The 12 Best Video Games of the 2010s, Ranked

Image via Rockstar Published Jul 31, 2026, 3:08 PM EDT Writing from the Chicagoland area in Illinois, Robert is an avid movie watcher and will take just about any excuse to find time to go to his local movie theaters. Robert graduated from Bradley University with degrees in Journalism and Game Design with a minor in Film Studies. Robert tries his best to keep up with all the latest movie releases, from those released in theaters to those released on streaming. While he doesn't always keep up with the latest TV shows, he makes it a goal to watch nearly every major new release possible. He has been honing his craft and following any and all movie news all his life, leading up to now, where he has a vast knowledge of film and film history. He also logs every movie that he watches on his Letterboxd page, and has hosted a weekly online movie night with his closest friends for over 6 years. Sign in to your Collider account Gaming as a medium is always evolving and striving to put out the most striking and innovative experiences out there, with each different era of the video game industry having its own standout selection of outstanding games that stand the test of time with overwhelming influence. The 2010s especially proved to be one of the most pivotal times for gaming as a whole, between the rise of games as a service archetype, mobile gaming becoming bigger than ever, and massive technological breakthroughs with the eighth generation of consoles. However, more than prominent trends and the shifting waves of the industry as a whole, the true importance and impact of the decade always comes back to the quality of the games, with the 2010s having an exceptional collection of masterful video game experiences. From explosive, hard-hitting experiences for hardcore gamers to some of the simplest yet most charming casual games out there, many of these games go beyond simply being great for the decade and are among the most celebrated games of all time. 12 'God of War' (2018) Image via Sony Interactive Entertainment The God of War franchise has always had a dedicated audience who have fallen in love with its distinct mixture of large-scale action, hack-and-slash gameplay, and the inherent fun of the Greek mythology world. However, 2018's PS4 reboot of the franchise completely evolved it for a new era, with a larger emphasis on a cinematic story, dynamic characters, and the larger potential of shifting into the mythos of Norse mythology. The game quickly became one of the cornerstones of PlayStation's success during the PS4 era, spearheading the approach not just for AAA action games, but showing how the blending of this style of hack-and-slash action could still tell an emotionally layered story. Time has proven it to be the absolute system seller and one of the best games on the PS4's lineup, as well as a massive leap forward for both God of War and fantasy games as a whole. 11 'Stardew Valley' (2016) Image via Proprietary Engine For all the focus placed upon explosive and high-energy video games that demand the very best from the player, there's something quaint and charming about a slower-paced, cozier game that can be more widely appreciated by all. While franchises like Animal Crossing and The Sims have scratched this itch for many, the 2010s premiere example of the very best and coziest experience is Stardew Valley, a brilliant farm life simulation game inspired by games like Harvest Moon and brought to life by solo developer ConcernedApe. The game has an exceptional understanding of the simple joys and satisfaction of growing a virtual farm and creating something beautiful out of what was originally nothing. Combined with some rich writing and characterization from various relationships you can build with the townspeople as well as being able to play through the full game with online cross-platform multiplayer, Stardew Valley is the definitive farm sim game that has only gotten more successful with each passing year. 10 'The Last of Us' (2013) Image via Naughty Dog One of the final prominent releases for the PS3 that acted as a swan song for this era of PlayStation gaming, Naughty Dog's magnum opus The Last of Us has largely become the icon for exceptional original storytelling in video games. It takes a classic zombie-adjacent post-apocalyptic world and creates truly impactful emotional depth thanks to its layered central characters and the bond that grows between them. Further amplified by some great moment-to-moment gameplay that utilizes the managing of limited resources and danger around every corner, The Last of Us proves to be one of the most immersive and cinematic video game experiences not just of the 2010s, but of all time. Even over a decade after its release, the game is still heralded as one of the most important and pivotal in PlayStation's history and an absolute classic of the era. 9 'Fortnite Battle Royale' (2017) Image via Epic Games Two of the most dominant trends that started in the 2010s and continue with massive strength well into the modern day are Battle Royale games and live-service games that receive continuous updates so they never die. While many games in the 2010s found great success with this model, none come close to the complete cultural domination of Fortnite Battle Royale, which still has a massive, dedicated player base and frequent content updates to this day. While the game may not be at the level of absolute unavoidability as it was when it first released, its myriad of interesting game modes, live events, and overwhelming collaborations still make it the absolute gold standard for live-service games. While some gamers still aren't a fan of this style of live-service game (especially with how many other games try and fail to replicate its success), it's hard to deny just how well and consistently Fortnite has maintained relevancy even almost a decade after its debut, even with a few hiccups here and there. 