In The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Geralt of Rivia is a monster hunter tasked with finding his adopted daughter, Ciri. Ciri is of Elder Blood, a rare lineage that grants her extraordinary powers, making her a target for various factions. The game, developed by CD Projekt Red, is widely regarded as one of the best RPGs of all time due to its rich story, complex characters, and immersive world.
League of Legends, developed by Riot Games, is a popular multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game where players control champions with unique abilities in team-based combat. Since its release in 2009, it has become one of the largest and most competitive esports in the world. The game is known for its deep strategic gameplay, constantly updated content, and thriving competitive scene.
Fortnite, developed by Epic Games and released in 2017, quickly became one of the most popular games in the world, largely due to its battle royale mode. In the game, players compete to be the last person or team standing on an island. What sets Fortnite apart is its building mechanics, allowing players to construct defensive structures while engaging in combat.
Halo is a military science fiction franchise created by Bungie and now managed by 343 Industries. The series is centered around an interstellar war between humanity and an alliance of aliens known as the Covenant. The main protagonist, Master Chief, is a super-soldier known as a Spartan, who is tasked with defending humanity against overwhelming odds. The series began in 2001 with Halo: Combat Evolved on the original Xbox.
Call of Duty, developed by Infinity Ward and published by Activision, is one of the best-selling first-person shooter franchises in the world. It began as a World War II shooter but has since evolved into modern warfare, futuristic settings, and battle royale modes. One of the most popular modes in the Call of Duty series is the Zombies mode, which first appeared in Call of Duty: World at War.
Super Mario Bros., released in 1985 by Nintendo, is widely regarded as one of the most important video games in history. The game stars Mario, a plumber who must rescue Princess Peach from the evil Bowser. The game introduced players to side-scrolling platforming and became a cultural phenomenon. It also helped establish the NES as a leading console in the video game industry.
The original PlayStation was a revolutionary console released by Sony in December 1994 in Japan and September 1995 in North America. It marked Sony’s entry into the video game console market and quickly gained popularity due to its impressive 3D graphics, large game library, and CD-ROM technology. The PlayStation introduced many beloved franchises, including Final Fantasy, Resident Evil, and Metal Gear Solid.
The Elder Scrolls series, developed by Bethesda, is one of the most popular RPG franchises in gaming. The games are set in the continent of Tamriel, a richly detailed world filled with different provinces, races, and cultures. Tamriel has been the setting for multiple games in the series, including Morrowind, Oblivion, and Skyrim, each exploring different regions and their unique histories.
Gran Turismo, developed by Polyphony Digital and first released in 1997, is one of the most successful racing game franchises of all time. Known for its realistic graphics, physics, and extensive car roster, Gran Turismo has been praised for bringing a more authentic driving experience to video games. The series has been a flagship for PlayStation consoles, showcasing the technical capabilities of the hardware.
Lara Croft, the star of the Tomb Raider franchise, is an archaeologist and adventurer known for her acrobatic skills and fearless nature. She made her debut in 1996 and quickly became a gaming icon, known for exploring ancient ruins and retrieving powerful artifacts. Her adventures often involve traversing dangerous environments, solving intricate puzzles, and battling enemies from wild animals to supernatural beings. The games are known for their cinematic presentation and action-packed gameplay.
Fallout 3, developed by Bethesda and released in 2008, takes place in a post-apocalyptic world devastated by nuclear war. Players take on the role of the Lone Wanderer, a survivor from Vault 101, as they explore the wasteland of Washington D.C. The game is known for its dark humor, moral choices, and immersive open world, where players must scavenge for resources, fight enemies, and navigate complex political factions.
Grand Theft Auto III, released in 2001 by Rockstar Games, is often credited with revolutionizing the open-world genre. Set in the fictional Liberty City, the game gave players unprecedented freedom to explore, complete missions, and interact with a living, breathing world. The success of GTA III helped define what open-world games could be, influencing countless titles that followed.
Minecraft, developed by Mojang and released in 2011, is one of the best-selling video games of all time. The game allows players to build and explore in a blocky, procedurally-generated 3D world. One of the key features of the game is the ability to enter different dimensions, such as The Nether and The End. The End is a mysterious, dark dimension where players face off against the Ender Dragon, the game’s final boss.
Mass Effect, developed by BioWare, is a sci-fi RPG series that takes place in a vast galaxy filled with different alien species and political intrigue. The game’s main setting includes several key locations, but the Citadel plays a central role as a massive space station and political hub. It is here that players encounter various factions, make decisions that influence the story, and shape their character’s moral compass.
Sonic the Hedgehog, created by Sega in 1991, quickly became the mascot for the company and a rival to Nintendo's Mario. Sonic is a blue hedgehog known for his super speed, which allows him to race through levels filled with enemies and obstacles. The original Sonic games were praised for their colorful graphics, fast-paced gameplay, and catchy music.
Hideo Kojima, a Japanese video game designer, is best known for creating the Metal Gear series, which pioneered the stealth-action genre. Kojima is renowned for his cinematic approach to game design, blending complex narratives with innovative gameplay mechanics. His work has influenced many aspects of the gaming industry, from storytelling to game structure.
Pac-Man, developed by Namco and released in 1980, is one of the most recognizable and enduring arcade games in history. Players control Pac-Man, a yellow circle-like character, as he navigates a maze filled with dots, while being chased by four colorful ghosts. The goal is to eat all the dots in the maze while avoiding the ghosts. Eating large flashing dots called power pellets allows Pac-Man to temporarily turn the tables and eat the ghosts.
Fortnite, developed by Epic Games and released in 2017, quickly became a global phenomenon thanks to its innovative blend of battle royale gameplay and unique building mechanics. Players drop onto an island where they must scavenge for resources, build defensive structures, and fight to be the last one standing. The game’s success is partly attributed to its free-to-play model and regular updates, keeping the game fresh and engaging.
Pokémon Red and Blue were the first games in the long-running Pokémon series, developed by Game Freak and released by Nintendo in 1996. These games introduced players to the world of Pokémon, where they could catch, train, and battle creatures called Pokémon. The games became a massive success, leading to an entire media franchise that includes TV shows, movies, merchandise, and competitive tournaments.
Link, the protagonist of The Legend of Zelda series, is one of Nintendo's most iconic characters. He is often depicted as a courageous young man in green who embarks on various quests to defeat evil forces, particularly Ganon, and rescue Princess Zelda. First appearing in 1986, Link has been in numerous games across multiple Nintendo consoles. The series is known for its open-world exploration, puzzle-solving, and engaging storylines. Fans love the expansive worlds, the mystical creatures, and the sense of adventure.