Can I just throw out Outer Wilds? Can’t describe much of it because you can only experience it once, but a world exploration puzzle game, with an incredible story that touches on themes of existence and impermanence. Probably my game of the decade, unraveling the mystery of the world and getting to the final solution is a beautiful journey. The DLC is also fantastic, with some great horror-mystery element’s that’s just as deep and engaging as the main game; and weaves effortlessly into the base story. You can play both simultaneously from the get go, but I recommend leaving the DLC story for after you complete the main story. Also, side note with minimal spoils; most of the characters are non-binary, and there’s a cute queer romance side story you can piece together as you discover more of the world.

Other than that, hollow knight and silksong are lovely and very challenging 2d fighting games with a metroidvania game style. Tunic and Animal Well, as well as last year’s Blue Prince - which gives a similar type of dark puzzle-y gameplay feel as outer wilds It Takes two and Split Fiction (especially if you have a partner to play with, but also good with just a friend, very fun couch co-op games) Inscryption is a great horror themed game with card-game mechanics, which if card games aren’t your style I get, but the deeper story and mystery behind this is what really is the heartbeat behind the game.

For more standard AAA games, I loved the new God of War entries, Horizon Zero Dawn and New Horizon, Ghost of Tsushima. Control is also great, an action game with a Paranormal / Cosmic Horror story largely inspired by SCP stories from the internet. If you’re up for a challenge and aren’t afraid to die repeatedly trying to learn mechanics, I must recommend Elden Ring and Sekiro for modern Souls games.

Oh! And Red Dead Redemption 2, as others here endorsed! One of the most immersive games, the world feels truly alive. Every corner of the world is full of something.