10. Persona 5 Royal
Everything good about the original, with even more content.
Persona 5 Royal rounds out the list with its stylish presentation,
memorable characters, and engaging blend of life simulation and
dungeon crawling. While it remains an outstanding RPG, its status
as an enhanced version of an earlier release places it at the
lower end of this decade ranking despite its quality.
9. Hades II
Somehow, it's even better than the first one!
Hades II builds on the strengths of its predecessor with refined
gameplay and expanded narrative elements. It delivers a compelling
and polished experience, though as a newer title, it hasn’t yet
had the same long-term impact as others above it.
8. Portal: Companion Collection
Two award-winning games in one collection.
Portal: Companion Collection brings two of the most influential
puzzle games to modern platforms, showcasing timeless design and
sharp writing. While the games themselves are masterpieces, their
original release dates keep this collection from ranking higher in
a decade-focused list.
7. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
The amazing sequel that brings new mechanics and exploration.
Tears of the Kingdom builds on the foundation of Breath of the
Wild with expanded mechanics and creativity, especially through
its building systems. While it improves on many aspects, it
doesn’t quite recapture the same sense of originality, placing it
slightly lower despite its impressive design.
6. Elden Ring
The critically acclaimed open-world RPG from the creators of Dark
Souls.
Elden Ring successfully translates the challenging design of
FromSoftware’s previous titles into a vast open world. Its sense
of discovery and freedom is remarkable, though its narrative is
more subtle and less direct than others on this list. Its impact
and scale secure its place in the top ten.
5. The House in Fata Morgana - Dreams of the Revenants Edition
This visual novel brings a unique blend of mystery and adventure.
The House in Fata Morgana earns its place through its deeply
emotional and intricately layered storytelling. Its narrative
unfolds in a way that constantly recontextualizes what the player
knows, leading to a powerful and unforgettable experience. Its
more niche format keeps it from ranking higher, but its
storytelling quality rivals the very best.
4. Baldur's Gate 3
This is a fantasy RPG that allows players to create their own
character and make choices that affect the story.
Baldur’s Gate 3 represents the peak of player-driven RPG design,
offering unmatched choice and reactivity. Every decision feels
meaningful, and the sheer number of possibilities is staggering.
It ranks just outside the top three due to a slightly less focused
overall narrative, but its ambition and execution are undeniable.
3. Super Mario Odyssey
A huge open-world platformer with incredible creativity
Super Mario Odyssey stands as one of the most refined and joyful
platformers ever created. Its creativity, tight controls, and
constant introduction of new ideas make it endlessly engaging.
While it doesn’t aim for the emotional or narrative depth of
higher entries, its near-perfect gameplay design earns it a
top-tier placement.
2. Red Dead Redemption 2
A story-driven Western adventure that will make you screem
"YEE-HAW!"
Red Dead Redemption 2 earns second place through its unmatched
level of detail and storytelling ambition. Its world feels alive
in a way few games achieve, and Arthur Morgan’s character arc is
one of the most powerful in gaming. While its pacing can be slow,
that deliberate approach allows its narrative and immersion to
reach incredible heights.
1. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Proof they did it right the first time
Breath of the Wild takes the top spot for completely redefining
open-world design. Its emphasis on player freedom, discovery, and
emergent gameplay created an experience where every player’s
journey feels unique. Rather than guiding you, it trusts you to
explore, experiment, and learn naturally. Its influence on the
industry and its near-perfect execution make it the defining game
of the decade.