Games are like life, yet life pales in comparison to games.
After years of gaming, I’ve realised that real life is mundane and survival-focused, while games offer endless possibilities in their fictional worlds.
This is my personal view. If you have any recommendations, feel free to share.
The King of Management Games: RimWorld
RimWorld’s simple graphics might make you laugh at first. But trust me, this game has made it to market for a reason. RimWorld is a timeless masterpiece among countless management games.
My rating is: 9.7 (A true gem of indie games)
- Take control of three stranded survivors and build a home from scratch in a harsh alien environment.
- Recruit (or enslave) more people, establish your own faction, and fight to survive in a brutal world of survival of the fittest.
- Each character is unique, with their own distinct set of emotions, skills, and equipment. You must decide whether to train one or two as master swordsmen and sharpshooters, or to shape all of them into disciplined soldiers.
- You will be a kind and wise leader. You can help struggling travellers, gift to other factions, and support anyone who calls on you for aid. Or perhaps you’ll be a feared, bloodthirsty tyrant. You’ll kidnap every traveller who passes by, set up a brutal system of enslavement, and harvest the organs of the innocent.
- In the wilderness, there are no limits to what you can do. You alone decide whether to rule with compassion or terror.
Overall:
Darkness and light are two sides of the same coin. You’ll lead your people and survive in this world, whether through kindness or cruelty.
The King of Stylish Action: Devil May Cry 5
The action game genre has a long and illustrious history. Since the early days of King of Fighters, developers have been striving to answer one question: how can a character’s combat moves be taken to the next level? CAPCOM returned years later with the title of “action master,” and Devil May Cry 5 shook the genre to its core, proving that action games can reach incredible heights.
My rating is: 9.1 (An epic work)
- The combat visuals are stunning. Each punch and kick is teeming with lethal intent.
- CAPCOM has obliterated any chance of visual monotony with a never-ending arsenal of flashy skills, including endless cool moves like fierce, fiery punches, elegant summoning techniques, and even rocket-blasting firearms.
- Adjustable difficulty levels welcome both seasoned experts and casual players alike.
- Over-the-top visual prowess: the unrivaled king of action design, showcasing a mastery that captivates every action game fan. There are so many moves to try, you could spend forever exploring them all.
Overall:
CAPCOM, the eternal champion of the action genre. If you’re after breathtaking moves and the beauty of lethal intent, Devil May Cry 5 is undeniably your best choice.
The King of Stylish Action: Devil May Cry 5
Action games have a long and illustrious history. Since the original King of Fighters, developers have been pushing the limits of combat, and they’ve succeeded. CAPCOM returned years later as the “master of action” with Devil May Cry 5, a game that left every other action title in awe. Devil May Cry 5 revealed the heights that action games can achieve.
My rating is: 9.1 (An epic masterpiece)
- The combat scenes are nothing short of incredible, with non-stop lethal intensity in every punch and kick.
- An endless array of incredible moves: precise martial arts like flowing blades, graceful summoning techniques, and even high-powered guns and rocket launchers for pure chaos. CAPCOM has obliterated any chance of visual fatigue, making flashy skills endlessly engaging.
- The adjustable difficulty welcomes both hardcore players and casual gamers.
- The outrageous visual impact is unrivaled. It’s the king of action design, showcasing sheer mastery that captivates every action game fan. With so many skills to try, you could easily spend ages exploring them all.
Overall:
CAPCOM remains the supreme force in the action genre. If you crave stunning moves and the art of thrilling combat, Devil May Cry 5 is undoubtedly your best choice.
The King of Hardcore Action: Monster Hunter: World
CAPCOM has done it again with another masterpiece, Monster Hunter. The world still knows it as the definitive action game, even years after its 2018 release. Devil May Cry 5 welcomes all players, but Monster Hunter: World is for the truly hardcore only. If you’re not prepared to face the wild terrain, you’re not going to last long.
My rating is: 9.4 (Epic Masterpiece)
- The game features massive, lifelike creatures with explosive presence, and their roars and fury resonate even through the screen.
