Man, so many gamers swear the 90s were the best for video games, and honestly, I kinda get it. That’s when we got titles like Doom, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Super Mario World – seriously, the list just keeps going! But what about everything that came after that awesome era, after the 80s and 90s? What happened with games after the ‘golden age’?
The 21st century officially began on January 1, 2001, and will last until the end of 2100 – a timeframe that’s hard to fully grasp. Now that we’re a quarter of the way through the century, let’s take a look at the best video games so far. These are the games that truly made a difference, influencing a variety of genres and pushing the industry forward. They’ll be ranked based on how good they are, how well they’ve aged, and their overall impact on gaming culture.
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons Of Liberty
A Stealth Playground
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty is considered the pinnacle of stealth games on the PlayStation 2. It offered players two distinct environments to master their skills. The first part of the game lets you play as Solid Snake on a ship, and despite its relatively short length, it’s packed with opportunities for experimentation – you can distract guards to collect their dog tags, or even just play around with the physics by shooting watermelons.
Chapter two lets you play as Raiden, and his research lab is impressively spacious. Considering this game came out early in the PlayStation 2’s lifespan, it’s remarkable how much Hideo Kojima was able to achieve.
Halo: Combat Evolved
Consoles Get Their Doom
Just as Doom revolutionized first-person shooters on computers, Halo: Combat Evolved did the same for consoles. Bungie successfully created a comfortable and engaging first-person shooter experience for the original Xbox, and introduced players to a compelling hero, Master Chief.
While some areas felt a bit restrictive, most levels in Halo: Combat Evolved were expansive, offering players a wide variety of weapons and vehicles to experiment with. Even today, it’s a blast to play solo or with a friend over a weekend.
Minecraft
Building A Life
As a fan, I can honestly say that Minecraft is the game everyone’s either played already or can jump into super easily. There’s no complicated story you need to understand first, and it’s really simple to learn how to play – you can just start building and having fun!
You can start playing immediately by digging into the ground or chopping down trees to gather materials. It’s incredibly easy to pick up and play, with a welcoming style that makes it perfect for all ages. Plus, it’s available on almost any device, making it one of the most accessible and addictive games ever created – you won’t want to stop!
Half-Life 2
Elevated Storytelling
While not a typical, action-packed shooter like Halo: Combat Evolved, Half-Life 2 focuses more on storytelling. Valve created a detailed and immersive world depicting a struggling society and the fight against it.
The game doesn’t rely on lengthy cutscenes; the story unfolds naturally through gameplay, and it remains incredibly engaging even by today’s standards. Its open environments and flexible puzzle-solving were also fantastic. If you’re looking for an immersive and atmospheric shooter, this game is among the best.
Elden Ring
FromSoftware Does It Again
For newcomers looking to try a challenging action RPG in the Soulslike style, Elden Ring is a great place to start. It’s still a difficult game, typical of those made by FromSoftware, but its vast open world lets you progress at your own speed. If you hit a tough spot with enemies or a boss, you can simply explore somewhere else.
If the game seems complicated, players can always ask two friends who are familiar with the genre to play with them. These friends can help them learn the basics and discover what makes the game so enjoyable.
Persona 5
Protect Your Mind Palace
Persona 5 is best enjoyed slowly, as its pacing can be demanding. Many fans love the game’s daily routines, combined with its dungeon exploration, social links (dating), and classic turn-based combat.
The game unfolds over several months, giving players a deep connection with each character – it can be genuinely difficult to say goodbye after investing over a hundred hours. While it won’t appeal to all gamers, JRPG enthusiasts consider it a timeless masterpiece.
Super Mario Galaxy
To Infinity And Beyond
Super Mario Galaxy felt like the innovative follow-up to Super Mario 64 that fans had been hoping for since the GameCube era. It demonstrated Nintendo’s continued creativity and ability to bring fresh ideas to the platforming genre.
Running and jumping across tiny planets and asteroids was magical when it first appeared on the Wii, and it feels even better now with this updated version for the Switch. While Super Mario Galaxy 2 is also fantastic—especially with the addition of Yoshi—this original game remains a shining example of 3D platforming done right.
Resident Evil 4
Leon Returns
By 2005, the Resident Evil series had been around for nearly ten years and was starting to feel repetitive. That’s what made Resident Evil 4 such a standout sequel – it offered fans a fresh experience and significantly impacted both the horror genre and third-person action games in general.
The game brought back Leon S. Kennedy and featured a more action-oriented control scheme, a streamlined inventory system, and a new setting in a rural European area plagued by parasites. Though it doesn’t follow the traditional zombie storyline, many consider it the strongest entry in the series thanks to its engaging gameplay and compelling story.
Baldur’s Gate 3
Tactical Choices
For fans of tactical RPGs, Baldur’s Gate 3 is a standout title, much like Persona 5 is for those who enjoy turn-based Japanese RPGs. Both games represent the best of their genres, but Baldur’s Gate 3 goes further with its incredible number of choices, making other RPGs feel limited in comparison.
As a huge fan, I have to say the character creation is amazing – I really lost myself in building my character! And the gameplay? It’s seriously strategic and makes you think. But what really blew me away is how much the conversations matter – your choices actually change things! Honestly, this feels like the ultimate Dungeons & Dragons experience, or at least what a really fantastic tabletop game should aim for.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
A Whole New Hyrule
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a truly exceptional game, and it’s unlikely Nintendo will create another Zelda title quite as impressive. Its vast, open world of Hyrule felt incredible, and it uniquely allowed players a lot of freedom without excessive guidance – a departure from many previous 3D Zelda games.
Beyond being a huge success for the Zelda series, Breath of the Wild also pushed open-world games forward with features like climbing that required stamina, puzzles based on realistic physics, and the ability to glide with a paraglider. Launched alongside the groundbreaking Nintendo Switch, it perfectly represents the best of gaming from the start of the 21st century.
Read More
- Jujutsu Zero Codes
- Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo Chapter 16 Preview: Mahoraga’s Adaptation Vs Dabura Begins
- One Piece Chapter 1169 Preview: Loki Vs Harald Begins
- All Exploration Challenges & Rewards in Battlefield 6 Redsec
- Best Where Winds Meet Character Customization Codes
- Upload Labs: Beginner Tips & Tricks
- Top 8 UFC 5 Perks Every Fighter Should Use
- Battlefield 6: All Unit Challenges Guide (100% Complete Guide)
- Everything Added in Megabonk’s Spooky Update
- Where to Find Prescription in Where Winds Meet (Raw Leaf Porridge Quest)
2025-12-23 20:13