warfare if he has any hopes of achieving victory
against the Mongols.
The game features a stunning open world that
players are free to explore.
Though the story and gameplay are both brilliant,
it is the environment that really makes Ghost
of Tsushima something special.
The entire world has been meticulously designed,
resulting in a stunning landscape that is
truly breath-taking to behold.
Ghost of Tsushima was originally released
in 2020 for the PS4, and a Director’s Cut
has since been released on both the PS4 and
PS5.
If you don’t own a PlayStation, then you’re
not going to completely miss out, as in 2021,
a film adaptation of the game was announced
by Sony Pictures.
You’ll be pleased to know that, at least
at the time of writing, Uwe Boll has nothing
to do with it.
60.
Pikmin 3 (2013) (Wii U, Switch)
The Pikmin series has been around since the
turn of the millennium, but the first game
and its sequel are becoming harder and harder
to play.
Both are still available to download on the
Wii U, but with the closure of the eShop looming,
it won’t be long until they become basically
unplayable without some sort of emulator.
Though both games are great, it’s difficult
for us to recommend titles that may not be
readily available in a few months’ time.
All is not lost though, as Pikmin 3 is just
as good as its predecessors, and can be found
on the current generation.
Hooray!
In Pikmin 3, players can cycle between characters
who have been sent to the surface of the planet
PNF-404 in order to find fruit seeds that
will save their home planet from famine.
Whilst there, they befriend the Pikmin, a
species of small, insect-like creatures that
aid them in their quest.
Players can command the Pikmin to combat enemies,
collect the spoils of war, and assist in solving
the game’s numerous puzzles.
Pikmin 3 was first released in 2013 on the
Wii U, but has since been ported to the Switch.
The port features a brand-new prologue and
epilogue, different difficulty settings, co-op
play in story mode, and brings back the Piklopedia
from Pikmin 2.
As if all of that weren’t enough, it also
includes all of the DLC from the Wii U version.
You can, of course, still buy the game on
the Wii U (at least until the eShop closes),
but we’d recommend opting for the Switch
edition, as you get far more bang for your
buck.
59.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (2017) (Switch)
Ever since the release of Super Mario Kart
in 1992, the Mario Kart series has been delighting
fans of the racing genre with its ever-growing
roster of familiar Nintendo characters, colourful
tracks, and infuriating power-ups.
2014’s entry into the franchise, Mario Kart
8, takes all the best parts of its predecessors
and wraps them up in a shiny package for modern
consoles.
2017’s Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, though, is the
one to get, as it contains a number of gameplay
tweaks and all of the DLC from the original.
It boasts dozens of playable characters, with
everyone from the main man Mario to The Legend
of Zelda’s Link getting in on the action,
as well as 48 different tracks.
If that’s not enough to keep you occupied,
then Nintendo announced in February 2022 that
they would be releasing an additional 48 tracks
by the end of 2023.
This brightly-coloured, fast-paced racer is
an absolute must for any occasion where you’ve
got two or more people in a room.
It’s simple enough for the kiddos to get
on board with, but it’s engaging enough
to keep the adults entertained for hours on
end as well.
So, gather your friends and challenge them
to a few laps around Rainbow Road!
All you’ll need is a Nintendo Switch (and
a copy of the game, of course).
Whilst we can guarantee you’ll have fun,
unfortunately, we can’t guarantee that there
won’t be any fallings out when you deploy
that last-minute blue shell and snatch victory
from one of your mates.
58.
Elden Ring (2022) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S,
PS4, PS5, PC)
We made absolutely no secret of how excited
we were for the release of Elden Ring here
at Team TripleJump, and it’s safe to say
that it does not disappoint.
We are still waiting for our promotional Elden
Ring sword though.
It must have gotten lost in the post.
Yeah, that’ll be it.
Players are transported to the realm of the
Lands Between, where the titular Elden Ring
has been shattered and its shards scattered
amongst the demigod children of Queen Marika.
The player character is a Tarnished; an exile
summoned back following the Shattering, and
it’s up to them to restore the Elden Ring
and become the Elden Lord.
It’s kind of like The Lord of the Rings,
but backwards.
Like Dark Souls and Bloodborne before it,
Elden Ring is a punishing game that rewards
players who explore and investigate all that
the world has to offer.
Though the combat is tough, it isn’t completely
frustrating.
By no means would we say that Elden Ring is
suitable for complete novices, but the open-world
exploration, various options for overcoming
enemies, and fewer instances of boss runs
might make it a little less daunting for those
who might have been put off by FromSoftware’s
previous titles.
Are you ready to become the Elden Lord?
If so, then you can grab a copy of Elden Ring
on Xbox One and Series X/S, PlayStation 4,
PlayStation 5, and PC.
Oh, and one last piece of advice: “Try fingers,
but hole.”
You’ll know what I mean when you get to
it.
57.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 (2000) (Xbox One,
Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
Skateboarding is a really hard sport to get
the hang of, and as much as we tried our best
to master the ollie as youngsters, our efforts
usually just ended in painful owchies.
Developer Neversoft clearly recognised that
there was a market for uncoordinated kiddos
who wanted to feel the rush of skateboarding
without the associated health risks, so they
got in touch with the Birdman himself, and
the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series was born.
The first game was great, but the sequel was
better, taking everything that Tony Hawk’s
Pro Skater did and building upon it with better
graphics, and the introduction of gameplay
mechanics such as cash rewards and the ability
for skaters to perform manuals.
Plus, the soundtrack was banging from beginning
to end.
Obviously, we can’t play any of it or we’ll
make the YouTube overlords mad, but just imagine
that this royalty-free interlude is Rage Against
the Machine.
[pause for musical interlude]
The original Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 was
released on pretty much every console that
was on the market at the time, from the PlayStation
through to the Game Boy Advance.These days
though, even the PC version is impossible
to come by (by non-questionable means, at
least).
Luckily, Vicarious Visions and Activision
were gracious enough to bestow upon us a remake
in 2020.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 can be found
on Xbox One and Series, PS4 and 5, Nintendo
Switch, and PC, and is a heck of a lot safer
than trying to do that kickflip in real life.
56.
Soulcalibur II (2002) (Xbox One, Xbox Series
X/S)
It’s time to throw some hands now as we
cast our minds back to 2002 to look at Soulcalibur
II, the third instalment in Project Soul and
Namco’s Soulcalibur series.
The year is 1590AD, and following an unsuccessful
attempt by Nightmare to restore Soul Edge,
the sword has shattered.
Seeking to either destroy the sword or unite
its many fragments, numerous warriors embark
on a journey to find the pieces, while Nightmare
himself sets about collecting souls so that
he himself can restore Soul Edge once more
and wield the power it possesses.
Like most fighting games, Soulcalibur II pits
players against a smorgasbord of different
enemies and tasks them with giving them a
good kicking (or punching).
Most characters from the first game have returned
in Soulcalibur II, whilst several new ones
have been introduced.
In addition to the multitudes of different
playable characters, there are a whole bunch
of game modes for players to pick from.
Play through the story in Arcade Mode, fight
against the clock in Time Attack, or get a
load of folks involved with Versus Team Battle.
It’s been twenty years since Soulcalibur
II was released, meaning that the original
version is quite hard to come by these days.
Luckily, in 2013 it got a nice, shiny, HD
remaster for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.
Modern gamers can now find it on the Xbox
One and Series via backwards compatibility.
55.
Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018) (Xbox One, Xbox
Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC)
Before we get into what a great game Red Dead
Redemption 2 is, we’d like to assure you
that its inclusion on this list over its predecessor
is not a slight against Red Dead Redemption.
Red Dead Redemption is a very good game, and
we do recommend you pick it up at some point,
but, in our opinion at least, Red Dead Redemption
2 is one that you absolutely must play.
The game is set in the year 1899, just as
the Wild West is declining.
This is bad news for Arthur Morgan, an outlaw
and gang member who has made his way through
life thus far by taking what isn’t his and
settling any arguments with a gun.
With their lifestyle threatened by the progression
of society, Arthur and the Van der Linde gang
decide that the only thing left to do is try
to get themselves enough money from “one
last heist” to retire away from the watchful
eyes of the law.
Both critics and players alike were hugely
impressed by the game’s stunning and vast
open world, its graphics, its gameplay, and
its writing.
Unlike many large games, which can begin to
feel like many elements have been recycled
after playing for several hours, RDR2 doesn’t
become stale.
Every environment is well-crafted, every character
is fleshed out, and the numerous side quests
are varied and engaging.
So, what are you waiting for?
Grab your cowboy hat and your six-shooter
and get to doing what outlaws do best!
You can find Red Dead Redemption 2 on Xbox
One and Series, PS4 and 5, and PC.
Yee-haw!
54.
Disco Elysium (2019) (Xbox One, Xbox Series
X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
If you’ve ever played a tabletop roleplaying
game, you’ll know that dice can be cruel.
No matter how poorly they treat you, though,
you’ll still find yourself going back to
them, week after week.
It’s like Stockholm Syndrome, but with lots
and lots of pretty colours.
If you find yourself wishing that you could
carry your love of math rocks into other aspects
of your life, namely video games, then you
might find that you really enjoy 2019’s
Disco Elysium.
Players take on the role of Harry DuBois,
a cop with a substance problem.
The game begins with Harry awakening in a
trashed hotel room.
He has no memory of who or where he is, and
all he knows is that he has a severe hangover
and a serious lack of trousers.
Upon emerging from his room, he learns that
he’s been assigned to investigate the death
of a man who has been found hanged behind
the building in which Harry isstaying.
Over the course of the game, players must
explore the open world and interact with its
inhabitants in order to unravel the mystery.
Unlike traditional RPGs, Disco Elysium doesn’t
have a combat system.
Instead, everything Harry does relies on skill
checks.
As in a number of TTRPGs, there are things
that Harry is good at, and things he’s bad
at, and much of his fate rests on the roll
of a dice.
If you’re feeling lucky, uh, punk, then
you can play detective by picking up a copy
of Disco Elysium on Xbox One, Series, PS4,
PS5, Switch, or PC.
May the odds be ever in your favour.
53.
Perfect Dark (2000) (Xbox One, Xbox Series
X/S)
We would have loved to have given a spot on
this list to the Nintendo 64 classic GoldenEye
007.
Sadly, though, unless you happen to have an
old N64 lying around, you’re out of luck
when it comes to playing it these days.
Fortunately, we are able to recommend GoldenEye
007’s spiritual successor, Perfect Dark,
as it’s still available to play on modern
consoles.
Hooray!
The game is set in the distant future of 2023,
where humans are stuck in the middle of a
conflict between two alien species: the Maians
and the Skedar.
Christ, as though the past couple of years
haven’t been bad enough, now we have intergalactic
war to contend with.
Unsurprisingly, corporations such as dataDyne
have found a way to exploit the war for profit,
and it’s down to Carrington Institute agent
Joanna Dark to blow the whole conspiracy wide
open.
Upon its release, Perfect Dark received widespread
praise for its graphics, its clever AI, and
its gameplay.
Most agreed that, from a technical standpoint,
it took everything that GoldenEye 007 did
right and made it bigger and better.
Though it lacked some of the innovation of
its predecessor, it was still a triumph of
video gaming.
The original version of Perfect Dark was a
Nintendo 64 exclusive, but a remastered version
was released for the Xbox 360 in 2010.
It can be picked up these days on the Xbox
One and Series as a standalone title, or as
part of Rare Replay, which comes with the
Perfect Dark remaster and 29 other games from
developer Rare.
Absolute bargain!
52.
Metroid Prime (2002) (Wii U)
Do you dream of jetting off into the galaxy
to fight intergalactic nasties, but your fear
of heights and your lack of astrological know-how
have, thus far, prevented you from doing so?
Well, you can scratch that itch by simply
booting up Metroid Prime.
As with the rest of the series, Metroid Prime
stars galactic bounty hunter Samus Aran.
After intercepting a distress signal from
the Space Pirate ship Orpheon, Aran is shocked
to find that its entire crew have been slaughtered
by the biological experiments the pirates
had been working on.
Someone’s going to have to clean up this
sorry mess and, thankfully, Samus doesn’t
have any prior social engagements.
Metroid Prime received universal critical
acclaim upon its release, and was praised
for how successfully it managed to modernise
the franchise by bringing it into three dimensions
whilst still retaining the series’ essence.
As it stands, Metroid Prime is currently only
available to play as part of the Metroid Prime
Trilogy on the Wii U.
As the Wii U eShop closes in March 2023, those
looking to get a slice of the action will
need to get to it sooner rather than later,
as there’s no telling whether Nintendo will
re-release the game on more modern platforms.
Metroid Prime 4 is in the works though, so
maybe, just maybe, the first three games in
the series will get some sort of revival.
Fingers crossed.
51.
Resident Evil 4 (2005) (Xbox One, Xbox Series
X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
If we’d have left it up to our writers,
probably about 10% of this list would have
been taken up by titles from the Resident
Evil series.
That wouldn’t make for very interesting
viewing though, so we’ve forced them to
pick just two.
They ultimately settled on Resident Evil,
which we’ve already talked about, and Resident
Evil 4.
It’s been several years since the Raccoon
City incident, and Leon S. Kennedy is now
working for the U.S. government.
The president’s daughter has been kidnapped
by Los Illuminados, a psychotic cult whose
leader intends to use the Las Plagas parasite
in order to take over the world.
If Leon’s got any hope of rescuing the young
lass, he’s going to have to head right into
the fray.
Spain’s quite nice this time of year, though,
so I’m sure it’ll be a piece of cake.
Unlike the series’ previous titles, Resident
Evil 4 takes more of an action-focused approach.
The horror is definitely still there, and
elements of its predecessors are still very
much present (did someone order the green
herb?), but there’s less of the survival
horror that the franchise was known for.
Players will still have to be careful with
their ammo and health items as they’re not
exactly abundant, but there won’t be that
internal struggle over whether or not to fight
an enemy.
So go ahead and shoot that nasty, chainsaw
man right in the face, you floppy-haired Adonis.
Resident Evil 4 was originally released on
the GameCube, but these days can be found
pretty much anywhere you can play video games.
50.
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (2015)
(Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC)
[sung badly]Wooooaaahhh, we’re halfway there,
WOOOOAAAHHH, TIME FOR METAL GEAR!
Sorry, couldn’t resist.
There were a whole bunch of Metal Gear games
that we would have liked to have put on this
list, and we have to give a special shout-out
to Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, a
game that was, until late 2021, available
to play on a number of modern platforms.
Sadly, due to licensing issues, the Metal
Gear Solid HD Collection has been pulled from
digital storefronts, and there’s no indication
of when, if ever, it might return.
As upsetting as this news is though, at least
we still have Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom
Pain.
Though there was an awful lot going on between
Hideo Kojima and Konami throughout the development
of Metal Gear Solid V, it still ended up being
a great game.
Set almost a decade prior to the original
Metal Gear, The Phantom Pain tells the story
of Venom Snake, who is on a quest for vengeance
after his men were murdered at the end of
Ground Zeroes.
Upon its release, The Phantom Pain received
universal critical acclaim.Both audiences
and professional reviewers alike lauded the
open world and the freedom given to players.
They also praised the performances of the
voice cast, which included the likes of Troy
Baker and Mr. 24 himself, Kiefer Sutherland,
and the mature themes presented within the
game.
Hideo Kojima’s final Metal Gear game was
originally released on the PS3 and 4, Xbox
360 and One, and PC, and is now also available
on Xbox Series X and S, and PS5.
49.
Kirby’s Adventure (1993) (, Wii U, Switch,
3DS)
Ever since he first appeared in 1992’s Kirby’s
Dream Land, Nintendo’s spherical, pink protagonist
has been a favourite of fans the world over.
Whilst the debut of Kirby was an awful lot
of fun, his second outing, Kirby’s Adventure,
is considered by most to be the superior title.
We join Kirby as he attempts to track down
the pieces of the Star Rod that has been dismantled
by King Dedede.
Kirby believes that Dedede has stolen the
rod for evil purposes, and sets out to rebuild
it so that it can once again power the Fountain
of Dreams.
Kirby’s Adventure is not only an incredibly
cutesy experience for anyone who plays it,
but it is also the first time that Kirby is
granted his now famous Copy ability, through
which he can absorb the powers of those he
meets or, rather, those he eats.
Players agreed that the addition of this mechanic
was part of the reason that they enjoyed Kirby’s
Adventure a whole lot more than Kirby’s
Dream Land.
Though it was originally released for the
NES all the way back in 1993, an emulated
version of Kirby’s Adventure is available
to modern players, as long as they own a Nintendo
Switch, Wii U or a 3DS.
As mentioned previously though:the Wii U and
3DS eShopsare closing soon, so unless you
plan on snagging the title via the Switch
NES app, buy now, thank me later.
48.
Tetris Effect: Connected (1984) (Xbox One,
Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
We feel like, by this point, there are very
few people out there who haven’t played
Tetris at some point in their lives.
The simple-yet-addictive puzzle game burst
onto the scene in 1984, and has been ported
to almost every electronic device with a screen
in the years since.
If you’re unfamiliar with Tetris (and if
that’s the case, then welcome to civilization,
I assume you’re new here), the premise is
rather straightforward.
Players start with an empty grid, which slowly
fills with geometric shapes (or Tetrominoes
if you wanna get technical about this) that
fall from the top of the screen.
The idea is to move the shapes so that they
stack together neatly.If you manage to fill
a row, it will disappear, freeing up space
for more blocks.
Filling a row grants points, and when a certain
number of points are accrued, you get to move
up a level.
There have been dozens of versions of Tetris
released over the years, both licensed and
not, and the game has appeared on everything
from the Commodore 64 to graphics calculators.
A great version to pick up these days is Tetris
Effect: Connected, which puts a modern twist
on the classic title, retaining the core gameplay
mechanics, but bringing everything into the
21st century with outstanding visuals, an
updated soundtrack, and additional game modes.
If you’re in the mood for a bit of blocky
fun, thenTetris Effect: Connectedcan be found
on the Xbox One and Series, PS4 and 5, Nintendo
Switch, and PC.
47.
Final Fantasy VII (1997) (Xbox One, Xbox Series
X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
In 1987 Square Enix released a game for the
NES titled Final Fantasy.
Just a year later, however, audiences found
that they had been lied to, as it transpired
that that title was not, in fact, the final
fantasy, but one of many.
Where do the lies end, Square?
Obviously, I jest, and over the years, the
Final Fantasy series has gone from strength
to strength, earning itself millions upon
millions of fans all around the world.
Most agree though, that the franchise’s
seventh entryis the best of the lot.
Players jump into the shoes if the Buster
Sword-wielding Cloud Strife as he joins the
eco-terrorist group AVALANCHE and attempts
to prevent the evil Shinra corporation from
draining the planet of its life essence, which
they intend to use as an energy source.
He and his allies must also face the psychotic
and narcissistic Sephiroth, a former member
of Shinra who seeks to destroy the world.
Thanks to its wonderfully rich and engaging
story, its stunning world design, and its
cast of instantly lovable characters, Final
Fantasy VII is considered by many to be amongst
the greatest games of all time.
A remake of the first part of Final Fantasy
VII was released in 2020, and several outlets
have estimated that the next chapter will
be available towards the end of 2022, though
at the time of writing, nothing is confirmed.
Those unwilling to wait for the remake can
enjoy the entirety of the original on most
modern machines, including Xbox One, Series
X/S, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, and, of course,
PC.
46.
Hitman: Blood Money (2006) (Xbox One, Xbox
Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC)
Although the Hitman series has been regularly
churning out titles since the year 2000, it
wasn’t until 2006 that the franchise gave
us a game that was worthy of consideration
for a list such as this one.
Don’t get us wrong, the first three Hitman
games were perfectly serviceable stealth titles,
but none of them hold a candle to Hitman:
Blood Money.
The assassin Agent 47 makes his triumphant
return in Blood Money, and this time he’s
taking on the Franchise, a rival contract
killing organisation that threatens hisemployers,
and seeks to get their grubby hands on the
same cloning technology that created 47.
Though its advertisementsgeneratedsomecontroversy
due to their depictions of various murder
victims, the actual game was incredibly well
received.
Perhaps most notably, Blood Money garnered
an awful lot of praise for the variety of
options that each level gave to players, meaning
that not only was there plenty of choice when
it came to the method of killing the targets,
but that there was also scope for replayability.
Think you’ve got what it takes to make it
as a master assassin?
The original version of the game can be found
on PC.If you fancy seeing those sweet, sweet
kills in stunning high definition though,
you can pick up the Hitman HD Enhanced Collection,
which comes with both Blood Money and Hitman:
Absolution, on the Xbox One and Series, and
the PlayStation 4 and 5.
45.
Unpacking (2021) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S,
Switch, PC)
If I were to tell you that a game that simulates
unpacking boxes following a house move was
an absolute must-play, you’d probably think
I’d lost my mind.
That’s exactly what 2021’s Unpacking is
though, and far from being a snooze-fest,
the whole experience is thoroughly entertaining.
The game begins in a child’s bedroom, and
players must open the cardboard boxes and
find a place for everything.
Some items can only go in certain places,
so you’ll have to think carefully before
putting everything away.
The game is not just an unpacking simulator,
however; it tells a wonderful story, albeit
incredibly subtly.
There is no dialogue and very little in the
way of text, so players have to infer what
has happened in the protagonist’s life through
the items they take with them and the places
they move to, and it’s hugely exciting to
be a part of their biggest milestones.
Unpacking can be finished in a single afternoon,
though the achievement system, which consists
of adorable stickers, gives players the opportunity
to replay the game time and time again.
Players will come for the retro art style,
soothing soundtrack, and cathartic gameplay,
but will stay for the plot, even if only to
find out what happens to the little pink pig
plushie.
If you’re feeling like a bit of organisation
is the cure for what ails you, then Unpacking
can be found on Xbox One and Series, Switch,
and PC.
44.
Devil May Cry (2001) (Xbox One, Xbox Series
X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
Here’s a fun fact for you: Did you know
that Capcom originally conceived Devil May
Cry as Resident Evil 4, but it didn’t really
fit the franchise, and so it ended up becoming
a brand-new IP instead.
See?
You can’t say we never teach you anything
on this channel.
Based very, very loosely on the epic poem
The Divine Comedy, Devil May Cry is focussed
on demon hunter Dante, named after Dante Alighieri,
who wrote the aforementioned ode to wandering
through the afterlife.
After meeting a woman named Trish, Dante embarks
on a quest to destroy the demon lord Mundus,
the nasty boy responsible for the deaths of
Dante’s brother and mother.
