Dodgy List of Most Influential Games Ever Puts 2-Month-Old RPG in the Top 10

As a gamer, I’d put it this way: Being influential isn’t just about being super skilled or having the coolest gear. It means making an impact, leaving a mark that resonates with others in the gaming community. You’ve got to be someone who sparks ideas, sets trends, and maybe even changes the game itself – not just someone who plays it really well. And hey, it doesn’t happen overnight; you usually need a few years under your belt to truly make an impact.

Participants in the BAFTA’s “Top 21 Video Games of All Time” ranking may have found some of the selections puzzling or controversial, given that certain games on the list are open to interpretation as not being among the most influential or best in the video game industry.

According to the public vote, the 21 most influential video games ever made are:

  1. Shenmue
  2. DOOM
  3. Super Mario Bros.
  4. Half-Life
  5. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
  6. Minecraft
  7. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
  8. Super Mario 64
  9. Half-Life 2
  10. The Sims
  11. Tetris
  12. Tomb Raider
  13. PONG
  14. Metal Gear Solid
  15. World of Warcraft
  16. Baldur’s Gate 3
  17. Final Fantasy VII
  18. Dark Souls
  19. Grand Theft Auto III
  20. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
  21. Grand Theft Auto

In this list, you’ll find many games that are often associated with such a category, like Super Mario 64, Metal Gear Solid, and Final Fantasy VII. But take a moment to look at the title in the seventh spot; it seems questionable whether Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 truly belongs on this list, as there’s no indication that it has been released yet.

A fantastic role-playing game developed by Warhorse Studios, however, being just two months old (launched on February 2nd, 2025), it’s premature to label it as “influential” in any sense. Given the lengthy process of game development, it hasn’t had the chance to influence other games or the industry yet!

Just like Baldur’s Gate 3, even though its notable features are evident, it hasn’t had a significant influence on other works due to its relatively short release period (approximately 18 months). Its impact is expected to be substantial in the future; let’s wait a few more years before we see its full effects.

It’s evident that the BAFTA organization expected its voters to consider the impact of the movies they select, but unfortunately, it seems like some of these choices turned into a popularity contest. Placing Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 so high on this list, let alone seventh place, is highly questionable, especially given its current status.

Speaking of Shenmue’s significant impact on video games, it’s worth noting that this Dreamcast gem revolutionized how game worlds could be navigated and designed. Each Non-Player Character (NPC) had their own unique schedules, meaning interactions were limited to specific moments in time, and if you weren’t around, you might miss out. Additionally, it was one of the first games to introduce quick-time events, and it enriched features like day and night cycles, making the game world feel more immersive and dynamic.

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2025-04-03 15:36