Video Games From 2015 That Are Now Considered Classics

Each year has fantastic games, but some stand out as truly special, filled with releases that define genres and quickly become beloved classics. 2015 was one of those years for gaming. Following 2014’s introduction of the new PlayStation 4 and Xbox One consoles, 2015 brought a wave of impressive games built to take full advantage of more powerful hardware.

2015 was a fantastic year for gaming, with incredible titles ranging from unique indie games like Undertale, Journey, and SOMA, to massive, ongoing multiplayer experiences like Star Wars Battlefront and Halo 5: Guardians. We’re taking a look back at what many consider to be the very best and most influential games from that year – titles that made a big impact when they launched, and are still celebrated as classics today.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

A Crowning Achievement Of The RPG Genre

Released in 2015, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt quickly became a defining game of the year and a benchmark for open-world RPGs. Many believe no game since has matched its impact. It was a massive success for CD Projekt Red, establishing them as a leading studio, and its influence on the gaming landscape continues to be significant.

Man, The Witcher 3 just blew me away. The world is HUGE and gorgeous, with so much to see and do. I really got invested in the characters, and the quests weren’t just ‘go here, kill that’ – they actually changed based on my choices! It’s a massive epic, but also feels really personal and emotional. Seriously, this game is an instant classic and one of the best RPGs I’ve ever played, hands down. It’s no surprise it sold so well!

Rainbow Six Siege

Not Just A Classic, But A True Multiplayer Colossus

Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege has evolved significantly and become a key title for Ubisoft. More importantly, after ten years, it’s not just a beloved multiplayer game, but a highly popular competitive game played on both PCs and consoles, averaging over 50,000 players on Steam.

The free-to-play Rainbow Six Siege of today is vastly different from its original release. However, it’s clear that back in 2015, Siege was a truly original and innovative game that stood out from the competition, leading to significant growth and numerous updates and changes. Few games have maintained such a consistently large and active player base and online community over such a long period.

Fallout 4

Still A Go-To Destination For Any Fallout Fan

As a huge fan, it’s honestly wild to think it’s been a full decade since the last big Fallout game came out! And if things go the way they have been, we might be waiting another ten years for Fallout 5. I remember when Fallout 4 first released, it was seriously competing with The Witcher 3 for RPG of the year. It felt like the perfect Bethesda Fallout experience, and it really showed where the studio was headed with all the awesome crafting and building options they added. It felt so open and free!

Even now, Fallout 4 is the best place to start for both longtime fans and newcomers discovering the series thanks to the popular Amazon show. Like other games from Bethesda, Fallout 4 improves over time, not with new official versions, but because of its passionate PC modding community. They constantly update and enhance the game, making each return playthrough feel fresh.

Batman: Arkham Knight

Among The Best Superhero Games Ever Made

As a huge fan, I still think Batman: Arkham Knight looks incredible, even now! It always comes up when people talk about the best-looking games of all time, and it’s been almost a decade since it came out. But it’s way more than just pretty graphics. It’s the perfect ending to Rocksteady’s Batman story, and it really took the superhero open-world genre to a whole new level.

The Batman: Arkham series is widely considered to be among the greatest superhero games ever made, and many still feel that holds true even after the release of the popular Spider-Man games from Insomniac. Batman: Arkham Knight quickly proves why, drawing players into a stunningly cinematic and atmospheric version of rainy Gotham City. The game offers a fantastic mix of gameplay, letting you sneak around, fight enemies, investigate crimes, and drive the Batmobile – all done exceptionally well.

Rocket League

Carving Its Own Niche

Released in 2015, Rocket League quickly became a hit and, like Rainbow Six Siege, has continued to thrive. It’s moved beyond being just a popular launch title and remains a beloved, constantly updated game with a strong community even today. From the start, Psyonix’s game stood out with its unique and fast-paced action, earning immediate praise and a dedicated following.

Rocket League has had an unusual journey to becoming so popular. In 2019, it was bought by Epic Games, then removed from Steam and made free to play. This brought in a huge number of new players and helped the game grow, similar to what happened with Fortnite. Because it’s remained consistently popular for the last decade, Rocket League is likely to stay a favorite for many years to come.

Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain

Truly The End Of An Era

2015 saw the conclusion of several beloved series. The Witcher 3 gave a fitting end to Geralt’s adventures, while Batman: Arkham Knight offered a final, memorable experience as Bruce Wayne. Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain also wrapped up Hideo Kojima’s expansive spy story in a grand fashion.

Though not a typical ending for the Metal Gear Solid series, The Phantom Pain successfully tied up loose ends with surprising plot twists and stunning visuals. Metal Gear Solid V remains a standout stealth-action open-world game, and many consider it the best spy game released in the last ten years, offering dynamic gameplay and unexpected experiences.

Elite Dangerous

Delivering On What Others Still Promise

Fans have been anticipating Star Citizen since 2012, but Elite Dangerous has become well-known as a leading space exploration game. Launched globally in Spring 2015 (with early access for supporters starting in December 2014), Elite Dangerous quickly gained popularity with those passionate about space and spaceships, and its development has continued to be an interesting process.

After ten years, Elite Dangerous is better than ever, with Frontier Developments continuing to add new content and features. While updates like the 2021 Odyssey expansion haven’t always been perfect, the game has rightfully earned its place as a classic. It remains incredibly engaging today, offering hundreds of hours of thrilling space exploration that few other games can rival.

Dying Light

Zombie Adventure Done Right

2015 was a turning point for many video game series and developers, including Techland. Their zombie-themed open-world game, Dying Light, proved to be a major success, launching the Polish studio into the spotlight and becoming a key moment in the company’s history.

Initially, Dying Light was a standout single-player game, and consistent updates and improvements over the years have made it incredibly popular with fans – exceeding all expectations. Surprisingly, even its sequel, the large-scale Dying Light 2: Stay Human, hasn’t quite reached the same level of popularity or affection as the original.

Life Is Strange

A Quintessential Game Of The Mid-2010s With Long-Lasting Impact

Life is Strange truly defined 2015, hitting the gaming scene at exactly the right moment and becoming a landmark title for emotionally driven stories. When episodic games were particularly popular – a format recently proven effective by titles like Dispatch – Life is Strange emerged as a surprise hit, captivating players and sparking conversations for a full year.

Life is Strange isn’t just a well-told story with interesting characters; it also set a new standard for style and appeal. Its charming, hand-drawn look and relatable themes have inspired countless games and other creative works. Many consider it Don’t Nod’s greatest achievement, and the story of Max Caulfield and Chloe Price continues to deeply connect with players.

Bloodborne

The Most Desirable Console Exclusive Ever

We absolutely haven’t forgotten Bloodborne – it’s a game that only becomes more legendary over time! Many consider it one of FromSoftware’s greatest achievements, but it’s frustrating that it’s still only available on the PS4. We’re hoping the upcoming game, The Duskbloods, won’t be limited to a single console, though that possibility seems unlikely.

Bloodborne is an almost flawless action game, celebrated for its distinctive Gothic world, satisfying combat, engaging exploration, and incredibly rich story that players are still dissecting years later. It remains a hugely popular title, and fans consistently hope for a modern remake or port whenever PlayStation has a public event.

2025-12-20 10:06