Wow, another decade has come and gone and along with it came lots of video games! We here at Marooner’s Rock clearly love video games, but it can be incredibly difficult to narrow down the top games of a single year, let alone an entire decade. So we made it slightly easier on ourselves by making a Top Games list where we all got a pick for each year. The result, I think, is a nice collection of games that ultimately represent the top games of the decade. If there is a game here that you haven’t played, consider this an easy recommendation to do so!
Here are Marooner’s Rock staff’s Top Games of the 2010s:
2010
Mass Effect 2
Mass Effect 2’s character-driven, space drama storyline is what hooked me. I was so invested in each of the companion characters and loved pursuing their stories. The gunplay was improved greatly while some RPG elements were lost but overall absolutely worth it. – Joe Siemsen
Alan Wake
For me, Alan Wake revitalized the horror genre. Prior to Alan Wake, most horror games in this era focused on either jump scares or gore. Alan Wake showed that horror games could have a great story, have limited action, and be eerie. – Matt Kowalski
We did review the American Nightmare DLC back in 2012.
Dead Rising 2
There was an overwhelming number of great games out a decade ago, but Dead Rising 2 stands out to me because of my anticipation and the amount of time I spent playing. Although the series has fallen off in recent years, the first two Dead Rising games were brilliant. While Dead Rising 2 does copy a lot from its predecessor, e.g., the casinos were essentially a redressed mall; it gains solid points in originality with the combo weapon system that later entries in the series would take several steps too far. – Ryan Richie
Our original review can be found here.
God of War III
As the conclusion to the bombastic, defiant slaughtering of Greek gods God of War III delivered one of the most satisfying ends to a trilogy that I’ve ever experienced in games. It’s a journey that I and a small group of friends spent years enjoying, making it a tradition to play these titles together when they launched. The action is flashy, easy to learn and hard to master. Level design is straightforward but impressive with tons of jaw-dropping scenes. Plenty of unlockables can be earned to keep completionists busy and it brought an end to the violent tale that stunned players around the world. At the end of that journey, my friends and I speculated where Kratos could end up next and at the time we all wanted him to knock on the doors of the Egyptian, Roman, and Norse pantheons. Apparently, we weren’t the only ones thinking this. . .
Kratos as a character is such an icon for PlayStation and I’m glad to see that he continues to be a more mature way. – Alex McCumbers
Call of Duty: Black Ops
Not only did Call of Duty: Black Ops offer up a new era for military shooters but also offered some of the most polished controls the franchise had seen. Couple that with additional changes to the titular Zombies game-mode, this entry quickly became one of my absolute favorites. – Frank Ventimiglia
Read our original review here!
2011
Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch
As a long-time Studio Ghibli fan, I was extremely excited to hear of their involvement in a game. Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch delivered splendidly captured their trademark style and charm to one of the most beloved JRPGs I’ve ever played, despite a few of its obvious flaws. I was pretty excited to review the Switch port earlier this year! – Joe Siemsen
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Skyrim was probably the first massive game that I remember being excited to share my adventures with friends about. We would go off about hidden treasures and tales of glory at almost every gathering. Thanks to mods, Skyrim is a near limitless title, though it did have a rocky release on PS3 and it seems like Bethesda refuses to fix some of the glaring issues with each release. PC is definitely the way to go with this epic but the base game and official expansions are compelling enough that almost any type of player can find themselves entranced in this Nordic-inspired fantasy world. – Alex McCumbers
Find my review of the Switch port of Skyrim here.
LA Noire
L.A. Noire showed us that you could be the good guy in a Rockstar game and have fun doing so. The game combines the crime-solving genre with Rockstar’s signature open-world experience to create a one of a kind game. – Matt Kowalski
L.A. Noire was reviewed here and it was also covered by Joe on Daddy Gamer.
Batman: Arkham City
The Arkham series showed developers how to do a Batman game right. Everything from the detective mode to the smooth combat controls to the voice work is nearly perfect. Arkham City is arguably the best of the series, expanding on what made Arkham Asylum great, and adding a bit of a sandbox feel. Although, the game’s world is deceptively limited. – Ryan Richie
Batman: Arkham City was reviewed here on Marooners’ Rock.
Portal 2
Portal 2 took everything players loved about the first game and added to it in big ways. Superb puzzle design, smooth controls, beautiful graphics, and an engaging story that both comedically entertains and fills you with suspense. – Frank Ventimiglia
Our review of Portal 2 can be read here!
