Are we really over halfway through this decade? Yes, we are! But in that time, we’ve been treated to many excellent games that have eaten up our time and deserve to be played. So we thought rather than count down our favorite games or the top ten games of the last half-decade, why not give you a rundown of 30 games that came out between 2010 and 2015 that we consider essential? These are the games we think you absolutely have to play. We gave these games high marks when we reviewed them, and we believe they still stand strong. There’s a huge amount of variety on the list, and it captures the essence of this decade so far, such as the plethora of brilliant visual novels, RPG sequels that changed their series for the better, games that made us laugh and cry — these games are some of the best you can get.
Agree with our list? Think we’ve missed out on a gem? Talk to us on Facebook and Twitter/X and share your thoughts!
Xenoblade Chronicles
2012 • Wii
When Nintendo and Monolith Soft first announced a Wii-exclusive RPG called Monado: Beginning of the World, it certainly turned some heads, but nobody would have predicted that the end result would be one of the finest RPGs ever crafted, and perhaps the definitive JRPG of the past generation.
One could argue that the Operation Rainfall fan campaign to bring this game overseas cast an impassable shadow of hype over the game, but the truth of the matter is that Xenoblade Chronicles really is just that good. The sheer scope and ambition of this title far outstrips the puny Wii hardware, but it makes up for this with clever technical tricks and a superb sense of artistry. The adjoined bodies of Bionis and Mechonis are, from a conceptual standpoint, one of the coolest settings in RPG history, and they make for a fantastic world to explore. Once you factor in likable characters, an epic storyline befitting a “Xeno” title, tons of collectibles, and a seemingly innumerable supply of quests, Xenoblade Chronicles truly becomes the complete package.
NieR
2010 • PS3, Xbox 360
I can hardly think of a more divisive title to come out in the last five years than NieR, but don’t let the average combat and choppy graphics turn you away — it’s a game that’s far more than the sum of its parts. NieR boasts one of the best stories in an action RPG, maybe even in a video game ever. It’s an intricately woven tale accompanied by one of the best soundtracks of all time. The narrative never overwhelms, it just inspires you to carry on as you journey to save your daughter, and the end satisfyingly warps everything together, but also leaves you asking for more, thinking about it days and weeks after you’ve finished it. When you return to its world for a second playthrough, you’ll find yourself asking new questions, getting new answers, and falling in love with the game all over again. NieR is an experiment done right, and an unmissable experience for anyone looking for an enticing action RPG.
Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch
2013 • PS3
It’s possible that Ni No Kuni‘s version of the Pokémon formula didn’t appeal to all gamers, but it fared so well here at RPGFan that it earned two Editor’s Choice awards. Its central concept of a villain who gains power through “breaking hearts” created thoughtful and interesting situations, the gameplay was fun and engaging enough to stay interesting all the way through the final battle. Oh, and it just happens to have an outstanding soundtrack and visuals by none other than legendary animators Studio Ghibli. We’ll be very lucky gamers if the sequel lives up to its legacy.
Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn
2013-Present • PS3, PS4, Windows, macOS
Final Fantasy‘s second MMORPG had quite a rocky start, necessitating a major overhaul and fresh start. Dubbed A Realm Reborn, Final Fantasy XIV 2.0 is a vast improvement, welcoming players both new and old to the fantastically realized world of Eorzea and a sweeping, epic quest that feels much more like a traditional Final Fantasy than recent mainline entries like the XIII trilogy. The job system is both easy to pick up and challenging to master; players are encouraged to switch jobs — which is as simple as equipping a different weapon — and each job feels distinct and useful in its own unique way. And then there’s the music, expertly composed by Masayoshi Soken, which you’ve almost certainly heard us gush about at some point or another.
As good as all of these things are, they are improved twice over in Heavensward, FFXIV‘s first expansion. The story expertly balances intrigue and character development, the new areas are gigantic and varied, the music is hands down some of the best ever heard in a Final Fantasy, and the new jobs and dungeons breathe fresh life into the two-year-old MMO. If you’ve been looking for the next great Final Fantasy, look no further than Final Fantasy XIV.
