Listing my favourite games of 2019 was difficult. Not because I played so many amazing games, quite the opposite. I didn’t get around to playing as many games as I would’ve liked, there were so many I was excited for that I just didn’t get a chance to play. I enjoy recapping the year and so when I realised I didn’t have a lot to talk about this year, I was disappointed, to say the least. However, then it hit me.
We’re coming to the end of a decade and what would be amazing is for me to list my favourite games from the last 10 years. Not just my favourite games but games that I genuinely believe left their mark on the decade and had an impact either on me or the gaming industry as a whole. I’ve of course not played every single game that’s released so you might not see your favourite games on this list.
RED DEAD REDEMPTION
I love westerns. Everything about the genre screams cool and I will never get sick of them. When Red Dead Redemption was announced, I was ecstatic. The closest I’d gotten to a western-inspired game was Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood, which was a great game nonetheless. However, Red Dead allowed me to live that cowboy fantasy I’d longed to live since first seeing those iconic spaghetti western movies. Riding your horse through the vast open-world whilst firing your revolver at a bounty your chasing was exhilarating.
The game had a fantastic story with a colourful set of characters and protagonist John Marston is easily one of the most iconic characters in gaming, period. The online was so much fun and just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, they released an expansion revolving around a zombie outbreak. Undead Nightmare was silly yet so ridiculously fun, especially with friends. For me, Red Dead Redemption is still Rockstar’s best game to date.
CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS
When people ask what my favourite Call of Duty game is, my mind goes either to Modern Warfare 2 or Black Ops. I don’t know if it’s because I was older so I appreciated what goes into a game more but I remember just having so much fun with Black Ops. The multiplayer was fantastic with some of the most creative and enjoyable maps the series has ever produced, and the campaign was gripping and action-packed with such a good plot twist.
And Zombies. Zombies was easily the greatest mode in the game. It had you running around infamous maps such as ‘Kino der Toten’, ‘Five’ and my personal favourite ‘Ascension’. I remember coming home from school, waiting hours for the maps to download (my Wi-Fi was very bad) and spending the rest of the night with my friends, throwing monkey bombs and blasting zombies with a ray gun. Simpler times.
THE ELDER SCROLLS: SKYRIM
Skyrim was the first fully RPG I’d ever played and it’s responsible for my love of the genre. Looking back, it was limited compared to most modern RPGs however for me, I’d never experienced that sort of freedom before. Being able to fully customise your character and play how you wanted to was new to me. I could wield a sword in one hand and cast firebolts from another, or maybe I wanted to pick enemies off from afar with a bow and arrow. I could have joined an elite group of assassins or butchered them all with an axe.
The choice was mine and I loved it. I’d gotten the game for Christmas and it kept me busy for a long time. There was so much to do besides the main story, the world was beautiful to traverse and you never knew what you might encounter. I found myself always getting distracted from the main quest and embarking on my own adventures. I was only 13 at the time, so my interests were still developing and I can honestly say, Skyrim had a hand in forging my love for the fantasy genre.
BIOSHOCK INFINITE
Bioshock Infinite is such a unique and beautiful game in the most maddening way possible. I can’t think of another FPS that tackled themes of religion and oppression whilst having you open tears in time and space. The game takes place on the stunning flying city Columbia, that is populated by racists and robots that will try and kill you throughout the game.
Exploring Columbia is a joy and when it comes to shooting things, the gameplay is so satisfying. The gunplay is fantastic and once the magical abilities come into play, you can get very creative. It’s just an exhilarating adventure from start to finish and I remember the ending sticking with me for weeks. Bioshock Infinite is a breath-taking game that I think everyone should experience at least once, I mean it when I say there is honestly nothing like it.
GRAND THEFT AUTO V
GTA V is easily one of the biggest games of the decade, with people still playing as of 2019. Rockstar had pushed the boundaries of open-world games and it was astonishing. They had created a rich and detailed city with a variety of activities that you could take part in. The story had you controlling 3 very different criminals, Michael, Franklin and Trevor, as they commit various heists around the city. This isn’t one of my favourite games of the decade because of its single-player content but because of GTA Online, which I think most people will understand. I spent so many hours with friends beating up civilians, parachuting off skyscrapers, driving off mountains and robbing banks.
There was so much to do in this game that the only reason you’d stop playing was that you got bored. Making money to then spend on buying fancy cars or lush apartments was rewarding but nothing could beat the stupid stuff me and my friends would be doing. One of the most significant memories I have with this game is when me and one and my best friend stranded ourselves on an island and conjured up a whole narrative whilst we messed around in monkey masks. I’m telling you, the amount of dumb stuff you can do in this game is unprecedented.
