24. Demon's Souls (PS3)

We owe a lot to Demon's Souls, the progenitor of what would become the hugely successful Dark Souls series. FromSoftware's innovative action RPG was vastly different from anything else at the time, giving players a deliberately stern challenge even just fighting regular enemies. Across large, varied levels, the game established many things we now take for granted in modern action games. While Dark Souls did pretty much everything better a few years later, Demon's Souls was the original experiment, and the PS5 remake proves it was a brilliant game that was ahead of its time.

23. ICO & Shadow Of The Colossus Collection (PS3)

Two absolute classic PS2 games remastered in one PS3 package, ICO & Shadow of the Colossus Collection is a well-earned re-release of Fumito Ueda's classic. Although both games — particularly ICO — can feel clunky, their foreboding atmospheres and unique, creative design choices help them to stand the test of time. Shadow of the Colossus has, of course, since been remade for the PS4 — but there's still value in replaying these enhanced originals.

22. Batman: Arkham City (PS3)

The bigger and apparently better sequel to Batman: Arkham Asylum, Batman: Arkham City expanded upon the stealth-action-puzzle foundations of its predecessor, serving up one of the PS3's finest titles. The Caped Crusader is once again tasked with putting a stop to the machinations of Gotham's many baddies, which results in some incredible boss fights and memorable story moments. Widely regarded as one of the best superhero games ever made.

21. Final Fantasy X|X-2 HD Remaster (PS3)

Final Fantasy X was an RPG that helped define the PS2, and so when Square Enix announced that it would be remastering the game for PS3 and PS4 — packaged alongside Final Fantasy X-2, no less — fans were unsurprisingly excited. Final Fantasy X's strengths lie in its ability to tell an intriguing character-driven story, all while guiding you across an often strange but wonderful world. A modern classic reborn.

20. Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time (PS3)

Ratchet & Clank put in a solid shift on PS3 with multiple games garnering high praise, but Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time is considered by many to be the generational highpoint. Introducing a host of new gameplay mechanics — including the ability to fly Ratchet's ship between planets — and putting a strong emphasis on a wisecracking story, for many this is still the series' benchmark.

19. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (PS3)

The game that catapulted Call of Duty into utter mainstream dominance, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare had it all. A brilliant single-player campaign was bolstered by a suite of staggeringly popular multiplayer modes, but the whole package was held together by tight, super snappy gunplay — the kind of gunplay that would be copied and iterated upon for years to come. Many still consider Modern Warfare to be the definitive Call of Duty experience.

18. Rayman Legends (PS3)

Rayman's most modern outing is also one of the most beloved entries in Ubisoft's long running series. A tricky but brilliantly well made platformer, Rayman Legends has become something of a classic over the years. Tight gameplay combines with a cracking art style and a lot of neatly crafted level design.

17. Dark Souls (PS3)

What even needs to be said about Dark Souls at this point? Off the back of the successful but underplayed Demon's Souls, this game quickly became one of the most influential releases in gaming's short history. FromSoftware's action RPG presented players with an interconnected world filled with seemingly impossible threats, delivering a difficult challenge that was incredibly satisfying to overcome. Throw on top online co-op (and invasions), deeply customisable playstyles, and an iconic, dark fantasy look, and you have yourself a modern classic.

16. God of War Collection (PS3)

God of War Collection remasters the original PS2 games God of War and God of War II, placing them together in one essential 720p package. Released shortly before God of War III, this collection presented a perfect opportunity for fans to refresh their memories of Kratos' original adventures. These are fantastic action games, even today.

15. Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception (PS3)

After the colossal success of Uncharted 2, the pressure was on Naughty Dog to deliver another absolutely stunning adventure — and for the most part, the studio delivered. It may not be quite as fondly remembered as its predecessor, but Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception is still stuffed with incredible set pieces and brilliant character moments. While its story does feel a little slapdash at times, there's a barnstorming momentum to Uncharted 3 that's hard to top — and it all starts with that superb barfight.

14. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (PS3)

If you could get beyond its infamous PS3 install times, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns Of The Patriots almost immediately felt like Hideo Kojima's most ambitious project. Some would argue that Old Snake's dramatic and often completely ridiculous mission is more movie than game, but there's simply no denying how memorable it all was. The optical camo, the absurd boss fights, the even more absurd cutscenes featuring Raiden, Vamp, and just about everyone else. Stuffed with fan service and countless references to what had come before, Metal Gear Solid 4 was a defining PS3 title.

13. The Walking Dead: A Telltale Games Series (PS3)

The Walking Dead wasn't Telltale's first narrative adventure game, but it was the one that really put the studio on the map. Adapting the comic book series to an episodic, story-driven experience, Season One charts the journey of Lee and Clementine as they struggle to survive in a zombie-infested post-apocalypse. With limited interaction, the focus is put squarely on the story and characters, giving you choices that'll have unknown implications in later episodes. It was incredibly successful, spawning many additional seasons, though none were as influential as this first adventure.