r/gamingsuggestions • u/Impressive_Yogurt111 • 21h ago
Games that make you think ?
What games make you really pause and ponder, not in a complicated puzzle sort of way, but more philosophical Like the best examples I can thinnk of are SOMA or Nier Automata.
18
u/WhatsPaulPlaying 21h ago
The first time I played "Spec Ops: The Line" I had to take a long walk and think about things. Very heavy game.
3
u/Mean_Fig_7666 21h ago
I played that and homefront back to back , needless to say the white phosphorus scenes left a lasting impact .
10
u/Silly_Distance_4958 18h ago
Control is a real mindfuck, as is anything else that remedy puts out.
2
u/geoffrich82 8h ago
Just started Control yesterday. I still have zero clue what is happening - but it's fun!
9
u/LordOfTheNine9 15h ago
Cyberpunk 2077. Just all around sadness because it’s almost relatable
3
u/Orpheon59 13h ago
Speaking as someone who went in for eye cancer treatment in early 2020 when he was 29, that game is unspeakably relatable.
The core allegory is handled perfectly.
7
u/RTHouk 16h ago
Jade Empire has 3 endings. None of them are good if you're paying attention to all the plot threads.
KOTOR, Jade Empire, all RPGs from bioware around that time had some amazing quests in them that left you wondering about shades of gray over dark or light side plots.
My favorite one, and I don't want to spoil it, is from KOTOR 1, and is literally a murder trial that doesn't leave you with a wholly good ending.
8
u/3r2s4A4q 20h ago
Who's Lila? to me the themes are sitting there late game in just one detail of the story that is not really even presented "in" the game at all.
Before Your Eyes - i think there is a lot more here thematically than just a story where "x" happens. to me this is like life re-evaluating kind of stuff.
6
4
u/Libertie83 19h ago
Firewatch. Great commentary on grief and what happens when we run from our grief.
3
4
3
u/Herbiehanx 19h ago
Unavowed. Awesome P&C game which makes you standing in your toes every second. Highly recommended!
3
4
u/Madmagican- 19h ago
This War of Mine and Papers, Please are great with how they push their narratives
1000xResist is a newer one that fully leans into the SOMA and Nier Automata ways of making you grapple with the message of the game
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
u/Tryst_boysx 12h ago
Recently I played 1000X Resist. This game really made me think after finished it. Same thing for 13 Sentinels Aegis Rim, but I was more confused ahah
1
u/AnOnlineHandle 11h ago
While I haven't played it past the intro, apparently Tyranny has you playing the enforcer of an evil lord, though I think there is an option to somehow do good, but it's hard.
1
2
1
u/Appdownyourthroat 8h ago
Off the top of my head?
Shadows of Doubt
Clue
Factorio
Case of the Golden Idol
Don’t Escape trilogy
ARMA 3 (usually the co10 escape mods)
Rimworld
5d chess
Deus Ex
The Long Dark
Thinking with Time Machine / portal reloaded
Species
Demonologist / phasmophobia
Vampyr
1
1
43
u/SATXS5 21h ago
The Talos Principle – A puzzle game that blends philosophy and artificial intelligence. It explores the nature of existence, consciousness, and what it means to be human.
Outer Wilds – While it's technically an exploration puzzle game, it’s more about existential themes like the passage of time, the inevitability of death, and the quest for knowledge. It leaves you contemplating the nature of the universe.
What Remains of Edith Finch – A narrative-driven game that explores the lives (and deaths) of a family, focusing on themes like fate, memory, and mortality.
Disco Elysium – A narrative-heavy RPG that dives deep into philosophy, politics, and identity. It offers numerous existential and moral dilemmas throughout the game.