8 Perfect Video Games That Feel Unreal to Play

When a truly exceptional game arrives, it can feel almost too good to be true, blending perfect design with incredible refinement and setting a new standard for its genre and the industry as a whole. Of course, absolute perfection is rarely attainable. What makes discussing games so engaging is that even the best titles have imperfections. Despite this, a game can still be a remarkably polished and complete representation of its type and vision, achieving the highest level of quality possible.

While these newer games aren’t perfect – you can always find something to critique if you look closely – they’re still excellent examples of their genres, and it almost feels unfair to point out their flaws.

Return of the Obra Dinn

An Almost Unrivaled Adventure

Even from a single image, it’s clear that Return of the Obra Dinn will be a memorable game. While investigating the fate of the abandoned merchant ship and its crew doesn’t sound like typical fun, the game is surprisingly and completely captivating.

The game’s creator, Lucas Pope, has given it some truly special features, the most remarkable being ‘Memento Mortem.’ This allows you to investigate the fate of everyone on the ship by showing you how each person died. Uncovering these tragic stories is key to solving the mystery and creates a haunting, emotional, and unforgettable narrative. There’s really nothing else quite like Return of the Obra Dinn.

Super Mario Odyssey

An Odyssey Indeed

As of today, Super Mario Odyssey is ranked number one on OpenCritic’s list of the best video games ever made, with an average score of 97 from top critics. Before its release, the game had a lot to prove – it needed to be as good as classics like Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Galaxy, but also offer something new and avoid simply repeating what had come before. Thankfully, Mario’s first major adventure on the Nintendo Switch was a huge success.

Partnering with Cappy made Mario incredibly fun to control, just like always, but also opened up exciting opportunities for teamwork. The ability to ‘Capture’ enemies wasn’t just a fun trick – it actually provided a lot of useful gameplay options. And who could forget stomping around as a dinosaur in Fossil Falls? It’s a truly unforgettable Mario moment! While the game includes plenty of lighthearted challenges to collect moons, it also successfully evolves the classic Mario experience in a fresh and creative way.

Hades

Perhaps The Biggest Indie In Recent Memory

There are a lot of roguelike games available now—so many that the term itself can turn some players away. Despite this, the genre is still very popular, largely thanks to the excellent Hades by Supergiant Games. The developers recognized that roguelikes often lacked strong stories, and they successfully added a funny, engaging, and evolving narrative to the fast-paced gameplay.

Even a decade after its release, the game’s protagonist, Zagreus, is widely recognized, and has drawn in players who don’t usually enjoy roguelike games. These players have their preferred combinations of power-ups, weapons, and keepsakes, as well as favorite characters and relationships. What’s remarkable is that the story, character interactions, and overall progression within the game’s hub, the House of Hades, are just as rewarding as the action-packed gameplay itself.

Red Dead Redemption 2

John Marston’s Unforgettable, Heart-Wrenching Journey

There are a lot of roguelike and open-world games available, so it’s rare for one to remain popular and impactful for years after it’s released. However, both Hades and Red Dead Redemption 2 have achieved this. Rockstar Games truly excels at creating immersive and realistic game worlds with Red Dead Redemption 2. The game’s story is particularly powerful, and the sense that its tragic ending is unavoidable actually adds to its emotional impact.

Forget fantastical worlds of magic and dragons like those in Skyrim. Red Dead Redemption 2 is a down-to-earth and challenging story about surviving and building relationships in a realistic depiction of the American West. The game features a compelling group of characters who form strong bonds, struggle to maintain them, and react to hardship in believable ways. It’s full of content, and everything you do feels meaningful and worthwhile.

Hollow Knight: Silksong

A Worthy Sequel To An Indie Smash-Hit

I’ve played a lot of games, and some worlds just feel special. The developers really put love into every detail, and Hollow Knight‘s Hallownest is a perfect example. It’s this dark, crumbling place that’s so beautifully made and full of emotion, it almost feels like another character. So, when I heard about Hollow Knight: Silksong, I was hoping the new world, Pharloom, would give me that same feeling.

All the hard work put into developing the game truly shines through. While it’s incredibly challenging – both in its platforming and boss fights – you can’t help but appreciate the incredible detail and care that went into bringing Hornet’s adventure to life. Everything, from the smallest animations to the beloved music and singing of the charming NPC Sherma, feels lovingly crafted. It’s undeniably difficult, and you might find yourself frustrated at times, but you’ll still recognize and admire the dedication Team Cherry put into every part of the game. Ultimately, Silksong delivers everything you want in a Metroidvania: it’s engaging, exciting, and a joy to explore.

Astro Bot

Evolution Far Beyond A Simple Tech Demo

Games like Face Raiders on the Nintendo 3DS serve a key role: they show new players what a system is capable of, making them ideal bundled games. However, these games don’t have to be simple introductions. Wii Sports became incredibly popular and even got a sequel. The PlayStation 5 had a similar game with Astro’s Playroom, which was included with the console and later expanded into the full game Astro Bot in September 2024.

Astro’s Playroom started as a way to showcase the DualSense controller’s features using the charming Astro Bot, packed with fun references to PlayStation’s history. The new Astro Bot game built on that idea, delivering a high-quality experience – and it really succeeded! It’s quickly become a favorite 3D platformer, offering diverse and engaging gameplay. Importantly, the controller features aren’t just a novelty; they’re well-integrated and enhance the experience. The game is a fantastic tribute to everything Sony has created over the years, with tons of collectible characters to discover. It’s a surprisingly substantial and endlessly enjoyable game.

Celeste

A Platformer With A Lot Of Meaning

Madeline’s challenging climb up the mountain, and her internal struggles along the way, feels like a throwback to classic video games – a type we don’t see much of anymore. While pixel art games are still common, a difficult, side-scrolling platformer like this really captures a retro feel. The developers have expertly balanced the game’s difficulty, allowing skilled players to progress and then test themselves with even harder bonus levels. The levels themselves appear straightforward, but it’s obvious that every detail – from obstacles to wall-jumping spots – was thoughtfully designed and placed.

Madeline is a joy to move, and the game constantly introduces new challenges to keep you on your toes. Successfully navigating difficult parts feels incredibly rewarding, and dedicated players can even aim to collect every strawberry for the ultimate test. It’s a wonderfully fulfilling platformer that delivers on everything it promises.

The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild

A Breath Of Fresh, Wild Air

As a huge Zelda fan, I remember being absolutely blown away by Breath of the Wild. Okay, so it wasn’t only on the Switch – some of us played it on the Wii U first! But for a lot of people, it was their first Zelda adventure, and it completely changed the game. As someone who’s been playing Zelda for years, I was so hyped for an open-world Hyrule, and it did not disappoint. Seriously, the first time Link stepped out and you saw the whole world laid out before you… it felt just like that first moment in Ocarina of Time when you ran onto Hyrule Field. It was such a beautiful, emotional experience!

Many open-world games let you explore and overcome challenges simply for the fun of it, but not all of them do it well. Breath of the Wild felt both incredibly natural and innovative in this regard, which is a huge accomplishment for its developers. While there are some limits, like needing to increase Link’s stamina, the game also lets you go straight for the final boss, Ganondorf, from the very start if you choose. Even years later, in 2026, players will still be discovering hidden secrets within the game.

2025-12-15 14:37