I’m not necessarily talking about moment-to-moment gameplay or mechanics (though I could see some interesting points being made about, for example, RTS gameplay or RPG character building influence how you approached “strategy” in your own life).
What I’m trying to get at are the games you felt really had something to say.
For example, while I’m by no means the biggest fan (only ever played 2 and V), playing MGS V recently (and catching up on the background a bit) has created this sense in me, and I wondered where else one might have experienced that from vidya
I won't say they've been as influential as books, but there are a few games that have really struck me.
Halo reach for example: no matter what you have to say about the game, the final mission is incredible and the line "negative sir; I have the gun" and followup sequence where you continue to fight despite knowing you will not survive, but that in your sacrifice you are enabling others to continue - especially in context with what you're setting up, knowing that the ship you are saving carries the guy who goes on to save humanity - it's a powerful example of the phrase "societies become great when men plant trees that they will never sit in the shade of".
Another mention to nier automata, but since that poster didn't mention the first game - absolutely play the first game, before the sequel.