14 Single Player Games That Were Way Ahead of Their Time
Video games as a medium are renowned for pushing boundaries. We’re not just talking graphical prowess here, but in narrative …
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March 15, 2025
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Video games as a medium are renowned for pushing boundaries. We’re not just talking graphical prowess here, but in narrative …
source
I will always remember being super young and seeing the case for red faction at the local game store and on the back it said Can't find a way? Create one. My mind was blown
I love Shenmue and was wondering if it would be on here👍
And where is Diablo?
how is bioshock not on here L list
I feel like you're missing the bulk of what put MGS ahead of its time (and what should put it in the #1 spot): the Cinematic story telling. In an era where I know most of my friends were happy if they never saw a second of a cut scene, this game made the narrative an essential part of the gameplay. Skip a cutscene here and you might be left wondering "How did I get here, what do I do?!"
Psi ops Mindgate Conspiracy was super ahead of its time on ps2.
What I’d give for a prototype remake
What a great list!
The System Shock Remake is a great way to experience the impact the original title had, keeping in mind that every game that you think of while playing this… System Shock did it first. The remake is a lot more "user friendly" then the 1994 original was 🙂
And thanks for including Rage, I really loved this game! Never understood the hate the game got, solid and fun FPS… what you would expect from ID!
Best gaming 👍👍
If anyone is interested in System Shock, the System Shock Remake is coming to consoles finally on May 21. And for anyone interested in Outcast, the same dev team that made the original finally made their labor of love sequel after decades of trying, which released about a month ago with Outcast: A New Beginning that is basically a rehash/reimagining of the first game mashed with a sequel. Legendary IP though and I’m glad they finally got it made.
shadow of the colossus is genius and still nothing like it
Mercenaries 2 anyone? It must look dreadful nowadays, it was kinda rough at the time too but for what it did on the ps2 with all the mechanics that the game offered, i thought it was well ahead of it's time.
Way ahead of their time? No. Other games were just behind the times.
Far Cry 2 was great except for the weapons exploding at critical points.
Thank god it's not a Fallout vid.
With all due respect you not having Ocarina Of Time discredits this whole list. Without that game no game on here would be the same.
Red dead 2 and Silent hill 2 🤩🙌🥳
Shenmue was the best thing ever when it came out
Nothing tops Rockstar.
Is System Shock on Xbox consoles? I've always wanted to play it.
Nothing is ahead of its time
No Death Stranding?? 😠 Boo! Boo this man! lol
Seriously though… its one of the most unique games that I've ever played. While not a perfect game, it brought something to the table that I hadn't experienced before. I have played many games that had the same elements found in Death Stranding… but I'd never played a game that had them ALL wrapped up in one game. Its horror, drama, open world, war & combat, and so much more. And all with a cinematic aesthetic. Truly a memorable experience.
This is a bit off topic, but (minus the heavy crime element) I wonder what Starfield would have looked like were it developed by Rockstar instead of Bethesda? Related to Max Payne, that's a game I really wish Remedy would give a remake to. I like Control and Alan Wake, in that order…but come on.
Bring back Red Faction. With the tech nowadays it would be amazing
Mirrors Edge is still one of my all time favorites. The fluidity of gameplay and the music my god the music was a masterpiece
Assassin's creed was the first game to implement advanced parkour system in an open world setting and that's just one example out of many for that game. It should have been on this list.
GamingBolt, You're the best! I subscribed because I love your content!
GamingBolt, I love your channel so much, I just had to subscribe!