Patient Gamers

Chrono Trigger is still my favorite game of all time, even over 30 years later. It is the only game I have played which I can legitimately say has no fat and has as close to perfect pacing as possible. IMO, the original SNES version is the best version of the game. I find the original Ted Woolsey translation to be more emotionally impactful and it doesn't have the extra cruft that the newer versions of the game has.

Silent Hill 2 has one of the deepest stories and some of the best storytelling in any video game that I have ever played. The game does an excellent job at portraying a dreamlike atmosphere. The original game specifically is very well-paced, especially compared to the remake which adds a lot of needless padding to extend the gametime without really adding much to the story, and IMO has less impactful voice acting compared to the original. If playing the remake, I would recommend playing through the original first. The Enhanced Edition mod on PC is a very convenient way to get a high quality fan remaster and is a great way of playing the original game. Try to avoid spoilers for this one.

Terranigma is an action RPG on the SNES that, since it was never released in North America (a release on modern platforms is scheduled for 2027), never got as much attention as I think it should have considering the sheer quality of the game. Not only is this game a ton of fun with excellent control and gameplay, but its story and atmosphere are both very unique compared to any other game that I've played. It is considered to be Quintet's magnum opus for a reason.

B3313 is a game unlike the others on this list, being closer to a game like Yume Nikki or LSD Dream Emulator. It is a ROM hack of Super Mario 64, but instead of just adding new levels or gameplay mechanics, it transforms the world of Super Mario 64 into this absolutely massive place that you can't help but get lost in. While there is technically a goal and an ending in the game, I prefer to ignore those and just play it without any real endgoal in mind. The Unabandoned version is the one that is still being updated and is the version I recommend. Also maybe avoid the fanbase for this one.

Call of Cthulhu by yashum is a ROM hack of Super Mario World that is one of the most creative I have ever seen. It has an excellent atmosphere and very creative gameplay mechanics that turn Super Mario World on its head. Playing on a system or an emulator that supports save states is mandatory for this one, as there are no saves otherwise, and dying will reset the game back to the beginning. The game itself even recommends the use of save states.

OMORI is an indie JRPG that is an emotional rollercoaster. It doesn't have the best pacing, the most creative gameplay, or much replay value, but what it does have is incredible emotional depth and atmosphere. This game took many years to be developed and it shows in the final product. This game asks deep questions about the relationships we form with our friends and how strong those relationships can be. Try to avoid spoilers for this one.