By: Ryan Ramakrishnan
The 2010's were an impressive 10 years, seeing tens of hundreds of games released worth checking out.
My personal gaming taste differs from yours, that I am sure of, so be aware that this list is very subjective. I am not ranking the best games of the decade, just my favorites. So please be sure to be respectful with that in mind.
I invite you to go check out the first part of the list, where I have 20 through 11, ass this is my top 20 games of the 2010's. That would be a good read prior to this list!
With all that out of the way, let's take a deep dive into the 10 defining games of my last decade, with a few more honorable mentions to boot.
Enjoy!
10. Injustice 2
A Netherrealm game had to make my list, some way or another. I spent hours on end playing, talking about and thinking about my love for the Injustice and Mortal Kombat games. But the one that stood out for me since I spent my entire summer playing it is Injustice 2. I think that it is one of the best fighting games of the decade.
It does things that the competition should be taking notes on. And I look back at my gaming from 2010 to today and realize that I probably played more Injustice 2 than anything else.
I love the DC heroes and villains and playing as them with such robust customization and depth made it amazing for me. And the story was so well-done, epic even and better than most films starring these characters this past decade.
Injustice 2 did single player right.
It did online play right.
It did the genre right.
And it is simply one of the defining games of my 2010’s.
9. Super Smash Bros Ultimate
Super Smash bros Ultimate did the impossible in bringing back every character in its history. And Ultimate is still going with more DLC to come in 2020.
This content-filed game has enough fun to be had for tens of hundreds of hours.
Sakurai made every fighter in this massive roster unique enough to be worth choosing over everyone else. There is an insane amount of stages to fight on, spirits to collect and music to listen to. It is literally its own MP3 player of nostalgic and iconic Nintendo and gaming music.
I have so much respect and love for the series of Smash but Ultimate took it to a level I never knew possible; it is a love letter to Nintendo and gaming as a whole.
With so much to do and so much to enjoy as a Nintendo fan, I can’t see myself ever wanting to stop playing Super Smash Bros Ultimate as it is the definitive place to play the series. Super Smash Bros Ulimate is also quite literally one of my favorite games to play any time, any day. It is pure fun.
8. Marvel’s Spider-Man
Taking cues from Rocksteady’s Batman Arkham series, Insomniac Games crafted one of the most fun superhero games and one of the best Spider-Man stories to date.
I couldn’t get enough of Marvel’s Spider-Man. The game has amazing gameplay thanks to its free-flowing combat combined with Spider-Man-specific gadgets and of course web swinging. The flow of swinging around the city and web-use in combat is endlessly entertaining.
I had some of my favorite moments of 2018 in gaming simply swinging around New York City and using the awesome photo mode.
Spider-Man has an interesting story with well-written fan-favorite characters, fun boss fights and an emotional ending. It is truly an example of how to do this kind of game not just right but spectacularly
7. Super Mario Galaxy 2
There is a certain expectation you have going into a Nintendo game. And after the amazing success of Super Mario Galaxy in 2007, I had nothing but the highest of hopes for the sequel.
Obviously Super Mario Galaxy didn’t disappoint as it topped so many other games on this list. Super Mario Galaxy 2 is not just one of the best Mario games to date but it is an example of how to platformers right, maybe even just how to do games right. The level design is incredible and the many planets you get to visit each have their own personalities and tons of special elements to them.
There is amazing music that will always be stuck in your head and the vibes are nothing but great, as is always the case with this franchise.
Galaxy 2 implemented great new power ups, Yoshi and much more and it continued to be the epic platformer experience that its predecessor introduced us too.
I can’t think of too many more games on this list out of there Mario name that have so much delight and perfection in their design as Super Mario Galaxy 2.
Placing Watch Dogs 2 on my list may come as a surprise. Placing it this high will come as a surprise. But I stand by this game and I often argue that is underrated.
I understand why Watch Dogs got flack after its 2014 release but this sequel improves everything.
We now have a very fun, funny and likable character, a colorful, lighter and more engaging city, an easier-going and simultaneously more entertaining story and an overall much-more enjoyable experience.
