Really didn't think they could keep that same sense of mystery and wonder with the DLC, but they absolutely smashed it. And yes, this was also my immediate thought in answer to the question.
I'll never forget the day I started playing this game. It was so cool and so different from anything else I had played that I couldn't stop playing, and finished the game in one session. Awesome night!
Mass Effect 1.
The first encounter with the Reapers, with Sovereign, is such an incredible moment. These horrifying, unkillable deities that can't be reasoned with or stopped that just want to destroy was so intimidating on the first playthrough.
The reveal about the mass relays and how they guided tech advancement was incredible too.
You exist because we allow it. You will end because we demand it.
Same here. The story and presentation are so sublime. ME universe is was designed so comprehensively and coherently it left me awestruck on many times throughout the first playthrough.
And the sequel is just a cherry on top, drawing from the now-estabilished world, themes, interstellar politics, all to build one absolutely epic finale. No other game managed to engage me so much.
Playing the beginning of ME3 was crazy to me. "IT'S ACTUALLY HAPPENING? I figured we would somehow stop the invasion at the last minute...because how are they going to put such large set pieces and warzones into the game?"
Man... That was such a trip. A friend of mine brought it over because my computer was much better and I had a 3rd party ISP lightning fast 56k connection. It was so crazy just to see the little world. I still log into the private servers every few years just to see some of the new tech fans are throwing on top of it.
Halo 3 back in its heyday without question. The hours and hours spent grinding ranks in playlists and playing custom games is some of the best times I’ve ever had in gaming.
Factorio. I had so much fun figuring out all the stuff it throws at you and making a mess of spaghetti beacuse you couldn't predict what was next to sort things out.
Would have loved to play some of the early 360 games online including Halo back in there prime. I just didn't have good enough internet for it to be playable back then.
Oblivion. Probably sunk 1000 hours sucking every last drop of dopamine out of that game.
If I could also not have played Half Life, I'd like a do-over of Black Mesa. Don't get me wrong, HL is still brilliant, but the Xen section of BM is just chef's kiss
Factorio. I had actually become aware of how fun building games could be through Prison Architect a couple years prior. But Factorio took it to a whole other level. Extraordinary freedom and near limitless things to do -- it's distilled, weaponized, dangerously addictive fun for people who have engineering brains
FF VIII was a great story but the very exploitable leveling system kinda makes it kinda boring to play sometimes, Triple triad makes up for it, though!
The first (and best) BioShock. I have no idea how I got away with so many years of not knowing the story or nothing being spoiled, but man, playing that for the first time was an absolute trip, especially that part.
BioShock was such a wild experience above and beyond simply being a good game.
I went in absolutely blind, after seeing an ad and just liking the aesthetic and wanting to shoot stuff - not expecting any of the philosophical content or storytelling of that quality, and it was one of those games that I finished and then just like ... sat there ... for an hour to process the ride I'd been on.
I absolutely agree. It's not my favorite or my most played, but it is, imo, one of the best stories and atmosphere by far. I love games I can replay, but for BioShock, it isn't so much the replayability as it is that feeling I had the first time. That being said I've replayed it many times lol.
Edit: also a very old and very obscure PC game called AMBER: Journeys Beyond. Basically, you had to go check on your collegue and do some ghost hunting and puzzle solving to save her
Okami hands down. This is the only game that I've bought for multiple consoles. The art style and solid game play age beautifully and the game is still as much fun today as it was when it first came out.
Red Dead Redemption. When the music starts picking up as you enter Mexico for the first time it was beautiful and something I had never experienced in a video game before.
For sure. This is my answer. Even the first time I took my horse into the basin with Armadillo at night was magical. Haven't felt that in a game since.
Final Fantasy XIV. I wish I could forget the story to experience it all over, but it'd also be nice to not remember some of the old things I miss too. Ignorance is bliss and all.
I was so bored with games, and had been playing everything on the hardest setting trying to make games more fun. A friend of mine recommended Demon's Souls and it was instant joy!