At the time of its release, Devil May Cry
received a great deal of praise for its innovative
gameplay and visuals, and though both may
seem a little quaint by today’s standards,
Devil May Cry is still worth your time.
Dante himself is a very likable protagonist,
and the game’s gothic stylings are sure
to resonate with anyone who had a bit of an
emo phase growing up (and let’s face it,
most of us did).
Reckon you’re ready to take on the legions
of Hell?
You can pick up a remastered version of Devil
May Cry, along with its first twosequels,
as part of the Devil May Cry HD Collection,
available on Xbox One and Series, PS4 and
5, Switch, and PC.
43.
What Remains of Edith Finch (2017) (Xbox One,
Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
Over the years, we video game fans have become
accustomed to titles that pack in tonnes of
action, so it can be a little strange when
a game comes along that encourages players
to take their time to carefully explore their
surroundings.
We’d like to assure you though, that although
What Remains of Edith Finch has been described
by some as a “walking simulator,” such
a description is neither a slight, nor is
it entirely accurate, and the title is very
much worth spending a couple of hours with.
The aim of What Remains of Edith Finch is
to explore the Finch family’s abandoned
home and piece together a number of events
that take place between 1937 and the present
day.
They are all connected to a central theme:
the family’s belief that they are cursed,
and doomed to die young.
Upon its release in 2017, What Remains of
Edith Finch received critical acclaim, with
audiences giving particular praise to its
gut-wrenching yet enchanting story.
Players won’t find any high-speed car chases
or adrenaline-fuelled gun fights, but what
they will get from What Remains of Edith Finch
is a touching and emotional experience that
will keep them glued to their screens for
the entirety of its runtime.
Want to know exactly what does remain of Edith
Finch?
You can find out on Xbox One, Xbox Series
X and S, PlayStation 4 and 5, Switch, and
PC.
42.
The Walking Dead (2012) (Xbox One, Xbox Series
X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
Prior to the studio’s closure in 2018, Telltale
Games were famed for creating brilliant episodic,
story-based adventures based on some of the
world’s most popular franchises.
Their takes on Game of Thrones, Batman, and
Borderlands are all excellent examples of
the studio’s work, but it’s 2012’s The
Walking Dead that came out as the favourite
of most of us here at Team TripleJump.
We have nothing against Telltale’s other
The Walking Dead titles, but in our opinion,
Season One is the best of the bunch.
Players take on the role of Lee, a man who
is on his way to jail when the zombie outbreak
occurs.
He soon finds Clementine, a little girl who
has been hiding in a tree house after being
left with a babysitter.
The pair form an unlikely partnership, and
must do what they can to outlast not only
the hordes of walkers, but numerous hostile
survivors as well.
The game weaves a number of very human stories
against a horror backdrop, and players can
expect to make an awful lot of difficult choices
throughout The Walking Dead.
It’s worth bearing in mind, though, that
while there are a lot of heart-breaking moments,
there are also a great deal of heart-warming
ones as well.
If you think you could survive the zombie
apocalypse, then you can find The Walking
Dead: The Complete First Season on Xbox One,
Series X and S, PS4, PS5, Switch, and, of
course, PC.
41.
Journey (2012) (PS4, PS5, PC)
[sung badly] Journey’s a smalltown game
That very quickly shot to fame
Back when it first released in March 2012
Become some guy in robes
Sometimes he walks, sometimes he floats
He’s got to get to that mountain way over
there…
[record scratch]That’s quite enough of that.
If we had to sum up 2012’s Journey in just
one word, that word would probably be “awe-inspiring.”
Actually, I’d better check with one of the
writers if that’s two words…
[off mic] Philip?
Is “awe-inspiring” one word or two?
He says it’s hyphenated, so I think we’re
fine.
As one might assume from the title, the game
sees players embarking on a journey, one which
has them making their way towards a distant
mountain.
Along the way, you may meet other players
who can assist you, but neither of you can
communicate with each other except through
physical actions and signals.
Despite this, it’s very easy to become attached
to those you meet, even though you never exchange
a single word, and won’t know each other’s
names until the credits roll.
Both the PS3 and PS4 versions of the game
earned themselves a very respectable 92 out
of 100 on Metacritic, and Journey received
accolades for everything from its art direction
to its music and sound design.
Those looking to embark on this awe-inspiring
expedition can pick up Journey on PlayStation
4 and 5.
If you don’t happen to own either of those
consoles, then you’ll be pleased to know
that Journey was also released on PC in 2019.
40.
Life is Strange (2015) (Xbox One, Xbox Series
X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
Do you like making choices?
Do you like making lots of choices?
Do you like making lots of choices that could
have life-or-death consequences?
Then, oh boy, do I have a recommendation for
you.
Life is Strange centres on Max, a teenage
girl who discovers she has the power to rewind
time.
As the game progresses, Max is placed into
a number of situations in which she can use
her power to alter the outcome.
As an example, at the beginning of the game,
she sees her friend, Chloe, get shot in a
bathroom, but is able to rewind time in order
to prevent it from happening.
She’s also faced with several choices throughout
the game that can affect how the story pans
out.
Choosing to do something like comforting an
upset student may seem trivial, but it can
have massive consequences further down the
line.
Upon its release in 2015, Life is Strange
wowed critics and audiences with its captivating
story, multi-dimensional characters, and gameplay
mechanics.
What was perhaps most impressive, though,
was that the game presented players with choices
that mattered, even if the outcome wasn’t
clear until much later in the game.
If you’re up for a spot of time manipulation,
then you can pick up the original version
of Life is Strange on Xbox One and Series,
PS4 and 5, and PC.
Or, if you’d prefer slightly shinier graphics,
you can also grab a copy of the remastered
version on all of the aforementioned platforms
and the Nintendo Switch.
39.
Final Fantasy X (2001) (Xbox One, Xbox Series
X/S, PS4, PS5, PS Vita, Switch, PC)
If Final Fantasy VII is our absolute favourite
of Square Enix’sepic RPG series, then Final
Fantasy X comes in at a very close second.
For the series’ tenth numbered outing, players
are transported to the world of Spira and
set out on a quest to defeat the rampaging
monster Sin.
The game’s protagonist is the Blitzball
star Tidus, who becomes embroiled in the whole
affair when Sin destroys Zanarkand, his home
city.
Alongside several other playable characters,
he must find a way to stop Sin before it’s
too late.
Not only were players treated to an epic tale
of good versus evil, but they also got to
enjoy a fully voice-acted Final Fantasy title
for the first time ever, with James Arnold
Taylor, Tara Strong, and John DiMaggio lending
their legendary talents to the English dub.
Final Fantasy X also received a great deal
of praise for refining a number of gameplay
mechanics that had, in previous games, been
a little on the clunky side.
In particular, the updated combat system and
the ability to switch out characters mid-battle
were called out as welcome additions to the
game.
Despite being over twenty years old, you can
still snag a copy of Final Fantasy X, albeit
a remastered version, on most current and
previous gen consoles.
The game is available on Xbox One, Series
X/S, PS4 and 5, Switch, PC, and even the PlayStation
Vita.
38.
Celeste (2018) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S,
PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
Mental health problems are something that
many of us struggle with on a day-to-day basis,
and though some days may be a walk in the
park, others feel like you’re trying to
scale a mountain.
These are exactly the feelings that game developer
Maddy Thorson wanted to convey when she created
Celeste.
The game tells the story of Madeline, a young
woman who attempts to climb the fictional
Mount Celeste, all whilst struggling with
her own demons.
Madeline’s fight to overcome the mountain,
which is both literal and allegorical for
her depression and anxiety, is representative
of the battles with mental health and gender
identity that Thorson was facing in her own
life, and one that will resonate with many
players.
In terms of gameplay, Celeste is a platformer,
and so players must run, jump, climb, and
air dash through the levels in order to guide
Madeline to the summit.
Players can also find collectables as they
progress, including strawberries, which can
affect the game’s ending, cassette tapes
that unlock harder versions of each level,
and crystal hearts that can be used to access
additional content.
Celeste can be found pretty much anywhere
you prefer to play video games, so regardless
of whether you’re Team PlayStation, Nintendo,
Xbox, or PC, you can help yourself to a slice
of the mountain-climbing action.
Before you rush out to buy a copy though,
just remember that if you are struggling with
your mental health, you’re not alone, and
help is out there.
37.
Gears of War (2006) (Xbox One, Xbox Series
X/S, PC)
According to a very small minority of hardcore
console fans, there’s no reason to buy an
Xbox because Microsoft has “no exclusives.”
The Gears of War series hears that sentiment
and it laughs, because it is one of the best
arguments there is for going out right this
second and nabbing yourself an Xbox.
We could have chosen any of the franchise’s
main entries for this list but, in our opinion,
you can’t go far wrong with the title that
started it all.
Gears of War is set on the planet Sera, and
follows a military squad as they make a last-ditch
attempt to end a war against a race of genocidal
aliens known as the Locust, and save what
few humans remain on the planet.
Back when it was released in 2006, Gears of
War received universal critical acclaim.
Admittedly, it doesn’t bring much new to
the third-person shooter table in terms of
its gameplay, but everything it tries to do,
it does extremely well, resulting in an action-packed
space-romp that’s a fantastically fun way
to pass the time.
After all, isn’t that what we’re all here
for?
As we’ve already mentioned, the game is
a Microsoft exclusive, so if you’re lacking
a PC or an Xbox, then sadly, there’s no
Gears of War for you.
If you do happen to have a PC or an Xbox One,
Series X, or Series S, then congratulations!
You get to revel in all of the shooty-shooty
fun-times courtesy of the Gears of War: Ultimate
Edition.
36.
Doom (2016) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4,
PS5, Switch, PC)
The original Doom from 1993 is considered
by many to be one of the founding fathers
of the modern FPS genre, and for good reason.
At the time of its release, it was refreshingly
tense and violent, and though by today’s
standards, it looks a little simplistic, it’s
important to appreciate just how much influence
Doom had on many games that have come since.
Of course, we recommend giving the OG Doom
a bash if you get the chance, if for no other
reason than that it’s a piece of gaming
history, but if there’s one Doom title that
we reckon absolutely everyone should play,
it’s the2016 reboot.
In the series’ triumphant return, players
take on the role of an unnamed space marine
known only as the Doom Slayer, and must take
out the demonic forces of Hell that have been
unleased within an energy mining facility
on Mars.
In terms of its tone, Doom 2016 was a drastic
departure from its predecessor,Doom 3, which
took on several elements from the survival
horror genre.
Here, players can expect an action-packed
gore-fest from the second they boot up the
game, all set to a pounding heavy metal soundtrack.
If you like space, guns, and shooting demons
in their stupid, stupid faces, then Doom is
most certainly the game for you.
You can jump into the heavily-armoured shoes
of the Doom Slayer on pretty much all modern
consoles, as well as on PC.
By “all modern consoles” we obviously
mean Xbox One and Series, PS4 and 5, and Switch.
35.
Quake (1996) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4,
PS5, Switch, PC)
Are you in the market for a dark and gritty
first-person shooter with H.P.
Lovecraft vibes and a soundtrack written by
Trent Reznor and Nine Inch Nails?
Well, first of all, that’s really a quite
specific ask but, luckily for you, we have
just the thing!
Quake sees players thrust into a world in
which the government has been working on teleportation
technology.
Naturally, there are beasties out there who
are more than happy to exploit this, and so
it isn’t long before the mysterious Quake
connect their own teleportation systems to
the human one, and begin sending in death
squads.
You, yes you, must take on the role of Ranger,
and fight your way through hordes of monsties
in order to collect four magic runes and stop
the enemy once and for all.
Quake received universal critical acclaim
upon its release, and sits among the best
games of all time.
Though its graphics are showing some signs
of age, Quake is exciting, action-packed and,
thanks to Reznor’s spooky soundtrack, downright
unnerving in places.
Though Quake is over a quarter of a century
old, it can still be played on pretty much
all modern hardware.
In 2021, Bethesda released a remastered version
of Quake on Xbox One and Series, PS4 and 5,
Switch, and PC, which not only includes the
base game, but also a whole bunch of additional
content as well.
34.
Metal Gear Solid (1998) (PC)
Once upon a time, back before they troubled
themselves only with pachinko machines and
terrible business decisions, Konami actually
made some really good games.
Sadly, because of said terrible business decisions,
many have been lost to time, but one great
title of theirs that you can still snap up
is 1998’s Metal Gear Solid.
The game sees Solid Snake pulled out of retirement
in order to neutralise the terrorist threat
of FOXHOUND.
Not only does he need to prevent them from
launching a nuclear strike, but he must also
free the hostages the group has taken.
Though Snake is a proven warrior, his strengths
lie in stealth, so players will need to strategize
carefully, using Snake’s many abilities
and fancy gadgets, in order to ensure that
he stays under the radar and out of trouble.
When it was released, there were some who
called Metal Gear Solid the best game ever
made, and regardless of whether you agree
with the sentiment, it’s impossible to deny
that its gameplay and story earn the game
a place among the greats.
These days, you can only find Metal Gear Solid
on PC, and if you are looking for a copy,
you’ll need to hit up the good folks at
GOG.com, as they’re the only digital storefront
we could find that still carries it.
33.
Grim Fandango (1998) (Xbox One, Xbox Series
X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
The concept of death is both fascinating and
terrifying in equal measure, and though no
one truly knows what happens when we bite
the big one, that hasn’t stopped video game
developers the world over from exploring what
the afterlife might be like.
According to Grim Fandango, when we die, we
go to the Land of the Dead, the starting point
for our journey to the Land of Eternal Rest.
Those who have led good lives are rewarded
with deluxe transportation, whereas those
who have been less than stellar whilst living
must make the voyage on foot.
The story of Grim Fandango follows Manny,
a travel agent working in the Land of the
Dead, as he attempts to escort virtuous soul
Meche on her journey to the Land of Eternal
Rest.
Despite being a commercial failure, Grim Fandango
received critical acclaim.
Audiences and critics alike were impressed
by the film noir style of the game, its cast
of wacky characters, its challenging yet engaging
puzzles, and its sense of humour, which dabbles
in both the dark and the light.
Grim Fandango received a remaster in 2015,
which featured updated graphics and controls.
You can find it on Xbox One, Series X and
S, PlayStation 4 and 5, Switch, and PC.
32.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (2018) (Switch)
Do you like the idea of being able to kick
the living daylights out of your friends,
but your underground illegal fight club got
shut down by the police?
Well, perhaps you might want to think about
going digital with your ass-whopping exploits
by picking up a copy of Super Smash Bros.
Ultimate on the Nintendo Switch.
The fifth instalment in the Smash Bros. franchise
retains the same basic premise as its predecessors.
A handful of colourful characters meet in
an arena, and each must use their own arsenal
of moves in order to best their opponents.
It’s fast-paced, chaotic and, if you’ve
got a few mates to play it with, it’s heaps
of fun.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate boasts the biggest
roster of characters yet, bringing back all
fighters from previous games, as well as adding
several new ones.
Players can pick from Nintendo mascots such
as Mario, Kirby, and Link, or third-party
favourites such as Richter Belmont, Bayonetta,
and Mega Man.
The great thing about Ultimate is that it
takes everything that its predecessors did
right, and builds on it with improved gameplay
and a larger cast of characters and stages,
perfectly balancing innovation with nostalgia.
As with the rest of the games in the Smash
Bros. franchise, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
is a Nintendo exclusive, so if you do have
a hankering to beat up your friends, Jigglypuff-style,
then you’ll need to invest in a Nintendo
Switch.
31.
Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture (2015) (PS4,
PS5, PC)
It’s not very often that we come across
a game that reveals most of its story in its
very title, but just because you know where
everyone’s gone, doesn’t mean you know
why they’ve gone there, and it’s for that
reason that you need to play Everybody’s
Gone to the Rapture.
Originally released for the PS4 in 2015, Everybody’s
Gone to the Rapture is set in an idyllic English
village and charges the player with finding
out how and why its inhabitants have all disappeared.
Exploring the village and interacting with
different objects will give players snippets
of conversations and events that have previously
occurred, and so they’ll slowly be able
to piece together the puzzle in order to figure
out just what on Earth has happened.
Some outlets criticised Everybody’s Gone
to the Rapture for its lack of interactivity
and, in fairness, the title does prioritise
its plot over its gameplay, but it still ranked
among many critics’ games of the year.
The game weaves a beautiful yet heart-breaking
story about the end of the world, and immerses
players in a stunning environment that’s
brought to life by a rich cast of characters
and fantastic score that suitsthe game perfectly.
If you’re ready to unravel the mystery,
you can pick up a copy of Everybody’s Gone
to the Rapture on PlayStation 4, PlayStation
5, and PC.
20.
The Sims 3 (2009) (PC)
Trying to pick a Sims game to put on this
list was a real Herculean task, I’ll tell
you.
Were we supposed to go for the title that
achieved the most from a technical standpoint,
or the one that invoked the most feelings
of nostalgia?
In the end we went for a combination of both
and picked The Sims 3, which brings good,
varied gameplay to the table, as well stirs
up fond memories.
As with all of the main Sims titles, the aim
of the game is to create a Sim, or family
of Sims, move them into a home, and ensure
that all of their needs are met in a timely
manner.
There’s a plethora of design choices, both
for your Sims and their dwellings, a bunch
of different career paths to pick, and lots
of fun ways to murder your Sims once you get
sick of them.
Drown them, burn them, or simply lock them
in a room and starve them.
The world really is your oyster.
Unlike its predecessors, however, The Sims
3 included a larger world that players could
freely wander around, meaning they could visit
neighbours and local businesses without having
to sit through long, boring loading screens.
Though The Sims 3 did get ports to the Xbox
360, PS3, Wii, and 3DS, it is now only available
on the PC, which is, in our opinion at least,
the best way to play it anyway.
19.
System Shock 2 (1999) (PC)
I can sense that some of you are filled with
rage because we’ve included both BioShock
and BioShock Infinite on this list, but have
not, thus far, given a nod to the System Shockseries
that heavily inspired them.
If you are one of those people, then please
take a moment to pour yourself a soothing
cup of camomile tea and calm down, because
here isSystem Shock 2.
The game takes place aboard the Von Braun
spaceship, with players assuming the role
of the last remaining soldier who awakens
from cryo-sleep to find that the rest of the
ship’s crew have been infected by a parasite
that has integrated them into a hive mind
known as “The Many.”
System Shock 2 combines first-person action
with horror and suspense to create a terrifying
gameplay experience that will immediately
hook players.
The first game was great, but the refinement
of the gameplay and combat, plus the addition
of the role-playing elements makes System
Shock 2 the title that’s a must-play.
Ever since its launch in 1999, System Shock
2 has been a PC exclusive.
An enhanced edition of the game is currently
in development, which is set to include a
VR mode, though at the time of writing, a
release date has not been confirmed, and it’s
likely that this too will only get a PC release.
Sorry, console fans.
At least you have BioShock.
18.
Mortal Kombat 11 (2019) (Xbox One, Xbox Series
X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
Now, we know there are some of you out there
who enjoy Mortal Kombat for the story, and
that’s okay!
If you are interested in diving into the insanely
complex lore, then you will probably need
to start with 1992’s Mortal Kombat and work
your way forward from there.
If you’re here for what most people are
here for, i.e., ensuring that spines and their
owners swiftly part company, then we heartily
recommend 2019’s Mortal Kombat 11.
If you’re unfamiliar with the Mortal Kombat
series, the gameplay consists of two interdimensional
beings, controlled either by two players or
a player and the computer, beating the crap
out of each other until one of them dies in
spectacularly gory fashion.
Why do we recommend MK11 over the rest of
the gamesin the series?
Is it the intricate narrative or the complex
and well-written characters?
In short, no.
We recommend it because it has the best graphics,
the smoothest controls, and the most gruesome
fatalities, plus a huge roster of fighters.
The base game boasts 25 different playable
characters, which include old-school fan favourites
like Scorpion, Shao Kahn, and Liu Kang, plus
new additions Cetrion, Geras, and Kollector.
Plus, if you’re willing to shell out a few
dollarydoos for the DLC, you can even play
as pop culture icons such as John Rambo, the
Terminator, and the Joker.
Ready to back, forward, back, Y your way to
a flawless victory?
You can pick up a copy of Mortal Kombat 11
on most modern consoles.
For clarity, or if you haven’t been paying
attention for the past eighty-plus entries,
the game is available on Xbox One and Series,
PS4 and 5, Switch, and PC.
17.
Shadow of the Colossus (2018) (PS4, PS5)
You might not think it, but Mortal Kombat
11 and Shadow of the Colossus have an awful
lot in common.
After all, Mortal Kombat has players kicking
the crap out of various different fighters,
and Shadow of the Colossus kicks the crap
out of its players’ emotions.
See?
They’re basically the same game; I don’t
know why we’re recommending both.
Jokes aside, Shadow of the Colossus is an
unforgettable gaming experience that will
stick in players’ minds long after the credits
have rolled.
The game tells the story of Wander, a young
man on a mission to resurrect the fair maiden
Mono.
On his journey, Wander encounters Dormin,
who tells him that he will return Mono’s
soul to her body if Wander will slay the sixteen
Colossi that roam the world.
Willing to do whatever it takes to revive
the young lass, Wander embarks on the dangerous
quest.
Aside from the fact that the original Shadow
of the Colossus was exclusive to the PS2 and
is, therefore, rather hard to come by these
days, there are a few reasons we recommend
playing the remake.
Its gameplay and story are basically identical
to the 2005 version, but the bonus of playing
the remake is that you get nice, shiny, updated
graphics and a reworked control scheme.
Shadow of the Colossus is exclusive to PlayStation,
and there’s no evidence to suggest that
that’s likely to change any time soon, so
if you are looking to take on the Colossi,
then you’ll need a PS4 or 5 in order to
do it.
16.
KatamariDamacy Reroll (2018) (Xbox One, Xbox
Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
Do you like bright, colourful video games
with adorable protagonists and unique gameplay
mechanics?
Then, oh boy, are you going to love KatamariDamacy
Reroll, the remaster of 2004’s KatamariDamacy.
Players assume the role (geddit?) of the Prince,
a tiny creature whose father, the King of
All Cosmos, has managed to destroy almost
everything in the universe whilst on a drunken
bender.
Don’t worry mate, it happens to the best
of us.
Keen to restore the galaxy to its former glory,
the King tasks the Prince with collecting
matter on Earth, which he must do by utilising
the katamari which, when rolled, will pick
up anything smaller than it.
