Bioshock (2007)

Every title in this series has been stunning, but none can beat the first for its originality and polish. Bioshock quickly catapulted into success after its release, presenting a fresh steampunk world that was rarely seen in modern games. In this title, you crash land in a terrifying dystopia, an underwater city with genetically modified humans, supernatural powers, and hulking machines. Not for a second is your immersion broken as you explore the strange world in search of answers, but that information isn't easy to come by. You have to fight and sneak your way past hundreds of enemies in a mixture of gunplay and magic, developing your character however you see fit. That combination makes for one of the most entertaining action games ever, but it's the story elements that push the game into legend. Utilizing its detailed world, Bioshock manages to comment on the fears that still exist in society today. The story unfolds to reveal a society run on rampant capitalism, and its message will stay with you beyond its relatively short length.