I would say RDR2 or TLOU, both left such an impact on me after I beat them. Prob is now I remember the story so it doesn’t have that surprise or shock factor. I really wish I could use the MiB memory wipe stick sometimes.
Portal. I completed it in a single sitting. The audio bugged and I had no voiceover. I had no idea what I was missing out on. Not the same on the second play tbh.
I had never heard of it when a coworker introduced me to it 10+ years ago. I knew nothing going into it, and then I played it obsessively from beginning to end. It was nearly impossible to find even then.
Return of the Obra Dinn. Discovering the story and mystery for the first time, putting the pieces together, looking for clues and drawing conclusions, it was a fantastic experience that can never be repeated so long as you remember even fragments of it.
105 Comments
dipbeneaththelasers@kbin.social · 32 pts · 3y
Outer Wilds. A lot of games have a high level of replayability, but your first playthrough of Outer Wilds is something you never get back.
TeaHands@lemmy.world · 9 pts · 3y
Really didn't think they could keep that same sense of mystery and wonder with the DLC, but they absolutely smashed it. And yes, this was also my immediate thought in answer to the question.
HunnyBadger@kbin.social · 4 pts · 3y
My buddy gifted me this game so he could experience my first playthrough as well.
TeaHands@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 3y
All of us degenerate Outer Wilds enjoyers spreading it to our friends just for the merest shadow of the feeling we've lost and can never recapture...
bee@kbin.social · 4 pts · 3y
This is the answer, and for anyone who hasn't played Outer Wilds it's still their answer and they just don't know it yet.
Snowfall@kbin.social · 4 pts · 3y
That’s one of those that I really gotta finish. I just wish the mouse and keyboard controls were a little better.
flame@kbin.social · 1 pts · 3y
If anyone hasn’t played it and has a VR headset, please play it in VR. Absolutely phenomenal experience.
Brome@kbin.social · 16 pts · 3y
Portal.
I'll never forget the day I started playing this game. It was so cool and so different from anything else I had played that I couldn't stop playing, and finished the game in one session. Awesome night!
private_ruffles@kbin.social · 16 pts · 3y
Mass Effect 1.
The first encounter with the Reapers, with Sovereign, is such an incredible moment. These horrifying, unkillable deities that can't be reasoned with or stopped that just want to destroy was so intimidating on the first playthrough.
The reveal about the mass relays and how they guided tech advancement was incredible too.
You exist because we allow it. You will end because we demand it.
VitulusAureus@kbin.social · 5 pts · 3y
Same here. The story and presentation are so sublime. ME universe is was designed so comprehensively and coherently it left me awestruck on many times throughout the first playthrough.
And the sequel is just a cherry on top, drawing from the now-estabilished world, themes, interstellar politics, all to build one absolutely epic finale. No other game managed to engage me so much.
YellowGas@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 3y
Playing the beginning of ME3 was crazy to me. "IT'S ACTUALLY HAPPENING? I figured we would somehow stop the invasion at the last minute...because how are they going to put such large set pieces and warzones into the game?"
Hugo@kbin.social · 13 pts · 3y
Ultima Online maybe.
Yewb@kbin.social · 5 pts · 3y
Im with you uo was magical
Anissem@kbin.social · 3 pts · 3y
Oh god I loved that game. As an MMO, it had to learn so many hard lessons since it was so new and different
SunburyStudios@kbin.social · 2 pts · 3y
Man... That was such a trip. A friend of mine brought it over because my computer was much better and I had a 3rd party ISP lightning fast 56k connection. It was so crazy just to see the little world. I still log into the private servers every few years just to see some of the new tech fans are throwing on top of it.
CynAq@kbin.social · 9 pts · 3y
Half-Life, hands down.
Talaraine@kbin.social · 9 pts · 3y
The Mass Effect Trilogy, no hesitation
HydratedSquid@kbin.social · 4 pts · 3y
Best answer
Andi@kbin.social · 7 pts · 3y
Horizon Zero Down. My favorite game ever.
