The decade from 2015 through 2025 produced some of the most groundbreaking and celebrated video games in history. In this period, developers pushed the boundaries of open-world design, storytelling, and online play, creating experiences that resonated with both critics and millions of players worldwide.
10 min read • Jan 15, 2026
This article presents an exclusive top 10 games of 2015–2025, selected based on: critical acclaim and awards, player reception and popularity, innovation in gameplay or narrative design, and long-term influence on the gaming industry and culture. Each of the following titles earned its spot by excelling in these areas, shaping the medium in lasting ways.
Why It’s One of the Best: CD Projekt Red’s The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt set a new gold standard for open-world RPGs, combining a richly detailed fantasy world with deeply impactful storytelling. Upon release it received universal critical acclaim, winning over 200 Game of the Year awards and often being cited among the greatest games ever made. Players were captivated by the game’s mature narrative and morally complex quests, which were lauded for revolutionizing open-world quest design and surprise-driven exploration.
Impact and Legacy: The Witcher 3 has sold more than 60 million copies as of 2025, ranking among the best-selling video games of all time. Its success demonstrated the demand for expansive single-player RPGs and influenced countless later titles. Developers of open-world games (from Assassin’s Creed to Elden Ring) have acknowledged The Witcher 3’s impact on how they craft quests and immersion. Even a decade later, Geralt of Rivia’s epic journey, with its blend of monster-hunting action, player choice, and emotional storytelling remains a high-water mark for the genre.
Why It’s One of the Best: Blizzard Entertainment’s Overwatch exploded onto the scene in 2016 and quickly became a phenomenon in the multiplayer shooter genre. The game earned universal acclaim from critics for its accessible yet deep team-based gameplay, diverse cast of heroes, and bright, optimistic world design. At The Game Awards 2016, Overwatch took home Game of the Year honors (beating strong contenders like Uncharted 4 and Doom) and also won awards for Best Multiplayer and Best Game Direction. This marked the first time a purely multiplayer shooter claimed the industry’s top award, underscoring its broad impact.
Impact and Legacy: Overwatch pioneered the modern “hero shooter” subgenre by blending elements of MOBAs and shooters, inspiring many imitators. It amassed a huge player base – over 60 million players by 2021 – and fostered a vibrant esports scene with the Overwatch League. The game’s focus on teamwork and complementary hero abilities influenced how other multiplayer games approach character design. Though the market has since shifted (with the rise of battle royales), Overwatch’s legacy lives on in its beloved characters and the ongoing sequel. It proved that a multiplayer-only title can achieve both critical and popular success on a global scale.
Why It’s One of the Best: What began as a co-op survival game evolved into a cultural juggernaut. Epic Games’ Fortnite (specifically its free-to-play Battle Royale mode launched in 2017) became arguably the most popular game in the world, drawing in tens of millions of players of all ages. Critics and players praised its accessible yet skillful gameplay loop. 100 players scavenging, building, and battling until one victor remains and its constant updates with new content. While Fortnite didn’t sweep traditional “Game of the Year” awards (its critical reviews were positive but not unprecedented), it did win the publicly-voted Golden Joystick Ultimate Game of the Year 2018, reflecting its massive fan support. More importantly, Fortnite won “Best Ongoing Game” honors and other accolades for how it redefined community engagement and cross-platform play.
Impact and Legacy: Fortnite’s impact on gaming and pop culture is hard to overstate. By late 2018 it boasted nearly 80 million monthly players and was on track to gross $2 billion that year. It introduced millions to the battle royale genre and forced industry giants to adapt, soon series like Call of Duty and Battlefield added battle royale modes to capitalize on the craze. Fortnite became a social space and entertainment platform, hosting virtual concerts and movie trailers, and its goofy dance emotes even went viral in schools and sports celebrations. This game blurred the line between video games and mainstream culture, proving games can be live services that continually evolve. In short, Fortnite is not just a game, it’s a total cultural shift in how games reach global audiences.
