Played On: PC

Many games have good writing, but few contain actual well-written prose. Disco Elysium uses this strength to weave a narrative and mystery that unravels not only the world at large, but the amnesiac detective in the center. I think the first time I realized I was truly into this game was exploring the bookstore and stumbling upon the old TTRPG company - such a small and ultimately minor thing but the texture and humanity that it gave the city was really touching. Another game that I replayed as soon as I finished my first run. My favorite build is physical-psyche; I love playing as the brute who somehow has a mainline connection with the universe.

Played On: PS2

Snake Eater is the height of Metal Gear Solid's unique brand of storytelling. All of the bosses are unique, with creative and out-of-the-box ways to achieve victory, and the finale, the Big Boss, is truly heartbreaking.

Played On: PS4, as if there was a choice.

A lot of media tries to capture Lovecraft's sense of cosmic horror and forbidden knowledge, though Bloodborne is one of the few that manage to embody the genre completely. The increased speed of combat as well as the addition of the rally mechanic make combat with the trick weapons satisfying to master. I also actually love the chalice dungeons, especially for the co-op opportunities they provide for higher level builds - you truly feel like you're two or three hunters banding together for survival in some foreign labyrinth.

Played On: PS4

One of my favorite games ever and I actually...don't even like the story or its missions. Roaming around and immersing myself in the landscapes and cities of New Hanover on my own terms is incredibly compelling, however. The sandbox world allows for some crazy storytelling that is unique in each playthrough and the world feels lived-in and real. Pour me a whiskey and get me a cigar, yee-haw!

Played On: PC

The world of Alan Wake II is like a love letter directly from Remedy and Sam Lake to me. I am a massive fan of Twin Peaks, True Detective, crime procedurals, cult documentaries, post-modern narrative, and a certified coffee snob, so to have that all distilled down into one piece of interactive art is like a dream come true. The opening sequence is one of the best in gaming, and I was hooked from that moment until the very end, eyes strapped wide to my monitor just waiting for what would come next.

Played On: PS5

It's midnight and I just loaded into Elden Ring for the first time. I picked the Samurai class, died to the hardest tutorial boss in Souls, and am now running around dodging a dragon and undead in stone ruins on top of a lake. Yes, I opened that chest. Yes, I'm now in a nightmare landscape with a blood-red lake and sky, and horrifying creatures all trying to kill me. No, I did not realize I could fast travel, so I literally ran all the way back to Limgrave from Caelid. It was amazing, and I was astonished at how big the game world was. Little did I know...

Played On: PC - Enhanced Edition

Silent Hill 2 somehow takes desolate grime and makes it cozy with an introspective soundtrack, only to throw you in the horror deep end again with sexualized monsters, dark pits, and unhinged voice acting. I was not prepared for the emotional journey of exploring the town of Silent Hill, but it's one that will stick with me for a long time.

Played On: Snes9x - Android

I was a late-comer to Chrono Trigger, and I first finished the game playing it on my phone while I was supposed to be working - I couldn't put it down! The story and world are both exciting and feel real, oozing with adventure and charm.

Played On: Nintendo Switch

Playing this on my Switch, I was instantly transported back to playing the LucasArts point-and-click games as a kid. It gave me the same kind of feeling and emotional connection, with the same goofy video game puzzle logic that those have. The cast of characters are unique and memorable, and the wholesome humor the game exudes put a smile on my face.

Played On: PS4

My first FromSoft game that I grabbed on a whim, just thinking it looked cool. I had just beaten Hollow Knight and was feeling good about fighting bosses - how hard were games from the Souls people, really? Cue me fighting Shinobi Hunter Enshin of Misen for like 2 hours because I could not figure out how to Mikiri Counter for the life of me. Nice. I did eventually persevere, and that transformational journey from not being able to beat a mini-boss to conquering some of the most challenging bosses in FromSoft's catalogue turned me into a massive fan.

Played On: PS2

My first foray into the Metal Gear Solid universe, and even as a new player, I was bamboozled by the switch to Raiden. However, that's just a taste of the many twist and turns Sons of Liberty takes as it weaves its story of espionage complete with vampires, bullet-stopping luck, and, of course, giant robots.

