What games are just objective masterpieces?
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Holy shit somehow no one has mentioned:
Nier Automata
It counts as a masterpiece because of how well it blends game design, gameplay and story. I have played very few games as thoughtful, or that weaved the gameplay together into the story it was telling in such a meaningful way. I never thought once in my life that I would think philosophically about bullet hell but somehow Nier Automata has something profound to say and even manages to say it using bullet hell as a gameplay mechanic.
On top of all this, it also has a lot to say about classical philosophers, their works, and honestly deeply subverts things they had to say. It asks tough questions about their thoughts and ideas, once again, through gameplay. Numerous characters are named for classical philosophers: Pascal, Jean-Paul, Simone, Engels, Immanuel... (Yoko Taro obviously has feelings about how Jean-Paul Sartre treated Simone de Beauvoir.)
Further, Yoko Taro is doing something that a lot of game developers fail to manage to do: He is embracing gaming as a storytelling medium and eschewing the traditional three-act arc from film. Because gaming is not film. As Marshall McLuhan posited, "the medium is the message" and unlike other developers Taro's writing is aimed at the medium he is working in instead of leaning on the ropes and tropes of other mediums. (Referring back to above, tying the gameplay into the story, focusing on the medium)
It's basically impossible to not break down into tears at the ending.
Don't write it off because of the scantily clad anime women. Stay for the depth of the human condition. It is truly a masterwork in multiple respects.
wrote on 27 May 2025, 23:53 last edited byNier Automata
I loved Nier Replicant, but didn't get into Automata, maybe I'll give it another shot. I do love that style of storytelling though.
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This post did not contain any content.wrote on 27 May 2025, 23:53 last edited by yareckt@lemmynsfw.com
Half-life 3
Mario 69
Pokemon Asbestos
Super Smash Bros Bawl (if you ban Metaknight) -
- dark souls
- elden ring
- bloodborne
- sekiro
- outer wilds
- doom 2016
- binding of isaac
wrote on 27 May 2025, 23:53 last edited bySomeone likes a challenge.
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This post did not contain any content.wrote on 27 May 2025, 23:55 last edited by
Super Metroid is still the first that comes to mind. Amazing experience from start to finish.
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This post did not contain any content.wrote on 27 May 2025, 23:56 last edited by
Super Metroid
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Portal 1 was flawless. Portal 2 had a crucial flaw.
Specifically, it was not Portal 1. Everything else was perfect.
wrote on 27 May 2025, 23:59 last edited byAre you saying that Portal 2 is not perfect due is a sequel?
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Are you saying that Portal 2 is not perfect due is a sequel?
wrote on 28 May 2025, 00:03 last edited byNot a sequel. Just because it's not Portal 1. The fact that it's second is not the problem. The problem is that the first one was flawless.
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This post did not contain any content.wrote on 28 May 2025, 00:04 last edited by
Red Alert 2
Heroes of Might and Magic 3
Super Mario Brothers 3
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This post did not contain any content.wrote on 28 May 2025, 00:08 last edited by
I think Outer Wilds is the most unique and fantastic way to tell a story I've ever experienced. Truly open in a way I've not seen before or since.
With the banger of a soundtrack too, I just can't bring myself to rate other games higher than it; even if I enjoy them more, Outer Wilds is probably the best game I've ever played.
Slay the Spire probably makes the list as it's inspired countless tweaks on its incredibly balanced deck building experience
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This post did not contain any content.wrote on 28 May 2025, 00:09 last edited by
There is no "objective" when talking about subjective terms.
My personal, SUBJECTIVE favorites are Mass Effect, Titanfall 2, Subnautica, Stardew Valley, Ori and the Blind Forest, Dave the Diver, Balatro, and Portal 1 and 2
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I didn’t know Chris Plante is on Lemmy.
wrote on 28 May 2025, 00:16 last edited byFor a moment I thought you were talking about the Newsmax host and I was very offended and confused, but it looks like there is another, lesser known Chris Plante in gaming journalism.
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This post did not contain any content.wrote on 28 May 2025, 00:18 last edited by
S tier
- Lufia
- Dragon Warrior 3
- Final Fantasy 3 & 7
- Sonic Adventure
- The Guardian Legend
- Ecco the Dolphin
- Silent Hill
- Mario Kart
- Dark Cloud 2
- Chronotrigger
- Zelda: A link to the past
- Submachine (flash)
A tier
- Oddworld, Abe’s Odyssey
- Resident Evil: codename Veronica
- Banjo Kazooie
- Mario RPG
- Donkey Kong Country
- Earthworm Jim
- Battletoads
- Wizards and Warriors 2
- Megaman 2
- Populous
- One Chance (flash)
- Daymare Town (flash)
- Abadox - hardest game I ever beat
B tier
- The Lion King
- Overlord
- Oregon Trail
- Dinopark Tycoon
- Snowboard Kids
- South Park
- Kid Icarus
- Sweet Home
- Monster Party
- Dr Mario
- Abobo’s Big Adventure (flash)
- Alice is Dead Ep 1 (flash)
- Starfox
- Shadowgate
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Holy shit somehow no one has mentioned:
Nier Automata
It counts as a masterpiece because of how well it blends game design, gameplay and story. I have played very few games as thoughtful, or that weaved the gameplay together into the story it was telling in such a meaningful way. I never thought once in my life that I would think philosophically about bullet hell but somehow Nier Automata has something profound to say and even manages to say it using bullet hell as a gameplay mechanic.
