15 Most Influential Video Games Of All Time

13. Bioshock

It forever changed: The idea of player agency dictating impact. Where Gone Home weaves a spectacularly subtle tale that comes together gradually, forever cat n' mouse'ing your expectations in relation to what you're about to find next, Bioshock hits you right up front with the mystery-stick, forever pounding a huge amount of influential dystopian ideals into your head before ending on one of the most unique endings in the history of game design. *Spoilers follow* The final interaction with one Andrew Ryan is easily one of the greatest closing wrap-up monologues in gaming history, but it's the age-old film-trope of doing the flashback-montage that already puts you on edge, only for that now-infamous "Would you kindly?" phrase to tie the whole thing up nicely. It's one of those brilliant ideas that after you've experienced it, you'll start to question the entire nature of purpose within any given game. That notion of "Exactly why am I doing this?" when playing anything was finally addressed, and it genuinely forces all games developers to write better narratives, alongside making consumers analyse what's in front of them more than ever before.
 
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Gaming Editor
Gaming Editor

WhatCulture's Head of Gaming.