In a few weeks, it will be the end of the first decade of the 21st century. To celebrate this milestone, we here at Destructoid picked the best fifty games of the last ten years (the best of the ’00s!). The only rule of this week-long series — other than making sure each game was released between 2000 and today — is that only one game from each series could make the final cut.
This is it! After an entire week of counting down theTop 50 Videogames of the Decade(you’re able to clickhere,here,here, andherefor the other parts), we have reached thefinalset of games.Part Five (#10-1). The ten best games of the ’00s. THE TOP TEN!
First off, a few “thanks” are in order. I would like to first thank the entire staff of Destructoid — without their help and patience, this mammoth list would never have come together. It was a lot of tiring work, but I amsoproud of the final product. Thanks from the bottom of my heart for supporting my compulsive list-making habit.
Next, I have to thank fellow editor Topher Cantler for designing all five header images that accompanied each of the posts all week. I assume you noticed, but all five are completely different and tailored perfectly for each part. Topher is a talented guy and the header pics he created turned out beautiful. Thanks, Toph!
And, finally, and most importantly, I want to thank you guys for reading and supporting these articles all week. While the comments got a little heated at times, I could not be happier with the response. We all can’t agree on which games we love, but it’s so nice to see everyone debating something they are obviously passionate about. You all are the best community on the Internet and I can’t wait to spend thenextten years with you. I hope most of you come back for the inevitable Top 50 Videogames of the ’10s! In my dream world, a game starring dolphins and Dr. Yang will be #1. Who knows what the next decade holds? It’s exciting to think about.
So, let’s get to it. The final list! Our picks for the top ten games of the last decade. Hit the jump forPart Five (#10-1)of theTop 50 Videogames of the Decade! I love making lists! I love you guys! I LOVE VIDEOGAMES!
It feels sacrilegious to say theResident Evilgames were once growing stale, but after the remake of the original game and prequelZeroreleased on the GameCube, the once revolutionary series started to feel uninspired. Even worse, the completely archaic control scheme and awkward camera angles — while passable on the PlayStation — were completely out of date.
Resident Evil 4changed everything.
Gone were the pre-rendered backgrounds and set camera angles. Replacing them was a behind-the-shoulder view that followed hero Leon Kennedy as he journeyed through a fully 3D world. Not only did this complete visual overhaul look incredible, it managed to turn theResident Evilseries’ laughable B-movie vibe (“master of unlocking!”) into a game that could genuinely terrify you. It is impossible to forget the first time Leon steps foot in the opening Spanish village and is chased by the now-iconic chainsaw-wielding maniac. It is one of the most visceral and haunting videogame sequences of all time. From the first stunning set piece to the last,Resident Evil 4is absolute perfection. There may never be a survival horror game as good.
Hyperbole is rampant when talking about videogames you love, but sometimes it is the only way to express a game’s brilliance. With that being said,Super Mario Galaxyis quite possibly the greatest 3D platformer ever created. I know that sounds like a bold statement, but attempt to think of any other game that does every aspect of platforming better.
Super Mario Galaxybuilds off the perfectly-controlled gameplay established in the truly revolutionarySuper Mario 64and, instead of adding a shaky gimmick like inSuper Mario Sunshine, it expands on everything that makes a classic Mario game so great — mainly charming characters, creativity as far as the eye can see, and ingenious level design. And instead of a series of grounded stages,Super Mario Galaxyallows Mario to jump, glide, and soar over an entireuniverse. Watching Mario spring from one perfectly constructed planet to another is entertaining, but grabbing a Wiimote andfeelingthe fluidity of everything is absolutely exhilarating.
Super Mario Galaxydoesn’t justfeellike the perfect Mario game. Itisa perfect Mario game.
Released during one of the busiest videogame holiday seasons in recent memory, Sega’sValkyria Chroniclesfor the PlayStation 3 was almost dead on arrival. The game was a tactical role-playing game (already a tough sell!), and to people unfamiliar with the genre, it looked complex and overcomplicated (it’s not at all!).
