Support NeoGAF

[Red Crayon Aristocrat]

People complain about Woke, DEI and feminism in games, while all these complaints are valid, I've noticed that gaming has been in trouble for longer than that really has been a thing.

I look at photos online of E3 2013 or 2014 and it's mostly all so... dull? Compare them to the E3s of 2003 and 2004 which were like one big party with the booths, the booth babes, the celebrity sightings etc, then ten years later it all feels kinda low energy, just sorta perfunctory and going through the motions (tbf, now ten years later there's no such thing as E3 period)

We did have some real classic bangers come out in the mid 2010s still, but by that point, the jump to HD had killed countless developers, the rise of GAAS was soon after, even if all the political in fighting had never happened, there would still be troubles with modern gaming and it seems like there was this real peak in the early 2000s that it just hasn't been the same since.

 

[kiphalfton]

Life was fun pre-2010, then the androids appeared.

Thanks Google.

 

[Guilty_AI]

I think early to mid 2010s was one of the dullest periods. We had all sorts of AA and weird games before it, though they gradually lost space to the "big ones". Those didn't came back until mid late 2010s as indies rose to prominence thanks to digital distribution, effectively becoming the new AA industry in terms of creativity and quality.

 

[Danjin44]

I don't know you or anybody else but for me there I'm still getting tones games I love almost every year.

If you are talking conference shows got boring yeah maybe but I personally don't give a fuck, all that matters is games and I'm getting that.

 

[Durin]

We did have some real classic bangers come out in the mid 2010s still, but by that point, the jump to HD had killed countless developers, the rise of GAAS was soon after, even if all the political in fighting had never happened, there would still be troubles with modern gaming and it seems like there was this real peak in the early 2000s that it just hasn't been the same since.

Echoed the same thing before. As much as people might fondly remember games from the 360/PS3 generation, and it grew the audience massively...the budget increases of that gen put out a number of developers, certain genres and sub-genres stop getting made because they couldn't return the larger investments.

You got this growing corporate influence and bureaucracy, along with sanding down the edges of their products to try to appeal to everyone by not offending anyone. I would call the 2010s a bad decade for gaming if not for the growing indie scene with digital distribution that was able to make games at lower costs closer to the PS1-PS2 eras. We're seeing more success from the smaller studios because they can take a risk with better tools, and not waste 8 years on a shit Dragon Age game (or Concord).

 

[bender]

I don't know you or anybody else but for me there I'm still getting tones games I love almost every year.

If you are talking conference shows got boring yeah maybe but I personally don't give a fuck, all that matters is games and I'm getting that.

Name five this year.

 

[Danjin44]

Name five this year.

I feel like we done this joke before.

 

[bender]

I feel like we done this joke before.

That's what makes it funny, skin tube. Stop being a Topher .

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

DEI/Woke has infected gaming for about 10+ years, buddy. It's just like they went full mask off just recently

 

[davidjaffe]

I would be curious if anyone playing on Steam, Itch.IO, or even the indie spaces of console would agree. AA is super strong and indie shit is wild these days. To me, STEAM NEXT FEST feels like year ONE of E3 in 1995, walking around with almost NO CLUE what you'd see around every corner, well before the press had already covered 90% of the things that would be at the show.

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

I would be curious if anyone playing on Steam, Itch.IO, or even the indie spaces of console would agree. AA is super strong and indie shit is wild these days. To me, STEAM NEXT FEST feels like year ONE of E3 in 1995, walking around with almost NO CLUE what you'd see around every corner, well before the press had already covered 90% of the things that would be at the show.

Uh? He's clearly talking about the mainstream, high-profile, "institutionalized corporate" aspect of the industry

 

[semiconscious]

list of major new franchises of the ps5/xbox series era (last 5 years):

...

 

[coffinbirth]

I would be curious if anyone playing on Steam, Itch.IO, or even the indie spaces of console would agree. AA is super strong and indie shit is wild these days. To me, STEAM NEXT FEST feels like year ONE of E3 in 1995, walking around with almost NO CLUE what you'd see around every corner, well before the press had already covered 90% of the things that would be at the show.

Nope.
We have been eating incredibly well out here. All kinds of weird and innovative shit. Too many games to play, really.

 

[Guilty_AI]

Uh? He's clearly talking about the mainstream, high-profile, "institutionalized corporate" aspect of the industry

tbf, that sort of thing hadn't taken off yet in gaming circa 2003/2004. I remember it becoming more common when the x360 came around, especially with Halo 3. Before, it was still a very nerdy enviroment.

 

[simpatico]

I would be curious if anyone playing on Steam, Itch.IO, or even the indie spaces of console would agree. AA is super strong and indie shit is wild these days. To me, STEAM NEXT FEST feels like year ONE of E3 in 1995, walking around with almost NO CLUE what you'd see around every corner, well before the press had already covered 90% of the things that would be at the show.