Played On: PC

I love Portal 1, but the sequel takes all of the platforming portal puzzles and elevates them to a new level, while adding a fun and surprisingly touching story through it all. The game is capped off by one of the best boss fights in gaming history.

Played On: Nintendo Switch

Tears of the Kingdom's toolset just allows for an incredible amount of creativity in problem solving and exploration, and the addition of new enemies, updated locations, skies, and depths gives plenty of opportunities to try out new strategies and ideas. On top of all that, it has one of the best stories in Zelda and an incredible finale. My wife and I played this simultaneously and sharing our discoveries and contraptions we built was a wholesome experience as well. She discovered the depths before me and had not realized you could just warp out of there, so she ran out of Brightbloom Seeds and died. Then when she watched me go spelunking for the first time, she went full shocked pikachu as I teleported back to the surface. Hilarious.

Played On: Nintendo Switch

Hollow Knight is the game that changed my mindset about "hard games," and pulled me in with its atmospheric art and solemn soundtrack. Catch me listening to the City of Tears while rain falls in the background. All of the upgrades are worthwhile and are satisfying to use, and the game has just enough difficulty between the bossfights and platforming sections to provide a fun challenge. Steel Soul 100% is one of my favorite things I've ever done.

Played On: PS4

Can't talk about Symphony of the Night without mentioning its masterfully crunchy pixel art. The game looks like a dream and every area of the castle oozes charm from the enemies, bosses, music, and yes, the busted magic spells. I played this one for the first time around Halloween one year and my fondness for it has only grown over time. It's easy to see why other games have been so inspired by it over the years.

Played On: Nintendo Switch

This is the game I bought my Switch for, one of the best decisions I've ever made not only because Breath of the Wild is an amazing adventure, but because it started my wife's journey into gaming. Watching her joyfully explore Hyrule and eventually make her way to Ganon was a wonderful experience, almost on par with playing the game myself.

Played On: PC

Where Baldur's Gate and its sequel revel in being classic stories of heroism and grandeur, Planescape is weird, grungy, and mind-bending. The interweaving of companions stories into the main narrative makes the world feel complete, as you try to piece together the game's most pressing question: what can change the nature of a man?

Played On: PC

An amazing journey filled with incredibly deep combat, a charming cast of characters, and beautiful hand-drawn maps. It's my favorite game ever with a fascinating world that spans from the bustling city of Athkatla to pastoral forests and even the pits of Hell. I never get tired of it.

Played On: Nintendo Switch

Well, COVID had hit and I was unemployed, going through the monotony of applying for what felt like 50 jobs a day just hoping that through natural attrition one would hit - doing the same thing day after day, going hollow, just like my Dark Souls 1 PC, except he could do something about it. My reward for sending out applications every day was my journey from the Asylum to the city of the gods to the Kiln to relink the fire, and as soon as I finished the first time, I started it all over again. Please just hit me with that character creation menu theme and let me fade away.

Played On: PC - Moguri Mod

A powerful adventure full of personality and charm reflected in the atmospheric storytelling of the world and the colorful cast. Each character is a treasure with their own personality and I want to hug them all.

Played On: PC

I was pretty into New Vegas from the get-go, but the moment that hooked me was rounding the corner and seeing the giant Novac dinosaur for the first time. A single tear rolled down my cheek. The DLC also has some of my favorite storytelling in Fallout - not the Courier 6 plot, but rather Father Elijah's story as you piece it together backwards from Dead Money through Old World Blues and finally bring it back home to the Brotherhood in the Mojave.

Played On: PC

Pentiment feels like a game written directly for me with commentary on medieval philosophy, deconstruction of reformed theology, and plenty of historical tidbits. Throw in a murder-mystery and baby, you got some pottage goin. Did I mention you get to make out with a nun?

Played On: PS4

Not only does Dark Souls 3 have my favorite bosses in the series, but it also has the best NPC narratives and questlines between Gael, Patches, Horace and Anri, Siegward, Irina, Greirat, and the others. Of course, they are all heartbreaking in that special Souls NPC way, but how they weave throughout the story organically is such a huge difference compared to the hoops needed to jump through to experience stories in both DS1 and DS2 - they feel like they belong in this world and that they are part of it with you. I've played this game so much that a lot of it has become second nature to me, but I think what stands out the most are the sprawling, circular levels like Cathedral or the Undead Settlement, alongside bosses with epic stories and lore that make them feel like equals when you fight rather than enemies.

