BioShock

 

Would you kindly give this iconic horror FPS the respect it’s more than earned? Heavy on the Ayn Rand references, in 2K Games’ hit 2007 release, you make your way through Rapture, a once-idyllic underwater metropolis that’s been overrun with genetic mutants and huge protectors known as Big Daddies. The eerie visuals, the tenseness that permeates throughout, along with a well-executed plot twist, earned this game a number of awards, including several Game of the Year spots.

Launching a series that’s proven its staying power, with a Metascore of 96 and a User Score of 8.6, BioShock boasts a combined score of 9.1.

The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim (2011)

Home to one of the Active communites, Skyrim has spent the last decade at the top. Though, how many platforms Skyrim has reached has become a meme, the game more than made a home for itself in the action RPG genre.

It was heralded for being versatile, engaging, and well-rounded for its approach to classic RPG elements like character class, in-game perks, NPCs, UI, and art style. Skyrim still stays relevant with a Metascore of 94 and a User Score of 8.4 averaging out to 8.9.

The Sims (2000)

Will Wright had a hit with Sim City. So, it was bound to be a success when he took a magnifying glass to it and let you play dolls with the people living there. Throughout the years since its release, The Sims franchise has taken on a life of its own, eclipsing Sim City and going on to spawn sequels, spin-offs, and add-ons. The game is fun and easy enough to bring casual gamers in, promising friendships, romances, careers, and most importantly, homeownership.

Inducted into the World Video Game Hall of Fame in Rochester, NY in 2016, with a Metascore of 92 and User Score of 8.0, The Sims kicks off our list at a strong 8.6.

Minecraft

The grip Minecraft had on the gaming community when it launched can’t truly be forgotten. The game initially released in early 2009 and had developer updates steadily until Mojang released the final version of it in late 2011, selling over a million copies in the first month. Consistent updates have kept the game relevant even today.

Taking numerous awards from gamers young and old alike. With it’s Metascore of 93 and User Score of 8.1, this sandbox game has stood the test of time at an average score of 8.7.

Fez

Fez

           At first glance, Fez's squeaky-clean, pixelated aesthetic is a love letter to the classic platformers which defined the 8-bit and 16-bit eras. Look beneath its shiny veneer, however, and discover a dimension-breaking, landscape-shifting, super-intelligent puzzle game that breathes new life into the old-school sidescroller formula. Exploratory by design, Fez side-steps limited lives and boss battles, and instead encourages players to experiment. You do this while traversing a truly gorgeous world, conversing with an array of whimsical characters, and interacting with a slew of glyphs, treasure trails, and secret rooms, all in a bid to restore the fabric of spacetime. Fez's groundbreaking rotation mechanic in essence delivers a 2D puzzle game inside a three-dimensional world, and as a result, keeps you guessing from beginning to end.