8 Games Worthy of a Perfect Review Score

No matter how you slice it, there aren’t that many games worthy of a perfect review score. It’s important to note that just because a game gets a perfect score doesn’t mean it’s a perfect game. What it does mean is that these games were so good that their few flaws can be easily overlooked. A perfect game may not even exist, but our community has chosen these eight games as still being worthy of that elusive perfect score.

Special thanks to crf_stewarje for starting the thread!

Batman: Arkham Asylum
First mentioned by Lao Jim

Rocksteady’s take on the Batman universe garnered plenty of accolades, and rightly so. Not only was one of the best superhero games of all time, it was a legitimate Game of the Year contender in 2009. Its combination of comic style and realism made it the first game where the player really felt like they were Batman. Add in the stellar acting, tight gameplay, and an awesome array of gadgets, and it’s no wonder people are tempted to award it a perfect score.

Deus Ex: Human Revolution was a long-awaited return to glory for fans of the original game. After the disappointment that was Deus Ex: Invisible War, it was eight long years before the series returned, but Human Revolution turned out to be worth the wait. While the game was criticized for its sub-par boss battles after release, the Director’s Cut release addressed that issue, bringing the fights back in line with the rest of the game.

The second RPG game starring Mario, Paper Mario combines RPG features with classic gameplay elements from other games in the series. A number of puzzles are presented to the player, and Mario can often only solve them with the help of his in-game partners, each of whom has a special skill. Your partners can also fight alongside Mario in the game’s turn-based battles. The game’s name comes from the flat, two-dimensional paper-like characters that inhabit the game’s three-dimensional world.

Super Metroid
First mentioned by Shoggoth2588

Super Metroid was released in 1994, meaning that it’s old enough to order a beer this year. All that time hasn’t diminished the love gamers have for this title, though. Like its predecessor, Super Metroid focuses on exploration, finding power-ups, and then using those power-ups to access new areas. It also added a number of new things to the series, including the ability to walk backwards while firing and the option to combine weapon beams. It was a huge game, and luckily Nintendo included an auto-mapping feature to keep you from getting lost. Despite its age, Super Metroid remains one of the best action-platformers ever made.

Okami combined Japanese myths and legend with a beautiful cel-shaded watercolor art style. Players advanced through the game by completing quests and activities, and they also used a unique tool called the Celestial Brush. You could pause the game and bring up a canvas that you could then draw on. You could create wind by drawing a loop, slice through enemies by drawing a line through them, or repair broken bridges by drawing a new bridge over them. Its beautiful art style, great pacing, and solid gameplay made it one of the best games of its time.

Final Fantasy: Tactics
First mentioned by RJ 17

One of those games that has achieved “cult classic” status, Final Fantasy: Tactics took familiar elements from the series and combined them with a battle system that was completely new to Final Fantasy fans. It did away with the traditional battlescreen, using a three-dimensional, isometric battlefield comprised of square tiles instead. Characters moved on the grid based on their stats and class. Tactics also did away with the random encounters of it parent series, restricting them to fixed locations. Combing strategy and RPG elements, Final Fantasy: Tactics has been a favorite of gamers for years.

Often considered the best game of the Legend of Zelda franchise, Ocarina of Time landed on the Nintendo 64 in 1998. It was the first Zelda title with 3D graphics. The game pit series hero Link against the evil Ganondorf as they both tried to acquire the Triforce. The new key mechanic was the use of the titular ocarina, and the player would use the controller buttons to play various melodies that were learned throughout the game. These melodies had differing effects, from teleportation to puzzle solving. Add in a time-travel element activated by placed or taking the Master Sword from the Temple of Time, and you’ve got a complex, endearing game that still holds up today.

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is a 3D platformer that focused almost entirely on acrobatics. Wall running, bouncing off of or between walls, and timed jumps are all part of the arsenal of skills you’ll need to complete it. There’s also a time-manipulation mechanic, as the Prince can use the Dagger of Time to rewind time up to ten seconds, undoing any action may have taken place. Health is restored, a fall is undone, and broken bridges will be restored. However, use of the Dagger is limited by the amount of sand you have. Sand can be replenished by killing enemies and absorbing sand clouds. The game’s challenging platforming and outstanding animations made it a fan favorite that’s still beloved today.