Top 20 Games of the Decade (Part 1: 20-11)

By: Ryan Ramakrishnan

Seeing as it took until the end of February to post this list, it is safe to say narrowing down my favorite game of the 2010's was no easy task. There were just so many games I played but even harder after deciding on 20 was placing them properly. Giving numbers to these games on this ranking was difficult but I managed to narrow them down and I feel confident to share this with you all.
Be aware that this list is obviously very subjective so I probably won't include many of your favorites since they didn't resonate with me or perhaps I just didn't give them enough time.
Of course, this is only the first part of the list. That means another 10 games, plus some more honorable mentions are coming soon, so stay tuned.
Here is part 1 of my top 20 games of the decade of the 2010's. Enjoy!

20. DOOM

Bethesda is responsible for a few of my favorite shooters of the generation. I came close to including Wolfenstein The new Order or the New Colossus but I ultimately would rather go play Doom right now as its gameplay is so good.
There are few games that give you as much of a power trip like iD Software’s 2016 reboot. Doom is fast and fluid in its gameplay, making you feel awesome as you mow down demons in its brutal and intense action.
This game is pure adrenaline and I love it.

19. Far Cry 4

The Far Cry series undoubtedly deserves my recognition in looking at the games I loved the most over the decade. Far Cry 4 however takes the cake for me personally.

After having nearly gotten a Platinum trophy and 100 percent completion, something I never do, it is safe to say that this was one of my favorite games of the 2010’s.
Whether I was shooting down helicopters with an explosive arrow, taking out enemy bases without making a single sound or gliding my way across the beautiful world of Kyrat in a wingsuit, Far Cry 4 never proved to be anything but great fun.

18. Batman: Arkham Knight

I found the Batmobile to be way overused in Arkham Knight just like everyone else. Yet despite some flaws, this sequel still proved to be some of the most fun I had in the summer of 2015. I really enjoyed Arkham Knight for many reasons.
As I awed at the amazing visuals, I found myself addicted to anything that let me fight as the combat was the best it's ever been here, combined with refined gliding and gadget use. And the writing and characters were great as well overall, specifically the dynamic between the yin and yang of Batman and Joker. It had me immersed and I ended up really loving Arkham Knight.

17. Saints Row: The Third

Saints Row the Third is one of my favorite games to play for pure fun. Call it a guilty pleasure but I love hopping into Steelport and messing around with ridiculous weapons, outfits and vehicles. It is a game that has plenty of personality in the way it is purposefully over-the-top in all the right ways
I have many fond memories of moments in the game, scripted and unscripted alike.
Saints Row the Third is the type of game to play to have a good laugh and get some pure entertainment with ease.

16. Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey

It is safe to say that Assassin’s Creed has been responsible for some of my favorite games over the console generation but the one that deservedly makes the list is the most recent and arguably the best. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey stepped up the game in so many ways. It transformed the series to a full-on action RPG. There is plenty of depth in the gameplay mechanics, making it a very fleshed out and interesting experience.
Odyssey boasts a ridiculously big open world full of lore and compelling characters and stories to unfold. I loved this epic of a game and it makes me so happy to see the direction it took Assassin’s Creed, even more so than Origins.


Here are some honorable mentions.

• Mortal Kombat X
• Telltale’s The Walking Dead: Season One
• Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver
• Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
• Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus

15. Red Dead Redemption 2

Objectively speaking, Red Dead Redemption 2 does brilliant things. It is a very impressive game and work of art. While I found it to be less than fun early on, I ended up with a more-than-high opinion with time. Red Dead 2 stuns me with its beauty.
Character development and emotional, well-written story telling all still at the forefront and are amazing to watch unfold. They are complemented by a very compelling world to ride through full of great fun to be had once you let loose. Rockstar crafted an immersive, intriguing and very fresh open world and film-like experience that I won’t soon forget

14. Red Dead Redemption

Rockstar’s incredible decade began with Red Dead Redemption, a truly special experience. It immersed players with a compelling protagonist in John Marston and his tale of redemption if you will.
The wild west was fleshed out and made for a very unique and fun open world to ride your horse through. Great atmosphere and tone make this feel like a truly great western on the big screen.
Marston was acted and written brilliantly and his story was very engaging, filled with all sorts of emotions. Despite the improvements its successor implemented, I think Red Dead Redemption just places a little higher for me.

13. Super Mario Odyssey

Not only is Super Mario Odyssey one of the best Mario games but it is also a textbook definition of how to make a fun, charming, delightful video game. Odyssey ticks off the many boxes of your typical Nintendo masterpiece.
It has tons of visually appealing, unique and diverse levels to explore. Now more than ever before, these levels are their own sandboxes. There is endlessly catchy music, tons of nostalgic callbacks and easter eggs and fresh takes on platforming.
Now with the possession abilities of Cappy and new moves for Mario overall, Odyssey feels like the most intuitive and fresh game in the series.
And there are few games as lovely to experience as this one.

12. Ratchet & Clank

One of the most underrated games of this console generation in my opinion is 2016’s Ratchet and Clank. This reboot, remake or re imagining, whatever you want to call it, of the revered Insomniac series is one of the best in that franchise. I adored this game enough tom play through it three times, seeing 100 percent completion and a Platinum Trophy. And I would gladly go revisit it again.
Ratchet and Clank has tons of creative weapons, making it so much fun to play.
And it is innocent and charming and purely joyous in many ways.
A game I seriously recommend you to check out if you have a PS4.

11. Celeste

There have been plenty of indie games worth playing from 2010 to 2019. But above the many favorites of mine, none came close to Celeste.
Matt Makes Games released one of the most important and impactful games in the beginning of 2018.
Celeste is equal parts an insanely polished platformer and an incredibly well-written and thought-out narrative.
The Plot is heavy on its themes of depression, anxiety and conquering fears, doing better than many big budget games could. It is emotional and inspirational.
And Celeste is also super fun to play and the challenge is great.
There is such a wonderful feeling of satisfaction in beating the games short but intense platforming levels. Overall, this is just such a well-made gem of a game.

Okay, so there is part 1. That is the first half of my daunting list of my favorite games of the 2010's. If you enjoyed this list of number 20-11, stay tuned for the second half as we tackle what are my absolute favorite games of the past decade. And like I said, be aware of the subjectivity of the list. Thanks for reading and share all your thoughts below!