Though the gameplay is fairly simple, it’s
also incredibly addictive.
The levels all require players to roll the
katamari over objects in order to grow it
to the required size, or to pick up a certain
item, and all within a time limit.
With that said, the game never gets repetitive,
as the level design is varied enough to keep
players entertained as they scramble to collect
enough knickknacks in time.
Anyone willing to mop up the King of All Cosmos’
mighty mess can do so on current and previous
generation Xbox and PlayStation, as well as
Switch and PC.
15.
DuckTales (1989) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S,
PS4, PS5, PC)
After trying and failing to come up with an
adequate rhyme for “DuckTales,” our writer
gave up on writing a short song, based on
the DuckTales theme tune, to open this entry.
We’re just making you aware of the pain
from which you have been spared.
You’re welcome.
Released all the way back in 1989 for the
NES, DuckTales is based upon the Disney TV
show of the same name, and follows the adventures
of Scrooge McDuck as he travels the world
collecting treasure.
You know, because he’s not already rich
enough.
Meanwhile, the dastardly FlintheartGlomgold
is also on the hunt for the booty, and it’s
up to Scrooge to beat him to the punch or
risk not becoming the world’s richest duck.
DuckTales features multiple different levels,
each of which can be visited in any order,
though some require items acquired in the
others in order to complete them.
It’s definitely a game that was made with
a younger audience in mind, but don’t let
that put you off, because DuckTales is bright,
colourful, and lovingly designed.
If you’re ready to get smacked in the face
by a whole load of nostalgia, then you can
find DuckTales as part of The Disney Afternoon
Collection, which is available on Xbox One,
Series X/S, PS4, PS5, and PC.
You can generally pick it up for about the
price of a takeaway pizza, and it comes with
five other Disney classics, including Chip
‘n Dale Rescue Rangers, TaleSpin, and Darkwing
Duck.
14.
Cave Story+ (2011) (Switch, PC)
If you have any sort of interest in game development,
you’ll know that a lot of work goes into
making your favourite titles.
Studios can often consist of tens, if not
hundreds of people, so it’s pretty impressive
when an entire game is developed by just a
handful of folks or, in the case of Cave Story,
one person.
The original version can be downloaded, free
of charge, by visiting the game’s official
website, but although it’s great, we would
recommend splashing the cash and going for
Cave Story+, which will give you a whole lot
more bang for your buck.
The game tells the story of a robot named
Quote, who awakens in a cave with amnesia.
In order to escape and figure out who he is,
he must explore his surroundings and blast
his way into new areas to uncover clues.
In terms of gameplay, Cave Story has Metroidvania
elements, so players can expect a whole load
of platforming, puzzles, and a little backtracking
here and there.
Cave Story+ features a number of things that
the original didn’t, including several additional
modes from the WiiWare version of the game,
a remastered soundtrack, and the option to
choose either the WiiWare graphics and music
or the classic ones.
If spelunking with a robot sounds like your
cup of tea, then you can find Cave Story+
on the Nintendo Switch and PC.
13.
Deus Ex (2000) (PC)
Long before Cyberpunk 2077 was disappointing
gaming fans en masse, there were a number
of great games that gave the world a slightly
grim view of how the future might look if
cybernetic enhancements become the norm.
If that sounds like your idea of a good time,
then we highly recommend that you check out
Deus Ex, the gritty action-RPG released in
2000.
Deus Ex is set in the year 2052, and paints
a frankly horrifying picture of a cyberpunk
dystopian world.
The game tells the story of JC Denton, an
agent of the United Nations Anti-Terrorist
Coalition, who is forced to question everything
he knows after learning that the organisation
he works for isn’t all it’s cracked up
to be.
In fact, it turns out that it’s responsible
for ensuring that only the wealthy are vaccinated
against the Grey Death virus that has cost
the lives of millions.
Not cool.
Deus Ex’s major selling point is player
choice, as the game allows players to complete
missions in any way they see fit.
Sneak through levels to reach the objective
undetected, go for a guns-blazing approach,
or try to settle things with words; it really
is up to you how things play out.
If you’re interested in experiencing a world
ravaged by economic inequality and a deadly
plague, then you could just step outside.
You’d be better staying indoors, closing
the curtains, and playing Deus Ex on PC though.
12.
Assassin’s Creed II (2009) (Xbox One, Xbox
Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
We come now to yet another franchise where
we found it difficult to pick a favourite.
We must give honourable mentions to the original
Assassin’s Creed, Assassin’s Creed III,
Black Flag, and the most recenttrio of titles,
because they all have a great number of strengths
that make them fantastic gaming experiences.
If you only have the time for one Assassin’s
Creed game though, we highly recommend picking
up a copy of the series’ second main outing.
AC2 is the first game in the series to star
Ezio Auditore da Firenze, ancestor of the
modern-day protagonist, Desmond Miles.
The vast majority of the game takes place
in the 1400s as Desmond relives several events
in Ezio’s life by utilising the Animus,
a virtual reality machine that allows users
to experience the genetic memories of others.
Assassin’s Creed II received universal critical
acclaim upon its release in 2009.
Reviewers called out the story as a high point,
praising the fact that it tied up the loose
ends from the previous game, whilst delivering
excitement throughout.
There was also a lot of love for the combat,
stealth, and parkour mechanics, all of which
had been improved to the point of near-perfection.
The original version of Assassin’s Creed
II can be found on PC, or on Xbox One and
Series via backwards compatibility.
Alternatively, if you’d prefer to pick up
the shiny remaster, you can find that as part
of Assassin’s Creed: The Ezio Collection on
Xbox One and Series, PS4 and 5, and Switch.
11.
Sid Meier’s Civilization IV (2005) (PC)
Do you feel like, if given the opportunity,
you’d be really good at building your own
empire?
If so, then you might be interested in Sid
Meier’s Civilization series.
We can’t put an entire franchise on this
list though, that would be cheating, so instead
we’ve picked the series’ fourth outing.
The aim of Civilization IV is pretty simple.
You, the player, take on the role of a world
leader, and it’s up to you to conquer the
globe in one of several ways.
You might be a military tactician, stomping
on any other nations that stand in your way.
If science is your thing, you might try to
win the space race.
Or perhaps you just want to spread the culture
of your fictional country and become the dominant
power that way.
It may sound straightforward, but actually
playing the game is a fine art, and you’ll
need a cool head on your shoulders if you’re
going to outwit your opponents.
Why play Civ IV over any of the others?
Well, the game takes the turn-based strategy
components from its predecessors and improves
upon them, with changes made to the combat,
diplomacy, and great people systems, all of
which work in the game’s favour.
Civ IV also added in multiplayer, allowing
players to compete against their friends for
that all-important victory.
If you’re ready to conquer the world, then
you can find Sid Meier’s Civilization IV
on PC.
Those willing to splash out a couple of extra
dollarydoos can also treat themselves to the
Complete Edition, which comes with the base
game, plus the major expansions, Warlords
and Beyond the Sword, and the standalone expansion,
Colonization.
10.
Stardew Valley (2016) (Xbox One, Xbox Series
X/S, PS4, PS5, PS Vita, Switch, PC)
You might not have noticed, but we really
love video games here at Team TripleJump.
If we had one complaint though, it’s that
they can be super-duper violent.
Don’t get us wrong, sometimes we need a
bit of virtual violence to help take away
the stresses of daily life but, just occasionally,
we find ourselves craving a bit of wholesomeness.
Enter Stardew Valley, the 2016 farming simulator
from Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone.
The game begins with players receiving a letter
from their deceased grandfather, which tells
them that he’s left them a farm, and they’re
welcome to take it over whenever modern life
becomes too stressful.
The farm is on the outskirts of a small town
called Stardew Valley and, oh boy, does it
need a lot of work.
The gameplay starts out quite straightforward,
but can become as complex as you’d like.
Begin by tilling the land and sowing a few
seeds and, once they’re grown, you can sell
them to Pierre for a tidy profit.
As you become more accomplished, you can raise
animals, make jam, and even produce your own
wine, all to add to that all-important bank
balance.
Players can also befriend locals, get married,
and contribute to the community centre to
help kick that no-good Joja Mart out of town!
Feel like a life on the farm is exactly what
you’re looking for?
You can pick up a copy of Stardew Valley on
Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4,
5, Vita, Switch, and PC.
9.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons (2020) (Switch)
We’re sticking with the wholesome stuff
for the time being as we take a look at Animal
Crossing: New Horizons, a title that allows
players to escape to their very own desert
island to live alongside a bunch of friendly
critters.
Upon landing in the tropical paradise, players
are greeted by Tom Nook, who introduces them
to their new dwellings, before quickly demanding
some moolah to pay for it all.
Not to worry, though; there are plenty of
ways to make money: Plant fruit trees, fish
for rare specimens, or, if you’re serious
about paying off that greedy racoon, try your
luck on the Stalk Market, buying and selling
turnips for bags of cash.
Just don’t do what our writer did and spend
500,000 bells on turnips, then put them in
your basement and forget about them, so that
you later come back to a giant room full of
rotten veg.
The smell was unimaginable.
Not only is Animal Crossing: New Horizons
a cheery and relaxing break from the stresses
of the world but, for many, it was a beacon
of light during an awful time.
The game was released in March 2020, just
as many of us were going into lockdown.
Players might not have been able to visit
their friends and family members, but they
could pop over to their islands to hang out
virtually, giving many people some much-needed
distraction and social interaction during
that awful time.
If you’re ready to sack off society and
move to your very own tropical paradise, then
you can find Animal Crossing: New Horizons
exclusively on the Switch.
8.
Persona 5 Royal (2019) (PS4, PS5)
We promised you more Persona, and we’re
not ones to go back on our word, so here it
is!
The great news is that you needn’t have
played any of the previous titlesin the Persona
series in order to thoroughly enjoy the experience
of Persona 5 Royal.
Except Persona 4 Golden, of course, but that’s
less to do with understanding the plot of
Persona 5 and more because we’ve told you
to.
As you know, we are in charge and you must
do as we say.
The game is set in Tokyo and follows a high
school studentas he transfers to a new school
after being wrongly accused of assault.
Soon after his arrival, he and several other
students discover that they are able to embrace
the power of their Personas and form a vigilante
gang known as the Phantom Thieves of Hearts.
From there, they explore the Metaverse and
attempt to steal any malevolent intent from
the hearts of adults.
Like Persona 3 and Persona 4 before it, Persona
5 received an enhanced release a few years
after its initial one and, in our opinion,
it’s the best way to experience the game.
Persona 5 Royal not only comes with all of
Persona 5’s content, but it also features
an additional party member, a new area of
the city to explore, an entire extra playable
semester, and much, much more.
Think you’re ready to steal some hearts,
and not in the way that myself, [other presenter
1], and [other presenter 2] do?
If so, then you can find Persona 5 Royal on
PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.
7.
L.A. Noire(2011) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S,
PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
Do you like crime?
Or, rather, do you like the idea of solving
crimes?
Then, by golly, are you going to have a great
time with L.A. Noire, the gritty cop adventure
from Team Bondi and Rockstar Games.
Players jump into the well-shined shoes of
Cole Phelps, a WWII veteran turned L.A.P.D.
police officer with big ambitions and an even
bigger attitude problem.
Cole’s cases are presented as different
chapters of the game, and players must gather
evidence, both by looking for clues and questioning
witnesses, in order to make an arrest.
Not everything is black and white though;
sometimes the obvious suspect isn’t the
guilty party, and Cole will soon find that
his morals are tested just as much as his
crime-solving prowess.
L.A. Noire received critical acclaim when
it was released in 2011.
Reviewers were impressed by a number of aspects
of the game, including the story, the voice
acting and mo-cap, and the open world, which
was a recreation of Los Angeles in the 1940s.
Think you’ve got what it takes to crack
the case?
You can find the original version of L.A.
Noire on PC.
If you’d prefer to grab yourself a copy
of the shiny, remastered version, you can
do so on Xbox One and Series, PS4 and 5, and
Switch.
6.
Heavy Rain (2010) (PS4, PS5, PC)
We’ve spent an awful lot of time making
fun of Heavy Rain on this channel and,sure,
the voice acting is a bit wobbly in places
and there’s that glitch, but if you can
look beyond those things, you’ll find a
game that’s really worth your time.
Heavy Rain focusses on sad dad Ethan Mars,
who’s been having a pretty rough time of
it since his eldest son was killed in a road
traffic accident and his marriage has fallen
apart.
Things are about to get far worse for the
unfortunate father though, as his other son,
Shaun, is taken by the infamous Origami Killer;
a serial murder who kidnaps children in order
to test their fathers’ love.
To get his son back, Ethan will need to participate
in a number of trials, each more chilling
than the last.
Throughout the game, players control one of
four characters: unlucky pop Ethan Mars, FBI
profiler Norman Jayden, journalist Madison
Paige, and private investigator Scott Shelby.
As they progress through the story, their
actions can impact the overall outcome, and
there are 17 different endings that can be
achieved in total.
I sure hope you’ve got those thumbs ready;
you’re going to need them to press X to
Shaun a lot.
Heavy Rain was originally released as a PlayStation
3 exclusive, but it has since been remastered
and can now be found on PlayStation 4, PlayStation
5, and PC.
5.
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End (2016) (PS4,
PS5)
If you’re anything like us, then you’ll
agree that just one slice of the delicious
and slightly cheeky pie that is Nathan Drake
isn’t enough.
You deserve a second helping, my friend, so
pull up a chair and grab yourself another
serving of Uncharted, though this time, might
we recommend Uncharted 4?
Set some fifteen years after the events of
Drake’s Deception, A Thief’s End sees
Nathan Drake enjoying his retirement by taking
up gardening and…
Oh, who am I kidding?
Yes, he’s retired, but the man can’t stand
it, and it takes little more than a slight
nudge from his brother, Sam, to get him back
into the treasure hunting game.
After spending several years in jail, Sam
has been able to escape alongside drug lord
Hector Alcazar, who now demands that Sam finds
the treasure of Henry Avery if he wants to
keep on breathing.
Always game for an adventure, Nathan signs
himself up to help straight away.
Uncharted 4 cleverly combines action-packed
gameplay with a nuanced narrative in a way
that allows both to have their moment in the
spotlight; the action never takes away from
the story, nor does the plot tread on the
toes of the gameplay.
Nathan Drake’s fourth major outing was released
as a PlayStation 4 exclusive, and is currently
available only to those who own a Sony console.
Don’t despair if you don’t have a PlayStation
though, as the Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves
Collection, which contains a remastered version
of the game, has already released on PS5,
and is set to launch on PC at some point in
2022.
4.
Halo 3 (2007) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S,
PC)
Following its release in November 2004, there
were some who were a little disappointed with
Halo 2’s single-player campaign.
The multiplayer was solid, and there was a
lot of love for the audio-visual presentation,
but the single-player mode was short and divided
fans by concluding on a cliff-hanger.
Thankfully, much of that was forgiven when
Halo 3 released in 2007.
The plot of Halo 3 once again follows Master
Chief as he and his comrades do their darndest
to put a stop to the plans of the Covenant,
a theocratic collection of alien races that
threatens the galaxy.
This time, the Covenant leader, the High Prophet
of Truth, has set his sights on the Ark, an
immense structure that has the ability to
fire all of the Halos at once.
If you’ve been paying attention to the series
thus far, you’ll know that’s pretty bad
for business.
Upon its release, Halo 3 received widespread
critical acclaim, with reviewers lauding it
for retaining the Halo formula that worked
so well in previous games, whilst still delivering
a fresh experience thanks to its exciting
story and the addition of new weapons and
vehicles.
Like all of the Halo games that have come
before and since, Halo 3 is a Microsoft exclusive.
These days, you can find a remastered version
as part of the Master Chief Collection, available
on Xbox One, Xbox Series X and S, and PC.
3.
Portal 2 (2011) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S,
PC)
If you’ve been putting off playing Portal
2 because you think it’s just going to be
more of the same, then I’m here to tell
you that…
Um, well, it kind of is.
But, wait, don’t go!
A lot of Portal 2’s mechanics are very similar
to its predecessor, but it does have additional
ones, and it brings a brand-new story and
characters to the table.
Plus, why wouldn’t you want more portal-gun
action in your life?
I know I do.
The game begins with Chell waking up, once
again, in the Aperture Science Enrichment
Centre.
Guided by personality core Wheatley, who happens
to be voiced by the fantastic Stephen Merchant,
Chell must utilise the Aperture Science Handheld
Portal Device, along with various lasers,
tractor beams, and light bridges, to escape
the facility.
Not only do Portal 2 players get another single-player
campaign with tonnes more puzzles to solve,
but they get a multiplayer experience as well,
which allows them to buddy up with a friend
to solve even more brainteasers, co-op style.
Like its predecessor, Portal 2 is superbly
written, incredibly well voice-acted, and
is built on a solid foundation of puzzles
that are challenging enough to keep players
hooked, but not so difficult that they’ll
rage quit.
If one dose of Portal isn’t enough and you
must have more, then you can find Portal 2
on Xbox One and Series via backwards compatibility,
as well as on PC.
The game is also headed to Switch at some
point in 2022 as part of the Portal: Companion
Collection, though at the time of writing,
we’re not sure exactly when it will be released.
2.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017)
(Wii U, Switch)
I just know you’ve been waiting with bated
breath to find out which of the many brilliant
Zelda titles would be our final pick from
the series, and I think you’ll agree that
we’ve made a good choice.
Breath of the Wildis the first open world
title in the modern Legend of Zelda series,
and OH BOY, did Nintendo deliver the goods.
Players once again join everyone’s favourite
Peter Pan look-a-like Link, as he travels
across Hyrule in order to restore his memories
and defeat big bad Ganon, only this time he’s
going by the name Calamity Ganon.
Ooh, edgy.
Unlike most previous Zelda titles, Breath
of the Wild doesn’t give players much in
the way of direction, as the focus is squarely
on exploration.
There is a main questline, of course, but
the game doesn’t railroad players into picking
it up immediately, and instead encourages
them to wander the huge landscape to see what
secrets they can uncover.
Critics had nothing but praise for the game,
with some going as far as to call Breath of
the Wild “a masterpiece”, and it’s easy
to see why.
The humongous open world is nothing short
of stunning, drawing players in with scores
of magical things that are just waiting to
be explored.
Are you ready to get out there and collect
all 900 Korok seeds?
Like the vast majority of Zelda titles before
it, Breath of the Wild is a Nintendo exclusive,
and so you can only find it on Wii U and Switch.
Just a quick note before we get to our number
one entry: We’re very grateful that you’ve
stuck with us for this whole list, and we
just want to remind you that these entries
are in no particular order, so please don’t
come for us in the comments if your favourite
game isn’t in pole position.
All of these games mean something special
to at least one of the members of our team,
and we hope that, after playing them, they’ll
mean something to you too.
With all of that out of the way…
1.
Project Makeover (2020) (iOS, Android)
Now, I know we said that these games were
listed in no particular order, but Project
Makeover is undoubtedly number one in the
hearts of everyone at Team TripleJump.
The game was released in 2020 and sees players
matching tiles and giving makeovers to a bunch
of people that are in need of a little TLC.
[off-mic] STOP, STOP, STOP!
[record scratch] I can’t keep this up any
longer.
Cut to the real number one.
1.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011) (Xbox One,
Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
Oh, come on, you didn’t really think we’d
forget about Skyrim, did you?
After all, it’s not like Todd Howard’s
going to let us anytime soon.
Set in Tamriel’s northernmost province,
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim sees players taking
on the role of the Dragonborn, an individual
whose purpose it is to defeat Alduin, a dragon
whom prophecy dictates will eventually destroy
the world.
If you think that it’s just a case of toddling
off to fight a big lizard so that you can
be home in time for supper, then you’re
going to
be severely disappointed, as it’s very easy
to play dozens of hours of Skyrim and hardly
touch the main questline.
Sure, you could just go straight for the dragon
and ignore everything else, but why would
you when you can become a master thief or
a mysterious assassin?
There is a whole world full of quests and
secrets to uncover, and there’s little wonder
that many players have sunk thousands of hours
into the game.
Skyrim is considered by many to be one of
the greatest games of all time, and for good
reason.
The roleplaying elements of the title are
flawlessly executed, the world is massive
without feeling bloated, and each quest is
well-written and filled to the brim with interesting
enemies and NPCs.
At this point, it would probably be quicker
to list the devices that you can’t play
Skyrim on, but for the sake of clarity, the
game
is available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S,
PS4, PS5, Switch, and PC.
Phew!
That
was a lot of games, think we’re going to
go for
a little lie down now.
What are the most interesting games? I organized 100 best video games for you
You might not have noticed, but we cover an awful lot of different video games on this channel.
Over the years, we’ve ranked entire franchises,applauded critical darlings, and publicly shamed those that let themselves down.
What we’ve never done, however, is curate a list of the games that are, in our humble opinion, nothing short of brilliant.
It’s about time that we resolved that issue!
For this gargantuan list, we gathered everyone
at Team TripleJump, be they presenter, writer,
editor, or Fraser, and asked them this simple
question:
What games would you recommend absolutely
EVERYONE should play at least once?
TO BE CLEAR, this isn’t a list of the best
games ever according to the likes of Metacritic,
nor are we actually ranking them, so the game
featured in the top spot isn’t necessarily
any better than the game at number 101.
Instead this list is our way of chronicling
101 fantastic titles that will always have
a place in our hearts.
The only thing we’ve stipulated is that
they must be available on either current-generation
hardware or the previous one, i.e., any console
released since 2012, or on a PC.
After all, it wouldn’t be very cool of us
to recommend games that it’s near-impossible
to get hold of.
We will be including remasters and remakes
under that umbrella, as long as they’re
worth playing in their own right.
If you don’t see one of your all-time favourites
listed here, it’s likely that they’re
only available to play via an emulator.
Trust us, we’re just as sad about it as
you are.
Let’s get to the entries, shall we?
I’m Ben, I’m Peter, and I’m Ashton from
TripleJump, and here are the 101 Video Games
that Everyone Should Play At Least Once.
101.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015) (Xbox One,
Xbox Series S/X, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
If you’re the sort of person who enjoys
things like Merlin, The Lord of the Rings,
or Game of Thrones (you know, before the bad
times), then you’d probably enjoy any of
the three mainWitcher games.
Most people would agree, however, that The
Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is the most enjoyable
and, what’s more, you don’t even need
to have played the other two to enjoy it.
