Abzu

There seems to be a never-ending debate as to whether or not video games could ever be considered true works of art, but this could easily be considered a masterpiece. The best way to describe the game is poetry in motion, as you swim through the ocean depths, surrounded by all manner of aquatic life. Movement in the game is fluid (no pun intended), not only for the Diver but for the animals, the plant life, and everything else surrounding your senses. It's almost Zen-like to ease up to a stingray and hitch a ride on it, cruising through the currents and watching the schools of fish zip by.

Just based on the presentation alone, Abzu is a phenomenal experience, but there's a deep story here as well. The game takes its name from the ancient Sumerian myth of a cosmic sea that exists between the Earth and the underworld. This influence is shown in the paintings and writing on ruined temple walls, as well as the ethereal shrines where the diver returns life and light to dead areas of dark water. The game encourages players to explore areas off the beaten path, to discover the elements of the story on their own, and to interpret what they find as they see fit. While Abzu gives you the building blocks, the game ultimately leaves it to you to write your own story. The result is an experience that's as deeply and emotionally personal for the player as it is for the Diver.