Games serve a dual purpose in society as a form of education and recreation. Humans have developed several fundamental skills to engage through games of varied nature. Games have always played an essential role in society because they allow participants to express their unique personalities and abilities. What’s not to like about games, considering they help people develop unique traits like patience, awareness, and team spirit while being engaging and fun?
People have played games since the beginning of time, but the 2010s were unlike any other decade. Graphics or complex board games, everything about the gaming business during this time was at the highest level. These games left an indelible mark on the gaming industry and inspired subsequent creations. Below is a curated list of talked-about games of the 2010s that you will likely enjoy.
Popular Video Games of the 2010s
The 2010s constituted the sector’s fifth decade overall. This decade saw the introduction of cloud gaming and virtual reality to consumers, the rise of tablet-based and mobile casual games, and the release of the first completely “3D” games and consoles. The majority of the most popular games of the 2010s are still played today.
Final Fantasy XIV (2010)
Because it is a massively multiplayer online roleplaying game, Final Fantasy XIV has a persistent universe in which players may engage in activities with one another and the environment. Characters are made by the players, who choose their names, races, genders, appearances, and initial classes.
Due to its consistently high-quality narratives, Final Fantasy continues to be a fan favorite. While many games may be very rudimentary in design, they make up for their lack of complexity with a wealth of entertaining protagonists, villains, backstories, and iconic moments that will stay with players for years to come.
Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010)
Call of Duty, or COD as it’s called in the industry, is one of the video game groundbreakers of the 2010s. Black Ops, the series’ sub-franchise, garnered positive reviews and is often considered to be the finest game of its important genre. Although it debuted as a solo adventure, the game quickly morphed into a formidable multiplayer experience. Cult fans still play it despite its dated graphics compared to newer games.
Temple Run (2011)
The protagonist, who the player controls, is on a mission to steal a golden idol from an Aztec temple hidden in a swamp. The Evil Demon Monkeys will now pursue the player as they try to retrieve the idol.
In Temple Run, you must avoid the pursuing apes while collecting as many coins as you can (gold, red, and blue) to increase your score.
Depending on how fast you run, it might take 30 seconds to several minutes to complete a single circuit of the temple. This facilitates frequent bursts of play as you attempt to beat your personal best or your friends’ scores, making for a potentially addictive experience. Temple Run’s success stems from the fact that it may be played without spending money.
Minecraft (2011)
Upon its first appearance, this game may appear to be little more than a simple game of stacking blocks meant for youngsters. Still, in reality, it encompasses much more. As you go, you’ll find an ever-evolving game with various challenges and rewards, from a survival game against spiders and skeletons to an action game with homemade weapons. It continues to bring together millions of gamers from all around the world. It is a favorite among many streamers and content developers. Multiple servers are available to players in this game, which should improve their overall experience. Users can host their own Minecraft servers for multiplayer fun.
Grand Theft Auto V (2013)
The single-player campaign takes place in the fictitious Southern California-inspired state of San Andreas. It follows three protagonists: retired bank robber Michael De Santa, street gangster Franklin Clinton, and drug dealer and gunrunner Trevor Philips, as they attempt heists while being pressured by a corrupt government agency and powerful criminals. Players are given unrestricted access to the game’s vast countryside and the Los Santos-inspired fictitious metropolis.
You’ll need to adopt a different persona for each server in GTA V to access its complete set of custom-made tools and environments. As a result of roleplaying, the game industry was revolutionized, and many players were given a solid foundation to build their careers. This feature is crucial to Grand Theft Auto V’s success.
Dota 2 (2013)
Although Dota 2 plays like a standard multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA), its diverse cast of heroes and arsenal of weaponry make it stand out from the crowd. Over the course of the decade, it maintained its status as a top-tier team strategy title while also receiving a steady stream of upgrades and enhancements. In addition, Dota 2 is an intriguing e-sport, and it is still included in plenty of international competitions.
Mario Kart 8 (2014)
In 2014, Nintendo released Mario Kart 8 on the Wii U. Players pilot go-karts adorned with Mario franchise characters in various race forms. There may be obstacles and advantages strewn throughout the route for the taking. Players may now crash against one other for a brief boost and drive on walls and ceilings in Mario Kart 8.
Fortnite (2017)
Players work together in Fortnite to survive an open world while fending off enemies controlled by the game or other players. The game’s “Save the World” mode may be played solo or with pals in a collaborative setting. It tasks players with fending off zombie-like enemies.
Fortnite is one of the most talked-about and played video games of all time, with over 250 million players all over the world. When it was released in 2017, the game caused quite a stir in the virtual gaming world. Fortnite’s accessibility, social features, and ease of use have made it a massive success.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017)
As gaming progressed over the decade, Zelda returned to its simpler beginnings. Their exploration game was destined to become a bestseller when paired with impressive visuals and gameplay. Players in this game had complete leeway in building and operating their inventory and gameplay. It set the standard for future open-world games.
Pokémon Sword and Shield (2019)
The game’s overarching goal is to unseat Leon as Pokémon League Champion in a tournament that features several different Gym Leaders and opponents, all while fending off Team Yell and an evil plot within the League.
While comparable to previous Pokémon games, Pokémon Sword and Shield featured some new concepts, such as downloadable content and open-world-inspired map locations. The game’s updated mechanics attracted a larger audience, and Sword & Shield was still a hit years after its release.
Other Notable Popular Games of the 2010s
Other well-known games also made notable appearances throughout the decade and should be given due credit for contributing significantly to the gaming industry. Among these are:
- Red Dead Redemption
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- The Witcher 3
- Resident Evil 2
- The Walking Dead
- The Last of Us
- Pokémon GO
- Bloodborne
- Super Mario Odyssey
- Overwatch
- Dark Souls
- Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
- God of War III
- Mass Effect 2
- Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
- Apex Legends
The 2010s decade saw the introduction of several groundbreaking video games. It’s high time we started seeing video games as more than just a diversion. As a result of playing various games, many people have honed their talents to an extraordinary level. Some have even made a living at it through video game streaming and worldwide competitions.