Top 25 Video Games

Welcome to the last important list to come from this site: my 25 favorite video games I've ever played. To avoid too many wires and consoles, the games need to be available on a PS2, Switch or PS5. Games released before said consoles are eligible as long as they were physically released and/or playable on the hardware. More than one game per franchise is allowed. These games are sorted in chronological order instead of an official ranking. Basically, it's a victory for a game to make it here. Let's cue the nostalgic PS1 bootup and commence.

Final Fantasy VII (1997)

This legendary 1997 JRPG was the game that finally got me invested in the genre. As an introductory point, "FFVII" is about as perfect for the job as you can get. It's easy for rookies to grasp the main systems within the meaty gameplay without feeling exhausted. You won't mind the challenge later on since this game boasts strong storytelling and characters along with a masterful soundtrack. As Cloud, you and a ragtag group embark on a journey to save the planet from ruthless corporation Shinra and rogue warrior Sephiroth.

The narrative has lost none of its impact. Everything from the comedic quirkiness to the tragic romance holds up 25+ years later. It's a pleasure following Cloud, Barret, Tifa, Aerith and company in their plight. I rarely collect memorabilia for a film/game, but as evidenced by photos on this site, I couldn't resist the polygon figurines of characters from this title. Add to this the awesome compositions, namely the "One Winged Angel" theme, and it's crystal clear why this game is still talked about. If you play one PS1 game, make it "Final Fantasy VII".

Roller Coaster Tycoon (1999)

The first physical game I had on computer and console alike. You can bet I played "Roller Coaster Tycoon" as often as I could. Now that it's on the Switch, I dived in once again without hesitation to relive my childhood. Sadly, the last time I rode a roller coaster, my stomach was not happy with me. But you can play this game and have no physical trouble of any kind. The concept is simple. You manage theme parks with your choice of attractions (coasters, water slides, etc.) to keep customers and employees happy as best you can.

Or, as me and my friend did back in the day, go on a sadistic streak and torture guests. My favorite is crashing a roller coaster and taking in the over-the-top way in which the trains explode. But even if you play it as intended, you're able to figure out more tricks on how to make your theme parks successful. Though the game is designed with PC in mind, the Switch port adds many welcome additions, such as using the park editing tools only found in its follow-up 3 years later. I guess you could say my own nostalgia with this title is alive and well.

SSX 3 (2003)

The PS2 had a diverse selection of extreme sports and racing titles galore. "SSX Tricky" had charisma and style, but the gameplay to "SSX 3" has yet to be surpassed. How ironic that this is the more "tricky" game in the series. Don't let this intimidate you, as the further in you get, the more everything clicks. It admittedly took me time to warm up to this one. Once I maxed out the stats on my rider though, goals I once thought impossible proved to be quite the contrary.

Between race and showoff events, you'll get the utmost bang out of your buck.

It helps that the game's controls are as tight as they are. Any multiplier/reward you obtain or series of successful tricks you pull off is satisfying to accomplish. The graphics still hold up, and the lighting effects have aged gracefully. When you're in an icy cave and launch out into the sunny slope of the mountain, it's immensely satisfying. The licensed tunes and background ambience music keep the good times rolling. More than two decades later, "SSX 3" remains the golden standard that future extreme sports games are judged against.

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2003)

We've all wanted to control time in gaming since the beginning. It wasn't until Ubisoft's trail-blazing 2003 action-adventure that we were able to do so. "The Sands of Time" has breathtaking platforming sections utilizing the prince's jaw-dropping parkour skills, namely jumping from wall to wall or running alongside it. These are abilities that more games of its ilk should have, since the platforming has aged like fine wine, as does the time controlling. Turning back time by a few seconds after an error in combat and navigation is novel and satisfying.

You can also freeze your enemies in place during combat. Another badass move in combat sees the prince vault over enemies and take them down in one fowl swoop. The narrative never experiences a dull moment. Each plot development or line of dialogue comes together with sharp precision and a strong payoff. More than two decades later, time has been kind to "The Sands of Time", far more so in fact than Ubisoft's long-in-development remake of this game that's yet to be released. A testament to this title's superb craftsmanship and execution.

