#11: Metroid Prime
Action-Adventure
2002
Metroid Prime was my first foray into the beloved Metroid universe. And after playing this game, I know why the series is, despite its more niche standing in the greater video game world, so adored by its fans. The feeling of solitude, of exploring an alien world, of danger lurking in every corner, of fighting against impossible foes, of eventually becoming stronger and stronger until you can sense the fear eminating from your enemies (until of course you find yourself against an even bigger foe!). The game nailed the atmosphere, graphics, music (Phendrana Drifts!), tension, story, and sense of discovery. It just gets everything right. And all you can do is sit back with a controller in your hand, and become Samus Aran. After that, the adventure begins, and it truly never ends, even all these years later.
