The Best Games of the Last Century

As a gaming enthusiast , I have spent countless hours playing and researching the best games of the last century. From the early days of arcade machines to the modern era of virtual reality, gaming has come a long way. In this article, I will explore the factors that make a game the "best," the top-selling games of the last century, classic games that shaped the gaming industry, iconic games that defined a generation, the best games of the last decade, the impact of technology on gaming and game development, the future of gaming, and honorable mentions of games that almost made the list.

Factors that Make a Game the "Best"

What makes a game the "best" is subjective and varies from person to person. However, there are some common factors that most people consider when evaluating a game's quality. The first factor is gameplay, which refers to how fun and engaging the game is to play. A good game should have intuitive controls, challenging levels, rewarding achievements, and a sense of progression.

The second factor is graphics, which refers to how visually appealing the game is. A good game should have high-quality graphics, detailed textures, realistic animations, and immersive environments. Graphics are important because they enhance the player's experience and make the game more enjoyable to look at.

The third factor is story, which refers to the narrative and characters of the game. A good game should have a compelling story that keeps the player engaged and emotionally invested. The characters should be well-developed, relatable, and memorable. A good story adds depth and meaning to the game and makes it more than just a mindless activity.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Which was released in 2018 and is considered a masterpiece of game design. Red Dead Redemption 2 is an open-world game that involves exploring the Wild West, engaging in missions, and forming relationships with other characters. It is known for its attention to detail, realistic physics, and immersive world.

GTA V

Grand Theft Auto V, which was released in 2013 and has sold over 140 million copies. Grand Theft Auto V is an open-world game that allows players to explore a fictional city, engage in missions, and cause mayhem. It is known for its mature themes, humor, and social commentary.

Halo: Combat Evolved

Which was released in 2001 and is considered the defining game of the Xbox console. Halo: Combat Evolved is a first-person shooter game that involves battling aliens, driving vehicles, and exploring a sci-fi world. It is known for its immersive campaign, competitive multiplayer, and cinematic cutscenes.
The best games of the last decade are a mix of indie and AAA titles that have pushed the boundaries of 

The Last of Us

Which was released in 2013 and is considered one of the greatest games of all time. The Last of Us is a survival horror game that involves navigating a post-apocalyptic world, scavenging for resources, and fighting infected humans. It is known for its emotional story, realistic characters, and stunning visuals.

Celeste

Which was released in 2018 and is considered a hidden gem of indie gaming. Celeste is a platformer game that involves climbing a mountain, overcoming obstacles, and battling inner demons. It is known for its challenging gameplay, heartfelt story, and beautiful soundtrack.

Portal 2

Which was released in 2011 and is considered one of the greatest puzzle games of all time. Portal 2 is a first-person game that involves solving physics-based puzzles, using a device that creates portals. It is known for its humor, creativity, and mind-bending challenges.

Bioshock

Which was released in 2007 and is considered a masterpiece of storytelling. Bioshock is a first-person shooter game that involves exploring an underwater city, battling mutants, and uncovering a dark conspiracy. It is known for its immersive world, memorable characters, and philosophical themes.

DarkSouls

Which was released in 2011 and is considered the hardest game of all time. Dark Souls is an action role-playing game that involves battling monsters, collecting loot, and exploring a gothic world. It is known for its punishing difficulty, deep lore, and addictive gameplay.

 

Tetris

Tetris, which was released in 1984 and has sold over 495 million copies. Tetris is a puzzle game that involves rotating and fitting falling blocks into a grid. It is simple yet addictive and has been ported to almost every platform imaginable.

Minecraft

Which was released in 2011 and has sold over 200 million copies. Minecraft is a sandbox game that allows players to build and explore virtual worlds made of blocks. It has become a cultural phenomenon and has spawned countless spin-offs and merchandise.

Space Invaders

Which was released in 1978 and is considered the first blockbuster video game. Space Invaders is a simple shooter game that involves defending Earth from an alien invasion. It popularized the use of high scores, leaderboards, and arcade machines.

Super Mario Bros

Which was released in 1985 and is considered one of the greatest games of all time. Super Mario Bros. is a platformer game that involves navigating Mario through levels filled with obstacles and enemies. It introduced many of the gameplay mechanics and design elements that are still used in modern games.

The Legend of Zelda

Which was released in 1986 and is considered a masterpiece of game design. The Legend of Zelda is an action-adventure game that involves exploring a vast open world, solving puzzles, and battling enemies. It introduced the concept of non-linear gameplay and created a template for future adventure games.
Iconic games are those that are closely associated with a particular era or console and have become cultural touchstones.

Pac-Man

Which was released in 1980 and is considered the most recognizable video game character of all time. Pac-Man is a maze game that involves eating pellets and avoiding ghosts. It is known for its simple yet addictive gameplay and catchy music.

Sonic the Hedgehog

Which was released in 1991 and is considered the mascot of the Sega Genesis console. Sonic the Hedgehog is a platformer game that involves running at high speeds, collecting rings, and defeating Dr. Eggman. It is known for its fast-paced gameplay, colorful graphics, and memorable music.

  

The Impact of Technology on Gaming and Game Development

Technology has had a profound impact on gaming and game development, shaping the way we play, create, and experience games. The first impact of technology is graphics, which have become more realistic and immersive over time. The use of 3D modeling, motion capture, and photorealistic rendering has allowed games to look more like movies than ever before.

The second impact of technology is gameplay, which has become more complex and varied over time. The use of physics engines, artificial intelligence, and procedural generation has allowed games to simulate realistic environments, behaviors, and interactions. Games now offer more choices, options, and paths than ever before.

The third impact of technology is distribution, which has become more accessible and convenient over time. The use of digital storefronts, cloud gaming, and streaming services has allowed games to reach more people, more quickly, and more affordably than ever before. Games can now be played on multiple devices, across different platforms, and in different formats.

The Future of Gaming and What to Look Forward to

The future of gaming is exciting and unpredictable, with new technologies and trends emerging all the time. The first trend to look forward to is virtual reality, which has the potential to revolutionize the way we play and experience games. Virtual reality allows players to immerse themselves in a fully-realized world, interact with objects and characters, and explore new dimensions of gameplay.

The second trend to look forward to is cloud gaming, which has the potential to make gaming more accessible and affordable than ever before. Cloud gaming allows players to stream games over the internet, without the need for expensive hardware or downloads. This can make gaming more inclusive, diverse, and sustainable.

The third trend to look forward to is artificial intelligence, which has the potential to enhance the gameplay, storytelling, and immersion of games. Artificial intelligence can be used to create smarter enemies, more realistic environments, and more engaging narratives. It can also be used to personalize the gaming experience, based on the player's preferences, skills, and behavior.

Conclusion - What We Can Learn from the Best Games of the Last Century

In conclusion, the best games of the last century have taught us many lessons about gaming, storytelling, and human nature. They have shown us the power of simple mechanics, engaging characters, and immersive worlds. They have demonstrated the importance of creativity, innovation, and risk-taking. They have inspired us to dream, imagine, and create. As the gaming industry continues to evolve and grow, we can look back on these games with gratitude, respect, and awe.

If you have any requests, questions or anything to say feel free to comment them down below and I will be sure to reply.

SJXD.