30 Games to Play Before You Die (A Gamer’s Bucket List)

20. Borderlands 2

Platform(s): PC, Xbox 360, Playstation 3

Why it makes the list: I’m probably going to get a lot of flack for this one, but I think Borderlands 2 is far superior to Borderlands. While Borderlands is still a good game, everything introduced in that game gets is so much better and more refined in Borderlands 2. Couple the improvements with a boatload of DLC content and you have one of my favorite games of all time. Play Borderlands 2 and enjoy the crack like addiction you will develop towards getting Legendary drops.

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19. Grand Theft Auto V

Platform(s): PC, Xbox 360, Playstation 3

Why it makes the list: Unlike Borderlands 2, I put GTAV on the list due strictly to the fact that I’ve only played two games in the Grand Theft Auto series. Being mainly a Xbox/Nintendo family growing up, I never had the chance of playing San Andreas, which seems to be the unanimous choice for best GTA ever. With that being said, GTA V is still an incredible title and really highlights what Rockstar does so well: building giant sandbox worlds where you can do whatever you want. Before you die, you should spend some time picking up hookers and killing random pedestrians.

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18. Red Dead RedemptionPlatform(s): PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

Why it makes the list: Yet another example of Rockstar making an engrossing open world where one can literally do whatever they want. If you’ve ever wanted to be a cowboy who roams the Wild West, Red Dead Redemption is the game for you. If that doesn’t sell you, think GTA in the Wild West.

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17. Bully

Platform(s): PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

Why it makes the list: I promise this will be the last Rockstar game on the list. Bully makes the cut, because it takes all the trappings of the more mature GTA series and places them inside a private school. Like other Rockstar games, there is a ton of content to playthrough including: going to class, sneaking into the girl’s dorms, going on a date at the fair, unlocking a go cart, and on and on. Resident film expert FilmApe, considers Bully to be the best Rockstar game ever, so that has to count for something.

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16. Fallout 3

Platform(s): PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC

Why it makes the list: Before Bethesda became obsessed with running Skyrim into the ground, they actually made decent and interesting titles on a semi-regular basis. Fallout 3 was one such title. While I can’t speak for Fallout 1 + 2 (haven’t played them). I can confidently say that Fallout 3 is the best Fallout game we have received. New Vegas was okay, while 4 was pretty uninspired. Do yourself a favor and play Fallout 3.

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15. The Witcher 3

Platform(s): PC, Playstation 4, Xbox One

Why it makes the list: My experience with The Witcher series has been pretty mixed. I find both 1 + 2 to have such atrociously bad combat that I’ve never completed them. With that being said, CD Projekt Red absolutely crushed The Witcher 3. Every aspect of the game is leaps and bounds ahead of previous entries in the series. Seriously. The world, the combat, the characters, the story; everything in The Witcher 3 has been meticulously crafted to deliver one of the greatest games ever made. Couple a great base game with even better DLC experiences and you have a game that must be played before you die.

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14. Terraria 

Platform(s): Playstation 3, Xbox 360, PC

Why it makes the list: Terraria took Minecraft gameplay and 2dified it and I absolutely love it. If you like building things, mining things, fighting things, discovering things, collecting things, dying to things, and other things, then take a look at Terraria. For an indie game, there is such a huge amount of content inside Terraria that you will probably die before uncovering everything, but you should try it anyways.

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13. The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind

Platform(s): Xbox, PC

Why it makes the list: You can’t go wrong choosing a game from The Elder Scrolls franchise, but one title in particular is a must play. Morrowind highlights all the aspects of The Elder Scrolls series that makes it great: huge, interesting world to explore, interesting NPCs to interact with, tons of sidequests to complete, secrets to uncover, and Glass Armor. The other reason to play Morrowind is to experience the terrible combat system that is in the game. It is so bad.

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12. The Last of Us

Platform(s): Playstation 3

Why it makes the list: It’s not often that a video game story is as good as The Last of Us. What Naughty Dog does so well is create real, flushed out characters who actually build meaningful relationships as the game progresses. While I personally didn’t find the gameplay of The Last of Us all that interesting or unique, you should still play this game for the story alone.

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11. Pokemon Go

Platform: Smartphones

Why it makes the list: Pokemon Go is pretty much dead now, but was once the hotness. Before you rip apart the inclusion of Pokemon Go on this list, let me at least support the placement. I think you should play Pokemon Go before you die, because the experience alone is worth trying. Playing Pokemon Go gives you the chance of experiencing AR in its early form. If you die tomorrow, at least you will have experienced one of the earliest uses of AR in gaming.