Pokémon X & Y
2013 • 3DS
Handheld Pokémon games with 3D graphics?! Never! But that’s just what Pokémon X & Y are. The sixth generation of this stalwart series beats out the previous one because it invigorated the series with new vibrancy and life. X & Y literally brought a new perspective to the mainline Pokémon games and helped to maintain its longevity by bringing a few new tweaks to the series: many features were streamlined; a small but excellent roster of Pokémon were introduced; you can now walk diagonally! Did I mention that these games were presented in vibrant and gorgeous 3D?
I could go on about all the changes in Pokémon X & Y, and even though they play similarly to their predecessors, I still put hundreds of hours into them. I mean, there are over 700 Pokémon now! Every time a new game comes out, I vow to catch ’em all every time. Pokémon is here to stay thanks to these games, and we couldn’t be more thankful.
Mass Effect 2
2010 • PS3, 360, PC
In many famous trilogies, the ranking of the middle entry is hotly debated (think Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back or The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers). But it is generally agreed among the RPGFan staff that Mass Effect 2 stands out not just as an excellent entry in the trilogy, but also as an excellent game in its own right.
BioWare created expansive, detailed lore for the series, and it all seems to flow together seamlessly in ME2. Most important of all, this is the entry where Shepard joins up — without much choice — with the controversial “Cerberus” organization, so that she can continue to pursue the galactic threat of the Reapers and unearth the secrets of the Protean era. (Sure, Shepard can be a guy, but how can you choose that and miss out on the Jennifer Hale voice acting goodness?) Among RPG/shooter hybrids, Mass Effect 2 set a standard that dozens of newer games are still trying to surpass.
Bloodborne
2015 • PS4
A city beset by a curse. A cathedral in pursuit of knowledge, no matter the cost. A whole lot of gore. Bloodborne is a Souls title in everything but name, and one of the best ones, at that. Eschewing its forebears’ dark fantasy setting in favor of a cosmic horror story, Bloodborne sees its cursed protagonist traversing a Victorian city in the midst of a blood plague, stuck between the lycanthropic townsfolk and eldritch abominations from beyond the stars. The frenetic combat engine encourages and rewards aggressive play, and the wide range of torturous weapons on offer make clearing the streets of Yharnam a satisfying, if not disgusting experience.
Horror is so hard to get right — especially in RPGs — but From have succeeded with aplomb: Bloodborne is one of the greatest horror games of all time, and one that belongs in the collection of any lover of the macabre.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
2015 • PS4, Xbox One, PC
I’m sure our readers are beginning to get sick of us gushing about The Witcher 3, but the game is absolutely deserving of our praise. The game is notable for its lush open world that manages to allow you immense freedom, while at the same time providing a backdrop to some of the most personal and poignant storytelling of 2015. Also, you are a total badass and get to kill big scary monsters like werewolves and harpies.
The Witcher 3 is a technical marvel, and it outclasses its contemporaries. Choices made in the world have weight, and the superb writing and voice acting bring the game’s characters to life. This is the end of Geralt’s tale, and the folks at CD Projekt Red were able to send him off with a bang. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is truly an essential title for any fan of the RPG genre.
Steins;Gate
2015 • PS3, 360, PC, PSP, Vita, Android, iOS
If the visual novel genre is one you cannot abide, run far away. For everyone else, come closer and listen: Steins;Gate is one of the best VNs on the market, so much so that the game North America has only now received is actually the first in a host of games, spin-offs, and anime adaptations in Japan because of how successful it has been there.
Take on the role of a young man with delusions of grandeur who accidentally stumbled onto a limited form of time travel: sending text messages backward through time. How would you change your world if you had this capability? And if the evil clandestine organization you half-jokingly warned others about actually came to assassinate you for discovering what ought not to be discovered, could you find a way to survive? While navigating those difficult questions, you’ll find your way to one of many possible endings, learn way too much about Japanese pop culture, and get schooled in both the cutting-edge science of particle physics and the pseudoscience of time travel. Not a bad deal!
