Its been quite a decade in gaming.
Weve seen consoles come and go, game subscription services rise, remasters reign and technology go beyond beyond our wildest dreams.
Streamers have become household names, esports has become a booming industry and we can finally play console-quality games on our phones that put the likes of Snake to shame.
The last ten years have been a rollercoaster.But when we look back on the 2010s as a decade, what games will truly stand the test of time? Which games will we look back on fondly in 20 years and hope that itll be remastered for whatever next-next-next generation console is sitting in our futuristic homes?Here at TheIndianSubcontinent, after some heated debates and mild eye-scratching, we put together a list of the best games of the decade.
These arent necessarily the games we think have had the most cultural or technological impact, nor are they ranked, theyre simply the teams favorite games from the last ten years.
Lets be honest, its hard to make a definitive list of the best games of the past decade, not everyone will agree - as we all have different tastes and opinions - plus theres only a finite amount of games we can include.So sit back and enjoy a journey down memory lane with TheIndianSubcontinents Games of the Decade list.The Last of Us (2013)(Image credit: Naughty Dog)Sony has knocked it out of the park this decade when it comes to exclusives, releasing mammoths like God of War and Marvels Spider-Man.
But we believe Naughty Dogs The Last of Us is truly the most memorable of them all, marrying relatable characters with a beautiful cinematic action experience - all wrapped up in a post-apocalyptic bow.The Last of Us has everything you could want in a AAA game: tight mechanics, visually stunning environments, characters with emotional depth and fantastic scripting.
But its truly Joel and Ellies relationship that steals the show, as we watch the grizzled, reluctant mentor and his spunky accomplice develop a bond for the ages.
We cant wait to see what The Last of Us: Part 2 has to offer as their story continues.The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017)(Image credit: Nintendo)Zelda was due for a reinvention after Skyward Sword on the Wii, and this was as radical a change as the series has ever had.
The traditional overworld/dungeon structure was switched for a completely freeform open world game, mixed with survival elements involving food and temperature for the first time.But the Nintendo difference is how tactile Breath of the Wild's open world feels.
You can climb every surface in its world, a stark contrast to games like Assassin's Creed where platforming feels extremely prescribed.
This feels like a true adventure, in a beautiful world where you can complete the main objectives in the order you choose.
It's the most important Nintendo game of the last decade.Pokmon Go (2016)(Image credit: Niantic/Pokemon Company)Its not often that a game can boast players having walked the length of the solar system (collectively).
Actually, its not often a game can boast having made players walk at all, but Pokmon Go changed all that when it was released in 2016.Still hugely popular, Niantics mobile title shows just how much the Pokmon brand crosses generations, with players of all ages heading outdoors to catch the pocket monsters.
Unlike many games, Pokmon Go encourages players to walk, work together and generally just be lovely to one another.
Theres still Pokmon Go community days that see thousands of attendees.
Pokemon Go is wholesome and - even better - its free (for the most part).
No other game has quite got the formula right.Mass Effect 2 (2010)(Image credit: BioWare)When deciding our best games of the decade, the TheIndianSubcontinent team knew that one Mass Effect game was going to make it onto the final list - what we didnt expect was for us all to agree on which one.
Its obviously Mass Effect 2.While Mass Effect was brilliant in its own right, carrying on Commander Shepherds story in a more interactive, narrative-rich and mechanically tighter sequel is the pinnacle of this series.
Not only can you directly carry on from the first game - retaining your Commanders look and personality - previous decisions impact how the story plays out, making it feel like the character is truly your own.
Mass Effect 2 takes the best parts of its predecessor and makes them better than ever, adding more depth to both the story and characters.
Its the best the series has ever been.GTA V/GTA Online (2013)(Image credit: Rockstar Games)As a series, Grand Theft Auto has always been a staple of gaming.
When GTA V released in 2013, it was a success, but what no one banked on was the longevity of the game - and thats primarily down to GTA Online.While GTA V is a great game in its own right, GTA Online is what makes it one of the best games of the decade for us with its continually evolving world where you can essentially do as you please.
Its a feat of online multiplayer and one which Red Dead Online hasnt quite caught up with yet.
GTA Online changed the boundaries of what a shared online multiplayer experience could be and were still enjoying it to this day.Journey (2012)(Image credit: Thatgamecompany)Thatgamecompanys Journey is truly breathtaking.
This indie gem may not be everyones cup of tea, but theres no denying that it is wonderfully unique.
Journey is a piece of art, combining a moving soundtrack with an emotional nuisance that doesnt even need words.The concept is so simple but speaks volumes.Journey proves that a game doesnt need a huge budget to be awe-inspiring, it epitomizes the emotional depth that indie games can tap into and does so much while (verbally) saying so little.
Journey is an unforgettable experience.Stardew Valley (2016)(Image credit: Eric Barone)Farming simulators have been done a thousand times but theres nothing quite like Eric ConcernedApe Barones Stardew Valley.
The pixelated RPG encompasses a classic farming simulator, dungeon-crawler and adventure game, all in one charming package.However, what we love most about Stardew Valley is just how relaxing it is and how much subtle depth the game has.
Each of Pelican Towns residents has been beautifully handcrafted to have their own personalities, likes, dislikes and flaws.
Stardew Valley doesnt feel like an escape, per-say, but more like returning to an old friend you havent seen in years.Fortnite (2017)(Image credit: Epic Games)Love it or hate it, Fortnite is a phenomenon.
Not only did the game bring battle royale to the masses, it blurred the lines between pop culture and gaming.Fortnite streamers have become celebrities in their own right - just look at Ninja -, celebratory dances have made their way into the real-world, while youll find it hard to go into any toy store without seeing a mass of Fortnite merchandise.
For a game thats still technically in early release, thats one heck of a feat.(Image credit: Bethesda)Where do we even begin with Skyrim? Bethesdas epic fantasy pushed the boundaries of open-world RPGs, allowing players to immerse themselves in a colorful world of peculiar characters and sheer adventure.Sure, in hindsight Skyrim has some issues with bugs and glitches, but thats part of the charm.
Plus, the main quest is superbly written and theres plenty of noteworthy quotes, scenes and side quests that will keep it fresh in our minds for another decade - at least until The Elder Scrolls 6 releases.The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015)(Image credit: CD Projekt Red)The Witcher 3 is how an action RPG should be done.
A riveting storyline, unique characters, picturesque environments, rich folklore, more side quests than you can shake a stick at and a grizzled - but charming - protagonist.The Witcher 3 is an immersive fantasy, full of exploration, humor and with plenty to see and so.
Several years later, we still cant get enough of Geralt of Rivia.tsGTnFFdEtw5QfomhEszaB.jpg?#