But over the last year, as more and more people started playing it,Valkyria Chroniclesgrew a massive cult following and healthy sales (even spawning an upcoming sequel!). Everyone that played it instantly fell in love with its gorgeous visuals, solid strategy gameplay, and surprisingly moving story. In a way, this slow build only helped the game in the long run. Instead of the over-hyping that curses most big videogame releases,Valkyria Chronicleswas able to besought outby gamers rather than shoved down their throats.
And once found, gamers were rewarded with one of the richest, most brilliantly constructed turn-based strategy games ever made, topped off with a powerful, extremely moving story (one thataffected mein ways I can’t even describe) and a wonderfully endearing cast of characters. There is an extra special place in people’s hearts forValkyria Chronicles. It is easily the most pleasant gaming surprise of the last decade.
Back in 2000,Diablo IIwas unbelievably popular — it was one of the most played and talked-about games of the year. That’s a pretty amazing accomplishment. But what’sreallyamazing is that you can hop onto Battle.net today (Blizzard’s free online gaming service) and still see around 50,000 people playing the classic hack-and-slash role-playing game. 50,000 people. TEN YEARS AFTER THE GAME’S RELEASE! This die-hard devotion is what makesDiablo IIso timeless, and an obsession among certain gamers.
The story inDiablo IIis classic Blizzard, involving a dark lord and some mystical powers, but that is not what makes the game so fantastic. The addictive gameplay is what brings people back to this game over and over again. By choosing between a handful of varied classes (Barbarian, Necromancer, and Paladin, to name a few), players enter the isometric realm ofDiablo IIand explore elaborate, multi-level worlds while fighting an ungodly amount of constantly spawning enemies. Unlike the original game,Diablo IIwas designed with online play in mind, so jumping into an eight-person party, exploring a randomly-generated dungeon, and collecting loot and gaining levels is hopelessly addictive. It really is one of the most enjoyable gaming experiences you will ever have.
Beyond Good & Evilmet a very similar early fate as fellow cult classicValkyria Chronicles. Both games are incredible, but were released during very competitive times and never received enough initial support. Unfortunately forBeyond Good & Evil, a late sales surge never occurred, forcing the fantastic third-person action/adventure to be played by far fewer people. Which is a real shame, since the game offers one of the richest gaming experiences of the last ten years.
The easiest, attention-grabbing way to explainBeyond Good & Evilto someone who has never played is to simply say it is just likeThe Legend of Zelda, but starring a girl with a camera instead of sword. This description, though, criminally undermines theactualexperience of playing throughBeyond Good & Evil. The Ubisoft masterpiece stars some of the most likable, well-rounded characters in the history of videogames, including, but not limited to, the strong, independent main character Jade (best videogame heroine ever?) and her loyal, lovable uncle, the half-pig/half-human Pey’j. The bond between the unlikely pair drives the central story and serves as the emotional core of the stellar, wildly inventive adventure.
Even thoughBeyond Good & Evilgrabs a lot of its various gameplay elements from other games (as mentioned before,The Legend of Zeldaseems the most obvious), there is something about the game that makes it feel completely original throughout. Maybe it’s the way the beautifully spun story is told. Maybe it’s the underappreciated direction by Michel Ancel. Maybe it’s the unique, detailed world that always feelsalive. Whatever the specific reason,Beyond Good & Evilis a videogame that is easy to fall in love with. Once it is over, the experience sticks with you, making it almost impossible to forget. Not that you would ever want to.
Choosing between the originalGod of WarandGod of War IIis like choosing between a bowl of chocolate ice cream topped with sprinkles or a bowl of chocolate ice cream topped with sprinkles and covered in hot fudge. Sure, the second choice is a little tastier, but no matter which one you choose, you are in for a delicious, mouth-watering treat.
