After 1 Million Votes: These Are the Top 100 Games of All Time

GameRant readers had the chance to determine the definitive list of the Top 100 Best Games of All Time. Readers were able to vote on the Best Games of All Time in various articles across the site, choosing their pick between two highly acclaimed titles. We locked in the first 20 games after 500,000 votes were counted, and the next 20 after 600,000 votes. This continued until we hit 1 million votes and locked in the top 20.

We will be releasing the results in 20 game batches every Wednesday, so check back to see where your favorite games landed on the Top 100 List.

100 - 91

100. Silent Hill 3

• Platforms: PS2, PC
• Year: 2003
• Developer: Team Silent
• Publisher: Konami

A direct sequel to the original Silent Hill, Silent Hill 3 stars a 17-year-old Heather Mason as she comes face to face with the horrific monstrosities that reside in the twisted world of Silent Hill. Quite easily one of the scariest games on the PS2, Silent Hill 3 is a must-play for anyone that wants to experience top-tier survival-horror.

An HD version of Silent Hill 3 was released for PS3 and Xbox 360, and is playable on modern Xbox consoles via backward compatibility. Unfortunately, the HD remaster is generally considered inferior to the original.

99. Counter-Strike 2

• Platform: PC
• Year: 2023
• Developer: Valve
• Publisher: Valve

The replacement for the wildly popular Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Counter-Strike 2 brings the series to modern standards with sweeping technical and graphical improvements, along with upgraded maps and gunplay. Counter-Strike 2 is consistently one of the most-played games on Steam, with millions of players logging in each and every day.

98. Counter-Strike

• Platform: PC, Xbox
• Year: 2000
• Developer: Valve
• Publisher: Sierra Software

The OG Counter-Strike was a huge step forward for tactical shooters. Originating as a mod for Half-Life, Counter-Strike's intense multiplayer combat catapulted it to the top of its class and laid the foundation for not only its sequels, but many other FPS games that followed.

97. Super Metroid

• Platform: SNES
• Year: 1994
• Developers: Nintendo R&D1, Intelligent Systems
• Publisher: Nintendo

Super Metroid is such a landmark title that its influence is still found in countless games to this day. Super Metroid solidified many of the concepts that define the so-called "Metroidvania" genre, with protagonist Samus Aran spending much of the game collecting exciting new abilities that in turn unlock new locations to explore on the game's sprawling alien planet.

Super Metroid is playable on Switch and Switch 2 through the Nintendo Switch Online service.

96. Forza Horizon 5

• Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS5
• Year: 2021
• Developer: Playground Games
• Publisher: Xbox Game Studios

Forza Horizon 5 is one of the best racing games ever made. Its drop-dead gorgeous open world Mexico is a sight to behold and a joy to explore, with a never-ending list of activities to pursue.

95. Chrono Trigger

• Platforms: SNES, PS1, Nintendo DS, Mobile, PC
• Year: 1995
• Developer: Square
• Publisher: Square

Often hailed as one of the best RPGs ever made, Chrono Trigger is a time-traveling adventure crafted by legendary Japanese developers including Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi and Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii, to name just a couple. Throw in an unforgettable soundtrack and iconic character designs courtesy of Dragon Ball's Akira Toriyama, and you have the recipe for an all-time classic.

94. Dragon Age: Inquisition

• Platforms: PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
• Year: 2014
• Developer: BioWare
• Publisher: Electronic Arts

The inaugural Game Awards Game of the Year winner, BioWare's Dragon Age: Inquisition is a giant action-RPG adventure with vast semi-open worlds to explore and plenty of memorable characters to meet. In typical BioWare fashion, player choice shapes the narrative and character interactions, making for an infinitely replayable experience.

93. GoldenEye 007

• Platform: Nintendo 64
• Year: 1997
• Developer: Rare
• Publisher: Nintendo

Potentially the best video game based on a movie, GoldenEye 007 is a 90s classic and one of the defining FPS games on console. GoldenEye 007 boasts a variety of action-packed single-player missions based on the James Bond movie, but its defining feature is the split-screen multiplayer. Up to four players can battle it out on classic maps like Facility, Bunker, Temple, and more as heroes and villains from various James Bond movies.

Despite being one of the most popular video games ever made, GoldenEye 007 was trapped on the Nintendo 64 for decades due to licensing issues. A miracle happened in 2023 when GoldenEye 007 was finally re-released on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S consoles, along with making its debut on the Expansion Pack tier of Nintendo Switch Online.

92. Undertale

• Platform: PC, PS4, PS Vita, Switch, Xbox One
• Year: 2015
• Developer: Toby Fox
• Publishers: Toby Fox, 8-4

Simply put, Toby Fox's Undertale is a masterpiece. The music is enough to make Undertale a game everyone should play, but it also has an incredible story and a genius combat system where players can kill enemies like they do in every other RPG, or choose to spare their foes.

91. It Takes Two

• Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
• Year: 2021
• Developer: Hazelight Studios
• Publisher: Electronic Arts

Josef Fares and his team at Hazelight Studios specialize in games built entirely around co-op play. It Takes Two may very well be their magnum opus, with players taking on the roles of unhappy married couple Cody and May who are transformed into dolls. Cody and May have to set aside their differences and work together to survive the ordeal, leading to all kinds of wacky adventures that add up to being one of the all-time great co-op gaming experiences.

90 - 81

90. Hitman: Absolution

• Platforms: PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Mobile, Switch, Switch 2
• Year: 2012
• Developer: IO Interactive
• Publisher: Square Enix

While there are Hitman purists that prefer the more open-ended entries in the franchise, Hitman: Absolution certainly has its place. A far more accessible take on the franchise's established stealth action formula, Absolution makes some controversial changes, but it still scratches the Hitman itch.

89. Hitman: Blood Money

• Platforms: PC, PS2, Xbox, Xbox 360, PS3, PS4, Xbox One, Mobile, Switch
• Year: 2006
• Developer: IO Interactive
• Publisher: Eidos Interactive

Hitman: Blood Money is the brutally efficient assassin Agent 47 at the top of his game. At the time of its release, Blood Money gave Hitman fans more options than ever before, making for some of the series' most exciting missions. With improvements across the board, Blood Money is the ultimate classic Hitman experience.

