Best Modern Games That Are Perfect Masterpieces

Games like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Metroid Prime, and Tekken 3 were once considered perfect when they first came out, and many still hold up today. While they might have some outdated graphics or controls, players can still enjoy them, particularly if they’re playing an updated version.

We often talk about amazing games from the 90s and early 2000s, but what games today reach that same incredible level? What truly makes a game perfect? Even if they aren’t flawless, certain games stand out and will be remembered just as fondly as classics like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Metroid Prime, and Tekken 3.

Astro Bot

A Platformer For Nostalgia

Astro Bot is both creative and genuinely enjoyable. It avoids the frustrating collection-focused gameplay that can bog down other 3D platformers. While there are collectibles and robots to rescue, they’re designed to be accessible – you don’t have to explore every nook and cranny to progress, which makes it a really refreshing experience.

Each power-up offers something different, whether it’s growing huge like a balloon or turning into a solid metal ball. The main game is well-balanced, but truly skilled players can push themselves with extra-hard challenges. Plus, the game is packed with fun references to classic PlayStation games that fans will love.

Baldur’s Gate 3

Choosing A Virtual Life

Baldur’s Gate 3 has become a huge success for Western RPGs, and its biggest strength is player choice. You have complete freedom to customize your character, and your decisions in conversations and battles truly shape the story and how it unfolds. You’re also in charge of directing your companions during combat.

The way you play Baldur’s Gate 3 – from how you approach challenges to the decisions you make in the story – will create a truly personal experience. Sharing those unique adventures with friends is a big reason why the game has become so popular and engaging. It’s a lengthy and demanding game, but a must-play for any RPG enthusiast.

Blue Prince

Blue’s Clues

Blue Prince is a challenging puzzle game where you explore a house that constantly changes its layout. After solving a puzzle or searching a room, you get to choose where to go next from a set of available options.

The game involves navigating a series of rooms, progressing one by one towards a final goal. If you reach a dead end, you have to restart from the beginning, but the core gameplay of solving puzzles is surprisingly engaging. It borrows elements from ‘roguelike’ games, where each attempt is a fresh start, making it addictive despite a lack of a strong story or dramatic action.

Forza Horizon 5

The Open Roads Of Mexico

All the Forza Horizon games are fantastic because they successfully combine open-world exploration with exciting racing. However, many fans especially love Forza Horizon 5 for its diverse and beautiful Mexican landscapes.

Whether you’re tearing through wilderness or speeding around city streets, this game offers a huge variety of landscapes to explore, both solo and with friends online. The graphics are breathtaking – it often feels like you’re racing through a beautiful nature film – and the game is made complete by its impressive collection of cars and precise handling.

Hades 2

One With The Gods

Hades 2 is an exceptional sequel. The first game was already easy for newcomers to pick up thanks to God Mode, which is back in this installment, and the way you improve your character is even more satisfying this time around.

Knowing each attempt brings you closer to success makes even failures feel worthwhile. With its beautiful art, compelling story, memorable characters, and smooth combat, this game truly sets the standard for the roguelike genre. Supergiant Games consistently delivers exceptional quality, which is rare in the industry.

The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild

A Link To The Future

For nearly a decade, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild has captivated players, and it still feels incredibly fresh. A recent update for the Switch 2 has enhanced the experience even further, but the game remains enjoyable on any system.

Honestly, the freedom in this game is incredible. There’s just so much to see and so many ways to explore – you can ride a horse, hike, glide through the air, or even climb mountains! That’s why I think it’s a perfect Zelda game for anyone new to the series, even though it can get pretty challenging at times.

Metaphor: ReFantazio

Your Turn For Action

If you’re looking for a great modern JRPG, check out ReFantazio. It combines a classic fantasy setting with surprisingly dark and unsettling elements. Similar to games made by the Persona team at Atlus, the game follows a set path, and each day you’ll have a limited number of things you can do – like explore, fight in dungeons, and build relationships with your companions.

Okay, so the game does limit how much you can freely roam, but honestly, it really makes you connect with your teammates. I felt like we actually became a solid unit, which is rare in most RPGs. The combat is awesome too – it’s mostly turn-based with classes, but you can jump into real-time battles sometimes, which is a cool mix of old and new. It’s a bit of a slow burn at first, but once it gets going, I seriously didn’t want to stop playing.

Red Dead Redemption 2

The Long Road To Hell

Red Dead Redemption 2 features a compelling story, rivaling the best Western films, and stands out even among other Rockstar games. The central theme of redemption for the main character, Arthur Morgan, is uniquely shaped by the player’s choices, allowing for a personalized experience.

Okay, so the story is great, but honestly, this game’s world is what really keeps me coming back. It feels like a truly living, breathing Wild West. You can just wander around and soak in the atmosphere if you want, or you can live out your outlaw fantasies – robbing trains, hitting up banks, getting into crazy shootouts… it’s all there. If you’re looking for a solid Wild West experience, seriously, you don’t need to search any further. This is it.

Resident Evil 4 (2023)

What Are You Buying?

Okay, so putting the Resident Evil 4 remake (from 2023) on this list feels a little unfair, honestly. The original is legendary – everyone agrees it’s one of the best Resident Evil games ever made, and just a classic overall. Because of that, the remake had a lot to live up to. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it takes everything great about the original and really builds on it, making it a fantastic experience for both longtime fans and new players.

Leon S. Kennedy is captivating as he attempts to rescue the President’s daughter from a dangerous situation overseas, only to encounter a bizarre cult obsessed with parasitic creatures. While the story is a bit over-the-top, it’s still enjoyable, the action is intense, and the Merchant character remains delightfully quirky. And the inventory management, which feels like playing Tetris with your items, is surprisingly addictive.

Street Fighter 6

A Punch Above The Rest

The release of Street Fighter 5 was a major disappointment, so there was a lot of pressure on Street Fighter 6. Capcom delivered, launching a complete and satisfying game, complete with a surprisingly good story mode.

Players could design their own fighter and then battle others in a game that mixes beat ‘em up and fighting game styles, all set in Metro City from Final Fight. The story mode featured a diverse group of fighters – from newcomers like Lily to classic characters like Ryu – and included the kind of polished fighting mechanics that serious fans would appreciate.

2026-02-24 02:39