The Greatest Video Game Masterpieces Of The Last 15 Years

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The early 2010s were a fantastic time for video games. With the introduction of high-definition graphics and more powerful gaming consoles, developers could build huge, immersive worlds, leading to some truly memorable gaming experiences.

Many incredible games have come out between 2010 and 2025, and here are ten of the very best that every gamer should experience. These games stand out with their amazing stories, innovative gameplay, and stunning graphics. It’s impossible to include every great game from the last fifteen years, so we’ve also included a list of other highly recommended titles at the end.

10. ​Super Mario Odyssey

The Best 3D Platformer Of Its Generation

Mario is a legendary figure in video games, and fans have been lucky to see several fantastic games released by Nintendo over the last decade and beyond. Titles like Super Mario Galaxy 2 and Super Mario 3D World are incredibly enjoyable and creative, but many consider Super Mario Odyssey, his first game on the Nintendo Switch, to be one of the greatest 3D platformers ever made.

This game was designed to truly take advantage of the Switch’s capabilities, and you can tell right away through its creative gameplay. But what Super Mario Odyssey does best is bring back the open-world exploration that fans loved in Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Sunshine. This means each level is massive, vibrant, unique, and packed with things to discover. It’s incredibly addictive and easy to play for hours without ever feeling repetitive.

9. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

An Action-Packed Open-World RPG With A Legendary Protagonist

CD Projekt Red significantly changed gaming in the 2010s and 2020s. While they’d previously made games in The Witcher series, it was The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt that truly launched them to fame and widespread recognition due to its incredible quality and success.

When most open-world RPGs let you create your own character, The Witcher 3 stood out with a pre-defined hero named Geralt of Rivia. He’s a compelling, well-developed character who quickly became a fan favorite. The game offers a huge world to explore, filled with monsters, quests, interesting people, and important choices that affect the story. For anyone who enjoys western RPGs, The Witcher 3 is a must-play game from the last fifteen years.

8. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

The Turn-Based RPG That Made Thousands Fall In Love With The Genre

Many fantastic turn-based RPGs came out between 2010 and 2025, including games like Persona 5, Metaphor: ReFantazio, and Octopath Traveler – all of which are worthy of recognition. However, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 stands out because of its unique story and influence on the gaming world, and it’s currently predicted to win Game of the Year at the 2025 Game Awards.

Expedition 33 is a beautifully presented game with striking visuals, a memorable soundtrack, and an engaging story. What really sets it apart is its innovative turn-based combat system, where players need to time button presses – much like quick-time events – to deal the most damage and dodge attacks. It’s impressive that Expedition 33 has gained such a dedicated fanbase and made a noticeable impact on the gaming world in under a year, proving its quality and appeal.

7. Baldur’s Gate 3

The Perfect Digital Dungeons & Dragons Experience

It’s clear just how amazing Baldur’s Gate 3 is considering it won Game of the Year in 2023, beating out other fantastic games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Resident Evil 4 Remake, and Alan Wake 2. The game was made with real passion by Larian Studios, who clearly have a deep understanding and love for the Dungeons & Dragons world.

Baldur’s Gate 3 feels revolutionary because, much like the Dungeons & Dragons tabletop game it’s based on, it gives players incredible freedom to do almost anything they can imagine. The game offers extensive character customization from the very beginning, and that freedom continues as you explore diverse locations, gather companions, and choose from a huge selection of weapons and spells. What truly sets it apart is the story, which changes dramatically based on even small decisions you make. This immersive and varied gameplay encourages players to replay the game multiple times, making Baldur’s Gate 3 feel almost limitless in scope.

6. Elden Ring

FromSoftware Dipped Its Toes Into The Open-World Genre, And It Turned Out Perfectly

FromSoftware is arguably the most influential video game developer of the last fifteen years. They’ve consistently released critically acclaimed action games – often called “Soulslikes” – including titles like Bloodborne and Sekiro. Their masterpiece, Elden Ring, takes everything players loved about their Dark Souls series and expands it into a massive, open-world environment similar to Breath of the Wild.

The game is a huge and well-made action adventure where players explore a vast world, battling a variety of strong enemies and bosses. If a fight is too difficult – and the combat is challenging – players aren’t stuck. They can go explore elsewhere, gain experience, find better gear, and return later to try again. Elden Ring was named Game of the Year in 2022, and it was such a critically acclaimed success that its expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree, received a Game of the Year nomination just two years after, as well.

5. The Last Of Us

One Of The Most Poignant And Complex Narratives In Gaming History

It’s certainly not the only game of the last fifteen years with a deep story, but The Last of Us undoubtedly delivers one of the most powerful and unforgettable experiences in gaming history. Set in a post-apocalyptic America ravaged by infection, the heartbreaking story of Joel and Ellie is packed with unexpected twists, difficult choices, and moments that will truly stay with you long after you finish playing.

