So many games people consider all-time greats are either sequels or spawned a long-running franchise. This is different from movies where many of the most critically acclaimed and long-lasting works are one-offs that stand alone as a complete statement. So where are the games like this?
They are rare, but a few games exist that have cemented their place in history as legendary classics without being a part of a franchise. The games below all have a metascore rating over 90 and never continued their stories. The developers went on to make more games in most cases, but the game stands alone and players can appreciate them without additional context.
10 Journey (92)
Before almost every developer was trying to make their own multiplayer modes unique, Journey found a way to make cooperative play more special by cutting off the ability for players to clearly communicate.
While trekking across the game, players will run into strangers being controlled by another player anywhere around the world. They help each other, struggle, and overcome the game's obstacles without exchanging a word. Not being able to talk actually makes the interaction more special.
9 Okami (93)
Hideki Kamiya is known for directing intense stylish action games like Bayonetta and Devil May Cry. However, he has more variety in his catalog as well, like the traditional adventure game Okami.
It has a lot that people will find familiar with action/adventure games but with the added feature of the paintbrush to solve puzzles. This is accompanied by a gorgeous and timeless watercolor art style. The title is notable for not selling well despite the overwhelming critical praise.
8 Shadow Of The Colossus (91)
One could call Shadow of the Colossus an open-world game, but it would not accurately describe its atmosphere. In fact, the vast emptiness of the play area plays into the game's themes. The world is essentially lifeless except for some birds, lizards, and the giants players are tasked with killing.
The moral ambiguity of the objective builds and builds with each slain colossus until the dramatic conclusion. There's no need for this game to have a sequel when its concept says all it needs to say over the course of one title. Besides, the PS4 received a visually stunning remake.
7 Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem (92)
Developer Silicon Knights no longer exists, but their legacy persists with this psychological thriller for the Nintendo GameCube. It does not rely on jump scares or grotesque violence and instead uses the medium to freak players out.
It is normal to walk around the play area and find the player's head popping right off. Additionally, the game will act like the memory card was corrupted and deleted every file, something that proves it understands what gamers fear the most.
6 Braid (93)
Braid builds its puzzles around time. This is a cool enough concept on its own, but the narrative tells an interesting tale that makes the player question the heroes' intentions.
Some of the puzzles are extremely obtuse but are all cleverly designed. Released in 2008, Braid also marked a revolution in independent gaming. It proved a smaller studio could make something and receive as much mainstream attention as a triple-A title.
5 Vagrant Story (92)
While Vagrant Story is a standalone title, it still takes place in an established universe. Ivalice is the same setting as Final Fantasy Tactics and Final Fantasy XII. However, it is difficult to see any connections between the two. They are not spin-offs and merely take place in the same setting.
The gameplay is also completely different. Vagrant Story is a dungeon crawler with impressive 3D graphics. Combat is also extremely unique and involves rhythmic inputs as opposed to a simple turn-based system.
4 Grim Fandango (94)
Older adventure games might be a little difficult for newer gamers to get into, but this doesn't stop Grim Fandango from being one of the most celebrated games of the 1990s.
It is also one of the last big adventure games of its era. Due to low sales, the genre slowly faded away at the start of the next millennium. Fortunately, players can still play Grim Fandango thanks to its remaster on modern platforms.
3 Celeste (92)
Celeste comes from the same developer as Towerfall: Ascension. Instead of a fun party game about shooting other players with arrows, players in Celeste must navigate to the top of a mountain in a traditional platforming fashion.
Players are aided by the ability to dash in mid-air, but other than that the gameplay should be familiar to most. This simplicity is paired with a dramatically impactful narrative that sticks with gamers long after they finish the story
2 Ico (90)
In addition to being a visual spectacle early in the PlayStation 2's life, Ico was also a revelation in terms of gameplay. Players escort a princess through the game's environments and solve light puzzles along the way.
They cannot communicate with each other and the Princess' dialogue is not subtitled until a second playthrough. However, this is not important and does nothing to hinder the connection players feel to Yorda. Just like Agro in Shadow of the Colossus, the bond grows through gameplay instead of cinematics and verbal communication.
1 Bloodborne (92)
Even when it comes to the extremely high standard set by developer FromSoftware, Bloodborne manages to shine and excel. The subtle changes to gameplay from the Dark Souls games force a more aggressive approach to gameplay with a focus on confrontational combat and parrying.
The beautiful art style also sets it apart from the developer's other games. Fans are still happy to receive games like Elden Ring and Sekiro, but they would love nothing more than a proper sequel.