The Witcher 3 follows Geralt of Rivia as he
tries to track down his daughter Ciri, a young
woman adopted via the Law of Surprise, all
while facing off against various ghouls, goblins,
and monsties, and navigating affairs of the
heart with the many women in his life.
CD Projekt’s masterpiece was lauded by both
critics and players for everything from its
storytelling and well-developed characters
to its stunning art direction and sound design.
If all of that sounds like your cup of tea,
then The Witcher 3 can be played in its original
state on current and previous gen PlayStation
and Xbox consoles, as well as the Nintendo
Switch and PC.
Plus, CD Projekt are hard at work optimising
the game for the current generation, and the
upgrade, which will be free for anyone who
owns the game on PS4 or Xbox One, is set to
be released sometime in 2022.
100.
BioShock (2007) (Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X,
PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
For those of you who are channel regulars,
it won’t come as much of a surprise that
we’ve included BioShock among our favourite
games of all time.
We’ve made no secret over the years of the
fact that we think it’s an outstanding game.
It isn’t without good reason though, as
the 2007 first-person shooter has an awful
lot of things going for it.
Set in the underwater city of Rapture, the
game follows Jack as he attempts to escape
the isolated dystopia, all while doing his
best to avoid the psychotic, genetically-enhanced
Splicers and hulking Big Daddies.
Through the use of the ADAM mechanic (no,
not that one) players are able to effectively
give Jack superpowers, allowing him to set
enemies on fire, electrocute them, and much
more, with just the flick of his wrist.
BioShock is a triumph from start to finish,
immersing players in a stunning world full
of terrifying characters from the second their
bathysphere descends into the ocean.
Though the original was released during the
seventh console generation, a remaster is
available to play on more modern machines
as part of BioShock: The Collection.So, would
you kindly give it a go if you haven’t already?
99.
World of Warcraft (2004) (PC)
We couldn’t possibly curate a list of the
games that everyone should try at least once
without talking about the world’s biggest
MMORPG (or massively multiplayer online roleplaying
game if you wanna get “reasons to shoehorn
in an appearance from Simon Miller” about
this).
World of Warcraft players start out by choosing
a realm to play in, which each boast different
features, then head into the all-important
character creator.
Once there, they can choose their race and
class, as well as making the biggest decision
of all:Do they side with the Alliance or the
Horde?
After that, well, the world (of Warcraft)
is your oyster really.
Naturally, there are more quests than you
can shake a stick at, that level one character’s
going to need levelling up, and, being an
MMO, there’s heavy emphasis on playing with
other people.
Our advice is to go out into the world (of
Warcraft), meet some new friends, plunder
some dungeonstogether, and laugh about all
of the good times you had when you make it
back to the local tavern.
World of Warcraft is exclusive to PC and does
cost players about a tenner per month, but
if you feel like trying it, you can play up
to level 20 without having to shell out a
single penny.
98.
The Last of Us (2013) (PS4, PS5)
It’s probably fair to say that zombie games
have been done to death, no pun intended,
so it really takes something special to stand
out from the shambling horde.
Perhaps the reason that The Last of Us is
a favourite of so many gamers is that it isn’t
really a zombie game at heart, but rather
is a story of human struggle with a post-apocalyptic
setting.
Developed by Naughty Dog and released in 2013,
The Last of Us tells the story of Joel, a
man tasked with smuggling teenage girl Ellie
into Salt Lake City.
Infected with the virus, but showing no symptoms,
Ellie may be the only chance humanity has
to find a cure.
Not only is the story epic, but every character
in the game feels like a real person.
The relationship between Joel and Ellie in
particular captured the hearts of audiences,
and was made all the more touching by the
award-winning voice performances of Troy Baker
and Ashley Johnson.
The Last of Us is a PlayStation exclusive,
so if you don’t own a Sony machine, then
you’re missing out on a fantastic game.
PlayStation owners, however, can pick up a
remastered copy of The Last of Us for both
PS4 and PS5, and they’ll be able to get
their mitts on a remake in 2022.
97.
Mass Effect 2(2010) (Xbox One, Xbox Series
X/S, PS4, PS5, PC)
We toyed with the idea of putting all of the
first three Mass Effect games on this list,
but although the trilogy as a whole is excellent,
Mass Effect 2 stands head and shoulders above
the rest.
Assuming the role of Commander Shepard, it’s
up to the player to assemble a motley crew
of allies and prevent the insectoid Collectors
from destroying humanity.
What’s great about Mass Effect 2 is that
it took all of the things that made its predecessor
so great, i.e., the world-building, storytelling,
and the cast of well-developed characters,
and made the experience better by virtue of
various quality of life gameplay tweaks.
Bioware made improvements to the inventory,
scrapped weapon overheating in favour of ammo,
and integrated the Paragon/Renegade system
into the actual gameplay.
Though Mass Effect 2 simplified some of thefirst
game’s RPG elements in order to focus on
the shooter experience, this ultimately benefitted
the title, keeping the game moving and making
the combat more satisfying.
Although Mass Effect 2 is easily the best
game of the series, we do recommend playing
Mass Effect and Mass Effect 3 as well.
Luckily, a remaster of the trilogy was released
in 2021, so anyone interested in Commander
Shepard’s exploits can experience them on
the current and previous generation in glorious
high-definition.
We can’t recommend you bother with Andromeda
though.By comparison, it’s utterly ploppers.
96.
Borderlands 2 (2012) (Xbox One, Xbox Series
X/S, PS4, PS5, PS Vita, Switch, PC)
Are you the sort of person who loves bright
colours, big guns, and hoarding more loot
than your average dragon?
Then, OH BOY, do I have a recommendation for
you!
Originally released in 2012, Borderlands 2
sees players taking on the role of a Vault
Hunter, and they must ally themselves with
the planet’s many misfits and rogues in
order to defeat the megalomaniacal and devilishly
charismatic Handsome Jack.
Borderlands 2 is an action-packed romp from
start to finish, filled to the brim with slightly
unhinged characters of dubious moral alignment,
and enough content to keep players entertained
for weeks on end.
The scores of ludicrous enemies provide an
excellent way to blow off steam, and the game’s
unique art-style makes players feel like they’re
shooting their way through an animated comic
book.
What’s more, the procedurally generated
loot system means that the game boasts literally
millions of guns, so even the most trigger-happy
among you will be satisfied by all the firepower
that’s on offer.
A remastered version of Borderlands 2 is available
to play on all good current and previous gen
machines, and there’s even a VR version
if you’re that way inclined.
We also highly recommend picking up an edition
that includes the DLC, as Tiny Tina’s Assault
on Dragon Keep is a must-play for anyone with
even a passing interest in tabletop roleplaying
games.
95.
Pokémon Yellow (1998) (3DS)
We’re casting our minds back to 1998 now
to look at a game that captured the hearts
and imaginations of millions of people all
across the world.
Perhaps one of the main reasons that Pokémon
Yellow features among many people’s top
games of all time is that it really does have
something for everyone.
Younger players were enticed by all of the
cute critters, and more mature audiences had
a great deal of fun exploring the many towns
of the Kanto region and battling with their
Pokémon to become a Pokémon master.
The main difference between Yellow and 1996’s
Red and Blue is that the game is updated to
more closely reflect the anime, so alongside
being able to train their very own Pikachu,
audiences got to meet characters, like Jessie
and James, who they wouldn’t have in any
other version.
Though the game is now well over 20 years
old, Poké-fans can still secure their very
own Pikachu.
In 2016, Nintendo re-released Pokémon Yellow
for their 3DS Virtual Console service, retaining
all of the old graphics and sound, but introducing
wireless functionality that allows players
to trade their Pokémon with their pals.
It is worth noting, however, that the 3DS
store is due to close in March 2023, so if
you’re planning on catching ‘em all, you’ll
need to get to it right away.
94.
God of War (2018) (PS4, PS5, PC)
Whilst curating the entries for this list,
we so desperately wanted to include 2005’s
God of War alongside its 2018 reboot, but
it is sadly only playable on the PlayStation
2 and 3.
Consider this an honourable mention though;
God of War 2005, we salute you.
Unlike its predecessors, 2018’s God of War
eschewed the ancient Greek setting and instead
explores Norse mythology.
Set several years after the events of God
of War III, Kratos is now living in ancient
Norway, has remarried, and has a son named
Atreus.
Sadly, his new wife has died, and in order
to fulfil her final wish, Kratos and Atreus
must travel to the highest peak of the nine
realms so that they can scatter her ashes.
God of War enjoyed a huge amount of success
upon its release, pleasing both players and
critics with its rich lore and engaging narrative,
its action-packed gameplay, and the charming
depiction of Kratos and Atreus’ relationship.
If you fancy taking up your axe and joining
Kratos and Atreus on their epic journey, then
you can do so on PlayStation 4 and 5.
God of War was also ported to PC in 2022,
so even if you don’t have a Sony machine,
you can still get a slice of the mythological
action.
93.
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007) (Xbox
One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC)
Not only would we like to commend Call of
Duty 4: Modern Warfare for being an all-round
great game, but we must also applaud it for
its willingness to try new things.
After all, nothing ventured, nothing gained,
and in a world where, at the time, you couldn’t
move more than five feet without tripping
over a World War II shooter, Call of Duty
4 had the balls to do something different.
The campaign takes place in 2011 and sees
players thrust into the midst of a civil war
in Russia, and conflicts caused by a separatist
group’s coup d’état in an unnamed Middle
Eastern country.
Taking on the roles of a U.S. Marine sergeant
and a British SAS commando, players experience
conflicts all around the world.
Unlike many other shooters, Modern Warfare
keeps its gameplay nice and varied, so one
minute, you’ll be heading into a fight,
guns-blazing, and the next, you’ll be sneaking
around on a covert operation.
Furthermore, the game’s story will have
players on the edge of their seats from the
moment they begin the campaign.
Originally released during the seventh generation
of home consoles, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
was remastered in 2016, bringing all of the
action and suspense to a brand-new generation
of gamers.
92.
Outer Wilds (2019) (Xbox One, Xbox Series
X/S, PS4, PS5, PC)
There many video games out there that feature
a time loop mechanic in some sort of capacity,
but few are quite as special as 2019’s Outer
Wilds.
The premise is quite simple: In just 22 short
minutes, the solar system will be wiped out
by a supernova.
Fortunately for our unnamed protagonist, though,
they’re caught in a time loop, so each time
the universe explodes, they get to reset.
By exploring the solar system and learning
from previous loops, players can uncover information
about a long-extinct alien race known as the
Nomai, which will in turn lead them to the
cause of the time loop.
The player is left to find things for themselves
rather than being spoon-fed by the game.
That’s all part of the charm of Outer Wilds,
and it’s incredibly satisfying as you find
key pieces of the puzzle and everything starts
to come together.
Unsurprisingly, Outer Wilds was nominated
for several accolades, and won three British
Academy Game Awards and a Golden Joystick.
Though it originally launched on PC and Xbox
One in May 2019, it has since been released
PS4, and can also be played on the current
generation.
Good news for Switch players, as well, as
a port is currently in the works.
91.
Resident Evil (2002) (Xbox One, Xbox Series
X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
Though it may not have been the first survival
horror video game ever made, it’s hard to
deny the impact that Resident Evil had on
the genre.
Resident Evil was originally released in 1996,
but was remade in 2002 with shiny new graphics
and a whole load of additional content.
The game sees Special Tactics and Rescue Service
members Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield
trapped inside the imposing Spencer Mansion
alongside several of their colleagues and
hordes of mindless zombies.
After choosing to control either Chris or
Jill, players must traverse the mansion and
solve a series of puzzles in order to uncover
the conspiracy that lies at the heart of the
whole sorry tale.
Though they are armed, both Chris and Jill
have limited inventory space, which means
that carrying enough reserves of ammo and
health items is basically impossible, so players
will often need to carefully choose whether
to fight their adversaries, or flee.
Resident Evil is able to maintain a consistent
level of challenge and a tense atmosphere
throughout its entire runtime, so if you’re
in the mood for a good spooking that will
also get that grey matter flexing, then there’s
really no better choice.
Though the Resident Evil remake was initially
released on the GameCube, it has since been
ported to a number of different consoles.
These days, it can be downloaded on Xbox One
and Series X/S, PS4 and 5, Switch, and PC.
90.
Fallout 3 (2008) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S,
PS4, PS5, PC)
Before Fallout 3 was released in 2008, it
had been a whole decade since the world had
gotten to enjoy a major instalment of the
series, and, oh boy, had things changed.
In the ten years since Fallout 2, the franchise
had been acquired by Bethesda, who got to
work overhauling the series into something
unrecognisable, though we hasten to add that
it was in a good way.
Gone were the 2D isometric graphics and turn-based
combat of its predecessors, replaced with
shiny new 3D graphics and the V.A.T.S.
combat system.
Set 200 years after the Great War, players
join a protagonist known only as the Lone
Wanderer as they set out into the wasteland
in search of their missing father.
Despite its technical issues, Fallout 3 was
a massively ambitious game that gave players
a hugely interactive RPG experience.
The combination of the barren setting with
the minimalist sound design kept players immersed
in the harsh, post-apocalyptic world, whilst
the V.A.T.S. system helped to make the combat
fun and engaging.
Those looking to try their hand at surviving
the nuclear wasteland can do so on the current
and previous generation, and PC, though PlayStation
owners will need to subscribe to PS Now in
order to be able to soak in all of that radiation.
We don’t recommend actually exposing yourself
to radiation though, we gather it’s not
very good for your health.
89.
Mega Man 2 (1988) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S,
PS4, PS5, Switch, 3DS, PC)
Although Mega Man is now a gaming icon, his
franchise got off to a bit of a shaky start.
The OG Mega Man from 1987 was received well
by critics, but because it didn’t sell very
well, particularly in the West, Capcom were
reluctant to produce a sequel.
They eventually did give Mega Man 2 the green
light, but it was on the proviso that the
teams working on the game did so alongside
other projects, and the staff ended up developing
the title in their own time.
Their hard work and dedication paid off, however,
as the action platformer ended up being a
huge success, impressing critics, and selling
a whopping 1.5 million copies worldwide.
Mega Man 2 once again pits the titular hero
against Dr. Wily, who, following his defeat
in the previous game, has created a whole
load of new Robot Masters in an attempt to
best our little blue hero.
Despite being over three decades old, Mega
Man 2 is still available to play on pretty
much every modern platform.
Fans of the retro title can pick the game
up as part of the Mega Man Legacy Collection,
which bundles together the first six Mega
Man titles for less than the cost of your
average takeaway.
Bargain!
88.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (1992) (Xbox One, Xbox
Series X/S, Switch, 3DS, PC)
We’re sticking with the retro theme for
a moment as we look back at yet another blue
protagonist, only this time, he’s a real
prickly character.
Unperturbed by his previous defeat at the
hands of everyone’s favourite spiny mammal,
Dr. Robotnik returns in Sonic the Hedgehog
2 to try to achieve world domination once
more.
Yet again, he’s after the Chaos Emeralds,
and it’s up to Sonic and his pal, Tails,
to thwart his evil scheme.
Following the success of Sonic the Hedgehog,
players were champing at the bit to get hold
of the sequel, and it did not disappoint.
The levels were well-designed and fun to play,
the graphics were improved over its predecessor,
and Sonic’s new companionwas well-received
by fans and critics alike.
In fact, really the only fault that anyone
could find with Sonic the Hedgehog 2 was that
it was a bit on the easy side, but let’s
face it, when a game is as fun to play as
Sonic 2, that doesn’t really matter.
Sonic’s second outing has been ported to
more devices than we can shake a stick at
(and believe us, we’re basically pro stick
shakers by this point), so fans won’t be
stuck for places to play the game.
Currently, it’s available on PC, Xbox One
and Series X/S, 3DS, and Nintendo Switch.
87.
Nier: Automata (2017) (Xbox One, Xbox Series
X/S, PS4, PS5, PC)
With most of us being Northerners here at
Team TripleJump, when we purchase a video
game, we like to know that we’re getting
our money’s worth, so replayability is absolutely
a consideration when it comes to picking up
a new title.
With that said, there’s replayability, and
then there’s Nier: Automata, a game that
has to be played several times to be fully
appreciated.
Nier: Automata is set in the year 11945AD,
in the midst of a war between human-made androids
and a machine army from another world.
Players take on the roles of several of the
androids, and on each different playthrough,
they’ll explore different facets of Nier:
Automata’s story.
Aside from its rich, complex narrative, players
were impressed with the game’s artful blending
of the action and RPG genres, its beautiful
presentation of a futuristic dystopia, and
its fun hack-and-slash combat mechanics.
Nier: Automata was originally released for
the PS4 and PC, but was ported to Xbox One
in 2018, PLUS it can be downloaded on both
PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, which is good news
all round.
Unless you don’t have any of those machines,
of course, in which case it’s probably not
very good news at all.
86.
Hollow Knight (2017) (Xbox One, Xbox Series
X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
One of the great things about the rise of
crowdfunding sites is that creators who would
have previously struggled to get their projects
out into the world are now able to do so with
the help of backers willing to invest a few
quid.
In recent years, crowdfunding campaigns have
given birth to a number of excellent indie
titles, and one of our personal favourites
is 2017’s Hollow Knight.
An action-adventure title of the Metroidvania
persuasion, Hollow Knight was unleashed upon
the world following a successful Kickstarter
campaign set up by developer and publisher
Team Cherry.
The game’s protagonist is the titular Knight,
who must uncover the truth behind “The Infection”,
which drove the citizens of Hallownest to
madness and turned them undead.
Fair warning; Hollow Knight is challenging.
Some players have gone as far as to liken
its difficulty to games like Dark Souls, but
while there is certainly a steep learning
curve, it’s absolutely worth it to experience
the atmospheric setting, compelling narrative,
and stunning visuals.
If you are up for the challenge, Hollow Knight
can be found on both the current generation
and the previous one, and regardless of which
platform you choose, you’re in for a fantastic,
if slightly tough, time.
85.
Undertale (2015) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S,
PS4, PS5, PS Vita, Switch, PC)
If you don’t know anything about it, you
could be forgiven for thinking that Undertale
is nothing more than just another indie RPG.
This could not be further from the truth though,
as behind the simplistic art style is a game
with an awful lot of heart.
Undertale tells the story of a small child
who has fallen through a magical barrier into
the Underground; a place beneath the surface
of the Earth that’s full of monsties.
By either fighting or pacifying said monsties,
the player must ensure that the child is able
to make their way home.
The game has received praise from both critics
and players for everything from its story
and characters to its combat and music.
What’s perhaps most impressive, however,
is that all of this greatness was achieved
by the efforts of one man, Toby Fox, who developed
the game, published it, and even wrote the
soundtrack.
Golly, he must get up very early in the morning.
Undertale was originally released for the
PC in 2015, but it has since made its way
to PlayStation and Xbox.
Prefer your Undertale experience on the move?
That’s fine, because you can also play it
on the PlayStation Vita and the Nintendo Switch.
84.
Batman: Arkham Asylum (2009) (Xbox One, Xbox
Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC)
Like most popular superheroes, Batman’s
starred in more than his fair share of video
games over the years, but though many of them
have been great, the title that stands head
and shoulders above the rest is Rocksteady’s
Batman: Arkham Asylum.
The 2009 title follows everyone’s favourite
moody orphan billionaire as he traverses Arkham
Asylum and attempts to thwart the Joker’s
madcap schemes.
On this occasion, Joker has trapped Batman
in the asylum with a bunch of crackers supervillains
that can’t stand the sight of him, planted
bombs around the city, and threatened Gotham
with annihilation should anyone attempt to
set foot on Arkham Island.
Not only is Arkham Asylum the best Batman
title, but it’s often cited by critics as
being the best superhero game ever made.
This is no doubt down to its stunning visuals,
well-written story, satisfying combat and
stealth, and outstanding voice performances
from the likes of Kevin Conroy, Arleen Sorkin,
and Mark Hamill.
If you’re desperate to squeeze your buttocks
into tight latex and kick some bad guy bottom,
then you can play the remastered version of
Arkham Asylum on Xbox One, Series X/S, PS4
and 5, and PC.
Or you can actually don a latex suit and go
fight crime, we won’t judge.
83.
Deadly Premonition (2010) (Xbox One, Xbox
Series X/S, Switch/PC)
There have been a number of games over the
years that have been inspired by David Lynch’s
whacky murder mystery, Twin Peaks, but if
we had to pick a favourite, it would undoubtedly
be Deadly Premonition.
Released in 2010, Deadly Premonition puts
players into the shoes of FBI Special Agent
Francis York Morgan.
The game takes place in the fictional town
of Greenvale, and it’s up to players to
get to the bottom of a young woman’s murder.
To say that Deadly Premonition divided critics
is an understatement; in fact, it holds the
Guinness World Record for being the most critically
divisive survival-horror game ever made.
Some outlets bashed everything from its controls
to its voice acting, whereas others praised
it for just how weird it is.
Don’t get us wrong; we know that Deadly
Premonition isn’t a game that everyone is
going to enjoy because it is, for want of
a better word, batshit, but it is definitely
a title that everyone should experience at
least once.
Though the game can be played on the PC, the
port is notoriously ploppers, so we can’t
recommend you bother with Deadly Premonition:
The Director’s Cut.
Deadly Premonition Origins, on the other hand,
is a decent port, and can be found exclusively
on the Nintendo Switch.
You can also find the original 360 version
on the Microsoft store for those interested
in playing on the Xbox.
82.
Super Mario 64 (1996) (Wii U, Switch)
What?
You didn’t think we’d make a list of 101
games everyone should play without giving
at least one shout-out to the world’s most
iconic plumber, did you?
What do you take us for?
There was some debate down at TripleJump Towers
over which Mario games to include in our definitive
101 (spoiler alert: this isn’t the last
time you’ll see the moustachioed megastar
on this list).
The title that came up time and time again,
however, was the 1996 N64 classic, Super Mario
64.
The title saw Mario make the leap into 3D
for the very first time as he set out to save
his beloved Princess Peach from perennial
menace Bowser.
In order to rescue the damsel in distress,
players need to platform their way around
Peach’s castle, collecting Power Stars as
they go.
Some are just out in the open, whilst others
require Mario to beat a boss, solve a puzzle,
or race an opponent.
Critics were hugely impressed by Super Mario
64, praising the beautiful 3D world, the diversity
of the gameplay, and just how fun it wasoverall.
Feel like stepping up to the plate to save
the princess?
