At more than 200 hours logged in 2021, there was simply no game I played more. While other role-playing games fumble in creating the "loot grind," enticing players with new gear the more they play, the Monster Hunter series mastered it by turning our prey into fashion. The 14 different weapon types means there are 14 completely different ways to play. While I ran mostly with the basic sword and shield, I was enticed by the hunting horn, which turns my warrior's moves into wuxia-style acrobatics while I blow on a gigantic horn to cast spells. And the addition of dog companions not only sped up hunts, but gave me new ways to customize how I fight by adding yet another warrior to my team.

You can attribute much of the PlayStation 4's amazing run of the last seven years to its exclusive titles. While Nintendo remains the most prolific producer of high quality exclusive console games, Sony amassed considerable might during the PlayStation 4′s run, acquiring acclaimed studios that would go on to produce titles that would sweep awards shows. It's why Microsoft has invested in its own studios, including last year's atomic announcement that Xbox now owns Bethesda Game Studios, the creators of the "Elder Scrolls" series. Gene Park: "Bloodborne" was a game so good, it helped me completely get over my last, serious and long-term relationship. It was early 2015, and there were going to be some big changes in our lives. I was looking to move out of Hawaii, while she wanted to expand her local business's footprint. Our relationship was already on the rocks before "Bloodborne" released, and we'd already had some legendary battles and arguments between us, you know, the kind that end in screaming matches and tearful apologies.