Emi621@kbin.social · 7 pts · 3y
Definitely fallout New Vegas, just amazing game.
resketreke@kbin.social · 6 pts · 3y
I'm going to say 3: Final Fantasy VII, Resident Evil and Subnautica.
iamtheone@kbin.social · 3 pts · 3y
FFVII and Resident Evil! Nice picks!
InterSynth@kbin.social · 6 pts · 3y
Probably Deus Ex.
eltimablo@kbin.social · 5 pts · 3y
Oblivion. As much shit as it gets, I think it's still the best Elder Scrolls game to date, with Morrowind as a close second.
Jojo-Mcfrost572@kbin.social · 2 pts · 3y
Agree. First elder scrolls. I prefer oblivion to Skyrim. It was Soo buggy but so good. I just preferred the vibe. It was more fun and less serious.
Pankakke@kbin.social · 5 pts · 3y
Halo 3 back in its heyday without question. The hours and hours spent grinding ranks in playlists and playing custom games is some of the best times I’ve ever had in gaming.
BigJilm@kbin.social · 5 pts · 3y
Easy, the game that started it all for me - Zork.
iAmTheTot@kbin.social · 5 pts · 3y
The Last of Us 1 & 2
Sabata11792@kbin.social · 5 pts · 3y
Factorio. I had so much fun figuring out all the stuff it throws at you and making a mess of spaghetti beacuse you couldn't predict what was next to sort things out.
Would have loved to play some of the early 360 games online including Halo back in there prime. I just didn't have good enough internet for it to be playable back then.
Oblivion. Probably sunk 1000 hours sucking every last drop of dopamine out of that game.
sheawoodrow@kbin.social · 5 pts · 3y
If I could also not have played Half Life, I'd like a do-over of Black Mesa. Don't get me wrong, HL is still brilliant, but the Xen section of BM is just chef's kiss
such_lettuce7970@kbin.social · 5 pts · 3y
Super Mario Bros. 3
Chagrins@kbin.social · 5 pts · 3y
Celeste, because dang are those platforming controls so good.
FrostBolt@kbin.social · 5 pts · 3y
Factorio. I had actually become aware of how fun building games could be through Prison Architect a couple years prior. But Factorio took it to a whole other level. Extraordinary freedom and near limitless things to do -- it's distilled, weaponized, dangerously addictive fun for people who have engineering brains
syphe@kbin.social · 5 pts · 3y
Bioshock, more importantly, that scene
AyeSiwmae@kbin.social · 5 pts · 3y
Subnautica, easiest answer for me!
blazix@kbin.social · 4 pts · 3y
#BreathOfTheWild & #TearsOfTheKingdom
For #ToTK, I should not have even looked at the gameplay footage. I want to erase everything from my mind and rediscover everything!
gts@kbin.social · 1 pts · 3y
This is why if I know I’m going to watch a film or play a game - eg anything Zelda or Star Wars - I’ll never watch the trailers/gameplay
space-toaster@kbin.social · 4 pts · 3y
Final Fantasy 8. Loved the game
roving6478@kbin.social · 1 pts · 3y
FF VIII was a great story but the very exploitable leveling system kinda makes it kinda boring to play sometimes, Triple triad makes up for it, though!
Bipta@kbin.social · 4 pts · 3y
Portal 2
joshuaacasey@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 3y
CharlesReed@kbin.social · 4 pts · 3y
The first (and best) BioShock. I have no idea how I got away with so many years of not knowing the story or nothing being spoiled, but man, playing that for the first time was an absolute trip, especially that part.
Anomander@kbin.social · 3 pts · 3y
BioShock was such a wild experience above and beyond simply being a good game.
I went in absolutely blind, after seeing an ad and just liking the aesthetic and wanting to shoot stuff - not expecting any of the philosophical content or storytelling of that quality, and it was one of those games that I finished and then just like ... sat there ... for an hour to process the ride I'd been on.
CharlesReed@kbin.social · 1 pts · 3y
I absolutely agree. It's not my favorite or my most played, but it is, imo, one of the best stories and atmosphere by far. I love games I can replay, but for BioShock, it isn't so much the replayability as it is that feeling I had the first time. That being said I've replayed it many times lol.
