With all the new releases coming out, I've been thinking about modern gaming highlights. Games like God of War (2018) and its sequel really raised the bar for video game storytelling highlights. The way they handle character development in games, especially the father-son relationship, is just incredible.
Also games like Elden Ring with its massive world and innovative approach to open world design. It feels like we're in a really good era for gaming right now.
What recent games have given you those unforgettable video game scenes or moments that you'll remember for years?
God of War Ragnarok. The way it continues and concludes the story from the 2018 game is masterful. The character development in games doesn't get much better than Kratos's journey in these two games. The scene with the deer in the woods... absolutely beautiful visual storytelling in games.
Also Pentiment. A historical murder mystery RPG with incredible writing and art style. It's a perfect example of how games can tell unique stories that wouldn't work in any other medium.
Elden Ring. The sheer scale and quality of that game is astounding. The legacy dungeons like Stormveil Castle and Leyndell are some of the best level design in modern gaming. The sense of discovery is constant, and the boss fights (while sometimes frustrating) are mostly excellent. A true modern gaming highlight.
Also Returnal. The way it blends roguelike mechanics with a psychological horror story, combined with incredible combat and haptic feedback on PS5... it's a next-gen experience that couldn't have existed on previous consoles.
Stray. Playing as a cat in a cyberpunk city might sound gimmicky, but the execution is fantastic. The atmosphere, the environmental storytelling, the little cat behaviors... it creates such a unique and memorable experience. The emotional moments with the robots are surprisingly touching too.
Also Tunic. A love letter to classic Zelda games with modern design sensibilities. The way it withholds information and makes you piece things together through the in-game manual is brilliant. Some of the best gaming experiences come from that aha!" moment when you finally understand a mechanic.
Horizon Forbidden West. The visual design in that game is absolutely stunning. The machine designs, the diverse biomes, the character animations... it's a technical marvel. The way they've expanded the world and lore from the first game creates some really compelling video game storytelling highlights.
Also Citizen Sleeper. A narrative-driven RPG about a digitized consciousness in a space station. The writing is excellent, and the way it uses dice mechanics to represent your character's deteriorating condition is innovative and creates real tension.
The Last of Us Part I remake. While controversial because of the price, the visual upgrades and accessibility features are incredible. Playing through that story with modern graphics and improved gameplay makes it feel new again. Some of those unforgettable video game scenes hit even harder with the enhanced presentation.
Also Cult of the Lamb. Such a creative blend of roguelike dungeon crawling and cult management sim. The art style is charming, the gameplay is addictive, and the dark humor is perfect. It's one of those games that's hard to put down once you start.