Wow, those are almost the exact same criteria I've adopted since having kids. My list of games that have hit the bar in the last 10 years or so:
- Half-Life Series
- BioShock Series
- Fallout Series
- Deus Ex Series
- Elder Scrolls Series
Those are the ones that immediately jump to mind. I'd hate to have missed those. There are plenty of awful games out there, but there are also some wonderful storytellers advancing the field first mapped out by games like zork.
The Elder Scrolls is probably the last modern D&D-like RPG I really look forward to. Since Baldur's Gate it just hasn't been the same. But Morrowind was pretty groundbreaking and Oblivion was great. I have to admit I'm looking forward to Skyrim!
I looked at "Elder Scroll series" and "Fallout series" and wondered how these met the 30 hour rule. Then I remembered that the advice also suggests skipping all side-quests. If you're only playing the main-quest stuff in those games, though, you're missing out on the best content.
I'm not a big fan on limiting game play in this way, but I also recognize that different things work (or don't) for different people.
- Half-Life Series
- BioShock Series
- Fallout Series
- Deus Ex Series
- Elder Scrolls Series
Those are the ones that immediately jump to mind. I'd hate to have missed those. There are plenty of awful games out there, but there are also some wonderful storytellers advancing the field first mapped out by games like zork.