NextFest has been really good for me too, and I was very cynical toward indies up until the end of last generation. But now with their scopes expanding and Half-Like becoming a UNICEF Globally Recognized Video Game Genre, it's really blossoming. Not quite to the level of a top tier E3 but getting close and I do expect them to reach it one day. Especially when small teams learn how to use AI to enhance asset quality and complexity. Like Dusk with Doom Eternal assets. Or Lunacid with Elden Ring assets. I can appreciate some good lo-fi with visionary direction, but the cutting-edge graphics part of me has to eat too. I'm excited for single digit teams to be able to compete on that level. No vision can survive executive producer by committee.

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

It was still a very nerdy enviroment.

Exactly. This is why this:

I've noticed that gaming has been in trouble for longer than that really has been a thing.

Really doesn't make sense, when the "woke" and the bastardization of the industry go hand in hand around mid 2010s in gaming.

Just remember when the industry was pushing back on booth babes for example.

 

[Humdinger]

You're right. Gaming culture was more fun and free-wheeling back then, less serious. Times have changed. Unfortunately, there's no going back.

I still find games to enjoy, but it's much harder, and the culture itself is less lighthearted, more serious. Political correctness took the wind out of a lot of sails, but I think the big factor was the financial success of the industry itself. As gaming became more popular and financially lucrative, it attracted the "suits." It's been downhill ever since.

 

[ZehDon]

We lost our anchor being in 2016. It's all been spiraling ever since.

 

[Guilty_AI]

Really doesn't make sense, when the "woke" and the bastardization of the industry go hand in hand around mid 2010s in gaming.

Just remember when the industry was pushing back on booth babes for example.

I'd say they're more the one and the same. The woke push post mid 2015 was really just a collection of the biggest companies overcorrecting to respond to the metoo movement. "Oh, we're being crucified on the internet because a couple of employers acted inaproproately? Lets fire them and replace them with a bunch of 'socially aware' gender studies women"

All the funny hair pronoums people are basically shields these companies built against industry enviroment criticism.

 

[Loomy]

You don't see those at car shows or other tech events anymore either. Times change. Industries evolve. Enjoy the time you're in.

 

[Gamer_By_Proxy]

It was before trying to divide people based on identity politics. There was less racism too. Humanity peaked around then. Hell even Asmondgold talks about it.

 

[Arsic]

Ya right.

All the hentai games on steam is something only early AOL gooners could've dreamt of.

 

[ReBurn]

I would be curious if anyone playing on Steam, Itch.IO, or even the indie spaces of console would agree. AA is super strong and indie shit is wild these days. To me, STEAM NEXT FEST feels like year ONE of E3 in 1995, walking around with almost NO CLUE what you'd see around every corner, well before the press had already covered 90% of the things that would be at the show.

I get what you're saying. AAA has been formulaic and focus tested for at least a decade because they have to build stuff that sells more than they get to build stuff they actually want to play.

Most of my gaming is in the retro, AA and indie space right now because it seems like those are the only places where I can get the edgy and fun games I'm looking for.

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

I'd say they're more the one and the same. The woke push post mid 2015 was really just a collection of the biggest companies overcorrecting to respond to the metoo movement. "Oh, we're being crucified on the internet because a couple of employers acted inaproproately? Lets fire them and replace them with a bunch of 'socially aware' gender studies women"

All the funny hair pronoums people are basically shields these companies built against industry enviroment criticism.

Lets fire them and replace them with a bunch of 'socially aware' gender studies women" Diverse people. (Before the word "woke" gained popularity, we had "Forced Diversity")

One of the core ideas of "the woke" is about reaching more diverse demographics within your company and through your products. They sell this by saying that:

1. Diversity makes you more competitive
2. Brings you more money.
3. Makes you ready for the future.

Movements like Me Too, Gamergate, or BLM expedited and made the process more aggressive. It was reactionary, but the "replacement" has always been the plan.

So, along with this "doctrine" and the growing consolidation of the gaming industry, it was only natural that big publishers would become more risk-averse and focus on fewer, "high-impact" IPs . "The Woke" just made things way shittier and clearly more expensive, less competitive, dysfunctional and counterproductive; a shitshow.

 

[Dacvak]

Name five this year.

I'll bite, you robot bastard.

Expedition 33
Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo
Donkey Kong Bananza
Hades 2
Silksong

And we all know Metroid Prime 4 is gonna be the greatest game of all time, otherwise I'm gonna have to kill myself.

But honestly I felt like 2025 has been pretty solid.

 

[bender]

I'll bite, you robot bastard.

Expedition 33
Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo
Donkey Kong Bananza
Hades 2
Silksong

And we all know Metroid Prime 4 is gonna be the greatest game of all time, otherwise I'm gonna have to kill myself.

But honestly I felt like 2025 has been pretty solid.

Now 7 from 2018.

 

[Dacvak]

Now 7 from 2018.

God of War
Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon
Red Dead Redemption 2
Celeste
Spider-Man
Smash Bros Ultimate
and uhhh…. Tetris Effect?

Okay now you do 6 from 2014.

 

[consoul]

Konami 2010 was peak.
It's been all downhill from there.

 

[bender]

God of War
Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon
Red Dead Redemption 2
Celeste
Spider-Man
Smash Bros Ultimate
and uhhh…. Tetris Effect?