8 'Red Dead Redemption 2' (2018) Image via Rockstar The original Red Dead Redemption was easily one of the most celebrated games from Rockstar Studio's illustrious lineup, providing the distinct open world and vast possibilities of a Grand Theft Auto-style shooter in the intricate world of the Wild West. However, the long-awaited sequel, Red Dead Redemption 2, managed to up the ante and polish considerably, creating one of the most visually striking and well-crafted games of all time. This masterful video game prequel takes the signature strengths and charm of the original game and supercharges them to the latest technological possibilities, still having some of the most impressive graphics in any AAA game and an attention to detail that is completely unmatched. This, combined with some satisfying gameplay and top-notch character writing, has made it one of Rockstar's most successful games and the face of AAA quality in the 2010s. Collider Exclusive · Action Hero Quiz Which Action Hero Would BeYour Perfect Partner? Rambo · James Bond · Indiana Jones · John McClane · Ethan Hunt Five legends. Five completely different ways of getting out alive — with style, with muscle, with charm, with luck, or with a plan so intricate it probably shouldn't work. Ten questions will reveal which action hero was built to have your back. 🎖️Rambo 🍸James Bond 🏺Indiana Jones 🔧John McClane 🎭Ethan Hunt FIND YOUR PARTNER → 01 You're dropped into a dangerous situation with no warning. What do you need most from a partner? The first few seconds tell you everything about who belongs beside you. ASomeone who already has three contingency plans running and is calmly working through all of them. BSomeone who reads the terrain instinctively and knows exactly how to use it against the enemy. CSomeone who keeps their nerve and their sense of humour when everything is falling apart. DSomeone who knows the history of wherever we are and what we're walking into. ESomeone with the right contact, the right cover identity, and the right exit already arranged. NEXT QUESTION → 02 You have to get somewhere dangerous, fast. How do you travel? How you get there is half the mission. AOn foot through terrain no one else would attempt — I move where vehicles can't follow. BOn a motorcycle, a cargo plane, or anything else that gets me there before I think too hard about it. CIn something that belongs to someone else — borrowed, stolen, or improvised under fire. DFirst class, with a cover identity and a gadget that does something I won't explain until it's needed. EBy whatever means are available — I've driven, flown, and once arrived by camel. The destination matters, not the method. NEXT QUESTION → 03 You're pinned down and outnumbered. What does your ideal partner do? This is when you find out what someone is really made of. ADisappears into the environment, flanks them silently, and ends it before I've reloaded. BCracks a one-liner, grabs a fire extinguisher or a chair, and improvises something that somehow works. CProduces a gadget specifically designed for this exact scenario and uses it with infuriating precision. DPulls out a whip, a pistol, and an archaeological insight that somehow gets us out alive. ENeutralises the threat with maximum efficiency and minimum words — they were already three moves ahead. NEXT QUESTION → 04 The mission is paused. You have one evening to decompress. What does your partner suggest? Who someone is when the pressure drops is who they actually are. AA bar with terrible lighting, cold beer, and absolutely no questions about feelings. BThe finest restaurant in the city, a bottle of something expensive, and a conversation that is equal parts brilliant and exhausting. CA local dig site, a museum after hours, or a long story about why that particular artefact matters to human civilisation. DPizza. Bad TV. Falling asleep halfway through a movie neither of you were watching anyway. EA debrief that turns into three hours of contingency planning that somehow becomes the most fun you've had all week. NEXT QUESTION → 05 How do you prefer your partner to communicate mid-mission? Good communication is the difference between partners and a liability. APrecise and minimal — tell me what I need to know and nothing else. Every word has a cost. BDeadpan and dry — keeping it light keeps me sharp, even when everything is on fire. CEnthusiastic and slightly chaotic — but always with useful information buried somewhere in the noise. DCalm and controlled through an earpiece, with a plan that covers every variable I haven't thought of yet. EBarely at all — silence is a language and they speak it fluently. NEXT QUESTION → 06 Your enemy is powerful, well-resourced, and has the upper hand. How should your partner approach them? The approach to the enemy defines the partnership. AInfiltrate their inner circle, learn everything, and dismantle them from inside out before they know we're there. BStudy the historical pattern — every villain of this type has a weakness written somewhere in the past. CGet them talking. The more they monologue, the more time I have to figure out how to beat them. DGo through them. Directly. With as much force as the terrain allows. EFind the one thing they haven't accounted for — there's always one thing — and make sure we're holding it. NEXT QUESTION → 07 Things go badly wrong and you're