The last two generations of the gaming industry have sure had many groundbreaking titles and famous single-player games due to amazing stories and innovative gameplay. We decided to get together again and create a list of games that we thought were the best in terms of single-player gameplay for this generation. This list was extremely hard to make, and we hope to get your thoughts as well on our decision.
10. Life is Strange
The reason we picked Life is Strange is due to what the game brought not only for the genre but for the gaming community as a whole. Episodic Adventure games, such as Tell Tales, have grown in popularity over the past two generations.
However, none of them compared to what this game has done for the community. This game brought scenarios we can all relate to with extremely hard decisions to make. The story was skillfully crafted in such a unique experience that causes players to feel submerged into Arcadia Bay and feel as if they are playing as Max Caulfield, the main character of this adventure.
The playlist is very Indie and very much enjoyable for those who love the genre. The graphics are visually beautiful due to the unique art style that plays towards the main character’s personality.
What sticks out the most for the game and landed this title to be one of the best games to release is the fact that it brings some of the most heart-wrenching and painful cause-and-effect scenarios that make the story such a great experience.
9. Deathloop (Campaign)
Deathloop was another candidate we had to put on the list. This game is one of the most innovative current generation titles to come out of 2021. Using the graphical art style and gunplay that we all know and love from Arkane Studios and Bethesda, Deathloop has its own unique gameplay that sets a new bar for first-person shooters.
Playing as Colt, players are stuck in a loop that lasts for a single day. Players can only survive death twice before ending up where they started that morning. Colts’ objective is to hunt down the visionaries and break the loop. There are also unique abilities that help you navigate Black Reef known as slabs that are gained by killing visionaries.
The best part about Deathloop is that every level can be played differently, and has various routes to navigate to your target. While it seems linear with the same four maps, players have the freedom of taking multiple routes and plotting their course. The game combines great gunplay, investigation paired with hard choices, and amazing gameplay. It is one of the boldest and most unique first-person shooters that we have ever played.
8. Bloodborne
Bloodborne was a no-brainer for the list not only due to the Cthulian breathtaking atmosphere that brings anxiety and terror as you navigate Yharnam, but also the fast-paced and satisfyingly uniquely designed combat.
FromSoftware is known for creating brutal yet beautiful games that would make any player beyond frustrated or even rage quit. Bloodborne brings the same experience as other souls-like games but changes to fast action combat using a gun and sword in a steam punk-like setting.
Blood, sweat, and tears were spent as we traveled through the desolate lands fighting horrifying monsters and hunters alike. The story is dark and slowly uncovered by listening to dialogue and finding unique items. The game inspires players to explore and gain power and provides a rewarding experience to players that have the patience to play.
7. Resident Evil Village
Resident Evil Village came as a surprise with how well it continued Ethan Winters story. While 7 left us a bit confused as to what direction Capcom wanted to take this beloved franchise, Village not only provided an excellent game but some answers to many questions that players had.
This game led to a thrilling tale, fast-paced gameplay, and a gorgeous Victorian-style atmosphere filled with new unique mutants like Lycans, witches, and haulers that prove to be difficult obstacles to get through.
The crafting system also took part in why this title made our top 10. It requires more strategy than ever based on the encounters you have to get through to make your objective. In short, Resident Evil has never been better.
6. Returnal
Returnal is one of the best games to come out of 2021 due to the fast-paced, strategically demanding gameplay and the strong story that never drops the ball throughout this long experience.
This game provided beautifully designed aliens and an equally breathtakingly dangerous environment. The game follows the perspective of Selene, a Ripley-like woman trying to navigate a hostile planet. Selene blasts her way through with weapons recovered from enemies and enhancements given by parasites discovered throughout the game.
The platforming was exhilarating and each area was filled with various paths to explore via gateways as well as filled with hidden items. At first, it was extremely hard due to the lack of saves and starting over from scratch upon death, but due to updates, you can now save temporarily and actually turn off the game. This title is one of the best roguelikes in existence and we could not get enough of the game.
5. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Sekiro was a beautiful 2019 release that follows a fallen shinobi known as Wolf who embarks on an adventure to take revenge on a samurai clan. The clan was responsible for kidnapping his lord and his ultimate defeat. The story alone was beautifully told, but we could not get enough of Sengoku Japan.
The visually stunning art style depicts a war-torn late 1500′ Sengoku that has been set ablaze with corpses riddled throughout homes and temples. Unique items are laid about looted on random bodies of fallen warriors and hidden through remnants of villages. The gameplay is fast-paced but different in the sense that it adds shinobi-like gameplay to souls game concepts.
As Wolf, you can only die twice before ending up as the previous rest point. Unique ninja tools, a katana, and a grappling hook make up your unique arsenal to take down area bosses and stealth your way around enemies. This game was a top contender on our list based on the unique combat and strong storytelling.
4. Super Mario Odyssey
Super Mario Odyssey was a GOTY winner for a reason and portrayed this 2D platforming franchise in a whole new 3D sandbox setting. Following our favorite plumber with his new associate Cappy, you embark on a new adventure to rescue Princess Peach…AGAIN…from Bowser.
This massive title allows players to get lost exploring various locations for collectibles, items, and hidden areas with treasures. This game is all about exploration, comedy, and finding new classy suits for Mario to wear. There is so much content in-game and end game that players will spend countless hours enjoying every bit that Odyssey has to offer.
3. Hades
Hades is perhaps the most fun we have all had in a long time when it comes to dungeon crawlers. Set in the Underworld, we follow Zagreus, son of Hades, who wants to escape the Underworld. Using the assistance of the Gods of Olympus, like great old Uncle Zeus, you fight your way using boons and ancient weapons to escape.
The gameplay was the most fun and challenging of any rogue-like dungeon crawler that we had played. Each boss was unique and required certain setups and weapons to use. If you die, you start all the way over back at the beginning.
I loved that each weapon was unique in style, and each boon granted different effects such as speed, status effects using dodge, or attacks like lightning bolts or mobility effects. The dialogue was also captivating and comical at times, and who can forget giving our best boy Cerberus pets before we set off? Hades was amazing plain and simple.
2. Ghost of Tsushima (Base Game)
Ghost of Tsushima should have hands down won GOTY. This story was once of the strongest narratives in gaming history. Playing as Jin Sakai, a samurai against the Mongol Invasion of Japan in a beautiful open world setting.
Playing Jin was heartbreaking and such a good perspective because you live through his struggle of fighting for your land by any means necessary while struggling to keep the samurai code. There was so much good content to be played in this game between side quests, discovering shrines and fox dens, and collectibles.
The gameplay was very fun with different combat abilities and ghost weapons such as bombs and firecrackers. Ghost of Tsushima is probably one of the best action RPGs in gaming history.
1. Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a perfect game through and through, and the best role-playing game ever made. For its time, the game was groundbreaking for all open-world action RPGs.
Every side quest drew you in on a thrilling tale, every character left a strong memory that drew you to the game and the environment, and the game itself was massive and filled with endless caches of new equipment and items.
Every enemy required a specific way of killing, sometimes needing potions or a sign strategy. Geralt was portrayed as well as ever on his various journeys with Triss and Dandelion.
The story was also a very impactful tale though deviating from the books, and even for the fans that loved the books the game was something special. This game had such a huge impact on the gaming industry and deserved the number 1 spot on our list and others alike.
These were our top 10 games for the past 2 generations, and some amazing choices that we highly recommend to our fellow gamers. Let us know your thoughts on what you feel deserves to be top 10.
Toss a coin to your Witcher…
Veteran gamer, tech nerd, comic addict, anime lover, and just your average introverted weeb.