The originalGod of Waris a master class in badass game design (the battle with the Hydra is a thrill ride!), but the sequel truly takes everything up a notch. The polished gameplay transitions perfectly from fighting massive enemies with a one-of-a-kind fighting mechanic, to solving genuinely challenging environmental puzzles that are magnificently designed, to screen-filling, QTE-abundant (quick time event) boss battles that really need to be seen to be fully appreciated. Based on pace and design alone, nothing comes close toGod of War II. From its opening, epic battle with the towering Colossus of Rhodes to its final, jaw-dropping sequence in the loom chamber of the Fates,God of War IInever ceases to impress. And don’t feel bad about cheering after ripping out the eye of a Cyclops. That guttural, visceral connection is whatGod of War IIis all about!
The world that Valve creates inPortalis extraordinary. Sure, most of the critical acclaim is placed on the first-person puzzle game’s unique and revolutionary gameplay — and rightfully so! — but what elevatesPortalfrom a fancy puzzle game to a fully realized videogameexperienceare the remarkable details that permeate the game’s every nook and cranny. Main character Chell is not just blindly journeying through a series of levels in a complex facility, creating portals that she can teleport through to access new areas and solve increasingly challenging puzzles. No, she is part of a videogame world that hosts a remarkably cohesive, inspired journey from start to finish.
The details present inPortal— from the glass viewing booths that line the facility to the hilarious and terrifying guidance from artificial intelligence GLaDOS — are absolutely superb. The puzzle mechanic itself is intelligently designed, but it never feels overwhelming. Chell’s adventure — ending with the now-legendary song “Still Alive” — never hits a false beat. In fact, it can be argued that the final climatic sequence ofPortal(the one that starts right after an encounter with a certain fiery pit) is one of the most surprising and satisfying videogame conclusions in history.Portalamazes you with its gameplay, but blows you away with its creativity.
Despite its completely retro (but gorgeous!) presentation,Mother 3may have the most complex, mature, and heart-wrenching story of any videogame of the last decade. The tragically beautiful tale of Lucas, his family, and the complicated characters that surround them is both powerful and unbelievably emotional. If you haven’t played the game, you are missing out on an experience that you will never forget for the rest of your life. True,Mother 3may hold the honor of being the Japan-only game with the highest demand for an international release, but thanks to the two-years-in-the-making fan translation patch provided by the hard-working heroes at Starmen.net, the game has found a brand new audience in the West! (Just make sure to follow the rules and make it a brand new,legalaudience.)
The fervor to get the game released outside Japan is understandable, sinceMother 3is the direct sequel to the incredibleEarthBoundfor the Super Nintendo — a game with a massive following of its own. Not only isMother 3a vastly superior game (and that’s saying a lot!), it takes a similar presentation and gameplay style and adds little detailed touches, and, as mentioned early, a much darker story to mold a sophisticated role-playing game wrapped up in a colorful, almost childlike package.
Mother 3is a game that looks like it could have come out in the early ’90s, yet it sits high at the top of a list of the best games that came out in the new millennium. Despite all the advanced technology, it just goes to show you that, as long as a videogame has a strong story and great gameplay, it doesn’t matter how many polygons can be displayed on the screen at one time.
Mother 3may be the last game of its kind to ever be released. It truly is something special.
Here we are withHalf-Life 2, a game many people may have predicted would be ranked very high on this list of the best games of the decade — we here at Destructoid cannot be accused of holding back our love for the game. But every single bit of praise we have thrown atHalf-Life 2is completely deserved. The game is an undisputed masterpiece.
The originalHalf-Lifereally raised the bar in terms of what a first-person shooter could do — more specifically, how a solid story could be presented from a first-person perspective.Half-Life 2maintains this stellar presentation and continues the story of never-seen, crowbar-wielding protagonist Gordon Freeman as he bands together with fan favorite Alyx Vance (best videogame heroine ever?) and robot DOG to try and save the world from the evil Combine. The story in the game is expertly told through the eyes of Gordon — the game has no cutscenes; everything is, technically, one continuous shot — and contains some unbelievably powerful moments in the form of surprisingly moving character interaction and shocking plot twists. The game has an uncanny ability to make you care about every single friendly character you meet.
