Some games you play, finish, and forget. Others take over your brain, your sleep schedule, and your social life. You find yourself planning character builds while brushing your teeth, humming soundtracks in the shower, and telling yourself “just one more side quest” at 1 a.m. — only to emerge at dawn having discovered a hidden civilization, befriended a talking frog, or spent an hour trying to launch a cart off a cliff because the physics looked hilarious.
These are the games that don’t just entertain; they consume. Since 2020, a handful of titles have achieved this level of obsession, and we’ve ranked the six best. From the poetic tragedy of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 to the unadulterated joy of Astro Bot, these are the games that made us lose track of time — and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
6. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (2025)
In the world of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a mysterious entity called the Paintress awakens each year to paint a number on a monolith, and everyone of that age vanishes. When she paints “33,” a group of survivors sets sail to stop her before another generation is erased. It’s a premise that’s both haunting and urgent, but what truly sets this game apart is its breathtaking beauty.
Developer Sandfall Interactive has crafted a Belle Époque-inspired world that feels both dreamlike and decaying. The combat is a clever twist on turn-based battles, requiring you to parry, dodge, and time your attacks — keeping you on the edge of your seat. But it’s the emotional depth that lingers. The story takes risks, and the characters are painfully aware of their own mortality. This is a game best experienced with minimal spoilers; just know that the expedition is doomed, and that’s exactly what makes it so compelling.
5. Astro Bot (2024)
Sometimes you forget how good it feels to just smile while playing a game. Astro Bot is a reminder that pure, unadulterated fun is a design achievement. After his PS5-shaped ship is wrecked, the tiny robot hero must traverse a galaxy of compact, inventive worlds to rescue his crew. Each level introduces a new mechanic — giant punching gloves, shrinking, water absorption — and it’s all held together by movement that feels incredible.
The PlayStation nostalgia is a nice touch, but the real magic is in the details: the patter of Astro’s feet on different surfaces, the rumble of the controller, the cheers of rescued bots. In an era of hundred-hour epics, Astro Bot is a breath of fresh air — a game that’s unapologetically colorful, cute, and straightforwardly fun. It’s a reminder that delight is a serious art form.
4. Hades II (2025)
Supergiant Games has done it again. Hades II follows Melinoë, the immortal witch-princess, as she trains to defeat Chronos, the Titan of Time, who has imprisoned her family in the Underworld. While the original Hades was about escaping home, this sequel is about reclaiming it — and that shift in emotional stakes is felt everywhere.
The combat is more deliberate and ritualistic, with witchcraft, cast circles, and familiars adding new layers of strategy. But the real hook is the characters. Every failed run brings you back to the Crossroads, where Hecate, Nemesis, Odysseus, and others offer commentary and advice. Dying feels less like losing and more like coming home. It’s a roguelike that understands that the best reward is the people you meet along the way.
3. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (2023)
When Link and Zelda uncover an ancient evil beneath Hyrule Castle, the kingdom is thrown into chaos. Zelda vanishes, Link loses his strength, and the Master Sword is shattered. But Nintendo’s response to this catastrophe is to hand you a glue gun and say, “Go wild.”
Tears of the Kingdom is a sandbox of infinite possibilities. The Ultrahand ability lets you attach objects together, turning environmental puzzles into open-ended experiments. Build a bridge, a car, or a flying contraption that inevitably crashes. Fuse weapons with random junk, reverse time, and ascend through ceilings. The game doesn’t just tolerate your creativity — it encourages it. Half the adventure is saving Hyrule; the other half is discovering whether a rocket-powered sled can launch a Korok into orbit. It’s a masterpiece of player freedom.
2. Elden Ring (2022)
FromSoftware’s Elden Ring is a game that needs no introduction. It’s a sprawling open world filled with secrets, deadly bosses, and a lore that players are still dissecting. But what makes it truly special is the sense of discovery. Every corner of the Lands Between hides something new — a dungeon, a weapon, a story — and the game trusts you to find it.
The combat is punishing but fair, and the world is so rich that you’ll lose hours just exploring. It’s a game that rewards curiosity and persistence, and it’s no surprise it became a cultural phenomenon. For those who love a challenge, Elden Ring is the gold standard.
1. The Best of the Best
While all six games are exceptional, one stands above the rest. It’s a game that combines innovation, emotion, and sheer fun in a way that feels effortless. It’s a game that you’ll think about long after you’ve put down the controller. And it’s a game that proves that the best experiences are the ones that make you lose track of time.
For more rankings of the most addictive entertainment, check out our list of universally loved books or our picks for flawless sci-fi movies. And if you’re in the mood for a good cry, our psychological thrillers list has you covered.