On top of all this, it also has a lot to say about classical philosophers, their works, and honestly deeply subverts things they had to say. It asks tough questions about their thoughts and ideas, once again, through gameplay. Numerous characters are named for classical philosophers: Pascal, Jean-Paul, Simone, Engels, Immanuel... (Yoko Taro obviously has feelings about how Jean-Paul Sartre treated Simone de Beauvoir.)
Further, Yoko Taro is doing something that a lot of game developers fail to manage to do: He is embracing gaming as a storytelling medium and eschewing the traditional three-act arc from film. Because gaming is not film. As Marshall McLuhan posited, "the medium is the message" and unlike other developers Taro's writing is aimed at the medium he is working in instead of leaning on the ropes and tropes of other mediums. (Referring back to above, tying the gameplay into the story, focusing on the medium)
It's basically impossible to not break down into tears at the ending.
Don't write it off because of the scantily clad anime women. Stay for the depth of the human condition. It is truly a masterwork in multiple respects.
wrote on 28 May 2025, 00:18 last edited byIt's basically impossible to not break down into tears at the ending.
The god damn ending is a gameplay mechanic to tell a not yet finished story. Damn you Yoko Taro
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Portal/Portal 2
Deus Ex (the original)
Minecraft
Stardew Valley
Terraria
Mirror's Edge
Chrono Trigger
Cyberpunk 2077
Hades
Subnautica
A Short Hike
Donut County
wrote on 28 May 2025, 00:19 last edited byI'm shocked to see Donut County mentioned. But you're right, it's a perfect pleasant game similar to the perfection of the first Portal. In fact, it's my son's favorite video game, by far.
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I think the word you are looking for is pedant.
Better vocabulary will help get your point across better. Without also sounding like an edgy atheist teen.
wrote on 28 May 2025, 00:21 last edited by landedgentry@lemmy.zip 6 Feb 2025, 20:17::: spoiler spoiler
askldjfals;jflsad;
::: -
This post did not contain any content.wrote on 28 May 2025, 00:22 last edited by angstylittlecatboy@reddthat.com
I'm going to take this as "games that I never see anyone question their quality." (I don't even like all these games myself)
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Sonic 3 & Knuckles
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Kirby Planet Robobot
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Doom 2016
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Street Fighter III: Third Strike
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Pac-Man
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Balatro
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Steins;Gate
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The House in Fata Morgana
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Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
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Gran Turismo 4
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Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
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Mega Man X
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Mega Man X4
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Super Mario Bros. 3
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Hollow Knight
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Bloodborne
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Elden Ring
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Balder's Gate 3
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::: spoiler spoiler
askldjfals;jflsad;
:::wrote on 28 May 2025, 00:27 last edited byIt's low-grade trolling, chill bro. They're not serious.
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S tier
- Lufia
- Dragon Warrior 3
- Final Fantasy 3 & 7
- Sonic Adventure
- The Guardian Legend
- Ecco the Dolphin
- Silent Hill
- Mario Kart
- Dark Cloud 2
- Chronotrigger
- Zelda: A link to the past
- Submachine (flash)
A tier
- Oddworld, Abe’s Odyssey
- Resident Evil: codename Veronica
- Banjo Kazooie
- Mario RPG
- Donkey Kong Country
- Earthworm Jim
- Battletoads
- Wizards and Warriors 2
- Megaman 2
- Populous
- One Chance (flash)
- Daymare Town (flash)
- Abadox - hardest game I ever beat
B tier
- The Lion King
- Overlord
- Oregon Trail
- Dinopark Tycoon
- Snowboard Kids
- South Park
- Kid Icarus
- Sweet Home
- Monster Party
- Dr Mario
- Abobo’s Big Adventure (flash)
- Alice is Dead Ep 1 (flash)
- Starfox
- Shadowgate
wrote on 28 May 2025, 00:28 last edited byUnironically Banjo-Kazooie though
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Holy shit somehow no one has mentioned:
Nier Automata
It counts as a masterpiece because of how well it blends game design, gameplay and story. I have played very few games as thoughtful, or that weaved the gameplay together into the story it was telling in such a meaningful way. I never thought once in my life that I would think philosophically about bullet hell but somehow Nier Automata has something profound to say and even manages to say it using bullet hell as a gameplay mechanic.
On top of all this, it also has a lot to say about classical philosophers, their works, and honestly deeply subverts things they had to say. It asks tough questions about their thoughts and ideas, once again, through gameplay. Numerous characters are named for classical philosophers: Pascal, Jean-Paul, Simone, Engels, Immanuel... (Yoko Taro obviously has feelings about how Jean-Paul Sartre treated Simone de Beauvoir.)
Further, Yoko Taro is doing something that a lot of game developers fail to manage to do: He is embracing gaming as a storytelling medium and eschewing the traditional three-act arc from film. Because gaming is not film. As Marshall McLuhan posited, "the medium is the message" and unlike other developers Taro's writing is aimed at the medium he is working in instead of leaning on the ropes and tropes of other mediums. (Referring back to above, tying the gameplay into the story, focusing on the medium)
It's basically impossible to not break down into tears at the ending.
Don't write it off because of the scantily clad anime women. Stay for the depth of the human condition. It is truly a masterwork in multiple respects.
wrote on 28 May 2025, 00:40 last edited byI appreciate that you justified your submission, unlike many answers here.
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RimWorld
wrote on 28 May 2025, 00:40 last edited byTruly, the replayability is staggering.