Played On: PC

I have a distinct memory of sitting in my junior year U.S. History class, huddled together with a few friends to read a PC Gamer magazine with an article about Half-Life 2 and how amazing the graphics were going to be. When it came out, I was blown away not just by the graphic fidelity, but by the world-building and puzzles integrated into the gameplay.

Played On: PC

Will of the Wisps takes everything I disliked about the Blind Forest and fixes it spectacularly. The combat is much improved and very satisfying, but the real stars are the platforming sections that a perfectly designed. I think about the final few levels a lot. The art style is absolutely gorgeous of course, and the narrative is touching. Just a magical experience.

Played On: Nintendo Switch

I've only played as a Pacifist and I refuse to play this any other way. It's just perfectly wholesome, cozy, and heartwarming that way.

Played On: Nintendo GameCube

A breathtaking adventure with stylistic attitude and an artstyle that oozes personality, Wind Waker is just pure fun. The darker undercurrent contrasted against the lighter cel-shaded exterior also makes for a captivating narrative that is one of the best stories in Zelda.

Played On: PS2 + PS4

I first played DMC3 as a rental from Blockbuster when I was in high school, only replaying and actually finishing it 16 years later. The combat system is as deep as any modern game, and the over-the-top action and humor make DMC3 a masterpiece. If anyone ever asks, "should I play this game?" all you have to do is show them the pizza cutscene and they'll know what to do.

Played On: PS4

I mean, straight up, the police station is one of the best locations in gaming, especially with the remake's sound design. Claire's story is fantastic as well - college student beats the shit out of secret super weapons because she can. I think my favorite moment in the game is when Claire watches a creepy video tape in the sewers that provides no context, and responds exactly like the player does, "...glad I watched that..."

Played On: Nintendo Switch

Experiencing Samus's vision in first person is incredibly immersive and spellbinding. I love how alien the world feels at first and how comfortable it begins to be as you start to memorize the map and become more powerful.

Played On: PS4

Fast-paced arcade combat with combos for days makes the gameplay incredibly fun. However, the real meat is in the story, characters, and world which are steeped in nihilism and ontology, yet still manage to defy all odds by remaining hopeful. The soundtrack is also killer, and I will never forget entering Pascal's village for the first time.

Played On: SNES + ZSNES

Onett theme goes hard as hell and so does Earthbound's vibes. My cousins had a copy of this when I was younger, and I loved going over to their place and just wandering around not even really knowing what was happening except I was a cool kid with a baseball bat and magic friends. Later I played it through emulation and it's like the perfect amalgamation of everything I like - cults, aliens, psychic powers, baseball bats, and 90s nostalgia.

Played On: PS4

I absolutely love the tight narrative focus this game has and the overarching metaphor of climbing the mountain while Kratos and Atreus overcome the monolithic barrier between them - all the while they are taken to realms they never imagined they'd go, as their relationship evolves in ways they didn't expect. The entire game revolves around this relationship of parent-child from Thor's sons to Freya and her relationship to Baldur, all acting as foils to Kratos and Atreus. It's compelling, grounded, and thought provoking in a way few action games are.

Played On: SNES

RAUGH! Sorry, I just stepped on a kremling. Amazing level design that can range from sprawling to sprint-right and reflex jump, with platforming puzzles and animal companions and pirate crocs and improved boss fights and and and...damn I love this game. It can be frustratingly hard at times, but that's why they put the best songs in the hardest levels. Bramble Blast is a treasure. I owned this and DKC3 on SNES at my dad's house and it's one of those that took me years to finally beat since I couldn't play it regularly.

Played On: PC

While KOTOR 1 told a wonderful classic Star Wars story, the Sith Lords was more interested in asking questions and exploring the nature of both the Jedi and the Force in a way that no other Star Wars media has, and the narrative and philosophy weaved throughout is thought-provoking and wholly unique.