captured. What do you trust your partner to do? Who someone is when you need them most is the only thing that matters. ACome in alone, quietly, and get me out before anyone knows they were there. BHave already been working on the extraction since the moment I disappeared — the plan is already running. CCome in loud, come in fast, and worry about the collateral damage later — I'd do the same for them. DUse every resource, every contact, and bend every rule until I'm out — they don't leave people behind. ECharm their way in somehow, bluff through the hard part, and still manage to look good doing it. NEXT QUESTION → 08 What does your ideal partner bring to the table that you couldn't replace? A great partner fills the gap you didn't know you had. ATechnology that shouldn't exist yet and the training to use it under any conditions. BSurvival instinct so refined it borders on supernatural — and the scars to prove it's been tested. CKnowledge of history, language, and culture that makes them invaluable in places where force is useless. DThe ability to walk into any room in the world and immediately become the most trusted person in it. EStubbornness that refuses to accept a situation is hopeless — and the improvisational skill to back it up. NEXT QUESTION → 09 Every partnership has a cost. Which of these can you live with? No one comes without baggage. The question is whether you can carry it together. AA partner who never fully switches off — always watching exits, always calculating threats, even at dinner. BA partner who gets the job done brilliantly but has the emotional availability of a locked filing cabinet. CA partner who makes everything ten times more complicated than it needs to be — but who always comes through. DA partner who gets personally attached to every relic, ruin, and artefact we encounter, which slows everything down. EA partner who was not built for this and knows it — but shows up anyway, every time, without being asked. NEXT QUESTION → 10 It's the final moment. Everything is on the line. What do you need from your partner right now? The last question is the most honest one. AOne line. Absolutely dry. Delivered like the world isn't ending. Then we move. BNothing said at all — just a look that means we both already know what has to happen. CA plan I don't fully understand that somehow accounts for everything, delivered in thirty seconds flat. DA piece of historical context that reframes the entire situation and tells us exactly what to do next. ESomeone who steps forward instead of back — because that's who they've always been. REVEAL MY PARTNER → Your Partner Has Been Assigned Your Perfect Partner Is…Your answers have pointed to one action hero above all others. This is the person built to have your back — for better or considerably, spectacularly worse. RamboYour partner doesn't talk much, doesn't need to, and will have assessed every threat in your immediate environment before you've finished your first sentence. John Rambo is not a man of plans or politics — he is a force of nature shaped by survival, loyalty, and a capacity for endurance that goes beyond anything training can produce. He will not leave you behind. He has never left anyone behind who deserved to come home. What you get with Rambo is the most capable, most quietly ferocious partner imaginable — one who has been through things that would have broken anyone else, and who chose to keep going anyway. You'll never need to ask if he has your back. You'll just know. James BondYour partner will arrive perfectly dressed, perfectly briefed, and with a cover story so convincing it'll take you a moment to remember what's actually true. James Bond is the most professionally dangerous person in any room he enters — and the most disarmingly charming, which is the point. He operates in a world of layers, where nothing is what it appears and every advantage is used without apology. You'll never be bored. You'll occasionally be furious. But when it matters — when the mission is genuinely on the line and the margin for error has collapsed to nothing — Bond is exactly the partner you want. He has survived things that have no business being survivable. He does it with style. That is not nothing. Indiana JonesYour partner will know the history, the language, the cultural context, and exactly why the thing everyone else is ignoring is actually the most important thing in the room. Indiana Jones is brilliant, reckless, and occasionally impossible — but he is also one of the most resourceful, most genuinely knowledgeable partners you could find yourself beside. He approaches every situation with a scholar's eye and a brawler's instinct, which is an unusual combination and a remarkably effective one. He hates snakes and gets personally attached to objects of historical significance, both of which will slow you down at least once. It doesn't matter. What Indy brings is irreplaceable — and the adventures you'll have together will be the kind people write books about. Assuming you survive them. John McClaneYour partner was not supposed to be here. He does not have the right equipment, the right information, or anything approaching the right odds. He has a sarcastic remark and an absolute refusal to accept that the situation is as bad as it looks. John McClane is the greatest accidental hero in the history of action cinema — a man whose superpower is stubbornness, whose contingency plan is improvisation, and whose capacity to absorb punishment and keep moving would be alarming if it weren't so useful. He will complain the entire time. He will make it significantly more chaotic than it needed to be. And he will