- Choose your combat style. There are 14 weapon types, each offering a distinct philosophy of battle. Each weapon is a brutal masterpiece, offering a unique path to mastery. How many can you conquer?
- Join forces with other hunters. Teamwork is exhilarating, but remember that any failed stunts are your own responsibility.
- This is the ultimate multiplayer co-op game. It’s hardcore, intense and satisfying. Anticipate movement, draw your weapon and unleash earth-shattering strikes. Pure intent to kill!
Overall:
The ultimate multiplayer co-op game! Standing side by side with friends, both the triumphs and the hilarious failures create lasting memories, turning each hunt into a shared treasure.
The King of Open-World Games: Elden Ring
2022’s Game of the Year is the epitome of the “Ninth Art” in gaming.
My rating is: 9.8 (The King of Kings)
- A journey, an adventure, a legend… In this world of decay, the Elden Lord saga begins.
- The sheer excellence of the art design is proof positive that Hidetaka Miyazaki is a reigning genius. He is undoubtedly the god of games.
- Boss battles that demand your attention, each one a spectacle in its own right.
- A sweeping, legendary story filled with grandeur, cruelty, intrigue, love, and hatred – all conveyed in few words.
- A vast selection of weapons and skills awaits you. Level up and find the gear you need to craft your own unique battle style.
- If you can’t beat a boss and don’t feel like levelling up, you can call for help – but it’s not recommended.
- The fragmented storytelling makes it challenging to piece together the entire narrative alone.
- It’s still a Souls game, so beware Miyazaki’s notorious design! Casual play won’t get you far.
Overall:
A magnificent game that words alone can’t capture. If one game were to represent the Ninth Art in all its brilliance, Elden Ring would be the clear choice.
The King of Strategy Games: Total War: WARHAMMER III
In an ancient world where gods of chaos reign, heroes rise, and wars rage, peace is but a distant dream. But it is not beyond our reach. You will lead your armies and generals through fire and blood to victory in this turbulent, unforgiving land.
My rating is: 9.0 (Masterpiece Tier)
- The best army clashes are the hardest: To be a successful commander, you must master every aspect of the battlefield, from troop formations to strategic manoeuvres.
- Make the complex tactical decisions. Cavalry should charge the flank. Ranged units must be withdrawn to a distance that allows them to effectively engage the enemy. I am going to go for melee cavalry first.
- Stunning war beasts and legendary heroes: You want a loyal elemental bear or demonic prince fighting at your side? Of course you do.
- Distinct, playable factions: From the brutal warriors of Khorne to the Eastern Cathay Empire and the cunning magic of Tzeentch, each faction has unique tech trees, units, and challenges. Which side will you choose to dominate the world?
- A slow-paced game that appeals to niche, hardcore war strategy fans.
Overall:
The ultimate fantasy war simulation, blending complexity, intensity, and visual excitement. But it’s one that only a few players are truly prepared to appreciate.
The King of Apocalypse Games: Project Zomboid
Some games thrive on graphics, while others excel at building immersive atmospheres and deep engagement. Project Zomboid belongs to the latter, delivering an intense zombie survival experience on a shoestring budget.
Personal Rating: 9.2 (Indie Masterpiece)
- MAX-level immersion in a zombie apocalypse: Every corner could hide resources… or death.
- Incredibly realistic details: From limited vision to ambushes, every moment keeps you on edge.
- Unrelenting tension: The game’s atmosphere demands your constant attention, with death lurking around every turn.
- Brutally realistic challenges: Isolated, with water cut off, power outages, and limited supplies… exhaustion, illness, and mental strain can be as deadly as the undead.
- Build your safe haven in the zombie world: Will it be a sturdy, cozy refuge? Perhaps you’ll try planting a garden or fishing to survive.
- Customize your zombie apocalypse: Adjust difficulty and experience to your liking.
- The intensity might be overwhelming for players looking for a lighter experience.
Overall:
The most realistic zombie survival game, where every step is fraught with danger. It paints a vivid picture of the struggles and sorrows of the ordinary person facing the end of the world.