Mario- Most iconic pure gaming character

Pac Man- icon, innovator of laying groundwork for many gaming elements/subcultures

Sub-Zero- Fighting genre representation, Mortal Kombat at the heart of the Senate hearings/cliches that led to the ESRB’s creation

Arthur Morgan- Modern “gaming as art” representative (Kratos and his world revolves so heavily around Greek/Nordic mythology and Geralt was a popular book character first/the Netflix adaptation is based on the books, not game)

• You enjoyed the first time and want to play through it without pressure of figuring out shit
• Game is so artistic/detailed it should be taken in multiple times to fully appreciate (ie: Red Dead 2)
• Different playthrough paths/builds give vastly different experiences in story and/or gameplay that can’t be consumed in a single playthrough (ie: Witcher 3, Elder Scrolls)
• Raised difficulties conjure the thrill of a harder challenge sharpen your skills by making you learn mechanics/refine your game iq instead of ramming through the first time or gamers looking to achieve it (ie: Devil May Crys, Soulsborne)
• Speedrunners