Submitted 10 months ago by weirdbeardgame@lemmy.world to games@lemmy.world
Journey
There is not a single word in the game, barely any control but the game take you through an emotional story.
It’s multiplayer in a sense that you might meet another player, they can help you, you can help them or just continue on your path and despite not having any words it just fell like a genuine, pure connection with someone.
And the music is amazing.
Journey is an Art masterpiece, but one that you need to already appreciate Art to enjoy.
I got friends to try it, some of them enjoyed the experience, some other hated it.
Journey is indeed absolutely fantastic. It finally got a PC port a while ago after languishing on the PS3 for quite some years, and its hardware requirements are probably low enough in the modern era that practically anybody should be able to experience it.
My only gripe is that online randos seem not to understand the meditation achievement, and get antsy when you try to entice them to sit there with you until the achievement pops. And since you can’t type at them you can’t communicate to them what’s going on.
I got the trophy on PS3 back in the day but I haven’t successfully wrangled anybody into helping me get the Steam achievement for that yet…
Assuming that “masterpiece” refers to how the games worked in their time (not how well they aged) some of my picks would be:
Hard to argue with most of those. I’d put Ocarina of Time over BotW, but that’s splitting hairs. Diablo 2 needs LoD included in my opinion.
God of War is an embarrassing blind spot in my gaming history. Is it actually that good?
God of War has two big strengths that make it a great game in my opinion. The first is the story with its great characters, presentation, and voice acting. The second is the overall “feel” of the game, which can be a bit “game-y” at times but is really tight overall with only a handful of core mechanics that are exceptionally well implemented.
You could probably add E33 to that, even if it is still too early to know how much impact it will have.
Thomas Was Alone
I’ve never felt so much for quadrilateral shapes.
That’s a great game indeed. The narration is on point.
Sid Meier’s Pirates.
Either version.
I was going to say Sid Meier’s Civilization, but both of them qualifies really.
Zelda Breath of the wild for me. Don’t get me wrong I enjoyed Tears of the Kingdom but breath of the wild scratched a perfect itch for me. Especially master mode. Well over 1000 hours played.
I also maintain that Breath of the Wild was superior to Tears of the Kingdom. Apparently this opinion makes Zelda fans incredibly salty.
It’s the vibe. TotK just… Feels more industrial, and less clean and hopeful. BotW was just so pretty and you HAD to walk to places or glide the first time. The machines in TotK made it so easy to skip the nature that it felt less rewarding to play. Like, if you could just snap your fingers and have the perfect house immediately with no work, no effort, the house wouldn’t feel as rewarding as one you built with your own skill.
The Spyro the dragon trilogy for me is just an absolute masterpiece.
Final Fantasy VII, IX and X are three master pieces
Metroid prime and fusion
Fatal Frame trilogy on the PlayStation 2, Forbidden Siren, Silent Hill 2, Resident Evil 2 are amongst the best of the best
I do think the Spyro games are probably the absolute best of the collect-a-thon genre. Joyful and fun and with fun puzzles. I am worried I am too biased to say it though since I have 120%/100%/117% beat the games multiple multiple multiple times.
Hey, you and me man xD
Super Hexagon
It’s about as simple as a ‘modern’ game can be (I read there was even a port of it to Commodore 64.) but it’s a finely tuned machine. When you lose - and you will, a lot - it feels like mostly your own fault and not the game’s.
The difficulty levels very accurately start at Hard for the easiest one. There are 6 total levels, the next 5 difficulties are Harder, Hardest, Hardester, Hardestest, and Hardestestest.
With much time and luck I can beat the first level (unlocking the 4th). On a lost save I had unlocked the 5th level by completing the 2nd, and have only ever seen the 6th in videos from other people. I would have to beat the 3rd to see it myself, and that’s not happening.
The criteria to beat a level is “last for 60 seconds”.
It’s really good, I played it again recently after not touching it for maybe 10 years, and finally beat the last difficulty in an attempt to prove to myself I’m still not old
Super. Hexagon.
