Looking for a game to "wow" me, any suggestions?

Lately I am struggling to find games that really impress me and have me dropping hours into them at a time and finishing it in a matter of days. Hopefully some of you guys have some suggestions that might be up my alley :). One of my favourite charms in games is when you are rewarded for going off the main path, searching every corner for treasure (if it's usable items and not just 1/1300 hidden tokens)

Some examples of games that have met the criteria in the past decade-ish are:
Far Cry 3
The Walking Dead season 1-5
HALO 3 and CE
New Super Mario Bros Wii
The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay
Metro 2033 and Last Light
The Elder Scrolls IV: Obvlivion
Golden Sun and The Dark Age
Mortal Kombat: Deception
Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2005)
Crysis
The Darkness
Gears of War
GTA: Vice City
Fable 2

The general theme appear to be FPSs, but this is not necessarily my preferred genre. Alas, the golden days of 3d platformers like Croc, Gex and Banjo Kazooie are behind us though, and I am left with less selection.

I am pretty opposed to online multiplayer games and indie titles. Strongly in favour of same screen multiplayer (co-op preferred) and genuine retro titles. The only platform limitation would be PS4/XBONE titles. EDIT: meaning I don't have a PS4 or XBONE. All other major consoles are far game, and PC is my primary platform. I just don't have the really obscure consoles like virtual boys and what not.

Any suggestions and I'm all ears! :D

UPDATE:
Of the suggestions I already own these games that I haven't played (more than 1/2 hour of at least)
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series
Tomb Raider (reboot)
Theif (Gold and 2014)
KOTOR 1&2

Ones I intend to get based on the recommendations:
The Last of Us
Dragon Age Origins
Shadow of the Colossus
Maybe The Witcher 3, I have 1&2 so might just check them out more. Seems like I'd have no time to give the game a proper chance though.

Look into:
Wolfenstein: The New Order
Metal Gear Solid

Finish off:
Halo ODST
Zelda Ocarina of Time (yeah… I know… :$ I only had the gameboy ones growing up)

Ones I have, and played a decent amount of, yet legit remember next to nothing about:
Mass effect (was really sick and dosed up on medication, I tried continuing my file the next week but had no idea what was going on)
Uncharted (I think I was just burning the candle at both ends back then)
Might have to revisit these one day, but not really my priority now :p

Some that are suggested which I already have, and played enough to gauge properly. In general they didn't "wow" me, possibly had their moments though:
Fallout 3 and NV
Bioshock and Infinite
Borderlands 1&2
any COD edit: except World at War, I liked that one
Half Life

Thanks again to everyone who has replied :)

Comments

  • +5

    All you have to do is add 1 to the numbers in your list

    Eg far cry 4, halo 5 etc etc

    • I should clear up that I've simply listed those in the series that I actually like, or liked the most, not only played the listed titles per series. With the exception of Halo 5, as I don't have an Xbox One.

      • If you like Halo, try Reach & ODST. These were two of the single player campaigns that I most enjoyed in the series.

        Don't rush to play Halo 5 if you're not into online multiplayer, the single player campaign was mediocre at best…and damn short…I knocked it off in under a weekend! :(

        • Well that is disappointing to hear about Halo 5.. I really didn't mind Halo 4, until I tried replaying it. So repetitive and basic. I swear half the levels were just filled out by mirroring the previous skirmish when "progressing".

          And yeah, I really like Reach. I found it to be like Combat Evolved on roids. Haven't gotten around to ODST yet (although i do own it). I'm currently trying to do a canon run through - Reach, CE, Halo 2 up to The Arbiter, ODST, finish 2 then 3. But work and family times restraints are slowing progress significantly :p haha. I've only gotten to the maw in CE so far :$

        • +1

          @dreadpiratedan:

          I really didn't mind Halo 4, until I tried replaying it. So repetitive and basic.

          That's pretty much my take on it too. Be prepared for some PTSD flashbacks when you play Halo 5, the campaign gameplay also seems to be very much rehashed Halo 4. 343 aren't even trying anymore, they're just half-assedly phoning it in! :'(

          I also forgot to mention the Splinter Cell series, I've found most of them to be very enjoyable from a stealth/tactics/storyline perspective; particularly Blacklist.

