Six Years In: The Best Games of the 2020s So Far

The video game medium experienced a rocky period during the first half of the decade (mainly due to outside factors such as COVID-19 and an emphasis on Live-Service titles). However, despite these shortcomings, certain games shone through in a time when things felt less than normal. Today, I would like to spotlight my top 3 games from the years 2020-2025. Please keep in mind that these choices are based on games I have fully played and experienced.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: ELDEN RING AND GOD OF WAR RAGNAROK

I’m bending my own rule slightly here by including a game I have yet to play (Elden Ring). However, it would be remiss of me not to at least highlight the game and its impact. It is completely understandable why the game was universally and critically acclaimed, especially based on its addictive gameplay loop. I hope to one day play through all of FromSoft’s most popular works, as well as other soulslikes.

As for God of War Ragnarok, the game served as a truly impressive sequel to the critically acclaimed (soft) reboot in 2018. I am of the opinion that Santa Monica improved on most aspects of 2018 with Ragnarok (even if 2018 was already a highly enjoyable experience). The combat flows more smoothly, the gameplay is more varied with the addition of Atreus, and exploration between other realms feels more exciting and open. The graphics have also seen a noticeable step up in quality, which is especially appealing during cutscenes.

Despite a slightly rushed final act, Ragnarok’s story also does a great job of concluding the Norse duology. Major characters (such as Kratos, Atreus, and Freya) receive excellent character development during the campaign, along with some truly unforgettable battles. Ragnarok comes highly recommended if you are a fan of the God of War franchise, or even a newer fan from GOW 2018.

NUMBER 3: DOOM ETERNAL

Doom Eternal was controversial with long-time fans due to its frenetic gameplay. However, it is undoubtedly one of the most popular FPS games in the past 5 years. This success mainly stems from those who enjoyed this faster-paced combat, paired with the Doomslayer’s new forms of mobility.

ID Software did a good job balancing these new parkour sections with the main combat in levels. The sections take some time to complete, but are not mind-numbingly long. Plus, the fluidity of these sections makes them satisfying to pull off.

Eternal’s graphics received a more colorful (and arguably more cartoony) coat of paint as opposed to its 2016 predecessor. While this change was also controversial, the new style certainly matched the more wacky tone of the game. Additionally, the game introduced a multitude of new demons to slay with an arsenal of 13 upgradable weapons.

Doom 2016’s grounded tone did a fine job at reviving interest in the series. However, I personally prefer most of the changes ID Software made with Eternal. Simply put, Eternal is an extremely enjoyable experience from start to finish, even if its Multiplayer didn’t exactly hit the mark.

NUMBER 2: FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH

This spot was originally intended for FF7 Remake, as it started the epic FF7 trilogy. After much deliberation, I ultimately realized that Rebirth’s general polish and additional gameplay features give it a slight edge. It was easy to become enraptured with Remake’s story, characters, and gameplay (even as a new fan of the franchise). However, Rebirth is one of those rare sequels that improves on nearly everything its predecessor established.

In terms of the open world, Rebirth hosts six huge (and fully explorable) regions. This feeling of openness directly contrasts the more linear gameplay slices in Remake, which is certainly appreciated. The developers also improved upon Remake’s combat with the addition of the new Synergy system and more fluid-feeling gameplay. These additions were effective when combined with the new playable characters, who each have their own unique fighting styles. Out of the new additions, I found Cait Sith’s unpredictability and Yuffie’s elemental-based attacks to be the most engaging.

Rebirth also contains certain story beats and moments that I find more engaging than the best of Remake’s. This feeling likely stems from the addition of new characters, such as the (mostly) lovable Cait Sith and Yuffie. Rebirth’s setpieces also feel like an improvement, with some visually stunning scenes between Cloud and Sephiroth.

Overall, like any good sequel, Rebirth fundamentally improves upon all aspects of Remake. It deserves this spot on the list, being a great reimagining of an already great game. I can only hope that Square Enix will show off the final entry in the trilogy soon.

NUMBER 1: ASTRO BOT

Certain games are simply a joy to play, even if they are not the most mechanically complex or technically impressive. Astro Bot is certainly a game in this category. The game was clearly made by passionate developers who wanted to create the best 3D platformer they could. From the beautifully crafted levels (filled with references to past Sony titles) to the quite catchy soundtrack, there is a lot here to love.

Astro Bot reaches a level of quality usually associated with studios like Nintendo (with a development team of just 60 people)! Beyond the general gameplay, the team generously released multiple FREE level packs over the span of six months. Although this was frankly unnecessary due to the size and scope of the main game, it shows that Team Asobi truly cares about the players. This is not to mention the equally great Astro’s Playroom being a free pack-in title for the PS5.

Whether it be a new Astro Bot game or a return to an older franchise, I remain excited to see what the team is working on next. Asobi Team absolutely deserves this spot on the list due to its outstanding quality.

Do you agree with the choices on this list? If not, what are YOUR favorite games from the past half-decade? Let me know in the comments!