Every GOTY Of The 2000’s, Ranked

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Many look back at the 2000s as a golden era of video games.

The arrival of new gaming consoles marked a significant advancement in technology, with the transition from the PS2, Xbox, and GameCube era to the realm of Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 being particularly striking when it comes to graphics capabilities and overall gameplay experience.

Well, who wouldn’t get captivated by the Nintendo Wii revolution? I mean, they dared to carve their unique path, and boy, did they succeed! They transformed our humble living rooms into vibrant sports arenas where we could bowl, play tennis, and even send a virtual ball flying straight into our TV screens. Quite a game-changer, wasn’t it?

Ranking each Game of the Year (GotY) winner from the 2000s is quite challenging; many, if not all, of these titles could easily win GotY awards in today’s market. Nevertheless, we’ll give it a go!

To ensure fairness among various award-giving platforms at the end of the year, just like many others, we will be listing the Game of the Year (GOTY) winners from the D.I.C.E. Awards, which are given by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences.

10. Call of Duty

The one that started it all

As a gamer from yesteryears, it’s tough to imagine that today’s gaming scene would struggle to comprehend, but let me tell you, in the early 2000s, the go-to first-person shooter set in World War II was none other than Medal of Honor.

2003 saw the birth of the Call of Duty franchise, forever changing the face of gaming.

Although it might not be the top-tier FPS game of the past ten years (we’ll delve into those games further down our list), it served as a groundbreaking title, significantly contributing to the establishment of contemporary gaming standards.

Today, we’ve come to expect the groundbreaking elements of “Call of Duty” across its campaign, multiplayer, and gameplay as a whole. Back when it was first launched, nothing quite compared to it.

Back in 2003, it was downright uncanny to express this about a video game, but it holds true: playing this game was a glimpse into the future of gaming. It wasn’t satisfied with merely riding the coattails of previous shooter games; instead, it dared to push the genre forward.

9. LittleBigPlanet

Sack Boy’s Debut

Before Astro Bot, there was LittleBigPlanet, the charming PS3 platformer from Media Molecule.

The primary appeal lay in the user-generated level design. Long before Super Mario Maker hit the market, LittleBigPlanet had already taken the lead, enabling players to share their self-designed levels globally.

In addition, Sack Boy perfectly embodied the role of the game’s mascot, providing an excellent base for more personalized enhancements.

Experiencing LittleBigPlanet without an online connection wasn’t unprecedented, yet it was hard to ignore the sense of being left behind when others were enjoying it connected.

The original stages and levels were quite enjoyable, but nothing compares to the sheer creativity of the user-generated content in LittleBigPlanet. Witnessing some of these imaginative levels crafted by the community was an absolute joy, as they often surpassed even Media Molecule’s own designs in their game.

8. God of War

The PS2’s swan song

To this day, I have no idea how this game was able to exist on the PS2 hardware.

Absolutely! We can’t deny our admiration for the intense battles and seamless play in God of War. However, what truly sets it apart as one of the top games from the 2000s are its other compelling aspects.

For the unaware, it’s worth noting that the PlayStation 2 was generally considered less powerful graphically than the Xbox and GameCube. However, God of War seemed oblivious to this fact.

The game appears stunning, its animations are truly remarkable, and its music creates an exceptionally engaging gaming experience.

Although the God of War series has evolved significantly following its latest reboot, it’s important to note that its foundation lies firmly in the original PlayStation 2 game.

7. Gears of War

Rev up those Lancers, boys

The Xbox 360 was launched towards the end of 2005, however, it didn’t find its defining game, or “killer app,” until 2006 with the release of “Gears of War.

Everyone was still enjoying Halo 2 online, but that quickly changed with the release of Gears.

Absolutely, it played a significant role in popularizing the continuous cover shooter genre during the late 2000s and early 2010s. This was largely due to its exceptional cover shooter mechanics, which offered a strategic aspect that was not commonly found in other shooters. The thrill of stealthily approaching enemies and executing them still feels incredibly rewarding today.

The true delight lies in the multiplayer mode; there are numerous cherished moments I’ve had, pulling all-nighters while playing _Gears of War_ online, grumbling about the host advantage, yet having an unforgettable experience throughout.

The later installments of the Gears of War series may have found innovative methods to intensify the experience, but none can surpass the original.

Here’s to hoping that we see a remastered re-release leading up to Gears of War: E-Day.

6. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

One of the best Call of Duty games ever

Initially, I’d like everyone to take their seats: The fourth installment in the Call of Duty series, titled “Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare,” was launched only four years following the initial release of Call of Duty.

You might counter with “So what? Nowadays, they’re all rolled out on an annual basis.” However, it’s worth noting that the original Call of Duty games weren’t just exceptional (with a few exceptions), but they were all created by Infinity Ward. Remarkably, they managed to produce one masterpiece after another without any problems.

