SSX 3 2003
Why it still holds upOne connected mountain with no loading screens still turns each run into a single long descent today.
Third-person games that still hold up
A character on screen, and the world around them
Games
SSX 3 2003
Why it still holds upOne connected mountain with no loading screens still turns each run into a single long descent today.
Final Fantasy XII 2006
Why it still holds upGambits, which let you program how each character fights, still make combat a matter of setup as much as input today.
Gears of War 2 2008
Why it still holds upCover, a short loadout and a partner still make each firefight a matter of positioning today.
Shenmue 1999
Why it still holds upA Yokosuka where characters have their own models, voices and routines, and shops and buses keep schedules, still invites exploring today.
Astro's Playroom 2020
Why it still holds upPlayed now, every level is still built around a new way to use the controller.
Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back 1997
Why it still holds upHub rooms that save, and let you leave a hard stage and come back, still make it easy to approach today.
Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King 2004
Why it still holds upA whole 3D world to cross, with more to do than fight, still gives the adventure plenty of ways to play today.
Kingdom Hearts 2002
Why it still holds upSimple controls and a structure of self contained worlds, each with its own sub story, still make it easy to pick up and repeat today.
Psychonauts 2005
Why it still holds upEach mental world is its own set of levels built around one character's psychology, which gives distinct settings and mechanics and still gives every area a new idea today.
Hitman 3 2021
Why it still holds upIts maps are built to be replayed, and every routine and every disguise is another way to the same target, which is why it is worth going back to now.
Detroit: Become Human 2018
Why it still holds upA flowchart that shows what you missed, and choices that change which scenes open, still give a replay a reason today.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2010
Why it still holds upClear roles for the AI party and rewards for exploring still make both fights and wandering worth the time today.
Risk of Rain 2 2020
Why it still holds upPlayed today, the random items keep you coming back: they stack without limit, while the clock keeps pushing you on.
Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana 2016
Why it still holds upSwitching between three characters with damage type weaknesses keeps combat active, and the village loop ties exploring to progress today.
Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep 2010
Why it still holds upA deck, fusion and Shotlock let you fight in many ways, and three characters with their own scenarios still keep playthroughs from repeating today.
Mario Kart: Double Dash!! 2003
Why it still holds upPosition weighted items keep races close, and the pairing system gives many combinations today.
Devil May Cry 5 2019
Why it still holds upA style rating that rewards varied play, and three characters with different mechanics, still keep the same arenas from feeling the same today.
Indigo Prophecy 2005
Why it still holds upScenes that leave you free to act, and characters whose threads feed each other, still let the same events play out differently today.
Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate 2014
Why it still holds upHunts built on learning a monster's patterns and committing to each attack still reward patience today.
Mario Kart 64 1996
Why it still holds upFour player split screen in Versus and Battle on one console, with items and drift boosts keeping races open, still makes it easy to start a match today.
Valkyria Chronicles 2008
Why it still holds upA map for commanding and a third person view for aiming still let you plan like a commander and then aim like a soldier today.
L.A. Noire 2011
Why it still holds upWith interrogation as the core loop, reading faces and backing accusations with evidence, the detective work still rests on the cases rather than on shooting today.
Spec Ops: The Line 2012
Why it still holds upOrdinary shooter systems turned toward the protagonist's choices, with missions, hints and environment all pushing one theme, still make it play as one argument today.
Max Payne 3 2012
Why it still holds upWeighty animation, cover that breaks and bullet time still make each gunfight feel physical today.
Tomb Raider 2013
Why it still holds upBalancing stealth, action and puzzles, with fast travel that turns backtracking into a reward, still lets you set the mix today.
Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age 2017
Why it still holds upBattle formulas that stay stable while new layers are added, and zone timing that rewards experimenting, still let you set your own difficulty today.
Yakuza Kiwami 2 2017
Why it still holds upA serious story set among this much optional content, in two districts with no loading in between, still gives you plenty to do today.
Luigi's Mansion 3 2019
Why it still holds upA new theme to search on every floor, with tools that turn searching into small puzzles, still pulls you up the hotel.
NBA 2K11 2010
Why it still holds upHistoric games to relive, and a career built attribute by attribute, give each season a goal to chase today.
Oni 2001
Why it still holds upYou still get fights that favor your fists over scarce ammunition, and each encounter is a hand to hand duel.
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1999
Why it still holds upShort runs with several goals each, and scores you keep trying to beat, still make one more run easy to say yes to today.
LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga 2007
Why it still holds upA mistake only costs studs you can pick up again, so a second player can join in now without fear of losing the run.
Bayonetta 2009
Why it still holds upA dodge rewarded with a slow moment to strike, and a grade at the end of each fight, still give a reason to fight every battle better today.
Prince of Persia: Warrior Within 2004
Why it still holds upA rewind that undoes a fatal mistake, and portals between two eras, let you recover from a wrong jump and plan a route, so the acrobatics are easy to retry today.
The Last Guardian 2016
Why it still holds upA creature that has to be worked with, not simply ordered, still gives each puzzle its own pace today.
SoulCalibur 1998
Why it still holds upEight way movement, a forgiving input buffer and Guard Impact still let you step around an opponent or turn their attack against them today.
Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers 1993
Why it still holds upChoosing exactly what to ask each person, one day at a time, still makes the investigation a slow puzzle of listening today.
Mafia II 2010
Why it still holds upToday you still get a period feel from a city dressed in cars and music of its years, with cars that handle differently on ice.
Rocket League 2015
Why it still holds upFootball played with cars that can fly still gives every match something new to try today.
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time 2003
Why it still holds upA hard jump that can be retried at once, by rewinding, still keeps its acrobatics easy to enjoy today.
We Love Katamari 2005
Why it still holds upRolling from the smallest things to the largest, an idea anyone gets at once, still makes every level easy to pick up today.
Mario Kart DS 2005
Why it still holds upOn a handheld today you have plenty to do, with courses from earlier games and a Mission mode beside the Grand Prix.
SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom 2003
Why it still holds upThree characters with different moves, and areas that the spatulas open, make a stage worth revisiting with a new ability today.
Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled 2019
Why it still holds upBoosts chained from power slides still turn each lap into a matter of rhythm today.
Super Mario Kart 1992
Why it still holds upItems and power slides still make every lap a mix of speed and risk today, and the two player modes give you a reason to bring a friend.
Assassin's Creed Origins 2017
Why it still holds upA free Discovery Tour mode removes combat for guided historical tours of ancient Egypt, a reason to visit it today even if you skip the story.
NBA Street Vol. 2 2003
Why it still holds upTricks feed a meter that can turn the score around, and that keeps it worth playing today.
Discworld Noir 1999
Why it still holds upAn investigation still keeps moving without leaving you stuck, as leads are crossed out in a notebook and a missed clue arrives later.