20 YEARS, 20 RECOMMENDATIONS

20 YEARS, 20 RECOMMENDATIONS

To celebrate our 20th anniversary, we asked the team at 505 Games to recommend some of the games they think you should play. From all-time favourites to hidden gems and unforgettable adventures, here are 20 games picked by our 505’ers. Now, in no particular order…

1. WUCHANG: FALLEN FEATHERS
I have to recommend WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers. This game was my first of the genre, a game that I have always been interested in but never taken the leap. The world is incredibly vibrant and every step of the way it feels like the world is breathing with you. The challenge is intense, but the reward for finally overcoming these bosses is hard to compare. Finally succeeding after countless attempts is incredible, and will always keep me coming back to play again.

2. ASSETTO CORSA EVO
Assetto Corsa EVO is an incredible experience, with an amazing variety of cars to drive and tracks to race on. Working on this game has helped sharpen my sim racing skills and allowed me to dive headfirst into the community. The sheer amount of passion for cars on display is incredible. The physics feel amazing, and racing everything from an everyday hatchback to the F2004 F1 car across tracks and layouts from around the globe is so much fun. Being able to help create this game while combining it with my passion for racing has been a privilege, and I can’t wait to continue helping build an amazing experience for everyone.

3. DEATH STRANDING DIRECTOR’S CUT
To have had the opportunity to collaborate with the team at KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS on DEATH STRANDING DIRECTOR’S CUT is, and forever will be, a career highlight. This game came into my life during a very difficult period and helped me cope. Its themes felt incredibly relatable at the time and helped make sense of what I was feeling. Beyond the game itself, the community is a huge part of what makes it so special. Thank you for making my job so much fun!

4. GEMS OF WAR
There are so many great games, but my favorite 505 game is still the first one I ever worked on: Gems of War! Even after working on it for so long, I still enjoy picking it up and playing at night while winding down in front of the TV. The collection aspect and strategy hooked me early on, and the game has grown so much over the years. There’s always something to do, and since you can play on almost any device, it’s one I always recommend people try. It’s a special project that has really stuck with me over the years.

5. TERRARIA
My recommendation is Terraria, as it’s my favourite game. When you play Terraria, it’s so obvious that it was made with passion. There are so many details to uncover and so much content to discover. The variety of ways to acquire certain items is so insane that you’ll find yourself opening the wiki every time you play! It’s always a delight to progress through the bosses, upgrade your gear for the fights ahead, and customise your base along the way. To anyone who hasn’t played Terraria before: I’m jealous of you, and I implore you to try it IMMEDIATELY. And for anyone who has played it before, give it another go – the developers simply can’t stop showing their love for the game, continually updating it with new content.

6. BLADES OF FIRE
Despite its initial familiarity with existing action games, Blades of Fire is not your usual hack-and-slash experience, nor should it be considered a ‘soulslike.’ What makes it special is its ability to preserve the heritage of the games that inspired studios such as FromSoftware, while bringing a fresh twist to weapon forging and combat management. It offers a challenging gameplay experience made accessible, through its difficulty levels, to everyone from mainstream players to the most demanding soulslike fans. At the same time, it delivers the unique flavour that has made a talented European studio like MercurySteam stand out.

7. HOW TO SURVIVE 2
I didn’t realise this was a 505 Games title until I’d already been working with them for years. Back then, I was simply looking for co-op games to play with my girlfriend, and this one immediately stood out. Before long, it became our evening routine for weeks. Who doesn’t like waking up on the shores of Mississippi, solving mysteries, fending off zombies, building a home, and simply trying to survive? Just like real life… back in 2010.

8. SERIAL CLEANERS
This was my first project at 505 Games. A massive throwback to games like Commandos, where I can take my time and use the environment to outsmart the system. Killing people is easy… leaving the place spotless is the fun part. Especially if we have to use the vacuum cleaner. And then the dinosaurs arrived (returned?!?), so add that to the list of wacky characters and a plot with holes to fill, are you are looking at a serial good time!

9. PUZZLE QUEST
There is a reason why we have a big Eveline wallpaper in the office. This game is the foundation of many of our other titles, old, new, and upcoming. A classic match-3 experience with so many side stories that it just keeps on going. So, for all those looking for a relaxed gaming moment, look no further. And if by “moment” you mean thousands of hours, join the club!

10. ASSETTO CORSA COMPETIZIONE
I would recommend Assetto Corsa Competizione because it’s the most realistic GT sim out there and the competitive aspect really has me pushing as hard as I possibly can to be the best simracer I can be. The community is very welcoming and the endurance racing element is incredibly fun.

