Discover the five games that left a mark on the industry and inspired many other developers because of what they accomplished.

Games that completely shake up the industry are extremely rare. The reason is that it is difficult to innovate and do something new in the gaming industry, as there are so many games. However, the games that execute a brand-new idea well are hailed for decades and inspire many other developers to follow suit. So, here are five games that left a mark on the industry because of their unique ideas.
1. Dark Souls

Dark Souls took a big risk with its game design. In an era where every game held the player’s hand, Dark Souls refused to do so. In addition, the game expected the player to have enough dedication and skill to overcome all the brutal challenges it has to offer. Furthermore, Dark Souls refused to give a traditional narrative like other games, instead opting for hints that allow the player to form their own story.
Dark Souls became a massive hit, spawning an entire genre of games called Soulslikes. Many developers created their own games following the Dark Souls formula, and some of the best ones rival even Dark Souls.
2. ICO

ICO is easily one of the most underrated games of all time, which is surprising because it is the godfather of many games. Hidetaka Miyazaki, who made industry giants like Dark Souls and Elden Ring, wouldn’t even be a game developer without ICO. The reason is, he was inspired to quit his job and take up game development after he played ICO.
Additionally, Neil Druckmann also took a lot of inspiration from ICO while making The Last of Us. All in all, ICO left its mark on gaming because we wouldn’t have so many great games without it.
3. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt took the gaming industry by storm back in 2015. It was the only game that featured quality side quests, a choice-driven narrative, and an open world full of fun things to do. It won many awards, easily snatching the 2015 Game of the Year award. The game also inspired Ubisoft to drop their decade-old formula with Assassin’s Creed.
Ubisoft turned Assassin’s Creed into a full-blown RPG, adopting many elements from The Witcher 3. For example, they added a skill tree, dialogue options, and a bigger emphasis on side quests.
4. Minecraft

Minecraft is the most successful video game of all time, selling over 300 million copies. The game is old, and it did something no other game did at that time. It gave players the creative freedom to do whatever they wanted. There is no real objective in this game, so players can choose to mine, build a house or castle, and grow settlements.
Minecraft has been played by many prominent YouTubers over the years, growing it further and further.
5. Final Fantasy VII

Final Fantasy VII is a game that will always be remembered by gamers, no matter how much time passes. The reason is, it accomplished something on the PlayStation 1 that no other game could. It had graphics that were unparalleled, had a lovable and well-written cast, and overall, the main story had everyone hooked. Additionally, the iconic death of Aerith Gainsborough broke the hearts of everyone, further adding to Final Fantasy VII’s impact.
Even now, Square Enix continues to make the most of the Final Fantasy VII IP. With a myriad of remasters and a remake trilogy, the impact of this game is undeniable.
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