Alas, a new decade has begun and as we enter a new decade, we’re looking back on some of the best games that hit PlayStation consols over the past 10 years. Games that won our hearts and made us mad, but overall it’s been a grand few years with many incredible advancements in the gaming industry.
God of War (2018)
Platform: PlayStation 4
Release Date: April 20, 2018
God of War is a masterful game, stirring and evoking deep emotion by compelling storytelling and bloody rousing violence. Named one of the most brilliant games in the God of War franchise, the 2018 remake won accolades like Game of the Year and numerous BAFTAs.
Beautifully created, poignant camera angles pull you through death and war, expertly weaving the impactful tale of Kratos and Artreus as they journey to the Jotenheim to honour Faye by scattering her ashes over the mountains. The swoosh of Kratos’s Leviathan ax never ceasing to satisfy while slicing enemies into oblivion.
God of War was and likely will remain the best game I have ever played, with insanely crisp, beautiful graphics, once you start, you’ll be hooked.
Red Dead Redemption ( 1 and 2 )
Platform: PlayStation 4
Release Dates: May 18, 2010 + October 26, 2018
Red Dead Redemption set an incredible benchmark and raised the bar for any Western-themed game from then and into the future. When we say Red Dead 1 was ahead of its time, it really was and shocked the gaming community to its core. Looking back and thinking that 10 years ago, Rockstar Games created such a raw, beautiful tale of the Wild West in such a fantastic way, boggles the mind.
The original Red Dead followed the tale of former outlaw, John Marston. Like many Western stories, John learns that he can never outrun his past and with bloody shootouts, betrayals and romances, life similarly mirrors our own (maybe not the shootout bit).
Red Dead Redemption 2 equally made its mark as an incredible sequel to the original game 8 years later. It’s an endless story, really endless, and filled with remarkable moments of laughter and enjoyment. The graphics have been named some of the best in the decade and after hours and hours of playing, staring at the scenery on the back of our trusty horses, it’s hard to say anything different.
The Last of Us (Remastered)
Platform: PlayStation 4 (Originally PS3)
Release Date: June 14, 2013
The Last of Us could easily be said to be one of the best games of the decade and after playing for hours on end, I can easily agree that it likely deserves that title. A captivating story begins like most any apocalyptic tale with the terrifying beginning of the ‘zombie’ infestation. Without spoiling anything, you’ll get your heart broken, maybe shed some tears and overall feel as one with the story of Joel, the main protagonist of the game.
It’s beautiful and nerve-wracking with heart-pounding jumpscares just waiting for you when you least expect it. Focusing on the graphics, every scene expertly draws you in with stunning overgrown buildings, picturesque scenes which only make the story that much more compelling. It frankly is a true masterpiece and being emotionally connected just from an intro, you can only imagine what will be in store.
Grand Theft Auto 5
Platform: PlayStation 4 (Originally PS 3)
Release Date: September 17, 2013
One of the first games I ever bought for my PlayStation, GTA V holds a lot of personal history for me and I freaking love it. Grand Theft Auto is basically an alternate universe where you can pretty much do whatever you want and possibly get away with it if you’re good enough at escaping. Traveling through the incredibly detailed Los Santos is nothing but pure bliss and if you want to take out some of the daily frustrations, just go on an epic hit and run spree through the city, good to get the blood pumping again.
It’s not for kids but the cursing, stripping, killing and overall filthiness of the game is strangely endearing and realistic. The change though to a first-person viewpoint gives you almost an element of guilt when committing any crime which is a good way to cover over their previously nonchalant attitude to the violent content in the GTA series. It’s a fun game and certainly a work of art.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Platform: PlayStation 4
Release Date: May 19, 2015
Witcher 3 is simply one of those games that will always be great and deserves all the praise it has duly received. Combining an impressive ‘open’ world design, beautiful scenery, sensual romance, and mystical battles, Wild Hunt is imaginative and stunning with the general storytelling being no less than perfect.
Geralt the Witcher is only complemented by a vast sea of supporting characters that exist on another level we haven’t seen from many single-player games before. With multi-faceted interactions at the various hidden places to explore, you really feel as though the designers have gone above and beyond to make the world as believable as possible.
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
Platform: PlayStation 4
Release Date: May 10, 2016
For the lovers of adventure and discovery, Uncharted 4 concludes the Uncharted series with grace and poise, giving devoted fans the story and ending they were looking for. We are back in the life of Nathan Drake discovering the true price of obsession, the endless lives lost in the pursuit of an unknown treasure.
Nathan is reunited with an unexpected character in this ending chapter, one that again wraps him up in the game he tried to escape. It gives an emotional backstory and continuance, tying up many loose ends and unanswered questions from Drake’s Deception. It’s an addicting game and certainly one of the best in the decade.
Resident Evil 2 Remake
Platform: PlayStation 4
Release Date: January 25, 2019
Morbid, scary and utterly thrilling, Capcom remade the original Resident Evil 2 game in the best way possible. Spine-chilling realistic detail and a genius plot weave together to create incredible gameplay that isn’t likely to be forgotten. It’s a test of your mind and trust us, you might need a pen and paper at hand unless you’re a genius and don’t have memory issues as I do. Puzzles are a huge aspect of the game and make it even more interesting and fun to play.
Choosing to play either as Claire or Leon, the beloved characters of the original game, you will experience different aspects of the game and unlock at the end a new game ‘2nd Run’ which will take you on the perspective of the other character with certain aspects and the ending of the game is changed. Only by completing both character ‘runs’ will you be able to reveal the true ending of the game.
It’s intoxicating and addicting, certainly something I’d go back to and play again even now, so close to when I finished.
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All in all, this decade was filled with incredible titles and with the launch of the PS5 this year, we’re looking forward to another decade of advancements and adventures yet to come.
Which games were your favourite from the past 10 years?
Hannah Smith is a full-time gamer, foodie and Creative Writer. Spending the majority of her time sniping in the new CoD gunfight mode or wondering how the other team has more level three heroes in Dota Underlords, she’s writing stories/articles and other fun things while usually getting distracted by gaming videos on Youtube.