Sly 2: Band of Thieves (2004)

I guess you could say this amply named raccoon and friends quietly snuck up on me. This stealth based platformer gives you plenty to do. To start, you can pickpocket guards/thugs in your environment for key items or valuable treasures. You can steal paintings or other such commodities and rush over to your home base to trade them for coins. Save a few main story missions, this game is flexible between being stealthy and confrontational with combat. "Sly 2: Band of Thieves" offers more surprises in its gameplay than you'd be led to believe.

For instance, everything in the main levels is completely destructible. You'd normally expect this from a "Ratchet & Clank" game. Sure enough, smashing what I can before enemies spot me is now a rite of passage. "Sly 2" flaunts its animated aesthetic with style. It has a distinct cel-shaded 3D hybrid feel, later seen in Atlus' JRPG's. It also has solid background music to boot, with the first explorable play area in France being the standout. If Sly Cooper was rebooted in the future, it's because of this title that this series is more than welcome to do so.

Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal (2004)

"Ratchet & Clank" have been associated with most of my time spent on the PS2 in my teenage years. It was only earlier this year that I personally completed this third entry. After finally finishing the campaign, I can see why many folks swear by this as the series' peak. This platforming/third-person shooter hybrid series has long been known for its impressively creative guns/weapons. "Up Your Arsenal" proves no different on that front, with a few weapons from the past two games returning here. So what makes this game stand out from its peers?

"Up Your Arsenal" utilizes a mechanic that more shooters of any kind should use. Your weapons level up and evolve based on the amount of experience they earn through continued usage. It's a game where you're going in more for the badass combat and gunplay rather than the central narrative. The storytelling isn't bad though, with lots of "Simpsons"-style humor to go around. It's amazing how high the gameplay value of this title is. Just goes to show you how much of a punch this lombax and his sidekick robot deliver.

Burnout Revenge (2005)

"Burnout 3: Takedown" was an amazing achievement in the racing genre. Imagine the high standards its immediate successor had to live up to just a year later. "Burnout Revenge" takes the foundation laid out in "Takedown" and adds what I consider the greatest additions in any video game to date: traffic checking and the Traffic Attack mode. Allow me to gush all about it. In an era where literally driving anywhere is a pain because of too many bad drivers, the Traffic Attack mode is the ultimate therapy session for those with road rage.

What you do is self-explanatory: take down as much incoming traffic as possible within the time limit. This is a mode where you want to take your time to keep the session rolling as long as possible. Get it all out of your system. That's how I strive to play it every time now. The traffic checking in the other modes and races is a perfect addition to this title. It's always a blast to play Road Rage, Eliminator, and Grand Prix. If I could recommend only one racing game for everyone to play, then "Burnout Revenge" would be my own personal pick.

The Last of Us (2013)

Naughty Dog's post-apocalyptic adventure is host to the best narrative in gaming. We play as Joel, a hardened survivor tasked with escorting teenager Ellie as she may hold a potential cure for the outbreak. This story has more gray areas than what came before. Theories of other humans being less trustworthy than zombies are utilized to maximum effect. You truly feel the bond that our main duo slowly but surely builds. The range of emotion you experience from investing in this story carries over into the rock solid gameplay on offer.

"The Last of Us" offers a textbook example in how companion AI should be executed. Lending you supplies when your health is low or taking down an enemy when you run out of ammo. No game, including its own sequel, sports the dynamic intuition this AI has in spades. The gameplay is flexible to the play style that suits you best. If you're into stealth, the "Hearing" ability, where you see where your enemies are in the level, is perfect for you. Or if you just want to melee or shoot your enemies, this game allows you to do what you think is best.

