Hey everyone! I decided to make a top 10 of my favorite games of the decade. While making it I realized I hadn't played many games in the last decade, so if the game you think should there aren't it might be because I haven't played them... or it might just be because they aren't worth being in the top 10 of the decade! I'm not a game critics so I'll just give small notes about why these games deserve to be in there, and not comprehensive reviews. (My list don't include remakes of games previously published in another decade)
#10: Portal 2
I ended up putting Portal 2 in the 10th spot here because it's been a very long time. I remember I loved the game and enjoyed making the multiplayer stages with my friends.
The game wasn't as ground braking as the first one, but is still a very good game. It's the last good game Valve ever made (crossing my fingers here for HL:A).
#9: Overwatch
I've put Overwatch here as number 9, but there's a note. Overwatch is a constantly
evolving game, and as such, the quality varies a lot over time. This being a Blizzard game, of course that means the game got worse and worse. So I place here, Overwatch as it was up to around 7 month after it's release. The constant meddling with the game rendered just a pain to play over the years, and Blizzard also destroyed any sense of wanting to be associated with that game by being asshole outside of the game to their players.
#8: maimai
Unless you've visited a Japanese arcade, you probably don't know what maimai is. maimai is a arcade rhythm game developped by Sega. It was the most natural to play Rhythm game, and had a really good selection of songs. The level balancing was really great and was challenging and fun to play for people of all skill levels.
I use the word "was" here because while maimai still exist, the current version of it added a couple of things to it, including the center tapping and the big holds, which break the fully natural feel of maimai. The song selection also got worse (probably due to licensing) and the last version also removed all player progress and collectible from the game, which is pretty heartbreaking after playing for 5 years. I think the game is still fun overall, but the current incarnation wouldn't be in the top 10. This game is number 8 as around up to Murasaki.
#7: Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn
Exactly the opposite of the last 2 games on this list, Final Fantasy XIV started as a bad game... Or so I heard, since I didn't play it when everyone said it was bad.
The developers realized it was bad, and remade the whole thing into a very good MMORPG. But while the game itself is fun to play, what pushes it into top 10 territory, and up to number 7, is the story, especially the story from the Heavenwards and Shadowbringer expansions. Heavenward while not being intense and great all the time has the strongest and most emotional moment of the game, and Shadowbringer story was just stellar all around. The music also deserve a mention as it is incredibly good... especially in Shadowbringer.
#6: Nier: Automata
Another Square game, developped by PlatinumGames this time. Nier is the higest profile game on this chart and requires the less explaining. It's a great game, with incredible character design, great gameplay and combat mechanics. The music is also very very good. Yoko Taro is fucked up in is head, and we can only thank god for it.
HM Break:
Here's a couple of games I liked that didn't make it into the top 10.
- Catherine
- Disgaea 4
- Blaster Master Zero (different enough from the original, but still similar enough to be considered a remake)
#5: Katawa Shoujo
I don't like Visual Novels. Yet this game captured me. The way the delicate subject is addressed is full of respect and really show you how each character is a great person well beyond the visible. The art is cute, and the music enjoyable. It's a short yet incredibly enjoyable adventure, and it's free!
#4: The Liar Princess and the Blind Prince
This game is just way too adorable. It's a really short game, that is super cute. The art style is very unique, reminding you of old picture books. The story is also a picture book style story. Every little detail of the game is adorable, the idle animations, the way they change depending on how far away the characters are. The gameplay is relatively simple and the puzzles aren't too hard (except one of them which is optional) but it's a game you should really play.
#3: Splatoon
Splatoon was that really unexpected awesome game. I bought a WiiU exclusively for this, and I don't regret it. It was super cute and super fun. Had a lot of fun randomly dropping into friend games and owning them, or joining them and having fun in ranked. The Ultimate Collaboration with Ika-Musume made all this even better, and my Inkling girl was rocking that white dress.
Splatoon 2 was a bit less fun for me, no Ika-Musume, and I can't really tell why but I think it was just generally less amusing... and eventually became impossible to play at all once they decided you needed a subscription to do so. So Splatoon 1 is the superior of the 2, and my #3 top game of the decade.
#2: Megadimension Neptunia VII
I love the Neptunia series, but this game was just way better than all the other ones before. Every aspect was better. The story was better, the music was better, the gameplay was better, the characters were better. The Neptunia series is full of meta and really niche humor, only for otaku, but this one is so good it's the only one I would recommend to everyone, even if they aren't already deep into Otakuism. Uzume is the best girl, and I want to protect her forever.
#1: Doki Doki Literature Club!
The best game you can't describe in any way without spoiling it. Seriously, if you haven't played this game, what the fuck are you doing here. It's free. Go download and play this immediately.
