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The top games of the past five years can be considered the first half of this decade as it comes to a close. However, when we look back over the last decade (2015-2025), hundreds of excellent games have been released by the gaming industry over that time, and naturally, it isn’t easy to rank them all.

Since there is no foolproof method for creating a masterpiece, the finest examples of excellence can take many forms. Some features include photorealistic visuals and extensive character development, resulting in a plot that is both emotionally taxing and intellectually stimulating. Some games aim for a minimalist look and plot while maximising gaming fun.

So, as we're only halfway through the current decade of the 2020s, let’s take a look at a handful of flawless games that have already cemented their status as the finest of the last decade (2015-2025).

Elden Ring (2022) 

As good as each Soulsborne installment is, FromSoftware may have reached its peak with Elden Ring. To put it plainly, the expansive fantasy title improves upon every aspect of its predecessors.

The lush Limgrave terrain in the opening sequence of The Elden Ring will blow players away. The terrain between environments, even though earlier games had open environments that were well-structured. Each side quest received more attention, research, and consideration than the typical video game.

Elden Ring offers the most difficult challenge of all the Souls games. Despite its apparent lack of difficulty, it is actually the most approachable, thanks to its non-linear gameplay that lets you tackle the most challenging areas at your leisure and level up at your own pace. Boredom? No chance… what with there being innumerable regions to discover and over a hundred bosses to defeat.

You might still argue that Elden Ring was the best game of the decade, even if a slew of highly anticipated releases joined it on the greats list at the time: Grand Theft Auto VI, Ghost of Yotei, and Metroid Prime Beyond.

Balatro (2024)  

There are games that have flawless mechanics every once in a while. Like many independent roguelikes, Balatro relies solely on its fundamental loop for survival. The game lacks a story, but it features beautiful, simplistic graphics. The objective of LocalThunk, a game heavily influenced by poker is to slowly but surely construct a deck that can clear the blinds. The blinds come in three different varieties and become increasingly difficult with each subsequent ante, or stage, which consists of three blinds.

Players have a certain amount of turns to build a hand that meets the blind's point total. That's about it. They can purchase cards or booster packs with the money they earn from their performances, allowing them to slowly develop a deck that they think could handle the harder blinds. Everything about the concept is flawless, despite its simplicity.

Alan Wake 2 (2023) - best casino sites

Despite its delayed release, Alan Wake 2 proved to be excellent. Even though the first game in the series was decent, Remedy's 2010 sequel was far superior and marked a triumphant return to the survival horror license. 

Two interconnected yet distinct perspectives tell the story of the campaign. The first half deftly builds upon the concepts introduced in the first Alan Wake and follows FBI agent Saga Anderson as she probes a murder in Bright Falls. Half of the story focuses on the titular writer, Alan, who has spent almost ten years trapped in the Dark Place.

Just for the excellent narrative and characters, Alan Wake 2 is a must-play. The plot twists and turns in a breathtaking way. Thankfully, the game also boasts excellent graphics, immersive sound, and decent gameplay.

Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018) 

Whoever liked opening individual drawers and limited fast-travel or not, it was a daring pace move coming from a triple-A developer. Still, Rockstar's third homage to playing Cowboys in the sandbox slowed things down substantially.

An expansive, multi-layered experience with a dozen action set-pieces and a poignant ode to devotion, treachery, and heritage was created by combining the meditative ambiance with unparalleled lighting and weather, and the fundamental gameplay features that have made Rockstar games iconic.

In Red Dead Redemption 2, players can immerse themselves in the Old West by trying their luck at a variety of classic casino-style games. Whether it’s a tense round of poker, a quick hand of blackjack, or testing skill in dominoes, these games offer both a break from the main storyline and a way to earn (or lose) in-game money. The authentic mechanics mirror real-life gambling experiences on trusted casino sites.

Much like the GTA franchise and almost everything Rockstar touches, RDR2 has a cult-like following, is still regularly played to this day, and is arguably the best, if not the best, open-world game of the last decade! 

God of War Ragnarok (2022) 

After the disastrous Ascension in 2013, Santa Monica's franchise got a much-needed boost with God of War in 2018, ushering in a new chapter in Kratos' saga. Ragnarok does a fantastic job of expanding upon its predecessor. 

God of War: Ragnarok may seem like a carbon copy of its predecessor at first glance, yet it adds or tweaks enough features to set itself apart.

At the centre of Ragnarok, an event in Norse mythology, is the demise of numerous important characters, as the title suggests. The narrative deftly weaves together massive action sequences with subtle character development, making for an epic and unexpected read. A significant improvement over the 2018 installment, the combat system is both enjoyable and intense.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017) 

In a time when it seems like every other franchise is going open world, Zelda sought to stand out by returning to its roots and bringing the series back to its original intent: exploration. Exploration and a plethora of mechanical systems in Breath of the Wild, similar to those in the original Legend of Zelda, create an ideal setting for players to develop their own narrative and learn to improvise as they progress.

Just as Ocarina of Time helped push gaming into the third dimension and the original Legend of Zelda laid the groundwork for action/adventure games with its emphasis on exploration, Breath of the Wild redefined the open world by making it seem alive and worth exploring.

 The Last of Us 2 (2020) 

Both the gameplay and the story of The Last of Us 2, the sequel that fans have been waiting for so long, are no easy feat. With a plot involving vengeance, loss, and self-destruction, The Last of Us 2 departs from the central relationship that characterised its acclaimed predecessor and instead focuses on a lengthy 20-hour experience with numerous protagonists.

In keeping with the realistic and merciless tone of this universe, the gameplay can be brutal and unsettling at times.

Silent Hill 2 Remake (2024) 

To say the reveal of Bloober Team's Silent Hill 2 remake garnered a poor reception would be an understatement. The project was mocked years before its debut, and many seemed ready to write it off as a cash grab that would have very little in the way of redeeming factors. However, as its release approached and more footage came out, Silent Hill 2 started to look good. Then, the game debuted, and the unthinkable happened: Silent Hill 2 was great. More than that, it was one of the best horror games of the last few years.

As Konami's 2001 masterpiece cannot be surpassed in terms of influence, the remake respectfully modernizes the same core ideas and themes, allowing it to sit comfortably alongside the original. SH2 is genuinely intense and horrifying, so much so that a single playthrough will likely be enough for most people. Silent Hill, the town, has never looked better and, arguably, scarier.

Forza Horizon 5 (2021) 

With each new Forza Horizon, Playground Games continues its reputation of releasing the market's top arcade racer. This time around, the Horizon group is using Mexico as its sandbox. The country's diverse landscapes make it the perfect pick.

From mundane races to insanely high jumps to spectacularly over-the-top showcase events, Forza Horizon 5's massive map has it all. Until its sequel is released, Forza Horizon 5 is likely to remain the best arcade racer due to its extensive library of unlockable cars and vibrant ecosystem.

Ghost of Tsushima (2020) 

As the PS4 era came to a dramatic finale with Ghost of Tsushima, the game developed by Sucker Punch remained a mainstay of internet talk until its release on the PS5 and PC. Despite remaining faithful to the tried-and-true open-world format pioneered by developers like Ubisoft, Game of Thrones perhaps exemplifies this style at its finest, with an epic storyline drawing inspiration from Japanese history.

Among the best open-world games available right now, this 2020 release boasts excellent visuals, enjoyable combat that shines on higher difficulties, and a terrific setting. We can only hope that Ghost of Yotei (October 2025 release date) will outdo it.