THE WITCHER 3: WILD HUNT
I love The Witcher 3 for so many reasons, no doubt I will eventually write a piece on it on the future but for now, just know this game is perfect in my eyes. There is so much depth to everything in the game, from the massive open-world to the amazing characters. The world is so expansive and rich with stories unfolding everywhere, it genuinely feels alive and lived in. This is what I think separates it from most modern RPGs, there’s so much going on in the world that it’s easy to lose yourself for hours on end. The story might not be the greatest thing ever but the characters that are involved are.
Every decision you make in the main narrative has a genuine impact that you will see and even the decisions you make during side quests will have consequences. The gameplay is near perfect with excellent fluid combat and RPG elements that put this game on another level compared to most RPGs. I can’t praise this game enough, it really is just an unbelievable game. Also, Geralt of Rivia is hands down, one of the most badass characters in gaming and I’m not exaggerating.
LIFE IS STRANGE
Games like this don’t come across very often which is why Life Is Strange deserves so much recognition for its well-crafted story. I hadn’t played Life is Strange until this year and I have no clue as to why I had put it off for so long. You play as Max Caulfield who discovers she has the power to turn back time and gets tangled up in some strange events. The reason this game is on this list is because of its impeccable writing which explores deep relatable themes against the backdrop of an alluring and interesting mystery.
The characters are great and the acting is solid, at times I was so engaged I forgot I was playing a game and would unknowingly put my controller down. Similar to Telltale’s game series, you’ll find yourself making choices that will have consequences further down the line. You might not notice them immediately but you can be sure that you’ll see the impact of your decisions. Despite tackling dark subject matter, the journey this game takes you on is full of heart and so very interesting.
THE ARKHAM TRILOGY
Batman: Arkham City is my favourite game out of the Arkham Trilogy but if I was to only put that on the list, I feel that I would be unfair to the other two titles. All three of these games are easily some of the best of the decade. I know this is overused but these games genuinely did make you ‘feel’ like Batman, each game had you utilising Batman’s extensive skill set and gadgets and had you going up against some of his greatest foes. The first game introduced the cleanest fighting mechanics I’d ever seen in a game, the “Freeflow Combat System”. This system had you using a mixture of attacks, counters and stuns to take out a variety of enemies from groups of 4 to 40. Every instalment improved on the combat, I’ve never had such fun fighting in a game.
The story in each one of these games was fantastic and original, they kept that comic-book craziness whilst also feeling grounded and gritty. Rocksteady clearly took inspiration from the animated series, the actual direction is reminiscent of some episodes and the score is so iconic. As well as this, Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill reprised their roles as the Dark Knight and the Clown Prince of Crime respectfully. These games played a large part in re-inventing Batman and proving that with the right developers, amazing superhero games can exist.
TITANFALL 2
I wrote a whole article on Titanfall 2 that you can check out for a more detailed insight as to why I love this game so much. To put it briefly, this is my favourite FPS game ever. The shooting in this game is hands-down the best shooting I’ve ever experienced and being able to wall jump and grapple onto buildings makes for some exciting gameplay.
The story is simple but by no means bad especially since your accompanied by your charming mech, BT. There are some crazy set pieces and nothing beats the thrill of jumping inside your mech to wreak havoc across the battlefield. As for multiplayer, I can’t tell you how many hours I’ve spent playing it. The gameplay is just so sensationally fun, It was so refreshing to get a shooter like this in a market saturated by the same type of FPS games.
PERSONA 5
Persona 5 is one of the best JRPG/RPGs I’ve ever played. I had such a strong love for Persona 4 and when the sequel got announced, I can’t tell you how excited I was. The game has you living out your life as a new student In Tokyo after being put on probation for a crime he was falsely accused of. The game is gorgeous and with the strongest story out of the series, it stands out as an extraordinary and memorable experience that contains so much to do.
It has such a spectacular sense of style, from the character designs to the delightful jazz music. I never skipped the intro to the game because of how brilliant it was. Characters are well written and you genuinely feel attached to them, being able to progress your relationship with friends not only fleshes them out but will level the both of you up for when you’re traversing the dungeons of the game.
Combat is easy to understand yet challenging, you can utilise a variety of personas and use different party members to play how you want. When you aren’t trying to save the world, you’ll find yourself engaging in activities such as gym, working a part-time job, hanging out with a friend or studying for finals. Persona 5 is one of the deepest JRPGs I’ve ever played and it was such a joy to play through, any fan of the genre should have played this.
THE WOLF AMONG US
This neon-styled noir game is Telltale’s best series for many reasons. The story is intriguing, the writing and voice acting is excellent and the characters are so damn good. I love the entire concept of flipping fairy-tale characters we know and love on their head and throwing them into this dark and realistic setting. I know Telltale has come under criticism for only providing the illusion of choice but this is their one game where I genuinely felt like my choices mattered and had actual consequences.
