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Holy shit somehow no one has mentioned:
Nier Automata
It counts as a masterpiece because of how well it blends game design, gameplay and story. I have played very few games as thoughtful, or that weaved the gameplay together into the story it was telling in such a meaningful way. I never thought once in my life that I would think philosophically about bullet hell but somehow Nier Automata has something profound to say and even manages to say it using bullet hell as a gameplay mechanic.
On top of all this, it also has a lot to say about classical philosophers, their works, and honestly deeply subverts things they had to say. It asks tough questions about their thoughts and ideas, once again, through gameplay. Numerous characters are named for classical philosophers: Pascal, Jean-Paul, Simone, Engels, Immanuel… (Yoko Taro obviously has feelings about how Jean-Paul Sartre treated Simone de Beauvoir.)
Further, Yoko Taro is doing something that a lot of game developers fail to manage to do: He is embracing gaming as a storytelling medium and eschewing the traditional three-act arc from film. Because gaming is not film. As Marshall McLuhan posited, “the medium is the message” and unlike other developers Taro’s writing is aimed at the medium he is working in instead of leaning on the ropes and tropes of other mediums. (Referring back to above, tying the gameplay into the story, focusing on the medium)
It’s basically impossible to not break down into tears at the ending.
Don’t write it off because of the scantily clad anime women. Stay for the depth of the human condition. It is truly a masterwork in multiple respects.
Man, I wish I understood a single bit of this evaluation of the game after finishing every chapter (sorry - “Ending”). The whole thing felt mostly like a waste of time.
That said, I’m a fan of Spec Ops: The Line, a game that has much the same level of division among its players. Interesting how philosophical games get that reaction.
One of my favorite games of all time.
Nier Automata
I loved Nier Replicant, but didn’t get into Automata, maybe I’ll give it another shot. I do love that style of storytelling though.
It’s basically impossible to not break down into tears at the ending.
The god damn ending is a gameplay mechanic to tell a not yet finished story. Damn you Yoko Taro
spoiler
The wild part is that he’s so good at subverting anime tropes, too. The “killing god” trope is mentioned in the first lines of the game… and then going on to battling the end credits themselves?? Literally killing the gods who created the world this all exists in? Taking it to the absurd yet logical extreme, so brilliant.
I didn’t know Chris Plante is on Lemmy.
For a moment I thought you were talking about the Newsmax host and I was very offended and confused, but it looks like there is another, lesser known Chris Plante in gaming journalism.
And he fuckin LOVES NieR
Quick, go through their post history and see if they’ve mentioned any Neil Breen films
I appreciate that you justified your submission, unlike many answers here.
I tried to play that game, expecting perhaps a DMC-like gameplay.
Instead I got a 2D plane scroller?
Then 2D sort of platformer?
Then some weird 3D action that I did not understand at all?
What the fuck is that game.
If I enjoyed combat more, I could give it another go. But it was just not for me.
Age of Empires 2 /w The Conquers expansion pack.
Roller Coaster Tycoon 1. (2 was weaker without OpenRCT2, the real masterpiece, but idk if unfinished projects should count or not)
Quake 3 Arena, Unreal Tournament 1999 GOTY, Worms Armageddon, SimCity 3000 Unlimited, Forza Horizon 2 / Motorsport 3, Need for Speed Underground 1, Clonk! Rage, Metal Gear Solid 1/2/3, Ace Combat 4, Okami, Tokyo Jungle, Zelda BOTW, Mario Odyssey, Sven Co-Op, Killing Floor 1, Final Fantasy 7, LISA: The Painful, Everhood 1, Deus Ex 1, Left 4 Dead 1/2, Portal 2, Battlefield Bad Company 2… Champions of Norrath and Return to Arms, Diablo 1, Baldur’s Gate 3 makes the list…NIER both games. Planet MiniGolf.
I could go on and on.
Super Metroid
Super Hexagon
It’s about as simple as a ‘modern’ game can be (I read there was even a port of it to Commodore 64.) but it’s a finely tuned machine. When you lose - and you will, a lot - it feels like mostly your own fault and not the game’s.
The difficulty levels very accurately start at Hard for the easiest one. There are 6 total levels, the next 5 difficulties are Harder, Hardest, Hardester, Hardestest, and Hardestestest.
With much time and luck I can beat the first level (unlocking the 4th). On a lost save I had unlocked the 5th level by completing the 2nd, and have only ever seen the 6th in videos from other people. I would have to beat the 3rd to see it myself, and that’s not happening.
The criteria to beat a level is “last for 60 seconds”.
I thought at first you guys were thinking of this, and I was puzzled. Then I looked it up.
Crivens, it’s like a combination of Tempest and Flappy Bird, but since it’s a Terry Cavanagh game it’s also been whacked over the head soundly with VVVVVV.
It’s really good, I played it again recently after not touching it for maybe 10 years, and finally beat the last difficulty in an attempt to prove to myself I’m still not old
Super. Hexagon.
It’s hard to explain the relief I felt upon beating the last level. I can fairly easily survive for 300s in the first one, but I’ve never gotten close to beating the last one again.
The most important tip I can give: if you have a 60Hz monitor, turn off VSync. Makes a huge difference.
There’s also a “spiritual successor” called Open Hexagon that’s extendable by the community if you want more, though I haven’t played it myself.
I’ll have to try that vsync thing when I get a new PC (laptop). I’m playing stuff on my phone or Android tablet lately
SOMA was great
I feel like Soma was a decent metaphysical question wrapped in a okayish walking simulator.
It got a lot of praise, but basically boils down to the question “what makes you you” with nothing else about it standing out.
If the gameplay isn’t a driving factor of making the game objectively good, then I don’t think it counts.