2012
Diablo 3
I’ve been a Diablo fan since the original. Many late nights have been spent playing online with friends looting and killing our way through levels. While initially Diablo 3 was somewhat of a disappointment, Blizzard rectified it with the Reaper of Souls expansion. This is a game I still happily play and is one of my favorite games to play couch co-op. – Joe Siemsen
For a more accurate look at the state of Diablo 3, check out our review of the Switch port.
The Legend of Dragoon (PSN)
Technically this counts! Legend of Dragoon is the game that got me into RPGs initially. From the day I was introduced to this world of epic transformations and outlandish dragon designs I began to dive so deep into the genre that for about a decade all I played was RPGs through the ages. I bought and traded for every Final Fantasy I could find, adored style of Chrono Trigger, and most importantly I became obsessed with Legend of Dragoon. Not only that, but this release brought me full force into the PSN market on my PSP and then later PS3 and Vita specifically to pick up the plethora of PSX classics. This was particularly handy because PSX discs are fragile and buying these games digitally is much cheaper. I only wish that my games would carry into the PS4 and I am keeping my fingers crossed for having them available on PS5.
The Legend of Dragoon may not have aged as well as something like Final Fantasy IX but it is still a worthwhile RPG and I really hope to see a remake or sequel one day. – Alex McCumbers
Borderlands 2
Borderlands 2 showed that a refined sequel to the comedic dystopian shooter could draw people back, especially with the new cast of characters to play as. The game was able to bring in the prior game’s vault hunters but not rely heavily on them to push the story forward. Handsome Jack is still one of the best and funniest villains in all of gaming. – Matt Kowalski
Borderlands 2 gave fans of the Looter Shooter genre more of what they wanted. Larger more expansive world, more storylines, tons of side quests, and a cast of characters that made Pandora feel lived in. – Frank Ventimiglia
Read our original review here and find our review of the recently released DLC that ties into Borderlands 3 here.
Telltale’s The Walking Dead
Telltale’s The Walking Dead showed that serial storytelling can be done in video games. The anticipation for each chapter’s release was often excruciating, but well worth the wait every time. Told in five chapters, the result is one of the greatest stories ever told through the medium, and the absolutely heartbreaking ending shakes me to the core. – Ryan Richie
Check out our interview with Kent Mudle from PAX East 2019 in regards to the Final Chapter.
2013
The Last of Us
Very few games resonate with me quite as strongly as The Last of Us. The story Naughty Dog told was raw, and there were laughs and tears in abundance. The fungal infected were so iconic that upon hearing the clicker sound years later when seeing The Last of Us Part II trailer I shuddered. I played this for the first time shortly after becoming a father and it impacted me so much that I did a Daddy Gamer episode on it. – Joe Siemsen
The Last of Us shook the story-telling aspect of gaming and turned it on its head. The narrative made players really care about the two main protagonists, while it’s gameplay reminded us just how fun a video game can be. – Frank Ventimiglia
Grand Theft Auto V
GTA V is still going strong six years since its release. The game showed that you could have three different protagonists, each with their own character traits and different lifestyle working together, and still have a compelling story in an open world. The player could easily rotate between the three with ease too. The online multiplayer is still going strong to the point that it is the most profitable game period. – Matt Kowalski
Pokemon X/Y
I remember being in a state of pure joy when playing Pokemon X. I was in my third year of college and we discovered that about 20-30 of our friends all picked up the games as well. This resulted in some of the best social gatherings I’ve been a part of. We would trade, battle, share stories, grind, and just generally hang out while playing games together. Downtime from classes became this chill hangout sessions and it’s probably the one thing I miss from my college days. This magic came back in a way when Pokemon Go came out but I still seek out a similar feeling to being a part of the Pokemon X/Y craze. – Alex McCumbers
Bioshock Infinite
Bioshock Infinite is a masterpiece in video game storytelling. The moment I truly fell in love with the game though was in a random quieter moment, where you as Booker Dewitt get a prompt to pick up a guitar. As you begin to play, your companion Elizabeth begins to sing what might be the most beautiful rendition of “Will the Circle be Unbroken” I’ve heard. The song perfectly encapsulates so many themes of the game, and the scene provides a counter-point to all the violence in the game. – Ryan Richie
Read our thoughts on Bioshock Infinite upon release here.
