5. Red Dead Redemption 2: Criticized for giving up the arcade jog for striding realism, but that parallels the game: it's to walk with others where all can see the end and none stop it. It's guilt keeping, life trying and reality cutting you. The end of the west is told by the end of twenty hearts.

6. Final Fantasy IX: Like a reverse RDR2. A heroic quest where a lot gets done but not much happens. With themes from predestination to duty to mercy and atonement, FF9 is a study of life and its many twists, and a reminder not to surrender to them. Fuck Antlion, though.