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SvennoJ on 27 July 2017
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Jet Set Willy 2 on the MSX in 1985. It was magical and started the thirst for exploration in me. The map seemed infinite at the time as I never managed to reach all the edges.

Civilization on PC in 1991. The first 'board game' I played on PC. So many nights disappeared after starting up the game. I never imagined anything like civilization to be possible in a computer game, spanning the whole of human history with 7 seemingly intelligent opponents and a huge random generated map to explore.

Frontier First encounters on PC in 1995. What? Explore the whole galaxy? Land on any planet? What magic is this! It even had an interesting story to follow if you weren't too busy making money for a better ship. How can this be topped, well it couldn't.

Riven on PC in 1997. Very relaxing game, the music, the sights, it truly felt like going on a great holiday trip. Helped by a large crt monitor, new surround sound system and some legal narcotics (I lived in Amsterdam at that time) I don't think I've ever been that relaxed while playing a game.

Half-Life on PC in 1998. Wow that opening. This is cinematic gaming, it felt like being in a movie. Amazing for its time and we ended up playing death match mode for many years in the office lan network, with one of the regular maps a home build version of the office we were in :)

Everquest on PC in 1999. My first mmorpg on dial up, costing me about $100 a month to play... It was worth it. The first few years of EQ were the best gaming experience in my life, plus I met the girl I later married while playing Everquest. So huge, so many places to explore, so much to do, so dangerous, so unforgiving, so addictive. They call souls games hard nowadays... The best coop game I've ever played as it forces the players to work perfectly together to get anywhere. Which also meant it could be very frustrating if you couldn't manage to get a group of competent people together. (As opposed to riven, do not play while stoned, never been that scared in a video game!)

ICO on ps2 in 2001. I've bought the game 3 times now. PAL version, NTSC version after moving, and the ps3 collection. Truly moving game. A great mysterious place to explore. SotC and TLG come close and improve on the mystery and bonding at certain points, yet ICO still feels most unique.

Zelda Windwaker on GC in 2002. Oot was great, yet Windwaker was unique to me with its cell shaded graphics. The first time I truly felt like I stepped into a living cartoon world. And what a great place to explore.

REZ Infinite on PSVR in 2017. A big jump ahead in time, yet finally that unique feeling is back, starting with REZ Infinite. I was smiling through the whole game. The level 4 end boss is amazing in VR running around you through the corridors. Then there's Area X which made my jaw drop to the floor even more. Best platinum trophy to get, pure gaming bliss. I think I'm going to play it again tonight!