Elden Ring

FromSoftware, working with fantasy author George R. R. Martin, who designed the world's mythology and backstory, abandoned the linear, interconnected level design of its earlier Souls games in favor of the sprawling open world of the Lands Between, shattered after the breaking of the titular Elden Ring and the murder of the Golden Order. Playing as the Tarnished, one of many who have lost their grace, the player journeys through a land full of catacombs, castles, and legendary demigods, and thanks to the horse Torrent and a far more open progression structure, can choose the order in which to face challenges, unlike the studio's stricter earlier titles. The combat system expands the tried-and-true formula with spells, Ashes of War that let players customize weapon abilities, and spirit summons for tougher boss encounters. The scope, artistic direction, and thoughtful balance of freedom against difficulty earned the game near-unanimous praise from critics and players alike, along with a record haul of Game of the Year awards. Commercially, it became one of FromSoftware's fastest-selling titles, brought the soulslike genre to a much wider audience, and the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion only confirmed the game's exceptional standing. The freedom offered by legendary weapons such as the Rivers of Blood sword, explosive incantations, and a highly variable build system allowed for wildly different playstyles, from purely knightly combat to ranged magic attacks, letting the game win over even players who had previously avoided the Souls titles because of their difficulty. The extensive collaboration with George R. R. Martin also gave the world of the Lands Between an unusually rich background full of tragic demigod bloodlines that players gradually uncover through fragmentary item descriptions.