The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015)

With the Witcher 3, CD Projekt Red managed to create a game so compelling that it has almost universal appeal. The open world title brings the player to a beautiful, breathing world that's made dark only by the people and creatures that inhabit it. It ticks all the boxes of a great RPG, from a satisfying combat system to great progression and hundreds of gameplay hours.However, the true mastery of this game lies in its story elements. While games like Skyrim take a more sandbox approach, Wild Hunt's story is at the center of its gameplay. The developers have focused on character on an almost unprecedented level, building emotional relationships into the fabric of the game.This is no more apparent than in the core plot thread. You take the role of Geralt, a grizzled monster hunter, searching the lands for your adoptive daughter as she runs from a malignant force. The intense father-daughter bond drives the story with a natural tension, forcing you to call on old friends to combat it. Those friendships unfold to reveal complex and flawed characters, budding into relationships and conflicts, each perfectly voice acted and animated. They exist not just to serve the main character, but have interactions of their own, giving a true feeling of growth.That's true not just in the main story but with each side quest. Each has its own sub plot, providing entirely different tasks and giving a clearer picture of the world. Add to that the wealth of creatures and the cultural differences between nations, and you have a title that feels entirely real.