I love nothing more than letting the fungi creatures and human enemies duke it out with each other, while you hide somewhere else out of sight. It's the best tactic to use in my book. You arguably don't need the PS5 remake of this game we got a few years back. Between the exceptional production quality, along with the stellar voiceover and motion capture work from Ashley Johnson and Troy Baker, "The Last of Us" earns its place amongst the most celebrated games to be released from the industry. A must play even amongst film buffs.

Uncharted 4: A Thief's End (2016)

This conclusion to the Nathan Drake saga has the most complete narrative in the "Uncharted" franchise. Nathan's long lost brother Sam reenters his life after a lengthy absence. Between being loyal to his wife Elena and helping Sam out, Nathan is caught between a rock and a hard place. Not literally mind you, but close enough with all the death-defying action and platforming in his new journey. In other words, fans of the series' signature set pieces will be pleased. The visuals are just as stunning today as they were 9 years ago.

That alone says alot about Naughty Dog's game engine. Oceans and tropical lands have ceased to look more vibrant. The voiceover and motion capture work are exceptional as always. Naughty Dog is reowned for their sharp scriptwriting, and "Uncharted 4" is no different. The gameplay has a welcome new addition with the whip that helps you with platforming areas you'd think would be limiting. Much like "Prince of Persia", you'd be amazed how Nathan can cheat gravity and the laws of physics. A worthy finale and high note to go out on.

Horizon Zero Dawn (2017)

Tribes mixed with robot dinosaurs makes an unusual combo on paper. But in "Horizon Zero Dawn", said idea is better than you'd think. It helps that the heroine at its center, Aloy, is a strong lead character, paving the way for future female led game narratives. Aloy is a gifted archer deemed an outcast at birth. When the tribe she joins suffers an attack, Aloy embarks on a journey on their behalf to pursue those responsible. As Aloy discovers who she is, she learns more about her world via her Focus, an augmented reality device that shows her what's hidden.

As an action RPG, "Horizon Zero Dawn" did a splendid job welcoming newcomers to the genre. Combat has nice variety in how you fend off or befriend (via Override Tool) these robotic versions of real animals. The stealth mode and ranged combat are both well tuned. The Focus shows off patterns and weaknesses to your adversaries, robot and human alike. It's a cool feeling clicking the L3 button to activate your Focus and the sound that omits from the controller. Looting/collecting resources proves amply rewarding in weapon and health upgrades.

Ashly Burch knocks it out of the park with Aloy's voice work. As does the late Lance Reddick as Sylens, a secret traveler tasking Aloy to uncover a myriad of mysteries with the world they live in. This game holds up well visually, with striking golden sun rays serenading the various landscapes you'll explore (jungle, desert, tundra, etc.) and the lush foliage within. Same goes for Aloy's many outfits and protective armor. Like "The Last of Us", this also didn't need a PS5 remake. "Horizon Zero Dawn" is a cool open-world RPG that everyone should try out.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (2017)

The Nintendo Switch has become a novel powerhouse when it comes to multiplayer games these past two console generations. In a time when local multiplayer offerings are rare to come by, "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe" is unquestionably a go-to for me. Assuming you need further proof of its reaching power, I can provide it. My gaming friend since childhood, along with his wife, has a Switch. As do my sister, brother-in-law and their children. Each time I'd play a game with either party, this was the one we'd put on to do a Grand Prix.

It's the ideal game to play with friends. But even playing on your own, this is a tight cart racer that provides all the goods. The opponent AI provides you with quite a match. Hence if you're in 1st place, you'll regularly run into obstacles seen (Blue Shell) and unseen (Lightning). You have tight controls to help the race better play out in your favor. Many cool courses (anti-gravity) and vehicles (motorbikes) to experiment with. A sound staple in every gaming library. Let's hope "Mario Kart World" is worth its controversial price tag.

Super Mario Odyssey (2017)

My intro to the "Mario" franchise, and what a perfect note to start on. The idea of Mario teaming up with a literal hat named Cappy is out there. But true to part of its title, "Super Mario Odyssey" takes advantage of its weirdness in the best way possible. Using Cappy, Mario can capture and control critters ranging from frogs to dinosaurs. Using their distinct skills, Mario can use his captives to get closer to his objective. This is a game where the star is its gameplay. Many secret places to find coins and stars, half of which are hidden in plain sight.