Watch Dogs 2 left me with tons of memories. I just had the time of my life driving around San Francisco. Driving felt fun and the cars were cool enough for me to feel in style as I rocked some crazy but awesome clothes. Stores sold so many new clothing options.
And the map of the Bay Area didn’t disappoint with so many things to do and see. I found the checklist aspect of this Ubisoft open world to be fun and entertaining, never boring, nor tedious.
I loved exploring the map and I loved seeing so much personality and charm thrown into the game. And the hacking gameplay, gunplay and stealth combined with general mission structure left me equally satisfied with the entertainment value.
I highly recommend this game to all and beg you to not sleep on it any more.
6. Watch Dogs 2
Placing Watch Dogs 2 on my list may come as a surprise. Placing it this high will come as a surprise. But I stand by this game and I often argue that is underrated.
I understand why Watch Dogs got flack after its 2014 release but this sequel improves everything.
We now have a very fun, funny and likable character, a colorful, lighter and more engaging city, an easier-going and simultaneously more entertaining story and an overall much-more enjoyable experience.
Watch Dogs 2 left me with tons of memories. I just had the time of my life driving around San Francisco. Driving felt fun and the cars were cool enough for me to feel in style as I rocked some crazy but awesome clothes. Stores sold so many new clothing options.
And the map of the Bay Area didn’t disappoint with so many things to do and see. I found the checklist aspect of this Ubisoft open world to be fun and entertaining, never boring, nor tedious.
I loved exploring the map and I loved seeing so much personality and charm thrown into the game. And the hacking gameplay, gunplay and stealth combined with general mission structure left me equally satisfied with the entertainment value.
I highly recommend this game to all and beg you to not sleep on it any more.
Before I get to my top 5, here are five more honorable mentions.
If I had more spots on this list, Uncharted 4 would definitely get recognized, but the other main series title from 2011 earned its place here.
Easily one of my favorite games of the PS3, 360 generation and clearly of this past decade, I just love Uncharted 3. I think back to playing it and remember tons of moments. I feel like Naughty Dog gave us iconic set piece after set piece, cutscene after cutscene.
It is an endlessly entertaining and thrilling adventure and made me feel like I was watching an awesome action movie at all times.
Drake and Sully’s relationship in the past and present get explored and Drake and Elena’s is also further established, making the trio’s stories and characters overall feel at their prime here. And if this was the final game in the series, it would have been a great ending and capped off an awesome trilogy.
Uncharted 3 is just an exciting joyride from start to finish and that is why it earned its place so high on my list.
Rocksteady has rightfully earned two places on my list.
The jump from tight, linear level design to a sprawling open world of Gotham made 2011’s Arkham City one of my favorite games period.
I loved my experience as Batman, arguably the definitive way to be Batman, despite some technical improvements in Arkham Knight. This is a game full of awesome things. Whether we are talking about the mood and atmosphere of Gotham the game sets or the brilliant use of villains both in story and in boss fights or anything in between.
Arkham, City’s gameplay was innovative at the time and still feels great to this day. Gliding through the city and the free-flowing combat that gets deeper and more fun overtime are staples in the experience and just so great.
It tells a memorable Batman and Bruce Wayne story and the amount of love for the source material makes it all the more of a masterpiece.
I have always loved playing God of War but the series never came close to the depth and polish that the 2018 title did. God of War did basically everything right. It impressed me in a multitude of ways.
The cinematography is breathtaking. I can’t believe that there are no camera cuts at all. That technical prowess is complemented by the beauty of the world and the amazing graphics.
God of War’s world isn’t just pretty but it is also compelling. The Norse mythology makes ever forest, ever body of water and every realm interesting. Boat stories, dialogue between other characters, side quests and general exploration prove to be worthwhile thanks to the amazing world-building.
I found myself so immersed by the cast of brilliantly written and voice-acted characters. And the story between Kratois and Atreus and their father-son dynamic is done so well and leaves me more than satisfied with the depth Kratos now has.
Of course, the combat is also impressive thanks to RPG mechanics, a new legendary weapon and tons of combos and brutal finishers.
Despite being very different from classic God of War, the combat is arguably the most fun and the best the series has ever been. Nothing more needs to be said about this masterpiece.
