My Top 5 Favorite Video Games

I’ve been gaming for years now, and in that time, I’ve fallen in love with a lot of games, but only a few have stuck with me long enough to earn a permanent place in my heart. Some are cozy, some are chaotic, but all of them are memorable. Here are my personal top 5 favorite video games of all time (so far) and why I keep going back.

1. Fortnite (FN)

I never thought I'd love a shooter game, as I don’t even like shooter games. But Fortnite is different, it’s fun, colorful, low pressure (most of the time), and constantly evolving. That’s what makes it special to me personally.

What first hooked me wasn’t the gameplay (though the fast-paced battle royale format did become exciting), it was the vibe. Fortnite doesn’t take itself too seriously, and it's nowhere near as toxic as other shooters I've tried. It has the fun crossovers, the wild cosmetics, the cool dance emotes, with the rotating game modes that keep things fresh. One week I’m battling Naruto in a Christmas sweater, and the next I’m doing a Lego mission with friends. It’s madness in the best way.

Since I started playing in 2021, I’ve racked up close to 3,500 hours,yes, you read that right. Fortnite has evolved so much since I first jumped in. The addition of Zero Build mode was a total game changer. Suddenly, I didn’t have to deal with sweats popping 5 star motels mid match. Then came Lego Fortnite, Rocket racing, music collabs, and all the creative modes that feel like whole new games. Fortnite now, has something for everyone.

For me, Fortnite is more than a game, it’s a social outlet. Everyone and their mom ( aka me and my squad) plays Fortnite. I’ve made so many memories with friends and new squadmates, laughing over chaotic wins and ridiculous losses. I’ve spent well over $3,000 on battle passes and item shop purchases since I started playing. (Yes, I cringe writing that, and I do regret it.) I feel like I HAVE to play now, even when I get burned out, because of how much time and money I have sunk into this game. I do especially love gifting skins to my regular squad. It’s my way of showing appreciation and keeping the vibe fun. Those purchases, I do not regret. I also do not regret my Fortnite crew and battle passes. Definitely worth the cosmetics for the price, and the fastest way to grow my locker.

I hate the microtransactions in theory, but they got me, and I know I’m not alone in that.

2. Stardew Valley (SDV)

Stardew Valley is my go to comfort game, and has been the last 5 years. I love that I can play it off line too It’s cozy, peaceful, and somehow manages to feel both chill and deeply rewarding. I discovered it in 2020 when I started getting more into console gaming. During the covid lock downs i should say. I bought it on PlayStation for $15, then again on PC when I got a laptop. I’ve even gifted copies to friends, because this is the kind of game you want people you love to experience.

Stardew was created entirely by one person, Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone, Stardew Valley is a masterpiece. It launched on PC in 2016 and slowly made its way to console. It’s one of the most beloved farming life RPGs ever made, and for good reason.

What makes Stardew so special is the love and care that’s baked into every pixel. The art style is nostalgic and warm, with beautiful 2D pixel animation that feels like a throwback to classic games for us 80s and 90s kids. It taps into that old school feeling, but with all the modern quality of life mechanics you want. There is a decent character creation, and an awesome story line.

I’ve spent over 2,000 hours in Stardew between PSN and Steam. There’s just so much to do. From farming and fishing to building relationships, exploring mines, and unlocking mysteries around town. All of that has come with free updates over the years. You can really tell that ConcernedApe cares more about the community than the money. This game has a huge online fanbase, with entire forums, groups, and discords dedicated to sharing farms, tips, inspiration and even mods that expand and enchant the base game. It’s not just a game, it’s a community, and honestly, it’s one I’m proud to be a part of.

3. Disney Dreamlight Valley (DDV)

Let me be real, I am 100% a Disney adult, and anyone who knows me IRL knows this. So when Disney Dreamlight Valley launched in 2022, it was an instant buy for me. I paid $80 at launch, no hesitation. I’ve also bought every DLC since. No regrets.

DDV is said to be like if "Stardew Valley and The Sims had a baby", and I can't disagree. It’s a farming life sim where you live among your favorite Disney and Pixar characters, all rendered in stunning Pixar style graphics. I’ve played hundreds of hours, with a little break in late 2023 before I picked it back up again in mid 2024. These days, this is my go to game. I play it daily.

