Video Game Masterpieces Turning 10 In May 2026

Back in May 2016, a lot of major video games came out on all different consoles and computers. For many people, May feels like the start of summer, even though it doesn’t officially begin until late June. Because schools are often letting out around this time, gamers have more free time, so publishers often release popular titles in May to capitalize on the start of summer vacation.

Since 2016, PlayStation 4 owners have been able to enjoy amazing action-adventure games like Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End. Beyond the original games, expansions such as The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine also offered incredible experiences. Let’s take a look back and explore why these games remain so popular and important.

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More Games

Stellaris

Mastering The Galaxy

Stellaris launched on PC on May 9th, and became available on consoles in 2019. Although you can play it on consoles, the PC version is recommended. As a game with many menus, it’s much easier to navigate with a mouse and keyboard. Fans of strategy games like Civilization will find Stellaris complex, and even more so due to its setting in space, which involves managing alien civilizations and futuristic technology.

For those who enjoy building empires in strategy games, Stellaris is a standout title. Since its release in 2016, Paradox Development Studio has consistently made it better. Players expand across the galaxy, choosing to build relationships through diplomacy, advance their technology to create powerful fleets, or simply conquer everything in sight. Stellaris offers incredibly replayable gameplay with unique outcomes each time, and multiplayer lets you put your skills to the test against other players.

Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End

There’s Treasure Afoot

Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End is the final main game in the Uncharted series, and it’s the last time we play as Nathan Drake as the main character. While another game, Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, came out later, this game effectively marked the end of Nathan Drake’s story. It was originally released for the PlayStation 4 on May 10th and has since been made available on PlayStation 5 and PC.

Okay, so in this game, you finally meet Nathan Drake’s brother, Sam, who everyone thought was lost a long time ago. Once they reconnect, it’s all about hunting for pirate treasure! And honestly, Naughty Dog always delivers on the action, and this game is no exception. There’s so much to do – driving a jeep through crazy city streets, exploring these awesome, misty caves… it’s all super intense. Seriously, between the story, the characters, the shooting, the climbing, and how good it looks, Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End still blows me away. It’s just mesmerizing.

Doom (2016)

The Doom Guy Returns

After a ten-year hiatus, the classic game Doom made a powerful comeback on May 13th, 2016. The new version was released on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, and quickly re-established itself as the most intensely violent first-person shooter available. Beyond the improved visuals, a key feature that distinguished this Doom from earlier installments were the brutal ‘finishers’ players could perform on enemies.

To stay alive and keep their ammunition full, players were encouraged to brutally finish off enemies, often depicted with graphic detail, like splitting them open. The combat was fast-paced and intense, and the main character, the Doom Slayer, remained stoic as he killed countless demons. This was a fantastic revival of the Doom series, launching a strong trilogy that remained true to the spirit of the original 1993 game.

Overwatch

Leveling Up Team-Based Shooters

Overwatch launched on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on May 24th. While expectations were high due to Blizzard’s reputation for quality games, nobody anticipated its massive success. Essentially, Overwatch is an online team-based first-person shooter where players choose from a diverse cast of characters, each with unique abilities, weapons, and playstyles.

Tracer wasn’t a particularly powerful hero, but her ability to manipulate time gave her a unique advantage, and Junkrat excelled at dealing explosive damage. The game also included support characters like Mercy, making a diverse team composition crucial for success. Players loved the original game for years, but it was eventually taken offline in 2022 to make way for its sequel, which launched in 2023 and is now simply known as Overwatch as of February 2026. The 2016 Overwatch game was incredibly popular, and fans continue to cherish their memories of playing it.

Total War: Warhammer

A Strategic Fantasy RTS

The Total War series started in 2000 with Shogun: Total War, but it wasn’t until 2016 that a spin-off game set in the fantasy world of Warhammer – called Total War: Warhammer – was released. Launched on May 24th, it has remained exclusively on PC, without versions for consoles. However, the game proved popular, leading to two sequels, and a new, similar game called Total War: Warhammer 40,000 is currently in development. At the beginning, players could control one of four different groups, including classic factions like dwarves, and more unique options like a vampire and undead army.

Although each side offered a unique playstyle, the ultimate objective was always to grow your territory. Players developed their forces and engaged in large-scale, real-time battles that looked impressive for their time. Protecting your lands was also crucial, and whether playing alone or online with others, successfully managing an entire empire was challenging, yet enjoyable.

Hitman (2016)

A Master Of Disguise

2016 celebrated the tenth anniversary of the rebooted Hitman series, which first launched on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One in March. Instead of releasing a game with all missions available immediately, developer IO Interactive tried something new: releasing the game as a series of episodes. This was a gamble that paid off, resulting in a critically acclaimed trilogy within the Hitman world. Players particularly enjoyed the game’s open-ended design, allowing Agent 47 to eliminate targets in countless ways – whether through direct combat or by cleverly disguising himself as other characters.

Released in late May, the “A Gilded Cage” mission takes place in Marrakesh, Morocco. It’s set in a bustling marketplace filled with protestors and a strong military presence. Players are tasked with eliminating a general and a banker, but how they do it is up to them. For example, they could disguise themselves as a soldier to infiltrate the military base. “A Gilded Cage” was a popular mission that kept players entertained for several months as they experimented with different approaches to achieve the best outcome.

The Witcher 3: Blood And Wine

Vampire Hunting On Vacation

Released in 2015, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt quickly became known as one of the best action role-playing games of the decade. The game was enjoyable, but also featured a dark and often unsettling atmosphere. The Blood and Wine expansion felt like a bright and welcome escape after the challenging main story. Now available on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, the expansion takes players to a vibrant new land that feels like stepping into a beautiful painting.

The game features lots of characters and things to do, but the central story puts you in the role of a classic vampire hunter. Like most quests, the conflict isn’t simple – you can tackle it with strength, magic, or swordsmanship. Aside from the exciting vampire hunting, you can even relax and manage your own vineyard and garden. With over fifteen hours of gameplay if you complete everything, The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine feels less like downloadable content and more like a standalone game.

2026-05-06 14:08