Try 13 from 2021.

 

[Dacvak]

Try 13 from 2021.

Metroid Dread
Deathloop
Returnal
Resident Evil Village
Psychonauts 2
Ratchet and Clank Rift Apart
Inscryption
Uhhhh Forza Horizon 5
It Takes 2
Guilty Gear Strive
Uhh Halo… Infinite? I liked it. Kinda.
Fuck. This is hard.

Oh Monster Hunter Rise
That Guardians of the Galaxy game was pretty good.

Is that 13? What about that Shin Megaphone Tensor game? I hear weebs love that shit.

 

[Pasta la Vista]

I've mentioned this before in regard to E3. It was never meant to be a fan event. It was never meant to be open to the public. It was for people in the industry and their constituents, gaming media, etc.

The more private and exclusive nature of it back in the day is what made it more exciting.

With the advent of social media platforms and how people consume information, there is no waiting for news. Now, for better or worse, everything is instant.

The way people create connections and interact with each other and their environment has changed. Creating content, farming for engagement, creating that loop of keeping your product relevent through these means.

There is no privacy. There is no exclusivity. Everyone and everything is welcome and that makes shit BORING.

 

[bender]

Metroid Dread
Deathloop
Returnal
Resident Evil Village
Psychonauts 2
Ratchet and Clank Rift Apart
Inscryption
Uhhhh Forza Horizon 5
It Takes 2
Guilty Gear Strive
Uhh Halo… Infinite? I liked it. Kinda.
Fuck. This is hard.

Oh Monster Hunter Rise
That Guardians of the Galaxy game was pretty good.

Is that 13? What about that Shin Megaphone Tensor game? I hear weebs love that shit.

I'm a robot, not a calculator. Do 39 from 2016.

 

[IAmRei]

Metroid Dread
Deathloop
Returnal
Resident Evil Village
Psychonauts 2
Ratchet and Clank Rift Apart
Inscryption
Uhhhh Forza Horizon 5
It Takes 2
Guilty Gear Strive
Uhh Halo… Infinite? I liked it. Kinda.
Fuck. This is hard.

Oh Monster Hunter Rise
That Guardians of the Galaxy game was pretty good.

Is that 13? What about that Shin Megaphone Tensor game? I hear weebs love that shit.

SMT is more to otaku, normies weebs will be more to persona route

 

[Dacvak]

I'm a robot, not a calculator. Do 39 from 2016.

Bitch, there better be some GAF gold at the end of this rainbow.

DOOM
Dark Souls 3
Uncharted 4
Titanfall 2
Stardew Valley
Overwatch
Inside
Dishonored 2
Civilization 6
Pokémon Sun
Pokémon Moon (fuck you im counting them as two games)
Firewatch
XCOM 2
The Last Guardian
Hyper Light Drifter
Gears of War 4
Superhot
Thumper
Rise of the Tomb Raider
Planet Coaster
Pony Island (a banger if you haven't played it)
Mirror's Edge 2
Pokémon Go (this almost healed the world, it counts)
Hitman Reboot
Rez Infinite
Abzû
Enter the Gungeon
Job Simulator was cool if you had VR
Uhhhh Yakuza 0
Mafia III? (I never played it)
Oh Final Fantasy 15, which is legit my favorite FF.

Boom. 39 from 2016.

 

[bender]

Bitch, there better be some GAF gold at the end of this rainbow.

DOOM
Dark Souls 3
Uncharted 4
Titanfall 2
Stardew Valley
Overwatch
Inside
Dishonored 2
Civilization 6
Pokémon Sun
Pokémon Moon (fuck you im counting them as two games)
Firewatch
XCOM 2
The Last Guardian
Hyper Light Drifter
Gears of War 4
Superhot
Thumper
Rise of the Tomb Raider
Planet Coaster
Pony Island (a banger if you haven't played it)
Mirror's Edge 2
Pokémon Go (this almost healed the world, it counts)
Hitman Reboot
Rez Infinite
Abzû
Enter the Gungeon
Job Simulator was cool if you had VR
Uhhhh Yakuza 0
Mafia III? (I never played it)
Oh Final Fantasy 15, which is legit my favorite FF.

Boom. 39 from 2016.

How about 403 from 2019?

 

[Dacvak]

How about 403 from 2019?

 

[bender]

 

[Sooner]

Everything used to be great. Now everything sucks.
- Aging Person, every year ever

 

[Dacvak]

I give up.

Spoiler

Fuck you.

1. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
2. Control
3. Resident Evil 2
4. Disco Elysium
5. Outer Wilds
6. The Outer Worlds
7. Fire Emblem: Three Houses
8. Death Stranding
9. Devil May Cry 5
10. Apex Legends
11. Luigi's Mansion 3
12. Pokémon Sword / Shield
13. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
14. Untitled Goose Game
15. Baba Is You
16. Tetris 99
17. Super Mario Maker 2
18. Astral Chain
19. A Plague Tale: Innocence
20. Metro Exodus
21. Mortal Kombat 11
22. Borderlands 3
23. Gears 5
24. Days Gone
25. Yoshi's Crafted World
26. Cadence of Hyrule
27. The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
28. Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
29. The Division 2
30. Rage 2
31. Wargroove
32. Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair
33. Sayonara Wild Hearts
34. Concrete Genie
35. Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey
36. GreedFall
37. Code Vein
38. The Surge 2
39. Judgment
40. Phoenix Point
41. Risk of Rain 2
42. Slay the Spire
43. World of Warcraft Classic
44. Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers
45. Monster Hunter World: Iceborne
46. Catherine: Full Body
47. Remnant: From the Ashes
48. Observation
49. Void Bastards
50. My Friend Pedro
51. Katana ZERO
52. Children of Morta
53. Blasphemous
54. Dicey Dungeons
55. Manifold Garden
56. What the Golf?
57. The Touryst
58. A Short Hike
59. Anodyne 2: Return to Dust
60. Hypnospace Outlaw
61. Ion Fury
62. Eliza
63. Pathologic 2
64. Later Alligator
65. Heaven's Vault
66. Sunless Skies
67. Astroneer
68. SteamWorld Quest
69. Team Sonic Racing
70. Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled
71. Need for Speed Heat
72. GRID
73. F1 2019
74. Dirt Rally 2.0
75. Madden NFL 20
76. FIFA 20
77. NBA 2K20
78. NHL 20
79. eFootball PES 2020
80. Kingdom Hearts III
81. Dragon Quest Builders 2
82. Atelier Ryza
83. Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition
84. Trails of Cold Steel III
85. Indivisible
86. Outward
87. Life is Strange 2
88. Man of Medan
89. Blair Witch
90. Layers of Fear 2
91. Wolfenstein: Youngblood
92. Far Cry New Dawn
93. Ghost Recon Breakpoint
94. Planet Zoo
95. Anno 1800
96. Total War: Three Kingdoms
97. Tropico 6
98. Age of Wonders: Planetfall
99. Oxygen Not Included
100. Asgard's Wrath
101. Blood & Truth
102. Pistol Whip
103. Vader Immortal
104. Superhot VR
105. Red Dead Redemption 2 (PC)
106. Halo: The Master Chief Collection (PC)
107. Destiny 2: Shadowkeep
108. Forager
109. Ape Out
110. Gris
111. Persona Q2
112. Telling Lies
113. Erica
114. Superliminal
115. The Sinking City
116. Rebel Galaxy Outlaw
117. Dauntless
118. Daemon X Machina
119. Dragon Quest XI S
120. New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
121. Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD
122. Shovel Knight: King of Cards
123. Shovel Knight Showdown
124. Killer Queen Black
125. Ring Fit Adventure
126. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020
127. BoxBoy! + BoxGirl!
128. Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3
129. Oninaki
130. Creature in the Well
131. Knights and Bikes
132. Blazing Chrome
133. Valfaris
134. River City Girls
135. Hot Lava
136. Grindstone
137. Oceanhorn 2
138. Skate City
139. Mini Motorways
140. Where Cards Fall
141. Bleak Sword
142. Neo Cab
143. Spaceland
144. The Enchanted World
145. Assemble with Care
146. Frogger in Toy Town
147. Cat Quest II
148. Little Town Hero
149. Black Future '88
150. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy
151. World War Z
152. Crackdown 3
153. Trials Rising
154. Dangerous Driving
155. Samurai Shodown
156. Dead or Alive 6
157. Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid
158. Stormland
159. Boneworks
160. Vacation Simulator
161. Five Nights at Freddy's VR
162. Budget Cuts 2
163. No Man's Sky: Beyond
164. A Fisherman's Tale
165. Ghost Giant
166. GORN
167. MediEvil
168. The Sojourn
169. Supraland
170. ISLANDERS
171. Crying Suns
172. Amid Evil
173. Bright Memory
174. DARQ
175. The Beast Inside
176. Moons of Madness
177. Devotion
178. Heave Ho
179. Etherborn
180. Gato Roboto
181. New Super Lucky's Tale
182. Horace
183. Arise: A Simple Story
184. Afterparty
185. The Walking Dead: The Final Season
186. Deliver Us The Moon
187. The Fisherman – Fishing Planet
188. My Time at Portia
189. Satisfactory
190. Workers & Resources: Soviet Republic
191. Transport Fever 2
192. Foundation
193. Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition
194. They Are Billions
195. Mordhau
196. Steel Division 2
197. Imperator: Rome
198. Frostpunk: Console Edition
199. Field of Glory: Empires
200. Football Manager 2020
201. MLB The Show 19
202. WRC 8
203. Monster Energy Supercross 2
204. NASCAR Heat 4
205. Assetto Corsa Competizione
206. Lonely Mountains: Downhill
207. Descenders
208. Session
209. Splitgate
210. Call of Duty: Mobile
211. Mario Kart Tour
212. Dr. Mario World
213. Sky: Children of the Light
214. Pokémon Masters EX
215. Card of Darkness