The main events may not change but characters can live or die, questions can remain unanswered depending on how you play the game. Bigby Wolf is a fascinating character and deciding whether you want to embrace the Big Bad Wolf or hold back says a lot about you. I cannot stress enough how good the writing is in this game, this is some of the finest storytelling I’ve witnessed. Also, the game looks so good. It’s based off the comic book “Fables” so it’s no surprise it looks like it was ripped straight from a comic. The cell-shaded characters look fantastic and the neon backgrounds make for some great cinematography. I’m so grateful Season 2 is on its way.
SUPER MARIO ODYSSEY
Out of every game on this list, Super Mario Odyssey is probably the one that provided the most fun and pure joy. It just feels like an old school game that just wants you to enjoy yourself and have fun playing it. It doesn’t hold your hand but it doesn’t severely punish you either, it’s such a creative platforming adventure with personality shooting out of it. There are multiple worlds, all very different from one another and all containing so many secrets.
The game gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace and have fun with the various mechanics’ thanks to the new possessing power. Cappy, Mario’s new sidekick, is a hat that allows him to possess a variety of characters by throwing your hat at them giving you their abilities. You have no idea how fun this is. Super Mario Odyssey was such a breath of fresh air when it released and showed that the Mario series is still capable of delivering originality and innovation.
RESIDENT EVIL 7
Resident Evil 7 brought the series back to its roots whilst also deviating away from previous entries, it stands alone in the franchise and acts as its own self-contained game. The first-person perspective was refreshing and it made the game more immersive and frightening. From a technical aspect, the game is superb; the visuals are fantastic and the sound design is brilliant.
After having a lot of Resident Evil games that focused more on the action element opposed to the horror, this was an amazing return to form proving that Capcom is still capable of giving you nightmares. The decade had its fair share of survival horror games but this and Resident Evil 2 are the best, at least for me. Side note, the VR version of the game made me scream and throw the headset off.
HORIZON ZERO DAWN
I can’t lie, I wasn’t as excited for this game as most. I don’t know why but all I know is I wasn’t too fussed about it and I only bought it because my brother wanted it. In the end, I was the one who loved it whereas he still hasn’t finished it. Horizon Zero Dawn surprised me on so many levels. The open world is vast and stunning, filled with ferocious machines that resemble a diverse range of pre-historic animals, fitting for the games primitive environment.
The combat is exhilarating and I don’t use that word lightly. Armed with a variety of weapons and traps, you’ll find yourself utilising everything in your arsenal to take down a variety of enemies. I wasn’t expecting much from the story but I found myself lost in uncovering the mystery behind not only Aloy but the world itself and how it came to be. Guerilla Games did an enormous amount of world-building and it’s wonderful, hearing the history of the different tribes is so interesting and listening to stories about the Old World just furthers the intrigue. This is easily one of the best of the decade, without a doubt.
GOD OF WAR
Another game where I will definitely write a full article about it because I could rave about it all day. I was a huge fan of the God of War games and when a fourth game was announced set in Norse mythology and seemingly taking a new direction, I couldn’t contain my excitement. This game has everything going for it, a beautiful story, breath-taking visuals and the most exciting combat I’ve experienced in recent memory. Throwing your axe into an enemy, beating down another with your fists, to then call back the axe back to finish the rest off is on another level of awesome. The game still has these spectacular set pieces that remind you, you are playing a God of War game.
There are no cutscenes or loading screens, the game is essentially one-shot with the camera always centred around Kratos. Speaking of Kratos, what a turnaround for the character. I’ve always admired his aggressive and formidable personality in the previous games but let’s be honest, there was no depth to his character once you get past his tragic past. This game however completely re-invents the Greek God and I think that’s down to giving him a son. As we follow Kratos and his son, Atreus, we see a whole other side to this character that is resentful of his past and focused on raising his son right. God of War just gets everything right and I have no trouble saying it is one of the definitive games of all time, let alone this decade.
SPIDER-MAN
I adore everything about this game. Everything. For me this game is my favourite Spider-Man adaptation, it perfectly encapsulates what it means to be Spider-Man through its compelling story and spectacular gameplay. Traversing through New York is so enjoyable that I spent hours just running up skyscrapers and swinging through the city. Not only that but combat is extremely fun, you’ll find yourself taking advantage of Spider-Man’s acrobatic prowess and gadgets to take on hordes of enemies.
I knew Insomniac would nail this aspect of the game but what I didn’t expect was such an engrossing Spider-Man story, I was honestly surprised at the quality of the main campaign. It is clear Insomniac understand what makes Peter Parker such a relatable and captivating character and this is what drives the story. Yes, the game has its massive action-packed set pieces and all the conventional superhero elements you would expect, but you take all that away and there is a gripping and emotional human story that is being told. Insomniac put their heart and soul into this project and it shows, this game is a love letter to fans of the beloved Webhead.