Played On: Nintendo Switch

I played Metroid Dread while having COVID, going just as long as I could stand it each time until my head felt like it was going to explode and then I'd put the controller down, pass out, and start on the next section later. This definitely led to some funny experiences like me fighting a certain gimmick boss for like 20 minutes straight not understanding why it wasn't dying. My first playthrough feels like a dream, honestly, but I did it and loved it. Playthrough two, however, really showed me how much this game rewards mastering the movement and pushing its boundaries - the sequence breaks are exciting to pull off, and for some of them to reward you with alternate cutscenes or different routes is incredibly satisfying.

Played On: Nintendo Switch

A fun and pure game of cozy exploration with vibrant levels and creative visuals. The game gives a minor goal of collecting moons that provides that little endorphin rush every time, and a major goal of defeating the area boss and then just dumps you into a sandbox to accomplish these in any way you want. I actually don't consider myself a 3D platformer fan, but Odyssey's framing, movement, and creativity make it an absolute joy to play.

Played On: PC

The first thing anyone sees the when they look at Garage is the grotesque art design of the characters and world - it's shocking and hard to look past at first. However, as you delve deeper into the game it becomes weirdly beautiful and comforting in an unexpected way, which mirrors the explorations of abuse's consequences on the human psyche.

Played On: PC

I absolutely adore Heather as a protagonist and how much more assertive and aggressive she is compared to James in SH2. Of course, that means the nightmare turns more aggressive as well, which creates some visually striking areas that are genuinely creepy.

Played On: SNES

Wu-wu-wu-wu-wu-wah....sorry, I just got my cape power-up. Yeah, I mean the level design is incredible and the game introduces Yoshi, but I think the real super power of the game is how the sound effects are still stuck in my head daily.

Played On: MS-DOS

My mind was blown when I played this game, comparing it to the first one with just the sheer amount of new polish it had. It was absolutely stunning at the time. Then, I hit the ending and I think my little child brain melted.

Played On: PC

In 2003, I got this for my step-dad at Christmas, which was a classic double-gift since I wanted to play myself. Watching him install and play through the first few segments on Christmas morning, I thought the reflections on the sith armor was the absolute peak in graphic fidelity. When I finally got to play myself, I found an epic roadtrip with fantastic companions across a rich planetary system, and a classic yet shocking narrative that enthralled me until the very end.

Played On: PS4

While Replicant can be absolutely frustrating at some times, the storytelling and payoff are absolutely worth it. The characters are incredibly endearing as well as the small narratives woven throughout the game.

Played On: Nintendo Switch

Pure platforming fun with dynamic level design and awesome worlds to run around in. There's also enough challenge to keep things interesting, or you can roll as Funky Kong if you just want to do some relaxing platforming. Absolute treat to play.

Played On: MyBoy!

Smooth controls and movement like Zero Mission and Fusion but looks and plays better with twice as many secrets. Nintendo is just jealous they couldn't make a GBA game this good.

Played On: PC

I did not expect this game to go the places it does, or for it to impact me emotionally like it did. The twists of the narrative keep the mystery alive while simultaneously twisting the gameplay as well. It's fun to break and bend the cards to your will, but the characters and creativity make Inscryption shine.

Played On: PC

Playing Arkham City was like living in the Batman the Animated Series that I grew up watching. The boss fights are also great spectacles with Mr. Freeze probably being the best one. Just a great sense of Wonder and actually feeling like being in a comic book.

Played On: PSX

This isn't a Mega Man game - it's a Zero game. The levels flow better, the bosses are more fun, and Zero is just kick ass with his saber. Zero's playthrough also has some of the best voice acting work in video game history.

Played On: SNES

Easily my favorite game when I was a kid. Mega Man X is just perfect - badass bosses, fun powers, quick movement, Zero's first appearance, and impeccable level design, plus a weirdly almost neo-noir plot spin-off of Blade Runner. X controls like a dream and blasting through levels to the amazing OST just never gets old.

Played On: Arcade

I was always drawn to this one, and the other Darkstalkers games, because of the amazing artwork and theme obviously, but the combo system's simplicity makes it a joy to play as well. Easy to play match after match and not feel like you're outplayed because you didn't memorize a 12-hit combo string.

Played On: MS-DOS

Guybrush Threepwood is my hero and took me on so many adventures as a kid with ridiculous humor and loveable characters. I owe every come-back I've ever used to the sword fighting in Monkey Island.

