Background information
An epic quest: finding the best «The Lord of the Rings» game
by Rainer Etzweiler
Our Community says these games are «perfect»
25.7.2025
Translation: Katherine Martin
When we published our roundup of «perfect» games, the Community responded with a heck of a lot more. Here are the games you mentioned most.
You folks are legends! When the editorial team published its list of «perfect» games – games we wouldn’t change for the world – the response was overwhelming. In over 240 comments, you, the Community, shared 401(!) beloved games you consider «perfect».
It’d be a shame to just leave such a huge list of gaming gems to languish in the comment section. That’s why I’ve scoured the comments and summarised the top ten games most often described as perfect.
Astonishingly, loads of games were only mentioned a few times or even once. So, as you’d expect, there’s a seriously wide range of titles. You’ll also notice that the most frequently mentioned games tend to include older classics. With this in mind, our Community must be home to plenty of long-time gaming veterans.
10) Halo: Combat Evolved (2001)
What would the Xbox be without Master Chief? The launch title for Microsoft’s first home console was lauded by critics and shooter fans alike from day one. Halo: Combat Evolved laid the foundation for one of the most legendary game series of all time, with incredible graphics, perfect shooter gameplay and innovative gameplay elements such as vehicles.
Along with an outstanding single-player campaign, Bungie’s sci-fi epic invited players to take part in epic split-screen multiplayer battles. These shaped an entire generation of FPS fanatics. In a nutshell, Halo: Combat Evolved is an iconic classic that every shooter fan should play at least once.
- Comments: 6
- Likes: 20
9) Starcraft 2 (2010)
Blizzard’s Starcraft 2 is one of the ultimate e-sports titles. For the last 15 years, the real-time strategy game and expansion trilogy have been delighting a huge fanbase from around the world.
Aside from multiplayer and e-sports, the game impresses with an exciting single-player campaign and excellent storytelling. The elaborately produced cutscenes are still a treat to watch today. It’s the whole package.
- Comments: 6
- Likes: 70
8) Half-Life (1998)
Valve’s lofty ambitions ended up producing one of the most influential shooters of all time. Half-Life 2 (2004) was followed a few years later by an equally revolutionary successor and Half-Life Alyx (2020), one of the best VR games ever. Will the mystical and heavily rumoured Half-Life 3 ever see the light of day?
- Comments: 6
- Likes: 80
7) The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017)
For many Zelda fans, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was a real breakthrough. Nintendo had finally plucked up the courage to ditch its tired tried-and-tested, linear Zelda format and create something completely new instead: an open-world Zelda adventure that allowed players to «just do» instead of setting limits.
- Comments: 7
- Likes: 57
6) Command & Conquer: Red Alert (1996)
This one’s a genuine real-time strategy classic. The second instalment in the Command & Conquer series is set in an alternative timeline, where Allied units are fighting against the Soviet Union for supremacy in Europe. In addition to its exciting «historical» setting, the game is mostly celebrated for its challenging gameplay and successful multiplayer element.
Too bad publisher EA is only allowing the legendary franchise to live on in the form of mobile games and remasters.
- Comments: 7
- Likes: 85
5) The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time of Time (1998)
This is the second Zelda title to make the list. Understandably, Ocarina of Time is ranked higher than Breath of the Wild. After all, Link’s N64 adventure was its first foray into a 3D world after numerous 2D games. Many gamers will forever remember the moment they entered the steppe of Hyrule in 3D for the first time and saw the huge game world (by the standards of the era).
It’s astounding how well Nintendo translated the Zelda formula into 3D on its very first attempt, revolutionising the gaming world in the process. The controls, camera movement (Z-Targeting!) and level design served as a blueprint for many a 3D title released during the N64 and PS1 era.
- Comments: 7
- Likes: 137
4) The Secret of Monkey Island (1990)
This is probably one of the best and most famous representatives of the adventure game boom that took place in the 80s and early 90s. Playing as wannabe pirate Guybrush Threepwood, you investigate the pirate stronghold of Mêlée Island and the eponymous Monkey Island in order to defeat ghost pirate LeChuck. The gameplay is based on the classic point’n’click principle, including some obscure puzzles.
Why has Monkey Island won the hearts of so many gamers? Well, probably as a result of its incomparable humour. The game never takes itself too seriously, and the dialogue is bursting with puns. Besides, what other game requires you to have the best insult to win a sword fight? Fabulous.
- Comments: 8
- Likes: 80
3) Command & Conquer: Generals (2003)
Side note: like its predecessors, Generals had to contend with censorship when it launched in Germany. In that version of the game, it’s cyborgs shooting each other on the battlefield instead of real people.
- Comments: 8
- Likes: 203
2) The Witcher 3 (2015)
With the third Witcher game, Polish developer CD Projekt Red catapulted itself into the league of legendary developer studios such as Rockstar Games and Bethesda. Playing as witcher Geralt of Riva, you search for your adopted daughter Ciri in vast open-world landscapes.
Both the specialist press and the public were hyped about the epic adventure. The exciting main and side missions (free of boring fetch quests), storytelling and incredibly detailed world that tempts you to explore left a lasting impression. A milestone in western RPG history.
- Comments: 10
- Likes: 94
1) Age of Empires 2 (1999)
This game is nothing short of a phenomenon. Twenty-six years have gone by since its release in 1999, but the strategy game is still exceptionally popular. So it’s no surprise that a title with such longevity was most frequently named «perfect» by our Community.
Even in the global e-sports scene, the medieval game is here to stay. In fact, there are more tournaments and spectators for the classic game than for the latest instalment, Age of Empires IV.
My colleague Phil recently found out why this is the case during an interview with professional player Ørjan «TheViper» Larsen. According to Larsen, the legendary second instalment offers pros the best balance of any game. Meanwhile, casual strategists are won over by its wealth of excellent single-player content.
- Comments: 12
- Likes: 115
Fancy digging further into the games mentioned in the comments? Don’t worry. You’ll find each one – including the number of mentions and likes – in the table below. You can sort the list alphabetically, by comments or by likes. Use the search function to find out whether your «perfect» game got a mention.
I’m almost afraid to ask this, but which titles are still missing? And which games do you think didn’t get enough mentions?
Header image: CD Projekt Red
Domagoj Belancic
Senior Editor
Domagoj.Belancic@digitecgalaxus.chMy love of video games was unleashed at the tender age of five by the original Gameboy. Over the years, it's grown in leaps and bounds.
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