Just in case you haven't played it, the first SUPERHOT is, IMO, quite a bit better than the second, so I'll toss that in there.
As a wilder card, I'll suggest the Batman Arkham games. I think Arkham City is probably the most well-regarded of them.
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Just in case you haven't played it, the first SUPERHOT is, IMO, quite a bit better than the second, so I'll toss that in there.
As a wilder card, I'll suggest the Batman Arkham games. I think Arkham City is probably the most well-regarded of them.
Yeah, I played them both. The original was extra sick in VR. I think I played it on the original Oculus DK.
I enjoy the Batman games as well!
SUPERHOT is the most innovative game I've played in years.
Outer Wilds. Greatest game of all time. It's a bit more puzzle and story focused than most of these, but you have portal and GRIS and I would recommend Outer Wilds to pretty much anyone.
Cool, thanks!
E: just realized I've never looked at this game bc I confused it with Outer Worlds...
Please get outer wilds it's a whole experience
Okay fine geeze
to temper their excitement, I usually love games where you have to figure things out for yourself, but that one had me completely stumped. I eventually uninstalled, with a bitter taste in my mouth because I really wanted to figure it out (and the mechanics are fun, the entire thing is lovingly crafted...). That's coming from a guy who finished most of the Myst games.
Just saying because that suggestion doesn't really mesh well with your OP statement
since balatro is on your list: Slay the Spire
What I love: Primarily story-driven, third-person, high-fidelity, single-player games with solid fighting characteristics with simple upgrade paths.
There's enough in here aside from simple upgrade paths that I think you should try Elden Ring. Just remember if you run into something that's too hard go in a different direction.
Tried Elden Ring. Got my ass kicked by the first guy I encountered repeatedly. Tried to run away but get chased down. I don't understand the mechanics at all. Like how do you time anything when every maneuver takes 3 seconds to execute?
Since you mentioned not liking numerical attributes or things you need a guide to understand properly, I don't think you'd like Elden Ring or Dark Souls. But you might like Hollow Knight, which does away with that unnecessary fluff.
Slay the Spire: seconded.
I do like it but I just get bored very quickly walking back and forth over the same path over and over trying to figure out wtf to go.
Prey might be your kinda jam. I sure liked it.
Middle-earth™: Shadow of Mordor could be fun in the third-person power fantasy way. :)
Surprised not to see Horizon Zero Dawn/ Forbidden West on this list! Have you played them?
Ahh yeah, I enjoyed both! Just played Zero Dawn from GoG.
Surprised no one mentioned the Batman Arkham games or Tomb Raider reboot trilogy (2013-2018). Both are third person action games with simple, but enjoyable upgrade elements.
Arkham Asylum may feel a bit dated, but Arkham City and Knight should still feel pretty fresh. And I think the Tomb Raider games hold up well.
I also suspect you've played them, but the Uncharted series is also great.
Other mentions that fit the third person, decent-good story, and fast/fun action:
The single-player campaign of Titanfall 2 is incredible. Short and sweet (about 6-8 hours), super fun parkour system and cool story to play. I highly to recommend to pick it up when on sale.
I had a blast playing it last year. Great suggestion, it's a 1st person story-driven power fantasy (although the story is on the simplistic side).
Third Person:
Mad Max
Warframe (F2P MMO)
First Person:
Mirror's Edge
Cyberpunk 2077
STALKER series
Dying Light 1/2
Gunfire Reborn
Prey
Dishonored
Vampire Hunters (kind of an FPS version of Vampire Survivors)
Sounds like you dislike soulslikes.
Dishonored, or maybe Deathloop? Deathloops a bit more complicated but dishonored should prep you for it. They share a lot of the same abilities, the world is just laid out different in deathloop.
Wolfenstein New Order you’re the one man army BJ Blazkowicz, mowing down nazis through linear levels. Run and gun for the most part, with story between levels.
