Feel like across reddit I see people ask "what popular game did you not really like" a lot. Wanted to go the other direction and see what games you guys played and understood the hype.

For me it was Zelda Breath of the Wild and RDR2.

Expedition 33. Typically not big on turn based but that game absolutely blew me away. Spent 100+ hours on one playthrough just to explore everything the world had to offer.

I was not expecting to enjoy Expedition 33. I was at a stage in life freshly sober and determined to expand my horizons, and it put me in a place where I realized I need to "stop and smell the roses" more in games, and in life.

Titanfall 2

Hollow Knight, and by extension, Silksong

Death Stranding. After years of dismissing it as a walking sim I finally tried it and yes, it is but also no. The vibe of that game is so unique. Also absolutely hooked on Low Roar now.

Says a lot the game still has such a healthy player base. Hopefully Respawn makes TF3 someday

Elden Ring.

My guest attempt at a Souls game was Bloodborne as part of the PS+ PS5 selection of free games. I'd heard so much about how great the game was, attempting playing Bloodborne for about 30 minutes and then gave up.

Then, a little later I decided to try Demon's Souls Remake. I played it for about 25 hours, but ultimately gave up. I did enjoy it a bit more than my attempt at Bloodborne, but I didn't yet understand how to really play these games, so it wasn't an experience that I really liked all that much.

Then the hype surrounding Elden Ring got me. What people were saying about the open world got me to give the genre another chance. I was determined to get these games. And after about 20 hours with Elden Ring, it just clicked. I figured out what made them fun for me, and I haven't looked back. I love the genre (playing Mortal Shell 2 right now).

I'd echo Breath Of the Wild. I took about a decade off of gaming and bought a used switch last year with a bunch of games. Breath of the Wild was the first game to really grab me and make me want to keep playing in exploring since I became a working adult. Holds up great since my standards for graphics are from the 360 era.

And by extension….. Price of Persia tlc, ori(s), nine sols, even Celeste.

Did not think I would like HK, took me a few tries then I couldn’t put it down. Idk what happened meteoidvanias took over my life for like a year it was amazing. Glad a found a new genre I enjoy.

Hollow knight, the original

Mass Effect. I hopped on that train only by the time Andromeda came out, so going through the full trilogy genuinely blew my tits clean off. I now sport like 18 playthroughs. Fav games ever.

Slay The Spire. I didn’t get the appeal of card-based videogames at all. Well, now I do. It’s actually a great format for turn-based games, especially when as well-balanced yet with as much build variety as STS.