Naughty Dog’s amazing talent is perhaps most apparent in 2013’s The Last of Us.
A game that has been talked about ever since it was announced, The Last of Us is truly special. Naughty Dog gave us one of the most emotional and compelling stories in all of gaming.
The plot is heavy on every kind of emotion and it delivers through and through. The world is brilliantly crafted ion everything from the physical design and the decay of everything to the narrative direction and characters within.
Characters are very well-written and acted. Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson deliver amazing performances making their characters all the more interesting and worth caring about. Joel established a great relationship with Ellie above all odds and their journey across the infected United States is nothing short of intense. It feels like an Oscar-worthy film.
The Last of Us has intuitive gameplay too, though certainly not the reason why this game is so beloved, I have to give it respect for the crafting, stealth sequences, enemy and A.I. technicalities and survival horror tension. It is a very intense game that had me on the edge of my seat pretty much in its entirety.
Whether it is the opening moments which quickly establish what kind of story this is, the winter events where Ellie learns the most she ever will or the very thrilling and emotional ending, The Last of Us is truly a one-of-a-kind experience full of memorable moments and admirable game and story design.
I would give anything to experience it for the very first time again because there are few pieces of entertainment that have affected me the way The Last of Us did, as it is a real masterpiece.
Aside from a couple of first person shooters or a certain platformer starring a plumber, Grand Theft Auto is probably the most recognizable name in video games.
The industry leaders at Rockstar crafted what is an unprecedented success in 2013 with GTA V. This game not only impressed gamers, myself obviously included back then when my PS3 had no dust but it continued to thrive and get better and better, making it a title I am playing regularly right now in 2020.
Grand Theft Auto V is one of the few games on my list that I can call a masterpiece in confidence. I don’t know if there is a game on this list that is more fun and entertaining. I don’t know if there is a game that is more impactful. And I don’t know if any other title could really top GTA V.
As I wrote this list, I went back and forth for quite a while with my top three. The Last of Us and God of War fought with Grand Theft Auto V for number one but in the end, I don’t think any other game this decade gave me more entertainment than Rockstar’s.
I bought GTA V 3 different times to have it on 3 consoles.
I have spent dozens of hours just driving around, playing with cheat codes, changing my outfit and living out my dreams.
5. Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception
If I had more spots on this list, Uncharted 4 would definitely get recognized, but the other main series title from 2011 earned its place here.
Easily one of my favorite games of the PS3, 360 generation and clearly of this past decade, I just love Uncharted 3. I think back to playing it and remember tons of moments. I feel like Naughty Dog gave us iconic set piece after set piece, cutscene after cutscene.
It is an endlessly entertaining and thrilling adventure and made me feel like I was watching an awesome action movie at all times.
Drake and Sully’s relationship in the past and present get explored and Drake and Elena’s is also further established, making the trio’s stories and characters overall feel at their prime here. And if this was the final game in the series, it would have been a great ending and capped off an awesome trilogy.
Uncharted 3 is just an exciting joyride from start to finish and that is why it earned its place so high on my list.
4. Batman: Arkham City
The jump from tight, linear level design to a sprawling open world of Gotham made 2011’s Arkham City one of my favorite games period.
I loved my experience as Batman, arguably the definitive way to be Batman, despite some technical improvements in Arkham Knight. This is a game full of awesome things. Whether we are talking about the mood and atmosphere of Gotham the game sets or the brilliant use of villains both in story and in boss fights or anything in between.
Arkham, City’s gameplay was innovative at the time and still feels great to this day. Gliding through the city and the free-flowing combat that gets deeper and more fun overtime are staples in the experience and just so great.
It tells a memorable Batman and Bruce Wayne story and the amount of love for the source material makes it all the more of a masterpiece.
3. God of War
I have always loved playing God of War but the series never came close to the depth and polish that the 2018 title did. God of War did basically everything right. It impressed me in a multitude of ways.
The cinematography is breathtaking. I can’t believe that there are no camera cuts at all. That technical prowess is complemented by the beauty of the world and the amazing graphics.
God of War’s world isn’t just pretty but it is also compelling. The Norse mythology makes ever forest, ever body of water and every realm interesting. Boat stories, dialogue between other characters, side quests and general exploration prove to be worthwhile thanks to the amazing world-building.