216. Spek.
217. Overland
218. Sneaky Sasquatch
219. Various Daylife
220. Shinsekai: Into the Depths
221. Pilgrims
222. Jenny LeClue – Detectivu
223. Onimusha: Warlords
224. Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD
225. Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age
226. Final Fantasy VII (ports)
227. Resident Evil 4 (Switch)
228. Resident Evil 5 (Switch)
229. Resident Evil 6 (Switch)
230. Assassin's Creed: The Rebel Collection
231. Divinity: Original Sin 2
232. Pillars of Eternity
233. Torchlight II
234. Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition
235. Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition
236. Planescape: Torment / Icewind Dale
237. Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition
238. DOOM (1993 re-release)
239. DOOM II (re-release)
240. DOOM 3 (re-release)
241. Turok (Switch)
242. Turok 2: Seeds of Evil (Switch)
243. Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast
244. Star Wars Pinball
245. For The King
246. Zanki Zero
247. Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes
248. Blaster Master Zero 2
249. Draugen
250. Sea of Solitude
251. Gears POP!
252. Lethal League Blaze
253. Kill la Kill: IF
254. Jump Force
255. God Eater 3
256. Green Hell
257. GTFO
258. Hunt: Showdown
259. RAD
260. Warhammer: Chaosbane
261. The Cycle
262. Vambrace: Cold Soul
263. Streets of Rogue
264. Fight'N Rage
265. Mosaic
266. Yuppie Psycho
267. Dreams
268. Wattam
269. Chernobylite
270. Wolfenstein: Cyberpilot
271. Generation Zero
272. Tannenberg
273. Anthem
274. Crystar
275. Tokyo Dark: Remembrance
276. Outbuddies
277. Blazing Beaks
278. Ashen
279. The Legend of Bum-Bo
280. Atelier Lulua
281. Yo-kai Watch 3
282. Romancing SaGa 3
283. SaGa Scarlet Grace
284. The Alliance Alive HD
285. Citizens of Space
286. Raging Loop
287. Steins;Gate Elite
288. Root Letter: Last Answer
289. World End Syndrome
290. Our World Is Ended
291. Kind Words
292. Totally Accurate Battle Simulator
293. PC Building Simulator
294. The Occupation
295. Ghostbusters: The Video Game Remastered
296. Vigor
297. Tools Up!
298. Unrailed!
299. Damsel
300. Kine
301. Songbird Symphony
302. Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince
303. Sparklite
304. Terminator: Resistance
305. Sniper Elite V2 Remastered
306. Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus
307. Dusk Diver
308. Super Dragon Ball Heroes: World Mission
309. Tetris Effect (PC)
310. Farming Simulator 20
311. Just Dance 2020
312. Bee Simulator
313. The Ninja Saviors: Return of the Warriors
314. Ancestors: Legacy
315. Children of Zodiarcs
316. Black Desert (PS4)
317. Crystar (PS4 West)
318. Creature in the Well (PS4)
319. Lapis x Labyrinth
320. Ion Fury (console)
321. A Short Hike (Switch)
322. Manifold Garden (PS4)
323. Sea Salt
324. Superliminal (PS4/Xbox/Switch)
325. Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch Remastered
326. Rebel Galaxy Outlaw (console)
327. Risk of Rain (Switch)
328. The Sinking City (Switch)
329. Blacksad: Under the Skin
330. Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey (PS4/Xbox)
331. Phoenix Point (PC)
332. Darq: The Crypt
333. Shovel Knight Showdown
334. Shovel Knight: King of Cards
335. Blazing Chrome (console)
336. Children of Morta (Switch)
337. Risk of Rain 2 (console)
338. Observation (PS4/PC)
339. Katana ZERO (Switch/PC)
340. Ape Out (Switch/PC)
341. What Remains of Edith Finch (Switch)
342. Gris (PS4)
343. Dead Cells: Rise of the Giant
344. Destiny 2: Shadowkeep
345. Red Dead Redemption 2 (PC)
346. Halo: The Master Chief Collection (PC Reach)
347. The Witcher 3: Complete Edition (Switch)
348. Dragon Quest XI S (Switch)
349. Ring Fit Adventure
350. Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3
351. BoxBoy! + BoxGirl!
352. Ace Attorney Trilogy
353. World War Z
354. Trials Rising
355. Samurai Shodown
356. Dead or Alive 6
357. Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid
358. Stormland
359. Boneworks
360. Vacation Simulator
361. Five Nights at Freddy's VR
362. Budget Cuts 2
363. No Man's Sky: Beyond
364. A Fisherman's Tale
365. Ghost Giant
366. GORN
367. MediEvil
368. The Sojourn
369. Supraland
370. ISLANDERS
371. Crying Suns
372. Amid Evil
373. Bright Memory
374. DARQ
375. The Beast Inside
376. Moons of Madness
377. Devotion
378. Heave Ho
379. Etherborn
380. Gato Roboto
381. New Super Lucky's Tale
382. Horace
383. Arise: A Simple Story
384. Afterparty
385. Deliver Us The Moon
386. My Time at Portia
387. Satisfactory
388. Foundation
389. Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition
390. Mordhau
391. Imperator: Rome
392. Football Manager 2020
393. Lonely Mountains: Downhill
394. Sky: Children of the Light
395. Jenny LeClue – Detectivu
396. Onimusha: Warlords
397. Assassin's Creed: The Rebel Collection
398. Divinity: Original Sin 2
399. Torchlight II
400. Planescape: Torment / Icewind Dale
401. Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition
402. Dragon Quest XI S (Switch)
403. Ring Fit Adventure