Well, luckily for you, Super Mario 64 is available
on the Wii U and as part of the N64 line-up
for the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion
Pack, which gives players access to a number
of classic titles, including…
81.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998)
(Wii U, Switch, 3DS)
I’m pretty pleased with that segue, not
gonna lie.
Another Nintendo series that provoked much
argument in the office was The Legend of Zelda,
and as much as we’d have liked to have included
the entire Zelda back catalogue (you know,
except for those horrid Philips CD-I efforts),
we must show some restraint.
There was no doubt in anyone’s mind, however,
that regardless of which combination of titles
we went with, Ocarina of Time would be amongst
them.
The fifth game in The Legend of Zelda series
sees our boy Link travelling through time
to try to reverse the evil that has been brought
upon the world of Hyrule by big bad Ganondorf.
Throughout the game, players can use the titular
wind instrument to play different melodies,
each of which helps Link to solve a variety
of puzzles and brings him one step closer
to banishing Ganondorf’s evil from the world.
According to review aggregator Metacritic,
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is the
best game ever made, boasting a frankly staggering
near-perfect score of 99 out of 100.
As we’ve already mentioned, Zelda fans seeking
the nostalgia of Ocarina of Time can find
the game bundled in with the Switch Online
+ Expansion Pack, and it can also be found
on the Wii U and the 3DS.
80.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (2003)
(Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC)
Over the years, there have been more Star
Wars games than you can shake a lightsaber
at.
There’s one, however, that topped the list
of pretty much everyone here at Team TripleJump
(as well as, spoiler alert, our Every Star
Wars Game Ranked list), and that was Star
Wars: Knights of the Old Republic.
Set some 4000 years before the formation of
the Galactic Empire, KOTOR is an RPG in which
players get to create their very own Force-user
and take on the Sith Lord Darth Malak.
Regardless of whether or not you’re a Star
Wars fan (though if you’re not, Tiny Peter
will fight you) KOTOR has something for everyone.
The game’s story is perfectly in keeping
with the rest of the franchise, whilst still
being accessible for even those who don’t
know a Wookiee from a Wampa.
Additionally, the RPG elements and combat
are meaty enough for hardcore gamers, but
not so much so that they’d turn off newer
players.
The original game can be played on Xbox One,
Series X/S, Switch, and PC.
Before you Sony fans go getting all upset
though, it’s worth remembering that a remake
is currently in the works that is set to release
as a PS5 and PC timed-exclusive, though how
similar it will be to the original, we can’t
say.
We’re good, but we’re not that good.
79.
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (2009) (PS4, PS5)
If you’ve ever wondered what it would be
like to go out into the world and search for
olde timey artifacts but, like our writer,
you’re a massive introvert who would rather
die than do anything outdoorsy, then you’d
probably quite like the Uncharted series.
All of the games are pretty good, but there
are two of them that we’d recommend above
all else: Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, and
another that we’ll get to in a short while.
Cheeky chappy Nathan Drake returns in Uncharted
2, only this time, he’s on the hunt for
the Cintamani Stone and the city of Shambhala.
Upon its release, Uncharted 2 was universally
critically acclaimed, with both reviewers
and players praising the game for its visual
design, narrative excellence, and the portrayal
of Nathan Drake by little-known voice actor
Nolan North.
He’s not been in much; I wouldn’t be surprised
if you haven’t heard of him.
Uncharted 2 was originally released as a PlayStation
3 exclusive, so you’re going to need to
invest in a Sony machine in order to experience
the adventure.
Fortunately, there’s no need to trawl through
eBay to find a decent quality PS3, as the
game has been remastered, and can now be played
on both PS4 and 5.
78.
Halo: Combat Evolved (2001) (Xbox One, Xbox
Series X/S, PC)
When Microsoft launched the original Xbox
all the way back in 2001, they needed an exclusive
that would ensure the console made its mark
on the video game landscape, and OH BOY, did
Halo: Combat Evolved help them do just that.
The game is set in the 26th century, by which
time faster-than-light space travel has allowed
humans to hop around the universe, colonizing
planets besides Earth.
Old habits die hard, I guess.
Players jump into the fancy green armour of
Master Chief, a super-soldier tasked with
uncovering the secrets of the ringworld, Halo.
Naturally, there are other beings interested
in the structure as well and, sadly, they’re
not all friendly E.T.
sorts.
Halo: Combat Evolved won numerous game of
the year awards, holds a staggering average
of 97 out of 100 on Metacritic, and is often
credited with modernizing the FPS genre.
The Halo series is a Microsoft exclusive,
so anyone looking to join Master Chief on
his quest to defeat the Covenant will need
either a current or previous gen Xbox, or
a PC.
The game is available as part of the Master
Chief Collection, which also includes Halos
2, 3, ODST, Reach, and 4, which is, in our
opinion at least, a darn good deal.
77.
Portal (2007) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S,
Switch, PC)
If we could choose to make one piece of video
game technology real, it would undoubtedly
be the Portal gun.
Think of the possibilities!
You could get a beer out of the fridge without
ever having to leave your sofa, cut your commute
down to a fraction of the time, commit that
crime you’ve always wanted to do and flee
the scene instantaneously…
Oh Gosh, this took a dark turn.
Sadly, science doesn’t seem particularly
fussed about turning my dreams into reality,
and so I must make do with playing Portal
for the several-hundredth time.
This fantastic puzzler was first released
as part of The Orange Box, and though Half-Life
2: Episode 2 was the headline act, Portal
turned out to be a surprisingly good supporting
player.
It was like getting to the bottom of an ice
cream sundae and finding a really fudgy chocolate
brownie.
Yum yum.
By traversing a series of test chambersusing
only the provided Portal gun, a device that
fires a pair of interconnected portals, protagonist
Chell must escape the Aperture Science Test
Facility.
The puzzles start out simple enough, but quickly
become more and more tricky as the player
progresses.
Think you can best the chambers and escape
the facility?
If so, then Portal: Still Alive is available
to play on Xbox One and Series X/S. Switch
players can also get a slice of the action
(and, of course, the cake) thanks to the Portal
Companion Collection, and PC players can still
find the original on Steam.
76.
Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (2006) (Xbox One,
Xbox Series X/S, PC)
Though Todd Howard seems to have forgotten
that there are other Elder Scrolls games in
existence besides Skyrim, we have not, and
it’s our hearty recommendation that anyone
who loves a bit of sword and sorcery has a
go at Oblivion.
And let’s face it, who doesn’t love a
bit of sword and sorcery?
Oblivion takes place within Cyrodiil, and
sees the protagonist doing their darndest
to thwart the plans of a fanatical cult who
intend to open a portal to a demonic realm,
and unleash whatever nasties lie within.
The game transports players to a meticulously
crafted world where they’re free to do,
moreorless, as they please.
Obviously, the main questline should probably
be tackled at some point, but Oblivion never
railroads players into doing it, and they’re
empowered to play the RPG however they see
fit.
Save an artist trapped in his own painting,
lay a ghostly watchman to rest, or busy yourself
finding a load ofNirnroot for Sinderion.
Tamriel really is your oyster.
It’s bad news once again for PlayStation Stans
I’m afraid, as Oblivion is currently only
available to play on Xbox One, Xbox Series
X/S, and PC.
You never know though; once Bethesda have
finished porting Skyrim to every electronic
device in the known universe, they might give
it a current gen remaster.
I wouldn’t hold your breath though.
75.
Half-Life 2 (2004) (PC)
If you like puzzles, guns, and hunky, bespectacled,
sexy boys, then we’ve got a game that ticks
all of those boxes and many, many more.
Set roughly twenty years after the first game
in the series (which, incidentally, is also
rather good), Half-Life 2 sees Gordon Freeman
awakened from stasis to find that the Combine,
a multidimension empire, has conquered Earth
by biologically assimilating its inhabitants.
Guess who’s been left to clean up this big
mess?
Why, Gordon has, of course.
Half-Life 2 is part-first-person shooter,
part-physics puzzler, so players will need
to use their brains and their brawn if they’ve
any hopes of avoiding all of those nasty Headcrabs.
Don’t worry, Gordon, we hear you can get
a special shampoo for them.
Though the game got perfect scores more or
less across the board, it particularly drew
praise for its graphics and physics, which,
at the time, were very impressive, and in
fairness, still hold up alongside titles of
today.
Although Half-Life 2 has previously seen releases
on both Xbox and PlayStation consoles, these
days, it’s only available on PC.
The good news, though, is that PC players
can still pick up The Orange Box, which not
only includes Half-Life 2 and Episodes 1 & 2,
but it also comes with both Portal and Team
Fortress 2.
A bargain at twice the price!
74.
Dead Space (2008) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S,
PC)
They say that “in space, no one can hear
you scream,” but when you’re playing DeadSpace,
people will definitely hear your shrieks of
terror for miles around.
The game follows protagonist Isaac Clarke
as he navigates the spaceship Ishimura in
the hopes of finding out what happened to
his girlfriend, who was the ship’s senior
medical officer.
Not only does he have various alien nasties
to deal with, but he must also battle with
the escalating psychosis in his own mind.
Though it bears a science-fiction setting,
Dead Space drew heavily from survival horror
giants like Resident Evil and Silent Hill,
sending players into the claustrophobic Ishimura
and pitting them against the hostile Necromorphs
with limited supplies.
Put simply: Dead Space is truly scary.
Through its setting, gameplay mechanics, sound,
and overall design, the game is able to cultivate
an insanely tense atmosphere that lingers
throughout its entire runtime.
Both Dead Space and its sequel, Dead Space
2, are worth a look if you’re fond of sci-fi
horror.
The franchise’s third entry is fine, though
thanks to a hefty amount of interference on
EA’s part, it eschews horror in favour of
action.
If you’ve got a pair of brown trousers that
you’re just aching to put to good use, then
you can get your fright fix on the Xbox Series
X/S and Xbox One via backwards compatibility,
or on PC.
73.
Limbo (2010) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4,
PS5, PS Vita, Switch, PC)
We’re going to caveat this entry with a
bit of a warning: Limbo is a very good game,
but it’s one to avoid if you’re already
feeling a bit depressed or anxious.
Definitely play it at least once in your life,
but save it for a day when you’re emotionally
ready.
We don’t want to be responsible for any
severe existential crises.
In terms of its narrative and art style, Limbo
is very simplistic.
The game follows a young boy as he travels
through a forest on the edge of Hell in order
to find his sister.
Beyond that, however, it’s down to the player
to interpret the plot in whichever way they
see fit; is the boy simply looking for his
sister or is there a deeper meaning to it
all?
On the surface, Limbo may not look like much,
but it packs an awful lot of atmosphere and
engaging gameplay into its short runtime,
pitting players against challenging puzzles
and terrifying enemies.
These days, Limbo can be found on pretty much
all current-generation platforms, so regardless
of whether you’re on team Xbox, PlayStation,
Nintendo, or PC, then you too can enjoy the
many feelings of existential dread brought
on by the game.
Enjoy those, you’ve earned them.
72.
Grand Theft Auto V (2013) (Xbox One, Xbox
Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC)
Do you like doing crimes but find that going
to prison takes up far too much of your time?
Then you need some Grand Theft Auto in your
life!
We did toy with the idea of sticking GTA IV
on this list but, although it is a solid game,
it does lose a number of marks for having
your annoying cousin, Roman, call you every
five minutes to invite you out bowling.
GTA V not only lacks the irritating relatives
that let its predecessor down, but it also
has three multidimensional protagonists that
truly bring its story to life.
Throughout the game, players jump into the
shoes of Michael De Santa, Franklin Clinton,
and Trevor Philips, a trio of criminals of
various flavours whose lives intertwine thanks
to their numerous illegal exploits.
Grand Theft Auto V currently sits at a whopping
97 out of 100 on Metacritic, with reviews
praising its multi-protagonist formula, its
gameplay, and the design of its sprawling
open world.
It would probably be quicker to list all of
the places that you can’t play Grand Theft
Auto V since, by this point, the game has
been released for three different generations
of consoles.
For the sake of clarity, however, we’re
happy to confirm that it’s available on
both Xbox Series and Xbone, PS4 and 5, and
PC.
71.
Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped (1998) (Xbox One,
Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
We couldn’t possibly make a list of our
most highly recommended games without giving
a nod to everyone’s favourite wisecracking
marsupial.
Taking place shortly after the events of the
second game in the series, Crash Bandicoot
3: Warped (or simply Crash Bandicoot: Warped
if you wanna get less European about this)
follows Crash and his younger sister, Coco,
as they attempt to thwart the latest evil
plans of Doctor Neo Cortex.
After Cortex’s space station crash lands
on Earth, unleashing the evil UkaUka, Crash
and Coco must travel through time in order
to collect a whole bunch of powerful crystals
before Cortex, Doctor Nefarious Tropy, and
UkaUka can get their hands on them.
We chose Crash Bandicoot 3 over its predecessors
as it took everything that they did and refined
it.
The graphics were cleaner and more detailed,
the gameplay mechanics were improved, and
the sound design was top-notch.
Don’t get us wrong, the series’ first
two games are also good, but Crash 3 is the
whole package.
Though the original game was only released
on the OG PlayStation, modern players can
pick up the remake as part of the N. Sane
Trilogy for PS4 and 5, Xbox One and Series,
Switch, and PC.
70.
Minecraft (2011) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S,
PS4, PS5, PS Vita, Wii U, Switch, 3DS, PC)
In most instances, if you were to play a game
that had no plot, no objectives, and very
little in the way of combat, you probably
wouldn’t have a very good time.
If the game you’re playing is Minecraft,
however, it’s easy to lose days and days
of your life just mining enough diamonds to
make yourself a gigantic diamond palace.
Nobody told you to do it, and yet here you
are, regardless.
Creating your own fun by mining for materials
and building things is the essence of Minecraft.
Players are plopped into a blocky, procedurally-generated
world, and left to explore at their own pace.
Trees can be punched and turned into work
benches, which then allow the player to make
tools.
From there they can obtain ore, make better
tools, and get to work doing whatever they’d
like.
Build a house, farm some animals, or just
dig downwards to see how far the world goes;
it really is all up to you.
If you own an electronic device, then it’s
likely that you can play Minecraft on it.
The game is available on current and previous
generation Xbox and PlayStation, as well as
on the Switch, Wii U, and PC.
Those favouring a portable experience can
also find Minecraft on the PS Vita and the
Nintendo 3DS.
69.
The Last of Us: Part II (2020) (PS4, PS5)
We couldn’t possibly recommend that everyone
play The Last of Us without also recommending
that they play The Last of Us: Part II as
well.
Part II is set five years after the events
of the first game, by which point Ellie and
Joel have settled into a community of survivors
in Jackson, Wyoming.
It’s not long before their peaceful life
is disrupted, however, and Ellie must embark
on a journey seeking justice and vengeance.
The Last of Us: Part II took what its predecessor
did and built upon it.
The result is a deep, emotional story, fantastic
stealth and action gameplay, and stunning
graphics and sound.
The game also received universal acclaim for
its voice performances, particularly those
given by Ashley Johnson as Ellie and Laura
Bailey as Abby, with the latter winning both
a British Academy Game Award and a TGA for
her efforts.
Those keen to see what Joel and Ellie have
been up to in the years since The Last of
Us can find out by picking up a copy of The
Last of Us: Part II on PlayStation 4 or PlayStation
5.
Those playing on the current gen will get
to enjoy an upgraded version that allows them
to experience all of the horrors in glorious
60FPS.
68.
Detroit: Become Human (2018) (PS4, PS5, PC)
It’s fair to say that David Cage is a divisive
name in the gaming community.
Some consider the man to be somewhat of an
auteur, whereas others feel like he’s all
ideas and no substance.
Upon its release in 2018, Detroit: Become
Human divided critics.
We highly recommend that you ignore the naysayers
though as, overall, it’s a solid game that’s
well worth your time.
Detroit: Become Human is set in the not-too-distant
future.
Androids have replaced much of the human workforce
but, for unexplained reasons, some begin behaving
unusually.
The story follows three androids; Kara, who
escapes her owner, Markus, who is working
to free other androids from servitude, and
Connor, who is hunting down the deviant androids.
Critics praised Detroit: Become Human’s
narrative and character development, as well
as its handling of difficult topics such as
slavery, identity, and what it means to be
human.
Although Detroit: Become Human was a PlayStation
exclusive when it released in 2018, it has
since been ported to PC, so there’s no need
to rush out to buy a PS5 if you’d like to
play it.
Not that you can rush out to buy a PS5, considering
that they’re rarer than rocking horse poop,
but you know what I mean.
67.
Halo Reach (2010) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S,
PC)
“Two Halos in one list?”
I hear you cry, “Have you gone mad, TripleJump?”
Nope, we haven’t lost our minds, it’s
just that the good folks down at Bungie and
Microsoft sure know their way around a first-person
shooter.
Oh, and spoiler alert, this won’t be the
last time you see a Halo game in this list
either.
Sorry, not sorry.
First released in 2010, Halo Reach is a direct
prequel to Halo: Combat Evolved.
Players take on the role of Noble Six, an
elite super-soldier and member of Noble Team.
The game follows the squad as they make their
last stand against the Covenant on the planet
Reach, the last line of defence before Earth.
Some critics have gone as far as to call Halo
Reach the best Halo game of all time, and
it’s very easy to see why.
Players jumping into the game can expect a
top-notch first-person shooter experience,
visuals that are nothing short of breath-taking,
a hugely engaging narrative and a memorable
cast of characters.
The original was released for the Xbox 360;
however, modern gamers can get their hands
on a remastered version of Halo Reach thanks
to the Halo Master Chief Collection,which
can be found on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S,
and PC.
66.
Spyro the Dragon (1998) (Xbox One, Xbox Series
X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
For many of us, Spyro the Dragon is so much
more than just a video game from the 90s;
he’s the mascot of our childhoods.
He was the reason we rushed home from school
in the evening, why we always got up super
early on a Saturday morning, and why our mums
complained that we were always playing on
“the Nintendo.”
[off-mic] Gosh dang it, Mum, it’s a PlayStation!
Put simply, he is nostalgia in a sassy purple
reptile form.
The first game in the series stars the eponymous
dragon as he journeys across the Dragon Kingdom
in order to defeat the dastardly Gnasty Gnorc.
On his way, he must free the rest of the dragons,
each of whom Gnorc has turned into crystal.
How rude.
Though Spyro the Dragon is aimed at children,
and therefore lacks the challenge of some
of the other games on this list, it’s still
an awful lot of colourful fun to play.
Each of the five Homeworlds boasts a unique
design, and the wide variety of enemies on
offer keeps the gameplay nice and interesting.
The original Spyro was a PlayStation exclusive,
but the little purple dragon’s exploits
can be enjoyed in stunning high-definition
on most consoles thanks to the Spyro Reignited
Trilogy.
The remake, which also includes Spyro 2: Ripto’s
Rage and Spyro: Year of the Dragon, can be
found on Xbox One and Series, PlayStation
4 and 5, Switch, and PC.
65.
Yakuza 0 (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4,
PS5, PC)
We’re big fans of Yakuza here at Team TripleJump,
and if we could have put all eight of the
series’ main titles on this list, we would
have.
That wouldn’t have been very fair to all
of the other great games out there though
and so, instead, we’ve picked our favourite:
Yakuza 0.
For the record, you should definitely play
the others as well.
Released in 2015, Yakuza 0 is a prequel to
the first game, set some 17 years before the
events of the OG Yakuza.
The game follows Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima
as they become embroiled in a conflict between
various Yakuza factions, each of whom seeks
control of a patch of land called “The Empty
Lot”.
Though real estate negotiations might not
sound like a particularly exciting premise
for a game, you’ve got to remember that
these guys are the Japanese mafia, and they
tend to settle their arguments with guns and
big, pointy knives.
Not only is Yakuza 0 incredibly accessible,
taking place before the rest of the games,
but it’s also an awful lot of fun to play.
The story is interesting, the combat harkens
back to beat-em-ups of years past, and the
whole thing is peppered with Yakuza’s proprietary
blend of weirdness.
If any of that sounds like your cup of sake,
you can find Yakuza 0 on Xbox One and Series,
PlayStation 4 and 5, and PC.
64.
Dark Souls (2011) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X,
PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
To say that Dark Souls is a game that everyone
will fall in love with is a bit of a stretch,
but it is definitely a title that everyone
should play at least once in their lives.
The combat is incredibly punishing, but try
not to let that put you off, because beyond
that, there’s a world of rich lore that’s
just asking to be explored.
Players start by creating their own character
before heading out into the kingdom of Lordran.
By speaking to NPCs, collecting items, and
just generally exploring, players will uncover
the history of the world and figure out who
they are and what their place is.
Players and critics alike praised Dark Souls
for its dark fantasy setting, its deep gameplay,
and its level of challenge, which many felt
provided a massive sense of accomplishment.
Besting an enemy that’s taken a few tries
to finally kill really does feel good.
It was even named the “Ultimate Game of
All Time” at the 2021 Golden Joystick Awards,
beating the likes of Minecraft, Half-Life
2, and Doom to the punch.
Feeling up for the challenge?
You can play the remastered version of Dark
Souls on most modern consoles, including the
Xbox One and Series, PS4 and 5, and Nintendo
Switch.
Fret not, PC players, because Dark Souls Remastered
is also available on PC and, thankfully, it’s
a lot better than that shoddy PC port that
was released in 2012.
We do not speak of the shoddy port.
63.
Spider-Man (2018) (PS4, PS5)
If Batman: Arkham Asylum is considered by
many to be the best superhero game ever made,
then surely 2018’s Spider-Man is a close
second?
After all, whilst it’s great to explore
your dark past, play around with cool Bat-gadgets,
and hallucinate your Bat-nips off, it’s
an absolute blast to swing around New York
City like you don’t have a care in the world.
Though it draws from Marvel Comics and other
media adaptations of the property, Spider-Man
tells a completely new story.
Supervillain Mister Negative is looking to
seize control of New York’s criminal underworld,
and threatens to unleash a deadly virus upon
the city.
It’s up to Spider-Man to put a stop to his
dastardly schemes, all whilst keeping on top
of Peter Parker’s many problems.
Even if you’re not a massive fan of superheroes,
we can almost guarantee you’ll enjoy Spider-Man.
The story is engaging, the combat is fast-paced,
and the combination of an open world and the
web-swinging mechanic makes for a gosh-darned
good time.
If you’re desperate for your Spidey fix,
then you’ll need to dust off that PlayStation
4 or 5 because 2018’s Spider-Man is a console
exclusive, my dude.
Can’t get enough of Peter Parker?
