The number and variety of video games available online on different platforms grows every year. However, several products have become so iconic that they are hard to beat now. If you are returning to these several games again and again, well, no wonder. They outperform so obviously that loving them unconditionally is only healthy.
So, in this post, we highlight six of the most iconic online video games, and while this information may be nothing new to experienced gamers, we will never get tired of praising games that are really killing it.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The first Witcher and its sequel, The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings, have managed to perform as well as The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. This game has far outsold the publisher’s expectations. Funny enough, there are many things in the game that could have backfired. It was an RPG released by a studio that was not very well known, and the book it was based on was popular but not exactly a global best-seller.
However, none of these things really mattered when the game was released. The Witcher’s fun gameplay, impressive storytelling, and immersive fantasy world led to positive user feedback and the word-of-mouth made the game insanely popular and in demand.
The game reached a million copies sold within a year. It also raised the entire The Witcher franchise’s status in the West, eventually leading to its universe development in pop culture.
Minecraft
Minecraft became the single best-selling video game ever made. Even after many years, every gamer has played it and non-gamers have heard about it. However, interestingly enough, its loud success is rooted in a very humble beginning. As an indie game, developed by Notch Persson during his off-hours from his game development job, it wasn’t expected to be such a success.
However, Minecraft found a vast audience beyond the indie gaming community. Its classic version became a total smash and after the game went through several stages of development, its popularity has only increased. Eventually, it became a real internet sensation and in the end, Microsoft purchased it for over $2 billion.
Dota 2
Dota isn’t just a game but a way of life. The steep learning curve can scare the newcomers off. However, once you are skillful enough, it’s easy to get hooked and find yourself playing little else – of course, unless you are a universal gamer and gambler and want to also check out the new Yukon Gold casino review or similar websites. If you are more into video games, Dota 2 might be your all-time favorite.
With over a hundred different heroes, each offering a unique experience, mastering even one can take hundreds of hours. And still, there’s always more to learn which makes players engaged in gameplay for longer.
What makes Dota 2 truly shine is playing it with a team of five friends. Working together to gather gold, take down enemies, secure objectives, etc., makes you a real community, and pumps adrenaline to make you come back for more.
Final Fantasy
The name “Final Fantasy” turned out to be anything but final. It was meant to be the final effort for the struggling game company, Square, which many believed was on its last legs. The game started with a small, determined team hoping to replicate the success of titles like Dragon’s Quest and Ultima.
Created by a few developers at a studio known for a string of flops, Final Fantasy’s RPG gameplay turned out to be a game-changer. It was a huge hit that pulled Square back from the brink of bankruptcy. This game eventually laid the foundation for one of the most successful and legendary video game franchises of all time.
SimCity 2000
SimCity 2000 is an engaging sandbox where players can rule a vast customizable map. It is up to the player what strategy to choose – either to build a vibrant metropolis or entertain themselves by unleashing all kinds of disasters like earthquakes.
Unlike other games in the whole series, SimCity 2000 in particular seems to be ideally balanced. It allows you to build your city but makes all other options manageable. The game has its complexity and challenges but it doesn’t feel like success is unreachable (or behind another paywall of extra in-game features).
Silent Hill 2
Silent Hill 2 was the first in the series to turn the town itself into a character. In the genre of horror games, filled with all kinds of killers, zombies, and aliens, Silent Hill 2 stood out by focusing on horror rooted in architecture and the eerie personality of the space itself.
Another thing that makes the game unique is the way it explores the human mind through fears and traumas, making illusions seem real and terrifying. It must be admitted that the game becomes really scary at times. Few games have tackled such themes with the same level of disturbing maturity.