Nov 17 · 22 years ago
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater 2004
Why it still holds upCamouflage, stamina, food and injuries make the jungle something you have to manage, and that survival stealth is still worth playing today.
Games released in November that still hold up
Games
Nov 17 · 22 years ago
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater 2004
Why it still holds upCamouflage, stamina, food and injuries make the jungle something you have to manage, and that survival stealth is still worth playing today.
Nov 21 · 36 years ago
Super Mario World 1990
Why it still holds upExploring the world map pays off as much as the levels, with red spots that lead to secret routes, so it is still worth playing today.
Nov 21 · 35 years ago
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past 1991
Why it still holds upPlayed now, each item you win opens parts of the map you have already seen, and the second world reuses the first to give you more of it.
Nov 21 · 28 years ago
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 1998
Why it still holds upThe dungeons keep it worth playing now, with an ocarina whose melodies open the way and a lock on that keeps fights under control.
Nov 16 · 22 years ago
Half-Life 2 2004
Why it still holds upPlay it now for the pacing: the opening sections alternate tension with small moments of rest, and enemies, allies and supplies are always marked by the design or by sound.
Nov 18 · 24 years ago
Metroid Prime 2002
Why it still holds upExploring is still the draw, with a story you find by scanning and locked areas that pull you back later.
Nov 19 · 28 years ago
Half-Life 1998
Why it still holds upThe story told without cutscenes keeps it fresh to play now, and its soldiers still change how a gunfight plays.
Nov 11 · 15 years ago
On sale
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim 2011
Why it still holds upToday the freedom still carries it: after a linear introduction you can go anywhere, and side quests range from short errands to adventures as long as the main story.
Nov 1 · 19 years ago
Super Mario Galaxy 2007
Why it still holds upEvery level is built around that gravity, so walking upside down and jumping between small planets is what you do throughout, which keeps it fresh today.
Nov 21 · 25 years ago
Super Smash Bros. Melee 2001
Why it still holds upFast, physics driven fighting that is easy to pick up and frantic with four players keeps it played today.
Nov 13 · 25 years ago
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty 2001
Why it still holds upLights, glass, steam and fruit are all tools against those squads, so the environment keeps its part in the stealth today.
Nov 17 · 17 years ago
Assassin's Creed II 2009
Why it still holds upFree running and a choice of how to handle each situation, with several ways past the guards, are the draw today, in a Renaissance Italy with an orchestral score.
Nov 21 · 31 years ago
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest 1995
Why it still holds upOpen levels that use height, and a difficulty that builds steadily, keep it enjoyable to play now.
Nov 20 · 19 years ago
Mass Effect 2007
Why it still holds upYou shape Shepard's personality through the dialogue, and Paragon and Renegade points unlock more options as you go, which keeps the choices worth making now.
Nov 3 · 17 years ago
On sale
Dragon Age: Origins 2009
Why it still holds upIts world and its choices keep it worth playing now: many dilemmas have no clear good or evil side, so the decisions are yours to weigh.
Nov 22 · 13 years ago
The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds 2013
Why it still holds upIt stays worth playing now because you decide where to go next, with no long tutorials or cutscenes in the way.
Nov 8 · 7 years ago
Death Stranding 2019
Why it still holds upPlanning a route, building it and using what other players left is still what makes the long walks worth doing now.
Nov 21 · 27 years ago
Pokémon Silver Version 1999
Why it still holds upA world that runs on its own clock, with a second full region after the first, is the reason to go back to it now.
Nov 21 · 34 years ago
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 1992
Why it still holds upThe reason to go back is level design that rewards speed without giving up exploration.
Nov 29 · 24 years ago
Gothic II 2002
Why it still holds upA compact, hand placed world in which exploring pays off is the reason to play it today.
Nov 16 · 22 years ago
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2004
Why it still holds upThe clan you choose changes what you can do and say, so a second run in the same city plays differently, and that is why it is still worth playing today.
Nov 18 · 32 years ago
Donkey Kong Country 1994
Why it still holds upLevels that keep changing how you move, with vines, barrels, mine carts and animals, and a difficulty that rises steadily, are the reason to play it now.
Nov 19 · 20 years ago
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess 2006
Why it still holds upNine dungeons with distinct themes and tools, joined by a large overworld, and two ways of moving and fighting in one adventure, are why it is worth playing now.