Played On: PC

When I jumped into Titanfall 2, I was just expecting it to be a standard FPS campaign; I was not prepared to be emotionally attached to my robot in the way that I was. I also wasn't expecting some of the best level-design I've ever experienced in an FPS with some truly creative platforming sections.

Played On: PS4

The gameplay loop bouncing between frenetic boss fights to contemplative exploration gives Shadow of the Colossus a dynamic quality and meditative factor that, when combined with the atmosphere, makes the experience seem otherworldly, yet by grounding it with such a simple and human narrative, it makes Wander's journey personal to the player. It's a beautiful tragedy.

Played On: PS4

The Spencer Mansion wonderfully recreates the haunted house we all have living in our brands - that one twisting, turning house that comes to your mind when you think of the genre. The game is also delightfully well paced between horror, exploration, and b-movie silliness, providing satisfyingly gameplay that cuts the tension with playful relief. This game is fun.

Played On: PC

The leap from Diablo to Diablo II was insane with just how much they expanded the lore and gameplay. The larger world and different regions make chasing Diablo feel epic, and the introduction of class specific skills breathe life into the characters and emphasize replaying with new strategies and builds. I was never a huge online person, but taking a new character from Level 1 all the way through Hell difficulty is always an exciting adventure.

Played On: PC

Fallout 2 is THE Fallout game - the one that, in my mind, defines the series regarding lore, tone, and world-building. It is incredibly rich in characters and ideas with roleplaying opportunities and interesting stories around every corner. I actually played this one after Fallout 3, as I wanted to learn more about the universe, and seeing how different the worlds were presented blew my mind.

Played On: M64Plus FZ - Android

Incredibly charming and quaint, I loved exploring the Mushroom Kingdom in Paper Mario. Simplicity in mechanics works wonders as the artstyle, connected world traversal, and character encounters do the heavy lifting for Paper Mario. I had a smile on my face the entire time while playing this.

Played On: PC

One of the best looking point-and-click games of all time with hilarious jokes and more pirate shenanigans. If anyone wanted to get into the Monkey Island games, this is the one I would recommend. Just an absolute classic. Even without Ron Gilbert, the game manages to retain the vibes of the originals.

Played On: PC

My step-dad and I used to play this with each other all the time, just building our civilizations and destroying CPU opponents before turning on each other. I loved the aesthetic and vibes so much that I would sometimes just play solo without any enemies on a custom map just to build out a little civilization for fun. Wololo.

Played On: PS4

Spider-Man was my favorite superhero growing up and being able to swing around New York as him with gadgets and costumes is the epitome of fun. The Scarlet Spider suit was always my favorite since I was a kid - hoodie superhero costumes are cool, so to see it look so great here made me smile. The boss fights are spectacles, and the story is touching and heartbreaking even when you know it's coming.

Played On: Sega Dreamcast + Arcade

I didn't know who half of the Capcom characters were, but I loved playing as Spider-Man, Storm, Mega-Man, and Wolverine, so I just ran tournaments over and over against the CPU on my Dreamcast, making up stupid stories in my head about why these people were fighting. I loved playing X-Men Children of the Atom at the arcade, so when MvC came out, I had to have it.

Played On: PC

How do Norse mythology and hardboiled detective fit together so well? I enjoyed Max Payne 1 (although the dream sequences scare me on multiple levels), but its sequel really fleshed things out in a cinematic way in both gameplay and narrative presentation. Full of grit and fog and gunsmoke, it's easy to get drawn into and lost in Max Payne's New York.

Played On: MS-DOS

Having played some of Maniac Mansion on my step-dad's old Commodore 64, seeing this game was a holy shit moment for me, and I played it over and over again. I loved the characters, the humor, and the time travel puzzles were very fun and satisfying to pull off. It's also one of those games I kind of grew up with - I kept playing it even as I got older and more and more of the jokes started to make sense with lots of little "aha" moments along the way.

Played On: PC

The Penitent One controls like a dream, making the platforming through gothic and macabre environments tight and satisfying, and combat feels better than ever. The idea of tying in platforming ability upgrades into the weapons is genius as well, giving each weapon a unique feel and progression path through the early stages of the game.