88. Final Fantasy 9

• Platforms: PS1, Mobile, PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One
• Year: 2000
• Developer: Square
• Publisher: Square

There's a lot of debate about which of the PS1 era Final Fantasy games is the best, but many would give the nod to Final Fantasy 9. A return to the franchise's medieval fantasy roots after a few futuristic installments, Final Fantasy 9 feels like a love letter to the franchise as a whole. Still, it stands entirely on its own as a JRPG masterwork.

87. Alan Wake 2

• Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X
• Year: 2023
• Developer: Remedy Entertainment
• Publisher: Epic Games Publishing

The original Alan Wake was an homage to Stephen King novels and Twin Peaks, but while it certainly had horror elements, it didn't fully embrace the genre. Alan Wake 2, on the other hand, is full-blown horror, with the titular Alan Wake trapped in The Dark Place while FBI agent Saga Anderson investigates a string of bizarre murders. Alan Wake 2 is relentlessly terrifying, but it still has time for extremely unexpected musical numbers.

86. Astro Bot

• Platform: PS5
• Year: 2024
• Developer: Team Asobi
• Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment

Astro Bot is an adorable and endlessly charming 3D platformer that builds on VR game Astro Bot Rescue Mission and the PS5 pack-in game Astro's Playroom to create one of the genre's greatest adventures. Astro Bot stands on its own as a masterful 3D platformer that makes genius use of the PS5 DualSense controller's unique features, but as a bonus, it also has nearly two hundred special bots themed after popular PlayStation characters. Since launch, Astro Bot has received free updates that have added even more ridiculously entertaining levels to the game.

85. Tetris

• Platform: Game Boy
• Year: 1989
• Developer: Nintendo R&D1
• Publisher: Nintendo

Tetris is the ultimate puzzle game, with a universal appeal that expands far beyond most video games. The simple yet addicting gameplay of using falling blocks to make lines is timeless, as evidenced by the near-countless Tetris sequels and re-releases that have been released over the years. There are about a billion ways to play Tetris nowadays, but the Game Boy version from 1989 is the most well-known and popular.

84. Max Payne

• Platform: PC, PS2, Xbox, Game Boy Advance, Mobile
• Year: 2001
• Developer: Remedy Entertainment
• Publisher: Gathering of Developers, Rockstar Games

The game that put Remedy Entertainment on the map, Max Payne is an explosive, action-packed third-person shooter that utilizes Matrix-style "bullet-time" to great effect. The story accompanying the combat is equal parts shocking and engrossing, and should have no problem keeping gamers glued to their screens from beginning to end.

83. Metroid Prime

• Platform: GameCube
• Year: 2002
• Developer: Retro Studios
• Publisher: Nintendo

Nintendo failed to release a new Metroid game on the Nintendo 64, and so fans of the sci-fi franchise had to wait a whopping eight years for the long-awaited follow-up to Super Metroid. Their patience was rewarded with the GameCube classic Metroid Prime, a game that successfully translated the 2D action-platformer/exploration gameplay of Super Metroid to a first-person perspective.

Metroid Prime was later ported to the Wii as a New Play Control game (Japan only) and as part of Metroid Prime Trilogy. Metroid Prime also received a remaster on the Nintendo Switch.

82. Hades 2

• Platform: PC, Switch, Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
• Year: 2025
• Developer: Supergiant Games
• Publisher: Supergiant Games

Supergiant Games made one of the best roguelikes of all time with the original Hades, and so expectations were high for Hades 2. It's safe to say that Hades 2 lived up to the hype and then some, giving fans new weapons to use, new enemies to fight, and new protagonist Melinoe to follow in her quest to defeat the titan Chronos.

81. Diablo 2

• Platform: PC
• Year: 2000
• Developer: Blizzard North
• Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment

Three years after Blizzard's original dark fantasy action-RPG was released, Diablo 2 hit the scene with a more engaging story and more level variety. Diablo 2 retains much of what made the original game such a massive hit, with plenty of loot to collect and endless hordes of monsters to slaughter in solo or co-op, but it does it all even better than the first game.

Diablo 2 was brought to modern hardware via a remastered version called Diablo 2: Resurrected.

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80. Persona 5 Royal

• Platforms: PS4, PC, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
• Year: 2019 (Japan) / 2020 (Worldwide)
• Developer: P-Studio
• Publisher: Sega

The original Persona 5 is widely regarded as one of the greatest JRPGs ever made, so it's no surprise that Persona 5 Royal is held in even higher regard. Persona 5 Royal features everything that was in the massive original game but adds even more for fans to enjoy, including a new playable character, new locations to explore, a playable third semester, and various other tweaks that all add up to Royal being the definitive way to experience a JRPG masterpiece.

79. Final Fantasy 6

• Platforms: SNES, PS1, Game Boy Advance, Mobile, PC
• Year: 1994
• Developer: Square
• Publisher: Square

Final Fantasy really hit its stride on the Super Nintendo, with Final Fantasy 6 arguably representing the franchise's 16-bit peak. Mixing sci-fi and classic fantasy, Final Fantasy 6 features one of the franchise's most engaging storylines and a wonderful cast of memorable heroes and villains, like the infamous Kefka.

A pixel remaster of Final Fantasy 6 with updated visuals and various quality-of-life improvements is available on modern consoles.

78. Stardew Valley

• Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PS Vita, Mobile, Switch 2
• Year: 2026
• Developer: ConcernedApe
• Publisher: ConcernedApe

The ultimate cozy life sim game, Stardew Valley has left an undeniable impact on the indie gaming scene, and stands tall as the best in its genre. Stardew Valley tasks players with expanding and tending to a farm while interacting with the local townsfolk, exploring dangerous mines, and potentially falling in love and raising a family. Its gameplay loop is incredibly addicting, and it's easy to lose dozens of hours getting absorbed into its world.

77. Hades

• Platforms: PC, Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Mobile
• Year: 2020
• Developer: Supergiant Games
• Publisher: Supergiant Games

If Stardew Valley is the ultimate life sim/cozy game, then Hades is the ultimate action roguelike. Hades is the tough-as-nails journey of Zagreus, who has to fight his way through unrelenting hordes of enemies to face off with his father, the titular Hades, and eventually make his way out of the underworld. Hades' nails the "one more run" gameplay loop that the best action roguelikes offer and is nearly impossible to put down once you get truly invested in it.

76. The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind

• Platforms: PC, Xbox
• Year: 2002
• Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
• Publisher: Bethesda Softworks

The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind took Bethesda's fantasy franchise to the next level. Offering an extreme emphasis on player freedom, Morrowind features a huge and complex open world to explore full of worthwhile stories to experience. It also marked the franchise's console debut, laying the groundwork for the epics that would follow.