"Super Mario Odyssey" rewards you for every leap of faith you take, exploration and puzzle solving alike. It's perfect to show your kids for its simple mechanics and masterful execution. It also doubles as a tribute to the franchise up to that point. Some levels see Mario literally converting to his 2D NES roots to reach his destination. It also has a fun soundtrack with awesome background tunes like "Jump Up Super Star!" to accompany you in exploration. What else can be said? There's a reason Mario remains an icon to this day.

God of War (2018)

The game that revived my interest in the industry. If you told my younger self that this is the best title in the "God of War" series, I'd be surprised yet intrigued. My curiosity was rewarded tenfold with Kratos now a father to his son Atreus in Norse mythology. His wife has passed on and requested her ashes be released atop a specific location. Kratos and Atreus' quest to fulfill her last wish sees detours, courtesy of angry gods and unlikely alliances. As with prior entries, the combat is the pinnacle of what all action games should aspire to.

Kratos' Leviathan Axe functions similarly to Thor's hammer in that you can throw and retract it at any time. The axe can even freeze enemies in place. A cool mechanic that also proves crucial to solving various puzzles. Atreus manages to be quite useful in combat with his bow and arrow. He can jump on enemies' backs to give you an opening or bring you back to life through a Resurrection Stone. He's thankfully not an escort, which he could've easily been in other hands. There's more exploration here compared to the linearity of previous titles.

Many of Odin's green crystal ravens to throw your axe at. Many challenging side bosses to defeat and earn various new abilities. The cast in the Norse world is even better than what we saw in the Greek era. Freya, Mimir, Brok, Sindri and the World Serphant are all highly captivating with strong backstories that flesh them out beautifully. "God of War" remains an unqualified triumph in bringing back an IP that seemed to reach its end and inject a new, prospective future for it to behold. Just read further on to see what I mean.

Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018)

Rockstar's crowning achievement, "Red Dead Redemption II" is a game that players are still discovering new details over. A game so painstaking in its realism that it catches its players off guard with the many meters (health, stamina, etc.) to keep an eye on. Once you adjust to the realism, a rewarding Western experience is in store. Don't be fooled by the title, as newcomers can follow this narrative well without playing its predecessor. We play as Arthur Morgan, a loyal and internally conflicted member of the Van der Linde gang.

With their charismatic leader Dutch, this gang must survive with the resources at their disposal while also evade government officials and rival gangs hot on their trail. Like the original, the voice acting and script writing in "Red Dead Redemption II" are second to none. The people we follow feel more real than most everyday people, especially Sadie Adler and John Marston. Same goes for the game's photo realistic graphics. It captures the beauty of the American landscape circa late 1800's in all its glory, before all the civilizing takes over.

The music is superb, with the emotionally potent original song "Unshaken" channeling Arthur's rich character arc. The gameplay retains and builds upon what worked in the previous title. The "Dead Eye" mechanic where you slow down time to mark targets, then shoot them all in succession maintains its excellence once again here. There are dozens of side activities for you to get lost in. Playing poker with other gang members was a go-to for me. "Red Dead Redemption II" is an impressive achievement in every conceivable way. Don't miss out on this one.

Tetris Effect (2018)

I mean, c'mon. It's "Tetris", only the most well-known puzzle game in existence. "Tetris" has seen its share of new iterations. And despite not having split-screen at launch, this is the version I prefer above all others. Think of this as a hybrid between "Tetris" and "Rez". It has a relaxing vibe to its core gameplay that's a welcome change of pace on account of its visuals and music. You'll see mermaids in the deep ocean, or dolphins jumping out of the water. Plenty of lights and fireworks in full supply alongside nice original tunes here.

