What? No, no, no! Not every game is worth the hefty price tag, and it's easy to feel let down after spending your hard-earned money on a dud.
But if you dig deeper, there are plenty of single-player games packed with great content, gameplay, and worlds to explore. Today, I've picked 20... single-player games across various genres that are absolutely worth your money.
Let's dive in. Red Dead Redemption 2 is the perfect example of how video games can balance both gameplay and masterful storytelling at the same time. The game has a story that lasts around 70 hours if you do a few side missions along the way, and it's a beautiful tale about a gang of outlaws that are like family. You see them work together, fight against each other, and grow in their own individual ways, and Arthur Morgan is easily one of the best protagonists that you'll see in a video game.
The gameplay is incredibly realistic and immersive thanks to how detailed everything is. The gunplay is really fun, and shooting down hordes of enemies like a gunslinger never gets old. The main missions and side missions both have a lot of different types of things for the player to do, so it's never just going from one place to another.
And even when you're not doing anything in particular, there are tons of side activities for you to participate in, such as fishing, gambling, hunting, and even cooking. The game has so much to do and looks so gorgeous that you just get lost in everything that's going on. Even when you finish the story and complete all the side missions, it's the kind of game that you randomly launch after a hard day at work just to relax, and that's what makes it a game unlike any other in the open world genre. Baldur's Gate 3 is a phenomenal RPG that has taken the world by storm, offering players an incredible amount of freedom.
From character creation to varied playstyles and choices that shape the entire story, the game not only encourages players to forge their own path, but also to create a more but actively rewards them for doing so. With countless possibilities, each playthrough feels personal, and once you've finished, you can dive back in to experience entirely different outcomes you may have missed the first time. The game features highly addictive turn-based combat based on D&D mechanics, making it exciting to mix and match your character's abilities in battle. Even if you're not typically a fan of turn-based combat, Baldur's Gate 3 is immersive enough to draw you in and make you adapt to its style. While it's incredibly satisfying as a single-player experience, you can also dive into co-op with friends for a fresh, entirely new way to enjoy the game, giving you even more bang for your buck.
Bloody hell, she could shoot fireworks out of a backside for all I care. God of War. Ragnarok is the epitome of what a larger-than-life adventure feels like.
The game features a huge world to explore, which has great diversity to be found, especially since it's designed after various pieces of the Norse mythology. The story picks up right where the last game left off and quickly begins to build itself towards a grand conclusion that finally ends Kratos's story. You finally get to see amazing characters like Thor, and it's very interesting how the story expands itself into various arcs instead of just being a linear adventure about Kratos killing everyone that he sees.
The gameplay is very addictive and it boasts many improvements over its predecessor. There are more weapons, skills, abilities, special moves, and even Atreus has gotten a few upgrades this time around. Whether you fight regular enemies, bosses, or take on secret challenges that have great difficulty, everything is extremely fun.
And the exploration in the game is easily one of my favorite aspects of it, as there is so much to find and so much unique dialogue to listen to from all of the main and supporting characters. It's an amazing game that feels like a wonderful journey from start to finish, and before you know it, you will have spent close to a hundred hours just making sure that you didn't miss out on anything. The pacing of the first game was a bit better in my view, but this game is an improvement in all other departments. After Breath of the Wild blew everyone away on both the Wii U and Nintendo Switch, fans and critics alike were eagerly waiting for the follow-up. The hype was massive, and the developers had a lot to live up to.
Fortunately, the sequel is bigger, better, and even more creative, which is unbelievable given how amazing the first game was. Tears of the Kingdom keeps everything that made Breath of the Wild great, and amplifies it by adding even more to it. The map now has more things to do, the gameplay has tons of new features, and there is a new ability that essentially lets you create anything that you want, which has led to some really cool results, including vehicles and robots. The story is very personal, and you feel very attached to the characters throughout the journey, which greatly raises the stakes of everything. Eventually, you reach a very satisfying conclusion that re-establishes once more that the Zelda franchise knows how to write well.
The hardware limitations of the Switch do hold the game back a little, but the technical wizardry at work still manages to make the game run surprisingly well. At a time when gamers were burnt out of playing open-world games like Assassin's Creed and Far Cry, Ghost of Tsushima became the breath of fresh air that everyone needed. The game takes place in the feudal era of Japan, which is replicated so beautifully that even people living in Japan greatly praised the developers. The world is beautiful to explore, and there is some side mission, enemy faction, or secret to find in every corner of it. The combat is varied and you can choose to play using one of several styles, which all have their unique advantages and shortcomings.
