The Best Video Games Every Gamer Should Try Once
Every gamer knows this scene. After a long day, nothing feels better than dropping onto the sofa with a controller or sitting down at a desk in front of a bright screen, hoping for one solid hour of escape. The plan is simple: pick something fun, relax a little, and let the stress fade. Instead, the game library opens and a long wall of video games appears. Old favorites sit next to shiny new releases, trailers start playing, reviews open in another tab, and social feeds pull attention in a different direction. Minutes quietly turn into an entire evening of scrolling and comparing. The system shuts down, the room goes quiet, and not a single title actually gets started. With so many best video games, best selling releases, indie hits, the most popular titles on streams, and a long line of upcoming games in 2025 sitting on wishlists, the simple idea of playing something slowly turns into a heavy choice that feels harder than it should be.
How this guide looks at the best video games
A lot of lists focus only on numbers and scores. That can be useful, but it does not always match how people actually play. Here we look at the best video games through three simple lenses.
Critics: They look closely at design, story, mechanics, music, and long term impact. When they talk about the greatest games of all time, they think about how a title changed the industry, inspired other developers, and still feels strong years later.
Players: Regular players remember how a game made them feel. Maybe a co-op run helped them through a rough week. Maybe a single player story helped them through a breakup. When fans share favorites, they often speak about comfort, friendship, and escape, not only graphics or frame rates.
Time: Many new video games look exciting at launch but fade away after a few months. Others grow slowly and then become some of the most popular titles in the world. When people discuss the best selling releases of all time and legendary classics, the games that keep coming back into conversation usually deserve a place on your list.
Best selling vs “best” in real life
It is tempting to think that best selling video games are always the best ones, but real life is more complicated. These games move a huge number of copies across consoles, PC, and sometimes mobile, often helped by big brands, wide age appeal, and strong marketing. Many of the most successful titles are polished and welcoming, which helps them spread through families and friend groups. The best video games of all time, however, are chosen with a different lens. People look at originality, emotional depth, influence on other creators, and how well a game still plays many years later. Some legendary releases sold modestly but changed how future games were designed. As a player, the smart move is to use both views: try a few major hits to see why they became trends, then balance them with personal picks from critic lists and trusted friends so your library reflects real taste, not just hype.
Timeless classics every gamer should try once
Some games feel like history lessons in the best possible way. These timeless classics show up again and again when people talk about the best video games of all time.
Games that redefined movement and worlds
Early three dimensional adventures and open world titles gave players real depth, height, and freedom. Instead of walking down one narrow path, you could climb, glide, swim, and experiment with different routes.
Even if the visuals look simple today, these classics are still among the best video games because of their smart level design and playful spirit. Try at least one older platformer or open world adventure on any platform you own, and notice how many modern titles quietly copied their ideas.
Story driven experiences that stay with you
Some of the best video games do not feel like “levels” at all. They feel closer to interactive films or novels, where you follow deep characters, make tough choices, and think about the ending for days. If emotional shows and dramas are your thing, start with one or two highly praised narrative titles. Many players say these experiences helped them reconnect with hobbies, feel less alone, or look at relationships in a new way, which is the special strength of this style of storytelling.
Pure gameplay that never goes out of style
Then some games focus almost fully on how they feel in your hands. Short matches, clean controls, instant restarts, simple rules. These projects are easy to learn yet hard to master.
Action, puzzle, racing, and arcade style titles often live here. You can jump in for fifteen minutes and still feel satisfied. These games prove that the best video games do not always need huge maps or complex menus. A simple loop, refined with care, can stay fun for years.
Modern favourites and the most popular video games today
Now we move closer to the present. Modern favorites include some of the most popular video games in the world and many online hits you see in streams and short clips.
Online worlds and live service titles
Online multiplayer games changed how people use their free time. It is no longer just about finishing a story. Players drop into repeat matches, work through ranks, and unlock cosmetic rewards. Many of today’s biggest online titles live in this space.