"Connected" and "Always Been But Never Dreamed" are the standouts to this game's soundtrack. The gameplay is the classic, endlessly addicting "Tetris" we've come to know and love. There's a mode for every mood, from pure recreation to insane challenges. The controls are finely tuned to get the falling blocks where you want them to go, whether it's straight down or rotating to any side. There's even a slow motion mode to give you more time to control the blocks. "Tetris Effect" is the ideal version of the definitive puzzle game.

Resident Evil 2 (2019)

Remakes of classic games are a new norm, but none prove to be quite as drastic an improvement over their original like Capcom's 2019 take on their 1998 survival horror game of the same name. Gone are the days of old school tank controls, which are unthinkable to play with in hindsight. Now, we've got a full 3D camera, effective combat, and improved controls. You also get to do something you originally couldn't in "Resident Evil 4" (2005), which is why I prefer this game more. You can actually move and attack at the same time.

This makes a huge difference in gameplay giving you a better chance at survival. On account of Mr. X's loud thumps and seemingly impenetrable skin, you'll need every chance at survival you can get. He's a formidable foe to say the least, but don't underestimate the other zombies. After all, what other game has its zombies come back to life when they're already dead? The central story is a typical zombie apocalypse narrative with our two playable leads, each with their own campaign, trying to learn the truth and find their relatives.

On one end, there's Leon Kennedy, a new cop starting his first day on the job. Talk about going above and beyond the call of duty. You also have Claire Redfield, who goes in searching for her brother, but finds a little girl instead. Both narratives are well done with how much more depth and intrigue they bring to the table. Compared to most games, completing the various puzzles and managing your inventory is surprisingly fun here. Any game with such a distinction is doing it right. That's why this remains a personal favorite for me.

Persona 5 Royal (2020)

Ever wonder why people act or behave the way they do? Most of us are interested in exploring other people's minds and try to possibly correct their ways. Atlus' JRPG is the gaming equivalent of "Inception" in a way. As your party enters these perceived worlds created by people with their own views on reality, you're basically aiming to steer them on the right path as opposed to the thwarted, corrupt path they've chosen. Teachers, corporate leaders, detectives, you name it. "Persona 5 Royal" explores the human psyche in a fresh, innovative way.

You play as Joker, a teenager who's been relocated to a new area as punishment for a lawsuit filed against him. When he receives a mysterious app that sends him and future party members into alternate worlds, Joker must balance his normal life with exploring this cognitive reality. If "Final Fantasy VII" helped me get into JRPG's, then "Royal" made me a firm believer in the genre. The turn-based combat system here offers satisfying perks that the genre should use more often, like the Baton Pass and added turns for hitting enemy weaknesses.

The soundtrack has style to burn, with the climactic "Rivers in the Desert" serving as the standout. The storytelling is excellent all around. Keeping me invested in 100+ hours of content is no small feat. With satisfying character arcs, aka Queen, and each side character adding new perks or abilities, the effort you put in is worthwhile. Even figuring out which sole two activities to focus on each day yields its own rewards. If you're more open to a distinctive style of gameplay with fresh variety, then your time with "Royal" will be amply rewarded.

Ghost of Tsushima (2020)

Honoring the legacy of your past in pure samurai tradition out in the open, or saving your people using forbidden stealthy ninja skills hiding in the shadows? The choice is yours as Jin Sakai in Sucker Punch's open-world samurai action-adventure. "Ghost of Tsushima" is an authentic tribute to the works of Akira Kurosawa and the like with a deep, diverse combat system emphasizing strategy and skill. With each fight starting with a cool sword standoff and multiple stances that deal damage to enemies weak to different effects, the combat is stellar.

So succeeds the open-world exploration of the titular island of Tsushima. Through wind direction guiding you to a nearby objective for completion. Or a yellow bird leading you to a landmark or hot sauna to further enrich Jin's physical and mental wellbeing. Mother nature appears to be more friendly in this game than in real-life. Following a fox to a shrine, then petting said fox after the shrine objective is completed breeds a distinct level of satisfaction. You could say that it's become a personal ritual of mine for good luck while continuing the main campaign.

