Time to break into the top 30, with a few hints.

31. The latest entry into this series isn't simple and clean, doesn't provide a sanctuary, but instead let me face my fears.

30. The world no longer has any need for a summoner, so what is the last great summoner to do? It's showtime!

29. The main character is a thief, so naturally you begin by stealing...a princess?

28. A game in a long running franchise, that returns to the style of earlier entries and feels like it should carry the slogan,

W E L C O

M E T O T

H E N E X

T L E V E L

#34: Valkyria Chronicles?

EDIT: Didn't saw it was already guessed, sorry.

As a fan of turn-based strategy and tactics games The Battle for Wesnoth is a game right up my alley. You play missions on a hex based map, where you position your troops and fight the enemy not unlike Fire Emblem. In difference to FE (besides the hexfield) you hire most of your troops instead of getting them through story (although you get these too). A major difference too is managing your gold as a resource to hire troops and recall to them battle in the next scenarios. Troops also need upkeep, so you have to balance the number of units with the number of villages you captured. Wesnoth has multiple quite long and intricate single-player campaigns. It can also be played multiplayer.

The game has many things to consider, like the terrain which hinders movement and gives boni and mali depending on troop type or the day-night-cycle, which also can give some units advantages. The game plays in a medieval fantasy setting with many fantasy races and magic. The story is progressed by overlayed text-boxes.

This is an open-source game, meaning it can be downloaded and played for free and also that it is developed by multiple people over time, as everyone can join in. It includes a lot of tools to create your own map scenarios and campaigns, so there is a lot of user-created stuff downloadable.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDDKImYOIvA

No one gussed it yet, and no, it isn't Assassin's Creed either.

Bonus tip: there isn't that much heights and climbing, it's just a lot more than the previous games in the franchise (at least, that's what Google told me, since it's the only game of the franchise that I played).

A shot in the dark: Darksiders III maybe?

31: Kingdom Hearts III

30: Final Fantasy X-2

29: Final Fantasy IX

#28: Sonic Mania?

Portal, another one of those. I agree, at one point I should just make a list and force myself to play these things.

Yes! No One Lives Forever is correct!

More clues:

30.  a)  This popular series had let you choose your character before, but this is the first time where 4 different people could also play at the same time.
b)  The main character of this game is known for defeating King Kong and Godzilla (or at least creatures that resemble them).

28.  a)  Mode 7 graphics are one thing that originally made this game impress, but the playstyle for this franchise is nothing like this game any more.
b)  The main villain in this game is arguably the greatest villain ever.  Not just in video games, but books, movies, etc...everything.

27.  a)  A similar style PS4 game came out last year, but I still prefer this PS2 game that was based more on a movie.
b)  The actor in the movie also did some voice over work for this PS2 game.

25.  This Switch game is a combination of two different franchises.  It also appeared on other platforms before coming to Switch.

30: Super Mario 3D World

28: Yoshi's Island? No wait! I know which one fits better; Is it Super Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back?