Well, the good news is that a sequel is in
development, and the plan is that he’ll
be back in 2023.
62.
TimeSplitters 2 (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S)
We’d like to take a moment, if we may, to
remember our fallen comrade, TimeSplitters.
We enjoyed your company very much whilst you
were on the PS2, but it seems that you were
not long for this world.
You may be gone, but you shall never be forgotten.
Thankfully, the original TimeSplitters is
the only game in the series to be lost to
time, as both TimeSplitters 2 and TimeSplitters:
Future Perfect can be played on the current
generation.
The first sequel is our fave, though, hence
its spot on this list.
TimeSplitters 2 consists of ten different
levels, throughout which players must attempt
to stop the evil TimeSplitters from ruining
history.
In order to do so, they must collect crystals
in different time periods, from the Old West
all the way through the 25th Century.
Upon its release, TimeSplitters 2 received
universal acclaim, and though its graphics
are starting to look a little dated, the gameplay
still holds up incredibly well.
We recommend getting a couple of friends ‘round
to play split-screen for the full nostalgia
hit.
Though TimeSplitters 2 was originally available
on all three major consoles of the generation,
it is now unavailable on modern PlayStation
and Nintendo machines.
Fortunately, backwards compatibility has come
to the rescue once again, and so you can relive
those heady days of playing TimeSplitters
2 on the Xbox One and Series X/S. Hooray!
61.
Ghost of Tsushima (PS4, PS5)
If you’re looking to take a trip back in
time that’s full of action, suspense, and
a little bit of swordplay, then you might
just get a kick out of Ghost of Tsushima.
Set in the year 1274, Ghost of Tsushima follows
protagonist Jin Sakai as he attempts to protect
the island of Tsushima from the invading Mongol
fleet, led by the ruthless Khotun Khan.
Unable to defeat the invaders through traditional
samurai tactics, Jin travels throughout the
land to recruit allies and must learn guerrilla
warfare if he has any hopes of achieving victory
against the Mongols.
The game features a stunning open world that
players are free to explore.
Though the story and gameplay are both brilliant,
it is the environment that really makes Ghost
of Tsushima something special.
The entire world has been meticulously designed,
resulting in a stunning landscape that is
truly breath-taking to behold.
Ghost of Tsushima was originally released
in 2020 for the PS4, and a Director’s Cut
has since been released on both the PS4 and
PS5.
If you don’t own a PlayStation, then you’re
not going to completely miss out, as in 2021,
a film adaptation of the game was announced
by Sony Pictures.
You’ll be pleased to know that, at least
at the time of writing, Uwe Boll has nothing
to do with it.
60.
Pikmin 3 (2013) (Wii U, Switch)
The Pikmin series has been around since the
turn of the millennium, but the first game
and its sequel are becoming harder and harder
to play.
Both are still available to download on the
Wii U, but with the closure of the eShop looming,
it won’t be long until they become basically
unplayable without some sort of emulator.
Though both games are great, it’s difficult
for us to recommend titles that may not be
readily available in a few months’ time.
All is not lost though, as Pikmin 3 is just
as good as its predecessors, and can be found
on the current generation.
Hooray!
In Pikmin 3, players can cycle between characters
who have been sent to the surface of the planet
PNF-404 in order to find fruit seeds that
will save their home planet from famine.
Whilst there, they befriend the Pikmin, a
species of small, insect-like creatures that
aid them in their quest.
Players can command the Pikmin to combat enemies,
collect the spoils of war, and assist in solving
the game’s numerous puzzles.
Pikmin 3 was first released in 2013 on the
Wii U, but has since been ported to the Switch.
The port features a brand-new prologue and
epilogue, different difficulty settings, co-op
play in story mode, and brings back the Piklopedia
from Pikmin 2.
As if all of that weren’t enough, it also
includes all of the DLC from the Wii U version.
You can, of course, still buy the game on
the Wii U (at least until the eShop closes),
but we’d recommend opting for the Switch
edition, as you get far more bang for your
buck.
59.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (2017) (Switch)
Ever since the release of Super Mario Kart
in 1992, the Mario Kart series has been delighting
fans of the racing genre with its ever-growing
roster of familiar Nintendo characters, colourful
tracks, and infuriating power-ups.
2014’s entry into the franchise, Mario Kart
8, takes all the best parts of its predecessors
and wraps them up in a shiny package for modern
consoles.
2017’s Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, though, is the
one to get, as it contains a number of gameplay
tweaks and all of the DLC from the original.
It boasts dozens of playable characters, with
everyone from the main man Mario to The Legend
of Zelda’s Link getting in on the action,
as well as 48 different tracks.
If that’s not enough to keep you occupied,
then Nintendo announced in February 2022 that
they would be releasing an additional 48 tracks
by the end of 2023.
This brightly-coloured, fast-paced racer is
an absolute must for any occasion where you’ve
got two or more people in a room.
It’s simple enough for the kiddos to get
on board with, but it’s engaging enough
to keep the adults entertained for hours on
end as well.
So, gather your friends and challenge them
to a few laps around Rainbow Road!
All you’ll need is a Nintendo Switch (and
a copy of the game, of course).
Whilst we can guarantee you’ll have fun,
unfortunately, we can’t guarantee that there
won’t be any fallings out when you deploy
that last-minute blue shell and snatch victory
from one of your mates.
58.
Elden Ring (2022) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S,
PS4, PS5, PC)
We made absolutely no secret of how excited
we were for the release of Elden Ring here
at Team TripleJump, and it’s safe to say
that it does not disappoint.
We are still waiting for our promotional Elden
Ring sword though.
It must have gotten lost in the post.
Yeah, that’ll be it.
Players are transported to the realm of the
Lands Between, where the titular Elden Ring
has been shattered and its shards scattered
amongst the demigod children of Queen Marika.
The player character is a Tarnished; an exile
summoned back following the Shattering, and
it’s up to them to restore the Elden Ring
and become the Elden Lord.
It’s kind of like The Lord of the Rings,
but backwards.
Like Dark Souls and Bloodborne before it,
Elden Ring is a punishing game that rewards
players who explore and investigate all that
the world has to offer.
Though the combat is tough, it isn’t completely
frustrating.
By no means would we say that Elden Ring is
suitable for complete novices, but the open-world
exploration, various options for overcoming
enemies, and fewer instances of boss runs
might make it a little less daunting for those
who might have been put off by FromSoftware’s
previous titles.
Are you ready to become the Elden Lord?
If so, then you can grab a copy of Elden Ring
on Xbox One and Series X/S, PlayStation 4,
PlayStation 5, and PC.
Oh, and one last piece of advice: “Try fingers,
but hole.”
You’ll know what I mean when you get to
it.
57.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 (2000) (Xbox One,
Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
Skateboarding is a really hard sport to get
the hang of, and as much as we tried our best
to master the ollie as youngsters, our efforts
usually just ended in painful owchies.
Developer Neversoft clearly recognised that
there was a market for uncoordinated kiddos
who wanted to feel the rush of skateboarding
without the associated health risks, so they
got in touch with the Birdman himself, and
the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series was born.
The first game was great, but the sequel was
better, taking everything that Tony Hawk’s
Pro Skater did and building upon it with better
graphics, and the introduction of gameplay
mechanics such as cash rewards and the ability
for skaters to perform manuals.
Plus, the soundtrack was banging from beginning
to end.
Obviously, we can’t play any of it or we’ll
make the YouTube overlords mad, but just imagine
that this royalty-free interlude is Rage Against
the Machine.
[pause for musical interlude]
The original Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 was
released on pretty much every console that
was on the market at the time, from the PlayStation
through to the Game Boy Advance.These days
though, even the PC version is impossible
to come by (by non-questionable means, at
least).
Luckily, Vicarious Visions and Activision
were gracious enough to bestow upon us a remake
in 2020.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 can be found
on Xbox One and Series, PS4 and 5, Nintendo
Switch, and PC, and is a heck of a lot safer
than trying to do that kickflip in real life.
56.
Soulcalibur II (2002) (Xbox One, Xbox Series
X/S)
It’s time to throw some hands now as we
cast our minds back to 2002 to look at Soulcalibur
II, the third instalment in Project Soul and
Namco’s Soulcalibur series.
The year is 1590AD, and following an unsuccessful
attempt by Nightmare to restore Soul Edge,
the sword has shattered.
Seeking to either destroy the sword or unite
its many fragments, numerous warriors embark
on a journey to find the pieces, while Nightmare
himself sets about collecting souls so that
he himself can restore Soul Edge once more
and wield the power it possesses.
Like most fighting games, Soulcalibur II pits
players against a smorgasbord of different
enemies and tasks them with giving them a
good kicking (or punching).
Most characters from the first game have returned
in Soulcalibur II, whilst several new ones
have been introduced.
In addition to the multitudes of different
playable characters, there are a whole bunch
of game modes for players to pick from.
Play through the story in Arcade Mode, fight
against the clock in Time Attack, or get a
load of folks involved with Versus Team Battle.
It’s been twenty years since Soulcalibur
II was released, meaning that the original
version is quite hard to come by these days.
Luckily, in 2013 it got a nice, shiny, HD
remaster for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.
Modern gamers can now find it on the Xbox
One and Series via backwards compatibility.
55.
Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018) (Xbox One, Xbox
Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC)
Before we get into what a great game Red Dead
Redemption 2 is, we’d like to assure you
that its inclusion on this list over its predecessor
is not a slight against Red Dead Redemption.
Red Dead Redemption is a very good game, and
we do recommend you pick it up at some point,
but, in our opinion at least, Red Dead Redemption
2 is one that you absolutely must play.
The game is set in the year 1899, just as
the Wild West is declining.
This is bad news for Arthur Morgan, an outlaw
and gang member who has made his way through
life thus far by taking what isn’t his and
settling any arguments with a gun.
With their lifestyle threatened by the progression
of society, Arthur and the Van der Linde gang
decide that the only thing left to do is try
to get themselves enough money from “one
last heist” to retire away from the watchful
eyes of the law.
Both critics and players alike were hugely
impressed by the game’s stunning and vast
open world, its graphics, its gameplay, and
its writing.
Unlike many large games, which can begin to
feel like many elements have been recycled
after playing for several hours, RDR2 doesn’t
become stale.
Every environment is well-crafted, every character
is fleshed out, and the numerous side quests
are varied and engaging.
So, what are you waiting for?
Grab your cowboy hat and your six-shooter
and get to doing what outlaws do best!
You can find Red Dead Redemption 2 on Xbox
One and Series, PS4 and 5, and PC.
Yee-haw!
54.
Disco Elysium (2019) (Xbox One, Xbox Series
X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
If you’ve ever played a tabletop roleplaying
game, you’ll know that dice can be cruel.
No matter how poorly they treat you, though,
you’ll still find yourself going back to
them, week after week.
It’s like Stockholm Syndrome, but with lots
and lots of pretty colours.
If you find yourself wishing that you could
carry your love of math rocks into other aspects
of your life, namely video games, then you
might find that you really enjoy 2019’s
Disco Elysium.
Players take on the role of Harry DuBois,
a cop with a substance problem.
The game begins with Harry awakening in a
trashed hotel room.
He has no memory of who or where he is, and
all he knows is that he has a severe hangover
and a serious lack of trousers.
Upon emerging from his room, he learns that
he’s been assigned to investigate the death
of a man who has been found hanged behind
the building in which Harry isstaying.
Over the course of the game, players must
explore the open world and interact with its
inhabitants in order to unravel the mystery.
Unlike traditional RPGs, Disco Elysium doesn’t
have a combat system.
Instead, everything Harry does relies on skill
checks.
As in a number of TTRPGs, there are things
that Harry is good at, and things he’s bad
at, and much of his fate rests on the roll
of a dice.
If you’re feeling lucky, uh, punk, then
you can play detective by picking up a copy
of Disco Elysium on Xbox One, Series, PS4,
PS5, Switch, or PC.
May the odds be ever in your favour.
53.
Perfect Dark (2000) (Xbox One, Xbox Series
X/S)
We would have loved to have given a spot on
this list to the Nintendo 64 classic GoldenEye
007.
Sadly, though, unless you happen to have an
old N64 lying around, you’re out of luck
when it comes to playing it these days.
Fortunately, we are able to recommend GoldenEye
007’s spiritual successor, Perfect Dark,
as it’s still available to play on modern
consoles.
Hooray!
The game is set in the distant future of 2023,
where humans are stuck in the middle of a
conflict between two alien species: the Maians
and the Skedar.
Christ, as though the past couple of years
haven’t been bad enough, now we have intergalactic
war to contend with.
Unsurprisingly, corporations such as dataDyne
have found a way to exploit the war for profit,
and it’s down to Carrington Institute agent
Joanna Dark to blow the whole conspiracy wide
open.
Upon its release, Perfect Dark received widespread
praise for its graphics, its clever AI, and
its gameplay.
Most agreed that, from a technical standpoint,
it took everything that GoldenEye 007 did
right and made it bigger and better.
Though it lacked some of the innovation of
its predecessor, it was still a triumph of
video gaming.
The original version of Perfect Dark was a
Nintendo 64 exclusive, but a remastered version
was released for the Xbox 360 in 2010.
It can be picked up these days on the Xbox
One and Series as a standalone title, or as
part of Rare Replay, which comes with the
Perfect Dark remaster and 29 other games from
developer Rare.
Absolute bargain!
52.
Metroid Prime (2002) (Wii U)
Do you dream of jetting off into the galaxy
to fight intergalactic nasties, but your fear
of heights and your lack of astrological know-how
have, thus far, prevented you from doing so?
Well, you can scratch that itch by simply
booting up Metroid Prime.
As with the rest of the series, Metroid Prime
stars galactic bounty hunter Samus Aran.
After intercepting a distress signal from
the Space Pirate ship Orpheon, Aran is shocked
to find that its entire crew have been slaughtered
by the biological experiments the pirates
had been working on.
Someone’s going to have to clean up this
sorry mess and, thankfully, Samus doesn’t
have any prior social engagements.
Metroid Prime received universal critical
acclaim upon its release, and was praised
for how successfully it managed to modernise
the franchise by bringing it into three dimensions
whilst still retaining the series’ essence.
As it stands, Metroid Prime is currently only
available to play as part of the Metroid Prime
Trilogy on the Wii U.
As the Wii U eShop closes in March 2023, those
looking to get a slice of the action will
need to get to it sooner rather than later,
as there’s no telling whether Nintendo will
re-release the game on more modern platforms.
Metroid Prime 4 is in the works though, so
maybe, just maybe, the first three games in
the series will get some sort of revival.
Fingers crossed.
51.
Resident Evil 4 (2005) (Xbox One, Xbox Series
X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
If we’d have left it up to our writers,
probably about 10% of this list would have
been taken up by titles from the Resident
Evil series.
That wouldn’t make for very interesting
viewing though, so we’ve forced them to
pick just two.
They ultimately settled on Resident Evil,
which we’ve already talked about, and Resident
Evil 4.
It’s been several years since the Raccoon
City incident, and Leon S. Kennedy is now
working for the U.S. government.
The president’s daughter has been kidnapped
by Los Illuminados, a psychotic cult whose
leader intends to use the Las Plagas parasite
in order to take over the world.
If Leon’s got any hope of rescuing the young
lass, he’s going to have to head right into
the fray.
Spain’s quite nice this time of year, though,
so I’m sure it’ll be a piece of cake.
Unlike the series’ previous titles, Resident
Evil 4 takes more of an action-focused approach.
The horror is definitely still there, and
elements of its predecessors are still very
much present (did someone order the green
herb?), but there’s less of the survival
horror that the franchise was known for.
Players will still have to be careful with
their ammo and health items as they’re not
exactly abundant, but there won’t be that
internal struggle over whether or not to fight
an enemy.
So go ahead and shoot that nasty, chainsaw
man right in the face, you floppy-haired Adonis.
Resident Evil 4 was originally released on
the GameCube, but these days can be found
pretty much anywhere you can play video games.
50.
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (2015)
(Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC)
[sung badly]Wooooaaahhh, we’re halfway there,
WOOOOAAAHHH, TIME FOR METAL GEAR!
Sorry, couldn’t resist.
There were a whole bunch of Metal Gear games
that we would have liked to have put on this
list, and we have to give a special shout-out
to Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, a
game that was, until late 2021, available
to play on a number of modern platforms.
Sadly, due to licensing issues, the Metal
Gear Solid HD Collection has been pulled from
digital storefronts, and there’s no indication
of when, if ever, it might return.
As upsetting as this news is though, at least
we still have Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom
Pain.
Though there was an awful lot going on between
Hideo Kojima and Konami throughout the development
of Metal Gear Solid V, it still ended up being
a great game.
Set almost a decade prior to the original
Metal Gear, The Phantom Pain tells the story
of Venom Snake, who is on a quest for vengeance
after his men were murdered at the end of
Ground Zeroes.
Upon its release, The Phantom Pain received
universal critical acclaim.Both audiences
and professional reviewers alike lauded the
open world and the freedom given to players.
They also praised the performances of the
voice cast, which included the likes of Troy
Baker and Mr. 24 himself, Kiefer Sutherland,
and the mature themes presented within the
game.
Hideo Kojima’s final Metal Gear game was
originally released on the PS3 and 4, Xbox
360 and One, and PC, and is now also available
on Xbox Series X and S, and PS5.
49.
Kirby’s Adventure (1993) (, Wii U, Switch,
3DS)
Ever since he first appeared in 1992’s Kirby’s
Dream Land, Nintendo’s spherical, pink protagonist
has been a favourite of fans the world over.
Whilst the debut of Kirby was an awful lot
of fun, his second outing, Kirby’s Adventure,
is considered by most to be the superior title.
We join Kirby as he attempts to track down
the pieces of the Star Rod that has been dismantled
by King Dedede.
Kirby believes that Dedede has stolen the
rod for evil purposes, and sets out to rebuild
it so that it can once again power the Fountain
of Dreams.
Kirby’s Adventure is not only an incredibly
cutesy experience for anyone who plays it,
but it is also the first time that Kirby is
granted his now famous Copy ability, through
which he can absorb the powers of those he
meets or, rather, those he eats.
Players agreed that the addition of this mechanic
was part of the reason that they enjoyed Kirby’s
Adventure a whole lot more than Kirby’s
Dream Land.
Though it was originally released for the
NES all the way back in 1993, an emulated
version of Kirby’s Adventure is available
to modern players, as long as they own a Nintendo
Switch, Wii U or a 3DS.
As mentioned previously though:the Wii U and
3DS eShopsare closing soon, so unless you
plan on snagging the title via the Switch
NES app, buy now, thank me later.
48.
Tetris Effect: Connected (1984) (Xbox One,
Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
We feel like, by this point, there are very
few people out there who haven’t played
Tetris at some point in their lives.
The simple-yet-addictive puzzle game burst
onto the scene in 1984, and has been ported
to almost every electronic device with a screen
in the years since.
If you’re unfamiliar with Tetris (and if
that’s the case, then welcome to civilization,
I assume you’re new here), the premise is
rather straightforward.
Players start with an empty grid, which slowly
fills with geometric shapes (or Tetrominoes
if you wanna get technical about this) that
fall from the top of the screen.
The idea is to move the shapes so that they
stack together neatly.If you manage to fill
a row, it will disappear, freeing up space
for more blocks.
Filling a row grants points, and when a certain
number of points are accrued, you get to move
up a level.
There have been dozens of versions of Tetris
released over the years, both licensed and
not, and the game has appeared on everything
from the Commodore 64 to graphics calculators.
A great version to pick up these days is Tetris
Effect: Connected, which puts a modern twist
on the classic title, retaining the core gameplay
mechanics, but bringing everything into the
21st century with outstanding visuals, an
updated soundtrack, and additional game modes.
If you’re in the mood for a bit of blocky
fun, thenTetris Effect: Connectedcan be found
on the Xbox One and Series, PS4 and 5, Nintendo
Switch, and PC.
47.
Final Fantasy VII (1997) (Xbox One, Xbox Series
X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
In 1987 Square Enix released a game for the
NES titled Final Fantasy.
Just a year later, however, audiences found
that they had been lied to, as it transpired
that that title was not, in fact, the final
fantasy, but one of many.
Where do the lies end, Square?
Obviously, I jest, and over the years, the
Final Fantasy series has gone from strength
to strength, earning itself millions upon
millions of fans all around the world.
Most agree though, that the franchise’s
seventh entryis the best of the lot.
Players jump into the shoes if the Buster
Sword-wielding Cloud Strife as he joins the
eco-terrorist group AVALANCHE and attempts
to prevent the evil Shinra corporation from
draining the planet of its life essence, which
they intend to use as an energy source.
He and his allies must also face the psychotic
and narcissistic Sephiroth, a former member
of Shinra who seeks to destroy the world.
Thanks to its wonderfully rich and engaging
story, its stunning world design, and its
cast of instantly lovable characters, Final
Fantasy VII is considered by many to be amongst
the greatest games of all time.
A remake of the first part of Final Fantasy
VII was released in 2020, and several outlets
have estimated that the next chapter will
be available towards the end of 2022, though
at the time of writing, nothing is confirmed.
Those unwilling to wait for the remake can
enjoy the entirety of the original on most
modern machines, including Xbox One, Series
X/S, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, and, of course,
PC.
46.
Hitman: Blood Money (2006) (Xbox One, Xbox
Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC)
Although the Hitman series has been regularly
churning out titles since the year 2000, it
wasn’t until 2006 that the franchise gave
us a game that was worthy of consideration
for a list such as this one.
Don’t get us wrong, the first three Hitman
games were perfectly serviceable stealth titles,
but none of them hold a candle to Hitman:
Blood Money.
The assassin Agent 47 makes his triumphant
return in Blood Money, and this time he’s
taking on the Franchise, a rival contract
killing organisation that threatens hisemployers,
and seeks to get their grubby hands on the
same cloning technology that created 47.
Though its advertisementsgeneratedsomecontroversy
due to their depictions of various murder
victims, the actual game was incredibly well
received.
Perhaps most notably, Blood Money garnered
an awful lot of praise for the variety of
options that each level gave to players, meaning
that not only was there plenty of choice when
it came to the method of killing the targets,
but that there was also scope for replayability.
Think you’ve got what it takes to make it
as a master assassin?
The original version of the game can be found
on PC.If you fancy seeing those sweet, sweet
kills in stunning high definition though,
you can pick up the Hitman HD Enhanced Collection,
which comes with both Blood Money and Hitman:
Absolution, on the Xbox One and Series, and
the PlayStation 4 and 5.