Played On: SNES

Whenever I think of "Adventure Games," Link to the Past is the first one that comes to mind as the poster-child for adventure, with all of its items, bosses, and classic fantasy feel. I had played the original Zelda on NES (I was enamored with the gold cartridge - it was the coolest thing I'd ever seen), but I think I was too young to figure it out. Link to the Past really drew me in felt like that adventure that I had wanted all along.

Played On: Nintendo Switch

Stylistically bombastic with a way-deeper-than-I-thought combat system and sadistic yet satisfying platforming, The Lost Crown made me feel like I was trapped on Mount Qaf as well - I couldn't put it down (big apologies to my co-workers). Movement across screens when exploring or backtracking is fluid and smooth, full of little platforming tricks to pull off that make traversal fun. Then, when the game decides to fully test you with either a cinematic boss fight (shout out to Kiana the Forest Queen, one of my favorite bosses ever), or an intense platforming section, you really feel like an acrobatic master worthy of the title Immortal.

Played On: Nintendo Switch

The Smash Bros. game where I finally started playing 1v1s online - a blessing and a curse, but my Toon Link says here's a bomb, here's a bomb, here's a bomb, here's a bomb, here's a bomb into short-hop fair, and you're dead. Nowhere is safe from the bombs.

Played On: PC

Riven takes the atmospheric mystery and puzzles of Myst and turns it up to 11 while also focusing on environmental storytelling to really bring the Age of Riven to life. The puzzles also feel organically woven into the world which provides cohesion and a lived-in quality to the game world, something that I think a lot of puzzle games struggle with.

Played On: GBA4iOS

I had not played a Pokémon game in a very, very long time but when I got my first iPhone, I thought it would be a great idea to download a GameBoy emulator and try one out just as a fun experiment. Somehow, I landed on Emerald and was instantly hooked by the pixel art, the idea of your dad being a gym leader, and I think the world having all new Pokémon really helped me dive in and feel the excitement that I had experienced as a child. Blaziken 4 lyfe.

Played On: NES

Not my first Mario game, but definitely the one I dove into the hardest. I remember rushing home from school to a friend's house and we'd boot it up, taking turns trying to beat it. Pipe Land was always the run killer. So much imagination pumped into the levels, and the amount of secrets blew my mind as a kid.

Played On: Nintendo Switch

I played through the world of Super Mario RPG while eating tiny bites of jello from a spoon and popping painkillers for the holes in my head where my wisdom teeth used to be. It was like reverting to childhood, discovering the magic and creativity of Mario all over again.

Played On: PS3

UMBASA, the vibes! The atmosphere! The solitude! The haze! Boletaria has it all! The original has an emotional feeling that is so unique compared to the rest of the games that is amplified by its unconventional soundtrack. I also absolutely love the level structure of Demon's Souls - being able to tackle the worlds in any order gives a lot of options for builds and replay, and adds variety for challenging yourself.

Played On: MS-DOS

I remember when we first got this game, I thought it was based on the Batman the Animated Series game "The Riddle of the Minotaur," but when the hours long, eight disk install completed, instead I was rewarded with a vibrant pixel world of puzzles and magic. Stills from The Hand of Fate are burned into my memory, like the Octopus outside the pirate bar, or the giant rabbit statue along a cliff.

Played On: PC

The best thing about Morrowind is that it's just weird - mushroom towers, jungle romans, strange floating palaces, and a giant volcano - it's the best setting the Elder Scrolls has ever had. The second best thing is the sheer amount of freedom afforded to you while you explore the deep lore of Vvardenfell and its people, like crafting weapons with custom magic effects (I made a spear that would turn me invisible every time I attacked), or trying to find the perfect combination of spells to launch yourself across the continent for speedy travel.

Played On: PC

Engrossing storytelling that plunge splayers into the strange, sad world of the Finch Family. I believe everyone would find something touching in this game, particularly in the cannery story which is unlike anything else I've ever played in the way it brings together narrative and gameplay.

Played On: PC

My fondest memories of Quake III are when we installed the demo version onto the high school's network drive, so a bunch of us would play against each other while in BCIS or Keyboarding or just while we were supposed to be in study hall at the library.