I found myself so immersed by the cast of brilliantly written and voice-acted characters. And the story between Kratois and Atreus and their father-son dynamic is done so well and leaves me more than satisfied with the depth Kratos now has.
Of course, the combat is also impressive thanks to RPG mechanics, a new legendary weapon and tons of combos and brutal finishers.
Despite being very different from classic God of War, the combat is arguably the most fun and the best the series has ever been. Nothing more needs to be said about this masterpiece.
2. The Last of Us
Naughty Dog’s amazing talent is perhaps most apparent in 2013’s The Last of Us.
A game that has been talked about ever since it was announced, The Last of Us is truly special. Naughty Dog gave us one of the most emotional and compelling stories in all of gaming.
The plot is heavy on every kind of emotion and it delivers through and through. The world is brilliantly crafted ion everything from the physical design and the decay of everything to the narrative direction and characters within.
Characters are very well-written and acted. Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson deliver amazing performances making their characters all the more interesting and worth caring about. Joel established a great relationship with Ellie above all odds and their journey across the infected United States is nothing short of intense. It feels like an Oscar-worthy film.
The Last of Us has intuitive gameplay too, though certainly not the reason why this game is so beloved, I have to give it respect for the crafting, stealth sequences, enemy and A.I. technicalities and survival horror tension. It is a very intense game that had me on the edge of my seat pretty much in its entirety.
Whether it is the opening moments which quickly establish what kind of story this is, the winter events where Ellie learns the most she ever will or the very thrilling and emotional ending, The Last of Us is truly a one-of-a-kind experience full of memorable moments and admirable game and story design.
I would give anything to experience it for the very first time again because there are few pieces of entertainment that have affected me the way The Last of Us did, as it is a real masterpiece.
1. Grand Theft Auto V
Aside from a couple of first person shooters or a certain platformer starring a plumber, Grand Theft Auto is probably the most recognizable name in video games.
The industry leaders at Rockstar crafted what is an unprecedented success in 2013 with GTA V. This game not only impressed gamers, myself obviously included back then when my PS3 had no dust but it continued to thrive and get better and better, making it a title I am playing regularly right now in 2020.
Grand Theft Auto V is one of the few games on my list that I can call a masterpiece in confidence. I don’t know if there is a game on this list that is more fun and entertaining. I don’t know if there is a game that is more impactful. And I don’t know if any other title could really top GTA V.
I bought GTA V 3 different times to have it on 3 consoles.
I have spent dozens of hours just driving around, playing with cheat codes, changing my outfit and living out my dreams.
I have spent even more hours playing what is probably the most innovative online ecosystem in modern gaming. GTA Online has proven to be incredibly addicting for too many reasons to list, many of which have cars in the name.
GTA V is simply an experience that can be had many times and would still not grow stale. It is a joyous game that has so many things to absolutely love about it.
Joel and Kratos may share better stories with Ellie and Atreus respectively but the amount of unadulterated, pure fun that I can have for hours on end with Michael, Franklin, Trevor and my own online character let GTA V take the throne.
In the end, Grand Theft Auto V is a masterclass in immersion, world-building and pure entertainment putting it in a league of its own, rightfully placing number one for my game of the decade.
Joel and Kratos may share better stories with Ellie and Atreus respectively but the amount of unadulterated, pure fun that I can have for hours on end with Michael, Franklin, Trevor and my own online character let GTA V take the throne.
In the end, Grand Theft Auto V is a masterclass in immersion, world-building and pure entertainment putting it in a league of its own, rightfully placing number one for my game of the decade.
And that is the end of the most difficult list I have ever written. Ranking 20 games was very hard, as it took many factors into account, such as nostalgia, replay value, story, recency bias and personal taste. I feel confident enough in my list.
So, those are the top 10 games of my personal gaming over the last decade. Of course, I invite and strongly advise you to go check the first part out, where I list number 20 through 11.
I hope you enjoyed taking a trip in to my favorite video games of the 2010's.
Now, it is your turn. Be sure to sound off about which games you loved the most over the last decade in the comments below. I want to hear all you have to say.
Thanks for reading!
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