          Just a heads-up, ODST is also a comparatively short campaign by Halo standards, but it's extremely well crafted. The voice talent, story arc, music & atmosphere are stellar! Do yourself a favour, play it through on either Heroic or Legendary to prolong the experience! ;)

    • halo 5 is utter garbage.

      • +1

        Says you

        • -1

          A half assed campaign and collector cards which create an imbalance and advantage to those who spend more and live the game 24/7 is pure bullshit no matter how you look at it.

  • +4

    Fallout: New Vegas, GOTY Edition (since many mods require all the DLCs) with Mods.
    Bit old, lacks in graphics department, but I still think of it as a classic.

    • I do actually have that. I've given it a crack a few times but always find myself (harshly) comparing it to The Elder Scrolls. But old titles are certainly welcome suggestions!

      Do any mods stand out as worth playing, such as quests, or were you more so meaning graphics wise to bring it up to modern standards?
      The only part in Fallout in general I've really liked was Tranquility Lane in F3. That and getting half cut with a mate and going to some deathclaw infested place, luring them into crude traps, then chipping away at their health till we could run up and punch them for the final blow… good times :p

      • :S Tranquility lane was so… Well I liked it.

        Few mods here and there, all changing mechanics of the game in some way.

        I had gun related mod, tweaks done by one of the designers of the game (to make the game harder), etc etc. I really liked the mod that changes hardcore mode harder and the mod (which never left beta unfortunately) that changed Power Armour to feel like a Power Armour (sorta like what they have on Fallout 4, but I personally think the mod offered so much complexity like overheating and more customisation that did feel better).

        I cannot really give a list per se, since I uninstalled mine and lost the list of the mods I had on it.

  • +5

    Strip poker.

    • how does this get down voted? sounds like an excellent idea to me.

      • Those voting things are ridiculous. People down-vote perfect comments.

        • +1

          Haha now it's plus five. rightfully so.

  • +2

    Have you tried Dragon Age? I really enjoy it.

    • +1

      Not yet, though I have have been recommended it once before though had forgotten all about it. Does it particularly matter which one to start off with?

      • Not really, but dragon age origins usually is the one most mentioned. Considering it's also the first in the series it cant hurt to start there.

        • The Dragon Age games are very different games between versions. I still reckon Origins is the best though.

      • DA:O is quite good, but it does have a slump in the middle of the story / action with some mediocre areas / quest hubs.

        Pretty much 40-60 hours of decent storyline, average combat and heavy group micro-management depending on your class/spec until you get a healer in the group. Pretty decent, and it holds up over time. Easier dificulties are fun, and IIRC, wizards have more fun in the game (blood mage) as it progresses. but, rogue/archer/warrior are all playable once the gear is there to survive waves without healing every 3 moves.

        Dragon Age 1 continues the bioware tradition of splitting then dumping the backbone of story across multiple zones, similar to how Mass Effect 1 & 2 have a collectible minigame to fill in the hours, to get backstory or help out in side missions, etc. The romance options are … forgettable or memorable. the DLC adds a few perks and gear early on, it all works well. Definite game of the year for a reason, even though the parts by themselves are more or less cookie cutter.

        Dragon Age 2, IMO you are not supposed to like playing it. I could say it's terrible, and that would be accurate too, but it's still bioware. The beginning is fine, the execution of the game itself is up and down, and the storyline is sewn together and animated, zombie like into a game. Combat is technically better, but it's so much kiting of mobs (until you get better gear) that you're either going to love or hate it compared to DA 1 or DA 3.

        It's just not polished into a great game, and it makes you kind of take notice on how much better it could have been if they weren't working on Star Wars KOTOR at the same time.

        DA:I is it's own game in a sense, comprising bits of 1 & 2, not always the best of either. Definitely more fun to play, but it's also a very different experience to either DA1's linear adventure, or DA2's repetitive dungeon adventure.

        Dragon Age 3 compared to The Witcher 3, not really a contest. Witcher 3 outshines a lot of the game, but they're based on different ideas altogether.

