Hello! This is a list of my top ten favorite games. This was an exceptionally hard question to answer.

I’ll include a screenshot and a quote (if available) for each game and a short description of why it’s one of my favorites.

10: Kerbal Space Program

I played this game a ton when I was younger. Tt fueled a deep appreciation for space and the work it took mankind to get there. Really satisfying ship building, gameplay loop, and exploration.

9: The Beginner’s Guide

And this is where I have trouble saying anything meaningful about Coda’s work, because more than anything else The Tower just feels distant, it feels like it’s trying to distance itself from the world.

A reflection on video games (and making them) in video game form. Beautiful and moving.

8: Destiny (1 & 2)

He is | he is not | he is walking in the Garden. He is talking | silent | singing.

A controversial pick for sure, but Destiny is near and dear to my heart. I picked it up in middle school and was hooked up to the last story expansion, The Final Shape. Destiny has the most incredible lore I’ve ever read – I had my mom send me snippets while I was in basic training.

7: Portal (1 & 2)

All these science spheres are made out of asbestos, by the way. Keeps out the rats. Let us know if you feel a shortness of breath, a persistent dry cough, or your heart stopping. Because that’s not part of the test. That’s asbestos.

I played these a lot with my brother when we were kids. Valve games in general have a great feeling to them, and I love the aesthetic of the Portal games.

6: Vampire Survivors

This game is insane. Every time my wife and I play this we can still see experience gems in our field of vision. Highly addictive and so many things to do.

5: Balatro

A poker-inspired card game with fantastic mechanics and incredible music.

4: Elite Dangerous

A space game where you’re in the cockpit the entire time. You can trade, engage in combat, piracy, mining and exobiology. Has an extremely satisfying warp mechanic.

3: Outer Wilds

The pain of your absence is sharp and haunting, and I would give anything not to know it; anything but never knowing you at all (which would be worse).

I cried.

2: Disco Elysium

VOLITION [Easy: Success] – No. This is somewhere to be. This is all you have, but it’s still something. Streets and sodium lights. The sky, the world. You’re still alive.

A beautiful, haunting story of an alcoholic detective who can’t remember anything. “Voices” in your head are personified and have tangible effects on dialogue and your chances of success in various contexts.

1: Factorio

A masterpiece. The perfect game. The factory must grow.