V6277@kbin.social · 2 pts · 3y
Would you kindly delete my memory of playing Bioshock for the first time?
UltimoGato@kbin.social · 4 pts · 3y
Knights of the Old Republic
corm@kbin.social · 4 pts · 3y
Dark Soul 1, especially finding new shortcuts and new hidden things
smokinjoe@kbin.social · 4 pts · 3y
Chrono Trigger.
I get to run through all 13 endings again? Experience all those plot twists and storylines? Yes. Please.
That first playthrough on New Game + was magical.
NightOwl@lemmy.one · 2 pts · 3y
It still blows my mind that a game that old had so many different endings and playthroughs that felt unique. And the soundtrack is legendary.
NotABearJustAHuman@kbin.social · 4 pts · 3y
Bioshock and Silent Hill 2
Edit: also a very old and very obscure PC game called AMBER: Journeys Beyond. Basically, you had to go check on your collegue and do some ghost hunting and puzzle solving to save her
neoNgEcho@kbin.social · 4 pts · 3y
Star Fox 64
a_mac_and_con@kbin.social · 4 pts · 3y
I just mentioned this the other day to someone, so the first one which comes to mind is Zero Escape: 9 Hours, 9 Persons, 9 Doors.
pgetsos@kbin.social · 3 pts · 3y
Other than RDR for its story, probably Minecraft with mods. So many thousands of hours with my friend...
HipHoboHarold@kbin.social · 3 pts · 3y
I'm stuck between three picks.
Morrowind, Tony Hawks Pro Skater, and Kingdom Hearts.
Ghost33313@kbin.social · 1 pts · 3y
Morrowind for sure. Not knowing all the tricks to break the game would refresh the immersion.
desqrypt@kbin.social · 3 pts · 3y
The Witcher 3. Still love it after multiple playthroughs, but miss the feeling of exploratory wonder when I didn't have the map memorized.
Aviandelight@kbin.social · 3 pts · 3y
Okami hands down. This is the only game that I've bought for multiple consoles. The art style and solid game play age beautifully and the game is still as much fun today as it was when it first came out.
ivanafterall@kbin.social · 3 pts · 3y
RDR2. Still the only game I ever took a day off for on launch day.
LeafWizard@kbin.social · 3 pts · 3y
Life is Strange.
Thomasnotused@kbin.social · 1 pts · 3y
Same, wonderful game that left me an emotional wreck at the end.
nethyneth@kbin.social · 3 pts · 3y
Metal Gear Solid!
LordR@kbin.social · 3 pts · 3y
There are many, but I think I would take Morrowind, it was magical as a kid.
HipHoboHarold@kbin.social · 1 pts · 3y
This was easily in my top picks. Like some things such as graphics have been improved over the years. But at the time I had played nothing like it.
LDRMS@kbin.social · 3 pts · 3y
trent@kbin.social · 3 pts · 3y
TLOU
Highsight@kbin.social · 3 pts · 3y
Final Fantasy IX. Played it about 4 times in my life now, but I'd love to experience it again for the first time.
thekerker@kbin.social · 3 pts · 3y
Red Dead Redemption. When the music starts picking up as you enter Mexico for the first time it was beautiful and something I had never experienced in a video game before.
pgetsos@kbin.social · 1 pts · 3y
Also the fucking ending. Only time I cried due to a videogame
rabbithats@kbin.social · 1 pts · 3y
For sure. This is my answer. Even the first time I took my horse into the basin with Armadillo at night was magical. Haven't felt that in a game since.
frantisek@kbin.social · 2 pts · 3y
Super Mario Bros.
jeanofthedead@kbin.social · 2 pts · 3y
Layers of Fear. Limbo. Inside.
emokidforever@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 3y
Final Fantasy XIV. I wish I could forget the story to experience it all over, but it'd also be nice to not remember some of the old things I miss too. Ignorance is bliss and all.