        Either way, the story once you get into the Dragon Age setting isn't bad. It's one of the only redeeming features of all 3 games that stops it from being a cookie cutter RPG.

  • +9

    Try the Portals, Perhaps The Witness if you like puzzle games, or Talos Principle which I think is the better of the two. What about Mass Effect 2? Wolfenstein New Order was a fantastic 'basic' FPS. The modern Tomb Raider games are pretty excellent. The Last of Us. Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, Syndicate (2012). Minecraft?
    You'll probably like the Deus Ex games, or System Shock 2. Perhaps Dishonored. What about MGS V? Stanley Parable. Witcher 3. The modern Xcoms? Fez for platforming, or Axiom Verge for old school? You might like STALKER. Dying Light is fun. Alien Isolation if you have the minutest interest in that universe as the world is amazing.

    That should get you started.

    • +3

      Portal is awesome

  • +5

    Red Dead Redemption. Completely forgot about that game.

    • online multiplayer is full of hackers.

    • rockstar might be bringing number 3 to e3. fingers crossed!

      • God I hope so.

      • -1

        omg, it better be on PC! Then they can port Red Dead as a DLC or something, we did finally get Fallout 4, so it is time to exert our peer pressure as gamers to Red Dead now ;)

        • they did say they were planning something big to E3 so lets hope so!

    • Red Dead Redemption is pretty much the most played game on my PS3. Always hoped we might get a PC version of Red Dead Redemption…

      • Yeah, some youtuber I watch said it's one of the few games that you have to get a console for.
        I think that's true. It's amazing. I sorta want it on PC but I doubt it'd happen.

  • GoldenEye ReLoaded if you have a ps3 or 360 floating around. Good clean fun for up to 4 people. Campaign is single player though :(

  • +1

    I played Max Payne 3 recently. Reckon you'd like it.

  • +27

    Witcher 3 without a doubt!!

    • +2

      ^^ This. I've been playing Witcher 3 for the past few days. Absolutely addicted. Come straight home from work and fire up my rig.

      • +4

        +1 to the wit her 3. Based on the games you say you like and your desire for a lengthy game that rewards exploring side quests this is 100% your game.

    • +2

      Easily the most WOW I've ever had in a game. There's so many different text options, so many different story paths, customization. The world is so extremely well designed and graphically pleasing (as well as the ladies and Geralt himself ;)), IMO it's no a wonder that it's considered the best game of 2015 and one of the best of the decade.

      Giving another vote for Witcher 3!

    • +1

      With all the votes for Witcher 3 I feel I must get in on this action…. is there any point starting with 1 and 2? I don't mind if they have dated graphics etc. game play and story are what matter most to me. Thanks!

      • You can catch up to the story on Youtube, or there's a brief "last time on The Witcher" at the start of the 3rd game.
        Hard to say though. The gameplay is very different between 1 and 2… and I'd say finally gets perfected in 3. Maybe try 1 and see if you're enjoying it, if not go straight to 2 or 3.

  • SFV, hands down. Atleast it is all I will play for the next 5 years :D

    • Nah. Moves are way too hard to do. Online lag just makes it worse. Capcom vs SNK2 was better.

      • +1

        loved that game, one of the best ever fighting games of all time. def lag issues atm, should improve soon

  • +23

    I don't see The Last Of Us or Uncharted on there?

    • The platform wasn't specified. Those games are Playstation exclusives, so may not be playable by the OP.

      Having said that, if he does own a PS3, then he should also be playing ICO / Shadow of the Colossus. No question. Play it now!

      • Oh, and I should also mention Bloodborne, Demon's Souls, and the Dark Souls series. Seriously must plays!

  • +14

    The Last of Us greatest game ever!

  • +3

    The S.T.A.L.K.E.R series is probably right up your alley. FPS with RPG elements, very atmospheric and different to the majority of FPS titles out there. Not sure of these are on console though?

    Skyrim is a given, if you haven't played it. Witcher 3 also.

    • Would it matter which S.T.A.L.K.E.R. to play? I've heard to just go with Pripyat due to it ageing better.