Why It’s One of the Best: Nintendo’s Breath of the Wild reinvented one of gaming’s oldest franchises and set a new benchmark for open-world design. Launching alongside the Switch in 2017, this Legend of Zelda entry broke from series conventions, offering a vast, truly open Hyrule where players could climb any mountain and tackle objectives in any order. The game received unanimous critical acclaim for encouraging exploration and creativity – players solved physics-based puzzles and discovered secrets at their own pace, with minimal hand-holding. It went on to sweep major awards, earning Game of the Year from the Japan Game Awards, Golden Joystick Awards, The Game Awards 2017, and numerous media outlets. Critics hailed Breath of the Wild’s “open-air” freedom and emergent gameplay as a revolutionary step forward for the genre.
Impact and Legacy: The influence of Breath of the Wild can be seen across the industry. Its design philosophy – which emphasizes player experimentation and discovery over map markers and linear quests – inspired many open-world games that followed. Developers of titles like Genshin Impact and even Elden Ring have noted how Zelda’s approach informed their own worlds. Commercially, Breath of the Wild was a system-seller that reached over 30 million copies sold (phenomenal for a single-platform title) and broadened the appeal of the Zelda franchise. Years later, its highly anticipated sequel Tears of the Kingdom (2023) built on the foundation BOTW laid, a testament to the original’s enduring design. In sum, Breath of the Wild didn’t just reinvigorate a beloved series – it redefined how open-world games are made, leaving a lasting mark on game design in the 2015–2025 era.
Why It’s One of the Best: In 2017, Nintendo delivered another masterpiece with Super Mario Odyssey, a joyous 3D platformer that celebrated and innovated on Mario’s 30-year legacy. Odyssey takes Mario on a globe-trotting adventure across imaginative “kingdoms,” each packed with hidden secrets and inventive mechanics thanks to Mario’s new hat-shaped companion, Cappy. The game earned a stunning 97/100 Metacritic score (universal acclaim) – with reviewers calling it “the best game of 2017, and one of the greatest games of all time.” Its tight controls, clever level design, and endless surprises delighted both veteran gamers and newcomers. Odyssey also garnered industry awards, including Game of the Year from several publications and even a BAFTA Games Award win, affirming its excellence.
Impact and Legacy: Super Mario Odyssey proved that traditional platformers still have a place at the top of gaming. It has sold well over 20 million copies, becoming one of the Nintendo Switch’s best-selling titles and introducing Mario to a new generation. While its influence is subtler than some (it didn’t spawn a new genre, but rather perfected an existing one), developers took note of how Odyssey blended nostalgia with innovation. Its sandbox-style levels, which reward curiosity with constant discovery, have influenced other family-friendly adventure games. Perhaps most importantly, Odyssey exemplified pure fun and creativity in game design. In an era dominated by huge open worlds and competitive shooters, Mario reminded us that expertly crafted gameplay and charm can leave just as strong an impact. Years later, Odyssey often features in all-time “best games” lists, cementing Mario’s reign in the platforming genre.
Why It’s One of the Best: God of War (2018) is often hailed as a triumph of reinvention. Sony Santa Monica took its bombastic action franchise and transformed it into an emotionally rich, cinematic epic. This soft-reboot follows an older Kratos and his young son Atreus on a journey through Norse mythology, blending brutal combat with a poignant story about parenthood and redemption. The game earned universal acclaim for its narrative ambition, one-shot camera presentation, and satisfying axe-throwing combat. It swept major awards in 2018, including Game of the Year at The Game Awards (prevailing over Red Dead Redemption 2) and multiple BAFTAs, D.I.C.E. Awards, and others. Critics and players alike praised how God of War maintained thrilling action while delivering a far more nuanced story than its predecessors – a maturation that paid off brilliantly.
Impact and Legacy: God of War (2018) had a profound influence on big-budget game design, kickstarting a wave of narrative-driven action titles sometimes dubbed “prestige” or “dad” games. Its success (over 20 million copies sold on PS4 and later PC) reinforced that single-player story games are alive and well in the market. Many subsequent games – from Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order to Final Fantasy XVI – took cues from God of War’s tight over-the-shoulder combat, gear progression, and cinematic storytelling. The title’s influence was evident even within its generation: Sony’s own The Last of Us Part II and Ghost of Tsushima carried forward the polish and narrative focus that God of War exemplified. By the time God of War Ragnarök released in 2022, it was clear the 2018 reboot had established a new template for action-adventure blockbusters. God of War (2018) will be remembered for changing the trajectory of its franchise – and for showing the industry how to successfully marry heart-pounding gameplay with heartfelt storytelling.
