The Best Video Games By Year In The 2010s

The 2010s were a wild ride for video games. We saw some truly amazing titles come out. It was a decade of innovation and pure fun. Let's take a trip down memory lane and revisit some of the best. Get ready to feel a little nostalgic, and maybe find your next obsession!

We're going to break it down year by year. It’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it, right? We’ll highlight games that really stood out and why they captured our hearts (and our gaming time!). So, grab your controller, or your mouse and keyboard, and let’s dive in!

2010: A Fantastic Beginning

Kicking off the decade, we had Super Mario Galaxy 2. If you thought the first one was good, this sequel took things to a whole new level. Mario was back, exploring the cosmos, and the sheer creativity on display was breathtaking. The levels were so inventive, each one a miniature puzzle box of fun. It felt like pure, unadulterated joy in game form. Then there was Mass Effect 2. Oh boy, Mass Effect 2. This game was a masterpiece of storytelling and character development. You built your team, went on epic missions, and really felt like Commander Shepard, the hero of the galaxy. The relationships you forged felt so real. It was a sci-fi epic that had it all: action, drama, and tough choices.

2011: Indie Darlings and Epic Adventures

This year gave us The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Dragons! Swords! Massive open worlds! Skyrim was, and still is, an absolute behemoth. You could spend hundreds of hours just exploring, getting lost in its vast landscapes. The freedom it offered was incredible. You could be a noble warrior, a sneaky thief, or a powerful mage. Anything was possible. And for the indie lovers, we got Bastion. This game was a work of art. The narrator’s voice was so soothing, and the hand-painted art style was gorgeous. It was a stylish action RPG with a beautiful story that unfolded as you played. It proved that small teams could make truly magical experiences.

2012: A Year of Heroes and Survival

Get ready to shout "Fus Ro Dah!" again because Borderlands 2 launched in 2012. This looter-shooter was pure chaotic fun. The humor was off the charts, the guns were wild and wacky, and the characters were unforgettable. Pandora was a place you loved to visit, even with all its dangers. And then there was The Walking Dead: Season One by Telltale Games. This wasn't just a game; it was an emotional rollercoaster. You were Lee Everett, trying to protect a young girl named Clementine in a zombie apocalypse. The choices you made had real consequences, and the story was incredibly powerful and moving. It redefined what narrative-driven games could be.

2013: Next-Gen Awesomeness Begins

The next generation of consoles arrived, and Grand Theft Auto V was one of the first big hitters. Three protagonists, a massive, living world, and endless possibilities for mischief. Los Santos felt alive, and the sheer scale of the game was mind-blowing. You could do anything from robbing banks to playing tennis. It was a true sandbox. Then, we had The Last of Us. This game is a masterclass in storytelling and atmosphere. Joel and Ellie's journey through a post-apocalyptic America was gripping, brutal, and surprisingly emotional. The bond between them was the heart of the game, and it was a story that stayed with you long after you finished it.

2014: A New Dimension of Fun

2014 brought us Dragon Age: Inquisition. This fantasy RPG was huge! You led the Inquisition, closing rifts in the sky and dealing with political intrigue. The world was rich and detailed, and the combat was satisfying. It felt like a grand adventure. And for those who loved a good challenge, Dark Souls II kept us on our toes. It was famously difficult, but incredibly rewarding. The sense of accomplishment after beating a tough boss was immense. The world was dark and mysterious, and every corner held a secret.

2015: Exploring and Fighting

We got The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt in 2015, and it was a game-changer. Geralt of Rivia’s adventures were epic, with a vast open world filled with quests, monsters, and morally gray decisions. The storytelling was superb, and the world felt incredibly alive. It was a benchmark for open-world RPGs. Then there was Bloodborne. From the creators of Dark Souls, this game was a gothic horror masterpiece. It was fast-paced, challenging, and incredibly atmospheric. Yharnam was a city you couldn't help but be drawn to, despite its horrors.

2016: Open Worlds and Stylish Combat

Uncharted 4: A Thief's End brought Nathan Drake's story to a spectacular close. The graphics were stunning, the action sequences were thrilling, and the characters felt more human than ever. It was a cinematic adventure that you could play. And for the stealth fans, Hitman (the 2016 reboot) offered a whole new level of freedom. You could approach missions in so many creative ways, often leading to hilarious or ingenious outcomes. The sandbox nature of each level was brilliant.

2017: A New Era of Adventure

2017 was the year of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. This game redefined open-world exploration. Hyrule was a playground, and the freedom to go anywhere and do anything was liberating. The physics engine was a revelation, leading to countless emergent gameplay moments. It was pure discovery. Then we had Horizon Zero Dawn. Aloy’s quest to uncover the mysteries of her world, filled with robotic creatures, was captivating. The combat was exhilarating, and the story was intriguing. The world itself was a beautiful, dangerous place to explore.

2018: Storytelling Excellence

Red Dead Redemption 2 arrived and was, simply put, a masterpiece. The level of detail in its Western world was astonishing. Arthur Morgan's story was a poignant and epic tale of loyalty and betrayal. You could get lost just living in its world, hunting, fishing, and interacting with its vibrant characters. It was more than a game; it was an experience. And for those who loved a good hack-and-slash, God of War rebooted Kratos’s story in a way that was both brutal and surprisingly heartfelt. The father-son dynamic was the core, and the combat was visceral and satisfying.

2019: A Fitting Farewell

Closing out the decade, we got Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. This samurai action game was incredibly challenging but immensely rewarding. The combat was a dance of parries and attacks, and mastering it felt incredible. The world of Sengoku Japan was beautifully realized. And finally, we have Control. This supernatural thriller had a unique setting, the Oldest House, and incredible psychic powers. The gameplay was fluid and exciting, and the mystery of the Hiss was compelling. It was a stylish and mind-bending adventure that felt fresh and original.

The 2010s gave us so much to love. These games are just a glimpse into a decade that truly pushed the boundaries of what video games could be. Whether you're a seasoned gamer or just curious, there's definitely something here worth checking out!