      • +1

        Personally I'd start from the beginning- they are all enjoyable games.

        • ^^ This. The story and the "setting" is introduced in the first game.

    • +1

      Was scrolling down to see if someone had mentioned the STALKER series. Playing the first one - in 2006 I think? - is the most memorable experience I've had playing a game. The series is among the best I've played, but the atmosphere and intensity of that first game blew my mind. Do not miss it. (Admittedly, the games are a bit buggy, but nothing too annoying.)

  • +2

    I haven't played video games for years but I've heard a lot of stuff about Alien Isolation being very scary and tense to play.

    • It is. They captured the feeling of absolute helplessness in the face of a stronger, faster and more intelligent killing machine very well. When you first start encountering the Alien, it is incredibly difficult (or at least, it was for me). All you can do is run; the pistol you have does nothing. I've heard that it gets a bit easier later on in the game. Great game, just very difficult to start.

  • +12

    The Witcher 3, bloodborne, The last of Us

    • +1

      Perfect taste!

  • One of my favourite charms in games is when you are rewarded for going off the main path, searching every corner for treasure…

    Thief.

    • Is there a specific title of that series that is the "best"? I nabbed the most recent one on games with gold for 360, and have Theif Gold on steam, never really played either though

      • That's pretty much the one…give it a go, based on your criteria I reckon you'll love it! ;)

      • Thief II is better than Gold/1. Less zombie missions. Generally considered the best. My avatar is this for a reason. It's a game that rewards (needs) patience. My favourite game of all time.

  • +1

    I've been playing Heroes & Generals a lot lately. It takes me back to the old multiplayer days of Medal of Honor. The best part?… it's free to play.

    • +1

      Trouble with H&G is once you get past rank 5 and enter the war mode you just get rolled by pay2win players with all their tanks. Also it can be hard to find a server with good ping, since it's mostly Europeans who play it.

      Red Orchestra 2 is much better. Has similar realistic gameplay minus the microtransactions (granted it's not free to play but it's worth it) and there's still a pretty good Aussie community.

      • Sweet I'll check it out. Yeah you're right, it was quite fun getting to rank 5 and now it's a bit of a grind. I still enjoy it though :)

  • -7

    Candy crush

  • Wow, alot of replies there. Certainly alot of votes for The Last of Us! It has been on the to buy list for a while, just been too much of a cheap skate to dish out the price for a console game vs the cheapness of Steam Sales :P. Guess it's time to go raiding the sale tables at EB and JB while last gen is still in stores :)

    • Play it on ps4. Much better.

  • +4

    The Last Of Us is worth every cent…I don't play but have watched my son for many hours…Can be a very intense game

  • Chess. (Definitely don't mean the musical).

  • +2

    Stop reading this thread. Immediately go and buy:

    Fallout 3 GOTY

    Fallout New Vegas

    Fallout 4

    You can thank me later.

    • +3

      Fallout New Vegas is my pick out of these.

      Fallout4 is BORING without character and the charm of NV.. IMO

      • +1

        Yeah but patrolling the Mojave almost makes me wish for a nuclear winter.

  • +1

    Out of my 400+ steam games, the one i love the most is a 2D platformed called Freedom Planet (also recently released on wiiU). It feels like a 90s cartoon, looks like a sonic game, but plays very differently. Multiple characters with unique abilities, multiple paths through each level, challenging boss fights, and excellent sound design.

    My second favorite steam game is called Lovely Planet. It is a speed run FPS. It's very hard at first, but once you figure out what you need to u feel like a boss.

    I played portal for the first time the other week and that wowed me.

    I also love the ratchet and clank series on ps3 for 3d platforming, though that's not everyone's cup of tea.

  • +10

    The Witcher 3

  • +2

    Did you try the Uncharted series?

    Also Alan Wake.

    • You mean the Lara Croft with a dude series? :P

      • Maybe but like, Uncharted also has babes and stuff in it. Something for everyone knowwutimsayin.