So far, the originalHalf-Life 2and its two expansion sequels —Episode OneandEpisode Two— have been released, with a third, highly anticipated Episode on the way.Half-Life 2’s quality is so far beyond a typical first-person shooter, that even non-fans of the genre are impressed by the way the game tells its exciting tale. Every location that Gordon visits in the lengthy, meticulously-designed game contains a handful of ridiculously memorable moments, that by the time the player reaches the impossible-to-describe, thrilling conclusion ofHalf-Life 2 – Episode 2, they are gasping for breath and bowled over by what they just experienced.
Half-Life 2is a shining example of what videogames can accomplish, both technically and emotionally.
The first decade of the new millennium was a turning point for videogames. With new technology at their fingertips, designers could imbue so much feeling into their videogames that their creations could be anything of their choosing! This is why true lovers of videogames believe the medium they are so passionate about is unquestionably a form of art. Videogames are not at all a mindless series of beeps and blinks. Some videogames have the power to elicit just as much emotional response as any soaring aria, lush painting, or dramatic monologue ever could (maybe even more so!).
The prime example of this — and the reason it is the #1 game on our list of the Top 50 Videogames of the Decade — isShadow of the Colossus. The masterpiece (from the artistic mind of creator Fumito Ueda) is the perfect representative of the last ten years of gaming. It combines unique gameplay, gorgeous visuals, and pure imagination in such a perfect way that it elevates the entire medium of videogames.
Shadow of the Colossusfollows hero Wander in a vast, stark world as he hunts down and violently kills sixteen massive colossi to presumably save the woman he loves. To do this, he journeys across the surrounding, abandoned landscape to search for the giant beasts atop his trusty horse Agro. The story is deceptively simple, but it unfolds in such a beautiful way.
Everything aboutShadow of the Colossusshines. The game only contains nineteen characters (give or take a few extra at the beginning and end): Wander, his true love, Agro, and the sixteen completely innocent, majestic colossi. Using almost no dialogue, the game has the player question things like morality, life and death, passion, courage, unflinching loyalty, and noble sacrifice. Outside of the peacefulness and breathtaking scope of wandering around the huge world, there are specific moments inShadow of the Colossusthat will make you cry, others that will make you gasp, and still others that will leave you speechless. The game is a masterful work of art and a gaming experience like no other.
Shadow of the Colossusis the best videogame to be released in the first decade of the 21st century.
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This list was 10 years, 120 months, 520 weeks, 3,652 days, 87,672 hours, 5,260,320 minutes, andthousands of videogamesin the making. Best decade EVER!
Now that the list is done, let the discussion begin! What do you think about the final list? What inclusions do you love? Which do you not agree with? Anything left off that you are surprised by? Shocked that there’s noHalo? NoSims? Like I said before, we are super-proud of our final list of 50, but anything and everything is always up for debate! Let us know what you think in the comments.
Thanks again for reading! Here’s to the next incredible decade in gaming …
Part One – #50-4150.Metal Slug 349.Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic48.Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney47.Vagrant Story46.Super Smash Bros. Melee45.Team Fortress 244.WarioWare: Twisted!43.Banjo-Tooie42.Psychonauts41.Braid
Part Two – #40-3140.Kingdom Hearts39.Rock Band 238.Marvel vs. Capcom 237.Lost Odyssey36.Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time35.Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 334.Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare33.BioShock32.Katamari Damacy31.Civilization III
Part Three – #30-2130.Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas29.Shenmue II28.Left 4 Dead27.Skies of Arcadia26.Paper Mario25.Uncharted 2: Among Thieves24.Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King23.Cave Story22.Ico21.Ikaruga
Part Four – #20-1120.Final Fantasy IX19.World of WarCraft18.Persona 417.Pikmin 216.Deus Ex15.Silent Hill 214.Okami13.Metroid Prime12.Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence11.The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
Part Five – #10-110.Resident Evil 49.Super Mario Galaxy8.Valkyria Chronicles7.Diablo II6.Beyond Good & Evil5.God of War II4.Portal3.Mother 32.Half-Life 21.Shadow of the Colossus