Despite how great the gameplay is, the story is undoubtedly one of my most favorite aspects of it. The characters are very likable, and there is a feeling of relatability to be found in their fragility and flaws. The tale of Jin Sakai turning into the ghost of Tsushima, which is metaphorical for the record, is very beautiful, tragic, and heart-wrenching to follow. Dasha Turgill! Dasha!
Due to the controversial failure of the Marvel's Avengers video game, this very entertaining Guardians of the Galaxy adventure just flew under everyone's radar, and people expected it to be underwhelming too. But let me tell you, This is one of those rare cases where the customer was wrong to be cautious, as this game deserves your time and money. It's a third-person action adventure in which you play as Star-Lord, as he leads his gang of lovable characters such as Gamora, Drax, Groot, and Rocket.
As you'd expect, these misfits sometimes cause more harm than good, but their hearts are in the right place. So, the game has a really fun story that isn't really related to the MCU adaptations, and instead gives you a heartwarming tale with tons of humor that you won't find anywhere else. The gameplay starts off a little limited, but you unlock a lot of new moves and abilities as you play on.
There are a lot of cool cinematic moments in the game that incorporate gameplay in them, so it's not just you watching cutscenes when cool things happen either. The game is neither too short nor too long, and there are a bunch of free unlockable things, so you have an incentive to explore the game's sci-fi world too. It's a solid action game with a fun story and likable characters.
Plus, most of us are familiar with The Guardians, too. So, it's a game you shouldn't miss out on. It breaks my heart that it will probably never get a sequel, but I'm glad that we at least got this one game. Devil May Cry 5 takes us back into the lives of Dante and Nero, and it introduces a new playable character called V as well, who mysteriously enters the scene right when a demon lord invades Earth. As you'd expect, the story and cutscenes are extremely fun, but the game does not take itself too seriously like its predecessors.
The main focus is on the gameplay, which is better than ever as all of the characters have multiple weapons, abilities, and their equivalents of the devil trigger. At a time when almost every action game is a roguelike or souls like. It's really cool to have a heavily replayable action game like DMC5 that focuses on cool combos and straightforward progression.
Plus, the graphics are phenomenal too, thanks to the RE engine. It's easily one of my favorite games in the last couple of years, and I highly recommend it. Black Myth Wukong was one of the most highly anticipated action-adventure games of this generation, and players'excitement was evident as it sold millions of copies immediately upon its release in August. The game presents a unique world deeply rooted in Chinese mythology, filled with beauty, tragedy, and action.
These elements are brought to life through stunningly gorgeous graphics that immediately immerse you in the journey. The gameplay strikes a balance between action titles like the God of War reboot and the challenging difficulty found in the Souls genre. It demands patience, offering an experience that's easy to dive into but tough to master.
However, Once you get the hang of it, you'll feel like the Monkey King himself. It's a solid action game that I thoroughly enjoyed, and it doesn't need to be anything more. Fortunately, it's not a short experience either.
You'll likely spend 20 hours or more completing the story and facing off against its epic boss fights. Alan Wake 2 is one of the most innovative and well-made horror video games of recent times. And that's saying a lot, given that we've had a couple of pretty good games in the genre.
...unrelately, such as Resident Evil Village. The game continues the mind-bending story of fictional writer Alan Wake as he tries to figure out how to get out of the darkness that he has been stuck inside for the past couple of years. Things are more intense than ever, and the photorealistic graphics of the game do a great job of setting up a very tense atmosphere for the player at all times. The game does give you tools to fight back, but you're never too much in control since the world around Alan is unpredictable and always changing.
The more you play, the deeper you get into the mess that is the protagonist's life. And just when you think you understand everything, the game pulls a new twist. Sam Lake never fails to deliver a good story, and he kept the tradition up with Alan Wake 2. Since so many horror games just rely on quick scares and first-person perspectives, I find it refreshing that Alan Wake 2 has really fun third-person gameplay, and that it focuses on atmospheric horror instead of just random jump scares.
It's a crime that this game isn't more successful, so I urge you to give it a try right now if you enjoy this genre. Elden Ring is the latest entry in the franchise that pioneered the Souls genre, and with this release, FromSoftware proves that while other developers are now creating games in this style, They remain the true masters of the craft. The game emphasizes player freedom, allowing you to shape your entire adventure. You control everything from your appearance to the areas you explore in depth, the weapons you wield, and even which NPCs you interact with.
