A Link to the Past.

That's the one! :)

I try to not just look up quotes when people hint them, but with all that yeah I know definitely know it.

Maybe Trails in the Sky 2?

My last hints got buried pretty quickly so I'll give it another shot:

10) "It's not- it's not shutting down!"

The line I remember most vividly from a 15 year old trailer for this game that had its final release a few years back

"Prepare for unforseen consequences..."

9) Hop on the air taxi

They put the old world in a sandwich

If you’re not descending on your enemies like an ominous eagle then you’re doing it wrong

8) The employee lounge makes The Last of Us and GTA V look like amateurs

And don't even get me started on the broom closet!

"_____ worked for company in a big building where he was employee 427"

6) Had to be delayed a year in the west to even the playing field

Has about as many spin-offs as there are mainline games

You play as a masked vigilante (of sorts)

#13

Change YoY: =   My Rating: 9.5 / 10

Naughty Dog's greatest masterpiece remains just as effective an experience today as it was when it was first released over a decade ago now. From one of the most harrowing and heartbreaking opening scenes in video game history, all the way to its final bittersweet moments, this was the developer at its best, especially in terms of storytelling and writing. The world Naughty Dog created here was darker than anything it had done before, eschewing its past adventurous or even comedic titles for a full-on tragedy, with just enough small moments of levity and joy sprinkled throughout to keep the game from becoming too depressing.

The game also features a truly intense and often genuinely terrifying gameplay experience, an excellent soundtrack by Gustavo Santaolalla, and absolutely gorgeus visuals regardless of which version of the game you play. In addition, the game also received one of my all-time favourite DLC expansions in Left Behind, which gave us a wonderful glimpse into Ellie's backstory before the events of the main game. It's great to see her simply being a happy kid for a while, even if that obviously can't last for very long. Not only is The Last of Us Naughty Dog's best work to date, but it is also one of the very best games of its generation, and easily among the most emotionally impactful games I've ever played. Being willing to end a game on something other than an unambiguously happy note is still all too rare in video games, and it was done expertly here.

Correct.

Is this The Stanley Parable? The second hint already had me considering that, but I wasn't sure.

Indeed it is! No other game with broom closets of that caliber

About my 20-11:


20. Max Payne 2 (PC)

Spoiler: the first one will be higher.


19. Phantasy Star IV (MD/G)

Perhaps the best finale of a series I've ever played - and that's great work after how separate the first three games were.


18. Curse of Monkey Island (PC)

It has its ups and downs, but in gameplay/puzzles I'd say it's best of the series.


17. Carmageddon II: Carpocalypse Now (PC)

It's kind of a matter of taste if changes to first worked well, but great fun all the same.


16. Wing Commander: Prophecy (PC)

Sadly the final piece of my favorite series (aside the free independent DLC that was even better). It was a valiant effort to restart WC and IMO improvement from 3&4 (at least in gameplay), but unfortunately never got the planned sequels.


15. Master of Orion (PC)

My favorite strategy game, I slightly prefer it to the second (which in retrospect maybe should've also been on the list).


14. Grim Fandango (PC)

Beautiful, atmospheric and unique game with good puzzles.


13. Wing Commander: Privateer (PC)

This list doesn't fully show my love for freelancer games.Set in the universe of my favorite series, this spinoff was a pretty special experience


12. Dragon Warrior/Quest IV (NES)

Simply the best Nes game.


11. Fool's Errand (PC)

Mind-blowing puzzle within puzzles within puzzles.

6 - Persona 5?