45.
Unpacking (2021) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S,
Switch, PC)
If I were to tell you that a game that simulates
unpacking boxes following a house move was
an absolute must-play, you’d probably think
I’d lost my mind.
That’s exactly what 2021’s Unpacking is
though, and far from being a snooze-fest,
the whole experience is thoroughly entertaining.
The game begins in a child’s bedroom, and
players must open the cardboard boxes and
find a place for everything.
Some items can only go in certain places,
so you’ll have to think carefully before
putting everything away.
The game is not just an unpacking simulator,
however; it tells a wonderful story, albeit
incredibly subtly.
There is no dialogue and very little in the
way of text, so players have to infer what
has happened in the protagonist’s life through
the items they take with them and the places
they move to, and it’s hugely exciting to
be a part of their biggest milestones.
Unpacking can be finished in a single afternoon,
though the achievement system, which consists
of adorable stickers, gives players the opportunity
to replay the game time and time again.
Players will come for the retro art style,
soothing soundtrack, and cathartic gameplay,
but will stay for the plot, even if only to
find out what happens to the little pink pig
plushie.
If you’re feeling like a bit of organisation
is the cure for what ails you, then Unpacking
can be found on Xbox One and Series, Switch,
and PC.
44.
Devil May Cry (2001) (Xbox One, Xbox Series
X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
Here’s a fun fact for you: Did you know
that Capcom originally conceived Devil May
Cry as Resident Evil 4, but it didn’t really
fit the franchise, and so it ended up becoming
a brand-new IP instead.
See?
You can’t say we never teach you anything
on this channel.
Based very, very loosely on the epic poem
The Divine Comedy, Devil May Cry is focussed
on demon hunter Dante, named after Dante Alighieri,
who wrote the aforementioned ode to wandering
through the afterlife.
After meeting a woman named Trish, Dante embarks
on a quest to destroy the demon lord Mundus,
the nasty boy responsible for the deaths of
Dante’s brother and mother.
At the time of its release, Devil May Cry
received a great deal of praise for its innovative
gameplay and visuals, and though both may
seem a little quaint by today’s standards,
Devil May Cry is still worth your time.
Dante himself is a very likable protagonist,
and the game’s gothic stylings are sure
to resonate with anyone who had a bit of an
emo phase growing up (and let’s face it,
most of us did).
Reckon you’re ready to take on the legions
of Hell?
You can pick up a remastered version of Devil
May Cry, along with its first twosequels,
as part of the Devil May Cry HD Collection,
available on Xbox One and Series, PS4 and
5, Switch, and PC.
43.
What Remains of Edith Finch (2017) (Xbox One,
Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
Over the years, we video game fans have become
accustomed to titles that pack in tonnes of
action, so it can be a little strange when
a game comes along that encourages players
to take their time to carefully explore their
surroundings.
We’d like to assure you though, that although
What Remains of Edith Finch has been described
by some as a “walking simulator,” such
a description is neither a slight, nor is
it entirely accurate, and the title is very
much worth spending a couple of hours with.
The aim of What Remains of Edith Finch is
to explore the Finch family’s abandoned
home and piece together a number of events
that take place between 1937 and the present
day.
They are all connected to a central theme:
the family’s belief that they are cursed,
and doomed to die young.
Upon its release in 2017, What Remains of
Edith Finch received critical acclaim, with
audiences giving particular praise to its
gut-wrenching yet enchanting story.
Players won’t find any high-speed car chases
or adrenaline-fuelled gun fights, but what
they will get from What Remains of Edith Finch
is a touching and emotional experience that
will keep them glued to their screens for
the entirety of its runtime.
Want to know exactly what does remain of Edith
Finch?
You can find out on Xbox One, Xbox Series
X and S, PlayStation 4 and 5, Switch, and
PC.
42.
The Walking Dead (2012) (Xbox One, Xbox Series
X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
Prior to the studio’s closure in 2018, Telltale
Games were famed for creating brilliant episodic,
story-based adventures based on some of the
world’s most popular franchises.
Their takes on Game of Thrones, Batman, and
Borderlands are all excellent examples of
the studio’s work, but it’s 2012’s The
Walking Dead that came out as the favourite
of most of us here at Team TripleJump.
We have nothing against Telltale’s other
The Walking Dead titles, but in our opinion,
Season One is the best of the bunch.
Players take on the role of Lee, a man who
is on his way to jail when the zombie outbreak
occurs.
He soon finds Clementine, a little girl who
has been hiding in a tree house after being
left with a babysitter.
The pair form an unlikely partnership, and
must do what they can to outlast not only
the hordes of walkers, but numerous hostile
survivors as well.
The game weaves a number of very human stories
against a horror backdrop, and players can
expect to make an awful lot of difficult choices
throughout The Walking Dead.
It’s worth bearing in mind, though, that
while there are a lot of heart-breaking moments,
there are also a great deal of heart-warming
ones as well.
If you think you could survive the zombie
apocalypse, then you can find The Walking
Dead: The Complete First Season on Xbox One,
Series X and S, PS4, PS5, Switch, and, of
course, PC.
41.
Journey (2012) (PS4, PS5, PC)
[sung badly] Journey’s a smalltown game
That very quickly shot to fame
Back when it first released in March 2012
Become some guy in robes
Sometimes he walks, sometimes he floats
He’s got to get to that mountain way over
there…
[record scratch]That’s quite enough of that.
If we had to sum up 2012’s Journey in just
one word, that word would probably be “awe-inspiring.”
Actually, I’d better check with one of the
writers if that’s two words…
[off mic] Philip?
Is “awe-inspiring” one word or two?
He says it’s hyphenated, so I think we’re
fine.
As one might assume from the title, the game
sees players embarking on a journey, one which
has them making their way towards a distant
mountain.
Along the way, you may meet other players
who can assist you, but neither of you can
communicate with each other except through
physical actions and signals.
Despite this, it’s very easy to become attached
to those you meet, even though you never exchange
a single word, and won’t know each other’s
names until the credits roll.
Both the PS3 and PS4 versions of the game
earned themselves a very respectable 92 out
of 100 on Metacritic, and Journey received
accolades for everything from its art direction
to its music and sound design.
Those looking to embark on this awe-inspiring
expedition can pick up Journey on PlayStation
4 and 5.
If you don’t happen to own either of those
consoles, then you’ll be pleased to know
that Journey was also released on PC in 2019.
40.
Life is Strange (2015) (Xbox One, Xbox Series
X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
Do you like making choices?
Do you like making lots of choices?
Do you like making lots of choices that could
have life-or-death consequences?
Then, oh boy, do I have a recommendation for
you.
Life is Strange centres on Max, a teenage
girl who discovers she has the power to rewind
time.
As the game progresses, Max is placed into
a number of situations in which she can use
her power to alter the outcome.
As an example, at the beginning of the game,
she sees her friend, Chloe, get shot in a
bathroom, but is able to rewind time in order
to prevent it from happening.
She’s also faced with several choices throughout
the game that can affect how the story pans
out.
Choosing to do something like comforting an
upset student may seem trivial, but it can
have massive consequences further down the
line.
Upon its release in 2015, Life is Strange
wowed critics and audiences with its captivating
story, multi-dimensional characters, and gameplay
mechanics.
What was perhaps most impressive, though,
was that the game presented players with choices
that mattered, even if the outcome wasn’t
clear until much later in the game.
If you’re up for a spot of time manipulation,
then you can pick up the original version
of Life is Strange on Xbox One and Series,
PS4 and 5, and PC.
Or, if you’d prefer slightly shinier graphics,
you can also grab a copy of the remastered
version on all of the aforementioned platforms
and the Nintendo Switch.
39.
Final Fantasy X (2001) (Xbox One, Xbox Series
X/S, PS4, PS5, PS Vita, Switch, PC)
If Final Fantasy VII is our absolute favourite
of Square Enix’sepic RPG series, then Final
Fantasy X comes in at a very close second.
For the series’ tenth numbered outing, players
are transported to the world of Spira and
set out on a quest to defeat the rampaging
monster Sin.
The game’s protagonist is the Blitzball
star Tidus, who becomes embroiled in the whole
affair when Sin destroys Zanarkand, his home
city.
Alongside several other playable characters,
he must find a way to stop Sin before it’s
too late.
Not only were players treated to an epic tale
of good versus evil, but they also got to
enjoy a fully voice-acted Final Fantasy title
for the first time ever, with James Arnold
Taylor, Tara Strong, and John DiMaggio lending
their legendary talents to the English dub.
Final Fantasy X also received a great deal
of praise for refining a number of gameplay
mechanics that had, in previous games, been
a little on the clunky side.
In particular, the updated combat system and
the ability to switch out characters mid-battle
were called out as welcome additions to the
game.
Despite being over twenty years old, you can
still snag a copy of Final Fantasy X, albeit
a remastered version, on most current and
previous gen consoles.
The game is available on Xbox One, Series
X/S, PS4 and 5, Switch, PC, and even the PlayStation
Vita.
38.
Celeste (2018) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S,
PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
Mental health problems are something that
many of us struggle with on a day-to-day basis,
and though some days may be a walk in the
park, others feel like you’re trying to
scale a mountain.
These are exactly the feelings that game developer
Maddy Thorson wanted to convey when she created
Celeste.
The game tells the story of Madeline, a young
woman who attempts to climb the fictional
Mount Celeste, all whilst struggling with
her own demons.
Madeline’s fight to overcome the mountain,
which is both literal and allegorical for
her depression and anxiety, is representative
of the battles with mental health and gender
identity that Thorson was facing in her own
life, and one that will resonate with many
players.
In terms of gameplay, Celeste is a platformer,
and so players must run, jump, climb, and
air dash through the levels in order to guide
Madeline to the summit.
Players can also find collectables as they
progress, including strawberries, which can
affect the game’s ending, cassette tapes
that unlock harder versions of each level,
and crystal hearts that can be used to access
additional content.
Celeste can be found pretty much anywhere
you prefer to play video games, so regardless
of whether you’re Team PlayStation, Nintendo,
Xbox, or PC, you can help yourself to a slice
of the mountain-climbing action.
Before you rush out to buy a copy though,
just remember that if you are struggling with
your mental health, you’re not alone, and
help is out there.
37.
Gears of War (2006) (Xbox One, Xbox Series
X/S, PC)
According to a very small minority of hardcore
console fans, there’s no reason to buy an
Xbox because Microsoft has “no exclusives.”
The Gears of War series hears that sentiment
and it laughs, because it is one of the best
arguments there is for going out right this
second and nabbing yourself an Xbox.
We could have chosen any of the franchise’s
main entries for this list but, in our opinion,
you can’t go far wrong with the title that
started it all.
Gears of War is set on the planet Sera, and
follows a military squad as they make a last-ditch
attempt to end a war against a race of genocidal
aliens known as the Locust, and save what
few humans remain on the planet.
Back when it was released in 2006, Gears of
War received universal critical acclaim.
Admittedly, it doesn’t bring much new to
the third-person shooter table in terms of
its gameplay, but everything it tries to do,
it does extremely well, resulting in an action-packed
space-romp that’s a fantastically fun way
to pass the time.
After all, isn’t that what we’re all here
for?
As we’ve already mentioned, the game is
a Microsoft exclusive, so if you’re lacking
a PC or an Xbox, then sadly, there’s no
Gears of War for you.
If you do happen to have a PC or an Xbox One,
Series X, or Series S, then congratulations!
You get to revel in all of the shooty-shooty
fun-times courtesy of the Gears of War: Ultimate
Edition.
36.
Doom (2016) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4,
PS5, Switch, PC)
The original Doom from 1993 is considered
by many to be one of the founding fathers
of the modern FPS genre, and for good reason.
At the time of its release, it was refreshingly
tense and violent, and though by today’s
standards, it looks a little simplistic, it’s
important to appreciate just how much influence
Doom had on many games that have come since.
Of course, we recommend giving the OG Doom
a bash if you get the chance, if for no other
reason than that it’s a piece of gaming
history, but if there’s one Doom title that
we reckon absolutely everyone should play,
it’s the2016 reboot.
In the series’ triumphant return, players
take on the role of an unnamed space marine
known only as the Doom Slayer, and must take
out the demonic forces of Hell that have been
unleased within an energy mining facility
on Mars.
In terms of its tone, Doom 2016 was a drastic
departure from its predecessor,Doom 3, which
took on several elements from the survival
horror genre.
Here, players can expect an action-packed
gore-fest from the second they boot up the
game, all set to a pounding heavy metal soundtrack.
If you like space, guns, and shooting demons
in their stupid, stupid faces, then Doom is
most certainly the game for you.
You can jump into the heavily-armoured shoes
of the Doom Slayer on pretty much all modern
consoles, as well as on PC.
By “all modern consoles” we obviously
mean Xbox One and Series, PS4 and 5, and Switch.
35.
Quake (1996) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4,
PS5, Switch, PC)
Are you in the market for a dark and gritty
first-person shooter with H.P.
Lovecraft vibes and a soundtrack written by
Trent Reznor and Nine Inch Nails?
Well, first of all, that’s really a quite
specific ask but, luckily for you, we have
just the thing!
Quake sees players thrust into a world in
which the government has been working on teleportation
technology.
Naturally, there are beasties out there who
are more than happy to exploit this, and so
it isn’t long before the mysterious Quake
connect their own teleportation systems to
the human one, and begin sending in death
squads.
You, yes you, must take on the role of Ranger,
and fight your way through hordes of monsties
in order to collect four magic runes and stop
the enemy once and for all.
Quake received universal critical acclaim
upon its release, and sits among the best
games of all time.
Though its graphics are showing some signs
of age, Quake is exciting, action-packed and,
thanks to Reznor’s spooky soundtrack, downright
unnerving in places.
Though Quake is over a quarter of a century
old, it can still be played on pretty much
all modern hardware.
In 2021, Bethesda released a remastered version
of Quake on Xbox One and Series, PS4 and 5,
Switch, and PC, which not only includes the
base game, but also a whole bunch of additional
content as well.
34.
Metal Gear Solid (1998) (PC)
Once upon a time, back before they troubled
themselves only with pachinko machines and
terrible business decisions, Konami actually
made some really good games.
Sadly, because of said terrible business decisions,
many have been lost to time, but one great
title of theirs that you can still snap up
is 1998’s Metal Gear Solid.
The game sees Solid Snake pulled out of retirement
in order to neutralise the terrorist threat
of FOXHOUND.
Not only does he need to prevent them from
launching a nuclear strike, but he must also
free the hostages the group has taken.
Though Snake is a proven warrior, his strengths
lie in stealth, so players will need to strategize
carefully, using Snake’s many abilities
and fancy gadgets, in order to ensure that
he stays under the radar and out of trouble.
When it was released, there were some who
called Metal Gear Solid the best game ever
made, and regardless of whether you agree
with the sentiment, it’s impossible to deny
that its gameplay and story earn the game
a place among the greats.
These days, you can only find Metal Gear Solid
on PC, and if you are looking for a copy,
you’ll need to hit up the good folks at
GOG.com, as they’re the only digital storefront
we could find that still carries it.
33.
Grim Fandango (1998) (Xbox One, Xbox Series
X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
The concept of death is both fascinating and
terrifying in equal measure, and though no
one truly knows what happens when we bite
the big one, that hasn’t stopped video game
developers the world over from exploring what
the afterlife might be like.
According to Grim Fandango, when we die, we
go to the Land of the Dead, the starting point
for our journey to the Land of Eternal Rest.
Those who have led good lives are rewarded
with deluxe transportation, whereas those
who have been less than stellar whilst living
must make the voyage on foot.
The story of Grim Fandango follows Manny,
a travel agent working in the Land of the
Dead, as he attempts to escort virtuous soul
Meche on her journey to the Land of Eternal
Rest.
Despite being a commercial failure, Grim Fandango
received critical acclaim.
Audiences and critics alike were impressed
by the film noir style of the game, its cast
of wacky characters, its challenging yet engaging
puzzles, and its sense of humour, which dabbles
in both the dark and the light.
Grim Fandango received a remaster in 2015,
which featured updated graphics and controls.
You can find it on Xbox One, Series X and
S, PlayStation 4 and 5, Switch, and PC.
32.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (2018) (Switch)
Do you like the idea of being able to kick
the living daylights out of your friends,
but your underground illegal fight club got
shut down by the police?
Well, perhaps you might want to think about
going digital with your ass-whopping exploits
by picking up a copy of Super Smash Bros.
Ultimate on the Nintendo Switch.
The fifth instalment in the Smash Bros. franchise
retains the same basic premise as its predecessors.
A handful of colourful characters meet in
an arena, and each must use their own arsenal
of moves in order to best their opponents.
It’s fast-paced, chaotic and, if you’ve
got a few mates to play it with, it’s heaps
of fun.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate boasts the biggest
roster of characters yet, bringing back all
fighters from previous games, as well as adding
several new ones.
Players can pick from Nintendo mascots such
as Mario, Kirby, and Link, or third-party
favourites such as Richter Belmont, Bayonetta,
and Mega Man.
The great thing about Ultimate is that it
takes everything that its predecessors did
right, and builds on it with improved gameplay
and a larger cast of characters and stages,
perfectly balancing innovation with nostalgia.
As with the rest of the games in the Smash
Bros. franchise, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
is a Nintendo exclusive, so if you do have
a hankering to beat up your friends, Jigglypuff-style,
then you’ll need to invest in a Nintendo
Switch.
31.
Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture (2015) (PS4,
PS5, PC)
It’s not very often that we come across
a game that reveals most of its story in its
very title, but just because you know where
everyone’s gone, doesn’t mean you know
why they’ve gone there, and it’s for that
reason that you need to play Everybody’s
Gone to the Rapture.
Originally released for the PS4 in 2015, Everybody’s
Gone to the Rapture is set in an idyllic English
village and charges the player with finding
out how and why its inhabitants have all disappeared.
Exploring the village and interacting with
different objects will give players snippets
of conversations and events that have previously
occurred, and so they’ll slowly be able
to piece together the puzzle in order to figure
out just what on Earth has happened.
Some outlets criticised Everybody’s Gone
to the Rapture for its lack of interactivity
and, in fairness, the title does prioritise
its plot over its gameplay, but it still ranked
among many critics’ games of the year.
The game weaves a beautiful yet heart-breaking
story about the end of the world, and immerses
players in a stunning environment that’s
brought to life by a rich cast of characters
and fantastic score that suitsthe game perfectly.
If you’re ready to unravel the mystery,
you can pick up a copy of Everybody’s Gone
to the Rapture on PlayStation 4, PlayStation
5, and PC.
20.
The Sims 3 (2009) (PC)
Trying to pick a Sims game to put on this
list was a real Herculean task, I’ll tell
you.
Were we supposed to go for the title that
achieved the most from a technical standpoint,
or the one that invoked the most feelings
of nostalgia?
In the end we went for a combination of both
and picked The Sims 3, which brings good,
varied gameplay to the table, as well stirs
up fond memories.
As with all of the main Sims titles, the aim
of the game is to create a Sim, or family
of Sims, move them into a home, and ensure
that all of their needs are met in a timely
manner.
There’s a plethora of design choices, both
for your Sims and their dwellings, a bunch
of different career paths to pick, and lots
of fun ways to murder your Sims once you get
sick of them.
Drown them, burn them, or simply lock them
in a room and starve them.
The world really is your oyster.
Unlike its predecessors, however, The Sims
3 included a larger world that players could
freely wander around, meaning they could visit
neighbours and local businesses without having
to sit through long, boring loading screens.
Though The Sims 3 did get ports to the Xbox
360, PS3, Wii, and 3DS, it is now only available
on the PC, which is, in our opinion at least,
the best way to play it anyway.
19.
System Shock 2 (1999) (PC)
I can sense that some of you are filled with
rage because we’ve included both BioShock
and BioShock Infinite on this list, but have
not, thus far, given a nod to the System Shockseries
that heavily inspired them.
If you are one of those people, then please
take a moment to pour yourself a soothing
cup of camomile tea and calm down, because
here isSystem Shock 2.
The game takes place aboard the Von Braun
spaceship, with players assuming the role
of the last remaining soldier who awakens
from cryo-sleep to find that the rest of the
ship’s crew have been infected by a parasite
that has integrated them into a hive mind
known as “The Many.”
System Shock 2 combines first-person action
with horror and suspense to create a terrifying
gameplay experience that will immediately
hook players.
The first game was great, but the refinement
of the gameplay and combat, plus the addition
of the role-playing elements makes System
Shock 2 the title that’s a must-play.
Ever since its launch in 1999, System Shock
2 has been a PC exclusive.
An enhanced edition of the game is currently
in development, which is set to include a
VR mode, though at the time of writing, a
release date has not been confirmed, and it’s
likely that this too will only get a PC release.
Sorry, console fans.
At least you have BioShock.
18.
Mortal Kombat 11 (2019) (Xbox One, Xbox Series
X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
Now, we know there are some of you out there
who enjoy Mortal Kombat for the story, and
that’s okay!
If you are interested in diving into the insanely
complex lore, then you will probably need
to start with 1992’s Mortal Kombat and work
your way forward from there.
If you’re here for what most people are
here for, i.e., ensuring that spines and their
owners swiftly part company, then we heartily
recommend 2019’s Mortal Kombat 11.
If you’re unfamiliar with the Mortal Kombat
series, the gameplay consists of two interdimensional
beings, controlled either by two players or
a player and the computer, beating the crap
out of each other until one of them dies in
spectacularly gory fashion.
Why do we recommend MK11 over the rest of
the gamesin the series?
Is it the intricate narrative or the complex
and well-written characters?
In short, no.
We recommend it because it has the best graphics,
the smoothest controls, and the most gruesome
fatalities, plus a huge roster of fighters.
The base game boasts 25 different playable
characters, which include old-school fan favourites
like Scorpion, Shao Kahn, and Liu Kang, plus
new additions Cetrion, Geras, and Kollector.
Plus, if you’re willing to shell out a few
dollarydoos for the DLC, you can even play
as pop culture icons such as John Rambo, the
Terminator, and the Joker.
Ready to back, forward, back, Y your way to
a flawless victory?
You can pick up a copy of Mortal Kombat 11
on most modern consoles.
For clarity, or if you haven’t been paying
attention for the past eighty-plus entries,
the game is available on Xbox One and Series,
PS4 and 5, Switch, and PC.
17.
Shadow of the Colossus (2018) (PS4, PS5)
You might not think it, but Mortal Kombat
11 and Shadow of the Colossus have an awful
lot in common.
