Christmas 2019 is now over and only a few more days are left in this decade so if I was ever going to do a ‘games of the decade’ article now is the time! But picking a top 100, or even a top 10 across the entire 10 years is tough and personally I was more interested in how many games I actually played that came out this decade. So that’s what I have done.
Using a mix of Steam, what I have in my own cupboards and a Wikipedia list of games that released in each decade I compiled a list of every game I have played and picked out my top five for each year. Just to explain my methodology a little first, only games that first released in this decade. No ports so the likes of Final Fantasy VII releasing on Switch in 2019 would not count. Now remasters like Wind Waker HD and collections like the SNK 40th Anniversary Collection I am counting in my total new games played list (with collections being counted as simply one game) however neither are eligible for my top five of each year. Those have to be new.
I am also going by the western release date unless it doesn’t have one of course, and I am also judging on the year they came out, not the year I played them. For example, I played Hollow Knight in 2019 however the game came out in 2017 so if it does end up on this list it will be under 2017.
So with that out of the way let’s cover my top five games of 2017 with every game I played listed at the bottom. It goes without saying that if I didn’t play a game then it won’t be on this list. Simple.
2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019
5) Puyo Puyo Tetris – PS4/Switch/PC – April 25th 2017
Puyo Puyo Tetris wasn’t my first Puyo Puyo game but it was the first one I really enjoyed and it’s a fantastic puzzle game on Switch. But a lot of the credit for my enjoyment of this has to go to the fantastic demo of the game, specifically the Japanese one. Early in the Switch’s lifecycle, the demo for Puyo Puyo Tetris was one of my most played pieces of software as it allowed for so much of the core experience for free. I played with friends and family, while at home and while travelling, and eventually I bought the game itself as I felt like I should for the amount of time I put in. And I am glad I did as I got treated to an enjoyable and goofy story that help me learn more about the Puyo Puyo world and its characters, who are all a joy to play. It made me a Puyo Puyo fan and it helped that Tetris was here as well.
4) Sonic Mania – PS4/Switch/Xbox One/PC – August 15th 2017
I have always been on the Nintendo side of the console wars but Sonic has had a special place in my heart thanks to Sonic 2 and the Adventure series. I was always more into the 3D games but Sonic Mania has made me question that loyalty. I adored this game and played through in every mode with every character, paired and not. It’s got fantastic level design that really gets across what Sonic is about and fantastic music that lives up to franchises’ legacy. While some newer stages would’ve been more appreciated than all the returning stages, and I would have really liked to see Amy be playable, I can appreciate all of the fan service in this game. It is clear that it was made by fans for fans and every time something long-forgotten appeared like Fang or the Mean Bean Machine I squealed like a little kid. Any game that nails fan service this right deserves to be on this list.
3) Nier: Automata – PS4/Xbox One/PC – March 7th 2017
I’m a Platinum Games fan but I’d never stepped into the Nier series. I got this game based purely on friend recommendations and oh man, I am glad I did. Nier: Automata is an experience like no other. Just playing through the A route is fine and provides a nice solid action-game but when you step beyond that it becomes something special. It might be filled with philosophy and moments that question your psychology which is sometimes a put-off for people, but I found the questions put forward fascinating and the message at the end of the game is important. It’s a game that tries to covey something important to the player and it does it spectacularly. Also, that soundtrack is top-tier.
2) Super Mario Odyssey – Switch – October 27th 2017
Super Mario Odyssey is just pure fun. Returning to its 3D roots with a callback to Super Mario 64, Super Mario Odyssey attempts to also be completely different from previous game. New aesthetics, new power-ups and quests never seen in a Mario game before. Going blind was a treat as so much of the game became a huge surprise and it left an imprint in my gaming memories that I can’t lose. The game just controls beautifully as well. Everything feels fluid and Cappy adds a ton of variety, both to Mario’s already expanded movement options but also to the special abilities Mario can utilise to get the moons he needs. Super Mario Odyssey desperately needs a sequel and would have easily been my game of the year if it wasn’t for one other title.
Honorable Mention) Fire Emblem Heroes – Mobile – February 2nd 2017
Before number one of course we have the honorable mentions and I had to mention Fire Emblem Heroes at some point. I’m not massive into mobile gaming but I’m also not against it. I see the problems with gatcha games and never really got into all the anime-based ones that released. But being the Fire Emblem weeb I am I had to try Heroes and I am still playing it to this day. It’s not an outstanding game but as far as mobile games and gatcha games go I feel like Fire Emblem Heroes does it right. It has the right balance of character unlock opportunities vs. content to do and I’ve managed to feel like I have had a successful time without spending anything.
Honorable Mention) Persona 5 – PS4/PS3 – April 4th 2017
What’s this, a second honorable mention?!? Yes, it is and that’s because I felt like I had to put Persona 5 somewhere in this series due to how much of my life it took over in early 2018. It was in fact intended to be on my 2016 list until I discovered that it only launched in Japan that year and according to my own rules I am following the western release so it needed to be moved over. While the story and cast are not as good as Persona 4 the gameplay is remarkably improved with much better dungeon design and side-quests. It was well worth the long wait.
1) The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild – Wii U/Switch – March 3rd 2017
No one need to pretend to be shocked. While in the year itself I ended up naming Super Mario Odyssey as my game of the year, in hindsight Breath of the Wild was a far more magical, impactful and memorable experience. I never got to play the original games by drawing out my own map like many kids from the 80s experienced but Breath of the Wild gave me that feeling. I was exploring a brand new world, seeing the ruins of something long gone and meeting the locals who have lasted all this time. It felt like an adventure, not an epic like Ocarina of Time or Twilight Princess but a simple trip of discovery that we can no longer experience in our fully explored world. It’s a game I wish I could play again and feel that same joy, but hopefully the sequel will be able to deliver that same feeling whenever it finally launches.
2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019
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While I pretty much stopped following the Sonic franchise a long while ago I still play a few titles now and then just to pass the time, and I’m glad I gave Sonic Mania a chance. That game is to date the best ‘official’ love letter to Sonic fans from Sonic fans ever.