 

[bender]

I give up.

Spoiler

Fuck you.

1. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
2. Control
3. Resident Evil 2
4. Disco Elysium
5. Outer Wilds
6. The Outer Worlds
7. Fire Emblem: Three Houses
8. Death Stranding
9. Devil May Cry 5
10. Apex Legends
11. Luigi's Mansion 3
12. Pokémon Sword / Shield
13. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
14. Untitled Goose Game
15. Baba Is You
16. Tetris 99
17. Super Mario Maker 2
18. Astral Chain
19. A Plague Tale: Innocence
20. Metro Exodus
21. Mortal Kombat 11
22. Borderlands 3
23. Gears 5
24. Days Gone
25. Yoshi's Crafted World
26. Cadence of Hyrule
27. The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
28. Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
29. The Division 2
30. Rage 2
31. Wargroove
32. Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair
33. Sayonara Wild Hearts
34. Concrete Genie
35. Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey
36. GreedFall
37. Code Vein
38. The Surge 2
39. Judgment
40. Phoenix Point
41. Risk of Rain 2
42. Slay the Spire
43. World of Warcraft Classic
44. Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers
45. Monster Hunter World: Iceborne
46. Catherine: Full Body
47. Remnant: From the Ashes
48. Observation
49. Void Bastards
50. My Friend Pedro
51. Katana ZERO
52. Children of Morta
53. Blasphemous
54. Dicey Dungeons
55. Manifold Garden
56. What the Golf?
57. The Touryst
58. A Short Hike
59. Anodyne 2: Return to Dust
60. Hypnospace Outlaw
61. Ion Fury
62. Eliza
63. Pathologic 2
64. Later Alligator
65. Heaven's Vault
66. Sunless Skies
67. Astroneer
68. SteamWorld Quest
69. Team Sonic Racing
70. Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled
71. Need for Speed Heat
72. GRID
73. F1 2019
74. Dirt Rally 2.0
75. Madden NFL 20
76. FIFA 20
77. NBA 2K20
78. NHL 20
79. eFootball PES 2020
80. Kingdom Hearts III
81. Dragon Quest Builders 2
82. Atelier Ryza
83. Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition
84. Trails of Cold Steel III
85. Indivisible
86. Outward
87. Life is Strange 2
88. Man of Medan
89. Blair Witch
90. Layers of Fear 2
91. Wolfenstein: Youngblood
92. Far Cry New Dawn
93. Ghost Recon Breakpoint
94. Planet Zoo
95. Anno 1800
96. Total War: Three Kingdoms
97. Tropico 6
98. Age of Wonders: Planetfall
99. Oxygen Not Included
100. Asgard's Wrath
101. Blood & Truth
102. Pistol Whip
103. Vader Immortal
104. Superhot VR
105. Red Dead Redemption 2 (PC)
106. Halo: The Master Chief Collection (PC)
107. Destiny 2: Shadowkeep
108. Forager
109. Ape Out
110. Gris
111. Persona Q2
112. Telling Lies
113. Erica
114. Superliminal
115. The Sinking City
116. Rebel Galaxy Outlaw
117. Dauntless
118. Daemon X Machina
119. Dragon Quest XI S
120. New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
121. Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD
122. Shovel Knight: King of Cards
123. Shovel Knight Showdown
124. Killer Queen Black
125. Ring Fit Adventure
126. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020
127. BoxBoy! + BoxGirl!
128. Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3
129. Oninaki
130. Creature in the Well
131. Knights and Bikes
132. Blazing Chrome
133. Valfaris
134. River City Girls
135. Hot Lava
136. Grindstone
137. Oceanhorn 2
138. Skate City
139. Mini Motorways
140. Where Cards Fall
141. Bleak Sword
142. Neo Cab
143. Spaceland
144. The Enchanted World
145. Assemble with Care
146. Frogger in Toy Town
147. Cat Quest II
148. Little Town Hero
149. Black Future '88
150. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy
151. World War Z
152. Crackdown 3
153. Trials Rising
154. Dangerous Driving
155. Samurai Shodown
156. Dead or Alive 6
157. Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid
158. Stormland
159. Boneworks
160. Vacation Simulator
161. Five Nights at Freddy's VR
162. Budget Cuts 2
163. No Man's Sky: Beyond
164. A Fisherman's Tale
165. Ghost Giant
166. GORN
167. MediEvil
168. The Sojourn
169. Supraland
170. ISLANDERS
171. Crying Suns
172. Amid Evil
173. Bright Memory
174. DARQ
175. The Beast Inside
176. Moons of Madness
177. Devotion
178. Heave Ho
179. Etherborn
180. Gato Roboto
181. New Super Lucky's Tale
182. Horace
183. Arise: A Simple Story
184. Afterparty
185. The Walking Dead: The Final Season
186. Deliver Us The Moon
187. The Fisherman – Fishing Planet
188. My Time at Portia
189. Satisfactory
190. Workers & Resources: Soviet Republic
191. Transport Fever 2
192. Foundation
193. Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition
194. They Are Billions
195. Mordhau
196. Steel Division 2
197. Imperator: Rome
198. Frostpunk: Console Edition
199. Field of Glory: Empires
200. Football Manager 2020
201. MLB The Show 19
202. WRC 8
203. Monster Energy Supercross 2
204. NASCAR Heat 4
205. Assetto Corsa Competizione
206. Lonely Mountains: Downhill
207. Descenders
208. Session
209. Splitgate
210. Call of Duty: Mobile
211. Mario Kart Tour
212. Dr. Mario World
213. Sky: Children of the Light
214. Pokémon Masters EX