2014
Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor
The Lord of the Rings movies are my favorite movies of all time. I love Middle-Earth and I have read through the series many times. I’ve played through almost every Lord of the Rings game out there, so I was pretty pumped for Shadow of Mordor. It’s a combination of medieval fantasy with Assassin’s Creed movement and exploration with Batman: Arkham Asylum’s combat and it was golden. – Joe Siemsen
Our review of Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor can be read here.
The Wolf Among Us
The Wolf Among Us proved that Telltale was not a one-hit-wonder with The Walking Dead. The game continued the episodic style of release while giving players a game from a relatively unknown comic. The game is still is beloved by many and a sequel is currently in the works. – Matt Kowalski
Goat Simulator
Goat Simulator is a hilarious indie title that is a heck of a lot of fun. I’ve rarely laughed so much playing a game. No real goals except to lick as many random things as possible and create a ton of chaos. – Ryan Richie
The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth
Building on the roguelike fashioned by Ed McMillen and Florian Himsl, Rebirth took the framework those developers famously established and ran with it. Even today, the Binding of Isaac sees play thanks to expansions and mod support. This was the first roguelike title I became immediately obsessed with, one that constantly got me into that “one more run” mentality. Secrets are abundant, each run is engaging and challenging, and the art style remains disgusting and unique. With this title being available on most consoles, it’s a game that really shouldn’t be missed. – Alex McCumbers
For extended thoughts, check out my review of Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth Plus.
Mario Kart 8
Mario Kart 8 on Wii U expanded the tried and true kart racing formula by implementing anti-gravity sections into the tracks. The large selection of tracks and beautiful graphics make this one of the best entries in the series. – Frank Ventimiglia
Check out our review of the “Deluxe” version for Switch right here!
2015
Shovel Knight
While I didn’t play Shovel Knight until 2019, I’m grateful I did as it is just in time for me to include it in this list. Shovel Knight is one of the best and most satisfying platformer experiences I’ve ever played. The way levels play out requiring players to think of creative ways to progress means that many of the screens are puzzles and the solution is how one uses the tools available. This is made even better with the Treasure Trove collection that adds quite a bit of additional content including all-new campaigns featuring different characters from the original story. In addition, all of these expansions were free across all platforms for players that already owned a copy of the game; the initial purchase price has increased but each chapter can be bought separately. – Joe Siemsen
The latest of these additions, King of Cards and Showdown, I had the privilege of reviewing.
Reiterating on what Joe is saying here, Shovel Knight seemed to become an icon of independent game development overnight. The character was suddenly popping up in other game projects to the point of absurdity. Yacht Club Games stuck to their Kickstarter promises, releasing tons of updates, four expansions, one party game, and brought almost all of these updates to every version of the game, including the heavenly PS Vita all for free for anyone that already owned the game. The initial release of Shovel Knight created ripples across the indie game space that can still be felt today.
Because of their work on Shovel Knight, Yacht Club Games is the development team that I watch for the most. – Alex McCumbers
Life is Strange
Life is Strange proved that Telltale was not the only company that could release an episodic story game. This episodic tale pulled on players’ hearts and showed that a real-life element could be memorable. Max showed the struggles that modern teenagers deal with while trying to uncover a variety of mysteries. – Matt Kowalski
Fallout 4
There could be no other choice. While I feel Fallout 4 is outshined by its predecessors Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas, it’s still an amazing game and a welcome addition to the series. I don’t think up until that point that I logged so many hours into a game while ignoring the main objective. There are so many places to visit in the post-apocalyptic Boston area, that you cannot conceivably run out of things to do. – Ryan Richie
Bloodborne
Out of every game available on PS4, Bloodborne is the title that continues to find my attention. Even though I have yet to beat it, I adore almost everything about this twisted Gothic adventure. Taking inspirations from Bram Stoker’s Dracula, the works of H.P. Lovecraft, the intensity of the manga Berserk, Bloodborne managed to elevate the Dark Souls style of play to something more fierce and bestial. It is a damn shame that Bloodborne has yet to release on any other console because I want as many players as possible to experience this delightfully dark world. – Alex McCumbers
Super Mario Maker
Super Mario Maker opened up the ability for anyone to create their own classic Mario 2D platforming levels in four distinct game styles. With a robust selection of tools and options at the player’s disposal, the replayability is endless! – Frank Ventimiglia
We had the opportunity to review the 3DS port which you can read here.
2016
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD
When The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess first came out, I got it on Wii and while I did like it overall, I never bothered to finish it. With the HD version, I was able to better see the beauty and subtlety of the art direction with its Native American inspirations and greens and browns. The inventory on the Wii U Gamepad is so dang good I actually am annoyed when I play other Zelda games now. This is the version of the game that made me place Twilight Princess as number one on my favorite Zelda games list. – Joe Siemsen
Read our review of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD.
