2017
22) Yakuza 0
Publisher: SEGA
Platform(s): PlayStation 4 / PC
Release Date: January 24, 2017
Patrick Aguda says:
Yakuza 0 takes place many years before the events of the first Yakuza game. The story follows a young Kazuma Kiryu, before he was known as the Dragon of Dojima, and Goro Majima, after certain events which lead him to be exiled from the Tojo Clan. These two men are dragged into a series of events which forever shape the history of the Tojo Clan and Kamurocho.
This game is a refreshing entry in the beloved series as it showcases Kiryu when he wasn’t as invincible as he is in other games. It also gives some much needed character development for one of the franchise’s staple characters, Goro Majima. Other games in the series usually showcased Majima as a battle crazed individual who was obsessed with fighting Kiryu. In this game however, it delves into the more human side of Majima, how he interacts with other people and how being exiled from the Tojo Clan affected him. His relationship with one of the main characters, Makoto Makimura, was another high point of the game. In terms of gameplay, the game further improves upon the game’s beat ’em up system, adding three different fighting styles for the two protagonists. Players can switch up how the character fights depending on the situation, and I felt this added much more depth to the game’s already fun battle system. With a compelling story, fun battle system, and tons of minigames, this is my favorite entry in the series thus far. It certainly deserves a spot on our games of the decade list.
23) NieR:Automata
Publisher: SQUARE ENIX
Platform(s): PlayStation 4 / PC / Xbox One
Release Date: February 23, 2017
Steve Baltimore says:
Back in 2017 NieR:Automata released and series fans didn’t really know what to expect from the new project. The idea of Yoko Taro teaming up with Platinum Games gave us all hope finally for a game with gameplay to match Yoko’s amazing storytelling. The game world was taken by storm with this new entry in a series that mostly been overlooked for years and made it more relevant that it had ever been.
NieR:Automata delivered above and beyond anything we could’ve imagined. The rock solid gameplay, gripping story, and one of best soundtracks in gaming made this a must have title in 2017. Platinum Games is known for the amazing action combat in their titles and this was no exception. The game feels just as refined as Bayonetta, but with plenty more RPG elements to spice up the mix. This is one of the most emotional tales in a video game you will ever find. By the time the credits roll and “Weight of the World” is playing you will fully understand why this game is beloved and how it made our list of best games of the decade.
24) The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Publisher: Nintendo
Platform(s): Nintendo Wii U / Nintendo Switch
Release Date: March 3, 2017
Quentin H. says:
Set in the far, far future, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild takes place one-hundred years after Calamity Ganon nearly destroyed everything but was held in check by Princess Zelda. You play as Link, who wakes up with a head of amnesia and a pocketful of determination to save Hyrule and Zelda before Calamity Ganon can rise again. This was also the first entry not on the CD-i console to have voice actors voicing everyone but the perpetually-silent hero. As for what timeline this entry belongs in, it hasn’t been confirmed yet. Though hopefully it is not a future-sequel to the Nintendo DS’s The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks.
This was -the- game to have when the Nintendo Switch launched in March 2017. You see a mountain in the distance? You can go there and scale it. You want to go challenge Ganon immediately, therefore bypassing the entire storyline and all the cool weapons/abilities/armor you would ordinarily find along the way? Knock yourself out. Or do you simply want to hang out and take on giant monsters all across the land then cooking their body parts into powerful elixirs that will make even Calamity Ganon quiver in terror? Go for it. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is the most open Zelda universe experience yet. It did away with the linear storytelling of prior entries to encourage people to go out into the world and explore every corner of a future Hyrule that nearly fell into complete chaos just a short century ago. It is very, very easy to spend over one-hundred hours just exploring everything and trying to get all of the shrines and best possible gear in the game. And the voice acting, in a somewhat surprising twist, is absolutely fantastic. If you cannot feel the sorrow that Princess Zelda lives with by the end of the game when she is voiced by Patricia Summersett, then you’re sincerely missing out on one of the most emotional and most joyful playing experiences of this past decade.
25) Puyo Puyo Tetris
Publisher: SEGA
Platform(s): PS4 / Nintendo Switch / PC
Release Date: April 25, 2017
Jenae R. says:
Puyo Puyo Tetris is a puzzle battle game which, as the title suggests, mashes up the two puzzle franchises, Puyo Puyo and Tetris, together into one game. There are a variety of modes to play. You can play through the story, where puyos and tetriminoes are mixed up in two different worlds and you’ll find yourself battling against various characters as you clean them up and try to figure out what’s going on. You can enjoy multiplayer both online and offline. Or, you can pick from one of the many other options the game has, some of which even let you play both Puyo Puyo and Tetris at the same time in very unique ways.
Puyo Puyo Tetris is a massive puzzle title. There are numerous modes, there are a lot of characters to pick from, there are a ton of music tracks, alternate puyo/tetrimino styles and a selection of backgrounds. Most of these customization options you can unlock by playing through the story. Plus, the game also has a decent selection of difficulty choices and handicaps you can set. So it’s the perfect puzzle game for both veterans and players new to the genre. Puyo Puyo Tetris is arguably the best puzzle game that has come out this decade and that is why it has made its way onto our list.
26) Xenoblade Chronicles 2
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is technically the third game in the series, but Xenoblade Chronicles X wasn’t anything like the first game. Xenoblade Chronicles 2, on the other hand, while in a new art style, is otherwise much more similar to the original and in the same vein of sorts. Xenoblade Chronicles 2 takes place in Alrest. The world of Alrest is covered in a vast cloud sea and the citizens live upon gigantic living and breathing titans. Rex, a salvager, gets propositioned to go on an important salvaging mission which pays more than he’s ever been paid before, so he’s happy to sign up. But ultimately he ends up getting back-stabbed, quite literally, and in a surprise twist of events, the blade who was sealed away on the ship he went salvaging on, Pyra, offers to save his life if he’ll take her to Elysium.
Fans of the Xenoblade series all have their favorite game. Not everyone finds Xenoblade Chronicles 2 to be the overall better title. Nonetheless, it’s a vast JRPG loaded with a ton of content and extremely fun battles. Alrest is huge, with numerous titans and locations to explore and the story is quite long, it will take anyone a while to get through. Not to mention, the loads of side quests, being able to raise your various blades in addition to grinding traditionally and all of the DLC content that was released (including a stand alone prequel story). Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is by far one of the best JRPGs released this past decade and is always fun to go back to with how much content there is to enjoy.
And there we have it! We are down to the last best five games of the decade, from the years 2018 and 2019. This final decade list will be published on Monday, December 23, 2019.
What games do you think we missed? Should Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End from 2016 or 2017’s What Remains of Edith Finch have made the cut instead of one of our selected titles?
Let us know in the comments below!
