5: Sekiro - One of the best modern works of gothic horror in any medium (yes better than Bloodborne and Souls). A tight central narrative tied into a much deeper lore than is apparent at first glance. Also informed by Buddhist morality, which is pretty cool.

4: Ark - You can shoot a rocket launcher at robots from the back of a Giganotosaurus. What's not to love?

3: Spec Ops: The Line - A controversial game, but one of the only shooters in existence to actually critique the bloody imperialist power fantasy that all modern shooter games inherently are. It spat on Call of Duty and gave the finger to every ooh-rah Marine dipshit who thought they were buying another game to fellate themselves with.

2: Disco Elysium - self explanatory

1: Journey - Less a game and more an interactive therapy tool. Helped bring me out of a major depressive spiral way back when. Play it on mescaline and it becomes a spiritual experience. Also a playable deconstruction of The Hero's Journey story framework, which I just enjoyed aesthetically.

  • Bluegrass_Buddhist [none/use name]
    ·
    4 years ago

    I never played Minecraft, but I appreciate that it launched the survival genre, without which we would not have Valheim.

    • Neckbeard_Prime [they/them,he/him]
      ·
      4 years ago

      What amazes me about Minecraft is that they're still actively developing it. 2021 Minecraft is drastically different from what we had in 2011.

      • Bluegrass_Buddhist [none/use name]
        ·
        4 years ago

        I heard that. Someone told me recently that they're remaking their cave systems, which makes me want to check it out. I love the shit out of caves.