Morrowind received two substantial expansion packs to give players even more to do in the game, Tribunal and Bloodmoon.

75. Doom

• Platforms: PC, 32X, Jaguar, SNES, PS1, 3DO, Saturn, Game Boy Advance, Xbox 360, Mobile, PS3, PS4, Xbox One, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
• Year: 1993
• Developer: id Software
• Publisher: id Software

One of the most influential video games of all time, Doom established many conventions of the first-person shooter genre that are still used to this day. The game features an action-packed single-player campaign along with a fun and challenging multiplayer mode that is still fun, and its impact simply can not be overstated.

74. Gears of War

• Platforms: Xbox 360, PC
• Year: 2006
• Developer: Epic Games
• Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios

The original Gears of War was to the Xbox 360 what Halo: Combat Evolved was to the original Xbox. A third-person shooter employing the over-the-shoulder camera of Resident Evil 4 and a unique cover system, Gears of War offers an intense, sci-fi action story that can be played entirely in co-op with a friend, locally or online. The challenging versus multiplayer component combined with the blockbuster campaign elevates Gears of War to an even higher status.

Gears of War has been remastered twice. The first came in 2015 with the Ultimate Edition for Xbox One, and the latest saw the franchise make its PS5 debut as Gears of War: Reloaded.

73. Devil May Cry

• Platform: PS2
• Year: 2001
• Developer: Capcom Production Studio 4
• Publisher: Capcom

Devil May Cry started life as Capcom's first attempt at Resident Evil 4, but it morphed into a completely original franchise. Devil May Cry stars the trash-talking Dante as he explores Gothic locales and kills all manner of monsters and demons that are unlucky enough to get in his way. The game is fondly remembered as one of the PS2's best original titles, and for good reason.

Devil May Cry later received an HD port to modern platforms.

72. Silent Hill 2

• Platforms: PS2, PC, Xbox
• Year: 2001
• Developer: Team Silent
• Publisher: Konami

A disturbing and downright terrifying psychological horror game, Silent Hill 2 is the story of James Sunderland searching the twisted town of Silent Hill after receiving a mysterious letter from his dead wife. Silent Hill 2 is a brilliant evolution of the first game, with the genre's trademark puzzles and exploration combined with one of its most memorable stories.

A full-blown remake of Silent Hill 2 was released in 2024, courtesy of Bloober Team.

71. Shadow of the Colossus

• Platform: PS2
• Year: 2005
• Developer: Sony Computer Entertainment Japan
• Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment

Shadow of the Colossus comes from the same team that made Ico, and like that game, it's an absolute masterpiece. Shadow of the Colossus has players slaying the titular colossi, with each encounter an epic-scale boss fight relying on platforming and puzzle-solving over straight-up combat.

A remake of Shadow of the Colossus, developed by Bluepoint Games, was released for PS4 in 2018.

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70. BioShock Infinite

• Platforms: PC, PS3, Xbox 360
• Year: 2013
• Developer: Irrational Games
• Publisher: 2K

Trading the creepy underwater city of Rapture for the floating metropolis of Columbia, BioShock Infinite features a mind-bending story and the franchise's signature gunplay. A worthy successor to the OG BioShock, Infinite solidified director Ken Levine as an all-time great in the industry.

69. Silent Hill 2 (2024)

• Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
• Year: 2024
• Developer Bloober Team
• Publisher: Konami

Developer Bloober Team was given the impossible task of remaking Silent Hill 2, but not only did the SH2 remake meet expectations, it exceeded them. The 2024 Silent Hill 2 modernizes the survival-horror classic with cutting-edge graphics and a new over-the-shoulder perspective inspired by the rival Resident Evil games. The Silent Hill 2 remake miraculously retains much of what made the original game such a classic, while simultaneously updating the experience to meet modern standards.

68. Final Fantasy 10

• Platform: PS2
• Year: 2001
• Developer: Square
• Publisher: Square

Square's flagship franchise made its PlayStation 2 debut in style. Final Fantasy 10 marked a dramatic improvement in graphical quality compared to its PS1 predecessors, and carries on the tradition of an engaging story populated by iconic characters. Tidus (pronounced "Tidus"), Yuna, Auron, and the rest are some of the franchise's most memorable characters, and their story will stick with you for years after you roll credits.

Final Fantasy 10 later received an HD remaster for modern consoles that bundled it with its direct sequel, Final Fantasy 10-2.

67. Horizon Zero Dawn

• Platforms: PC, PS4
• Year: 2017
• Developer Guerrilla Games
• Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment

After wrapping up its gritty sci-fi first-person shooter franchise Killzone, Guerrilla Games decided to do something completely different with its next game. Horizon Zero Dawn is a third-person action-adventure open world game set in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by a variety of deadly machines. Players take on the role of Aloy, who has to contend with these mechanical beasts and dangerous humans while uncovering the secrets of her past. The game has drop-dead gorgeous graphics and a huge open world to explore that should keep players busy for hours on end.

Horizon Zero Dawn was later remastered for PS5 with updated graphics and new features as Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered.

66. Super Smash Bros. Melee

• Platform: GameCube
• Year: 2001
• Developer: HAL Laboratory
• Publisher: Nintendo

The original Super Smash Bros. was a popular party fighting game on the Nintendo 64, but Super Smash Bros. Melee is what gave the franchise its legendary status. The best reason to own a GameCube, Super Smash Bros. Melee features an extensive roster of classic Nintendo characters, stages, and items for players to wreak havoc with. Super Smash Bros. Melee is stuffed to the brink with replay value and is easily one of the best local multiplayer experiences of all time.

65. Half-Life

• Platforms: PC, PS2
• Year: 1998
• Developer: Valve
• Publisher: Sierra Studios

The first game developed by Valve, Half-Life is a benchmark first-person shooter game that focuses on exploration and clever puzzles over constant combat, though there is plenty of that as well. The game inspired countless mods, some of which were spun off into franchises of their own, making Half-Life one of the most important video games ever made.

64. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

• Platform: Switch
• Year: 2017
• Developer: Nintendo EAD, Nintendo EPD
• Publisher: Nintendo

The Wii U was a colossal commercial failure for Nintendo, but instead of letting its exclusive games rot on the platform, Nintendo decided to give them new life. The most successful Wii U to Switch conversion is Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, a title that also happens to be one of the best-selling games ever made. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe retains the anti-gravity gimmicks and the content featured in the Wii U game, but adds the post-launch DLC and a new battle mode.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe received extensive post-launch support, with 48 new tracks and eight new characters added to the game as part of the Booster Course Pass.