215. Card of Darkness
216. Spek.
217. Overland
218. Sneaky Sasquatch
219. Various Daylife
220. Shinsekai: Into the Depths
221. Pilgrims
222. Jenny LeClue – Detectivu
223. Onimusha: Warlords
224. Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD
225. Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age
226. Final Fantasy VII (ports)
227. Resident Evil 4 (Switch)
228. Resident Evil 5 (Switch)
229. Resident Evil 6 (Switch)
230. Assassin's Creed: The Rebel Collection
231. Divinity: Original Sin 2
232. Pillars of Eternity
233. Torchlight II
234. Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition
235. Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition
236. Planescape: Torment / Icewind Dale
237. Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition
238. DOOM (1993 re-release)
239. DOOM II (re-release)
240. DOOM 3 (re-release)
241. Turok (Switch)
242. Turok 2: Seeds of Evil (Switch)
243. Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast
244. Star Wars Pinball
245. For The King
246. Zanki Zero
247. Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes
248. Blaster Master Zero 2
249. Draugen
250. Sea of Solitude
251. Gears POP!
252. Lethal League Blaze
253. Kill la Kill: IF
254. Jump Force
255. God Eater 3
256. Green Hell
257. GTFO
258. Hunt: Showdown
259. RAD
260. Warhammer: Chaosbane
261. The Cycle
262. Vambrace: Cold Soul
263. Streets of Rogue
264. Fight'N Rage
265. Mosaic
266. Yuppie Psycho
267. Dreams
268. Wattam
269. Chernobylite
270. Wolfenstein: Cyberpilot
271. Generation Zero
272. Tannenberg
273. Anthem
274. Crystar
275. Tokyo Dark: Remembrance
276. Outbuddies
277. Blazing Beaks
278. Ashen
279. The Legend of Bum-Bo
280. Atelier Lulua
281. Yo-kai Watch 3
282. Romancing SaGa 3
283. SaGa Scarlet Grace
284. The Alliance Alive HD
285. Citizens of Space
286. Raging Loop
287. Steins;Gate Elite
288. Root Letter: Last Answer
289. World End Syndrome
290. Our World Is Ended
291. Kind Words
292. Totally Accurate Battle Simulator
293. PC Building Simulator
294. The Occupation
295. Ghostbusters: The Video Game Remastered
296. Vigor
297. Tools Up!
298. Unrailed!
299. Damsel
300. Kine
301. Songbird Symphony
302. Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince
303. Sparklite
304. Terminator: Resistance
305. Sniper Elite V2 Remastered
306. Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus
307. Dusk Diver
308. Super Dragon Ball Heroes: World Mission
309. Tetris Effect (PC)
310. Farming Simulator 20
311. Just Dance 2020
312. Bee Simulator
313. The Ninja Saviors: Return of the Warriors
314. Ancestors: Legacy
315. Children of Zodiarcs
316. Black Desert (PS4)
317. Crystar (PS4 West)
318. Creature in the Well (PS4)
319. Lapis x Labyrinth
320. Ion Fury (console)
321. A Short Hike (Switch)
322. Manifold Garden (PS4)
323. Sea Salt
324. Superliminal (PS4/Xbox/Switch)
325. Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch Remastered
326. Rebel Galaxy Outlaw (console)
327. Risk of Rain (Switch)
328. The Sinking City (Switch)
329. Blacksad: Under the Skin
330. Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey (PS4/Xbox)
331. Phoenix Point (PC)
332. Darq: The Crypt
333. Shovel Knight Showdown
334. Shovel Knight: King of Cards
335. Blazing Chrome (console)
336. Children of Morta (Switch)
337. Risk of Rain 2 (console)
338. Observation (PS4/PC)
339. Katana ZERO (Switch/PC)
340. Ape Out (Switch/PC)
341. What Remains of Edith Finch (Switch)
342. Gris (PS4)
343. Dead Cells: Rise of the Giant
344. Destiny 2: Shadowkeep
345. Red Dead Redemption 2 (PC)
346. Halo: The Master Chief Collection (PC Reach)
347. The Witcher 3: Complete Edition (Switch)
348. Dragon Quest XI S (Switch)
349. Ring Fit Adventure
350. Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3
351. BoxBoy! + BoxGirl!
352. Ace Attorney Trilogy
353. World War Z
354. Trials Rising
355. Samurai Shodown
356. Dead or Alive 6
357. Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid
358. Stormland
359. Boneworks
360. Vacation Simulator
361. Five Nights at Freddy's VR
362. Budget Cuts 2
363. No Man's Sky: Beyond
364. A Fisherman's Tale
365. Ghost Giant
366. GORN
367. MediEvil
368. The Sojourn
369. Supraland
370. ISLANDERS
371. Crying Suns
372. Amid Evil
373. Bright Memory
374. DARQ
375. The Beast Inside
376. Moons of Madness
377. Devotion
378. Heave Ho
379. Etherborn
380. Gato Roboto
381. New Super Lucky's Tale
382. Horace
383. Arise: A Simple Story
384. Afterparty
385. Deliver Us The Moon
386. My Time at Portia
387. Satisfactory
388. Foundation
389. Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition
390. Mordhau
391. Imperator: Rome
392. Football Manager 2020
393. Lonely Mountains: Downhill
394. Sky: Children of the Light
395. Jenny LeClue – Detectivu
396. Onimusha: Warlords
397. Assassin's Creed: The Rebel Collection
398. Divinity: Original Sin 2
399. Torchlight II
400. Planescape: Torment / Icewind Dale
401. Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition
402. Dragon Quest XI S (Switch)
403. Ring Fit Adventure