Divinity: Original Sin Enhanced Edition
2015 • PS4, Xbox One, PC
“Deep, engaging role-playing” isn’t often a set of words linked to “cooperative gaming,” but they are certainly the words that power Divinity: Original Sin. We’ve written about this title (released originally on PC in 2014 and director’s cutted last year) a number of times, and with good reason. Between the addictive turn-based combat and physics systems, great class customization, and utterly compelling cooperative play, D:OS is the kind of game you go back to again and again. Remember, no one has as many friends as the man with many cheeses, and in this case, Divinity: Original Sin is at least a fine gorgembert.
Mass Effect 3
2012 • PS3, 360, PC
Yes, like you, we were disappointed in the last few minutes of Mass Effect 3. But even before they were improved by the free Extended Cut DLC, those minutes merely detracted from, rather than ruin, the amazing hours that had come before them. Improvements to some of the game mechanics, the addition of multiplayer, and the conclusion of storylines we’d been working on since the original game in the trilogy all added up to an outstanding experience, and we can hardly wait to find out what next year’s addition to the universe, Mass Effect: Andromeda, will bring.
Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together
2011 • PSP
Yasumi Matsuno is a director who can tell a gripping story of political intrigue, and Tactics Ogre is quite possibly his masterpiece. A very adult story about everyday people caught in the middle of a struggle for succession, Tactics Ogre follows siblings Denam and Catiua Pavel as they’re betrayed by their own country and forced to make difficult choices to survive. Depending on the choices you make, the story can diverge in any number of paths, each leading to a different conclusion, some more grisly than others. Oh, and did I mention that the gameplay is the system that Final Fantasy Tactics was based on? Sold yet? Yeah. Get in there.
Crypt of the NecroDancer
2015 • PC
Rarely do early access games live up to our expectations upon final release. Either the developers over-promise or creators have trouble adhering to the old adage, “less is more.” Crypt of the NecroDancer stole our imagination and did a little jig with it, and although we left out of breath, we wore a wide smile. A few drinks later and more limber than before, we took her hand and returned to the dance floor, showing her a thing or two. And that’s what makes Crypt of the NecroDancer such an enthralling experience: upon learning the game’s nature and steps, a viscerally fulfilling run leaves us absolutely satisfied, ready to go again.
Another proud boast this title can claim is that it caters to all skill levels; those inept at these sorts of games can experience success without simply modifying numbers in a cheap fashion, while those whose fingers can glide elegantly with the beat can test their mettle against absolutely brutal difficulty. Most importantly, for the gaming industry, Crypt of the NecroDancer teaches us that game design doesn’t have to rest in the hands of singular genres. A marriage of roguelike and rhythm, these developers open a door no one even knew existed.
Legend of Grimrock II
2014 • PC
After completing the first Legend of Grimrock, secrets and all, some of us had absolutely no idea how the veteran developers could create anything more with the engine. Then Legend of Grimrock 2 was announced. A veritable playground of mysteries, horrors, and cruel traps, LoG2 reminds us that games can still innovate, and imaginative developers can surprise even the most jaded and experienced amongst us. Hosting uncharacteristic classes (farmer?), unusual races, and unconventional abilities, the level of customization alone demands gamers’ valuable hours in this age of backlogs and Steam sales.
The developers teach us that revitalizing genres doesn’t have to be about exploiting nostalgia. Given appropriate direction and design genius, even first-person dungeon crawlers can learn new tricks. And then teleport-trap unsuspecting adventurers with them.
Xenoblade Chronicles X
2015 • Wii U
Monolith Soft have struck gold again with Nintendo by creating Xenoblade Chronicles X. This Wii U behemoth makes our list makes it because it takes everything about Xenoblade Chronicles‘ huge world and makes it look puny. Mira is an awe-inspiring planet that’ll take well over 100 hours to chronicle (see what I did?) and explore every last inch. My jaw aches from how many times it dropped as I journeyed through the vastness of the planet. There’s so much to look forward too — slaying giant beasts, piloting your first Skell, completing one of the hundreds of missions, Xenoblade Chronicles X just keeps on delivering.
The combat takes the best of its predecessor and allows for some extremely dynamic and fast-paced brawls that will keep you on your toes — just remember not to fight anything that’s about 50 times your size. The majesty of the planet and the creatures that inhabit it will inspire wonder in any gamer, and we urge you to get hold of this and get lost in the world of Mira.
