Games of the Last Decade Ranked – (Part 6)
Second verse, same as the first! It’s time to continue with our look back at the games that released in the last decade. As usual, if the game is on this list, it’s because it released sometime between January 1st, 2010 and December 31st, 2019, in addition to being a title that I have actually played. I apologize in advance if your favorite game didn’t make my list… now let’s get to it!
#40 – Spyro Reignited Trilogy
Platform
Steam, Playstation 4, XBOX One, Nintendo Switch
Release Date
November 13, 2018
Oh, what a nostalgia trip this collection is. While I personally didn’t grow up with the games, I do have fond memories of playing the game’s demos back when game companies still made demo discs that they’d mail to you. That being said, even though the level design is very much stuck in the Playstation 1 days, I feel this is a worthy remake of some timeless classics that many hold near and dear to their hearts.
#39 – Batman: Arkham Origins
Platform
Steam, Playstation 3, XBOX 360, Wii U
Release Date
October 25, 2013
This was the entry in the Arkham franchise that consistently got average scores due to how bland the environment was and how it just felt like an expansion to Arkham City rather than it attempting to be its own thing. Here’s the thing, person while I did agree that the environment could have used a little more color, it feeling like an expansion on Arkham City was never an issue for me. Many would agree that Arkham City was a fantastic sequel, so even though many had a bit of “been there, done that” vibes, to me it felt like I was playing a super long DLC story that was part of a great game.
#38 – Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy
Platform
Steam, Playstation 4, XBOX One, Nintendo Switch
Release Date
June 30, 2017
There isn’t much more I have to add to this one that I didn’t say about the Spyro remake. The only difference with this series is I actually owned the first game but never played the others. You’ll be happy to know that I quickly corrected that error on my part when this came out.
#37 – Paper Mario: Color Splash
Platform
Wii U
Release Date
October 7, 2016
This is one game I feel gets way more hate than it should. No it isn’t the Paper Mario experience that fans have been begging for, but that also doesn’t mean it’s a bad game. As a long time fan of the franchise, I personally loved this game. The music was on point, the humor was well written, and the visuals were breath taking. That’s not to say it’s without it’s flaws, but to be it was the game that fixed all the issues that were present in Paper Mario: Sticker Star, and for that I will always look fondly on this game.
#36 – Link’s Awakening
Platform
Nintendo Switch
Release Date
September 20, 2019
With this being a more recently entry in this list, it’s pretty fresh in many people’s minds. So fresh in fact that I’m actually still in the middle of playing as I’m working on these articles. The game is good, plain and simple. It does have some issues I feel, but those I will address more in my written review.
#35 – Thumper
Platform
Steam, Playstation 4, Playstation VR, Nintendo Switch, XBOX One, iOS, Stadia
Release Date
October 10, 2016
Are you a fan of rhythm games with nightmareish visuals? Then Thumper might be the game for you. This is a rhythm game that plays less like Guitar Hero, and more like Bit.Trip Runner, where the goal is to make it to the end of an obstacle where each round introduces a new move you must master as things come flying at you on the spot. It’s a rush to say the least you chain together combos. I am particularly fond of the VR version of this game, purely because of the fact that is feels like I’m riding along with this beetle and it’s so trippy in all the right ways.
#34 – Kingdom Hearts: Dream, Drop, Distance
Platform
Nintendo 3DS, Playstation 4, XBOX One
Release Date
July 31, 2012
Dream, Drop, Distance holds a particularly special place in my heart due to the fact that it was the first video game I had ever reviewed. Sadly the review is no longer available to read (for a number of reasons). That being said, this was a game I enjoyed a great deal and was part of the reason I got a Nintendo 3DS, the first Nintendo handheld I had ever owned up till that point. Then the game got an HD port on the PlayStation 4 that fixed some issues I had with the original, making it the definitive way of experiencing this game.
#33 – inFamous 2
Platform
Playstation 3
Release Date
June 7, 2011
inFamous was a series I got into late due to not owning a PlayStation 3 until 6 years after it launched. I’m so glad I gave this series a chance because it is the kind of game that’s right up my alley. Of course, how could I not? It is a series made by Sucker Punch who previously worked on the Sly Cooper series on the PlayStation 2 which is one of my all time favorite franchises. Going back to inFamous 2, any game that lets me pick up a car and chuck it at people is my kind of game.
#32 – Red Dead Redemption
Platform
Playstation 3, XBOX 360
Release Date
May 18, 2010
Red Dead Redemption was a game that I haven’t played a ton admittedly, but I did enjoy what I have played a great deal. This is one title I plan on revisiting at some point, but all things considered it’s not difficult to see why I have fond memories playing this game.
#31 – Super Mario Galaxy 2
Platform
Nintendo Wii
Release Date
May 23, 2010
Oh Super Mario Galaxy 2, what can I even say about this game in a short amount of time that hasn’t been said already? It took what was great about the first game and cranked it to 11. If you enjoyed the first game, then you’re going to have a good time with this one.