As a long-time gaming enthusiast with over two decades of experience under my belt, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing and experiencing some truly groundbreaking games that have not only shaped the industry but also left an indelible mark on me personally. In this article, I’ll be sharing my thoughts on three such games – Portal, Inside, and The Last of Us: Part 1 – that have managed to transcend the boundaries of mere entertainment and become a part of my life’s rich tapestry of experiences.
Each field and pastime offers a captivating introduction to draw newcomers in and encourage them to explore further. The world of video games has grown increasingly accessible and varied, making it an attractive entry point for many. In our selection, we highlight fifteen engaging single-player games that successfully converted non-gamers into enthusiasts by combining easy accessibility with elements that appeal to more experienced players.
The Stanley Parable
The broad appeal of The Stanley Parable is easy to understand; it lacks a complex control scheme and doesn’t ask for long gaming sessions, and the experimental narrative sandbox is instantly gripping. You can casually sit down for 10 minutes at a time going through different routes as you come up with different ways to annoy the narrator. This narrative choose-your-own-adventure experience breaks the fourth wall many times, constantly poking fun at the illusion of choice in narrative-driven video games. Like others on this list, The Stanley Parable can be categorized as a visual novel just as much as it can a video game, though it smartly pokes at what it means to be a video game through its unique first-person interactivity.
Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice
In 2017, the initial release of Hellblade made waves with its innovative approach. While the combat could have been stronger and the level design left room for improvement, the game’s portrayal of the protagonist’s audio-visual hallucinations was groundbreaking and captivating. Unlike other games, Hellblade aimed to put players directly into the mind of a person with psychosis, rather than just observing characters dealing with it. The team’s goal was to create an immersive experience that allowed players to truly understand what it’s like to live with this condition. This was accomplished through voices in Senua’s head instead of text on the screen. Hellblade attracted a wide audience, including individuals from outside the gaming community who were intrigued by the opportunity to experience something new and unique, such as nurses, doctors, and those seeking an alternative narrative journey.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Any version of “Animal Crossing” could merit a place on this list, but “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” stands out for being available on the Nintendo Switch and having sold an impressive 45 million copies. “Animal Crossing” is known as the ultimate relaxing lifestyle simulation game, requiring only a modest time investment to fully appreciate. The game’s approach of completing small tasks each day mirrors real life and explains its broad appeal across various demographics. Additionally, the portability of the Nintendo Switch enhances the allure of “Animal Crossing: New Horizons,” making even mundane trips more enjoyable as players encounter new villagers and devise strategies to repay Tom Nook’s loan.
The Witness
Back in the late 2000s, I was really hyped up about Braid being one of the first indie games to gain massive popularity. But after that, we had to be patient for almost a decade before Jonathan Blow unveiled his next masterpiece: The Witness. This game took puzzle gaming to a whole new level. With no music, storyline, or traditional gameplay other than exploring and solving intricate grid-based puzzles, it was like entering a pure puzzle paradise for me as a gamer. The escalating complexity of the puzzles was a challenge that I relished, without any distractions from control schemes or multimedia layers like sound and cinematics. The only drawbacks are that Android users still can’t play it, and no one has turned its puzzles into a book yet.
Detroit: Become Human
Detroit: Become Human offers players an extraordinary choose-your-own-adventure experience with 85 distinct endings and numerous pathways. The game is set in a dystopian sci-fi Detroit overrun by sentient androids, but what truly sets it apart is the developer’s innovative style. Moreover, its branching choice flow chart is unmatched in any game thus far. Detroit: Become Human is an engaging and entertaining experience for both avid gamers and newcomers alike.
Undertale
The popularity of this indie RPG sensation, Undertale, is hard to explain definitively. With its simple 2D design and niche, retro influences, Undertale drew in a large number of new gamers, leading to a significant increase in players revisiting classic games due to curiosity and enthusiasm for the style. The game’s narrative is not your run-of-the-mill epic quest, and its battle system combines elements from genres like bullet hells, offering a distinctive and innovative gaming experience that has ignited interest in such genres among novice players.
Super Mario Odyssey
Super Mario Odyssey, with over 27 million sales and counting, stands out among other beloved Mario games for its unique features. While each mainline Mario game boasts a broad appeal and drives console sales, this game introduced the innovative Cappy hat, allowing Mario to transform and wear different outfits like swimsuit or band member. These elements quickly spread as memes, drawing in an even larger fan base. We’re grateful for the successful marketing campaign because Super Mario Odyssey is not only fun but also exceptionally well-designed within the 3D platformer genre.
