The end of 2019 is coming soon, and it is probably time to look back at the previous decade of gaming. There have been many great games released during the period, and in this article, we would list out some of the biggest, most influential video games in the last ten years.
10 – The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011)
While Bethesda has released many successful open-world RPGs over the years, from both TES and Fallout IP, nothing has even come near the success of Skyrim. The game was made from a unique version of the creation engine, with various improvements in both gameplay and content quality comparing to its predecessor, Oblivion. Overall, despite all the launch issues and criticism over bad melee combat, the game still ships over 7 million copies in the first day – and 5 years later, 30 million copies have been floated on all platforms, making the thing one of the best selling video games ever.
Skyrim is available on both Xbox, PS, and PC. There is also a Switch and VR version.
9 – Dota 2 (2013)
Valve’s biggest Esports title, Dota 2, was adapted from a custom map of Warcraft 3. Dota 2 is the second most popular Moba in the world, with a big prize pool that increases every year. Its overall complexity and steep learning curve have played a part in separating the game from competitors like League. Since release, Dota 2 has been constantly amongst the most played games on Steam, with about one million concurrent players at its peak. The game has also spawned two spinoffs: an auto battler called Dota Underlords and a card game called Artifact.
Dota 2 can only be played on PC
8 – Dark Souls (2011)
Dark Souls is an action RPG published by Namco Bandai and developed by FromSoftware. The game was a massive hit when it was released, with revolutionary game mechanics and level design. Overall, players praise the depth of its combat, the “challenging but fair” difficulty, the intricate map designs and various storytelling elements. Dark Souls has singlehandedly spawned its own genre called “Souls-like” which would, in turn, become one of the staple tags of video games. Dark Souls can be played on PS3, Xbox 360 and PC.
7 – Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018)
A prequel to the critically acclaimed Red Dead Redemption, RDR 2 has definitely lived up to the hype. In this game, players would be able to explore all over the Wild West of the United States, filled with wilds and natural wonders.
The game was hyped and marketed extensively – it broke several records with the second biggest launch ever in video game history. In just the opening weekend, the game has generated about seven hundred and twenty-five million in revenues, with the lifetime sales of Red Dead 1 broken after the second week. The PC version was released one year afterward.
RDR 2 can be played on PS4 and PC.
6 – PUBG (2017)
PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds is a genre creator – the first-ever success model for a battle royale. In this game, players would land on an island, scavenge for weapons and equipment, and try to kill each other inside a rapidly shrinking map. The game was released for PC in December 2017 and rapidly expanded into other systems and even mobile. It has become one of the most played and best-selling video games of all time, with over 50 million copies sold and about four hundred million players, including the mobile version.
Currently, its available on PC and both console systems – and the mobile version are on both Android and iOS.
5 – The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017)
The first new Zelda game to be released in this generation, Breath of the Wild is definitely something else. The events of the game are set at the final days of the Zelda timeline, in which the hero Link has to go on another adventure to save the world from Calamity Ganon.
The gameplay of BotW is very similar to the original Zelda: it just gives the player a character and an open world so that they could explore at whatever pace they deem fit. The world is generally approved for its nonlinear structure and so that players would be encouraged to explore and experiment.
BotW was a solid launch title for the Nintendo Switch. It is also available on the Wii U as well.
4 – The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015)
The third entry in the Witcher Series, Wild Hunt has definitely redefined the RPG genre and elevated its developer, CD Projekt Red, into the top list of all AA video game developers. The Witcher 3 has raised to bar for every open-world game with its amazing level of polish, both in quantity and quality. The combat is fluid, the story is masterfully crafted, and the visuals are absolutely breathtaking.
The mini card game called Gwent was later expanded into a standalone game. Overall, Witcher 3 is one of the most awarded games of all time, and for a good reason. Witcher 3 can be played on all consoles including the Switch and PC.
3 - Grand Theft Auto 5 (2013)
The first main series entry since 2008, Grand Theft Auto 5 is an action-adventure game set in the fictional city of San Andreas, South California. The story and gameplay of GTA 5 are centered around three criminals and their efforts to commit heist while under pressure from criminal organizations and government agencies. GTA 5 is the third best selling game of all time, and with the success of GTA Online, it has risen amongst the rank to be one of the most profitable entertainment products ever, with over six billion dollars in revenue worldwide.
The game was first released for the PS3 and Xbox 360 but was later ported to both the Xbox One and PS4. The PC version came 1 year afterward.
2 - Fortnite (2017)
Fortnite Battle Royale is a F2P Battle Royale shooter made by Epic Games – it was originally a component to another game called Fortnite – Save the world, but eventually exploded into a global phenomenon. Fortnite has taken the Battle Royale formula of PUBG and add another special twist to it – with a building mechanic and an extensive item system
Fortnite is currently the most popular video game in the world, with over 250 million players and 2 billion dollars of profit. The game has definitely become a cultural phenomenon. It is currently available on all systems, from PC to consoles to mobile.
1 - Minecraft (2011)
In Minecraft, players would explore a blocky pixelated world. They can then build structure, extract materials, craft tools, fight against AI foes and more. There are two styles of gameplay: survival, in which the player has to gather resources and survive - and creative, in which the player has unlimited resources to create whatever they want. The core gameplay is probably the second style, in which various amazing wonders have been created over the years. The game could be played on PC, Xbox, and Android.
Minecraft is the best selling video game of all time, with over 180 million copies distributed. Various spinoffs are also getting developed. Interested in more of our top lists? Please check out this post for the most expensive sequels of this decade.
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