by slag
Like with any of these lists, there's always gonna be stuff you missed, forgot or just didn't get to play. While I haven't finished everything in this list (nearly all of them tho), these are all games I feel I've spent enough time with to at least feel they deserve placement on the list. There are some bangers I left off because I feel I need to revisit further and there's a few that are included despite brief playtimes because I just know they speak to me already.
as the decade comes to a close, figured it'd be fun to take a snapshot of how I feel at the moment.
for me I think this past decade of games might have been slightly better than the one prior. It's a tough call as 2000-2006 were some of the best years in games. But this decade only had a couple of weak years (maybe just one really in 2014) and imo had greater diversity in terms of which genres were cranking out hits. It's academic really. Every decade of games has been pretty darn great so far.
Some notable themes in this decade was the rise of online multiplayer, it certainly changed how and what I play fundamentally. I'm more social now in my gaming adulthood than I've ever been. It feels....healthier.
The return of 2d and pixel games to the mainstream thanks the Indie game revolution. As a guy raised on platformers that made me pretty happy. I'm honestly stunned how many "metroidvania" type games of some sort are on here
And the general increased availability of games from all eras. Never in history has it been so easy and affordable to play games from any time period. It's easy to take for granted and easy to forget.
Inspired by @liquiddragon's list
https://www.giantbomb.com/profile/liquiddragon/lists/a-top-100-games-of-the-decade-list/366880/
Other lists from me in this series
1980's-Games of the Decade - 1980's (and earlier) (giantbomb.com)
1990's-Games of the Decade - 1990's (giantbomb.com)
2000's-Games of the Decade - 2000's (giantbomb.com)
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Picked this version, because more content only made this game better. DD has its' flaws and fair detractors, but love is blind (as proven by the affection system in game) and it really connected with me on a level a game hasn't since I was a kid. The combat, the dynamic nature of the world, the general Berserk-esque aesthetic, the super weird story and twists If it wasn't for DD, I doubt I'd still be gaming as it revitalized my passion for it. So it easily goes to number 1 on the list.
I'm actually not much of a shooter guy, but PUBG has so much variability that every game feels like its' own unique story and adventure. The short ttk, the nature of looting and terrain, allows me to be competitive with players who have much better twitch aim than myself. And allows some really crazy things to happen. It's also the rare mp game that I enjoy just as much solo as I do in a group. It's even more amazing when I consider just how poorly this game performs and is managed. A hypothetical PUBG 2 that doesn't change much other than performance would be simply incredible. We maybe had a glimpse of what that could be earlier this year when the game actually ran fairly well. definitely my mp game of choice 2017-?
The only game on this kind of list (if I had published for the 2000's) for 2 decades. And the only one likely to be on a third DOTA is perhaps the best e-sport ever made and it's helped me manintain and gain friendships that have lasted eons really hard to decide if this or PUBG belongs at 2.I think I give the edge to PUBg atm for 2 reasons 1-PUBg gives me fun ways to play to without ever having to team with randoms and all the stress/toxicity that comes with that. and 2- DOTA demands so much more of my time in nearly hopeless matches and setup. At least when it's over in PUBG you aren't slowly tortured for 20 minutes+ as the opposing team whittles you to death either because they can or because they aren't skilled enough to make it quick. Pro DOTA play allows its' players to surrender but us plebs in pubs are stretched on the rack of waiting by the fountain until the ancient finally falls. but nothing eclipses the high of a great DOTA match. The balancing and viable combinations in this game is a sheer wonder to behold I ebb and flow with this game unlike any other, but ultimately I end up coming back.
While I've always loved Blizzard RTS campaigns, I never expected to get as sucked into laddering as much as I did in SC2. Why I didn't expect this I dunno, as I laddered a ton of Warcraft III too. But definitely not as much as I did with Sc2. There was a couple year period where I didn't play DotA thanks to this game.
RDR many not hold up as well under modern reflection, but at the time I was absolutely blown away by how much it felt like playing a video game version of my old man's cowboy stories he so loves. Rockstar and me don't typically get along, but this one and its' epic ending sure did.
Minecraft is something I appreciate from afar and don't have much interest in, but man is this a super cool way to implement some of those concepts into a structured narrative environment. This game really captures the sense of adventure as well being awesome DQ fan service. Plus city building! When is City building ever not fun?
Just like its' protagonist, this game has so much heart. I've rarely seen a character's playstyle so embody their personality. Kat is the ultimate free spirit, pretty much a super-powered do-gooder vagabond who just flies around flitting from thing to thing going on incredible adventures. Not sure what you want to call these games, 3D Platformers? Open World action? Flying games? Whatever it is, it's amazing
I really enjoy some good escapism in games and LA Noire really took me to another place in a way I've never another game before or since. 1950's L.A. was just lovingly recreated. Shame this game didn't work out financially or healthily for the employees. I'd love to more environments recreated with such care. the story of Cole Phelps really hooked me, I really enjoyed trying to solve mysteries (and being a real detective unlike batman who just punches the $hit out of thugs. Which is fun too in a different way)
Picked this version because it contains Ground Zeroes too. MGSV may not be the story we all wanted out of the end of the saga, but man does it sure nail the world and the gameplay. Absolutely best stealth sandbox ever. I replayed so many missions just for fun
not the JRPG I'd ever expect to like the best this gen. But you know what it kinda nailed everything. Had all the pluses of Persona's social system, without any of the BS calendar induced stress. Story was light hearted but well told. Characters very engaging. A flashy fluid battle system that was super fun execute and man the music. Holy cow. Not normally a J-pop guys, but boy did the music just make everything better in this game. especially the combat the way it's incorporated. Easily my soundtrack of the decade. the Fire Emblem aspects actually weren't much of a factor either way