21. Bioshock (2007)
I won’t get into the game’s politics, but the fact that Bioshock engenders this kind of analysis and discussion points to its greatness. The narrative is thoughtful and compelling, making up for some of the problems with actual gameplay. It was one of the first mainstream video games that had critics daring to throw the word “art” around in their reviews.
The story is incredible, yes, but the real star of Bioshock is the atmosphere. Rapture is one of the great video game settings. Take away everything else and I’d still enjoy a walking simulator set in the city beneath the sea.
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