It’s not just the story that makes The Last of Us so well-regarded. Its incredibly realistic and detailed graphics held up remarkably well – the PS4 remaster, released only a year after the original PS3 version, looked almost identical. The gameplay also brilliantly blends the best elements of survival horror and third-person shooter games, drawing inspiration from classics like Resident Evil 4 and Uncharted. As a result, The Last of Us became a defining PlayStation game, and was even successfully adapted into a live-action HBO series that stayed true to the source material.

4. Grand Theft Auto 5

An Ambitious Open-World Sandbox That Hasn’t Been Surpassed (Yet)

Between 2010 and 2025, Rockstar Games released only four games, but each one is exceptionally well-made, demonstrating their commitment to quality. Arguably the most notable is Grand Theft Auto 5, the latest major installment in the famous GTA series. It’s become a defining example of what people mean when they talk about ‘open-world’ or ‘sandbox’ games.

Grand Theft Auto 5 is set in a huge, modern version of Los Santos, filled with people, places, missions, and things to do. You can spend hours just exploring the open world without even starting the main story. But the story is definitely worth playing – it’s exciting, complicated, and full of twists. The three main characters – Trevor, Michael, and Franklin – work incredibly well together. GTA 5 was a huge hit with both critics and players, and fans have been eagerly awaiting the next installment, Grand Theft Auto 6, for over twelve years and counting.

3. Red Dead Redemption 2

A Beautiful Western Adventure With A Deep And Emotional Story

The Grand Theft Auto games are all about pure, over-the-top enjoyment, but Rockstar’s Red Dead Redemption series is famous for its moving and captivating stories. After an eight-year wait, fans finally got a sequel to this incredible western, and Red Dead Redemption 2 didn’t just meet their hopes – it surpassed them.

Though it’s a prequel to the original game, Red Dead Redemption 2 tells the compelling story of Arthur Morgan, a remarkably well-developed character, and his memorable group of outlaws. The main story is fantastic from start to finish, but that’s just one reason why this game is considered a masterpiece. Like GTA 5, it’s an open-world Western where you play as Arthur and have incredible freedom – you can commit crimes, hunt down outlaws for bounties, or even hunt animals to earn money and create new items. It’s an incredibly engaging and virtually limitless adventure, meticulously designed with stunning details everywhere you look.

2. God Of War

The Long-Awaited (And Compelling) Redemption Of One Of Gaming’s Most Controversial Anti-Heroes

As a huge fan of the God of War series, I think the difference between the older games and the newer ones really shows how much gaming has grown up. When the 2018 God of War first came out, a lot of us were worried about how they’d change things, but it quickly became clear that this new direction was exactly what Kratos and the story needed. It proved that these games could be more than just action – they could be truly amazing experiences.

Kratos, once a brutally violent and unlikeable character, has been completely reimagined. The introduction of his son, Atreus, allows him to grow as a person and find redemption through his deeds. God of War tells a deeply personal and emotional story in a unique way – it’s presented as one continuous shot, without traditional scene breaks. Beyond its story, the game features fantastic combat, blending action, adventure, and RPG elements. The new Leviathan Axe, alongside the return of Kratos’ Blades of Chaos, delivers a modern feel that the series desperately needed. It’s no surprise God of War became a cornerstone of the PlayStation lineup, and its 2022 sequel, God of War Ragnarok, was equally deserving of recognition.

1. The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild

The Revolutionary Open-Ended Open-World Game That Changed Gaming Forever

Many excellent video games have come out in the last fifteen years, but The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild stands out as the most influential. The Zelda series is known for its great action-adventure games, like A Link to the Past and Ocarina of Time, but this game for the Switch and Wii U truly changed the gaming world.

With Breath of the Wild, Nintendo created a truly open-world experience, letting players explore anywhere and tackle challenges however they chose. The game was remarkably well-designed – skilled players could even reach and beat the final boss within twenty minutes of starting a new game, which was groundbreaking at the time. Its huge success made Breath of the Wild a major influence on later open-world titles, including Elden Ring, Genshin Impact, and Sonic Frontiers.

Beyond its innovative gameplay, Breath of the Wild boasts vibrant, cartoon-like graphics, a stunning soundtrack, and a straightforward yet compelling story. And it’s important to note that its 2023 follow-up, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, is another incredible open-world game that built upon the original’s foundation. However, none of that would have been possible without this 2017 gem.

Honorable Mentions

Way Too Many Video Game Masterpieces Were Released From 2010 To 2025

  • Super Mario Galaxy 2
  • Portal 2
  • Bioshock Infinite
  • Bayonetta 2
  • Undertale & Deltarune
  • Bloodborne
  • Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain
  • Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
  • Persona 5
  • Marvel’s Spider-Man
  • Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
  • Resident Evil 2 Remake
  • Devil May Cry 5
  • It Takes Two
  • God of War Ragnarok
  • Resident Evil 4 Remake
  • Final Fantasy 16
  • Astro Bot
  • Silent Hill 2 Remake
  • Donkey Kong Bananza

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2025-12-01 20:12