There have been thousands of video games, but we all have those games we wish we could erase from our memories just to experience them for the first time all over again. Most avid video gamers will have these games, and understandably, they will be different from person to person.
The 5 games I am about to choose of my own experience, please let me know what 5 games you wish you could play again for the first time by leaving a comment down below.
Mine here are in order as well, from 5th to 1st.
5. Bully
Prime 2006. I was in High School when this game came out, and despite the fact that it’s an 18-rated game, it felt like everywhere I turned, people were playing this, including myself. Bully, even today, nearly 20 years on, is still actually a playable game. I’ve called for a sequel or a remaster for years because the scope of what they could do with today’s technology is unimaginable.
Bully had you having to stick to a timetable (taking classes and sticking to a curfew), but feeling more powerful as you progressed. You got new ways to traverse the map using a go-kart, BMX, skateboard, and more. It felt good as you got through the game. The story was amazing as well.
I don’t think this is a game I wish I could play for the first time today, but I’d love to be 13 years old again and play this for the first time. The game was revolutionary for its time, something Rockstar still do today with their games such as Red Dead Redemption and Grand Theft Auto. Bully deserves a mention when it comes to talking about the best games of all time.
4. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
I’m a huge Star Wars fan and I have been since I was a kid. I’ve longed for a Star Wars purely centred around a Jedi. We did have The Force Unleashed games, and whilst great, they felt more hack and slash rather than skill. Survivor is the sequel to Fallen Order, which was also a fantastic game itself, but Survivor brought more to the table.
The customization, the ability to edit the sabers’ colors and parts, was amazing. It felt like you were truly part of the story. I adored the story, the twists, the turns, and everything it offered. I’ve played through Survivor 4 times from start to finish, and I’ve enjoyed each playthrough. I cannot wait for the sixth game.
Star Wars has some hits and misses when it comes to video games, but I think Survivor hit the mark perfectly. The saber combat feels fluid, the skills feel great, the stances were a perfect addition, and it offered so much to a fan of Star Wars.
3. Fallout 4
Perhaps the most controversial one on the list, but for me, I absolutely adored Fallout 4. It’s my favorite in the franchise, understandably an unpopular opinion, but I honestly don’t care. Fallout 3 and New Vegas are, of course, contenders, but Fallout 4, with the DLC, the game felt complete. The Power Armor felt unique and powerful, plus being able to customize the armor was brilliant.
The story was obviously flawed, but it never bothered me. The game was filled with so much to do and even more so with the added base-building mechanics. I spent probably days on this, even more so when the vault DLC released. I remember watching YouTube videos on people building them with mods, and I even remember building outside vaults as well. I loved it.
I’d do anything to go back to 2015 and play this for the first time again. I actually remember booking an entire week off work just to play this, I don’t think I left the house in that time either. A great time, and it hurts knowing that Fallout 6 is probably years away still.
2. Clair Obsur: Expedition 33
This is the most recently released game on the list, but it really has left a mark. I’ve been a fan of turn-based games since I was a kid, and I feel like this idea has been phased out within the last several years. Expedition 33 brought this back with a twist, which brought an element of timing and skill. The combat had the best turn-based mechanics I’ve seen from a video game.
The story may have been one of the most engaging stories I’ve played in recent years as well. Just when I thought I had a handle on what was going on, the game had this idea to completely go against that and throw me off guard. I loved that. There’s never been a game with so many twists and turns that I couldn’t truly predict what would happen next.
Everything about the game for me is perfect. It’s a 10/10 game by a country mile. The characters, the story, the combat, the skills, the soundtracks, everything. I played through this game back to back thanks to New Game+, and I’d love to do it all over again if I could.
1. Red Dead Redemption 2
I’ve played Red Dead Redemption 2 through 3 times. The first time I ever played it was back on day 1, and being honest, I didn’t enjoy it that much. People told me I was stupid, but I pushed those comments off. Towards the end of 2024, I decided to play through the latest Rockstar titles again, which included GTA 5 as well. After I finished GTA 5, I thought it was time to give this game that’s so highly praised by everybody another shot. I wasn’t expecting what would come after.
Never in my life have I played a video game, gotten to the epilogue, and thought, “I want to start again”. I got so invested, I didn’t want to say goodbye to Arthur. I didn’t even finish playing John’s story, so I started the whole game again. I started the game on Boxing Day 2024 and didn’t stop playing it until mid-February. I was also playing it daily.
It’s not understated to say it’s one of the best games, if not the best game ever made in history. Arthur Morgan remains my all-time favorite video game character of all time, and the game has left a huge mark on my heart. 5 months later, I’m getting the urge to play it all over again. I can’t believe 2018 me didn’t really like it; people were right, I was stupid. What a game RDR2 truly is.
Some honourable mentions include The Simpsons Hit and Run, GTA (Vice City, San Andreas, 4, and 5), Fallout 3 and New Vegas, and Skyrim. There are quite a few games that left a mark, but the 5 I listed for me personally hit the mark the most.