Pokemon GO
Pokemon GO popularized mobile gaming in a big way and reunited players with the Pokemon franchise people knew and loved. Players of all ages gathered in parks by the hundreds, even in small towns. The game inspired players to go out into the world and adventure to find their beloved Pokemon with a high likelihood of making friends along the way. – Matt Kowalski
Axiom Verge
Completely developed from top to bottom by a single person, Axiom Verge carries the spirit of Metroid and injects it with the more thought-provoking aspects of science fiction. There’s plenty to explore, solid mechanics and puzzle solving, and it was the title to set me on a path to further seek out games made by small development groups or single individuals. I absolutely cannot wait to see what Tom Happ does with Axiom Verge 2. – Alex McCumbers
Read my review of the PS Vita release or Adam’s review of the Nintendo Switch release.
Hitman
2016 was another lean year as far as games I played. In fact, I played Hitman years after its release when it was offered for free via Playstation Plus. Nonetheless, I had a load of fun with this title. Being the sixth game in the Hitman series, it was originally released episodically. Dropping any numbering or subtitle underlines the fact that the game goes back to its roots in many ways, focusing less on an overarching story and more on its individual levels. – Ryan Richie
Dead Rising 4
Dead Rising 4 took the sandbox gameplay the series is known for to an all-new level. Frank West’s zombie-slaying antics were expanded to a much larger, and truly open world. – Frank Ventimiglia
The MR review of this fourth installment can be read here.
2017
Divinity: Original Sin II
For years game developers have tried to capture the magic of tabletop RPGs in video game form. Baldur’s Gate, Icewind Dale, and Neverwinter are directly pulled and inspired by Dungeons & Dragons but they just don’t quite capture that feeling of being able to cleverly figure your way out of a situation. Divinity: Original Sin II is, in my opinion, the closest video games have ever gotten to fully feeling like a TTRPG. There are so many different ways to approach every situation and with lots of character building options, the replay value is extensive. Added on top of that is the ability to create and run your own adventures! – Joe Siemsen
Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice
Hellblade showed that Indie games could create beautiful games that rival AAA titles. The game was able to intertwine Celtic mythology with a psychological thriller. It will be exciting to see how the sequel lives up to the beloved title. – Matt Kowalski
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
For the first time ever, I waited patiently in the bitter winter air to pickup a new console at launch day. That day, Andrew and I took our new Switch units home and started to pour through Breath of the Wild. If there’s one thing we can take away from this release, it’s that Nintendo set themselves up for huge success by pairing a console launch with a flagship entry into a beloved franchise. Xbox looks to do something similar with their new console and Halo Infinite.
Breath of the Wild took exploration to new levels, taking notes from the first Zelda title on the NES and creating a cluster of systems for multiple solutions to problems. Hyrule has never felt more interesting though I would have liked to see more characters in the game’s towns. Playing through this unique Link adventure on the Switch was a magical feeling that I won’t soon forget. – Alex McCumbers
Breath of the Wild not only redefined the Japanese role-playing genre, but The Legend of Zelda as a whole. Link could actually travel anywhere seen in-game, giving this entry a much more open area to explore. – Frank Ventimiglia
Read Alex’s full review of Breath of the Wild here.
Injustice 2
Expanding on the first game, with an increased line-up of fighters, next-generation graphics, and a more streamlined story Injustice 2 manages to outshine its still great predecessor in every way. Using the Mortal Kombat engine, Injustice 2 has enough unique elements so as to not appear as Mortal Kombat with DC character skins laid over them. The voice work is impeccable and each character has their own character-based fighting style that feels fitting to each one. – Ryan Richie
2018
Marvel’s Spider-Man
This honestly was probably the year that had the most competition personally. God of War, Pillars of Eternity II, Monster Hunter World, Ni No Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom, and Super Smash Bros Ultimate are all such fantastic games for me! Marvel’s Spider-Man wins out though because of just how much fun I had playing it. It was the second platinum trophy I ever got on PS4 and the first time I ever wanted to do the trophy hunting in a title like this. It is a game where simply going from point A to point B on the map is fun and the story shows an older and more experienced Peter Parker trying to balance his Super Hero life with being a regular person in New York City. I also didn’t hesitate to buy and play all of the DLC and 100% those as well. It’s a must-have for any PS4 owner. – Joe Siemsen
Read more on Marvel’s Spider-Man in our full review.