Played On: PS4

Biohazard was my first Resident Evil game that propelled me to play the entire series, and the first half of the game scared the hell out of me with its perfectly creepy and twisted level-design, while the second half was a revenge tour. Also the Baker Ranch reminds me of my favorite TV show of all time, True Detective, specifically the final episode.

Played On: PS5

Boss fights, vibes, and soundtrack are all amazing. There are some incredibly memorable sequences as well, filled to the brim with spectacle and visual framing with incredible scope and perspective. I loved experimenting with different combinations of abilities to max out my damage and lay down some huge numbers.

Played On: PC

The Neverhood was so hard for me as a kid, but I just kept playing and playing because the animation, art direction, and soundtrack are all absolutely phenomenal. The puzzles are satisfying and the characters are cute. Who can't relate to the robot that just wants his teddy bear?

Played On: MyBoy! - Android

The Minish Cap is one of the most underrated games in the Zelda franchise. Toon Link looks great as always, the dungeons are fantastic with the shrinking mechanic being a creative way to add the second world, and it's fun every once in a while to have a villain not named Ganon.

Played On: Nintendo Switch

The map design and exploration in Astalon is absolute perfection. The amount of shortcuts packed into the Tower is staggering, and unlocking them gives endorphin rushes from hour one to hour thirty. The ability to swap between characters creates fun wrinkles in exploration, and while ultimately you do end up with a favorite, all three are fantastic and powerful when upgraded.

Played On: PS5

Oh my god, I love Ethan Winters. He's one of my favorite Resident Evil protagonists - goofy, loveable, and a dedicated dad. I always feel a kinship with him, like we've bonded over all the crap that we've gone through together. Village offers itself as a love letter to several different types of horror films - werewolves, vampires, Lovecraft, haunted houses, etc., and nails them all in the most fun way possible. It knows exactly when to eschew horror for camp and vice versa, creating a frighteningly fun adventure in the process. The DLC is fantastic as well, and contains one of the most memorable sequences in Resident Evil - I can never look at mannequins the same way again.

Played On: MyOldBoy - Android

There's just something undeniably comfy about Johto and its Pokémon inhabitants. I actually didn't play the 2nd Generation of Pokémon until quite a bit later, but I felt like a kid again running around with my Typhlosion.

Played On: PC

Amazing storytelling wrapped up in striking pixel art and plenty of humor to go with your sad. Played this over one afternoon and was totally enthralled by it as I was taken on a ride from mourning my mother, to a shopping mall cult, to rebelling against capitalism and the destruction of the environment.

Played On: Nintendo Switch

The new adorable art style for Link's Awakening fits the game's dreamlike narrative so well, making it a pure joy to play. The puzzles for some of the dungeons are also fairly challenging on the first time through which helps to keep the game fresh. It's also directly inspired by Twin Peaks! I had played the original as a kid but never finished it, so the remake was almost a fresh experience for me.

Played On: PS2

Fuck Eric Sparrow, the most punchable face in video game villainy. I was a fan of Tony Hawk from the first game, but adding in a story made a huge difference in replayability for me. I threw hours into this game trying to become the star skater I was born to be but couldn't in real life...because...well I have no talent.

Played On: MS-DOS

An adventure to find a bigfoot and his giraffe-necked girlfriend, Sam and Max goes full-throttle (LucasArts pun) from the first moments of the game until the wholesome conclusion. The game-world is a wacky and kitsch version of the United States and feels like an epic road trip with two crazy friends. It's like Americana, the game.

Played On: PC

When Skyrim came out, I remember running back and forth between my room and my roommate's, excitedly exchanging stories and secrets we had found. Probably one of the best gaming experiences of my life, I ended up pouring more and more into the game with the true magic of Elder Scrolls V - mods.

Played On: Xbox Series X

Simplicity speaks to me, and the press-button-as-attack-lands mechanic provides just the right amount of endorphin rush to keep me engaged - timing the moonerang for as many hits as possible and watching the boss turn to dust never gets old. The story of Sea of Stars is simple and wholesome, played out through a classic adventure with stunning graphics, an amazing soundtrack, and mini-platforming/puzzle world traversal that keeps things fresh and moving. Atmosphere and vibes rule the world.