The character customization is on point. I love dressing up my avatar, decorating my house, and designing the entire valley. I’m obsessed with building and interior design in games, and DDV scratches that itch, really hits the spot. There’s always something to do, whether it’s completing quests, managing your crops, or redecorating for your weekly DreamSnap.

It is a time consuming game, no doubt. There’s a lot of grinding involved, but it can be overwhelming if you’re not into that. For people like me, who enjoy slow paced, cozy creative games with a lot of replay ability, it’s worth every second, and every penny.

There are microtransactions, and no, I don’t love that aspect. But to their credit, Dreamlight Valley offers a ton of content without having to spend extra, and there are opportunities to earn event currency just by participating in community activities. That makes a big difference, as not many games I have played do that.

This game also has a massive online community, and the devs seem to actually listen to feedback. I see this one being part of my rotation for many more years to come.

4. Palworld

Palworld is one of those games that came out of nowhere and completely surprised not only me, but took the world by storm at launch. When I first heard about it, I thought it was just some goofy "Pokémon with guns" thing and I got it to play with a friend.

It’s an open world survival crafting game with a twist, adorable creature companions called “Pals” that you can tame, battle, build with, and even use for factory production at your base. It sounds chaotic,and it is . . . but it’s also so much fun. Think of it like, if Ark, Pokémon, and Minecraft had a very weird lovechild.

I started playing Palworld about a month after its launch in 2024, after a friend recommended it. We were hooked for weeks. When that friend and I went our separate ways, I stopped playing for a while… until I saw news about Nintendo suing PocketPair (the devs). That brought it back on my radar.

In solidarity (and because I was itching for a fresh playthrough), I bought the game again on PlayStation the day it dropped. I also wanted to show my support to Pocketpair and Sony. Since then, I’ve been playing regularly. It’s easily one of my favorite survival games now, and I wasn’t even heavy into the survival genre before this.

Palworld has had tons of free updates, and the devs are clearly working hard to keep players engaged. My one gripe? There’s not a lot of lore or world building yet. I’d love to see more story content down the line. I have even taken to crafting some of my own lore to fill in gaps. Still, it’s cute, as I said, chaotic, and incredibly addicting. It even made me go back and try similar games I previously ignored. ( Ark/Conan Exciles)

5. Skyrim

We couldn’t do a favorite games list without Skyrim. It’s the ultimate classic for me. The game that changed everything for me as a gamer. My first true open world experience. My first modern fantasy epic. My first dragon shout.

I’ve been playing Skyrim for over a decade, with more than 5,000 hours logged. That’s not a typo. I still haven’t done everything in the game, and I never will. (I refuse to kill Paarthurnax) That’s how massive and immersive it is though.

What pulled me in was the world building. The snowy mountain tops, the crumbling ruins, the magic, the dragons... it’s all so immersive, im telling you. I loved the high fantasy vibe, the rich lore, the branching storylines, and the freedom to be whoever I wanted to be. Elf? Mage? Thief? Hero? Villain? I love the skill tree in this game too.

Even the menus are intuitive and clean, which matters way more than people think. Cant play the game if you can't learn how to use the menus. Skyrim nails the balance between depth and accessibility. Of course, the mods on PC keep things interesting long after the original quests are done too. Skyrim has one of the biggest modding communities.

Skyrim was the game that made me realize I could live entire lives inside video games and love every second of it. I used to be an adventure like you. Then I took a few arrows to the uterus and now I'm just a mom. Thats a little joke . . . (If you know, you know)

I’ve played a lot of games in my life, but these five stand out not just because they’re fun, but because they’ve become part of my routine, my friendships, my comfort zones, and my best memories. Whether I’m dropping into a Fortnite squad, planting starfruit in Stardew, decorating my castle in DDV, breeding Pals in Palworld, or roaming Tamriel as the Dragonborn, these games have given me thousands of hours of joy. I just wanted to share with you all. Thanks so much for reading.

For many of us, gaming isn't just a hobby, it’s a lifestyle. These are the games that helped shape mine. Feel free to tell me about the games that shaped yours.