Nov 5 · 19 years ago
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare 2007
Why it still holds upWhat it still offers is a tight campaign followed by a multiplayer loop of leveling and class building made to be replayed.
Nov 1 · 15 years ago
Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception 2011
Why it still holds upIts set pieces blend climbing, shooting and escape in single sequences rather than separate modes, and that is why it is still worth playing now.
Nov 11 · 10 years ago
On sale
Dishonored 2 2016
Why it still holds upLevels with many routes let a stealth run, a lethal run and a power mixing run all work, which keeps it worth replaying today.
Nov 15 · 21 years ago
Need for Speed: Most Wanted 2005
Why it still holds upPursuits that keep escalating, and a Blacklist to climb, are the reason to play it now.
Nov 25 · 12 years ago
On sale
Tales from the Borderlands 2014
Why it still holds upWriting and voice acting that balance comedy against drama in varied scenarios are the reason to play it now.
Nov 4 · 12 years ago
The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth 2014
Why it still holds upBecause item combinations differ every run and there is a large library to unlock, it keeps giving new runs today.
Nov 28 · 7 years ago
13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim 2019
Why it still holds upThe way its story is told is the reason to play it now: you choose whose chapter comes next and put the mystery together as you go.
Nov 29 · 14 years ago
Far Cry 3 2012
Why it still holds upFive core systems, sneaking, shooting, driving, exploring and hunting, all feed the same leveling system, so the same encounter plays out differently depending on stealth, firepower and wildlife, and that is the reason to play it now.
Nov 11 · 23 years ago
Beyond Good & Evil 2003
Why it still holds upPhotography, stealth, hovercraft racing, melee and exploration are mixed so that no single mechanic wears out, and that is the reason to play it now.
Nov 10 · 20 years ago
Medieval II: Total War 2006
Why it still holds upA turn based campaign over a whole medieval map, with battles you fight yourself in real time, keeps it worth playing today.
Nov 9 · 22 years ago
On sale
Halo 2 2004
Why it still holds upGame Informer found the controls hold up very well in the remaster, and tight controls carry it today.
Nov 12 · 6 years ago
Demon's Souls 2020
Why it still holds upEach area is still worth learning: the enemies, the traps and the boss stay put, and the bloodstain gives you one chance to win back what you lost.
Nov 4 · 22 years ago
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap 2004
Why it still holds upThe shrinking mechanic turns the same spaces into two scales, and that still makes its level design work.
Nov 17 · 15 years ago
Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch 2011
Why it still holds upStudio Ghibli's animation and a long adventure built around collecting and training familiars still stand up today.
Nov 8 · 14 years ago
Animal Crossing: New Leaf 2012
Why it still holds upA slow daily rhythm tied to the real calendar, with the town itself as the thing you build, still sets its pace.
Nov 22 · 30 years ago
Command & Conquer: Red Alert 1996
Why it still holds upTwo sides built differently, and a power grid that doubles as a target, keep it distinct from other strategy games today.
Nov 21 · 13 years ago
Super Mario 3D World 2013
Why it still holds upShort, varied levels with a steady difficulty ramp, and characters whose abilities matter, still make it worth playing today.
Nov 15 · 25 years ago
On sale
Halo: Combat Evolved 2001
Why it still holds upWith two weapon slots and vehicles you can drive, every weapon you pick up is still a choice that shapes the next fight today.
Nov 16 · 16 years ago
Assassin's Creed Brotherhood 2010
Why it still holds upRecruits to call in, a city you invest in and kills you can chain still make Rome a place you build up as you fight today.
Nov 15 · 22 years ago
Need for Speed: Underground 2 2004
Why it still holds upAn open city to drive between races, and tuning deep enough to include a dyno, still give it a shape of its own today.
Nov 3 · 28 years ago
Crash Bandicoot: Warped 1998
Why it still holds upPlatforming, vehicles and time travel levels share one hub, which still gives it variety today.
Nov 15 · 22 years ago
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes 2004
Why it still holds upMoving between two intertwined worlds, one of which drains her health away from safe zones, still makes every route a puzzle today.
Nov 20 · 26 years ago
Banjo-Tooie 2000
Why it still holds upJiggies unlock new worlds, so backtracking is a major part of the challenge, and a duo that can split up still makes that backtracking its main puzzle today.
Nov 18 · 24 years ago
Metroid Fusion 2002
Why it still holds upA mission based layout and a stalking SA-X still keep the six hours moving today.