Jin's character arc and his relationship with his uncle, Lord Shimura, sees its share of potent intrigue and complexity. No matter how ruthless the Mongolian army is in their invasion of Tsushima, Jin resorting to ninja tactics to minimize civilian casualities is somehow a worse offense. The world of 13th century Japan is as beautiful as it is riddled with bloodshed. With the lush scenery and diverse wildlife, the art director clearly has an imperishable love for this culture with the game's attention to detail. "Ghost of Yotei" has a high bar to live up to.

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 (2020)

By technicality, it looks like I'm cheating with this entry. In reality, this is an individual package, hence its placement here. Despite no blood from falling off your board, an argument can be made for this being the best "Tony Hawk" game. This takes what made the original PS1 titles special and updates them with better tuned controls and other quality of life improvements. If you feel your skater's unprepared in one level of the first game for example, you can progress through the second game's first levels and build your skater up that way.

This game is friendly to new players in that it motivates them to see what other goals they can do. The addictive quality of the gameplay is well intact. After a few hours, it becomes second nature to grind anything in sight and pull off tricks. Regardless of the goal, the gameplay gives you a satisfying amount of content at a reasonable price point. There's a reason many people who haven't used a skateboard before will find it easier to play this game. It's the best way to feel cool and hip without risking a faceplant into the pavement.

Hades (2020)

Soulsborne games were never my style, but I'm at least more agreeable to playing a roguelike. Supergiant Games' darling dungeon crawler is the perfect introduction of this genre to newcomers like myself. You play as Zagreus, the son of Hades, who is determined to escape the Underworld and reach Mount Olympus to find his long lost mother. This trek is easier said than done by a good bit however. That's another way of saying you're going to die alot while playing this. It has less to do with your gaming skills and more with the intentional design.

The good news is that your experience and strength carries over with each successive escape attempt. As do various perks and special abilities you obtain from previous playthroughs. So it ceases to become a frustrating game as you might be led to believe. "Hades" never feels repetitive due to the gameplay's ever-changing nature and the fleshed out, well crafted narrative at its center. It's an achievement for a game of this ilk to pull off such a feat. You'll always find something new with the Greek gods and underworld inhabitants.

The gameplay and controls hit the perfect note in being fast, responsive and having its players feel empowered. The combat is tight all around, especially with your melee and sword attacks. The experience is made even better with the rewards you earn at clearing each area. My younger self would be in disbelief over my future self declaring this game being a better representation of Greek mythology than "God of War" from 2005. But the stakes have officially been raised for the better, and "Hades" more than solidifies its status as a must-play.

God of War: Ragnarok (2022)

Everything that made "God of War" (2018) a special gaming experience is present in its follow-up "God of War: Ragnarok", plus a few more welcome additions. Characters such as Thor, Odin, and even Kratos' 2nd wife Faye make their long awaited debut here. You have new weapons to accompany your Leviathan Axe and Blades of Chaos in combat later on in the narrativd. Even Atreus is playable in some story-based levels at the game's mid-point. All this while also simulating the amazing "one-take" flow of the prior installment.

With Freya exacting vengeance on her personal loss against our leads along with Thor and Odin paying a visit to their humble cabin, Kratos, Atreus and Mimir must seek a solution to their plight. Many unlikely alliances are forged, a battle for the nine realms is imminent, and it's every bit worth the hype and praise. "Ragnarok" didn't need to reinvent the series as much as it needed to build upon the foundation laid out from its predecessor. And on that front, "God of War: Ragnarok" is an unqualified triumph in maintaining its hard earned par.

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 (2023)

Insomniac Games has long been a staple of my childhood through their works, but the finest work they made comes in the form of this superhero title based on the iconic Marvel character. Taking the already strong foundation built from its predecessors and refining it to a tee, "Marvel's Spider-Man 2" stands tall as a noticable improvement on its prior entries. The awesome combat and traversal mechanics are still intact here, with many new welcome additions. The most notable are the symbiote abilities and being able to fly similarly to Superman.