McBinary@kbin.social · 2 pts · 3y
Definitely Demon's Souls.
I was so bored with games, and had been playing everything on the hardest setting trying to make games more fun. A friend of mine recommended Demon's Souls and it was instant joy!
joshuaacasey@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 3y
Snowfall@kbin.social · 2 pts · 3y
I would say RDR2 or TLOU, both left such an impact on me after I beat them. Prob is now I remember the story so it doesn’t have that surprise or shock factor. I really wish I could use the MiB memory wipe stick sometimes.
trombone@kbin.social · 2 pts · 3y
Max Payne
hsinner@kbin.social · 2 pts · 3y
Half life and half life 2. The first time I ran through the storyline was like no other game I've played.
Edited my typo
isiloron@kbin.social · 2 pts · 3y
#TheWitness
#OuterWilds
#Tunic
All for the same reason: What you learn and discover as a player is part of the game. You can't start a new game from scratch unless you get amnesia.
Anissem@kbin.social · 2 pts · 3y
Original Doom, DOS prompt and all
Mr_Jabroni@kbin.social · 2 pts · 3y
Final Fantasy Tactics. I've been trying to recreate the feeling of beating Dorter for first time for YEARS.
vkeycaps@kbin.social · 2 pts · 3y
Nier Automata
danknodes@kbin.social · 2 pts · 3y
Super Metroid
kokoapadoa@kbin.social · 2 pts · 3y
OneShot
NocturnalNebula@kbin.social · 2 pts · 3y
Escape from Tarkov. The fear and the confusion was so overwhelming. I look back on it fondly :D
BlueZomby@kbin.social · 2 pts · 3y
Quest for Glory 1, VGA version
SomeAmateur@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 3y
The Last of Us. Even when the credits rolled the first time I knew it would never hit exactly the same again
Dick_Justice@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 3y
A Link to the Past
synchrohighway@kbin.social · 1 pts · 3y
Devil May Cry 3.
razorwiregoatlick@kbin.social · 1 pts · 3y
Ultima VII
It was the first RPG where I felt you could really interact with the world. The story was great too.
RecklessSpecs@kbin.social · 1 pts · 3y
Pokemon and Skyrim
can_of_giraffe@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 3y
Portal. I completed it in a single sitting. The audio bugged and I had no voiceover. I had no idea what I was missing out on. Not the same on the second play tbh.
Naminreb@kbin.social · 1 pts · 3y
FIFA 1998
miles@kbin.social · 1 pts · 3y
it'll always be ocarina of time because that game really kickstarted my intense love for gaming in general
grinningserpent@kbin.social · 1 pts · 3y
Hollow Knight, easily. Most any Metroidvania would qualify, but HK is really something special in those regards.
SuaveBet@kbin.social · 1 pts · 3y
Child of Light
Bishma@kbin.social · 1 pts · 3y
Rocket Jockey
I had never heard of it when a coworker introduced me to it 10+ years ago. I knew nothing going into it, and then I played it obsessively from beginning to end. It was nearly impossible to find even then.
kindenough@kbin.social · 1 pts · 3y
Fallout 3, I spend good hours and hours escaping from real life me.
Coelacanth@kbin.social · 1 pts · 3y
Return of the Obra Dinn. Discovering the story and mystery for the first time, putting the pieces together, looking for clues and drawing conclusions, it was a fantastic experience that can never be repeated so long as you remember even fragments of it.
petejones@kbin.social · 1 pts · 3y
Shadow of the Colossus.
WalrusDragonOnABike@kbin.social · 1 pts · 3y
Either Paper Mario 2 or Terraria.
Veraxus@kbin.social · 1 pts · 3y
sp6@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 3y
Half-Life: Alyx and/or Portal 2
nafri@kbin.social · 1 pts · 3y
crono cross, period.
corm@kbin.social · 2 pts · 3y
The start seems to drag on and on and on. I've never managed to make it far out of the beginning area.
I love crono trigger though
Duchess@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 3y
Silent Hill 2, minus any spoilers from the internet. That game is a masterpiece