Personally I think story can make a game stand out far more than graphics or gameplay. I also disagree that the game boiled down to one question. While it was the primary focus of the narrative, the underwater laboratories and world building/history was amazing.
I don’t disagree, but my opinion is gameplay (or the interactive nature) of games is what sets them apart from other mediums so would be a deciding factor in a masterpiece game.
But I guess it largely just boils down to the fact Soma just didn’t do much for me.
I’d recommend playing SOMA again, but this time get extremely baked before you play. I’m joking (not really) but I found that game’s story so profound and interesting. It was like the most twisted unsettling environment I’ve ever seen. It had basic walking sim mechanics but being able to explore the environment and look at things up close was just really enjoyable.
Also, I Inverse Tonemapped the game from SDR to HDR, so while not the best use of HDR, the added contrast gave the game a more pleasing spooky vibe. I also ran it at 4x DLDSR so it was very sharp.
The setting was definitely interesting. However the main story was a bit too much of a one trick pony - who is the real you.
!Additionally they kinda cheat in the story telling around who lives on. It’s not random chance, each time they replicate their memories it just makes a clone. The original was never going to make it to the end.!<
Dude that’s literally the point! It throws in your face that it’s copy and paste, not cut and paste, yet your character Simon refuses to acknowledge it. Same with the survivors who killed themselves after being scanned for the ark because they wanted to achieve “continuity.” It’s explained but they just can’t accept it because it means they’re going to die.
Yeah, but my point is that it’s apparent from scene 1 when “Simon” wakes up the first time. Just cause he doesn’t get it doesn’t mean the player doesn’t have to deal with the same concept getting rehashed over and over.
There was no build up of the concept or iteration on the idea. It’s just the same arc from the first 10-15 minutes of the gameplay playing out again and again. Except they swap it up at the end to try to make it hit harder, but to me it just felt played out.
I get why people like it, but it just didn’t have the pay off for me.
The lack of gameplay is fine, and very much important to call out for any new players. There’s a whole genre of “you’re playing a movie” that SOMA fits nicely into
I think a masterpiece game has to offer more than just story. Additionally I think something like Firewatch does a much better job at telling a compelling story for a walking simulator. But clearly this is why “objective” masterpiece is hard to define, as nothing is really objective in these opinions.
Other games I’d consider better in the walking simulator category:
- Unfinished Swan
- Firewatch
- Gone Home
- Stanley Parable
Edit: Fixed formatting
I’ve been craving another experience like SOMA but unfortunately nothing even comes close. It was probably the coolest and most disturbing story I’ve ever seen. Finishing that game gave me an existential crisis for like 2 days after. It was that good.
Portal/Portal 2
Deus Ex (the original)
Minecraft
Stardew Valley
Terraria
Mirror’s Edge
Chrono Trigger
Cyberpunk 2077
Hades
Subnautica
A Short Hike
Donut County
I was expecting to disagree with the list at some point, but I’m finding it increasingly hard to find a reason to
I’m shocked to see Donut County mentioned. But you’re right, it’s a perfect pleasant game similar to the perfection of the first Portal. In fact, it’s my son’s favorite video game, by far.
The worst thing about it is that there isn’t more.
A short hike! Very pleased to see this one mentioned. What a game. The best kids game IMO
Dragon Age: Origins and Bioshock
Yes to both of these.
Thomas Was Alone
I’ve never felt so much for quadrilateral shapes.
That’s a great game indeed. The narration is on point.
MAD MAX from 2015, while not tied directly to the new movies it scratches an itch I haven’t found in any other game. It’s dark and bleak and brutal. The combat on foot and behind the wheel are both incredible. Nothing quite like being in the middle of ripping a convoy 7 new assholes and being hit with a dust storm. It can be repetitive if you want to complete everything but BY THE GODS OF VALHALLA is it a fucking blast.
It actually is directly tied to the movies. The character who first gives Furiosa a chassis to build from isn’t quite as hunchbacked as in the game but he is credited as “Chumbucket!”
No shit that’s awesome!
Red Alert 2
Heroes of Might and Magic 3
Super Mario Brothers 3
Super Metroid
For me it’s Journey. That game gave me an emotional experience I’ve never had in any other.
This game will forever live in my heart as an absolute masterpiece. I cry every time I play it because something about it just completely sucks me in.
Absolute embodiment of less is more. Controls are simple but intuitive, you can beat it in one session, there’s no major payoff in the end. It’s just a game about the journey and the friends made along the way.
I still remember having my mind blown that the other figure I met after the tutorial level was not just an NPC, when I noticed their movements were too deliberate and they were solving some puzzles for me.
I made it all the way to the end of the game with that person. Never knew who they even were until their name showed up at the very end. What a cathartic experience. I’ve also never been able to achieve anything similar since then.
I added the buddy I ran through the game with and he’s still on my friend list decade or so later, amazing experience
I don’t see Goldeneye on your list.
It took a while to get there, but Cyberpunk 2077.
Portal 2.
We peaked in 2011.
Portal 1 was flawless. Portal 2 had a crucial flaw.
Specifically, it was not Portal 1. Everything else was perfect.
Are you saying that Portal 2 is not perfect due is a sequel?
In my opinion, Portal 2’s difficulty curve was off. It started in a good place and ended in a good place but was too easy for most of the game.
The two player section was fantastic though.
Not a sequel. Just because it’s not Portal 1. The fact that it’s second is not the problem. The problem is that the first one was flawless.
So the gaming equivalent of ‘chasing the dragon’? That tracks!
chasing the dragon
Huh. I guess it might be.
Far from my first game, but my first perfect game. Yea, I guess that does track.
Too few promises of cake
This was a triumph
I’m making a note here
“Huge success”
It’s hard to overstate my satisfaction
