Top 10 Games Every Gamer Needs to Try At Least Once

A sidescroller isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to great storytelling, but “INSIDE” managed to shatter preconceptions quite nicely. Starting with a nameless boy as he traverses a fogbound forest at night, the player controls the boy as he evades mysterious guards, encounters mysterious and disturbing events, and solves puzzles. “INSIDE” is one of the best examples of a game conveying its narrative through its gameplay and thus it manages to engross players in the role and atmosphere in a way few other mediums can. If you want to see the potential of video games as a way to tell stories, “INSIDE” is a good place to start.

Speaking of great ways to tell stories in video games, “Half-Life 2” is a game that helped show that a game could be cinematic without cutscenes. Like its predecessor, “Half-Life 2” set the trend for games to come by allowing the player to maintain control during story events. But that’s just one of the many reasons to play this highly acclaimed game. Cool weapons, a wide variety of enemies, an immersive setting and story, the revolutionary gravity gun…you get the idea. With all “Half-Life 2” has going for it, you can understand why fans have been clamoring for a sequel…that will be happening any decade now, just you wait!

Games by Bethesda tend to play very similarly, so ultimately this choice came down to preference. But really though, can you blame us? “Skyrim” arguably exemplifies the Bethesda formula the best, a spectacular setting, and music so rousing you may find yourself shouting “Fus ro dah!” from the top of a building or the nearest mountain after playing it. One of the biggest things we considered for this list was the experience, and “Skyrim” provides experiences in spades, with enough side quests to satisfy even the most ardent of completionists and a main game with plenty of story to engage those looking to play out an epic Norse-like saga.

We’ve already talked about some games with cinematic elements, but “The Last of Us” takes it to a whole other level. While the setting, a post-apocalyptic world overrun by creatures created through an epidemic, has been done before, it’s the execution where the game really shines. With incredibly detailed, motion-captured performances from the main characters and some of the most intelligent AI we’ve seen to date, both from allies and enemies, this game really makes you feel like part of the story. With a compelling story, fleshed-out characters, and fun combat, we can only hope this won’t be the last you see of “The Last of Us.”

First person shooters are all the rage these days, but they got their start in the early ‘90s with games like “Doom.” This game’s blend of sci-fi horror and pixelated ultra-violence made it highly sought after by gamers far younger than its nominal demographic; again setting the trend for modern shooters. Whether you’re an older gamer with nostalgia, or a younger one who wants to examine gaming’s roots, “Doom” is definitely worth a look, especially in light of the release of a new entry in the franchise, with the same name, in 2016. Sometimes the best way to appreciate what you have is to see where it came from.

The “Zelda” series has produced some truly exceptional adventure games over the years, but “Ocarina of Time” is perhaps the most acclaimed entry in the franchise, and that’s saying something. The series’ first 3d game, “Ocarina” remains the benchmark by which each game that followed it is judged. Its settings are complex and interesting, there’s a wide variety of weapons and items, the music is catchy and moving, the characters have depth…we could go on. And with its availability on multiple platforms, including a remake on the 3DS, “Ocarina of Time” is an easy game find if you want to try it for yourself.

There are sandbox games, and then there’s “Minecraft.” Giving players the ability to create almost anything out of blocks, this game took the world by storm and hasn’t let up yet. “Minecraft” is worth playing, if only because there’s something for almost everyone. Is survival your game? Then try to eke out a living while exploring randomly generated worlds. New mods and game modes are being created by users all the time, too. The possibilities are limited only by imagination, and your own free time, with “Minecraft.”

It was tough narrowing down the “Mario” franchise to just one pick, but ultimately we had to go with the plumber’s third big adventure on the NES. “Mario 3” is arguably the series’ most accessible and easy to pick up and play game. While the first “Super Mario” game may have defined the platformer genre, “Mario 3” polished 2d platforming to such perfection that new Mario games are still hearkening back to its interface, power-ups, secrets, and level design. If you want the quintessential “Mario” experience, it’s hard to go wrong with giving this game a try.

Video games aren’t always thought of as an art form, but make no mistake – “Shadow of the Colossus” is a piece of art! From its vast, open landscapes, to its soaring soundtrack, this game is absolutely breathtaking. The real meat of the game though is its gameplay, and, despite its action-adventure exterior, “Shadow of the Colossus” is a puzzle game at its heart, with the goal being to determine how to defeat each of the 16 memorable, mostly massive colossi. There are few games, or even stories in general, that manage to tie together a character’s objectives and obstacles quite so tidily. “Colossus” is absolutely worth conquering, so are you up for the challenge?

Before we get to our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:

“Final Fantasy VI” (1994)

“Bioshock” (2007)

“Grand Theft Auto V” (2013)

Bet you didn’t see this one coming! While there are certainly longer, more complex, and arguably “better” games on our list, “Portal” is just plain fun! Its story is simple, namely running through a series of puzzles using the portal-creating gun that gives the game its name, at the behest of the A.I., GLaDOS. The mechanics of the portal device are a blast to play around with and GLaDOS, makes for one of the most memorable video game characters of all time, despite being heard and not seen for most of the game. “Portal” may not be a long trip, but it’s one we enjoy taking. Plus, who doesn’t love cake?