how about the earliest game that had a profound impact on you? Ultima Exodus for me. it had an immersive world you could explore way bigger than zelda. lots of hidden side quests and some mind-blowing secrets. i mean, tracking the phases of the twin moons was actually part of the game. some of the secrets were essential to completing the game which is why i never was able to complete it until i used a walk-through years later.
years later as a veteran DM, it was absolutely the most influential game i ever played.
trying to grind this goddamn AH-1 heli on warthunder so i can move up to the next shitty american chopper: the huey.