It’s hard to explain the relief I felt upon beating the last level. I can fairly easily survive for 300s in the first one, but I’ve never gotten close to beating the last one again.
There’s also a “spiritual successor” called Open Hexagon that’s extendable by the community if you want more, though I haven’t played it myself.
I’ll have to try that vsync thing when I get a new PC (laptop)
Doom (93) I guess ?
Also HL and HL2
Mega Man X
Clair Obscur has been the best game I’ve played in a long while, absolute masterpiece
Outer wilds
ENA: Dream BBQ
Antichamber
and maybe Portal
Bloodborne Bioshock Hollow Knight
I don’t see Goldeneye on your list.
Katamari Damacy. It has a reputation for being silly Japanese nonsense, but the gameplay is brilliant, the graphics are timeless, the soundtrack is incredible, and it has some surprising thematic depth.
Na naaaaa na na na na na, na na, na naaaa Katamari Damacyyyyyyy
Out of recent ones, Blue Prince
It’s such a good puzzle box but I don’t think I would call The Room, a masterpiece while it’s still yet another great puzzle box game.
They are masterpieces in puzzles but maybe not games? I dunno why I don’t consider them.
Just out of curiosity, listing the games mentioned here as of this writing and their date of release:
| Release Date | Game |
|---|---|
| 1980 | Pac-Man |
| 1985 | The Oregon Trail (assuming widely-played 1985 game) |
| 1986 | Kid Icarus |
| 1988 | Mega Man 2 |
| 1988 | Super Mario Brothers 3 |
| 1988 | Tetris |
| 1988 | The Guardian Legend |
| 1989 | Abadox: The Deadly Inner War |
| 1989 | Ironsword: Wizards & Warriors II |
| 1989 | Monster Party |
| 1989 | Populous |
| 1989 | Sweet Home |
| 1990 | Dr. Mario |
| 1990 | Final Fantasy III |
| 1991 | Battletoads (assuming original game) |
| 1991 | The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past |
| 1992 | Ecco the Dolphin |
| 1992 | Sonic the Hedgehog 2 |
| 1992 | Super Mario Kart |
| 1993 | Dinopark Tycoon |
| 1993 | Doom |
| 1993 | Gauntlet IV |
| 1993 | Lufia & the Fortress of Doom (assuming first game) |
| 1993 | Mega Man X |
| 1994 | Donkey Kong Country |
| 1994 | Earthworm Jim |
| 1994 | Sonic & Knuckles |
| 1994 | Sonic the Hedgehog 3 |
| 1994 | Super Metroid |
| 1994 | The Lion King |
| 1995 | Chrono Trigger |
| 1997 | Castlevania: Symphony of the Night |
| 1997 | Diablo |
| 1997 | Final Fantasy VII |
| 1997 | Final Fantasy VII |
| 1997 | Mega Man X4 |
| 1997 | Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee |
| 1997 | Snowboard Kids |
| 1998 | Banjo-Kazooie |
| 1998 | Metal Gear Solid |
| 1998 | Sonic Adventure |
| 1998 | South Park |
| 1998 | StarCraft: Brood War |
| 1999 | Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings |
| 1999 | Heroes of Might and Magic III |
| 1999 | Planescape:Torment |
| 1999 | Quake III Arena |
| 1999 | RollerCoaster Tycoon |
| 1999 | Silent Hill |
| 1999 | Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike |
| 1999 | Sven Co-op |
| 1999 | Unreal Tournament |
| 1999 | Worms Armageddon |
| 2000 | Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2 |
| 2000 | Diablo II |
| 2000 | Resident Evil CODE: Veronica |
| 2000 | SimCity 3000 Unlimited |
| 2000 | Tony Hawk Pro Skater 2 |
| 2001 | Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies |
| 2001 | Final Fantasy X |
| 2001 | Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty |
| 2001 | Shenmue II |
| 2002 | The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind |
| 2003 | Beyond Good & Evil |
| 2003 | Need for Speed: Underground |
| 2003 | Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic |
| 2004 | Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War |