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey was the second attempt by Ubisoft to bring Assassin’s Creed closer to the RPG genre. The game utilized Greek mythology, dual protagonists, and some history to create a fun Assassin’s Creed experience. – Matt Kowalski
Monster Hunter World
When I saw the first trailer for Monster Hunter World, I cried tears of absolute joy. The Monster Hunter series brought me closer to several friends and being able to hunt on a full-powered console with a normal controller was overwhelming, to say the least. Capcom really took the series into a new light and they continue to dazzle players with frequent free updates and the Iceborne expansion. Monster Hunter World quickly became their most sold game ever.
I have put hundreds of hours into Monster Hunter World and I plan for hundreds more. The community has been one of the most helpful and welcoming groups out there and is one that I cannot recommend enough. Seriously, if you’re a new hunter or a veteran come find me and I will hunt with you. – Alex McCumbers
Read my review of Monster Hunter World following more than a hundred hours here.
Red Dead Redemption 2
I could fill a 1,000-page essay on why I love Red Dead Redemption 2. It is so open-ended to the point that no one I knew who bought the game on Day 1, played the game the same way. It allowed each player to craft Arthur Morgan in their own way. Going beyond the system of good or evil, Arthur Morgan and his world exists in every shade of gray. You don’t often get to experience that in a video game. – Ryan Richie
Red Dead Redemption 2 was reviewed here on Marooners’ Rock when the game came to PC.
Super Smash Bros Ultimate
Super Smash Bros Ultimate didn’t just bring back all of the fighters from previous games but also added a plethora of new fighters, stages, game modes, and items. These additions, as well as some much-needed balancing and tweaking, truly made this the most polished version of Smash Bros to date. – Frank Ventimiglia
2019
Disco Elysium
I was first introduced to Disco Elysium at PAX East 2018. My appointment to play was scheduled to be 20 minutes long, but an hour later I was still playing. I was engrossed in everything the game had to offer, the Gothic oil painting inspired art direction, the witty writing, and the focus towards social and investigation, away from typical combat, was a nice change of pace for isometric RPGs. During that hour, I forgot I was at a convention and was fully tuned in. I was ecstatic to see the game finished after seeing the game’s art above my desk for well over a year. Then upon launch day, I was able to review and frequently recommend this excellent game! – Joe Siemsen
Read that review of Disco Elysium here.
Heave Ho
Most gamers around the world have probably never heard of Heave Ho and that is a shame. Heave Ho is an indie title published by Devolver Digital that uses simple elements to create a fun co-op experience. The game’s sheer simplicity creates hours of laughs. – Matt Kowalski (Matt’s in-depth review! )
Read my thoughts on Heave Ho here.
Resident Evil 2 (Remake)
This is a remake done right! The original Resident Evil 2 is widely regarded as the best in the series, and I’d have to agree. The remake needed to be something special and it exceeded every expectation. While it (mostly) followed the original’s story it was, in regards to gameplay, a complete overhaul, and for the better I might add. A new location, The Orphanage, provides some of the best scares in the game without featuring a single “monster,” and a new twist on Mr. X makes Resident Evil 2 into a unique gaming experience. – Ryan Richie
Resident Evil 2 is such a joy to play with extreme moments of intensity. Altering the mechanic set and darkening more areas makes Raccoon City feel more sinister than ever before. Graphically gorgeous thanks to the stellar RE Engine that also sparkled in Devil May Cry V and Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, Resident Evil 2 raised the bar for revisiting a classic title. There is also a ton of replay value and challenge that can push players to extreme mastery. We’ll see more of this design philosophy when Capcom uses a similar treatment for Resident Evil 3 in early April 2020. Out of all the AAA studios, Capcom shines brightest for me. – Alex McCumbers
Resident Evil 2 dissected the original game, completely rebuilding it from the ground up as an all-new experience. With its modern controls, stunning visuals, and exciting story-line Capcom managed to turn an old classic into something that felt refreshing. – Frank Ventimiglia
2020 and Beyond
Marooners’ Rock has been operating in some shape or form since 2008 and since then we have had hundreds of posts, many staff members (with the majority being volunteers), and have covered several major events in the games industry. We’ve partnered with many publishers, PR companies, and independent developers and look forward to connecting with as many people as we can.
The gaming world is vast with lots of treasures to be found; we are eager to keep sailing for many years to come.
To everyone that has ever read our work or engaged with us in any way, we thank you.
