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Third-person games that still hold up

A character on screen, and the world around them

516 games · page 1 of 11

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt 2015 Why it still holds upOn every road the world offers something to choose or find, from contracts to buried treasure, and that keeps it worth playing today.
The Last of Us 2013 Why it still holds upThe fights still come down to that scarcity today, and retreating to come back from another angle is often the way through, in levels open enough to improvise in.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2017 Why it still holds upAny direction is still worth taking today, because the world runs on systems and physics and even a simple environmental puzzle can have three or four solutions.
God of War 2018 Why it still holds upThe combat still carries it today, with the axe thrown and called back while a second fighter works beside you, so each fight has several things going on at once.
Mass Effect 2 2010 Why it still holds upYour squad keeps it worth playing today: you spend time on your ship, the Normandy, learning their pasts and doing their optional missions, and those choices carry through to the end.
Bloodborne 2015 Why it still holds upCome to it today for the combat: everything pushes you to step in and hit rather than wait behind a guard.
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End 2016 Why it still holds upYou would play it today for the traversal and the performances, since climbing carries much of the game and the dialogue and acting carry a personal story.
The Last of Us Part II 2020 Why it still holds upFights that leave many ways open, from sneaking through to setting groups against each other or shooting your way out, are still worth playing for today.
Silent Hill 2 2001 Why it still holds upThe horror is the reason to go now: it is psychological, built from the characters' regrets and fears and from a town seen through fog, rather than from monsters alone.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice 2019 Why it still holds upMastering the parrying is the reward now: the combat is built on it, and getting good at it gives a sense of pride.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door 2004 Why it still holds upThe timed hits and the audience make the battles worth playing today, since stylish play is rewarded, and each chapter is nearly a self contained episode.
Super Mario Odyssey 2017 Why it still holds upToday it works because you choose what to do toward the moon count, and capturing drives much of the level design.
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves 2009 Why it still holds upIt stays playable now because you keep control of Nathan almost every time something happens on screen, and the characters talk like people.
Shadow of the Colossus 2005 Why it still holds upEach colossus is its own puzzle in scale, with only a quiet land between them, which is why it holds up today.
Super Mario 64 1996 Why it still holds upMario still controls crisply today, and each painting lets you pick which star to chase, so the game feels open.
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.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City 2002 Why it still holds upA whole city built on one decade and its music still makes every drive part of the same setting, which is the reason to play it now.
It Takes Two 2021 Why it still holds upWith a partner it is still worth playing now: the ideas change level after level, and every one of them needs both players.
Horizon Zero Dawn 2017 Why it still holds upFighting each machine is a small puzzle of weak points, in a seamless world with tribes at different technology levels, which keeps it worth playing now.
Ghost of Tsushima 2020 Why it still holds upIts sword fights still make it worth playing: each one asks you to read the enemy, pick the stance for it and break its guard.
Marvel's Spider-Man 2018 Why it still holds upCrossing the city by web is still fun before you do anything else in it, which is the reason to play it now.
Resident Evil 4 2005 Why it still holds upThe game escalates steadily, and muted colours keep its places oppressive, so the pacing still keeps its grip today.
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.
Resident Evil 2 2019 Why it still holds upPlayed today it keeps the tension through scarcity: ammunition is short, zombies need their heads destroyed to stay down, and a first run takes about eight hours.
Mass Effect 2007 Why it still holds upShaping a hero of your own through those conversations still makes the choices worth making today.
Mafia 2002 Why it still holds upThe period setting is why it is worth playing now: Lost Heaven is modelled on 1930s American cities, and the missions move between chases, races and shootouts.
Dead Space 2 2011 Why it still holds upIts atmosphere is why it still works: the lighting and the sound design keep you on edge from start to finish.
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 2000 Why it still holds upThe three day cycle keeps it worth playing today: you plan your days around what people need, and the world changes with the clock, with the music growing more menacing toward the end.
Mario Kart 8 2014 Why it still holds upVaried track design, with assists so that players of every level can share a race, still makes it work today.
Death Stranding 2019 Why it still holds upA route planned, built and shared with strangers still makes the long walks worth doing today.

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