63. Super Mario Galaxy 2

• Platforms: Wii, Switch
• Year: 2010
• Developer: Nintendo EAD Tokyo
• Publisher: Nintendo

Super Mario Galaxy had big shoes to fill, but many would agree that it did just that. Super Mario Galaxy 2 keeps the core 3D platformer gameplay that made the first game such a hit, but adds new level gimmicks, Yoshi, and a much stiffer challenge for those that want to get 100% completion.

62. The Last of Us Part 2

• Platform: PS4
• Year: 2020
• Developer: Naughty Dog
• Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment

The Last of Us Part 2 is one of the most divisive games of all time because of its bold narrative choices, but there's no denying the sheer mastery at work in its gameplay. Intense, brutal combat is married with best-in-the-industry graphics and animation to deliver a gameplay experience like no other.

The Last of Us Part 2 was remastered for PS5 and PC with new features that add even more replay value to the game.

61. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

• Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
• Year: 2019
• Developer: FromSoftware
• Publisher: Activision

A devilishly difficult action-adventure from FromSoftware, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is the kind of game that greatly rewards those that take the time to truly master it. Sekiro's combat is extremely challenging, but those that push through will be rewarded with some of the most satisfying boss fights in gaming history.

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60. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker

• Platforms: GameCube
• Year: 2002
• Developer: Nintendo EAD
• Publisher: Nintendo

At the time of its release, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker was extremely controversial because of its cartoony, cel-shaded art style. Nowadays, Wind Waker's vibrant art is considered one of its greatest strengths, and has helped Link's massive adventure age better than some of the other games in the franchise.

Wind Waker received an HD remaster for the Wii U and is currently available to play on Nintendo Switch 2 through the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack.

59. Halo: Combat Evolved

• Platforms: Xbox, PC
• Year: 2001
• Developer: Bungie
• Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios

When Microsoft joined the console market, it needed a flagship game to compete with Nintendo and PlayStation. It landed on Halo: Combat Evolved, a groundbreaking first-person shooter game with an incredible soundtrack, exciting co-op campaign, and endlessly replayable multiplayer. Halo remains Xbox's flagship franchise to this day, and it all started thanks to the wildly innovative 2001 original.

Halo: Combat Evolved later received a remake on Xbox 360 titled Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, and it is getting another remake later this year titled Halo: Campaign Evolved.

58. Pokemon Gold and Silver

• Platform: Game Boy Color
• Year: 1999 (Japan)/2000 (worldwide)
• Developer: Game Freak
• Publisher: Nintendo

Released at the height of Pokemania, Pokemon Gold and Silver was a massive leap forward for the franchise in so many ways. The Johto region is full of new Pokemon to catch, plus players can even return to the Kanto region as part of the games' expansive endgame content.

Pokemon Gold and Silver later received critically-acclaimed remakes on the DS in the form of Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver.

57. Mass Effect 2

• Platforms: PC, PS3, Xbox 360
• Year: 2010
• Developer: BioWare
• Publisher: Electronic Arts/Microsoft Game Studios

With Mass Effect 2, BioWare took everything that fans loved about the original Mass Effect and addressed all the complaints. Mass Effect 2 is a polished sci-fi action-RPG where player choice has real and lasting consequences on the game world and the characters that inhabit it.

Mass Effect 2 was remastered for modern platforms as part of Mass Effect: Legendary Edition.

56. Super Mario World

• Platform: SNES
• Year: 1990/1991 (US)
• Developer: Nintendo EAD
• Publisher: Nintendo

After the monumental success of the NES, Nintendo made sure that it came out swinging with the SNES by releasing a brand-new Super Mario game as a launch title. Super Mario World helped usher in the 16-bit generation for Nintendo with its near-perfect level design and smart advancements that moved the platforming franchise forward while still staying true to its roots.

Super Mario World is available to play through Nintendo Switch Online, and it was also remade for the Game Boy Advance as Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2.

55. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

• Platform: PS2
• Year: 2001
• Developer: Konami Computer Entertainment Japan
• Publisher: Konami

After the first Metal Gear Solid made such a splash on the PS1, expectations were high for the follow-up. Hideo Kojima could have delivered a straightforward sequel that featured Solid Snake as the main protagonist yet again, but he decided to go in a completely different direction with Metal Gear Solid 2. While Snake still plays a central role, newcomer Raiden is the main playable character throughout MGS2, a risky gamble that paid off in the long run.

Metal Gear Solid 2 has received multiple HD remasters since its release, plus expanded versions of the game, subtitled Substance, were released on PC and Xbox back in the day.

54. Hollow Knight

• Platforms: PC, Switch, PS4, Xbox One, PS5, Xbox Series X, Switch 2
• Year: 2017
• Developer: Team Cherry
• Publisher: Team Cherry

There are all kinds of Metroidvania games on the market, but few have left the kind of impression Hollow Knight has. A tough-as-nails twist on the Metroidvania genre, Hollow Knight is like a marriage between Super Metroid and Dark Souls. Those that dedicate the game to master the game will be rewarded with one of the most engrossing experiences gaming has to offer.

53. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

• Platforms: PC, Xbox, Mobile, Switch
• Year: 2003
• Developer: BioWare
• Publisher: LucasArts

Star Wars meets Dungeons & Dragons is a dream game concept that was fulfilled by BioWare over two decades ago. Set thousands of years before the events of the prequel trilogy, Knights of the Old Republic gives players the freedom to side with the Light Side or Dark Side of the Force. Best known for its story and shocking plot twists, KOTOR remains one of the best Star Wars games ever made.

52. Portal

• Platforms: PC, Xbox 360, PS3
• Year: 2007
• Developer: Valve
• Publisher: Valve

Many gamers' first introduction to Portal was through The Orange Box, a collection of fantastic Valve games that remains one of the absolute-best deals in gaming history. The OG Portal is a short but sweet first-person puzzler that is elevated by its memorable villain, the hostile artificial intelligence GLaDOS.

Portal was later re-released with more content as Portal: Still Alive.

51. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

• Platforms: GameCube, Wii
• Year: 2006
• Developer: Nintendo EAD
• Publisher: Nintendo

Even though The Wind Waker is beloved today, Nintendo heard fan complaints about the game's art style and went in a completely different direction with Twilight Princess. Adopting the grittier, dark fantasy vibes of Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask, Twilight Princess is a darker, more mature take on the Zelda formula. Released as a cross-gen title on both GameCube and Wii, Twilight Princess remains one of the franchise's absolute greatest adventures.

An HD remaster of Twilight Princess was eventually released for the Wii U.

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50. The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask

• Platform: Nintendo 64
• Year: 2000
• Developer: Nintendo EAD
• Publisher: Nintendo

The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask had to follow up Ocarina of Time, which remains the highest-rated game ever made to this day. Majora's Mask managed to step outside OoT's shadow by imposing a stressful time-limit gimmick and delivering one of the creepiest, most depressing Zelda worlds ever made. When it comes to atmosphere, few games can touch Majora's Mask.

Majora's Mask came to the GameCube as part of The Legend of Zelda: Collector's Edition and it also received a full-blown remake on the 3DS in 2015.

49. Pokemon Red and Blue

• Platform: Game Boy
• Year: 1996 (Japan)/1998 (US)
• Developer: Game Freak
• Publisher: Nintendo

The games that started them all. Pokemon Red and Blue breathed new life into Nintendo's Game Boy and extended the handheld's lifespan dramatically. The monster-catching games spawned a huge multimedia franchise that is potentially the highest-grossing entertainment franchise ever made. The OG games may seem archaic by today's standards, but the adventures still hold up and deserve endless credit for originating the Pokemon world.

Pokemon Red and Blue were remade on the Game Boy Advance as Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen, and were made yet again on the Nintendo Swtich as Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu and Let's Go Eevee.

48. Doom Eternal

• Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
• Year: 2020
• Developer: id Software
• Publisher: Bethesda Softworks

The follow-up to the 2016 Doom reboot, Doom Eternal is a relentless, action-packed thrillfest that is virtually unmatched in the FPS space. Offering nonstop carnage, Doom Eternal is quite simply one of the industry's premiere FPS experiences.

47. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

• Platform: PS3
• Year: 2009
• Developer: Naughty Dog
• Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment

Uncharted 2's jaw-dropping set-pieces alone make the game worth playing, but it also features fun puzzles to solve, harrowing climbing/platforming sequences, and exciting combat. A huge improvement over its predecessor across the board, Uncharted 2 also featured a pretty fun multiplayer mode at the time of its release.

Uncharted 2 was later remastered as part of Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection on the PS4.

46. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

• Platforms: PC, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii
• Year: 2007
• Developer: Infinity Ward
• Publisher: Activision

The first few main series Call of Duty games were acclaimed World War 2 first-person shooter games, but it wasn't until Call of Duty 4 that the franchise broke out as a true blockbuster phenomenon. Call of Duty 4 changed the online multiplayer FPS experience forever, and catapulted CoD to becoming one of the industry's biggest and most commercially successful franchises.

A remastered version of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare was released for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.

45. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

• Platform: PS2
• Year: 2004
• Developer: Konami Computer Entertainment Japan
• Publisher: Konami

A prequel to the Metal Gear saga as a whole, Snake Eater is the gripping story of Naked Snake as he explores a dangerous Soviet jungle. In typical MGS fashion, Snake Eater features a cast of creative villains and a mind-bending story that stands as one of gaming's best.

Metal Gear Solid 3 has received an enhanced re-release called Subsistence, an HD remaster, a total remake, and even a 3DS version.

44. Super Mario Odyssey

• Platform: Switch
• Year: 2017
• Developer: Nintendo EPD
• Publisher: Nintendo

Super Mario Odyssey is a return to the style of 3D platforming found in Super Mario 64, with expansive worlds to explore full of collectibles to find. Mario's 3D platforming gameplay has never felt better, and the worlds have never had more variety, with players able to explore everything from a dark stormy castle to New Donk City. Mario's companion Cappy gives him the power to possess nearly every enemy he comes across in the game, opening the door to all kinds of unique gameplay opportunities.

43. Halo 2

• Platform: Xbox, PC
• Year: 2004
• Developer: Bungie
• Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios

Halo 2 is bigger and better than Halo: Combat Evolved, with The Arbiter playable in the co-op campaign, new weapons and maps, and for the first time in series history, online multiplayer. Halo 2 did for Xbox Live what the original game did for the Xbox console itself, and its importance can not be overstated.

A remastered version of Halo 2 was released as part of Halo: The Master Chief Collection.

42. Super Mario Galaxy

• Platforms: Wii, Switch
• Year: 2007
• Developer: Nintendo EAD Tokyo
• Publisher: Nintendo

Perhaps the best game ever released for the Nintendo Wii, Super Mario Galaxy combined the style of platforming found in Mario's 3D sandbox adventures with more linear, structured level design reminiscent of his 2D games. The end result is something uniquely magical.

41. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

• Platforms: PC, PS3, Xbox 306
• Year: 2009
• Developer: Infinity Ward
• Publisher: Activision

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 features one of the franchise's most exciting single-player campaigns, as well as one of its most purely entertaining multiplayer experiences. Modern Warfare 2 maps like Rust, Estate, Highrise, Terminal, and more ensured that the multiplayer never got gold, and then there's the co-op Spec Ops mode for good measure. MW2 is one of the most well-rounded, fully-featured Call of Duty games ever made and arguably represents the peak of the series.

Modern Warfare 2's campaign was remastered for PS4 and Xbox One.

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40. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

• Platform: SNES
• Year: 1991 (1992 outside of Japan)
• Developer: Nintendo EAD
• Publisher: Nintendo

A dramatic upgrade from The Legend of Zelda games on the NES, A Link to the Past is a sprawling action-adventure game that established many franchise features and tropes that are still seen in modern day entries. One of the best games ever released for the SNES, A Link to the Past is 2D Zelda at the top of its game.

A Link to the Past was re-released on Nintendo's various Virtual Console services over the years, and is currently playable through Nintendo Switch Online. A Game Boy Advance port that paired it with the Four Swords multiplayer game was released in 2002.

39. Portal 2

• Platforms: PC, PS3, Xbox 360, Switch
• Year: 2011
• Developer: Valve
• Publisher: Valve/Electronic Arts (PS3 and Xbox 360 versions)

Valve followed up on the hugely successful first-person puzzler Portal with its mind-bending sequel that offered a more fully fleshed-out single-player campaign and a fun co-op mode. Portal 2 is also home to one of the most memorable endings in all of gaming, so make sure you go out of your way to experience it if you haven't already.