RESIDENT EVIL 2
When Resident Evil originally dropped on Playstation 2 in 1998, it was considered one of the best games of its time. Even now, that original game is considered a timeless classic. When the first look was revealed of the remake, I’m not exaggerating when I say I was blown away with how good it looked. Resident Evil 2 is not only a fantastic horror game but a fantastic game, period. Playing as either Leon Kennedy or Claire Redfield, you’ll find yourself roaming various areas of the zombie-infested Racoon City.
Capcom has done a perfect job of recreating their iconic survival horror game, everything from the visuals to the sound is magnificent. Navigating through creepy, dimly lit hallways is as terrifying as it’s ever been, and the constant fear of whether or not something is lurking around the corner will have you on edge every single second of the way.
This is a true survival horror game that will have you manging your items wisely, solving puzzles and engaging in very satisfying zombie combat. Seriously, the zombies in this game are the best zombies I’ve ever seen and the gore is so disgustingly impressive. Everyone who knows me knows I have a love/hate relationship with horror games, I love playing them but I hate how they make me feel. Resident Evil 2 is the perfect example of this, no other game has made me feel so uncomfortable and cautious but I couldn’t put my controller down.
THE LAST OF US
I think everything has been said about this game. Naughty Dog crafted a dark, mature masterpiece through its grimly realistic gameplay and flawless story. The gameplay reflects the brutality of the world, it is tense and rewards you for being resourceful and smart. The story is riveting from start to finish thanks to impeccable writing and stellar performances from Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson. The emotional attachment you have for Joel and Ellie is scarier than any Clicker or Boomer, thanks to stellar performances from Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson.
Despite all the zombies, you’ll find the real monsters reside in the people trying to survive, this is truly a game about humanity and will have you questioning your morals throughout. Also, Gustavo Santaolalla’s minimalistic score adds so much to the atmosphere of the harsh world Naughty Dog has created. The Last of Us is a piece of art that deserves the recognition and high praise it received and I have no doubt the sequel will live up to this one.
DETROIT: BECOME HUMAN
Detroit: Become Human was Quantic Dreams sci-fi interactive drama where your decisions have huge consequences. A lot of games emphasis that your choices will have an impact going forward but many rarely feel that way, however, Detroit is the first time I felt like I was significantly influencing the narrative. There are so many branching paths that are dependent on the smallest of decisions, it blew my mind when I saw how many different ways a particular scene could play out.
The story is fascinating, there are so many themes the games tackles such as humanity, discrimination, social inequality and the responsibility we hold as creators of technology. The performances are terrific and you will find yourself favouring one of the three characters within the first couple hours. This game deserves a place on this list because of how it made me feel not only during my playtime but even after I had finished it.
MONSTER HUNTER WORLD
Monster Hunter World is the most ambitious game in the series and rightly so with it having the technical power absent from previous instalments. Capcom took advantage of new hardware and upped the ante in every way, it feels new and refreshing yet stays true to the franchise. The environments are dense and full of life with no loading screens in-between areas, each ecosystem feels alive with various creatures and fauna scattered around the maps.
The monsters are intimidating, hunts are as intense as ever, and you’ll find yourself putting in hours upon to attain new armour and weapons. My favourite new addition has to be the “Turf Wars”, where two monsters will battle it out and it truly is a sight to behold. The clear distinction between this Monster Hunter and previous ones is not only the graphical quality but the quality of the AI. Capcom has added distinct personalities to each monster and this is evident when you’re in the midst of a fight or just watching them roam the lands. I had been begging for a new next-generation Monster Hunter game and I’m so happy with the final product.
UNCHARTED 4: A THIEFS END
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End feels like a cinematic blockbuster from start to finish and that’s thanks to its outstanding visuals, clean gameplay and strong story. Nolan North as Nathan Drake is at his best however the performances from the whole cast are exceptional. Troy Baker has great chemistry with North and its evident through their witty banter and heartfelt moments. The set pieces are incredible and whilst they might not be as impressive as previous games, they definitely still contain that wow factor.
Gameplay is at its peak here, controls are tight and the shooting and melee combat feels precise and slick. You have tight control over Nate and that makes for enjoyable platforming with fluid traversal across various terrains. The game tells a more mature story with an older Nathan Drake, whilst still retaining everything that made the Uncharted series so extraordinary in the first place.
Bring on the 2020s
There you have it, my picks for the greatest games of the decade. This list is completely subjective and I don’t expect every single person to agree with the games I’ve picked. That’s why I’d be interested to know what some of your picks would be, what are your favourite games of the decade?
Thanks to everyone who took the time to check this out, regardless if you skimmed through it or read the whole thing. I appreciate it a lot. Here’s to another decade of amazing games!
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