11. HORACE
From start to finish Horace is an incredibly enjoyable time. All platforming sections require a bit of skill which feels rewarding when you finally get past them. And the boss fights add into the satisfaction of completing finally completing an area. All the characters have their own personality and don’t feel robotic (no pun intended) or plain when interacting with any of them. The humour of the game adds to the charm with their being a good amount of laughs, which are also implementing into all the “easter eggs” / references that can be found in the game e.g. Anton Deck (we did it before Wallace and Gromit), Halloween, and more.

12. LAST DAY OF JUNE
It was very different from the types of games I usually play, but for some reason it really stuck with me. I loved how gentle and emotional its storytelling was. Steven Wilson’s soundtrack played a huge part in that too, blending perfectly with the narrative and making the whole experience feel incredibly moving. More than anything, though, the game reminds me of one of the best periods of my life. That’s probably why it remains so special to me. Some games are memorable because in some ways it becomes part of your personal memories, and this one definitely falls into that category.

13. GHOSTRUNNER
You like Parkour? You like ninjas? You like electronic music? Hold my glass and listen carefully. Put now “Road to Zero”, “Discontinued” from Dan Terminus or “God Run” from We Are Magonia and jump in this cyberpunk first person action slasher game. Better than 10 cups of short coffee, this will remind you what patience is and how skilled you can become by dying and retrying. One of these gaming experience you cannot forget. Ghostrunner 1 and/or Ghostrunner 2 are games you need to experience once in a lifetime and be among the ones who will be able to tell their grandchildren you did it.

14. BROTHERS: A TALE OF TWO SONS
I’d like to recommend “Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons”. I love this game for the deeply emotional experience, beautiful fairy-tale visuals, and masterful storytelling. The most recent remake has a beautiful soundtrack recorded with an orchestra that is a pleasure to listen to. After all these years, this game is still on my top list of favourites and I still get a little emotional when I think about

15. HOW TO SURVIVE
I am going to recommend How to Survive. It was my first project as a Brand Manager – “You wake up stranded on a zombie infested island” – “Oh, wow… seiously? Again?” I thought. But, I was incredibly lucky to work with the talented bunch at Eko Software. We had a great deal of creative freedom, and we used to share “crazy ideas” both in game and marketing wise (Zombie emus, flamethrowers, boomerangs, survival quizzes, etc). I loved having an over-the-top survivalist maniac guiding your steps (“Kovac’s Rules”, kudos to Ian Champion for the distinctive voice work) in game. HtS is isometric zombie action paired with a quirky, hands-on crafting system peppered with wackiness and gore. I love you “How to Survive” and I know you love me too.

16. EIYUDEN CHRONICLE: HUNDRED HEROES
As someone forever in love with classic JRPGs, ECHH was the perfect spiritual successor I was always dreaming of enjoying! I loved everything about this game, I even still get goosebumps whenever I listen to its OST! Now I always have my smiling Nowa plushie next to my PC, cheering me up and reminding me of one of the best adventures I was so lucky to be part of.

17. STRAY BLADE
Charming and challenging, Stray Blade is the hidden gem you won’t regret giving a chance! A unique take on the souls-like genre definitely capable to give a tough time, but wow how rewarding it is to land the fatal blow and move on to the next challenge. Plus, Boji is the perfect companion, and no one will change my mind!

18. PORTAL KNIGHTS
Portal Knights is a game I’ve loved working on but also just a genuinely fun sandbox, action-RPG game, evidenced most by having put 100s of hours of my own time into the game. Great for family, friends or a solo adventure!

19. GROW: SONG OF THE EVERTREE
An underrated gem of a game, for those who love taking a run down, damaged, decrepit land and making it something beautiful. I love being on the world seeds, removing trash and weeds and planting seeds to grow into flowers and tall trees. I really love that towns can be built from scratch, and houses/businesses and the surrounding areas can be decorated. It makes the cosy decorator in me very happy.

20. BLOODSTAINED: RITUAL OF THE NIGHT
I was not expecting to have as much fun with this as I have, especially as someone who’s not played any Castlevania/CV-likes before! Exploring the castle and surrounding areas is so much fun and it’s a joy to find hidden areas and treasure chests just out of reach, revisiting later with new powers. The range of weapons and spells available means Miriam can be super customised to a preferred way of playing and it’s great fun trying different combinations.