2016 doom or doom eternal
DnD does have a lot of stats but Baldurs Gate 3 makes it fun, and it has everything else you’re looking for. I would give it a shot even if you’re stats averse
You seem to like Character Action Games so why not give the Ninja Gaiden series a go? You can emulate Ninja Gaiden Black for free on Xemu and even enjoy using save states to save yourself some frustration with unnecessary runbacks (this was removed in later entries). I think NGB is an all time classic, although it leans a little bit more into the adventure game style than later titles, that are pure action. You have some exploration, platforming and even an almost Metroidvania-like hub area you backtrack back and forth through and unlock new branches of.
Or if you want something more modern and pure high octane action you can start with Ninja Gaiden 4. More free flowing combos as opposed to specific fighting-game style strings like in previous games, but still fun. I'm only a few chapters deep but any fan of DMC or CAGs in general would enjoy it I think.
Kingdom come deliverance and also the second one. Solid story driven 3rd person
I just picked up Just Cause 3 for like 2.99 on a steam sale and have been no-lifing it since
I was going to recommend Call of Juarez: Gunslinger, but it's listed in your screenshot. Deus Ex would be great. The original is the best but Human Revolution is good, too. Vampire the Masquerade: Bloodlines would be good. Kena: Bridge of Spirits is also great.
The Yakuza series checks most of those boxes, highly recommended. Start with Yakuza Zero.
Not 3rd person, but A Story About My Uncle is a really good action platform-puzzler. Definitely worth picking up.
If you enjoyed Gris and Neva, you may enjoy Journey. It is a similarly artsy experience and an almost certain inspiration for Gris.
The Horizon series (zero dawn, forbidden west) seems to fit your favourites very well and is also a PS series. The storytelling of the first game is absolurely exquisite imo
If you enjoyed Portal I can't imagine a world where you don't enjoy The Talos Principle, they remastered the first game and theres also a sequel. Both jaw droppingly beautiful, engaging stories, lovely puzzles.
I can't help but recommend Tunic. The combat is solid and simple, puzzles are great, and hoo boy does it keep on giving.
You'd probably get a kick out of Hellblade given the games you enjoy.
If you enjoy DMC you'll probably love Hi-Fi Rush, super stylish and deep combat system that will reward you similarly to DMC
Have you played Days Gone or Returnal? I think they're my favorites of the recent 3rd person PS games.
I've played Returnal and not fond of games where you play the same levels over and over. Haven't tried Days Gone but I'll check it out, thanks!
An old but gold would be any Max Payne game. I only played the first one but boy, was it awesome. I think it ticks many of what you mentioned:
The only thing you may not like is the graphics.
If you're okay with Ubisoft, Watchdogs 1 & 2 are fun for third person shooters. First one gives you a lot of options to enter combat, you carry all weapons on you (no "weapon loadout" selection really).
Favorite feature of both games is the in-game radio, you can just listen to music and wander around the world
Edited, thank you.
It's a very limited radio though. Each station only has a few songs. At least that's how it was in 2. I just remember hearing a lot of the same songs each time I opened the music app in-game.
I prefer the game world in the second game though. Chicago is awesome, but I kinda prefer San Francisco.
An oldie but a goodie: Rogue Trooper
Very fun 3rd person shooter based on the rogue trooper comics from 2000AD. It doesn't overstay its welcome, has solid gameplay, and holds up well overall. I think it's available on GoG.
What about uncharted? https://store.steampowered.com/app/1659420/UNCHARTED_Legacy_of_Thieves_Collection/
Stardew Valley. No greater power fantasy than owning a piece of productive land
Roboquest.
Fast paced fps rogue-lite. Its got a bit of story, though it basically boils down to 'punch bots'.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/692890/Roboquest/
There are 'classes', but it's really just whatever special ability you want. And there are stats on guns, but those can mostly be ignored as you can just upgrade whatever weapon you have or like to use.
Also, nunchuck cast iron pans.
story-driven, third-person, high-fidelity, single-player games with solid fighting characteristics with simple upgrade paths
BotW and TotK fit this description exceptionally well.