The gaming world has hosted countless unforgettable adventures and stories over the years. However, some games stand out from the rest and have a special place in the hearts and memories of players. Whether epic adventures set in massive open worlds, clever puzzles, or stories with emotional depth, these masterpieces prove that gaming is not just entertainment, it’s an art form.
40 Games You Must Play in Order Before You Die
Here are 40 games that every gamer must experience, that shaped genres and influenced millions. This list represents the heydays of gaming history.
| Game | Release Year | Type | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild | 2017 | Action-Adventure | Nintendo Switch, WiiU |
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | 2018 | Action-Adventure | PS4, Xbox One, PC |
| The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt | 2015 | RPG | PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch |
| The Last of Us Part II | 2020 | Action-Adventure | PS4 |
| Dark Souls | 2011 | Action RPG | PS3, Xbox 360, PC |
| God of War (2018) | 2018 | Action-Adventure | PS4, PS5, PC |
| hades | 2020 | roguelike | PC, Switch |
| Half-Life 2 | 2004 | FPS | PC, Xbox, PS |
| Mass Effect 2 | 2010 | RPG | PS3, Xbox 360, PC |
| ring from hand | 2022 | Action RPG | PS4, Xbox One, PC |
| bioshock | 2007 | FPS | PS3, Xbox 360, PC |
| Portal 2 | 2011 | Puzzle-Platform | PC, Xbox, PS |
| Grand Theft Auto V | 2013 | Action-Adventure | PS3, Xbox 360, PS4, Xbox One, PC |
| Persona 5 | 2016 | RPG | PS4, PS3 |
| Tetris | 1984 | puzzle | Various |
| Minecraft | 2011 | sandbox | PC, Xbox, PS, Switch |
| Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain | 2015 | Action-Adventure | PS3, Xbox 360, PS4, Xbox One, PC |
| Shadow of the Colossus | 2005 | Action-Adventure | PS2, PS3 |
| Super Mario Odyssey | 2017 | Platform | Nintendo Switch |
| Bloodborne | 2015 | Action RPG | PS4 |
| Doom (2016) | 2016 | FPS | PC, PS4, Xbox One |
| Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice | 2019 | Action-Adventure | PC, PS4, Xbox One |
| Resident Evil 4 | 2005 | Survival Horror | PS2, GameCube, PS4, Xbox One |
| Hollow Knight | 2017 | metroidvania | PC, Switch, PS4 |
| Celeste | 2018 | Platform | PC, Switch, PS4, Xbox One |
| Overwatch | 2016 | shooter | PC, Xbox One, PS4 |
| Journey | 2012 | Adventure | PS3, PS4 |
| Undertale | 2015 | RPG | PC |
| The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim | 2011 | RPG | PS3, Xbox 360, PC |
| Batman: Arkham City | 2011 | Action-Adventure | PS3, Xbox 360, PS4, Xbox One, PC |
| cuphead | 2017 | Run and shoot | PC, Xbox One, PS4, Switch |
| Final Fantasy VII | 1997 | RPG | PS1, PC |
| Silent Hill 2 | 2001 | Survival Horror | PS2, Xbox |
| Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic | 2003 | RPG | PC, Xbox |
| Bioshock Infinite | 2013 | FPS | PC, PS3, Xbox 360 |
| Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun | 2016 | tactical stealth | PC, PS4, Xbox One |
| Divinity: Original Sin 2 | 2017 | RPG | PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch |
| Slay the Spire | 2017 | Deck Building – Roguelike | PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One |
| XCOM 2 | 2016 | Tactical RPG | PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch |
| NieR: Automata | 2017 | Action RPG | PC, PS4, Xbox One |