Destiny
© Bungie
After Bungie separated from Microsoft and the Halo franchise, you might have assumed they’d want to try something other than a sci-fi shooter for a while. However, the reveal of Destiny showed that the experienced team simply wanted the chance to tell a new grand tale of space, aliens and increasingly powerful guns. The original Destiny proved a touch divisive upon release, but gradually grew its player base through updates and impressive expansions.
Destiny 2 managed to pull off the same feat, and now finds itself as many players’ go-to gaming break. Following a separation from Activision and a free to play launch, Bungie has so many new seasons, updates and story revelations planned for the online shooter that it’s tough to find time to play anything else. Put simply, we wouldn’t be surprised if we’re still slaying Vex, Cabal, and Fallen in the hopes of scoring that perfect new weapon roll in ten years’ time.
Life is Strange
In a medium overflowing with swords and sniper rifles, it’s not often we get a game about high school life, growing up and dealing with traumatic events. Sure, Max Caulfield can also rewind time, but it’s the honest depiction of the cast’s relationships that made Life is Strange as engrossing to many as it was. The episodic release format tantalized players like a weekly TV show, but also provided developer Dontnod with the chance to improve the gameplay and iron out kinks as the story progressed. The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit and Life is Strange 2 have taken the series in new direction that are just as impactful, resulting in one of the finest new gaming series of quite some time.
Hollow Knight
© Team Cherry
A good indie success story is always a heartwarming affair, and they don’t come much better than that of Team Cherry and Hollow Knight. Metroidvania is a beloved genre, but Hollow Knight’s release in 2017 showed that there’s plenty of room to be imaginative in both setting and gameplay. Exploring the caverns and growths of this underground labyrinth is a joy, with gorgeous music accompanying your enticing discoveries about the history of the world.
For such an adorable art style, Hollow Knight’s may catch you off guard with how tough it’s combat can be, but the game does a great job of teaching you the mechanics as you go so at not to overwhelm. In a rare delight, the boss fights are also one of the game’s best aspects, with many available as optional extras to discover as you explore. Hollow Knight: Silksong is currently in development, and Team Cherry seems to be taking all the time they need to perfect the followup to such a brilliant first release.
Are you preparing to pound your keyboard into submission as you type out a game series we’ve missed? Hold your horses there cowboy. Ten years is a long time, and everyone has different tastes so we're bound to have missed a new IP or too. Share your highlights from the decade with us in the comments below!