38. God of War

• Platform: PS2
• Year: 2005
• Developer: Santa Monica Studio
• Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment

The original God of War introduced the world to Kratos, who has since gone on to become one of the medium's most recognizable protagonists. A blood-drenched revenge story, the first God of War sees Kratos kick off his massacre of the Greek Pantheon using his iconic Blades of Chaos and an assortment of other weapons.

An HD remastered version of God of War was released as part of the God of War Collection for PS3 and PS Vita, alongside God of War 2.

37. Metal Gear Solid

• Platform: PS1, PC
• Year: 1998
• Developer: Konami Computer Entertainment Japan
• Publisher: Konami

Metal Gear Solid was nothing short of groundbreaking when it first released on the original PlayStation. It not only successfully translated the stealth-action gameplay of the Metal Gear series to 3D, but it also did things never seen before in video game cutscenes and storytelling, with its influence still felt to this day. Metal Gear Solid solidified Hideo Kojima as one of gaming's few true auteurs and laid the foundation for the subsequent masterpieces that would come.

The first Metal Gear Solid has been re-released for modern consoles through various collections. A remake, The Twin Snakes, was released for the GameCube in 2004.

36. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

• Platforms: PS2, PC, Xbox, Mobile
• Year: 2002
• Developer: Rockstar North
• Publisher: Rockstar Games

One year after the landmark GTA 3 hit store shelves, Rockstar Games released Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. Vice City boasts a brand-new open world to explore based on 1980s Miami, a fully-voiced protagonist in the form of Tommy Vercetti, and an epic crime story that keeps players engrossed from start to finish.

GTA: Vice City received an overhaul in Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition, but that version of the game is considered inferior to the 2002 original.

35. God of War 2

• Platform: PS2
• Year: 2007
• Developer: Santa Monica Studio
• Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment

One of the last major PlayStation 2 exclusives ever released, God of War 2 took everything that fans loved about the original game and dialed it up to 11. God of War 2 is even more ambitious than its predecessor, with more weapons, enemies, and new locations to explore filled with puzzles and jaw-dropping boss fights.

34. BioShock

• Platforms: PC, Xbox 360, PS3, Mobile
• Year: 2007
• Developer: 2K Boston/2K Australia
• Publisher: 2K

BioShock lets players explore the underwater city of Rapture, fighting off super-powered lunatics and hulking brutes known as Big Daddys using a varied arsenal of guns and Plasmid powers. But it's BioShock's mind-bending story, home to one of the most shocking twists in gaming history, is what really helps it reach the upper echelon.

A remastered version of BioShock is available on modern platforms as part of BioShock: The Collection.

33. Half-Life 2

• Platforms: PC, Xbox
• Year: 2004
• Developer: Valve
• Publisher: Valve/Electronic Arts (Xbox)

How do you follow up one of the most influential and critically-acclaimed FPS games of all time? With another FPS that's also one of the most influential and critically-acclaimed games of all time. Half-Life 2's physics system alone is enough to set it apart from most other FPS games on the market, and it's used brilliantly in both combat with the Gravity Gun and in puzzle-solving.

Half-Life 2 was later re-released as part of Valve's The Orange Box collection.

32. Halo 3

• Platform: Xbox 360
• Year: 2007
• Developer: Bungie
• Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios

Bungie capped off the Halo trilogy with the monumental Halo 3. At the time of its release, Halo 3 featured one of the most robust online multiplayer offerings ever, and it came packaged with an epic-scale campaign that could be played entirely in 2-player split-screen or up to four players in co-op.

Halo 3 is playable on modern platforms via Halo: The Master Chief Collection.

31. Dark Souls

• Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360, PC
• Year: 2011
• Developer: FromSoftware
• Publisher: Namco Bandai Games/FromSoftware

Carrying on the Demon's Souls legacy, Dark Souls is a tough-as-nails action-RPG where players have to overcome overwhelming odds if they hope to survive to the end. Featuring a dense world full of secrets to discover, a lineup of unforgettable boss fights, and engaging PvP and co-op mechanics, Dark Souls helped popularize and create many of the Soulslike conventions that went on to inspire countless copycats.

Dark Souls received a major post-launch expansion called Artorias of the Abyss, and it was also remastered for PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.

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30. Fallout 4

• Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2
• Year: 2015
• Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
• Publisher: Bethesda Softworks

The hype for Fallout 4 was virtually unprecedented, and when Bethesda's post-apocalyptic open world RPG finally hit store shelves, many would agree that it lived up to expectations. Fallout 4 features an expansive take on Boston and the surrounding areas to explore, with well-written characters, an engaging main quest, and a series of water-cooler moments that have helped it remain one of Bethesda's most popular games.

Fallout 4 received multiple major expansion packs and various DLC to expand the adventure even further.

29. Final Fantasy 7

• Platforms: PS1, PC, Mobile, PS4, Switch, Xbox One
• Year: 1997
• Developer: Square
• Publisher: Square/Sony Computer Entertainment/Eidos Interactive/Square Enix

After six main series entries on Nintendo consoles, Square Enix made the bold decision to abandon the Big N in favor of the PlayStation 1, and it's a gamble that paid off big time. Final Fantasy 7 on the PS1 took the franchise to never-before-seen levels of popularity thanks to its emotionally-charged narrative full of shocking plot twists and engrossing sci-fi/fantasy world.

28. God of War 3

• Platform: PS3
• Year: 2010
• Developer: Santa Monica Studio
• Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment

God of War 3 capped off the Greek trilogy in style, bringing the action to the PS3 in what was the franchise's best-looking entry at the time. God of War 3 is an even bigger and better version of what came before, representing the peak of Kratos and his adventures in the Greek era.

27. Uncharted 4: A Thief's End

• Platform: PS4
• Year: 2016
• Developer: Naughty Dog
• Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment

After delivering a trilogy of incredible PS3 games, Naughty Dog was tasked with bringing Nathan Drake's story to a close on PS4 with Uncharted 4: A Thief's End. By most accounts, Naughty Dog succeeded in exactly what it set out to accomplish, with Uncharted 4 featuring arguably the franchise's best story and character moments, all wrapped up in eye-popping graphics and top-of-the-line action-adventure gameplay.

