#29

Change YoY: -1   My Rating: 9.3 / 10

Persona 4 was, at least for me, the swansong of the PS2, the last truly great game the system received before the next generation really took over the console space from the aging system. By the time Persona 4 was released in Europe, the PS3 had been out for over two years, this being the last new game I bought for the PS2 (obviously not counting later digital purchases on PS Store, for example) before I moved on to the next console generation as well. There aren't many better ways I can think of to end a generation than with a game as great as this one.

While almost every aspect of Persona 4 is great, the main reason it is this high on my list are the characters and story. The music by Shoji Meguro is great, and the battle system is a lot of fun, but the main reason I kept playing Persona 4 was to see the next story beat and character interaction, to develop my relationship with them and learn more about them and their pasts. In fact, a few times those were the things that kept me playing when the game was testing my patience with some of its repetitive and overlong dungeons. In fact, I would consider the dungeon design one of the few, if not the only real drawback of the game, but fortunately they rarely bothered me for too long due to the strength of everything else it has to offer. This is also one of the games I really need to go back to at some point. It's been a long time since I've played it last, and I'm curious to see if my opinion on it would change in some way if I played it again years later.

27) Hmm Metroid Fusion? if I remember correctly

26 - The Wind Waker

All correct!

I'm a bit surprised no one got the other two guesses, though. Gonna throw more hints in as those are behind schedule...

#30 - There is no escape.
Hint 2 - Though even when you manage to escape, you still die anyway.

#29 - For some reason, the remake of this game has a lot of eyeballs.
Hint 2 - Also controversial about the remake was a change to the look of a certain celestial object hanging over the world...

No. 29 Detroit Become Human

Best in genre and it's niche. Insane levels of choice and missable content and paths. Nuff said.

No. 28  Ghost Of Tsushima

Wonderfully beautiful, vibe filled game but also a refreshing action game with unique mechanics and one confident enough to go old school in design with things like the camera work. An addictive game from start to finish with an emotional and very satisfying narrative. 

27. Project CARS. 

My favourite Racer of all time. It's a racing sandbox with a camign that allows you to engage with it how you want. Everything in the game is open, all content is available from the start, adjustable and you can tailor every detail or aspect of the game allowing for a racing experience that has you focus on the races themselves like no other racer. You make your own fun and that fun is colossal. I love it so much I can't explain in words, with a wheel of course. My only regret is not doing the 24 hour real time race for the platinum. I spent nearly 300 racing in this game and it never got old, I had to stop myself playing so I could move onto other games. Not even it's sequels came close to this perfection. 

Bonus Game: DiRT Rally.

Tying with Project CARS 2 is DiRT Rally. An absolutely brilliant tough as nail rally game that goes back to ps2 rally game routes and best experienced in PSVR with a wheel. Remarkable flow states are entered when this game clicks and you get in tune with your Co Driver and race at speed. The reason it failed to make the list is simple, it can be very frustrating and not in a souls way where you go straight back into the fray a few minutes after loosing patience, more in a soul crushing sort of way.