Celeste
Although it presents a challenging experience typical of platformers, Celeste stands out for its adaptable difficulty settings. These options enable players to customize their gameplay by adjusting the number of air dashes, stamina, and invincibility at will. Moreover, the game’s quick loading times and checkpoints in every room make it effortless to resume play. Beyond the tailored gaming experience, the story resonates with a wide audience as it follows the protagonist’s relatable struggles with anxiety during an otherworldly mountain climb.
Stardew Valley
I absolutely adore playing Stardew Valley. It hits all the right notes for me as a casual gamer, yet it offers an unexpected level of depth. I can spend my days farming crops and settling into the valley at my own pace, or I can strive for the post-game content by cultivating a thriving farm and marrying the woman of my dreams. Stardew Valley‘s appeal lies in its ability to balance management simulation complexities with an inviting and uncomplicated interface. This game has reeled me in with its easygoing exterior, leaving me yearning for more intricate games that don’t burden me with unnecessary complications.
Firewatch
Firewatch is another engaging experience, both visually stimulating to play and intriguing to watch. The dialogue between Henry and Delilah, the fire dispatchers, adds an endearing touch with their charisma and clever exchanges. A sense of mystery pervades this game as you’re left pondering the true intentions of Delilah – is she kind-hearted, spying, losing her mind, or a combination? The uncomplicated plot and relaxed gameplay ensure that Firewatch appeals to a wide audience.
Journey
For those who are familiar with the game, I’ll skip the description of “Journey.” This title is often suggested to individuals new to gaming due to its accessibility and unique features. The game does not allow for failure, making it an appealing choice for beginners. With its captivating visuals and sound, “Journey” offers a one-of-a-kind interactive experience that cannot be found elsewhere. The absence of intrusive user interface allows new players to immerse themselves seamlessly. And let’s not forget the exhilaration of sand surfing – it’s effortless to join in and enjoy without requiring extensive mental focus or gaming expertise. For many, “Journey” served as an unforgettable introduction to the vast world of video games.
Portal
Originally created as a school project named “Narbacular Drop,” Portal later evolved into an influential gaming concept. The innovative portal gadget challenges our minds to think beyond the ordinary as we figure out how to bypass Glados’ test chambers. The tale is filled with imagination, as the test subject, Chell, endeavors to escape the testing and discover a fresh route ahead. To this day, Portal remains one of the most inventive and distinctive games ever made. It’s the type of game that transcends its entertainment container, captivating gamers and non-gamers alike with its witty and unconventional narrative. Despite its first-person 3D controls, even those new to gaming couldn’t resist experiencing this thought-provoking and puzzling adventure.
Inside
Amazingly, the gameplay and understated design of “Inside” make it one of the most distinctive gaming adventures, despite its uncomplicated start. Similar to “Limbo,” the initial stage requires only walking forward without dialogue or backstory. Players are encouraged to discover the world around them through exploration and thoughtfully designed settings. The game’s ominous ambiance is already intense, but it adds elements of horror with occasional jump scares and nerve-wracking sequences, further cementing “Inside” as a noteworthy experience in casual gaming.
The Last of Us: Part 1
The Last of Us manages to hit that sweet spot appealing to those outside the gaming sphere while still being challenging and ‘video-gamey’ in its own right. Now that The Last of Us TV show is out, non-gamers are flocking to the remake of the first game more than ever. The game’s setting ticks all the boxes of a modern series-seller: zombies, post-apocalypse, survival, father-daughter bonding, drama. The Last of Us: Part 1 also happens to punch us right in the gut with one of the most impactful openers in any form of media, let alone video game. It’s easy to see why The Last of Us got its own TV series and a remakes after the original’s release in 2013.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
It was no surprise that “The Legend of Zelda” would be a hit and reach the pinnacle of Metacritic scores. However, the extraordinary popularity of “Breath of the Wild” took us by surprise. When this game was launched, it was frequently hailed as the greatest game ever made. By making Zelda an open-world adventure, the genre was given a fresh lease of life and attracted a new wave of players who relished the freedom to explore at their own pace. The open-ended exploration is complemented by adaptable abilities such as Magnet and Stasis, which offer numerous possibilities for problem-solving and experimenting with items, adversaries, and the surrounding environment. Admittedly, “Breath of the Wild” features weapons that degrade rapidly. Nevertheless, many players were prepared to overlook this flaw due to the game’s expansive world and infinite ways to engage with it. In time, fans of “Breath of the Wild” would broaden their horizons and explore other games, rejuvenating the genre with a new following.
I want to make it clear that the perspectives shared in this article are my own personal views, shaped by my unique experiences and background. They do not reflect the official stance or standpoint of GamingBolt as a whole.
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2024-07-17 18:41