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.
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.
183 Games
A really interesting VR game. It's a shame about the Justin Roiland shaped elephant in the room.
One of the most interesting examples of integrating music into gameplay that I have ever seen.
An interesting game about manipulating the rules of a video game.
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.
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.
An interesting game about living with depression.
The impact of the villain can be felt throughout this game much more than any other NES game I've played.
Turns the idea of a road trip into a video game.
The idea of staying in one place whilst the monsters come to you is still a really interesting concept for a horror game.
Outsmarting a single character without the ability to move is really interesting to me.
To play this game you really need to have your volume high preferably with headphones. This is just a great way to make jumpscares work. Yeah, jumpscares are normally one of the laziest forms of horror but the way Five Nights at Freddy's 4 plays around with that concept is interesting.
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.
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.
An interesting game that helps teach the thought process needed for programming.
A fun satire about the structure of free-to-play mobile games.
An interesting game about the perils of game development and fan culture.
2 Comments
Ditto!
snimat
5 months ago