It goes without saying that the last ten years have seen some of the most incredible games ever seen. Not only have the visuals seen big leaps in enhancement, but the developer's ability to tell incredible stories and execute their artistic visions with or without technological enhancements provided by the likes of HDR and 4K resolutions.
The past decade has seen two transition leaps for the PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo. As a result, it is far too easy to forget some of the greatest games that were released up to a decade ago. Thankfully, even Metacritic has retained the decade’s best and greatest scoring games, according to critics. Let’s take a look at the ten best games of the decade, according to Metacritic.
10 Portal 2 (Metascore 95)
Portal 2 is a science fiction puzzle-platforming game developed by Valve. Following on from 2007’s Portal, the sequel was released for the PC, Mac OS X, Xbox 360, and the PlayStation 3 in 2011. The game implements a portal system where players could open up interconnected pathways to access otherwise inaccessible areas.
In addition to the cleverly implemented puzzle-based gameplay, Portal 2 features a funny and well thought out script with great voice acting. The game’s mechanics and narrative fleshed out and built upon everything that was created in its predecessor, making it one of the best games of the decade.
9 Red Dead Redemption (Metascore 95)
Red Dead Redemption was released in 2010 on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. It created by Rockstar the same developers that brought gamers the Grand Theft Auto series. A successor to Red Dead Revolver, Redemption took the series into an open-world Wild West setting during the final years of the American frontier in 1911.
Like its sister series, Red Dead Redemption is one of the most influential open-world games ever developed inspiring games Assassin’s Creed III and The Witcher 3. The game was made backward compatible with the Xbox One and received graphical and performance enhancements for the Xbox One X.
8 The Last Of Us Remastered (Metascore 95)
The Last of Us was originally released on the PlayStation 3 in 2013 and pushed the older console to its limits at the end of its generation cycle. However, it was the remastered release that followed a year later on the PlayStation 4 that the game was more comfortable on.
The game combines elements of stealth and survival horror with a level of storytelling that shows what video gaming as an entertainment platform is capable of. The story is set to continue on the PlayStation 4 in 2020 with the upcoming The Last of Us Part II with Ellie as the lead protagonist.
7 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Metascore 96)
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim was released in 2011 for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and the PC. Since then, the game was remastered for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in 2016 and ported to the Nintendo Switch in 2017.
The open-world RPG has gone down in history as one of the best and most influential RPGs ever developed, and with the fan-created mods, its popularity has only increased over the years. In addition to the main campaign, Skyrim features hundreds of hours of side quests and lore to discover.
6 Mass Effect 2 (Metascore 96)
BioWare’s Mass Effect 2 was released on the Xbox 360 in 2010 with the PlayStation 3 version to follow in 2011. It’s the second installment in the Mass Effect trilogy and is considered by fans and critics to be the best game in the series.
Mass Effect 2 improved upon everything from its predecessor. The moral choices and social interactions felt like they had a real impact on the game’s story, which carried on from the first game. Additionally, the combat system was far more cinematic, action-orientated, and approachable than the first game.
5 Super Mario Odyssey (Metascore 97)
Super Mario Odyssey was released exclusively on the Nintendo Switch in 2017. It remains one of the best games on an already packed console full of great exclusives. It is one of the largest Super Mario games ever created with lots variety in its worlds and takes the series back to the exploration seen in Mario 64.
It features a Cappy gameplay mechanic that allows Mario to possess, capture and control various enemies and objects. There are lots allusions to past 2D Super Mario Bros games with the use of “flat zones,” which play like the old-school side-on 2D platformers.
4 Grand Theft Auto V (Metascore 97)
Grand Theft Auto V is an open-world action-adventure crime sim that was first released on the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360 in 2013. A remastered version later released on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in 2014 with a PC release to follow in 2015.
GTA V broke sales records across the world, making $1 billion in its first three days after launch making it the fastest-selling media entertainment product in history. The sales are warranted, however, as it contains one of the most intricately designed open-world maps seen in two generations. As a result of its online multiplayer, it’s still a regular in the best selling top ten lists.
3 Red Dead Redemption 2 (Metascore 97)
Red Dead Redemption 2 was released in 2018 for the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One. A PC and Stadia port were later released in 2019. After an eight-year gap between releases, RDR2 joins its predecessor on Metacritic’s overall ten best games of the decade.
Rockstar’s most recent title is arguably the best looking game this generation on both consoles and the PC. Additionally, the voice acting and narrative are compelling from start to finish, which is quite the achievement considering how massive Red Dead Redemption 2 is.
2 The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild (Metascore 97)
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was released simultaneously on the Nintendo Wii U and the Nintendo Switch in 2017. Despite being released on consoles with less power than the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, Breath of the Wild is one of the stunning technical achievements of this generation.
The game’s minimalist story throws players into an open world where they are free to explore and tackle the world’s dungeons and monsters however they see fit. Despite the modern coat of paint, Breath of the Wild feels like an old-school Legend of Zelda game with a huge open-world and a gripping story that develops as players progress.
1 Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Metascore 97)
Super Mario Galaxy 2 was released exclusively on the Nintendo Wii in 2010. It is Metacritic’s highest-scoring game and remains one of Nintendo’s most highly regarded games. Galaxy 2 is a game that is packed full of original and fun ideas as Mario cleverly traverses the spherical planets.
The sequel builds upon its already brilliant predecessor but offers players more challenge, and each level manages to find ways to be better and more exciting than the last as the game progresses. As is typical with first-party Nintendo titles, the art direction is superb, and the orchestral soundtrack is easily one of the best of a generation.