When it comes to video games, there are certain eras that mark major points in history. For example, before the console market, the arcade ruled with an iron thumb, which was woven into simple consoles like the Atari 2600. Then there was the NES era of consoles, which made video games prominent. After that, it was the rise of the HD and online console market that changed everything, like around the 2010s, which was well into the PS3 and Xbox 360 generations.
The most replayable video game every year of the 2010s
These games from the 2010s offered the best value for money every year, as they could be replayed often without losing any of their appeal.
Some major games prior to the 2010s include The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Pokemon Red and Pokemon blueand Half-Life 2. These are examples of popular games that also sold well. The following 2010 games aren't guaranteed to be THE best games since the 2010s, but they have been some of the most revolutionary.
To kick things off
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim is one of the earliest games that started the new generation and cemented itself as open world royalty. The Elder Scrolls games before this were open, but never quite like this, between the different locations, quests, and progression system.
Since 2011, it has hit almost every console known, and somehow always sells despite looking a little dated. It just goes to show that when the game is as fun as it is in The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrimgamers are willing to look the other way when it comes to graphics.
Grand Theft Auto 5
Three characters are better than one
Grand Theft Auto 5 was big even though it was launched right before the new consoles were launched: PS4 and Xbox One. Thanks to its online component, the game is still relevant, and it continues to be sold and played.
It was an innovative open-world game at the time, giving players three characters to switch between and an incredibly engaging story. The heists were definitely a highlight in both the campaign and online sections, as they offered multiple ways to get through them.
Dead in daylight
Horror game Reborn
When multiplayer games blow up, they're usually high-octane shooters like Call of Duty. That's why Dead in daylight is such a standout, as it is a horror game at its core and one that is not easy to win in. It became a platform for all things horror, from original creations to collaborations such as Halloween, Stranger Things, Resident Evil, Silent Hilland so much more.
It even added Nicolas Cage for crying out loud, and that's one hell of an achievement for any development team. Between being a survivor or being the killer, each multiplayer match brought something new to the table, and fans have rarely been disappointed.
Stardew Valley
A Life Sim to end it all
Stardew Valley is another game that proves that graphics aren't everything, as the simple pixel art was enough of an engaging design choice to hook players into this life sim. Since its launch in 2016, the game has opened up with various types of customization options, such as new farmlands for starters.
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With no real goal in mind, players were free to farm their farm however they wanted, along with dates they wanted in town. Stardew Valley was the kind of experience that could be played casually for a long period of time, serving as a relaxing escape from reality, even without exciting set plays.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
Going outdoors
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild may have launched on two consoles, Wii U and Switch, but it's primarily intended as a Switch launch game. Without such a killer app, no one knows where the Switch would have ended up.
The open nature of the game was truly remarkable and gave players plenty of tools to play with the physics, such as freezing water to reach higher surfaces. The ability to climb and the paraglider also made it more worth exploring, and the combat, while challenging, made each disk more engaging.
Destiny 2
Checking in again
Destiny 2 has continued to soar since its 2017 debut, and it's certainly been on a journey between updates, expansions, and following a free-to-play model. There are dips in player count between major updates, though Destiny 2 is the kind of game that is good to have installed when the need arises.
It has become a comfort food for shooters to come back in, collect a few event items and then put away. There's something compelling about the character development, the list of worlds, and the weapons that all make this one of the best shooters, definitely of the last decade, showcasing the talent and dedication of Bungie.
Fortnite
A platform, not a game
Fortnite announced in 2011 as a game about defending your base from a zombie apocalypse, that's how it eventually launched in 2017. Then, after the Battle Royale expansion was released months after its initial launch, Fortnite simply didn't become a game; it became a platform.
The number of properties that have partnered with Epic Games since then is staggering, including bringing in characters from Marvel, Star Wars, DC and more, to completely rework the map, such as with the Springfield update for The Simpsons cooperation. Among all the Battle Royale games that came out in the 2010s, Fortnite is the one that survived on a global scale, and it continues to grow.
Red Dead Redemption 2
Feed a horse, ride a cowboy
Grand Theft Auto 5 appeals to a wider audience because it took place in a modern society, while Rockstar's other massive games, Red Dead Redemption 2was made for a different kind of enthusiast. Driving around and robbing banks with the latest technology is all well and good, but there's simply no other gangster type as cool as the bandits of the Old West.
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Going up to trains and robbing them is much more exciting, but the game was more than just a thief simulator, as it was about the dying age of the old west. Players can escort anti-hero Arthur Morgan on a righteous path to redemption, or stay the course to be a scumbag. Either way, it was one of Rockstar's most gripping stories with plenty of action, heart and melancholy.
Fire Ring
Freedom of challenge
FromSoftware slowly grew into a household name with each new Soulslike game they made after Demon's Souls 2009, however Fire Ring took off on a new level. The same basic structure existed between character and class customization that didn't lock players into anything, but the open world environment was new.
Players were free to tackle bosses and areas that didn't work, leaning into or away from harder curves. It wasn't easy by any means, though Fire Ring truly became one of FromSoftware's most accessible titles thanks to the open structure of the map and the ability to create different builds.
Baldur's Gate 3
You do you
Baldur's Gate 3 returned a classic series that had been dead for decades. There are many reasons why it became so popular so quickly, and most of them relate to the customization options. This game gave players freedoms they had never experienced in a game before, between character options, classes and the dynamic choice structure of dialogue.
Every situation in the game had multiple solutions that took into account alignment, race, and actions. The tactical combat also made for a good challenge in addition to making bigger story decisions, plus co-op was an option.
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