8008 from 2022.

 

[Dacvak]

I wonder how much it would cost to ban other people from GAF. Think Evilore has Venmo?

 

[KenaiPhoenix]

The worse thing that happened in the X360 / Ps3 / Wii gen was they make A TON of money, games hit mainstream media and now corpos smelled money.

And when they smell money they demand it, but they dont understand it, they will be "Hey, my kid has this Wii avatar stuff. Why dont we add it to the X360? And sell stuff in it". This also leads to standardization (just look at your controller, it barely changed since the X360), and cleaning images so it can be as unoffensive, "broad audience" friendly as possible.

 

[IAmRei]

Bitch, there better be some GAF gold at the end of this rainbow.

DOOM
Dark Souls 3
Uncharted 4
Titanfall 2
Stardew Valley
Overwatch
Inside
Dishonored 2
Civilization 6
Pokémon Sun
Pokémon Moon (fuck you im counting them as two games)
Firewatch
XCOM 2
The Last Guardian
Hyper Light Drifter
Gears of War 4
Superhot
Thumper
Rise of the Tomb Raider
Planet Coaster
Pony Island (a banger if you haven't played it)
Mirror's Edge 2
Pokémon Go (this almost healed the world, it counts)
Hitman Reboot
Rez Infinite
Abzû
Enter the Gungeon
Job Simulator was cool if you had VR
Uhhhh Yakuza 0
Mafia III? (I never played it)
Oh Final Fantasy 15, which is legit my favorite FF.

Boom. 39 from 2016.

i see FFXV i press like

 

[ResurrectedContrarian]

seems like there was this real peak in the early 2000s

peak was in the 90s

Because in those early days, it was still possible for a groundbreaking game to be envisioned and developed by a small group of like-minded, deeply motivated guys. And that's how you achieve greatness.

Vast teams with middle managers, "diverse" workforces and nanny HR, layer upon layer of bureaucracy and hand wringing over the content's representation etc... all of that kills the soul of the kinds of driven men who built the great games.

 

[Tiago Rodrigues]

Well i never had as many games to play as now. Never a dull moment!

 

[Aressa]

I'll bite, you robot bastard.

Expedition 33
Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo
Donkey Kong Bananza
Hades 2
Silksong

And we all know Metroid Prime 4 is gonna be the greatest game of all time, otherwise I'm gonna have to kill myself.

But honestly I felt like 2025 has been pretty solid.

Funny how almost that whole list is indie.

 

[Gp1]

 

[HRK69]

This isn't analysis, it's projection. Youve taken your personal disillusionment and turned it into a grand theory about how everything new is doomed.

You're not describing the decline of gaming, you're describing your own nostalgia wearing off. The "energy" you miss wasnt some lost cultural magic, it was you being younger and more easily impressed. The industry didnt suddenly lose its soul, you just stopped seeing it with fresh eyes

If you really cared about games, you'd still be curious. You'd still be looking for what's next instead of embalming the past like it's sacred. The early 2000s weren't the peak, they were just your peak. Stop confusing nostalgia for truth.

 

[nnytk]

Name five this year.

Let me give you a list instead.

Nightreign
Hades 2
Donkey Kong Bananza
Hyrule Warriors Age of Imprisonment
Megabonk
Once Upon A Katamari
Shuten Order
Yotei
Expedition 33
Dispatch
Absolum
Silksong
DOOM The Dark Ages
The Hundred Line
Cronos
Silent Hill F
FF Tactics Ivalice
The Alters
Outer Worlds 2
Ninja Gaiden Ragebound
Deltarune

This should do...

 

[PlayStaytion]

I feel like we done this joke before.

It seems like gaffers hiding their real favorite list for a reason like staying anonymous. I mean we get fewer games every decade anyway, this habit is getting old.