The video game industry has exploded into life since the turn of the millennium, thanks to the ever-improving technology at its disposal, but that’s not to say the ingenious creativity wasn’t here before. Gamers have been blessed with must-have titles over the years, but several stand out from the crowd as they have inspired a resurgence in their respective genres.
These games are ones everyone should play at least once in their lifetime, with their qualities obvious to everyone, even if the specific genre isn’t for everyone. A major testament to where the gaming industry is today is that these must-have games are a mix of indie and AAA titles.
10/10 Stardew Valley inspired the next generation of Farming Sim games
It’s no secret that harvest moon inspired Stardew Valleythe concepts and premises of , but what Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone managed to achieve with Stardew Valley is simply amazing. Released in 2016, Stardew Valley reshaped the simulation genre. Countless farming and life-sim games have followed, recreating familiar mechanics and visuals in an effort to reach the unprecedented heights that Stardew Valley go to.
Stardew Valley is open, but with time constraints that push the game forward over days, weeks, seasons, and years. Players have the freedom to stay on their farm if they wish, they can interact with the townspeople or embark on a monster-slaying adventure. All eyes are now on the horizon as fans eagerly await ConcernedApe’s next big project, haunted chocolatier.
9/10 Fortnite has become a revolutionary platform for virtual concerts as well as promoting the Battle Royale genre
Battle Royale games aren’t for everyone, but for many the premise of being pitted against many other players with a single winner at the end is an exciting prospect. The genre started gaining momentum in the 2010s, but 2017 cemented its legacy with the releases of both. PUBG: Battlegrounds and Fortnite.
Due to its immediate popularity, Fortnite: Battle Royale was quickly changed to a free-to-play model. Fortnite has caused a lot of controversy over the years, but it has also stood out for redefining the future of gaming. Not only has Fortnite inspired a huge wave of new Battle Royale games, but it even provided a platform for musicians with in-game events, from Marshmello and Travis Scott to Ariana Grande.
8/10 Minecraft has granted millions a canvas for endless creativity and expression
MinecraftThe longevity and popularity of is impressive, but not too surprising in the grand scheme. Mojang initially released it to the public in 2009 before its full release in 2011, and it continued to reach new heights with Microsoft buying the property in 2014.
Minecraft has excelled because it allows and encourages creativity and imagination. Players can play however they want, whether they want to play solo or with friends, in survival or creative mode. Minecraft even gets updates and new content at a reasonable rate, but not fast enough to overwhelm players. When it comes to sandbox games, there is none better.
7/10 The Last of Us shocked the world with its intense storytelling
The last of us is easily one of the greatest games of all time, and is easily the biggest win for PlayStation. They’ve kept it PlayStation exclusive since its release in 2013, although a Windows version is finally in the works. The last of us is an action-adventure thriller with some of the best stories ever seen in video games.
Its sequel, The Last of Us Part II also received rave reviews. The franchise will get a highly anticipated television series in 2023, starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey as Joel and Ellie. The last of us alone was responsible for the hordes of gamers buying a PlayStation console just to be able to be part of this great experience.
6/10 Red and blue were the starting point of this long and successful Pokémon journey
The Pokemon the games aren’t always in the discussion for the greatest games of all time, but the franchise remains one of the most popular. As the mainline series nears its ninth generation of games with scarlet and violetfans are excited about this new level of freedom these games promise to bring.
However, a specific moment in time has to be thanked for Pokemon‘s popularity, and this must be the original Red Blue games, as well as Green in Japan. The original games introduced this role-playing experience with turn-based combat, which nobody quite realized would stay rooted in nostalgia for years and launch an incredible franchise. The originals may pale in comparison to the newer generations in terms of graphics and mechanics, but they still have to thank for Pokemonis success.
5/10 Pokémon Go has added a whole new dimension to the franchise
Pokemon has grown so much that it has expanded beyond the main games. Mystery Dungeon, Instantaneousand Tidy barely scratching the surface, but another major release was the most recent Pokemon Go. Released in 2016, Pokemon Go is an augmented reality mobile game that has taken on a life of its own.
Pokemon Go was played by millions but was not limited to hardcore fans of the franchise. The premise of wandering around the real world in order to find new species of Pokemon has been healthy, not just for people, but for the franchise itself. Pokemon Go is free to play, but with microtransactions helping players get more items and perks, the game has really flourished and improved over time.
4/10 Red Dead Redemption 2 proved that long campaigns could still be compelling
Rockstar Games is well known for the GTA and Red Dead Redemption franchises, but have always shared reviews with their online modes. However, with Red Dead Redemption 2they delivered an absolute masterclass on storytelling and the overall single-player experience.
Red Dead Redemption 2The stunning visuals and realism of Add to this immersive western experience as players follow Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang. The game has sold over 45 million copies worldwide since its release in 2018, which is a testament to its quality. It is considered one of the most important campaigns in video game history and is considered a measurement tool for new games.
3/10 Super Mario Bros. paved the way for a successful Mario franchise and countless platforms
mario has been a driving force for multiple genres over the years, with Mario Kart, mario partyand various mario sports games taking on a life of their own. Still Super Mario Bros. remains the quintessence mario Game. The adorable plumber actually made his first appearance in donkey kong in 1981, but the Super Mario the franchise was born with Brothers in 1985.
The platformer has inspired many similar games, both within the franchise and outside, but it’s still considered one of the original and most iconic platformers. The game cemented mariorolls out of the arcades, and the iconic theme will be seared into anyone’s brain after a game.
2/10 Super Smash Bros. Ultimate shows how far the franchise and platform fighters have come
As Nintendo gained momentum and many titles throughout the 1990s, they were finally in a position where they could achieve huge cross-play in Super Smash Bros.. smash became another Nintendo property to earn a living, thriving under the encouragement of cooperative play.
The series grew in the following years with the releases of Melee, Fightand an additional game for 3DS and Wii U in 2014, but in 2018, Super Smash Bros Ultimate come. The roster of playable characters has grown significantly in recent years, now reaching over 80. Smash Bros. model has paved the way for many new titles to try their hand at platforming combat, with varying levels of success. MultiVersus is a recent example of a successful attempt that seems to have a promising future on the horizon.
1/10 The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild Brought Back Gamers In Love With Open World Exploration
The The Legend of Zelda The franchise has come a long way since the original game was released in 1986. Gamers and fans will have their favorites from the many titles that have followed, but breath of the wild represents a seismic change not only in the Zelda franchise, but also in the gaming industry. Therefore, breath of the wild will often be part of the conversation for the greatest game of all time, and with good reason.
breath of the wild allows players to roam the open world at their leisure while making the story elements incredibly compelling. Solving puzzles and completing side quests has never been so enjoyable, with new exploration games now taking into account their importance in the app as well. Its sequel, tears of the kingdomwill be released in 2023, but everyone should play the original first.