Some games leave such a strong impression that once the credits roll, you immediately wish you could go back to the beginning and experience everything again for the first time. The surprises, the emotional moments, the discoveries, and even the confusion all become part of what makes that first playthrough special. While we originally planned to keep this list short, narrowing it down felt impossible. There are simply too many peak gaming experiences that deserve recognition.
Here are thirty one games we wish we could wipe from our memories just so we could step back into those worlds with completely fresh eyes.
31. Bugsnax
Bugsnax might look like a quirky, lighthearted game on the surface, but it has a surprising amount of heart behind its colorful world. The island is full of charm, and catching Bugsnax never loses its appeal. The humor keeps things fun, while the underlying mystery slowly pulls you in. Going in blind is the best way to experience its strange charm.
30. In Sound Mind
In Sound Mind is one of the more underappreciated psychological horror games. Each chapter explores the mind of a different character, creating memorable environments shaped by their fears. The creativity of the level design stands out, and playing it without knowing what kind of nightmare awaits makes the first playthrough unforgettable.
29. Undertale
Undertale is known for breaking RPG conventions and making your choices carry emotional weight. The humor is great, but the heartfelt moments hit even harder. Meeting its cast for the first time, not knowing how your choices will affect them, is something no replay can ever fully recreate.
28. OMORI
OMORI begins as a surreal, charming RPG but slowly reveals a deeper, more emotional story beneath its bright surface. The tonal shifts are powerful because you never see them coming on a first run. It is absolutely a game that benefits from going in blind.
27. Little Nightmares
Little Nightmares delivers atmosphere better than most horror games. The disturbing environments, towering enemies, and quiet sense of dread create a dark fairy tale world that sticks with you. Not knowing what waits in the next room is the key to its magic.
26. Inside
Inside communicates everything through its environments and animations. The oppressive tone, the smooth platforming, and the escalating tension make every moment feel deliberate. Experiencing its ending without any spoilers is something you only get once.
25. Oxenfree
Oxenfree blends supernatural mystery with grounded character moments. The natural dialogue system makes conversations feel real, and exploring the island while uncovering its strange phenomena creates a haunting sense of discovery. The unknown is what makes the first playthrough special.
24. Hollow Knight
Hollow Knight offers one of the most impressive worlds in indie gaming. Exploring Hallownest for the first time feels magical, with hidden paths, powerful bosses, and new abilities waiting around every corner. That sense of discovery cannot be replicated once you know the map by heart.
23. Subnautica
Few games capture beauty and terror at the same time quite like Subnautica. Diving into its ocean feels calm and peaceful until you venture deeper and realize how dangerous the world truly is. The awe of encountering your first massive creature is something you will never forget.
22. Firewatch
Firewatch is a quiet, emotional game focused on human connection. Your conversations with Delilah feel natural, and the Wyoming wilderness sets a tone that pulls you into Henry’s story. Experiencing its mystery for the first time is where Firewatch shines.
21. Journey
Journey tells a powerful story through visuals, music, and movement instead of dialogue. Encountering another player in silence and traveling together is a unique moment that stays with you. That sense of connection is strongest on a fresh playthrough.
20. Tomb Raider (2015)
The Tomb Raider reboot gave Lara Croft a grounded origin story. Watching her grow from an inexperienced survivor into a capable adventurer feels intense and personal. The first run keeps you alert because you never know what danger is around the corner.
19. Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
Uncharted 4 delivers blockbuster action mixed with emotional storytelling. The quieter character moments balance the huge set pieces perfectly. Experiencing Nathan Drake’s final adventure without knowing what awaits is an experience worth reliving.
18. Marvel’s Spider-Man (2018)
Swinging through New York in Spider-Man feels incredible. The momentum, speed, and freedom are unmatched. Combined with a story full of humor and heart, the first playthrough becomes something truly special.
17. Alan Wake 2
Alan Wake 2 embraces full survival horror, creating an atmosphere that never lets you relax. Its unpredictable narrative and shifting perspectives keep you guessing. Playing it blind is an experience filled with tension and intrigue.
