With each passing decade, we are seeing newer and improved video games. Their budgets are getting bigger and bigger, sometimes even surpassing Hollywood movies. But every now and then we see games that are not made by big developers, millions of dollars were not spent making them. But they still gauge our interest like no other and we get sucked into them. This just shows that the gamer inside us wants to enjoy good games, irrespective of who made them or how much money was spent on them. In that spirit, here are 6 games that really blew me away in this decade. Some of you like these games, others may not, but in my opinion, these are the best six video games of the decade.
The Witcher III: Wild Hunt (2015)
While The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim has nothing to envy in its RPG and open-world quality, the latest instalment in The Witcher trilogy perhaps outclasses Bethesda’s iconic title in everything else. Its gameplay and game design are impeccable. Its graphic and musical beauty is worthy of any major audio-visual work of fantasy (yes, even Lord of the Rings!). It is enough to plunge us into a multi-faceted world that we do not want to leave. As for its narration, carried by the charisma of Geralt of Rivia, Triss Merigold and Yennefer, it sublimates this universe by the depth of treatment of the themes addressed: parenthood, the damage of politics, the place of the other, the consequences lies and secrets, etc.
Overwatch (2016)
Far from the calm of boat trips in the Skellige archipelago, there is another world, colourful, supercharged and based on “play of the game”. With Overwatch, the king of the MMORPG, Blizzard, revived the mode of the multiplayer shooter after a few years favouring the single player game, as with The Witcher III: Wild Hunt. Its cartoonish design demystifies the brutality and austerity of the ancient behemoths of the genre, like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. Subsequently, Overwatch even became the new master stallion on the growing esports scene, notably thanks to the popularity of League of Legends. Just as calibrated for amateur players as for competitors, Overwatch is, in short, “pure fun”.
Borderlands 3
Mysterious Alien civilizations, evil corporations and cults, when mixed along with vaults full of treasures make up one help of a story. That story is exactly what you get to experience with the whole Borderlands saga. With Borderlands 3, developers have taken the game to a whole new level. Players get to discover more worlds, try out new weapons and armors and go on killing sprees like never before. For those of you who do not want to put in the work, there is always Borderlands 3 Save Editor. You can prop up your character with any kind of weapons and gear you want. For the rest of us honorable players we will stay far away from BL3 Save Editor and stick to experiencing every bit of the game like it should be done.
Grand Theft Auto V (2013)
The most controversial franchise in the gaming industry reached new heights with GTA V. In full trend of open-world video games, the fifth Grand Theft Auto has landed like a prince, to keep its place as captain of the genre. A place that he has managed to keep for years without losing its splendour, guaranteeing its renewal by always allowing more fantasy on the part of the players. This grandiose opus manages above all to bring together all the elements that made the glory of GTA: the narrative excellence of GTA IV, the acerbic humour and the enjoyable violence of the previous opus. A real “distorting mirror of our societies”.
Stardew Valley
When it comes to graphics or the amount of money spent on developing a game, Stardew Valley does not come even close to the rest of the games on the list. But what gives this game a leg above the others is its wholesome playstyle and storyline. One can get lost in the farming world of Stardew Valley. It is the perfect RPG to let you forget the negative aspects of the real world. The game always keeps you on your toes, there is always something happening that requires your attention but is mundane enough that it does not stress you out. Another great element in the game is the number of easter eggs it contains. From little things like Stardew Valley Favorite thing to Sandy’s identity, the game holds quite a few secrets and easter eggs.
Batman: Arkham City (2012)
The decade 2010-2019 was that of the consecration of superheroes to the cinema. This success was not really transmitted in the video game industry but a title adapted from comics remains nonetheless, like a light in the dark. Direct sequel to the very successful Batman: Arkham Asylum (loosely inspired by the eponymous comic book by Grant Morrison), Batman: Arkham City is a model for any sequel as it surpasses the previous opus in every way. Version much more open than the original (trend requires), Arkham City offers players and comic book fans an experience of rare fidelity. In the game of Rocksteady, Gotham City lives and even approaches its status as a full-fledged character that some comics exploit well. As for the rest, both the characters and the scenario are worthy of the best proposals of the comics that spawned it. An infrequent compliment, except maybe if it’s called Marvel’s Spider-Man on PS4.
