17. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
PC/PlayStation 3/Xbox 360 (2011)
Bethesda Game Studios
This game is truly a paradox in my mind. It's combat is dull (unless you make a game within the game like I did. Stealth attacks for everyone!), dungeons are given cookie cutter designs, puzzles are hilariously simple, the inventory system is clunky and (literally) cumbersome, the game is full of bugs and glitches, and the people of Skyrim are devoid of any character or any other interesting qualities. And yet here we are at number 17. For all the criticisms I can lay on it, I can name twice as many praises. It boasts my favorite soundtrack of all time (Yes, for any medium. Jeremy Soule did something amazing here), the worldbuilding is staggering, the world and scope of Skyrim is an adventurer's dream (from the highest peak to the deepest dungeon... I've never been so content traveling a gaming world before), and I have to give Bethesda a lot of credit for the power and choices that it gives to the player. In the end, while I believe that The Elder Scolls V: Skyrim is the least "perfect" game on this list, I also believe that it's one of the greatest examples of what makes this hobby of ours so amazing and unique. Now back to listening to more of the soundtrack.