Played On: PC

I put Demon's Souls on here twice because I do think they are fairly different experiences that I love almost equally, as I think both completely achieve what they set out to accomplish. The Remake is a cinematic masterpiece that makes the player's journey through Boletaria feel epic and grand. Tower Knight's theme has been changed into a soaring score, Shrine of Storms welcomes the player with a lightning strike blasting a tree, the Swamp of Sorrow now shows the immensity of the village as glowing lights in the distance, and Storm King finally feels larger than life through the PS5's haptic feedback. While it does leave behind some of the solemn haze of the original, the Remake's vision stands as a powerful vision of Boletaria in its own right.

Played On: PC

Don't be fooled by the tiny, minimalist pixels on the screen, as this is actually one of the most ambitious Metroidvanias I've ever played. It is chocked full of secrets, power-ups, and sequence-breaks, all powered by eldritch horror that doesn't become apparent until the post-game.

Played On: PC

I was a senior in high school with no money, my PC could barely run it at probably like 20fps, but I saved up and bought Oblivion and became completely obsessed from the moment I stepped out of those sewers for the first time. Oblivion was so easy to get lost in, and it has the best side-quests out of any game in the Elder Scrolls series, like an upside down castle, human hunting grounds, and rescuing a mage trapped in his own dream.

Played On: Nintendo Wii

While my wife was adding things like towels, bedding, dishes, and kitchen knives to our wedding registry, I added a Wii. She was not happy...until we got the Wii. We were absolutely broke, in a tiny apartment, and the Wii became our main source of entertainment - specifically Wii Sports. Epic baseball games were played with Darth Vader, George Costanza, and Dwight Schrute playing alongside us, and we even came up with rules to make things more even (yes, I'm still salty she banned my home-run-every-time-wrist-flick technique). Tennis matches were a tense rivalry as well, as we learned how to put spin on the ball and trick each other. Some of the most fun I had in our first year of marriage was playing on that Wii.

Played On: PC

Smashing the roll button while traveling through adorably designed levels and fighting waves of enemies or taking down bosses is an absolute blast. Death's Door is also very detailed with lots of little things throughout that make the world pop, even the small things like the Crow's idle animation add mountains to the game's charm.

Played On: SNES

Donkey Kong Country 3 took the several rambling and sprawling levels of Diddy's Kong Quest and said let's make these the entire game. The level design gets nuts and pretty wacky with gimmicks and animal companions, which I absolutely adore. It's a wild ride and I appreciate the creativity showcased especially in the latter half of the game.

Played On: Nintendo Switch

Mega Man 11 looks great, controls great, and the double-gear system adds a nice wrinkle into the classic Mega Man formula. The robot master designs are all top notch, and the levels are satisfying to explore with a lot of variety between them. I remember my wife getting this for my birthday and I played and beat it that same day and booted it right back up to play on a harder difficulty. It's addictive and also a great portable game to play in small spurts - I always take it with me when I travel.

Played On: PC

Incredibly charming with bright vibrant colors, Monster Boy offers some challenging platforming with creative puzzle solving. The animal forms are all fun to play around with as you explore volcanoes, pirate coves, haunted houses, and the clouds.

Played On: Sega Dreamcast

Yeah, I had a Dreamcast. I barely had any games for it, and for the longest time the only ones I did have were House of the Dead 2 and NFL 2k, so I played the absolute crap out of both of them. House of the Dead 2 is ridiculous B-movie fun with insane voice acting and protagonists that respond to everything as if they are aliens. The monster designs are creepy and weird, and the whole game feels like a fever dream. I love it.

Played On: PC

A Jedi adventure with sniper rifles and rocket launchers, Jedi Outcast is equal parts hack and slash and FPS. The story is pretty decent, but the gameplay is what kept me enthralled for hours and hours as a kid - I mean you got a rifle that would disintegrate someone; it was awesome. I also remember a mod where you would fight waves of Dark Jedi while Prodigy's Smack My Bitch Up looped in the background. Peak.

Played On: PC

The original Baldur's Gate games are my favorite games of all time, hands down. I've been playing this game for 25 years now and I don't think I'll ever stop. Playing this for the first time was a wonderful adventure and while I didn't fully understand the mechanics, I threw myself into the world over and over again just to experience the magic of the Sword Coast and its stories.