Red Dead Redemption 2

Everyone warned me it was slow. They were right, and it turns out that's the point. RDR2 isn't trying to respect your time — it's trying to make you live somewhere. Once I stopped fighting that and let it breathe, it became the most immersive game I've ever played.

The detail is almost absurd. Snow packs into the horses' coats, strangers remember you, the camp around you has its own small dramas whether you're watching or not. It's a world that carries on without you, which is exactly why being in it feels real.

Arthur Morgan is the best-written protagonist in games, full stop — a violent man slowly working out what kind of one he wants to be. The ending earns every one of its hours. I'd hesitate to recommend it to someone who wants snappy fun, but if you want to be moved, nothing else comes close.