absolutely, unconditionally, without question come through when it counts. Yippee-ki-yay. Ethan HuntYour partner has already run seventeen scenarios by the time you've finished reading the briefing, and the plan he's settled on involves at least two things that should be physically impossible. Ethan Hunt operates at the absolute edge of human capability — technically, physically, and intellectually — and he brings the same relentless precision to protecting his partners that he brings to dismantling organisations that shouldn't exist. He is not easy to know and he will never fully tell you everything. But he will carry the weight of the mission so completely, so absolutely, that your job is simply to trust him — and the remarkable thing is that trusting him always turns out to be the right call. The mission will be impossible. He will complete it anyway. ↻ RETAKE THE QUIZ 7 'Portal 2' (2011) Image via Valve Building upon the already exceptional first-person puzzle mechanics of the original Portal, Portal 2 ups the ante and the scale with more intricate puzzles, more dynamic storytelling, and some of the best writing in any video game. The sequel really didn't need to do a lot to live up to the stature of the original, as simply having more engaging portal puzzles was enough to satiate gamers looking for more Portal greatness. However, between the exceptional writing of new characters like Wheatley (Stephen Merchant) and Cave Johnson (J.K. Simmons), new puzzle mechanics like the various gels, and a fleshed-out co-op multiplayer mode, Portal 2 stands tall as the definitive Portal experience and one of Valve's best games. There's a deep passion and quality inherent to every second of the game that has helped it sustain an impactful legacy as one of the very best puzzle games ever made and a true feat of video games as an art form. Image via Bethesda The Elder Scrolls franchise, one of the largest and most prominent faces in the world of high fantasy video games and action RPGs, reached massive new heights following the success and impact of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. The game completely revolutionized the action RPG genre, with its wide array of content and ways to go about the vast world of Tamriel making it one of the most expansive and infinitely replayable single-player video game experiences of all time. The game delivers exactly what one wants out of a high-fantasy action RPG, with great expression and possibilities in terms of what type of character you want to play as and how they navigate and interact with the world. No two playthroughs of the game feel the same, making it one of the most timeless and well-crafted game experiences that not only defined the decade, but would define the entire genre in the wake of its success. 5 'Undertale' (2015) Image via Toby Fox Indie games were certainly prominent before the 2010s, but increased ease of access for small developers to be able to create games led the way for many exceptional indie games to be released and become major hits that stand toe-to-toe with and surpass AAA experiences. While many great indie games would define the 2010s, the very best and most influential is arguably Undertale, the brilliantly crafted, self-aware RPG that mixes bullet hell gameplay with RPG mechanics and oodles of charm and comedic wit. Toby Fox's love letter to quirky RPGs of the past became an overwhelming icon of indie gaming as a whole, with its incredibly memorable characters and layered meta storytelling and themes making it one of the must-play experiences of the 2010s. Its distinct type of humor and charm has given it an overwhelming fanbase over the years, as well as an overwhelming influence on indie games and especially indie RPGs. 4 'The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild' (2017) Image via Nintendo Each generation of gaming manages to have a legendary Zelda game that helps revolutionize and pave the way for adventure games as a whole, with the unmistakable Zelda masterpiece of the 2010s being The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. This massively acclaimed video game masterpiece helped usher in a new era of success for Nintendo following the diminishing returns of the Wii U era in the early 2010s. This exceptional open-world adventure game helped massively popularize the prospects of creating a vast, expansive open world in combination with other genres and styles of game. In combination with sheer versatility and choice in how the player goes about the progression of the game, this made it one of the most influential games of the era and of all time. The game has now become the face of what the Zelda franchise is for many people, ushering it into a new era in glorious execution. 3 'Dark Souls' (2011) Image via Namco Bandai Games The Soulsborne games have proven to be massively influential icons of modern hardcore gaming, with their overwhelming difficulty and demand for pinpoint execution making for some of the most satisfyingly cathartic video game experiences imaginable. While each Soulsborne game is iconic and effective in its own right, the original Dark Souls is arguably the best of the 2010s offerings and is easily the most influential and impactful in terms of wider video game history. The brilliance inherent to the design of Dark Souls is that, while it is infamous for its harsh difficulty, it is far from the only thing that defines the game's strength. There is a rich world of mythos, a multitude of different gameplay styles that allow the player to adapt and choose their own personal playstyle, and a truly special dark fantasy design that makes each enemy that much more striking.