Why It’s One of the Best: Rockstar Games’ Red Dead Redemption 2 is an open-world Western saga that pushed the boundaries of realism and narrative in games. Set in a meticulously crafted 1899 American frontier, RDR2 follows outlaw Arthur Morgan’s journey with the Van der Linde gang, delivering an epic tale of loyalty, loss, and the death of the Old West. The game was released to widespread universal acclaim, with praise for its writing, characters, stunning open-world design, and unprecedented attention to detail. Reviewers were amazed by the level of immersion – NPCs reacted believably, wildlife behaved naturally, and even Arthur’s beard grew over time. RDR2 set records upon launch, achieving the second-biggest opening weekend in entertainment history with $725 million in sales, and by 2023 it had won over 175 Game of the Year awards from various organizations. Although it narrowly missed some GOTY wins (notably at TGA 2018, where it won 4 categories but God of War took the top prize), many outlets and fans consider Red Dead 2 a generation-defining masterpiece.
Impact and Legacy: The impact of Red Dead Redemption 2 is evident in both its commercial success and its influence on game design. It has sold nearly 80 million copies to date, making it one of the four best-selling games of all time. This success proved that players crave rich single-player experiences when they are crafted at a high quality. The game’s ultra-realistic mechanics and deliberate pacing sparked industry conversations about realism versus player convenience – for instance, how other games might incorporate or dial back realistic elements. Its narrative techniques, such as seamless character interactions and journal storytelling, have been studied by developers aiming to enhance immersion. Culturally, RDR2’s characters (like Arthur and Dutch) and moments have entered gaming legend, much like GTA V before it. The title also reinforced Rockstar’s reputation for ambition, likely influencing the scope of future open-world projects. In the years since, few games have matched RDR2’s combination of cinematic storytelling and systemic detail, securing its place as one of the all-time greats in the medium.
Why It’s One of the Best: The Last of Us Part II is an extraordinary example of video games as impactful, challenging storytelling. Naughty Dog’s sequel to the 2013 classic took bold risks in narrative, presenting a harrowing tale of vengeance and empathy that pushed the boundaries of character development in games. Upon release in 2020, it received wide critical acclaim for its writing, performances, and technical achievements – setting new standards in animation and accessibility features. Part II became the most awarded game in history up to that time, garnering 261 Game of the Year awards from media and fan votings, surpassing even The Witcher 3’s previous record. It swept major ceremonies: winning Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2020, as well as multiple BAFTAs (including Best Game), D.I.C.E. Awards, and others. Critics noted how the game’s alternating perspectives and unflinching narrative ambition were unlike anything the medium had seen. Even amidst some player debate over story choices, the consensus was that TLOU Part II was an astonishing achievement in interactive storytelling.
Impact and Legacy: The legacy of The Last of Us Part II can be seen in its influence on narrative design and industry practices. It proved that big-budget games could tackle dark, complex themes and still achieve blockbuster sales (over 10 million copies in its release year) and accolades. Its exhaustive accessibility options (for vision, hearing, motor impairments) set a new industry benchmark – after TLOU2, major studios began prioritizing similar features so more players could experience their games. The controversy and discussion it generated also showed the maturity of the medium: TLOU2 sparked widespread conversations about narrative subversion, character agency, and even review-bombing practices. In the wake of its success, other story-driven games have felt emboldened to take creative risks. The upcoming era of prestige games (like God of War Ragnarök or Horizon Forbidden West) owe some debt to TLOU2’s demonstration that deep, even divisive storytelling can pay off. Love it or not, The Last of Us Part II is an unforgettable milestone of the 2015–2025 period – a game that pushed the artistic envelope and garnered record-breaking acclaim in the process.
Why It’s One of the Best: Elden Ring merged the beloved “Soulsborne” formula with an expansive open world to create a modern classic. Developed by FromSoftware with world-building contributions from author George R.R. Martin, the game dropped players into the hauntingly beautiful Lands Between and let them carve their own path to become Elden Lord. Elden Ring earned universal praise for its deep combat systems, atmospheric world, and the sheer freedom it granted players to explore and discover secrets at their own pace. It felt both impossibly vast and meticulously designed – a culmination of the studio’s expertise. The game won numerous Game of the Year awards in 2022 (including the top prize at The Game Awards), and has since been cited as one of the greatest video games of all time. With a Metacritic score in the high 90s, it stands as one of the best-reviewed games of the decade.
