Summary

  • Mirror's Edge: Fluid parkour gameplay, perfecting introduced mechanic.
  • Celeste: Fast-paced 8-bit platformer with precise timing, obstacles.
  • Dead Rising 2: Combining weapons, improved quality of life, more zombies.

Every game has its signature gameplay style that makes it unique. Meanwhile, some franchises manage to perfect it over time before switching gears to a newer title. There is always a moment in a series where a game reaches peak perfection in everything it hoped to accomplish as a franchise.

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Some games have one element that really shines, while others manage to modernize their signature styles without losing one ounce of what made it good in the first place. This means they cooked well the first time around. From fast-paced roguelikes to timeless classics, here are ten games that perfected their signature style.

10 Mirror’s Edge

The Perfect Parkour Game

Mirrors Edge Rooftop by Johannes Söderqvist

Mirror's Edge

Action Platformer Released November 11, 2008 Developer(s) DICE Publisher(s) Electronic Arts Platform(s) PC, PS3, Xbox 360 Powered by Expand Collapse

Mirrors Edge is one of those games where the gameplay mechanic it introduced has never been more fluid. The idea is that you're constantly on the move as you jump off buildings, grab onto surfaces, and use momentum to get you to another platform, making it one of the best parkour games.

While there are enemies that may slow you down, combat is also fluid and can be handled without completely coming to a stop. Grab weapons with limited uses and time your hits and bullets correctly, so you can keep your momentum.

9 Celeste

Fastest Platformer

Celeste

Platformer Released January 25, 2018 Platform(s) PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC, Stadia, Steam Powered by Expand Collapse

If you’re looking for a modern 8-bit game perfect for speedruns, then Celeste has everything you want. The whole premise of the gameplay is that you need to jump from one platform to the next. This involves having the perfect timing if you want to make the jump.

Celeste is also fast-paced, with many obstacles forcing you to make a jump or utilize the environmental, powerups to change directions in midair or use an additional jump within a moment's notice. It will take fast thinking and muscle memory to master Celeste's perfect gameplay.

8 Dead Rising 2

Combine Weapons To Slay Zombies

Dead Rising

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The core concept of Dead Rising is that you’re trapped in a semi-enclosed space surrounded by hundreds of zombies as you wait the clock out. Anything on the store shelves can be used as a weapon against the undead.

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Dead Rising 2 adds more zombies, more weapons, and heavily improves the quality of life of the game by allowing you to skip time at the theater. It also adds combo weapons that are held together with duct tape that feel right at home with the tone of the game.

7 Elden Ring

Open World Souls Game

Elden Ring

RPG Action Released February 25, 2022 Developer(s) From Software Publisher(s) Bandai Namco Entertainment, From Software Platform(s) PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X Powered by Expand Collapse

Dark Souls 3 pretty much perfected the grind that souls games are known for. It's all a cycle of killing enemies, resting, and spending your Souls on improving your stats so you can wield your weapons more efficiently during a boss battle.

Elden Ring taught fans that there was a step beyond perfect. Rather than using an open world to fluff up the environment, it is used as a way to hide dungeons, armor sets, and promote exploration. It is one of the best transitions into open world without losing any of the signature gameplay elements that give it its own unique identity.

6 Lego Star Wars

Started The Lego Trend

Lego games before Lego Star Wars

Lego Star Wars

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were experimental. They ranged from building simulators to racing games, and even the occasional 3D world. Lego Star Wars changed all that by introducing gameplay elements that are still relevant today.

The core concept of Lego Star Wars is that you can replay all your favorite moments from the prequel trilogy. You also have every character imaginable available for use with their own unique abilities. This gameplay style did so well, even modern games still follow the format even if they do tweak the formula a bit.

5 Counter-Strike 2

The Perfect Competitive Shooter

Counter-Strike 2

FPS Released September 27, 2023 Developer(s) Valve Publisher(s) Valve Platform(s) PC Powered by Expand Collapse

Counter-Strike found the perfect competitive format in which both beginners and pros alike can enjoy. It's a team of five players against another team of five. Everyone starts with nothing during the first round, but they can earn money to buy better weapons and equipment during the next.

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The gameplay isn't about running and gunning, but playing it carefully and timing your shots. It also forces you to use your equipment in both defensive and offensive ways rather than having them be knick knacks for a free kill.

4 Super Mario World

Largest Classic Mario Game

Super Mario World

Platformer Released August 23, 1991 Developer(s) Nintendo EAD Publisher(s) Nintendo Platform(s) SNES, Nintendo Game Boy Advance Powered by Expand Collapse

Super Mario World is the definitive version of the early Mario Games. This is the game where players can fly using a cape, find hidden new levels, and send Yoshi plummeting to his death just so they can make a jump.

It sets a standard where every world needs to look vibrant and there are enemies that fit the theme of each world. Jumping on enemies may be a simple game mechanic, but thanks to the new blocks, power ups, and level theming, it became the ultimate Super Mario experience.

3 Doom

The Original Boomer Shooter

Doom (1993)

First-Person Shooter Released December 10, 1993 Developer(s) id Software Publisher(s) id Software Platform(s) PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC, Stadia, PS3, Xbox 360, Xbox (Original), PS1, Sega Saturn, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Android, iOS Powered by Expand Collapse

Doom pretty much perfected its gameplay right out of the gate. In fact, it did it so well it inspired an entire subgenre years later known as the boomer shooter. Running through a Labyrinth, players can blast enemies with their pistol and collect health and ammunition to keep them going.

As you progress through levels, you can collect new weapons that will help you tackle bigger enemies. There's no aiming down the sights or leaning left and right to sneak around. Doom focuses on the action as you listen to the killer soundtrack and enjoy the pixelated 3D art style.

2 Pokemon Black And White 2

The Perfect Story And 2D Sprites

Pokémon Black 2

JRPG Released October 7, 2012 Developer(s) Game Freak Publisher(s) Nintendo, The Pokemon Company Platform(s) Nintendo DS Powered by Expand Collapse

Some would say that Pokemon peaked during it's fifth generation set of games. Pokemon Black and White 2 are considered masterpieces for a reason. It perfected everything the games had been building up to with dynamic sprites, the number of Pokemon, the quality of the story, and even a battle gauntlet that pits you against some of the most iconic characters in the series.

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Black and White 2 also includes a Hard mode which allows enemy trainers to scale their levels and gives many gym leaders held items. While a little hard to access, it is well worth the time to check it out.

1 Dead Cells

Gotta Go Fast

Dead Cells

Roguelike Released August 7, 2018 Developer(s) Motion Twin Publisher(s) Motion Twin Platform(s) Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One Powered by Expand Collapse

Dead Cells is a roguelike that encourages players to move faster rather than taking it slow. Each level is procedurally generated each time you die. There are plenty of doors to go through, with some being better than others. Slay enemies to collect cells and get through stages quickly to earn bonuses.

You can find plenty of items and equipment to make your runs easier, but be warned, each time you die, you lose it all. This rinse-and-repeat gameplay is perfected in Dead Cells.

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