  • What? No Fallout 4? :) It's the first game that came to my mind. I didn't really like Fallout 3 but 4 is da bomb. Spent 68 hours in total to finish it, and easily more if I want to further explore + get all the quests

  • +3

    Dishonoured

  • +1

    I took a risk and bought Witcher 3. It turned out to be one of the best games I've ever played.

    • +1

      Took a risk? You know the game will be good after the previous 2 are excellent & have a brother web that sell GoG (Good Old Classical Game)

  • +4

    Last of Us! It's taking me forever to finish. It also scares the crap out of me…don't judge me I hate zombies haha

    • Technically not zombies. Just infected with a mutated version of the cordyceps fungus, which is actually a real thing.

      Yes, it's a brilliant game. One of the best of this modern generation.

      • Isn't it fantastic that of all the fictional zombies strains, the cordyceps is the only one that already exists. That's what makes The Last of Us one of the most unsettling, disturbing, emotional romps in all of the completely overdone and oversaturated genre that is the zombie genre. Easily the best looking game on the PS3, it showed me that we didn't need a new console generation.

        Then 3 months later we got one. Yet we're still waiting for next gen games…

  • -3

    Clash of Clans

  • +1

    Wolfenstein The New Order

  • +2

    If you like Rpg Style games with loads of replayability try Grim Dawn http://www.grimdawn.com/ , reminds me of Diablo 1 and 2 mixed with Titan Quest.

    • Wait for steam 50% off sales.

  • I thoroughly enjoyed Sunset Overdrive. It is the game version of what deadpool is to comic books imo. I was sad when I had finished it and it actually made me want to play the Xbox, and since finishing I have no motivation again.

  • +1

    Knights of the Old Republic 1 & 2

    • +1

      Out of curiousity, did you play this on PC or console? I gave it a crack a few years ago but struggled to embrace the controls on PC. I've sometimes wondered if I would/would have enjoyed it more with a controller, or if I should have persevered with mouse+keyboard.

      • I found the controller easier to handle in Kotor, but I also refuse to play gta with a keyboard. So its personal preference.

  • -1

    WoW

    • I was waiting for someone to say that, haha. The pun was certainly not intended though :p

  • +7

    Leisure Suit Larry

  • +2

    Bioshock infinite

  • +1

    The Batman games that started with Arkham Asylum,Arkham City,Arkham Origins.
    I have'nt played the last in the series Arkham Knight yet, so i can't recommend that one.

  • +3

    I recommend Metal Gear Solid 5. There are components of multiplayer but majority of accomplishments revolve around single player.

    • +1

      That's a good game but it's repetitive once you finish the main missions, and the side ops just repeat.

  • +4

    Wolfenstein: The New Order is a halfway house between old school shooter and modern sensibilities. It was kind of surprising that it worked as a game, many people were expecting the worst. What's even more surprising, though, is that it works stunningly well as a game trying to tell a story.

    Ostensibly, it is an alternate history game about blasting high tech nazis in the 1960's after they used superscience to take over the world. At the same time, it manages to deliver truths about the real life nazi regime with all of the gravitas that demands. It is light hearted in parts, and deathly grim in others. The main character, "BJ" Blazkowicz was originally the poster child for the generic meathead FPS protagonist, the kind of character that Duke Nukem was parodying. In Wolfenstein: TNO, the developers have turned him into a surprisingly complex character, but in fairly subtle ways. He is still a gung ho American ready to take on all the Nahtsees, but at the same time he's kind of a warrior poet, quietly thinking to himself and reflecting on his life as he experiences some of the quieter moments. Depending on the path taken in the game, there's some great commentary on the idealised version of America that he fights for and whether it was really all that great for all of its citizens. His interactions with his comrades and other people are some of the most human moments ever put into a game (including one of the most organic and believable romances in gaming), and it's not surprising that the development team is comprised of former Starbreeze personnel. The Darkness was also like this in a lot of ways with great characters and writing.

    But enough wanking over the characterisations. The game is a blast to play and would be recommended even if it had no story at all. High mobility, dual wielding fun weapons and enemies. It's got as much in common with Quake as it does with Call of Duty, and it's beautiful.

Login or Join to leave a comment