Uncharted 4 was later remastered for PC and PS5 and bundled with the standalone Lost Legacy expansion as Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection.

26. Super Mario 64

• Platform: Nintendo 64
• Year: 1996
• Developer: Nintendo EAD
• Publisher: Nintendo

Super Mario 64 showed everyone how a 3D game should be done. Serving as a launch title for the Nintendo 64, Super Mario 64 would go on to inspire countless other 3D platformer collect-a-thons, but few came close to the high bar set by Nintendo's game.

25. Minecraft

• Platforms: PC, Mobile, Xbox 360, PS3, PS4, Xbox One, PS Vita, Wii U, Switch, New 3DS, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
• Year: 2011
• Developer: Mojang Studios
• Publisher: Mojang Studios

Minecraft has sold over 350 million copies across various platforms, making it the best-selling video game of all time by a significant margin. The premiere sandbox survival game, Minecraft lets players loose in a vast open world and challenges them to survive by finding food, building shelter, and crafting new, more powerful items to deal with threats and expand their mining capabilities. The game continues to receive substantial new updates, and has exploded into one of the biggest multimedia franchises that the world has ever seen.

24. Fallout: New Vegas

• Platforms: PC, PS3, Xbox 360
• Year: 2010
• Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
• Publisher: Bethesda Softworks

Bethesda took the Fallout franchise in bold new directions with Fallout 3, translating the isometric post-apocalyptic open world gameplay into a first/third-person shooter style game. Obsidian built on that concept with Fallout: New Vegas, which offers Fallout 3-style gameplay but features some of the best writing and questlines in the franchise.

23. Marvel's Spider-Man 2

• Platforms: PS5, PC
• Year: 2023
• Developer: Insomniac Games
• Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is more of the same of the 2018 game, but that's definitely not a bad thing. Taking full advantage of the PlayStation 5's beefed up hardware, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 features a gorgeous open world New York City with excellent web-swinging mechanics that make it a joy to explore. The real draw, though, is the story, which is one of the best Spider-Man stories told across any medium.

22. Batman: Arkham Asylum

• Platforms: PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Switch
• Year: 2009
• Developer: Rocksteady Games
• Publisher: Eidos Interactive/Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment

Drawing heavily from Batman: The Animated Series, Batman: Arkham Asylum was the ultimate Batman game at the time of its release. In it, Batman has to explore the dangerous Arkham Asylum to foil Joker's latest plot, all the while dealing with various other members of his all-time great rogues gallery. The old cliché is that playing Arkham Asylum really makes you "feel" like Batman, but that is 100% true.

21. Resident Evil 2 (2019)

• Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, Mobile
• Year: 2019
• Developer: Capcom
• Publisher: Capcom

Capcom's Resident Evil 2 remake did the impossible: it made an already all-time classic survival-horror game even better. The Resident Evil 2 remake reimagined Leon and Claire's ordeal in Raccoon City with vastly superior graphics and an over-the-shoulder camera ala Resident Evil 4. Its success kicked off a trend of video game remakes, with Capcom itself releasing remakes of Resident Evil 3: Nemesis and Resident Evil 4.

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20. Bloodborne

• Platform: PS4
• Year: 2015
• Developer: FromSoftware
• Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment

An aggressive evolution of FromSoftware's Dark Souls formula, Bloodborne is a brutal gothic horror game with deep combat and intense boss fights. There's a reason Bloodborne is one of the most highly-requested games for a remake or a remaster, but at least the PS4 version is playable on PS5 through backward compatibility.

Bloodborne later received an expansion titled The Old Hunters.

19. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

• Platform: Switch
• Year: 2023
• Developer: Nintendo EPD
• Publisher: Nintendo

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom takes the open world formula established by Breath of the Wild and adds some wild new mechanics to keep things fresh. Link has unique abilities like Recall and Fuse that give the developers the chance to build some of the best puzzles in the entire franchise. The level of player freedom in Tears of the Kingdom is unprecedented for the franchise, and it's certainly a worthy follow-up to Breath of the Wild.

An enhanced Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom was a launch title for the Switch 2.

18. Baldur's Gate 3

• Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
• Year: 2023
• Developer: Larian Studios
• Publisher: Larian Studios

The ultimate way to experience Dungeons & Dragons in video game form, Baldur's Gate 3 is a grand adventure with a level of player freedom that hasn't really been replicated anywhere else. Players can choose to create their own character or take on the role of one of the existing companions, all brilliantly acted and with rich backstories. The turn-based combat is a thrill, and the entire thing can be played in co-op, which makes it that much better.

17. Grand Theft Auto 4

• Platforms: PC, PS3, Xbox 360
• Year: 2008
• Developer: Rockstar North
• Publisher: Rockstar Games

Rockstar's blockbuster Grand Theft Auto franchise made its HD debut in style. GTA 4 features a realistic, revamped Liberty City and one of the best stories told in a GTA game. What it lacks in over-the-top chaos found in other GTA games, it more than makes up for with its heart and charm.

GTA 4 received two single-player expansions post-launch in the form of The Lost and the Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony, both of which are excellent.

16. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

• Platforms: PS2, PC, Xbox, Mobile
• Year: 2004
• Developer: Rockstar North
• Publisher: Rockstar Games

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is old-school 3D-era GTA in its ultimate form. Boasting a gigantic open world that completely dwarfs Liberty City and Vice City, San Andreas represents a massive step forward for Rockstar's crime franchise. Players are given more to do than ever before, and can even run around and cause havoc in a hilarious hidden local co-op mode.

HD versions of San Andreas were later released, and the game was remade as part of the poorly-received Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition.

15. Batman: Arkham City

• Platforms: PC, PS3, Xbox 360, PS4, Xbox One, Switch
• Year: 2011
• Developer: Rocksteady Studios
• Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment

Batman: Arkham City takes the Arkham Asylum formula and applies it to an open world setting, with Batman once again having to face off against various members of his rogues gallery. Arkham City's story hits even harder than Asylum's, and the various gameplay improvements made by the game elevate it to the next level.

14. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

• Platform: Nintendo 64
• Year: 1998
• Developer: Nintendo EPD
• Publisher: Nintendo

Ocarina of Time is the highest-rated video game on Metacritic, and that's unlikely to ever change considering its astonishing 99/100 score. The Zelda franchise's 3D debut retains much of the core gameplay elements found in titles like A Link to the Past, but with significantly more advanced graphics and a world that remains a joy to explore to this day.