| 2004 | Champions of Norrath |
| 2004 | Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas |
| 2004 | Gran Turismo 4 |
| 2004 | Half Life 2 |
| 2004 | Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater |
| 2004 | The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap |
| 2005 | Champions: Return to Arms |
| 2005 | Psychonauts |
| 2005 | Shadow of the Colossus |
| 2006 | Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War |
| 2006 | Ōkami |
| 2007 | BioShock |
| 2007 | *Dark Souls |
| 2007 | Mass Effect |
| 2007 | Portal |
| 2008 | Clonk Rage |
| 2008 | Left 4 Dead |
| 2008 | Mirror’s Edge |
| 2008 | Super Smash Bros. Brawl |
| 2009 | Dragon Age: Origins |
| 2009 | Forza Motorsport 3 |
| 2009 | Killing Floor |
| 2009 | Left 4 Dead 2 |
| 2009 | Plants vs. Zombies |
| 2009 | Steins;Gate |
| 2010 | Battlefield: Bad Company 2 |
| 2010 | Limbo |
| 2010 | Nier |
| 2010 | Planet Minigolf |
| 2011 | Bastion |
| 2011 | Portal 2 |
| 2011 | Terraria |
| 2011 | The Binding of Isaac |
| 2012 | Hotline Miami |
| 2012 | The House in Fata Morgana |
| 2012 | Tokyo Jungle |
| 2014 | Forza Horizon 2 |
| 2014 | LISA: The Painful |
| 2015 | Bloodborne |
| 2015 | Ori and the Blind Forest |
| 2015 | The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt |
| 2015 | Undertale |
| 2016 | Doom (2016) |
| 2016 | Kirby: Planet Robobot |
| 2016 | Stardew VAlley |
| 2016 | The Witness |
| 2016 | Titanfall 2 |
| 2016 | Tyranny |
| 2017 | Little Nightmares |
| 2017 | Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (for Deluxe version) |
| 2017 | Nier: Automata |
| 2017 | Night in the Woods |
| 2017 | Super Mario Odyssey |
| 2017 | The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild |
| 2018 | Celeste |
| 2018 | Donut County |
| 2018 | Return of the Obra Dinn |
| 2018 | Rimworld |
| 2018 | Subnautica |
| 2019 | A Short Hike |
| 2019 | Disco Elysium |
| 2019 | Outer Wilds |
| 2019 | Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice |
| 2019 | Slay the Spire |
| 2020 | Cyberpunk 2077 |
| 2020 | Factorio |
| 2020 | Hades |
| 2021 | Everhood: An Ineffable Tale of the Inexpressible Divine Moments of Truth |
| 2021 | Psychonauts 2 |
| 2022 | Elden Ring |
| 2022 | Lil Gator Game |
| 2023 | Baldur’s Gate 3 |
| 2023 | Dave the Diver |
| 2024 | Balatro |
The only game I kinda like on this list is Okami.
1996: Duke Nukem 3D
Missing Half-life (the first one). That game was the first one to feature scripted scenes during player interaction and it was mind-blowing. Plus, it had the most sophisticated story ever seen in an FPS before.
Has seriously no one mentioned The Last of Us? That’s crazy.
I think the second should be included.
As well as red dead redemption 2.
The storytelling is just top tier. Better than literally almost all media made today.
Last of Us 1 was really good. But the second one was so bad, it kind of ruined the first one for me as well. And I wouldn’t call it masterpiece. Because for me a masterpiece shines in gameplay, narrative and atmosphere. The Last of Us’ gameplay serves its purpose, but there’s really nothing special here compared to e.g. Elden Ring, were story, atmosphere and gameplay are all pretty much perfect.
Rdr2 was the only game that I was actually emotionally tied to the characters. It was truly a masterpiece.
Tokyo Jungle, YES!
A game so sadly lost to time. My partner’s PS3 still has it installed, but no idea if the hard drive is still functional…
2025: Clair Obscur Expedition 33.
Even if the year is not finished, this game is such a perfect work of art on so many levels that it became the new favorite to me, and to plenty other players.
