The 2010s were a decade of immense growth in the gaming industry, with story-driven RPGs, open-world adventures, and immersive action games dominating the scene. This list celebrates the top games from each year that helped shape modern gaming, pushing boundaries in both gameplay and narrative design.
2010 - Fallout: New Vegas
Released: October 2010 | Platform: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC
Fallout: New Vegas earned a reputation for its deep role-playing elements and branching narrative. Set in a post-apocalyptic Nevada, the game offered unparalleled freedom of choice and consequence. Its captivating world-building, engaging factions, and complex characters made it a cult favorite, despite the technical hiccups at launch.
2011 - The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Released: November 2011 | Platform: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC
Skyrim became an instant classic with its massive open world, deep lore, and endless quests. The game's freedom allowed players to live out their fantasy adventures, whether they were slaying dragons or exploring ancient ruins. Its impact on RPG design and gaming culture remains monumental to this day.
2012 - The Walking Dead
Released: April 2012 | Platform: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC
Telltale's The Walking Dead redefined narrative-driven games with its emotional storytelling and player-driven choices. Focusing on character development over action, it delivered heart-wrenching moments that resonated deeply with players. The game's success proved the power of episodic adventures, leaving a lasting impact on interactive storytelling.
2013 - Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag
Released: October 2013 | Platform: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PS4, Xbox One, PC
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag brought a new level of freedom to the series, combining naval combat with open-world exploration. Set in the golden age of piracy, the game allowed players to explore vast seas and engage in epic ship battles. Its engaging story and gameplay innovations made it a standout.
2014 - Dragon Age: Inquisition
Released: November 2014 | Platform: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Dragon Age: Inquisition returned to the series’ roots with a vast open world, detailed character customization, and intricate political intrigue. The game's dynamic world and branching storylines allowed for varied playthroughs. Its complex characters and beautiful landscapes cemented it as one of the best RPGs of the decade.
2015 - Rise of the Tomb Raider
Released: November 2015 | Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Rise of the Tomb Raider delivered an exhilarating adventure with Lara Croft facing treacherous environments and deadly foes. Building on the success of the 2013 reboot, it combined action, exploration, and puzzles, while its emotional story of Lara’s evolution stood out as a highlight of the game.
2016 - Final Fantasy XV
Released: November 2016 | Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Final Fantasy XV presented an open-world RPG experience like no other. With a focus on real-time combat and a heartfelt journey of friendship, it introduced players to a stunning world and a unique road trip narrative. Its blend of traditional elements with new mechanics made it a breakthrough for the franchise.
2017 - The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Released: March 2017 | Platform: Nintendo Switch, Wii U
Breath of the Wild reinvented the Zelda formula, offering a vast, open world with unparalleled freedom. Players could tackle objectives in any order, allowing for exploration and problem-solving in innovative ways. Its beautifully crafted world, physics-based puzzles, and deep mechanics made it one of the greatest games of all time.
2018 - God of War
Released: April 2018 | Platform: PlayStation 4
God of War reinvented Kratos’ character and the series with a more intimate, emotional story. Set in Norse mythology, it focused on Kratos’ relationship with his son, Atreus, and refined the combat system. Its cinematic presentation, world-building, and narrative depth made it one of the most celebrated titles of the year.
2019 - Gears 5
Released: September 2019 | Platform: Xbox One, PC
Gears 5 pushed the franchise forward with a more personal story and refined gameplay mechanics. Featuring a compelling narrative centered around Kait Diaz and her connection to the Locust, it introduced new gameplay mechanics, a deeper world, and a strong multiplayer component, continuing Gears of War’s legacy of excellence.
Thank you for reading through the Best Game of Each Year (2010-2019) list! These titles shaped the gaming landscape in the 2010s, setting new standards for gameplay, storytelling, and design. Which of these do you think stands out the most? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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