The new symbiote combat abilities are very cool to wield against enemies, making you feel more powerful than before. Switching between Peter and Miles is seamless, with each having their own quests, activities, and collectibles. This game is ironically the closest you'll get to flying like Superman via the new wind tunnel currents and suit wings. Exceptional production quality, stellar storyline, and an outstanding gameplay loop. "Marvel's Spider-Man 2" earns its title, at least from me anyways, as the ultimate superhero gaming experience.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (2024)

The second part of Square Enix's retelling of the 1997 JRPG takes the foundation laid out in "Remake" and refines it even further. The cool combat system of the prior entry returns once again here. It balances the fast paced action found in most modern games with the skills and strategies seen in turn based RPG's of yesteryear. Its unique time stopping mechanic during combat is an addition I wish most RPG's of any kind would utilize more. The battles you partake in are far more immersive as a result of this essential addition.

The narrative is less bloated this time, as it covers a larger chunk of material from the original game. From the group's brief stay in Kalm to a fateful and climactic showdown in an abandoned Cetra city. Hardcore fans of the original know what a big deal the latter is, without spoiling anything. The central cast remains as interesting and relatable as ever. The more time you spend with each of your allies results in a nice date up at the Gold Saucer, with plenty of different outcomes adding to the game's replay value immensely.

Outstanding music all around, even in some random spots you wouldn't expect. The visuals are exquisite, making exploring the immersive open world a delight. Gameplay has depth and variety to spare, so much so that gamers equate this as the franchise's equivalent to "Mario Party" with countless mini-games to play. I'm shocked that Square Enix has declared this a financial letdown since there's quality content to go around within this 40+ hour campaign. Part 3 has much to live up to on account of the experience that "Rebirth" provides.

Astro Bot (2024)

Being the first 10/10 rating from this site, "Astro Bot" deserves its prestigious honor, with Team Asobi showering free additional DLC as a victory lap. Showing they care about what gamers want, they concocted a 3D platformer that ranks with Nintendo's best. "Astro Bot" succeeds at being pure joy with no strings attached. It's rare to play a happy-go-lucky character like Astro Bot and that novelty is for the best. Something about Astro putting on a cow costume and cuddling next to a random cow is bound to win everyone over, especially children.

This game is littered with warmth and wit. Whether you want to explore the worlds leisurely or crave a tight challenge, "Astro Bot" literally provides something for every play style. Tight level design, with new secrets always being uncovered. Awesome progression system that's easy to track. Perfect controls that let you do what you want without hesitation. Awesome power-ups like a dog boost to help traverse the levels faster. Add to this some superb music and fun cameos, and "Astro Bot" has a firm hold as the PS5's best exclusive.

Metaphor: ReFantazio (2024)

"Metaphor: ReFantazio" had the privilege of coming out at the right place and time. Even if the election turned all of our heads, that doesn't take away from this game's staying power. If anything, it takes utmost advantage of difficult real world problems and tackles them in a way that respects all involved. It has a deep and fleshed out story that fully utilizes its lengthy running time. Its gameplay is equipped with welcome additions, namely slashing weaker enemies without going into turn based battles for the inevitable outcome.

"Metaphor: ReFantazio" sports outstanding music, above the call of duty of a normal JRPG. The themes for the main boss battles particularly are epic and bombastic. As with "Persona 5 Royal" before it, this game makes turn based combat cool. More turns for exposing an enemy weakness, party members joining forces for powerful attacks. Every confidant you befriend yields huge benefits for future battles and missions. This is an example of a game that rewards you tenfold for having an open mind and giving it a fair chance.

And with that, the tour of my 25 favorite video games draws to a close. Yes, this was every bit as hard as it looked. Don't be too upset if your favorites aren't on here. What you can do is tell us your choices of the best video games out there down in the comments. What are your favorites out there? Let us know. Cheers!