A mostly typical "dating sim" visual novel with some eroge art, which upon reflection carries plenty of thematic baggage and is surprisingly restrained despite its mature elements.

Characters and plot are well defined and somewhat original. Script and setting are superficially disappointing: the multiple realities / time loops concept appears to be an excuse for completionists, and the protagonists' inner monologue often comes across as irrelevant exposition. The narrative depths are well hidden - in the achievement names, in the allusions which gain meaning through repeated play, in the context of USSR collapse. Surprises and more explicit reveals do happen, particularly in the special routes.

I think it's landing close to Solaris style SciFi due to common cultural influences. Very far from being in the same league of Tarkovsky nor Lem, it does fit nicely next to genre pieces like Groundhog Day or Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

Content Warning - there are dating sim and horror tropes explicitly throughout: self-harm, sexual assault, extreme violence and even some gore. IMO not 18+ but close.

It's a birth of something alright, that being the birth of the walking sim genre. Not literally perhaps but in the pragmatic way that History considers. I'm in the camp that would say it's not a game, but it's certainly a "videogame" in the medium sense, and its roots in HalfLife 2 rather prove that point. It's also surprisingly pretty, unsurprinsingly lyrical, and to me personally surprinsingly imaginative and well crafted. That's what got lost (drowned? buried?) in the whole ludological debate; this is very much worth "playing" for the moments and their flow. Just understand you'll be an actor performing, playing an instrument, rather than playing a... you know what.

The zen tourism of road trips with none of the hassle.
It's all about exploration, passing through familiar sights, discovering new roads, just going places. All wrapped in two light simulation layers for the management and driving; which quickly give twin feelings of being in control of one's destiny.
It's extremely pleasant despite the controls which are a slight barrier to entry.

Even with its American sibling stretching slowly eastwards, European map continues to grow and be deeply rejuvenated! Driving Academy is another welcome addition.

Surprise gem from 2011. Abstract pattern matching play requires perseverence to "click". Combinations of champions, equipment and units provide replayability. Yet also filled with personality by its media designers. Campaign acts as tutorial for MP.

Inspiring since 2005.
Controls are not perfect, partly due to systems density, in particular the camera and combat aiming can frustrate. But the systems complexity is one leg of the alluring and original play, the other being imaginative setup and plot, further helped by brilliant collectibles and characterization which add to immersion in the world.
Excellent production values with full voice acting, crafted art design.

Sensational work from 2008.
Feels casual yet is anything but. Rewarding, multi layered gameplay and entwined narrative (Braid).
Originality of the puzzles is astonishing. Kudos to Jonathan Blow.
David Hellman's atmospheric artwork also deserves mention.

From 2009, Popcap's crowning achievement of casual gameplay.
Tower defense is the main dish, but sides are incredibly varied - repeated play strongly recommended - mini games, different game modes, achievements that hint at new play possibilities.
Attention to detail and strong production values clearly visible, both visually and audibly.

Ruining lives since 2007. BtS followed Warlords and improved the vanilla Civ IV to an amazing level of polish.
The base game deserved instant accolades for interface improvements, excellent sound (Baba Yetu song, units languages, Leonard Nimoy's voice), and being a distillation of the series gameplay formula.
The expansions took this cornucopia of options and increased it further, while losing nothing of the successful gameplay. A particular mention to the mods and scenarios like Rhyes' mod and Fall from Heaven 2.

Vintage 2007. A surprise hit of the Orange Box, it managed to steal the show from HL2.
A peak of narrative driven gameplay, where the form drives the game (or the game drives the story flow) without effort. Pure pleasure to go through.
It climaxes in one of the best achieved endings in a videogame and Valve production values are clear throughout, with: voice, music and just plain level design as best in class.