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Since the decade is coming to a close and I’ve played a lot of video games in the last ten years, I thought I’d go down my list of favorite games that came out in the last decade or that I heavily played during that time period. These are not in order, as I enjoy these all for different reasons.
Dragon Age: Inquisition
A game I return to time and time again, I never get enough of this game along with the previous games in this AP. In Dragon Age: Inquisition alone I’ve played 248 hours and have finished the game five times. Dragon Age: Origins would be the second most played game in this series at 138 hours and I’ve completed the main story and the DLC seven times. It’s a lot shorter by comparison. I love the lore of Dragon Age and hope they come out with a fourth entry, as I’m curious where they’re going to take things with the revelation of the events of Dragon Age: Inquisition being the fault of Solas. It also did a great job of really bringing together the stories of Dragon Age: Origins and Dragon Age II. Even though it’s years in the future, you can see elements of both. Plus you get to see Hawke again, and even though Dragon Age II is weaker in gameplay and story Hawke is one of my all time favorite characters from the series along with Varric, Alastair, Cullen, and Dorian. They are my boys (and girl since my Hawke is usually a girl when I play), and I cannot face any of them dying. Sorry Stroud, I have to sacrifice you every time. Hawke cannot die on me. And I’ll never let it have the choice of Alastair vs Hawke… I just can’t allow that to happen.
Mass Effect 2
Mass Effect is one of those games that I love the second entry to death and have played it a lot over the years. The first entry I will replay from time to time, and the third I will never play. I refuse. I know the ending that’s all I need out of that one. I haven’t touched Andromeda, which I’m still debating on considering I’ve heard it doesn’t have the same polish as the others. Which is weird because it is also by Bioware who made Dragon Age: Inquisition which won Game of the Year in 2014 and Andromeda came out afterwards. Different teams but still same developers.
Subnautica
This game took me by surprise, I’m normally not a survival game type of player. But I have put in a lot of hours in this game and it’s follow up Subnautica: Below Zero, especially when both were in early access. The sequel still being in early access at the moment. I love the story of this game and even if you don’t want to play the story it’s a relatively relaxing time. You just have to avoid the big fish that want to kill you.
The Sims 4
Released in 2014, The Sims 4 is probably the game that I have logged the most hours into over the last almost six years. According to Origins, I’ve played 1010 hours in total which I don’t know if that’s sad or what. But I love The Sims, always have since I started playing it back when I was ten. I didn’t have the first edition with it’s expansion packs, but I did start out with The Sims 2. My sister and I always compare the fourth edition to the previous ones, and while I miss some old features I have to say I love The Sims 4 the best as there is so much more freedom with the design and building aspects. I could spend ages building in the Sims and redesigning the homes my sims live in for hours on end.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
The first ever Legend of Zelda game that I’ve had the pleasure of playing. And I have to say it has not disappointed me once. I also have not finished the game, as I’m having too much fun enjoying the open world but I’m making my way there. I have one Divine Beast left then Ganon. Though I think before I go after Ganon, I’m going to explore more and do a bit of the completionist route of trying to complete every temple and find all of the Koroks before I take on Ganon.
Stardew Valley
This is a charming game that combines a lot of different elements from farming to fishing to mining to monster slaying. It’s a really relaxing and addictive game that if I ever need something to totally put me into a better mood, I throw on this video game. Plus it’s got a good soundtrack.
Until Dawn
I’m not someone who can handle a lot of jumpscares, but I have to say that Until Dawn was such an interesting concept. You are basically playing a cliche horror movie, while its not the only video game of the last decade to do this but I thought this game handled it in an interesting way. That even my scared ass kept coming back to it. And watching countless Let’s Plays of it on YouTube.
Undertale
This is a game that I love digging into the lore of, and is best experienced by yourself. Though it has so many hidden details shattered throughout, that sometimes you don’t get all of them the first time around. Granted, once you know them its not one I go back to play as often as I do with the others. However, I have the soundtrack to play on repeat as I love the music from this game. It’s great to throw on while I’m working as background noise.
Doki Doki Literature Club
Another one of those games, you just have to experience for yourself without spoilers and once you get through it the first time. There’s not much more to get out of it. But that doesn’t mean I love the game any less. If anything, I thought it was great for a psychological thriller that played itself off at first as a dating simulator (something I’m not usually into).
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
I have not personally finished this game yet but this game is great. I love playing it, I’ve put in 55 hours into the game according to Steam and I have barely scratched the surface of it. I will eventually finish it but it’s one of those open world games where you can just get lost into the exploration without ever touching the main plot. Sure there are some faults and bugs in the game, but overlooking those it’s a great time and I love RPGs.
Life is Strange
This game has interesting game mechanics of going backwards in time to accomplish your goals. And the prequel to this game Life is Strange: Before the Storm goes more into Chloe, who is beyond a doubt my favorite character from this series. I have not played the second one so I can’t say too much about that one at this time. But I have to say I love this game even if the ending boils down to a pick which ending of two you want to go with, completely ignoring everything you’ve done up to that point.
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE GAME THAT CAME OUT IN THE LAST DECADE?
Love ya,
Mae Polzine
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