arcelonious said:
Now that I've given the topic more thought, I think my vote goes to Dark Souls. On one end, Dark Souls is a very traditional game, utilizing philosophies like elements of the "Metroidvania" approach (e.g., interconnected world that you unravel as you progress, shortcuts/workarounds that help to break sequences, player progression, etc.). In addition, From Software goes against modern gaming by offering a challenging experience with little hand-holding.
At the same time, the game is also very forward-thinking by going its own direction with online play, such as a move towards incidental multiplayer (e.g., random messages, ghosts, limited access to summoning/invasions, etc.) instead of the more popular planned multiplayer, such as co-op lobbies. The game manages to be both a single-player and multiplayer experience at the same time, whereas most other games are usually either one or the other.
Finally, underneath all of the game play mechanics, Dark Souls is a very artistic game. From its haunting atmosphere, well-placed spacing between ambient sound and a powerful soundtrack, and minimalist storytelling, Dark Souls is a game that encourages players to formulate their own subjective experiences about the game's world and story, rather than relying on a ton of dialogue, codices, and so on.
It's a shame that Demon's Souls seems to be forgotten, because it laid the foundation for Dark Souls, as well as excelling in some areas over its successor. The world design and ambitious covenant design are what slightly push Dark Souls over Demon's Souls for me, but both games are at the top of my list for the generation. Nevertheless, there were so many great games this generation that excelled in other ways that still makes it difficult for me to confidently say my vote.
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