In an ever-changing gaming landscape, it's incredibly difficult for a game to satisfy almost everyone. At times, though, a few games emerge and manage to do the impossible, pushing boundaries and setting new high standards players wish to see more often. From anticipated blockbusters by well-known studios to groundbreaking debuts, any game can become a new internet darling, gaining a cult following and becoming a constant topic of comparison.
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In 2025, such a game was Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. A debut title by Sandfall Interactive, the game overdelivered in almost every aspect, quickly gaining a reputation as a must-play for any RPG fan. But it's not an exception — today we'll look at similar gaming phenomena, titles that win over millions of players and gain an almost legendary status, surfacing in discussions surrounded by nothing but awe.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Perhaps 2025's GOTY
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Released
- April 24, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Turn-Based RPG, JRPG, Fantasy
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is among the biggest and most pleasant gaming surprises of the year, and easily a GOTY contender with very few competitors so far. The game looked almost suspiciously good in the trailers, but as a debut title from a new studio, few players expected it to actually deliver.
The final result surpassed everything promised, as Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 emerged as a must-play RPG capable of reigniting passion for the genre and reminding players of the long-gone glory days of JRPGs. There is so little to criticize that many are already wondering how the developers can outdo themselves with their next game.
Baldur's Gate 3
A New King of the CRPG Genre
Baldur's Gate 3
- Released
- August 3, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- RPG
A game that has remained one of the most discussed in recent years as a true anomaly no other studio can produce, Baldur's Gate 3 is an RPG that many call “too good.” Nothing but love and respect has surrounded it since 2023. It stands among the highest-rated games ever made, offering an endlessly replayable experience built on timeless RPG pillars such as freedom of choice, long-reaching consequences, and fascinating relationships between its characters.
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There's a lot to love here, as Swen Vincke and his team delivered a rare example of a passionate, indie-feel game on a triple-A scale. From memorable characters, incredible voice acting, and stunning visuals to deep RPG mechanics honoring the D&D legacy, Baldur's Gate 3 represents the pinnacle of the genre and a rare modern game fully deserving to stand alongside iconic RPGs of the golden era.
Hollow Knight: Silksong
Rewarding Patience
Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Released
- September 4, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
It was impossible to miss Hollow Knight: Silksong's sudden release after years of silence from the development team. During that time, Silksong had become a meme comparable to Bloodborne's elusive PC release, with some fans slowly beginning to accept that the long-awaited sequel to Hollow Knight might never arrive. Oh, how wrong they were.
Silksong became one of the biggest indie releases ever, completely crushing the competition and joining the most-played games on Steam despite also being available through Game Pass. Even more impressive, the game somehow managed to exceed the immense expectations that had been building for years, delivering an exemplary — if sometimes overly challenging — metroidvania that instantly became a classic.
Elden Ring
One Ring to Rule the Soulslike Genre
Elden Ring
- Released
- February 25, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
After years of refining their own established genre, FromSoftware forged the pinnacle of soulslike s with Elden Ring — a game unlikely to be dethroned anytime soon. With its colossal scope, unearthly beauty, and a universe and lore so deep they defy comparison, Elden Ring has remained a constant presence on every list of must-play titles since 2022.
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It's hard to imagine that some players still haven't tried it, given Elden Ring's enormous sales and an impact on gaming that's difficult to overstate. Even if a few blame it for the broader soulslike dominance in the action-RPG scene, the game's cult status is undeniable, as an army of fans continues to worship Miyazaki's creation.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
CD Projekt Red's Magnum Opus
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
- Released
- May 19, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
Before Baldur's Gate 3 was hailed as the new king of the RPG genre, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt stood as the prime example of a story-driven, character-rich game paired with a stunning open world. In almost every discussion, players compare new open-world RPGs to The Witcher 3, and it's almost always a no-win case.
Even a decade later, it's hard to find a game as universally beloved. Its legacy endures, elevated by availability on nearly every relevant platform. Not even Cyberpunk 2077 managed to outshine CDPR's true magnum opus, and even with the upcoming Witcher 4, the studio admits it isn't trying to match the success and impact of The Witcher 3, a task nearly impossible to achieve.
Bloodborne
Legacy That Refuses to Die
Bloodborne
- Released
- March 24, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
While not as massive or influential as Elden Ring, Bloodborne is no less beloved and iconic among FromSoftware's soulslikes. Constrained to a single platform with no updates or re-releases for years, Bloodborne has become one of the most recognizable internet phenomena in gaming, and an unfortunate example of how Sony has ignored a thriving community and a potential money-printing machine for so long.
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What's most striking about Bloodborne is how many have tried to fill its niche over the past decade, inspired by the game's unmatched atmosphere, aesthetics, and visceral combat. Naturally, none have come close so far, cementing Bloodborne's one-of-a-kind offer.
Red Dead Redemption 2
In a League of Its Own
Red Dead Redemption 2
- Released
- October 26, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
If there is an open-world game matching or even surpassing the admiration earned by Elden Ring and The Witcher 3, it is none other than Red Dead Redemption 2. Rockstar's games have always been in a league of their own, so it's hardly a surprise that their latest still stands as a pinnacle of the open-world genre seven years later, with a world and characters so reactive they're hard to find anywhere else.
Of course, RDR2 isn't flawless, with some pointing to its outdated mission design and restrictive structure, which doesn't sit well with the freedom at the core of most open-world experiences. Despite that, the emotional story of Arthur Morgan and the most believable, immersive world in gaming have conquered millions of fans. Red Dead Redemption 2 remains the ultimate open-world benchmark until the imminent launch of GTA 6.
No Man's Sky
No Pain, No Gain
No Man's Sky
- Released
- August 9, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
No Man's Sky is the epitome of a redemption arc in gaming. Launching to disappointing results, Hello Games never intended to abandon its passion project. Since then, the studio has been rolling out massive free updates for over nine years, earning a reputation as one of the most dedicated developers in the industry, while surpassing the game's original potential many times over with astounding new features.
Over the years, No Man's Sky became a meme in the best possible way, with players jokingly begging the team to stop improving it. While not as dramatic a redemption story as No Man's Sky, Cyberpunk 2077 also deserves mention for the developers' commitment to bring the game to where it was always meant to be — even if it took years of dedicated work. The results were more than worth it, as today Cyberpunk 2077 is often regarded as one of the best modern open-world games, with few choosing to remember its rocky launch.
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