In the 2000s, nothing in the Call of Duty series topped the exhilarating speed and killstreak incentives like what was offered in the groundbreaking game called Modern Warfare.

“If you’re wondering why Call of Duty became such a hit, this is the reason.” In 2003, the Game of the Year was impressive, but Modern Warfare has made it seem outdated.

5. Battlefield 1942

What Battlefield fans still crave today

It seems clear to me that the Battlefield series has received some criticism lately due to its tendency for technical issues at launch. However, it’s important to remember that the dedicated fanbase stems from the initial installments of the game.

Battlefield 1942 is still better than most shooters on the market today.

The single-player aspect might not be worth your attention, but the multiplayer mode certainly compensates for that.

In the 2000s, there was no game quite like it: a vast, boundless battleground without restrictions, far larger than any arena shooter had ever envisioned.

The features we casually enjoy in modern massively multiplayer shooter games owe a lot to the groundbreaking introduction of Battlefield 1942. It’s astonishing to remember just how innovative this game seemed upon its launch.

As someone who was there, fighting on the virtual frontlines, it’s something I’ll never forget.

Maybe one day, Battlefield will return to these heights.

4. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

The best in the franchise

Initially, the first Uncharted remains entertaining, but on its debut, it had its fair share of problems and imperfections. However, Uncharted 2 tackles these issues and refines the gameplay to perfection.

The game provides smooth transitions between gameplay and story sequences, resulting in an engrossing atmosphere that wasn’t typically found in many games of the past.

Many people are likely to remember the narrative; reflecting on it now, this is when Naughty Dog significantly improved their skills and solidified their reputation as exceptional storytellers within the gaming industry.

People will nostalgically remember this multiplayer game as a refreshing change from games like Call of Duty and Battlefield that were mentioned earlier.

Could it be possible that someday, Sony might offer an updated version of these classic games? After all, they are working on refreshing their entire library, but it would surely be fantastic if they could also do the same for these games, including Bloodborne.

3. Diablo II

Evergreen fun

Among all the top Game of the Year (GOTY) picks from the 2000s, none have endured popularity quite like Diablo II. Even before its remastering by Blizzard, its multiplayer community remained vibrant and active.

Many people believe this exemplifies the peak of Action Role-Playing Games (ARPGs), and their opinions are well-founded. Its design elements, character equilibrium, and game mechanics continue to set the standard in the genre.

Despite some parts of the game appearing rather outdated in the remastered version, many people, like me, find it acceptable. Remarkably, the experience offered by Diablo II still feels both comfortingly familiar and pleasantly new today.

Many of my friends often acquired the complimentary computer mice from our school lab because their own ones frequently broke due to prolonged gaming sessions of the popular game, Diablo II.

Regardless of how often I’ve delved into its dungeons, completed its storyline, and amassed top-tier loot, I continue to return to it even after all these years.

2. Halo: Combat Evolved

Transformative combat

If Halo hadn’t existed, there wouldn’t have been an Xbox. The first-person shooter (FPS) landscape on video game consoles wouldn’t be as vibrant and influential as it is now without Halo being a part of it.

Without a doubt, the 2001 release of “Halo: Combat Evolved” stands as one of the greatest video games ever made. The masterful narrative, immersive level designs, and flawless gameplay by Bungie are simply incomparable.

Absolutely, for numerous players, the true delight lies in the multiplayer mode that skillfully blends the free-form design of Battlefield with the structured levels found in arena shooters, providing a well-balanced experience.

Today, Halo: Combat Evolved still stands strong and serves as an excellent testament to the incredible past of the Halo series.

Revisiting the Master Chief Collection was a delightful journey through memory lane, demonstrating that Halo: Combat Evolved still shines brightly in today’s gaming landscape. Gathering with friends for a LAN party isn’t just about reminiscing; it retains every ounce of fun it had twenty years ago.

If only Microsoft could recapture the magic…

1. Half-Life 2

Still waiting for Episode 3

Did you really expect anything else?

Looking at the Game of the Year accolades from 2004, it’s clear that a consistent favorite was undoubtedly: Half-Life 2.

Back in 2004, there was a video game that stood out due to its exceptional graphics without requiring a high-end computer to operate smoothly. Valve takes pride in demonstrating its remarkable physics engine not just for show, but because it truly is impressive. Moreover, the storytelling in this game still ranks among the best even by today’s standards.

While many advancements showcased in Half-Life 2 may be commonplace in the industry today, surprisingly, it continues to outperform contemporary first-person shooter games, especially in terms of its compelling narrative and thoughtful design.

Without a doubt, it would be a miss not to bring up the Gravity Gun, which is undeniably one of the most outstanding weapons ever featured in video game history.

Should Valve eventually unveil “Half-Life 3” or another sequel under a different title, I strongly recommend you revisit the adventures of Gordon Freeman. It’s sure to bring back fond memories and be well worth your time.

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2025-03-09 18:11