Your choices throughout the game also influence the ending, making each playthrough feel unique. The world of Elden Ring is massive, blending beauty and horror in equal measure. As is typical of the Souls series, The game is rich with lore, with enough backstory behind the enemies and bosses to fill entire books. It's a phenomenal game that has captured the hearts of gamers who crave a challenge. With its DLC expansion now available, I recently jumped back into it, and it's a perfect time to dive in.
The game is incredibly addictive, and you can easily lose hundreds of hours to its captivating world. Cyberpunk 2077 may have had a terrible launch, but in the current version of its update, which we know as Cyberpunk 2.0, the game has finally become what every CDPR fan was hoping for a few years ago. Night City is a great place to explore, as it has a very cool futuristic cyberpunk themed visual design, and there are plenty of things to do in it too.
The story is really fun to uncover. especially with Keanu Reeves himself accompanying you on every step of the way. And the choices that you make throughout the game greatly influence the ending that you get, which is pretty cool.
The game's expansion, Phantom Liberty, is out now, adding even more content, including a continuation of the main story. It also introduces Idris Elba, who truly owns his role, arguably even more so than Keanu Reeves did. Cyberpunk 2077 may not have turned out to be the groundbreaking RPG everyone expected, but it's still a strong entry in the RPG landscape. A plague tale can best be described as historical fiction, with a strong emphasis on narrative.
Set in mid-14th century France during the outbreak of the Black Plague, the game follows two siblings as they flee from the French Inquisition amidst hordes of rats spreading the deadly disease. The game's stunning blend of cinematic storytelling and immersive gameplay creates a captivating experience. The gameplay combines elements of stealth, action, and puzzles, fitting perfectly with the theme of survival rather than combat, as the protagonists are not powerful warriors. Instead, they navigate the world as ordinary people would in such perilous situations.
Both games in the series are a joy to play, featuring a dramatic, emotionally charged story. The second installment enhances the AI and graphics, making it an even better experience for those who start with the first game. Without giving too much away, I highly recommend diving into this series blind if you're a fan of story-driven games, you won't be disappointed. Hugo, I can't!
Shh! Calm down! Please!
Please! I know why you're upset! Shh!
Hugo! Please! Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is a phenomenal follow-up to the beloved first installment in the remake series.
It truly embodies bigger and better as the story dives even deeper, the world expands significantly, and every character receives new moves, summons, and abilities. enhancing the gameplay experience even further. While the first game in the remake series was lengthy, Rebirth offers even more playtime, especially for those who enjoy completing everything.
And trust me, you'll want to take in every moment, as it's the kind of experience you'll savor. The characters are fantastic, and the bonds they form greatly elevate the narrative. The best of friends together again!
Isn't it beautiful? Remember when we had that rat problem? You and me set traps, and you got caught.
I guess old habits die hard. Sony's decision to reboot the Ratchet & Clank franchise initially left people uncertain, especially since the story was seen as... playing it too safe compared to the more crude writing of the original.
However, when Rift Apart was released, fans finally embraced this new version of the characters, as it struck a balance between being more family-friendly while still giving the characters cool, engaging personalities. The introduction of a new heroine quickly made her a fan favorite, further solidifying the reboot's success. The gameplay is incredibly fun, with the new Rift mechanic seamlessly integrated into both the story and the gameplay.
Whether you're battling enemies, exploring every level for resources, or tackling platforming sections, everything feels thoughtfully designed to appeal to players of all ages. One of the standout aspects of Rift Apart is its stunning graphics. Despite the cartoonish art style, the game is a visual marvel, showcasing the power of the PlayStation 5 with environments so beautifully crafted that it can feel like you're watching a high-budget Disney movie rather than playing a game.
Now that the game is available on PC, even more people can experience this fantastic adventure. Here's the Gelatonia factory farts. We didn't follow that Lombax and his Robo-Pet across dimensions just to get stopped by some fuzzballs.
So you got-Resident Evil 4 Remake is one of the most intense survival horror games of this generation. It takes everything that made the original so enjoyable and adds a modern, faster-paced twist. The gameplay feels much more responsive. and movement is notably more fluid this time around.
While I do miss the campiness of the original's story and humor, the remake includes enough quality of life improvements and minor changes to truly stand on its own. With the Resident Evil 2 remake offering Leon's origin story, players no longer need to revisit the PlayStation 1 version for better context before diving into Resident Evil 4. That said, you can still jump right into RE4 without being confused, as the game is self-contained and clear enough. The level design is top-notch. The graphics are stunning and the boss fights are exciting. If you're looking for a modern Resident Evil experience without the classic gameplay, this is the ideal choice.
