What overall gaming experience has yet to be matched for you?

For me, in terms of scope, meaning and depth, it’s the Mass Effect series. Specifically the original trilogy everything from your save file carrying over so choices you made in one game had impacts in the overall story in the other ones, to the in depth story writing and narrative, wonderfully crafted sci fi world with loads of lore, beautiful score and fun active combat and exploration. Walking around my ship and choosing a planet to land on etc etc.

I’ve played countless games since then, and nothing has quite replicated that overall epicness of that experience. They aren’t even my “favourite” games necessarily, I’ve only played through them the one time, and I recognise its flaws and where other games have done certain things better but in terms of the overall experience, it just hasn’t been matched yet for me. I have such fond memories playing them many summer nights using a projector on the wall with surround sound. When it finally ended I didn’t know what to do.

It got me thinking what other games haven’t had the specific experience be matched for you even if it’s not necessarily you’re favourite game or a perfect game.