The Best Games That Changed the Industry Forever
Video games have long been one of the most influential forms of entertainment, offering a unique combination of storytelling, interactivity, and challenge that few other mediums can match. As the gaming industry has evolved, certain titles have emerged not just as great games but as transformative experiences that changed the way we think about video games. These games set new standards in gameplay, storytelling, and design, influencing generations of players and developers alike. From groundbreaking technological achievements to narrative-driven masterpieces, the best games often redefine the very boundaries of what is possible in interactive entertainment.
One game that helped redefine the action-adventure genre is The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998). Released on the Nintendo 64, it was one of the first 3D action-adventure games and a revolutionary achievement in gaming. It introduced an expansive open world, a rich storyline, and innovative mechanics that would go on to influence countless games. The game’s use of time-based puzzles, the introduction of a memorable companion in Navi, and the deep integration of music and gameplay made it a defining title of the late 90s. The ability to switch between child and adult Link added a layer of complexity to both exploration and puzzle-solving, elevating Ocarina of Time into a timeless classic.
Another game that redefined what a story could be in video games is The Last of Us (2013). Developed by Naughty Dog, The Last of Us took a post-apocalyptic setting and blended it with an emotionally gripping narrative about survival, love, and loss. The game’s realistic world-building and intense combat systems are remarkable, but what truly sets it apart is its storytelling. Players follow Joel, a hardened survivor, and Ellie, a young girl immune to a deadly fungal infection, as they travel through a ravaged America. Through exceptional voice acting, character development, and gripping plot twists, The Last of Us pushed video games beyond being just entertainment into the realm of emotional art. It opened the door for other narrative-driven games to succeed commercially, proving that video games could convey complex, adult themes in a compelling way.
In the world of multiplayer gaming, few titles have had as significant an impact as World of Warcraft (2004). Blizzard Entertainment’s massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) became a cultural phenomenon, attracting millions of players worldwide. The game allowed players to immerse themselves in a massive, persistent fantasy world, where they could explore vast landscapes, complete quests, and battle monsters together in groups. The social aspect of World of Warcraft—forming guilds, participating in raids, and engaging in player-vs-player combat—created a sense of community that other games had never fully realized before. The success of World of Warcraft demonstrated that multiplayer online experiences could be both immersive and incredibly popular, changing the direction of online gaming and influencing numerous future titles.
The open-world genre also saw a massive evolution thanks to Grand Theft Auto V (2013). Rockstar’s open-world crime saga took everything great about its predecessors and ramped it up to new levels, both in terms of complexity and scale. The game’s sprawling, living world of Los Santos, inspired by Los Angeles, is filled with activities ranging from heists to recreational pastimes like golf and yoga. Players take on the roles of three different protagonists, BETWIN4D each with their own personal stories and motivations, giving the game a level of narrative depth rarely seen in open-world titles. Its release helped redefine open-world design, setting the stage for the types of rich, immersive worlds we see in games like Red Dead Redemption 2 and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Grand Theft Auto V is one of the best-selling video games of all time, and its influence continues to shape the genre today.
Dark Souls (2011) is another title that changed the gaming landscape, particularly in the realm of difficulty and design philosophy. With its punishing difficulty, cryptic storytelling, and meticulous world design, Dark Souls established a new benchmark for action RPGs. The game’s mechanics require players to learn from their mistakes, adapt to challenging environments, and embrace the risk-reward nature of combat. Its world, filled with interconnected areas and obscure lore, encourages exploration and discovery. The influence of Dark Souls can be seen in countless other titles, and its legacy has inspired a subgenre of “souls-like” games that value challenge, precision, and deep environmental storytelling.
On the technological front, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015) revolutionized the open-world RPG. With its vast world, branching narrative, and stunning visuals, it set a new standard for what RPGs could achieve in terms of scope and narrative depth. The game’s complex combat system, combined with moral choices that affect the world around the player, created a world that felt alive and reactive. Geralt of Rivia’s journey through a war-torn world filled with political intrigue, monsters, and mysteries was a triumph of game design, and its success helped elevate the role of story in open-world gaming. The success of The Witcher 3 has inspired developers to incorporate deeper storytelling, moral complexity, and detailed worlds into their own projects.
Minecraft (2011) is another game that redefined what it meant to play a video game. Its sandbox nature, allowing players to build and explore at will, revolutionized the concept of open-ended gameplay. What started as an indie title quickly grew into a cultural phenomenon, with players creating massive, intricate structures and entire virtual worlds. The game’s simple blocky aesthetic belies its depth, with a survival mode that challenges players to gather resources, craft tools, and survive against the elements and mobs. As one of the best-selling video games of all time, Minecraft has proven that a game doesn’t need a complicated narrative or cutting-edge graphics to be successful; creativity and freedom are key to creating an unforgettable gaming experience.
Lastly, Fortnite (2017) represents a new chapter in multiplayer gaming, particularly with the rise of battle royales. Epic Games’ Fortnite capitalized on the growing popularity of free-to-play online games, offering a dynamic, ever-changing world filled with building mechanics and fast-paced action. The game’s battle royale mode, where 100 players fight to be the last one standing, quickly became a worldwide sensation. Fortnite’s accessibility, frequent updates, and social features transformed it into a pop culture phenomenon, leading to collaborations with artists, movie studios, and brands. Its impact has extended far beyond gaming, influencing how other games approach live services and ongoing content.
In conclusion, the best games are often those that push the boundaries of what is possible in gaming. From redefining genres to introducing new mechanics, these games changed the industry in ways that are still felt today. Titles like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, The Last of Us, and Minecraft are not just milestones in gaming history; they represent the ongoing evolution of the medium. These games prove that video games are not just a form of entertainment, but a means of artistic expression that can resonate with players on a deep and lasting level.