Impact and Legacy: Elden Ring’s impact was immediate and far-reaching. It sold over 30 million copies in its first few years, placing it among the best-selling games ever – a remarkable feat for a notoriously challenging genre. This commercial success demonstrated a robust appetite for hardcore action-RPGs and will likely influence publishers to greenlight more ambitious, high-difficulty projects. The game’s design, which encourages player-driven exploration and minimal hand-holding, has become a new reference point (just as Breath of the Wild was a few years prior). Many are already comparing or drawing inspiration from Elden Ring when crafting open-world or combat systems in forthcoming titles. Moreover, Elden Ring accumulated 300+ Game of the Year awards/nominations across various outlets, surpassing previous records and underscoring how it captivated both players and critics. With an expansion (Shadow of the Erdtree) released to similar acclaim and additional content on the way, Elden Ring has established a legacy as the crowning achievement of the Souls-like genre, one that will influence game design for years to come.
Why It’s One of the Best: Larian Studios’ Baldur’s Gate 3 is a triumphant revival of classic computer RPG sensibilities in a lavish, modern package. Released in 2023 after a period in Early Access, this Dungeons & Dragons-based epic delivered an almost unprecedented level of player choice and reactivity in storytelling. Critics and fans praised its deep turn-based combat, richly drawn characters, and the freedom to solve situations in wildly creative ways. Baldur’s Gate 3 stands as one of the highest-rated PC games in decades (Metacritic 96) and it swept awards in its release year – including Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2023, as well as multiple honors for its narrative and RPG design. It also became a breakout commercial hit, topping Steam charts and even briefly overwhelming Larian’s servers with demand. The game’s success was a watershed moment for CRPGs, a genre once considered niche but here brought to a broad audience with polish and player-friendly features.
Impact and Legacy: Even in a short time, Baldur’s Gate 3 has made a strong case for the lasting appeal of deep, story-driven RPGs. By late 2025, it had sold over 20 million copies worldwide – an astonishing number that cements it as one of the most successful RPGs ever. Its player engagement was equally telling: upon launch it reached 875,000+ concurrent players on Steam, a record for a single-player RPG and a sign of the game’s widespread appeal. The success of BG3 is likely to influence how future RPGs are developed, with an emphasis on player agency, extensive branching narratives, and cooperative play (the game proved that even a 100+ hour RPG can be fun in co-op with friends). Furthermore, Baldur’s Gate 3 set an example in consumer-friendly practices – offering a complete, microtransaction-free experience – which resonated positively in the gaming community. Its triumph at awards shows and in sales charts sends a clear message to the industry that complex, high-quality RPG experiences can achieve blockbuster status. In the long run, Baldur’s Gate 3 may well be seen as a turning point that ushered in a renaissance for Western RPGs in the mid-2020s.
Conclusion: The 2015–2025 era will be remembered as a golden age of gaming, producing a diverse array of landmark titles that pushed the medium forward. From sprawling open-world adventures and genre-bending action epics to multiplayer phenomena and narrative tour de forces, the games on this list set new benchmarks in quality and influence. Collectively, these ten titles have not only amassed critical trophies and player bases in the tens of millions, but also changed expectations for what games can achieve – be it storytelling on par with the best of film/TV, or gameplay that spawns global cultural movements. Each game here leaves a legacy: new developers build upon their innovations, and players continue to celebrate them as modern classics. While countless great games debuted in 2015–2025, these ten represent the very pinnacle – the most impactful and widely acclaimed experiences that defined a decade of PC and console gaming.
Sources: The factual claims and figures in this article are supported by reliable sources, including game industry publications, award show records, and developer announcements, as cited in the text. Each citation corresponds to an entry in the references, verifying the achievements and influence of the listed games. For instance, The Witcher 3’s sales and awards are documented by CD Projekt and Wikipedia, Overwatch’s Game of the Year win is reported in TechTimes, and Baldur’s Gate 3’s sales milestone is noted in Outlook India’s gaming news, among many others. These references illustrate the widespread acclaim and cultural impact that form the criteria for this list.