After all, Mortal Kombat has players kicking
the crap out of various different fighters,
and Shadow of the Colossus kicks the crap
out of its players’ emotions.
See?
They’re basically the same game; I don’t
know why we’re recommending both.
Jokes aside, Shadow of the Colossus is an
unforgettable gaming experience that will
stick in players’ minds long after the credits
have rolled.
The game tells the story of Wander, a young
man on a mission to resurrect the fair maiden
Mono.
On his journey, Wander encounters Dormin,
who tells him that he will return Mono’s
soul to her body if Wander will slay the sixteen
Colossi that roam the world.
Willing to do whatever it takes to revive
the young lass, Wander embarks on the dangerous
quest.
Aside from the fact that the original Shadow
of the Colossus was exclusive to the PS2 and
is, therefore, rather hard to come by these
days, there are a few reasons we recommend
playing the remake.
Its gameplay and story are basically identical
to the 2005 version, but the bonus of playing
the remake is that you get nice, shiny, updated
graphics and a reworked control scheme.
Shadow of the Colossus is exclusive to PlayStation,
and there’s no evidence to suggest that
that’s likely to change any time soon, so
if you are looking to take on the Colossi,
then you’ll need a PS4 or 5 in order to
do it.
16.
KatamariDamacy Reroll (2018) (Xbox One, Xbox
Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
Do you like bright, colourful video games
with adorable protagonists and unique gameplay
mechanics?
Then, oh boy, are you going to love KatamariDamacy
Reroll, the remaster of 2004’s KatamariDamacy.
Players assume the role (geddit?) of the Prince,
a tiny creature whose father, the King of
All Cosmos, has managed to destroy almost
everything in the universe whilst on a drunken
bender.
Don’t worry mate, it happens to the best
of us.
Keen to restore the galaxy to its former glory,
the King tasks the Prince with collecting
matter on Earth, which he must do by utilising
the katamari which, when rolled, will pick
up anything smaller than it.
Though the gameplay is fairly simple, it’s
also incredibly addictive.
The levels all require players to roll the
katamari over objects in order to grow it
to the required size, or to pick up a certain
item, and all within a time limit.
With that said, the game never gets repetitive,
as the level design is varied enough to keep
players entertained as they scramble to collect
enough knickknacks in time.
Anyone willing to mop up the King of All Cosmos’
mighty mess can do so on current and previous
generation Xbox and PlayStation, as well as
Switch and PC.
15.
DuckTales (1989) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S,
PS4, PS5, PC)
After trying and failing to come up with an
adequate rhyme for “DuckTales,” our writer
gave up on writing a short song, based on
the DuckTales theme tune, to open this entry.
We’re just making you aware of the pain
from which you have been spared.
You’re welcome.
Released all the way back in 1989 for the
NES, DuckTales is based upon the Disney TV
show of the same name, and follows the adventures
of Scrooge McDuck as he travels the world
collecting treasure.
You know, because he’s not already rich
enough.
Meanwhile, the dastardly FlintheartGlomgold
is also on the hunt for the booty, and it’s
up to Scrooge to beat him to the punch or
risk not becoming the world’s richest duck.
DuckTales features multiple different levels,
each of which can be visited in any order,
though some require items acquired in the
others in order to complete them.
It’s definitely a game that was made with
a younger audience in mind, but don’t let
that put you off, because DuckTales is bright,
colourful, and lovingly designed.
If you’re ready to get smacked in the face
by a whole load of nostalgia, then you can
find DuckTales as part of The Disney Afternoon
Collection, which is available on Xbox One,
Series X/S, PS4, PS5, and PC.
You can generally pick it up for about the
price of a takeaway pizza, and it comes with
five other Disney classics, including Chip
‘n Dale Rescue Rangers, TaleSpin, and Darkwing
Duck.
14.
Cave Story+ (2011) (Switch, PC)
If you have any sort of interest in game development,
you’ll know that a lot of work goes into
making your favourite titles.
Studios can often consist of tens, if not
hundreds of people, so it’s pretty impressive
when an entire game is developed by just a
handful of folks or, in the case of Cave Story,
one person.
The original version can be downloaded, free
of charge, by visiting the game’s official
website, but although it’s great, we would
recommend splashing the cash and going for
Cave Story+, which will give you a whole lot
more bang for your buck.
The game tells the story of a robot named
Quote, who awakens in a cave with amnesia.
In order to escape and figure out who he is,
he must explore his surroundings and blast
his way into new areas to uncover clues.
In terms of gameplay, Cave Story has Metroidvania
elements, so players can expect a whole load
of platforming, puzzles, and a little backtracking
here and there.
Cave Story+ features a number of things that
the original didn’t, including several additional
modes from the WiiWare version of the game,
a remastered soundtrack, and the option to
choose either the WiiWare graphics and music
or the classic ones.
If spelunking with a robot sounds like your
cup of tea, then you can find Cave Story+
on the Nintendo Switch and PC.
13.
Deus Ex (2000) (PC)
Long before Cyberpunk 2077 was disappointing
gaming fans en masse, there were a number
of great games that gave the world a slightly
grim view of how the future might look if
cybernetic enhancements become the norm.
If that sounds like your idea of a good time,
then we highly recommend that you check out
Deus Ex, the gritty action-RPG released in
2000.
Deus Ex is set in the year 2052, and paints
a frankly horrifying picture of a cyberpunk
dystopian world.
The game tells the story of JC Denton, an
agent of the United Nations Anti-Terrorist
Coalition, who is forced to question everything
he knows after learning that the organisation
he works for isn’t all it’s cracked up
to be.
In fact, it turns out that it’s responsible
for ensuring that only the wealthy are vaccinated
against the Grey Death virus that has cost
the lives of millions.
Not cool.
Deus Ex’s major selling point is player
choice, as the game allows players to complete
missions in any way they see fit.
Sneak through levels to reach the objective
undetected, go for a guns-blazing approach,
or try to settle things with words; it really
is up to you how things play out.
If you’re interested in experiencing a world
ravaged by economic inequality and a deadly
plague, then you could just step outside.
You’d be better staying indoors, closing
the curtains, and playing Deus Ex on PC though.
12.
Assassin’s Creed II (2009) (Xbox One, Xbox
Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
We come now to yet another franchise where
we found it difficult to pick a favourite.
We must give honourable mentions to the original
Assassin’s Creed, Assassin’s Creed III,
Black Flag, and the most recenttrio of titles,
because they all have a great number of strengths
that make them fantastic gaming experiences.
If you only have the time for one Assassin’s
Creed game though, we highly recommend picking
up a copy of the series’ second main outing.
AC2 is the first game in the series to star
Ezio Auditore da Firenze, ancestor of the
modern-day protagonist, Desmond Miles.
The vast majority of the game takes place
in the 1400s as Desmond relives several events
in Ezio’s life by utilising the Animus,
a virtual reality machine that allows users
to experience the genetic memories of others.
Assassin’s Creed II received universal critical
acclaim upon its release in 2009.
Reviewers called out the story as a high point,
praising the fact that it tied up the loose
ends from the previous game, whilst delivering
excitement throughout.
There was also a lot of love for the combat,
stealth, and parkour mechanics, all of which
had been improved to the point of near-perfection.
The original version of Assassin’s Creed
II can be found on PC, or on Xbox One and
Series via backwards compatibility.
Alternatively, if you’d prefer to pick up
the shiny remaster, you can find that as part
of Assassin’s Creed: The Ezio Collection on
Xbox One and Series, PS4 and 5, and Switch.
11.
Sid Meier’s Civilization IV (2005) (PC)
Do you feel like, if given the opportunity,
you’d be really good at building your own
empire?
If so, then you might be interested in Sid
Meier’s Civilization series.
We can’t put an entire franchise on this
list though, that would be cheating, so instead
we’ve picked the series’ fourth outing.
The aim of Civilization IV is pretty simple.
You, the player, take on the role of a world
leader, and it’s up to you to conquer the
globe in one of several ways.
You might be a military tactician, stomping
on any other nations that stand in your way.
If science is your thing, you might try to
win the space race.
Or perhaps you just want to spread the culture
of your fictional country and become the dominant
power that way.
It may sound straightforward, but actually
playing the game is a fine art, and you’ll
need a cool head on your shoulders if you’re
going to outwit your opponents.
Why play Civ IV over any of the others?
Well, the game takes the turn-based strategy
components from its predecessors and improves
upon them, with changes made to the combat,
diplomacy, and great people systems, all of
which work in the game’s favour.
Civ IV also added in multiplayer, allowing
players to compete against their friends for
that all-important victory.
If you’re ready to conquer the world, then
you can find Sid Meier’s Civilization IV
on PC.
Those willing to splash out a couple of extra
dollarydoos can also treat themselves to the
Complete Edition, which comes with the base
game, plus the major expansions, Warlords
and Beyond the Sword, and the standalone expansion,
Colonization.
10.
Stardew Valley (2016) (Xbox One, Xbox Series
X/S, PS4, PS5, PS Vita, Switch, PC)
You might not have noticed, but we really
love video games here at Team TripleJump.
If we had one complaint though, it’s that
they can be super-duper violent.
Don’t get us wrong, sometimes we need a
bit of virtual violence to help take away
the stresses of daily life but, just occasionally,
we find ourselves craving a bit of wholesomeness.
Enter Stardew Valley, the 2016 farming simulator
from Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone.
The game begins with players receiving a letter
from their deceased grandfather, which tells
them that he’s left them a farm, and they’re
welcome to take it over whenever modern life
becomes too stressful.
The farm is on the outskirts of a small town
called Stardew Valley and, oh boy, does it
need a lot of work.
The gameplay starts out quite straightforward,
but can become as complex as you’d like.
Begin by tilling the land and sowing a few
seeds and, once they’re grown, you can sell
them to Pierre for a tidy profit.
As you become more accomplished, you can raise
animals, make jam, and even produce your own
wine, all to add to that all-important bank
balance.
Players can also befriend locals, get married,
and contribute to the community centre to
help kick that no-good Joja Mart out of town!
Feel like a life on the farm is exactly what
you’re looking for?
You can pick up a copy of Stardew Valley on
Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4,
5, Vita, Switch, and PC.
9.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons (2020) (Switch)
We’re sticking with the wholesome stuff
for the time being as we take a look at Animal
Crossing: New Horizons, a title that allows
players to escape to their very own desert
island to live alongside a bunch of friendly
critters.
Upon landing in the tropical paradise, players
are greeted by Tom Nook, who introduces them
to their new dwellings, before quickly demanding
some moolah to pay for it all.
Not to worry, though; there are plenty of
ways to make money: Plant fruit trees, fish
for rare specimens, or, if you’re serious
about paying off that greedy racoon, try your
luck on the Stalk Market, buying and selling
turnips for bags of cash.
Just don’t do what our writer did and spend
500,000 bells on turnips, then put them in
your basement and forget about them, so that
you later come back to a giant room full of
rotten veg.
The smell was unimaginable.
Not only is Animal Crossing: New Horizons
a cheery and relaxing break from the stresses
of the world but, for many, it was a beacon
of light during an awful time.
The game was released in March 2020, just
as many of us were going into lockdown.
Players might not have been able to visit
their friends and family members, but they
could pop over to their islands to hang out
virtually, giving many people some much-needed
distraction and social interaction during
that awful time.
If you’re ready to sack off society and
move to your very own tropical paradise, then
you can find Animal Crossing: New Horizons
exclusively on the Switch.
8.
Persona 5 Royal (2019) (PS4, PS5)
We promised you more Persona, and we’re
not ones to go back on our word, so here it
is!
The great news is that you needn’t have
played any of the previous titlesin the Persona
series in order to thoroughly enjoy the experience
of Persona 5 Royal.
Except Persona 4 Golden, of course, but that’s
less to do with understanding the plot of
Persona 5 and more because we’ve told you
to.
As you know, we are in charge and you must
do as we say.
The game is set in Tokyo and follows a high
school studentas he transfers to a new school
after being wrongly accused of assault.
Soon after his arrival, he and several other
students discover that they are able to embrace
the power of their Personas and form a vigilante
gang known as the Phantom Thieves of Hearts.
From there, they explore the Metaverse and
attempt to steal any malevolent intent from
the hearts of adults.
Like Persona 3 and Persona 4 before it, Persona
5 received an enhanced release a few years
after its initial one and, in our opinion,
it’s the best way to experience the game.
Persona 5 Royal not only comes with all of
Persona 5’s content, but it also features
an additional party member, a new area of
the city to explore, an entire extra playable
semester, and much, much more.
Think you’re ready to steal some hearts,
and not in the way that myself, [other presenter
1], and [other presenter 2] do?
If so, then you can find Persona 5 Royal on
PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.
7.
L.A. Noire(2011) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S,
PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
Do you like crime?
Or, rather, do you like the idea of solving
crimes?
Then, by golly, are you going to have a great
time with L.A. Noire, the gritty cop adventure
from Team Bondi and Rockstar Games.
Players jump into the well-shined shoes of
Cole Phelps, a WWII veteran turned L.A.P.D.
police officer with big ambitions and an even
bigger attitude problem.
Cole’s cases are presented as different
chapters of the game, and players must gather
evidence, both by looking for clues and questioning
witnesses, in order to make an arrest.
Not everything is black and white though;
sometimes the obvious suspect isn’t the
guilty party, and Cole will soon find that
his morals are tested just as much as his
crime-solving prowess.
L.A. Noire received critical acclaim when
it was released in 2011.
Reviewers were impressed by a number of aspects
of the game, including the story, the voice
acting and mo-cap, and the open world, which
was a recreation of Los Angeles in the 1940s.
Think you’ve got what it takes to crack
the case?
You can find the original version of L.A.
Noire on PC.
If you’d prefer to grab yourself a copy
of the shiny, remastered version, you can
do so on Xbox One and Series, PS4 and 5, and
Switch.
6.
Heavy Rain (2010) (PS4, PS5, PC)
We’ve spent an awful lot of time making
fun of Heavy Rain on this channel and,sure,
the voice acting is a bit wobbly in places
and there’s that glitch, but if you can
look beyond those things, you’ll find a
game that’s really worth your time.
Heavy Rain focusses on sad dad Ethan Mars,
who’s been having a pretty rough time of
it since his eldest son was killed in a road
traffic accident and his marriage has fallen
apart.
Things are about to get far worse for the
unfortunate father though, as his other son,
Shaun, is taken by the infamous Origami Killer;
a serial murder who kidnaps children in order
to test their fathers’ love.
To get his son back, Ethan will need to participate
in a number of trials, each more chilling
than the last.
Throughout the game, players control one of
four characters: unlucky pop Ethan Mars, FBI
profiler Norman Jayden, journalist Madison
Paige, and private investigator Scott Shelby.
As they progress through the story, their
actions can impact the overall outcome, and
there are 17 different endings that can be
achieved in total.
I sure hope you’ve got those thumbs ready;
you’re going to need them to press X to
Shaun a lot.
Heavy Rain was originally released as a PlayStation
3 exclusive, but it has since been remastered
and can now be found on PlayStation 4, PlayStation
5, and PC.
5.
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End (2016) (PS4,
PS5)
If you’re anything like us, then you’ll
agree that just one slice of the delicious
and slightly cheeky pie that is Nathan Drake
isn’t enough.
You deserve a second helping, my friend, so
pull up a chair and grab yourself another
serving of Uncharted, though this time, might
we recommend Uncharted 4?
Set some fifteen years after the events of
Drake’s Deception, A Thief’s End sees
Nathan Drake enjoying his retirement by taking
up gardening and…
Oh, who am I kidding?
Yes, he’s retired, but the man can’t stand
it, and it takes little more than a slight
nudge from his brother, Sam, to get him back
into the treasure hunting game.
After spending several years in jail, Sam
has been able to escape alongside drug lord
Hector Alcazar, who now demands that Sam finds
the treasure of Henry Avery if he wants to
keep on breathing.
Always game for an adventure, Nathan signs
himself up to help straight away.
Uncharted 4 cleverly combines action-packed
gameplay with a nuanced narrative in a way
that allows both to have their moment in the
spotlight; the action never takes away from
the story, nor does the plot tread on the
toes of the gameplay.
Nathan Drake’s fourth major outing was released
as a PlayStation 4 exclusive, and is currently
available only to those who own a Sony console.
Don’t despair if you don’t have a PlayStation
though, as the Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves
Collection, which contains a remastered version
of the game, has already released on PS5,
and is set to launch on PC at some point in
2022.
4.
Halo 3 (2007) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S,
PC)
Following its release in November 2004, there
were some who were a little disappointed with
Halo 2’s single-player campaign.
The multiplayer was solid, and there was a
lot of love for the audio-visual presentation,
but the single-player mode was short and divided
fans by concluding on a cliff-hanger.
Thankfully, much of that was forgiven when
Halo 3 released in 2007.
The plot of Halo 3 once again follows Master
Chief as he and his comrades do their darndest
to put a stop to the plans of the Covenant,
a theocratic collection of alien races that
threatens the galaxy.
This time, the Covenant leader, the High Prophet
of Truth, has set his sights on the Ark, an
immense structure that has the ability to
fire all of the Halos at once.
If you’ve been paying attention to the series
thus far, you’ll know that’s pretty bad
for business.
Upon its release, Halo 3 received widespread
critical acclaim, with reviewers lauding it
for retaining the Halo formula that worked
so well in previous games, whilst still delivering
a fresh experience thanks to its exciting
story and the addition of new weapons and
vehicles.
Like all of the Halo games that have come
before and since, Halo 3 is a Microsoft exclusive.
These days, you can find a remastered version
as part of the Master Chief Collection, available
on Xbox One, Xbox Series X and S, and PC.
3.
Portal 2 (2011) (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S,
PC)
If you’ve been putting off playing Portal
2 because you think it’s just going to be
more of the same, then I’m here to tell
you that…
Um, well, it kind of is.
But, wait, don’t go!
A lot of Portal 2’s mechanics are very similar
to its predecessor, but it does have additional
ones, and it brings a brand-new story and
characters to the table.
Plus, why wouldn’t you want more portal-gun
action in your life?
I know I do.
The game begins with Chell waking up, once
again, in the Aperture Science Enrichment
Centre.
Guided by personality core Wheatley, who happens
to be voiced by the fantastic Stephen Merchant,
Chell must utilise the Aperture Science Handheld
Portal Device, along with various lasers,
tractor beams, and light bridges, to escape
the facility.
Not only do Portal 2 players get another single-player
campaign with tonnes more puzzles to solve,
but they get a multiplayer experience as well,
which allows them to buddy up with a friend
to solve even more brainteasers, co-op style.
Like its predecessor, Portal 2 is superbly
written, incredibly well voice-acted, and
is built on a solid foundation of puzzles
that are challenging enough to keep players
hooked, but not so difficult that they’ll
rage quit.
If one dose of Portal isn’t enough and you
must have more, then you can find Portal 2
on Xbox One and Series via backwards compatibility,
as well as on PC.
The game is also headed to Switch at some
point in 2022 as part of the Portal: Companion
Collection, though at the time of writing,
we’re not sure exactly when it will be released.
2.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017)
(Wii U, Switch)
I just know you’ve been waiting with bated
breath to find out which of the many brilliant
Zelda titles would be our final pick from
the series, and I think you’ll agree that
we’ve made a good choice.
Breath of the Wildis the first open world
title in the modern Legend of Zelda series,
and OH BOY, did Nintendo deliver the goods.
Players once again join everyone’s favourite
Peter Pan look-a-like Link, as he travels
across Hyrule in order to restore his memories
and defeat big bad Ganon, only this time he’s
going by the name Calamity Ganon.
Ooh, edgy.
Unlike most previous Zelda titles, Breath
of the Wild doesn’t give players much in
the way of direction, as the focus is squarely
on exploration.
There is a main questline, of course, but
the game doesn’t railroad players into picking
it up immediately, and instead encourages
them to wander the huge landscape to see what
secrets they can uncover.
Critics had nothing but praise for the game,
with some going as far as to call Breath of
the Wild “a masterpiece”, and it’s easy
to see why.
The humongous open world is nothing short
of stunning, drawing players in with scores
of magical things that are just waiting to
be explored.
Are you ready to get out there and collect
all 900 Korok seeds?
Like the vast majority of Zelda titles before
it, Breath of the Wild is a Nintendo exclusive,
and so you can only find it on Wii U and Switch.
Just a quick note before we get to our number
one entry: We’re very grateful that you’ve
stuck with us for this whole list, and we
just want to remind you that these entries
are in no particular order, so please don’t
come for us in the comments if your favourite
game isn’t in pole position.
All of these games mean something special
to at least one of the members of our team,
and we hope that, after playing them, they’ll
mean something to you too.
With all of that out of the way…
1.
Project Makeover (2020) (iOS, Android)
Now, I know we said that these games were
listed in no particular order, but Project
Makeover is undoubtedly number one in the
hearts of everyone at Team TripleJump.
The game was released in 2020 and sees players
matching tiles and giving makeovers to a bunch
of people that are in need of a little TLC.
[off-mic] STOP, STOP, STOP!
[record scratch] I can’t keep this up any
longer.
Cut to the real number one.
1.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011) (Xbox One,
Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
Oh, come on, you didn’t really think we’d
forget about Skyrim, did you?
After all, it’s not like Todd Howard’s
going to let us anytime soon.
Set in Tamriel’s northernmost province,
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim sees players taking
on the role of the Dragonborn, an individual
whose purpose it is to defeat Alduin, a dragon
whom prophecy dictates will eventually destroy
the world.
If you think that it’s just a case of toddling
off to fight a big lizard so that you can
be home in time for supper, then you’re
going to
be severely disappointed, as it’s very easy
to play dozens of hours of Skyrim and hardly
touch the main questline.
Sure, you could just go straight for the dragon
and ignore everything else, but why would
you when you can become a master thief or
a mysterious assassin?
There is a whole world full of quests and
secrets to uncover, and there’s little wonder
that many players have sunk thousands of hours
into the game.
Skyrim is considered by many to be one of
the greatest games of all time, and for good
reason.
The roleplaying elements of the title are
flawlessly executed, the world is massive
without feeling bloated, and each quest is
well-written and filled to the brim with interesting
enemies and NPCs.
At this point, it would probably be quicker
to list the devices that you can’t play
Skyrim on, but for the sake of clarity, the
game
is available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S,
PS4, PS5, Switch, and PC.
Phew!
That
was a lot of games, think we’re going to
go for
a little lie down now.
Related posts: