I’m curious what you guys have to say about this. Are there any games you consider perfect? Can a game even be perfect?
My example of a perfect game is always Portal 1. Portal 2 has more going on, but in 1 there just isn’t anything to shave off. From start to end, there is nothing I’d change about the game. It’s short, infinitely replayable, great pacing. I like Portal 2 a lot in concept, in concept it should be a perfect sequel, but it just doesn’t keep the extreme tightness of the original game.
This is probably going to sound dumb because it has so many variants, but Tetris.
It’s simple in concept while being highly addicting, with an easy to understand goal. You can teach someone everything they need to know in under 30 seconds. Even the most stripped down, basic version is still engaging.
Few games, even ones of equal simplicity, can attain that perfect balance.