Every year, a new “best game of all time” seems to top critics’ lists. And while this constant shuffle Nyalabet might frustrate some traditionalists, it’s actually a sign of something healthy: gaming is evolving, and our definition of “greatness” is, too. What was once revolutionary can become standard, and what was once overlooked can become celebrated with fresh eyes.
Take Final Fantasy VII. Once heralded as the epitome of RPG storytelling, it’s now seen as both a classic and a product of its time. The recent remake reintroduces it to a new audience, refining its mechanics and adding cinematic depth. Similarly, indie games like Hades or Celeste now appear on best-of lists beside big-budget titles—a shift that was unthinkable a decade ago.
These changes also reflect a growing diversity in player values. Where once graphics and length dominated discussion, today’s gamers often prize emotional resonance, accessibility, and innovation. Games that center marginalized voices or experiment with mechanics—like Undertale or Disco Elysium—earn recognition not despite their differences, but because of them.
The constant flux of “best game” rankings isn’t a flaw—it’s a mirror of an expanding, maturing art form. It means that gaming is not static, but responsive to its community, its critics, and its culture. And that’s exactly why it continues to grow—not just in popularity, but in meaning.