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is one of the few games that really put the PlayStation 5's capabilities to full use. The game has an amazing open-world recreation of New York City, which is extremely fun to swing through. And there is a great emphasis on letting you play as both Miles and Peter Parkers, as the two Spider-Men try to balance crime-fighting and their personal lives.
Since this is a Venom story, the gameplay got a major up- as you get to use both gadgets and symbiote powers to fight enemies, and Miles has an upgrade in the form of his electric powers, too. It's really cool alternating between the two characters, and the developers have done a decent job at making both feel relevant. I do think that the first game had a better story, but the second one has a bigger city, better side missions, and much better combat. The Like a Dragon franchise used to be a beat-em-up with RPG elements, until it made a controversial change to switch to turn-based combat, with a stronger focus on RPG gameplay instead.
Infinite Wealth is the second turn-based entry in the series, and a fantastic follow-up to the seventh mainline game. Now, the number of previous entries might seem daunting. Who has time to play seven games before this one?
But as much as I love the earlier games, you can easily jump straight into Infinite Wealth without any issues. The game offers a stunning world to explore, modeled after real-life cities, with something to discover in every corner. The combat is wildly entertaining and feels incredibly over-the-top, making it accessible and fun even for those who don't typically enjoy turn-based systems. While the story may seem a bit confusing at first, especially if you're unfamiliar with the characters, The game provides plenty of context as you progress. With a playtime of around 100 hours if you engage in side activities alongside the main story, there's plenty to keep you occupied.
The sheer variety of side activities, some featuring completely different gameplay mechanics, ensures that the experience remains fresh and never repetitive. It's a game that truly feels worth every penny, and the fact that none of its 100 hours feels like filler is impressive. Persona 5 Royale is one of the most content-rich RPGs that you'll come across, and it has a really cool visual style in its presentation which stands out even at first glance. The game has two separate sections, one of which is dungeon crawling in which you use turn-based combat to fight different types of enemies and bosses, and the other one is a social sim in which you attend school, socialize with other students, and solve mysteries surrounding dangerous events.
Both of these intertwine with each other, so you have to think of the other when participating in one. The game has a lot of variety in terms of gameplay, as you choose how to handle different enemy encounters, and your party is customizable. On top of that, we have summons and other abilities, which make a huge difference to every battle. The social side of things has a fair bit of choice to be found too, since it's an RPG after all. So how you play is up to you.
The game lasts around 50 to 60 hours on a playthrough, and way more than that if you try to do everything and unlock all summons. So it's a journey that you'll have to commit to in order to fully enjoy it. Okay. That was so easy, I'm yawning. Show me your true form!
Now's our chance to strut! Go! Dragon's Dogma 2 is an action RPG that really lived up to the hype as it feels bigger and better than its predecessor in most ways. The game features a large world to explore, which is filled with resources, NPCs, and danger, and the player is given the freedom to decide how you wish to approach the journey.
The party that you build in this game has realistic AI, so it feels almost like you're playing with real players, and the gameplay has a lot of variation based on what weapon you're using or what class you picked. when creating your character. It's not a game for everyone, as it doesn't hold your hand, and is far from linear. However, it's one of the rare RPGs in recent years that doesn't fall into the Souls-like category or rely on turn-based combat. Hades is one of the most successful indie games of recent years, and it's easy to see why.
The game features a stunning art style and charismatic characters inspired by Greek mythology, adding a rich narrative layer to the experience. The hack-and-slash combat is incredibly satisfying, especially during intense battles against large groups of enemies or challenging bosses. With its roguelike structure, every time you die, you start your run over.
But the more you progress, the stronger you become, making each subsequent attempt feel more rewarding. as you push further than before. Thanks to its addictive gameplay loop and excellent presentation, Hades never feels repetitive. Before you know it, you'll reach the end, wishing there was even more to play. Luckily, Hades 2 exists, and fans are also loving it.
So once you finish the first game, you can dive straight into the sequel for even more fun. That's it for today's list of the top 20 single-player games worth spending your money on. I hope you found something that matches your preferences, especially since I chose games that cater to a variety of tastes.
As always, if I missed any important games, feel free to drop them in the comments below. Thanks for watching, and I'll see you in the next video.