As the decade comes to a close, its time to reflect on everything that has happened since it began. The current console generation was almost entirely contained in the decade, with less than a year until the new consoles arrive.
The Xbox One was a console of change and adaptation, with a less than stellar launch, most of the generation was spent playing catchup, with backward compatibility and Xbox Game Pass being two of the many "make good" features. As for games, the Xbox One could not compare in exclusives, but it was still home to some fantastic games.
10 10. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (91)
It wouldn't be a "best of" list without the inclusion of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt somewhere on the list. The almost undisputed game of the year in 2015, it's easily one of the best RPGs of the decade. Filled to the brim with monsters and interesting stories, it excels in so many different ways that anybody can find something to love about it. With two solid DLC expansions and the in-game card game of Gwent, this game has tons of content and great content at that.
9 9. What Remains of Edith Finch (92)
A tale of a family tragedy, What Remains of Edith Finch takes you on a journey through the old Finch residence, as Edith relays the story of family members who all met tragic ends. Each story takes on a different art style and different mechanics of progressing through. While the game can be described as a "walking simulator" it's fairly interactive and the expertly crafted narrative makes this game a must-play. Games like What Remains of Edith Finch reminds everyone that video games are art.
8 8. Divinity: Original Sin II - Definitive Edition (92)
Another game that gets called "one of the greatest of all time" Divinity: Original Sin II is a Dungeons and Dragons inspired epic RPG. A fully-voiced story with 70 to 80 hours of content for just the mainline, the game gives players an intense amount of freedom in their choice.
There is no need to be good or bad, choosing whatever in between works best for you. Being able to create and customize your character and fully determine what class new party members take on allows for you to play this game however you please. The turn-based combat takes into account terrain and environments to give an added depth.
7 7. Forza Horizon 4 (92)
One the greatest racing games ever made, Forza Horizon 4 took everything the series had been building towards and brought it near perfection. Racing through the seasons and across Great Britain looks and feels phenomenal. The more arcade-style racing makes for some fun events and adds a level of levity sorely missing from the Forza Motorsport entries. Combined with a very deep customization system for both cars and drivers this game offers a bit of everything. The always-connected open-world makes sure that playing with other people is never too far away without being chaotic or annoying.
6 6. INSIDE (93)
INSIDE is a puzzle-platformer wrapped up in a post-apocalyptic world and a story about human experimentation. From the makers of Limbo, the game plays fairly similarly but hits very different notes for story and environment. The game is brutal, from death animations to story and does not shy away from the monstrosity it considers human experimentation. The puzzles ask for a ton of work from the player but never cross into being tedious. Overall this game is fantastic for puzzle fans and horror fans, although don't expect it to be quiet like other horror games.
5 5. Resident Evil 2 (93)
A decade and generation full of twists and turns, nobody at the start could have predicted the comeback that was Resident Evil 7: Biohazard and certainly not the reception Resident Evil 2 remake got. The remake took a beloved but old and dated title and transformed it into a modern video game.
The remake is a near-perfect survival horror game, combining old-school Resident Evil puzzles with modern third-person shooting and action. The game doesn't change too much with the story, on expanding when appropriate. The game also managed to turn Mr. X into an enjoyable mechanic in the year 2019, which is a feat by itself.
4 4. Celeste (94)
Celeste, at face value, came as another old-school 2D platformer at a time when there were are too many of those being released on the market. Looking past that though is not only one of the best-designed platformers of the generation, but also one with a heartbreaking tale of a battle against mental illness. As you traverse the difficult mountain to reach the summit against the odds, Madeline must come to terms with what drove her up this mountain in the first place. The game can be very difficult but features a robust set of difficulty options for those less skilled at platformers.
3 3. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (95)
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain felt like the conclusion of several stories. Not only does it feel like the end of Metal Gear Solid in this form from Konami, but it also marked the end of Hideo Kojima's tenure with the company. The game certainly left a mark, featuring a full-fledged open world to sneak and fight through as Big Boss. The game also implements a base system that features upgrades and soldiers, meaning there is also a next thing to unlock. Going against the grain, the story of the game is fairly straight forward most of the time and mixes in the strange fantasy type elements present in with the real-world espionage very well.
2 2. Grand Theft Auto V (97)
At this point, it feels like Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online are older than time itself. The first mainline entry in the series at the time of its original release, GTA V came so packed with content and just kept having more and more added into it, a new GTA may never be released.
The game fully realized the vision setup with previous titles, giving an expansive open world where anything could happen combined with a story focused on three main characters.
1 1. Red Dead Redemption 2 (97)
Love it or hate, Red Dead Redemption 2 will go down as one of the best games in both this decade and this console generation. A perfect simulation of life in the old west, the game prioritizes realism and simulation of every other aspect of the game for better or worse. While the games combat mechanics feel like a small evolution of the previous games, every single moment of this game feels like pure art, with a phenomenal story to back it up. It may not be the most fun game at times, but is without a doubt one of the best.