Games That Do Something Interesting With The Art Form
Slowly adding notes to these to explain why they're on the list as I get the time.
Just a list of games I've played that remind me why I love video games. Every game on this whether a masterpiece or simply just ok explores concepts that can only be explored within video games. This includes games with interesting aesthetics that are worth exploring in the medium of video games, games that are about video games, games that let you explore an interesting environment in a way that other art forms wouldn't allow, to games that simply have a few interesting scenes or techniques that could only exist in a video game. These aren't my favourite games just the ones that make me excited about gaming as an art form. These games also have to be interesting from a modern-day perspective. I want someone to be able to pick up any of these games and experience something unique. That wouldn't happen if this list was filled with influential games that shaped video games, yes, but without the context of when they came out wouldn't seem that unique.
Finally, since I am only one person, there are inevitably many interesting games that I simply haven't played. I like the idea of this being a list that celebrates interesting gaming as a whole, not just interesting games that I have played. If you know of a game that does something interesting with video games as an art form that isn't on the list leave it in the comments along with a spoiler-free explanation as to why it deserves to be on this list. If it sounds interesting I'll look it up and add it to the list and credit you in the notes.
Just a list of games I've played that remind me why I love video games. Every game on this whether a masterpiece or simply just ok explores concepts that can only be explored within video games. This includes games with interesting aesthetics that are worth exploring in the medium of video games, games that are about video games, games that let you explore an interesting environment in a way that other art forms wouldn't allow, to games that simply have a few interesting scenes or techniques that could only exist in a video game. These aren't my favourite games just the ones that make me excited about gaming as an art form. These games also have to be interesting from a modern-day perspective. I want someone to be able to pick up any of these games and experience something unique. That wouldn't happen if this list was filled with influential games that shaped video games, yes, but without the context of when they came out wouldn't seem that unique.
Finally, since I am only one person, there are inevitably many interesting games that I simply haven't played. I like the idea of this being a list that celebrates interesting gaming as a whole, not just interesting games that I have played. If you know of a game that does something interesting with video games as an art form that isn't on the list leave it in the comments along with a spoiler-free explanation as to why it deserves to be on this list. If it sounds interesting I'll look it up and add it to the list and credit you in the notes.
181 Games
Before Your Eyes uses your webcam to monitor when you blink which it then uses as a gameplay mechanic. This alone would give Before Your Eyes a place on this list but where the game really shines is how it uses this gimmick to communicate the story and themes of the game. The hardest part of this game is trying not to blink when your eyes are full of tears.
A puzzle game that uses perspective itself as a puzzle mechanic.
An interesting game about the perils of game development and fan culture.
An interesting game that helps teach the thought process needed for programming.
An interesting parody of the very concept of a demo.
Every game that is a part of Haunted Cities Volume IV is fascinating in its own right. Each of them gives off a unique feeling of horror that I haven't experienced elsewhere.
I don't even really like this game. It's just one of the first examples of a short game about a darker topic going viral and paved the way for better games to gain recognition.
Virtual museums have been made before and have always fascinated me. What puts Monuments to Guilt on this list whilst other virtual museums are absent is its dedication to replicating a real museum. If you told me this was a one-to-one replica of a real-life museum I would 100% believe you if I didn't know any better. Monuments to Guilt also deserves a spot on this list for being a game that taught me a lot. I thought I knew about hostile bench design before this but Monuments to Guilt really opened my eyes to just how hostile most cities are for homeless people.
This (and its sequel) are the only games that I've played that look truly photorealistic. If you took a random screenshot of this game it would look like a photograph nine times out of ten. Whilst I'm not the kind of person to demand realistic graphics in games (in fact I normally prefer something more stylised), achieving photorealism is something that should be celebrated on a pure artistic front. It's what games have been moving towards since the beginning and now it's finally been achieved, albeit in a setting that's relatively speaking easier to make look photorealistic than other locales would.
A fun satire about the structure of free-to-play mobile games.
An interesting game that deals with the idea of out-of-bounds locations in games. I would love to see this concept expanded on in the future.
The portal gun mechanic is genius.
A really interesting VR game. It's a shame about the Justin Roiland shaped elephant in the room.
An interesting game about depression.
Untitled Goose Game is one of the only comedy games I can think of where the humour comes from the gameplay instead of the writing. It's comedy and more specifically slapstick translated into a gameplay mechanic.
A game that truly makes you feel like Spider-Man. Is a great example of how video games can put you in the shoes of an iconic fictional character.
The perfect celebration of all things Nintendo and to a lesser extent gaming as a whole.
2 Comments
Ditto!
snimat
5 months ago