Asklemmy

Crosscode, Disco Elysium, Outer Wilds, Celeste, Fallout: New Vegas

Rain World hands down, such an interesting and challenging game.

Dishonored!!

Mount and Blade Warband for me. Native is fun but the community has made so many total conversion mods for it that can be swapped in and out at the launcher. It can be Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings, most points of history between now and ancient Rome, and it can even be Star Wars

A couple of oldies, that deserve to still be played. Disclaimer: I played both games when they were already ~8 years old, and completely outdated in terms of technology.

Planescape: Torment

One of the best RPG ever created, and that is entirely for the world building and writing, and how much of the gameplay ends up being based on these rather than the combat mechanics (which are just ok)

Deus Ex

Again it was way ahead of its time in terms of world building and depth, and it was still an unashamed PC game, that dared to challenge its users a little and didn't need to have a GUI that could be used with a gamepad, unlike the sequels.

• Velocity 2x - extremely fun fast paced 2d space shooter & platformer. Is extremely rewarding when you start to get to good at it and learn the levels.

• Muramasa Demon Blade/Rebirth - also really fun and satisfying skill-based combat game but with some light RPG elements. What I really love about it though is the sheer vibes. Set in feudal Japan with gorgeous artwork and sound/music. Great fun and a piece of art.

For me: Easily Portal 2.

A deeply rich story, funny dialogue, and great puzzles that will truly make your brain think. The story is very rich and spans across several different eras of Aperture history, going as far back as the 50s. The dialogue is funny and some of the lines are the most memorable in all of gaming (like the Cave Johnson lemon rant). And last but not least, the puzzles are great. They start off pretty simple, but as you progress further in the story, they get more and more complicated, especially when you get the repulsion gel and proposion gel. I feel like Portal 2 is the Gold Standard for puzzle games that every game that comes after it will be judged on.

Also, if you don't own Portal 2 yet, now is a fantastic time to get it - it's on sale for $1 on Steam, same with Portal 1. And if you want both games, the bundle containing both games is $1.50. Do not miss out on this offer, it's so worth it.

I only gotta mention one that everyone should play at least once in their lifetime: Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

factorio

the dedication of the dev is perceptible, almost unlimited replay value and the will release a major extension in 9 days that looks wonderful.

Outer Wilds.

If you like space games and puzzle games (in the sense that you need to piece together the situation you're in), this is a great choice.

Highly recommend not looking anything up before you play.

Vintage Story.

It's indie Minecraft-alike that expand survival element 100 times. With various unique lore and semi-realism gameplay.

Stardew Valley.

Its revolver has continuously released huge updates for free and has commuted to never charging for dlc.

The games mechanics are pretty great and nothing in the game requires too much grinding to get.

Even when you “finish” the game, there are still things to do and starting a new files is always fun.

The characters are all great and have unique personalities. It really makes you feel like you are part of the town.

My wife and I have over 400 hours on a single file. It’s also enjoyable starting a new file. I like to challenge myself to see how quickly I can do certain objectives in the game.

It’s also decently cheap and has a huge community behind it.

• Factorio
• Return to obra dinn
• Skyrim
• Chrono Trigger (must pirate because SNES is best)
• Papers please
• Enter the Gungeon
• Cuphead
• Slay the Spire
• Subroutine
• Medieval 2 Total War (bit aged with mods to fix)
• Warcraft 3 and/or StarCraft 2 (for the campaign)

Only a couple levels in, but so far I'd say if you like collect-a-thon style 3D platformers, Yooka-Laylee is worth checking out. So far my only complaint is how they allow you to go around certain edges of the first level past the tutorial and hub, but don't have hidden any hidden secrets.

Subnautica

Pikmin (any instalments of the main series) - though I must admit I'm incredibly biased since this is coming from someone who cried her eyes out when she saw the Pikmin 4 trailer 😭 yes I cried over a game trailer that's about weird bugs. It is my fave franchise ever it's like my baby.

Legend of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild - this is a game that makes me wish memory wiping technology existed. I would love to play this for the very first time again!

Final Fantasy X - the first Final Fantasy game I played and it is still my fave!

Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Sunshine - the most fun I've ever had with 3D platformers by far, Super Mario Galaxy's visuals are still so impressive.

The first game I EVER played gets a honorary mention - Super Mario All Stars for the Super Nintendo! The very first game I played on it was Super Mario Bros 3! 😃

Xiii shooter (original on PS2, not the remake)

Metal Gear Solid 1, 3, and 4. 2 is okay but it's the black sheep. 5 is a good game but doesn't fit the series great imo. We don't talk about Survive. Revengence is okay.

Maneater. Basically a remake of the old Jaws game from PS2 era gameplay-wise

FF7 original. If you're bored with it, try the New Threat mod by SegaChief. Absolutely worth a look.

If you're into pokemon rom hacks, Emerald SeaGlass and Crystal Legacy.

Crash Bandicoot 1-4. Ignore any titles from PS2 era.

Spyro 1-3. Also ignore any PS2 era titles.

Castle Crashers

If you have a non-gamer around that does like movies, give Beyond: 2 Souls and Until Dawn a look.

Spec Ops: The Line

Doki Doki Literature Club

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 1 + 2

I'm sure I'll add more.

Cyberpunk 2077. I've been known to simp pretty hard for this game, but I do consider it to be one of the best games ever made. The story, the music, the acting, the gameplay, the visuals... Every single part of the game is just masterfully done. I feel it's one of those games that everybody should play; a sort of "milestone" game like Ocarina of Time or Skyrim. Even if you're not a fan of FPS or RPGs, it's worth turning down the difficulty and playing just to experience the best story ever told through a video game, in my opinion.

There was an outstanding RTS game from 1997 called Total Annihilation. The soundtrack was 11/10, it was made by Jeremy Soule, the guy who did the Skyrim soundtrack. Some might say that Supreme Commander 2 is their most recent successor to TA, but they are wrong. Check out Beyond All Reason (BAR). It's in Alpha and it's free but it's already sooooo good.

Hades

I’ll do you one better: completely free.

Check out Ashes: 2063. It started life as a mod for Doom, but is now completely standalone and has more in common with the Metro games than anything else at this point. PC only, but both games and their expansions are 100% free and worth every minute of your time.

For me personally, any game in the Super Smash Bros series.

They've always been a go-to when hanging out with friends, in their time.

Melee still has a following. Nobody likes brawl because of tripping (among other things i'm sure), but I learned how to mod brawl and added so many custom stages and character skins. Sm4sh was ok, and Ultimate is so complete.

Yeah it's Nintendo and "it's always moral to pirate Nintendo games" and there's plenty to complain about their online services but I've played smash so much that every time a new game comes out immediately a must-buy.

Half life, all of them, in order