Half-Life series
The Half-Life series of games is one of the most famous franchises in the world, which is still the butt of jokes and memes. All because fans are still waiting for the release of the third part.
The main character of this series is Gordon Freeman. He is a rather silent physicist who fights against alien invaders with the help of a huge arsenal of firearms and, of course, that same crowbar.
Half-Life was one of the first 3D shooters to feature a heavy emphasis on plot, even though the main character did not interact with the game characters. Valve was able to balance gunplay with occasional story introductions and conversations, which is why fans love the series so much.