These live service titles ask for regular attention. They fit players who enjoy competition, voice chat, and seasonal events. If you want to understand current gaming culture, keeping at least one online title in your rotation can be a good idea.
Co-op and party games for real life fun
Some of the best video games for busy adults are the simple ones you can share. Couch co op and online party games let you race, cook, dance, or solve puzzles with friends and family.
The rules are easy, rounds are short, and failure is funny rather than stressful. Games like this turn a normal evening into a small event. They are perfect when you want to connect with people you care about instead of playing alone.
Indie gems with big heart
Indie creators do not always chase huge numbers. They often chase a feeling. Many small teams build games that explore grief, healing, friendship, or quiet daily life. These indie titles are some of the best new releases to try when burnout from giant open worlds and endless checklists kicks in. They are usually shorter, more personal, and full of fresh art styles. Adding even a few indie projects to your backlog can change how you see the medium and remind you why you loved video games in the first place.
Best Video Games 2025 and the New Titles Worth Trying
Each year brings a fresh wave of releases, and it can be hard to keep track. Some of these new titles will one day sit beside the best selling video games of all time, while others will stay quiet hidden gems. When people talk about standout games in 2025, they usually mention a mix of big action adventures, deep role playing titles, stylish shooters, clever strategy games, and memorable indie projects. To keep things simple, focus less on chasing every single new release and more on finding a match for your mood: long, story rich journeys if you love narrative, or quick, high energy titles if you prefer fast action and shorter sessions. A smart habit is to choose one or two favorites to buy near launch, then wait for discounts or bundles for the rest so excitement stays high without overloading your wallet or your calendar.
Upcoming video games and how to follow them without stress
Release calendars for upcoming video games are packed every month. There are sequels, remakes, spin offs, and completely new ideas landing on consoles, PCs, handheld devices, and cloud services, which makes things even noisier.
Big sequels are easy to recognize. They belong to a series you already know. These can be safe picks if you enjoyed earlier entries and want more of the same feeling with modern polish. Many players build their year around one or two large releases like this.
New series, also called new IP, are less predictable but very exciting. Some of the future best video games might come from teams trying something unusual for the first time. If a trailer or preview for an upcoming video game sticks in your mind, save it somewhere and check on it later instead of letting it vanish in a sea of announcements.
To avoid stress, limit the number of upcoming video games you actively track. A shortlist of five to ten titles is enough. Add them to Wishlist’s, follow one or two trusted news sources, and check in once a month. That keeps you informed without turning gaming into another full time job.
How to choose what to play next
There is now a wider view of gaming, from the greatest classics of all time to the most popular titles, top-selling releases, standout games from 2025, fresh new launches, and even the big upcoming projects planned for the year. The final step is simply choosing what fits your life, schedule, and energy right now.
Start with your energy and mood
Ask yourself a few simple questions.
Do you want comfort or challenge? Do you want to think deeply or switch off your brain? Do you want to play alone, with one person, or with a full group?
If you want comfort, pick a cozy sim, a narrative experience, or a light indie title. If you want a challenge, try a tough action game or a complex strategy project. If you want a connection, go for co-op or party video games that invite laughter and teamwork.
Check time, difficulty, and budget
Before you commit, look at three points.
How long will an average run or full playthrough take? Does the game have difficulty options or assist settings? Will you feel pressure to buy extra passes or cosmetic items to enjoy it?
You do not need to avoid long or demanding projects. You just need to know what you are walking into. That awareness makes it easier to stay with your choice instead of dropping it halfway through and feeling guilty about it.
Build a balanced library
A healthy gaming life mixes different kinds of experiences. You might keep one long story game, one quick action title, and one social game installed at the same time. That way you always have something that matches your current mood.
Blend best selling video games with cult classics and smaller surprises, mixing older hits with the best new releases of this year. Over time, it becomes easier to see what truly matters to you instead of chasing every trend that appears on your feed.
