13. Hollow Knight (PC– 2017)

I finally got around to play this gem last month. Hollow Knight is one of the finest Metroidvania games I have tried. The art style, music, atmosphere and game world are all top notch, the exploration and platforming work very well. The combat may be the biggest strength, it feels really good, but is also very challenging. I am not that much into difficult games, but I do like it for this genre. I hear a sequel is in development, but how can they top the first one?

12. Alien Isolation (PC– 2014)

Is there a movie more influential on the video game industry than Ridley Scott’s Alien? I don’t think so. Not only are there countless of games based directly on the Alien IP, you also have games that lifts a lot from the World building and designs of Alien, games such as Contra, Halo, Metroid, Half-Life, System Shock and Dead Space. Nothing comes as close to matching the experience of the original movie as Alien Isolation does. The feeling of isolation, dread, weakness and scare. The production design and graphics of Alien Isolation are spot on, as is the challenging but engaging stealth gameplay. The A.I. of the Alien is unbelievably good, and they made the creature properly powerful. The only real flaw of this game is the plot, unfortunately. It just isn’t interesting enough to support the rest of the otherwise amazing experience.

#13 - The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds - Nintendo 3DS

First time I played this game I couldn't put it down, I spend a weekend just binging and 100% this game, is just so good, the rental item system is neat and how it contributes to the non linearity of the game was pretty good, the dungeons were all well done, the music is excellent (I love Yuga's theme, and when the overworld theme changes when you get the master sword and after bringing back all the sages in the dark world, and Lorule Castle's progression is just pure video game hype), and the final dungeon is a glorious way to cap off the adventure. And the maimais are pretty cute.

19. This game was very pivotal in the popularity of JRPG's

18. A Guard, a Troll and a Bandit hunt down a sorcerer in order to break an evil curse.

17. This game takes place in a fictionalized version of California USA. It is considered a mainline game despite not being a numbered title.

16. The composer who worked on this game also did work on Xenogears, Xenoblade, and Chrono Chross.

15. This game is the newest mainline entry in this series. One of the newest features is gliding.

Good guess, but not the game I'm looking for.

19.  Final Fantasy 7

18.  Dragon Quest 8

17.  GTA San Andreas

15.  BotW

Correct! Easy one for a change.

16: So, Yasunori Mitsuda. Doesn't really narrow it down very much considering the number of games he's worked on, but Chrono Trigger?

It is often said that the games of the Souls series are punishingly hard. I don't feel that way. A death is cheap, even if you can't recover the souls. And most of the problems are solvable if you go into them calm, cautious and patient. But this style of game is probably difficult for many gamers, who are trained to go in guns blazing and rely on their fast reactions. Demon's Souls takes the speed out of the battle, but you need to learn your enemy and wait for openings in their attacks.

I like a lot about this game. I like how the game keeps you on your toes. Even going through previously cleared areas can be lead to death, if you aren't cautious. But exploring new areas has dangers at all corners. I also like how exploring is despite the dangers so rewarding. You find items, other paths or simply things that put together the lore of the game. And yes, I very much like the lore. The intro namedrops a lot of heroes who vanished into the fog, but while playing you find them and learn about their fate. I love the Nexus as safe base, but also an area that in itself has ways to explore the lore. This all fits neatly.

Another way this game shows it's strengths is in the design of the monsters. They are inventive and all fit in the general theme of the demonic infestation. And the online features even support the general feel. I remember seeing these ghosts of other players in their last moments before death, but the monster doing it isn't visible. So I saw a ghost doing fighting moves and then suddenly freeze and start floating, only to fall down and die shortly thereafter. I hadn't met the monster, these brain-eating prison guards, at this point, but as I did I learned how the ghostly picture had died, as the same happened to me. These moments are simply incredible.

This game projects a cool feeling. Learning about the demise of Boletaria and all the heroes trying to fight the demonic invasion. The dark and trapped surroundings and the ruins of the once great kingdom. Everything is connected, everything fits the lore. This is one great gaming experience. Sadly the online servers are shut down, which severs a part of what made the game great.

The PS5 now has a remake of the game, which apparently is true to the gameplay but updates the graphics and has a renewed online. If that is true, then it keeps all the things that made the original great while updating others and therefore it should be recommended.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MRYo4hL1cs

Sadly nobody guessed Kid Icarus: Uprising, but everything else outside my TOP 10  is guessed, so I think it is time to show a breakdown of the current standing. Liquid_Laser is closely leading in front of Machina and Darashiva with as much correct guessed games as gamees stayed unguessed.

Well, time to break into the TOP 10 with hints:

#10: This D&D based classic (20+ years old) western RPG has colorful NPCs joining your party, that you can subsequently control in combat. Guessed by The_Liquid_Laser.

#9: This not that classic (10+ years old) japanese RPG has colorful NPCs joining your party, that you can subsequently control in combat. Guessed by The_Liquid_Laser.

#8: This old (20 years old) RPG is a japanese development in a western RPG series. As this matches multiples games in the series, look that I said 20 years, not 20+ years. Also it left Japan and released in the West. Guessed by The_Liquid_Laser.

#7: This RPG is a fresh reimagination of old RPGs, both visually and gameplay wise it merges old and new and that very well. Guessed by The_Liquid_Laser.

#6: This RPG is a fusion of two beloved series. Guessed by UnderwaterFunktown.

Hmm, it seems I have a pattern what games I like. I swear, my TOP 5 couldn't produce hints that would fit the pattern.

10.  Baldur's Gate

9.  Etrian Odyssey

8.  Wizardry: Tale of the Forsaken Land

7.  Octopath Traveler

6.  Dragon Quest Builders 2