16. Inscryption
Inscryption starts as a mysterious card game and slowly reveals something much stranger. The less you know, the better. The first playthrough is full of surprises and confusion in the best way. Once you understand the twists, the magic changes.
15. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
KOTOR is one of the greatest Star Wars games ever made. Your choices truly matter, and discovering the story for the first time feels incredible. That first journey into the galaxy, unaware of the twists ahead, is impossible to replicate.
14. Half-Life 2
Half-Life 2 changed shooters forever. The physics puzzles, the gravity gun, and the immersive world were groundbreaking. Ravenholm alone is a section you never forget. Experiencing its innovations for the first time again would be amazing.
13. Resident Evil 4 Remake
The remake modernizes a classic while keeping its intensity intact. The tension of resource management combined with relentless enemies creates a gripping experience. A fresh first playthrough would bring back that feeling of constant dread and excitement.
12. Silent Hill 2 Remake
Silent Hill 2 remains one of the most emotional and psychologically heavy horror stories ever told. The remake retains that haunting core. Experiencing its themes, twists, and atmosphere for the first time is something every horror fan remembers.
11. Prey (2017)
Prey is an immersive sim that rewards creativity. Every obstacle has multiple solutions, and exploring the space station is thrilling. The fear of mimics disguising themselves as everyday objects makes the early game unforgettable. That paranoia simply cannot be recreated once you know the truth.
10. Shadow of the Colossus
Shadow of the Colossus is powerful because of its simplicity. Each colossus feels enormous, tragic, and memorable. The first time you climb a towering creature and bring it down is breathtaking and emotional all at once.
9. Portal 2
Portal 2 blends clever puzzles, evolving mechanics, and brilliant writing. Solving each chamber feels rewarding, and the humor keeps you smiling the whole way through. A first playthrough where every solution is still unknown is an experience you will always treasure.
8. Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2 creates one of the most immersive worlds in gaming. The level of detail is stunning, and Arthur Morgan’s story is emotional and unforgettable. Experiencing that journey for the first time is something you can never truly recapture.
7. Outer Wilds
Outer Wilds is a masterclass in discovery. Each time loop teaches you something new, and every revelation feels meaningful. The moment when the entire mystery finally clicks into place is one of gaming’s most powerful moments.
6. Elden Ring
Elden Ring expands FromSoftware’s formula into a sprawling open world full of secrets. The surprise of finding hidden areas, terrifying bosses, and strange quests makes the first playthrough magical. Once you know the map, the sense of discovery naturally fades.
5. The Last of Us Part I
The Last of Us tells an emotional story that stays with players long after the ending. Joel and Ellie’s journey feels raw and human. The choices, quiet moments, and final scenes hit hardest when you experience them without knowing what is coming.
4. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Expedition 33 is a newer title, but it already feels timeless. Its blend of real time and turn based combat is refreshing, and the story about resisting a cycle of erasure is gripping. The world design and emotional tone draw you in immediately. Experiencing its narrative with no expectations would be a gift.
3. Stray
Stray’s simple premise of exploring a futuristic city as a cat makes it instantly memorable. The quiet beauty of the world, combined with emotional moments and atmospheric storytelling, makes the experience powerful despite its short length. That first journey through neon rooftops is something special.
2. BioShock
BioShock’s underwater city of Rapture remains one of the most iconic settings in gaming. Exploring its twisted halls and learning about its downfall is unforgettable. The atmosphere, storytelling, and surprises all hit hardest when you dive in without knowing the secrets waiting in the deep.
1. SOMA
SOMA is not just a horror game. It is a deeply philosophical story about consciousness, identity, and what it means to be human. The scares work, but the emotional weight of the story is what stays with you long after finishing it. The ending forces you to sit and think, and that impact is strongest on your first run. If there is one game I could erase from my memory to experience again completely fresh, it would be SOMA.
Final Thoughts
Every game on this list offers something unforgettable, whether it is a twist, an emotional moment, a breathtaking world, or a sense of discovery that only hits the first time. These experiences shape the way we see games, and even though we cannot truly relive those first playthroughs, revisiting the memories behind them is just as meaningful.
Which game would you erase from your memory if you could? Everyone has that one title that left a mark.
