Best Gameplay

List of my favorite games based mostly on mechanics, as well as how they integrate themselves with other aspects of the game.

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon
Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon
Definitely recency bias but goddamn is this game such a blast. If I had to criticize anything, it'd be how most of the game's regular missions are incredibly forgettable and mostly walks in the park with fragile enemies. That being said, having S-ranked every mission and getting the platinum, I've not only developed a newfound appreciation for a lot of what would be the more mundane missions on a normal playthrough, but I also think it's the most fun I've had completing a game. The NPC fights aren't super hard most of the time, but they're speedy, frantic, and usually provide insightful characterization, always making them a blast. The highlights are definitely the bosses and big, important story missions. Defeating many of the former and S-ranking many of the latter were just pure bliss. I also feel like I've only scratched the surface of this game's mechanics, using typically lightweight parts and relying on machine guns+melee. Once I get back to this after playing previous AC games and understanding the two-decade long synthesis, I just know it'll be just as enjoyable as when I first played.

1

Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
On my other list, I've spoken at length about how much I admire this game's bosses. Bosses aside, the gameplay loop is really solid (ha). Not perfect; I think flying enemies and certain elite enemies like the gorilla guys could've been balance better, and my GOD is the camera janky as hell. I swear, I could get dropkicked by a gorilla cyborg and suddenly the camera is face flat on Raiden's ass. That aside, it's so, so satisfying to master MGR's gameplay loop, with the Zanmatsu being a perfect way to incentivize aggression and high level play. It makes for an obscenely nutty gameplay loop when you're able to execute, probably the most satisfying in any game I've ever played.

2

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

3

Bloodborne
Bloodborne

4

Xenosaga Episode III: Also sprach Zarathustra
Xenosaga Episode III: Also sprach Zarathustra

5

Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War
Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War

6

Elden Ring
Elden Ring

7

Xenoblade Chronicles 2
Xenoblade Chronicles 2
Includes Torna

8

Hollow Knight
Hollow Knight

9

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

10

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

11

Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker
Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker

12

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

13

Dark Souls
Dark Souls

14

Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Fire Emblem: Three Houses

15

Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

16

Xenoblade Chronicles 3
Xenoblade Chronicles 3

17

Armored Core: Master of Arena
Armored Core: Master of Arena

18

Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence
Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence

19

Fire Emblem: Thracia 776
Fire Emblem: Thracia 776

20

Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn
Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn

21

Lost Judgment
Lost Judgment

22

Final Fantasy V
Final Fantasy V

23

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