Let’s look at games from the 20th century that still impress us visually, even today. These titles are important milestones in gaming history and represent significant achievements in development. We’ll be using the original release dates – often meaning their first launch was in Japan – and ranking them based on their visual impact at the time.
Kenshi Yonezu’s new song, “IRIS OUT,” is another significant hit for both the Chainsaw Man series and for him personally. His previous Chainsaw Man opening theme, “Kick Back,” was the first Japanese-language song to earn a Platinum certification from the RIAA, and “IRIS OUT” has the potential to reach the same milestone with sales of over a million copies in the United States. Notably, “IRIS OUT” climbed higher on the Billboard Global 200 chart (reaching number 5) than “Kick Back” (which peaked at 13). Both songs were number one hits in Japan, topping both the Japan Hot 100 and Billboard Japan’s Japan Hot Animation charts.
The game Life is Strange first launched in 2015 as an episodic series and quickly became popular, resulting in a prequel, a spin-off, and three sequels. The original game followed Max Caufield as she dealt with a crisis using her ability to rewind time. Since then, each installment has featured new characters and unique powers – like brothers Sean and Daniel in Life is Strange 2 and Alex Chen in Life is Strange: True Colors. The series recently revisited Max’s story in the newest release, Life is Strange: Double Exposure.
Great game pacing can make time fly – a twenty-hour game can feel much shorter if you’re really engaged. The games below are particularly good at creating that immersive experience through clever pacing and design.
2025 was a big year for Minecraft. Fans enjoyed both the release of A Minecraft Movie in April and four major updates to the game itself. The year started with the Spring to Life update in March, which added different types of animals depending on the climate. Then came Chase the Skies in June and The Copper Age in September, introducing fun additions like the Happy Ghast and Copper Golems. Finally, the Mounts of Mayhem update in December finished off the year with new creatures and the spear.
With ARC Raiders evolving, expect ongoing adjustments to keep both player-versus-player (PvP) and player-versus-environment (PvE) gameplay balanced. The upcoming reduction in power for the Stitcher weapon is a recent example of the developers slowing down the pace of PvP. Adding to the disappointment for PvP enthusiasts, the developers have stated that a leaderboard won’t be added to the game, further dividing the player base between those who prefer PvP and those who prefer PvE.
Recent updates to World of Warcraft have focused on letting players experience the game however they choose. However, the latest class changes and, more importantly, racial bonuses, undermine this idea. Even if all classes were equally powerful, some races offer significant advantages over others. Currently, Lightforged Draenei and Undead are noticeably weaker choices compared to the rest.
Almost every generation of JRPGs has featured games with stunning graphics, with the possible exception of the early PlayStation 1 era. While the 2D pixel art from the Super Nintendo days still looks fantastic, many newer titles also boast beautiful art styles that hold up incredibly well. Let’s explore the history of JRPGs and showcase some games with visuals that truly stand the test of time.
Okay, so I’m really excited about the next five games on my list (numbers 15 through 11). I think they’re hidden gems – made by smaller studios that might just blow up this year. It’s a bit of a risk picking these, but honestly, in this genre, the games that take the biggest chances are often the most fun!
Chapter 225 of Chainsaw Man delivered a huge surprise, comparable to the reveal of the Death Devil’s true identity last year. The fight between Denji and Yoru keeps getting more intense, leading Denji to decide he’s done fighting on Earth. He opens a gateway to Hell – a place fans haven’t seen much of since the story of the Aging Devil, and even then, it wasn’t a major focus until the Darkness Devil arc way back in Part 1. Determined to find and eat ‘real devils,’ Denji enters Hell, with Yoru following behind. The chapter ends with both characters looking out into the unknown, leaving the future uncertain. However, it’s clear Denji is after powerful devils, which could mean a confrontation with Primal Fears is coming.