Ocarina of Time is available on GameCube and Switch Online's Nintendo Classics service. It was also remade for the Nintendo 3DS.

13. Resident Evil 4

• Platforms: GameCube, PS2, PC, Wii, Mobile
• Year: 2005
• Developer: Capcom Production Studio 4
• Publisher: Capcom

The first dramatic reinvention for the Resident Evil franchise, Resident Evil 4's over-the-shoulder camera and exciting pacing would go on to inspire an entire generation of shooter games. RE4 is essentially one wild water cooler moment after another, and The Mercenaries mode plus the New Game Plus options make it one of the most replayable games ever made.

Resident Evil 4 has received an HD remaster, ports to nearly every platform imaginable, and a full-blown remake that released in 2023.

12. Marvel's Spider-Man

• Platform: PS4
• Year: 2018
• Developer: Insomniac Games
• Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment

Marvel's Spider-Man is arguably the best superhero game there is. An open world web-swinging adventure, Marvel's Spider-Man establishes a brand-new universe for Spider-Man and Marvel video games at large, with Insomniac penning a captivating story full of iconic characters and villains.

A remastered version of Marvel's Spider-Man was eventually released for PC and PS5.

11. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

• Platform: Wii U, Switch
• Year: 2017
• Developer: Nintendo EPD
• Publisher: Nintendo

Simultaneously a launch title for the Nintendo Switch and a swan song for the ill-fated Wii U, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is an open world game like no other. Breath of the Wild reinvents the Zelda formula so that while it still has plenty of challenging puzzles to solve and enemies to defeat, it gives players a level of freedom to complete those objectives that had never been seen in the series before BOTW.

Breath of the Wild received post-launch DLC and also has a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition.

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10. God of War Ragnarok

• Platforms: PS4, PS5, PC
• Year: 2022
• Developer: Santa Monica Studio
• Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment

God of War Ragnarok rockets the franchise's Norse mythology story to an epic conclusion, with Kratos and Atreus facing off against the likes of Thor, Odin, and more. Its story is emotionally-charged and utterly captivating from start to finish, and its combat is as brutal and engaging as ever before.

9. The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim

• Platforms: PC, PS3, Xbox 360
• Year: 2011
• Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
• Publisher: Bethesda Softworks

An all-time great open world action-RPG, it says a lot that Skyrim is still played religiously even 15 years after it was first released. Skyrim is full of worthwhile quests and stories to experience, but it's possible to get dozens if not hundreds of hours out of the game by simply exploring its world.

Skyrim has been remastered and re-released endlessly, meaning its readily available to play on all major modern gaming platforms.

8. The Last of Us

• Platform: PS3
• Year: 2013
• Developer: Naughty Dog
• Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment

The Last of Us is home to one of gaming's most heartbreaking and shocking stories, and the only reason it hits as hard as it does is because of the impeccable writing and the tremendous performances by Troy Baker as Joel and Ashley Johnson as Ellie. A turning point for cinematic gaming experiences, The Last of Us hit a narrative high that many games are still chasing to this day.

The Last of Us was remastered for PS4 and remade for PC and PS5.

7. Ghost of Tsushima

• Platform: PS4
• Year: 2020
• Developer: Sucker Punch Productions
• Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment

After the Sly Cooper trilogy and the Infamous open world superhero games, Sucker Punch decided to go in a completely unexpected direction with Ghost of Tsushima. An epic open world samurai game inspired by the genre's many classic movies, Ghost of Tsushima is the tale of Jin Sakai as he fights against the Mongol invasion of Japan. The game's breathtaking open world remains a sight to behold, and its story has resonated with millions of PlayStation gamers.

A Director's Cut of Ghost of Tsushima was released for PC and PS5.

6. God of War (2018)

• Platforms: PS4, PC
• Year: 2018
• Developer: Santa Monica Studio
• Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment

The 2018 God of War gave new depth to Kratos as a character and established a brand-new way to experience the series. God of War's over-the-shoulder camera gives fans a more intimate view of the franchise's signature brawls, and the increased focus on narrative goes a long way in making the entire journey one for the ages.

5. Cyberpunk 2077

• Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2
• Year: 2020
• Developer: CD Projekt Red
• Publisher: CD Projekt

One of gaming's most impressive comeback stories, Cyberpunk 2077 originally released in a poor state in 2020. The open world game was riddled with glitches and other technical issues that held it back from reaching the heights of CD Projekt Red's other games, with many fans demanding refunds. CD Projekt Red didn't give up on Cyberpunk 2077, though. Instead, it released multiple major updates for the game that significantly improved the experience, with the acclaimed Phantom Liberty expansion really solidifying it as a must-play masterpiece.

4. Grand Theft Auto 5

• Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360, PC, PS4, Xbox One
• Year: 2013
• Developer: Rockstar North
• Publisher: Rockstar Games

Grand Theft Auto 5 is so good that it's still one of the most popular online multiplayer games even 13 years after its initial release. Grand Theft Auto 5 has been called the most profitable entertainment product of all time, and that's largely thanks to its GTA Online mode, but its single-player experience is no slouch. The most ambitious GTA single-player story to date combined with the online have helped GTA 5 become the second-best-selling video game of all time with over 225 million copies sold and counting.

3. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

• Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
• Year: 2015
• Developer: CD Projekt Red
• Publisher: CD Projekt

Game of the Year winner The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is considered by many to be CD Projekt Red's magnum opus. Witcher 3: Wild Hunt features a sprawling open world fantasy game with well-written characters and an engaging story, plus fun combat and exploration that are leaps and bounds ahead of the previous games.

2. Elden Ring

• Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
• Year: 2022
• Developer: FromSoftware
• Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment/FromSoftware (Japan)

Elden Ring crams everything FromSoftware fans loved about its previous games into a giant open world full of secrets to uncover and towering bosses to overcome. The sense of discovery in Elden Ring is virtually unmatched, and the PvP and co-op multiplayer elements make that much harder to put down.

1. Red Dead Redemption 2

• Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC
• Year: 2018
• Developer: Rockstar Games
• Publisher: Rockstar Games

Red Dead Redemption 2 is Rockstar's most technically and visually impressive game to date. The open world western has resonated with gamers because of its unmatched story, with Arthur Morgan standing out as one of gaming's most memorable protagonists. The level of detail in Red Dead Redemption 2's world is genuinely mind-blowing, with the game setting a high bar that still has yet to be surpassed.