We're kicking off the top 10 with a goddamn blindside! The game that helped me accept the inevitability of death and loss, the game that broke me harder than almost any other game on this list, save for one. The game which I played the most this year, according to my Playstation Wrap-Up,. This incredibly important game to me, is only #10.
I had never actually PLAYED Persona 3 or any version of it before this year, despite knowing how it ends. When Persona 3 Portable dropped on all modern consoles (along with 4 Golden, but that won't be here bc I grew up with that one) I just had to pick it up and give it a go. And I gotta say, having context now for the ending makes the game hit SO much harder.
My one real complaint is that it takes a bit for things to really feel like they're moving, but that's not too much of a negative because spending time just vibing with the members of SEES is great. Honestly, they're one of the most likeable casts in the series! I love that the game is just one huge dungeon instead of a bunch of different ones, it actually adds more mystery to it imo. I LOVE the feature that lets you just send party members off to explore on their own, it's so goddamn useful for basically everything from grinding to item collecting to progression. And omg FeMC is wonderful.
But none of that is why you come to this game. This is a game all about the inevitability of death. This is a game that will put you through the wringer emotionally, it's hard to get through the entire story with dry eyes. The way the concept of death is handled is done super maturely, to the point where you can take the lessons this game imparts upon the cast and apply them to your own life. It's extremely comforting, hell one of the most touching quotes is even my banner on my own PS5. This game means a lot to me, always has and always will.
And it's only the 10th best game I played this year. FUCK.
(god it's hard to find a gif that doesn't involve the Evoker, which I don't really want to post one of on here because lol not risking that)