Going to have to disagree, especially when it comes to storytelling
For me it’s Journey. That game gave me an emotional experience I’ve never had in any other.
This game will forever live in my heart as an absolute masterpiece. I cry every time I play it because something about it just completely sucks me in.
I added the buddy I ran through the game with and he’s still on my friend list decade or so later, amazing experience
Absolute embodiment of less is more. Controls are simple but intuitive, you can beat it in one session, there’s no major payoff in the end. It’s just a game about the journey and the friends made along the way.
I still remember having my mind blown that the other figure I met after the tutorial level was not just an NPC, when I noticed their movements were too deliberate and they were solving some puzzles for me.
I made it all the way to the end of the game with that person. Never knew who they even were until their name showed up at the very end. What a cathartic experience. I’ve also never been able to achieve anything similar since then.
Braid. Surprised that it wasn’t mentioned yet
MAD MAX from 2015, while not tied directly to the new movies it scratches an itch I haven’t found in any other game. It’s dark and bleak and brutal. The combat on foot and behind the wheel are both incredible. Nothing quite like being in the middle of ripping a convoy 7 new assholes and being hit with a dust storm. It can be repetitive if you want to complete everything but BY THE GODS OF VALHALLA is it a fucking blast.
It actually is directly tied to the movies. The character who first gives Furiousa a chassis to build from isn’t quite as hunchbacked as in the game but he is credited as “Chumbucket!”
No shit that’s awesome!
Bloodborne.
It’s also easy to tell most lemmyzens are PC gamers since I hardly saw anyone mention it and it is OBJECTIVELY THE GREATEST GAME EVER MADE.
While I am primarily a PC gamer, it really is the best thing From Software has ever done and an objective masterpiece. I sometimes waffle between whether Bloodborne or Sekiro is my favorite, but regardless of my own preference, I do think Bloodborne is the best.
I’m going to take this as “games that I never see anyone question their quality.” (I don’t even like all these games myself)
Sonic 3 & Knuckles
Kirby Planet Robobot
Doom 2016
Street Fighter III: Third Strike
Pac-Man
Balatro
Steins;Gate
The House in Fata Morgana
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Gran Turismo 4
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Mega Man X
Mega Man X4
Super Mario Bros. 3
Baldur’s Gate 3 is a good game and a worthwhile experience but you can absolutely make quite a lot of very valid critiques about it.
Yeah for a third person isometric RPG with non-linear branching storylines and deep thoughtful story, Disco Elysium positively blows BG3 out of the water.
Steins;Gate my man cultured AF
I am here to question Elden Ring’s quality
I’d take SMW over SMB3, but I can’t really fault anything else in this list! 😅
I like SMW better myself (actually not a single franchise entry on that list is my favorite in the series) but it doesn’t have the kind of unanimous praise SMB3 does.
There is no “objective” when talking about subjective terms.
My personal, SUBJECTIVE favorites are Mass Effect, Titanfall 2, Subnautica, Stardew Valley, Ori and the Blind Forest, Dave the Diver, Balatro, and Portal 1 and 2
I think Outer Wilds is the most unique and fantastic way to tell a story I’ve ever experienced. Truly open in a way I’ve not seen before or since.
With the banger of a soundtrack too, I just can’t bring myself to rate other games higher than it; even if I enjoy them more, Outer Wilds is probably the best game I’ve ever played.
Slay the Spire probably makes the list as it’s inspired countless tweaks on its incredibly balanced deck building experience
Red Alert 2
Heroes of Might and Magic 3
Super Mario Brothers 3
Super Metroid
Super Metroid is still the first that comes to mind. Amazing experience from start to finish.
Phunter@lemm.ee 10 months ago
Sekiro
Few games have such tight game design, story, lore, and characters blended so well into a single experience.
I don’t think I even want or need a sequel.
msage@programming.dev 10 months ago
I tried playing it, but the combat… the combat, man, I can play many games, finished Elden Ring, played ton of CS1.6, Dota 2, Terraria Infernum… but Sekiro I could not finish.
I’ve heard it’s a rhytmic game, but I suck at those, too.