If you aspire to pursue a career in video game development, acquiring knowledge about the history of video games can be immensely beneficial. By exploring the games that profoundly impacted the world and understanding why they were influential, you can gain valuable insights into the transformative nature of game design.
Engaging with historically significant games serves a purpose beyond mere enjoyment. It can enhance your abilities as a game developer by giving you a deeper comprehension of the evolution of games as an artistic medium. You can learn how to create captivating and successful games through firsthand experience of the features and mechanics employed by the most esteemed designers throughout history.
In essence, immersing yourself in the study of influential games and delving into associated online information enables you to learn from both past successes and failures. With this knowledge, you can effectively apply it to designing your games, leveraging the wisdom gained from previous achievements and missteps.
So, if you want to explore the most revolutionary games of the year, here’s a list for you:
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
This sequel solidified the presence of the series in the gaming world and heralded a significant transformation within the industry. The introduction of cinematic quality and extended runtime in this series marked a substantial leap forward (the first game included two hours of cinematics, while each subsequent sequel extended it to three hours). Consequently, the gaming experiences within our living rooms underwent a remarkable shift.
Although Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune (2007) accomplished much of what the sequel did, Among Thieves took it to new heights, surpassing its predecessor in every aspect. This further debunked the notion of sequels being inferior in the game industry, contrary to the stigma often associated with the film industry. The convergence of these two industries on a gaming console was expanded upon by Heavy Rain in 2010, amplifying the impact and significance of this merging process.
Virginia
Considering the years preceding it, the emergence of a game like Virginia in the past decade is nearly inconceivable. This game revolves around the narrative of two female detectives embarking on a quest to locate a missing teenage boy while maintaining a professional rivalry.
Despite its concise duration of only two hours and the absence of dialogue, Virginia manages to convey a message more profound than many games spanning over 40 hours. It delves into the exploration of how women within the workplace encounter challenges rooted in patriarchal power structures, including tactics of division and conquest.
It stands as a testament to the artistic bravery exhibited by its creators, presenting a captivating tale revolving around themes of friendship, loyalty, betrayal, and identity. Moreover, it is a noteworthy example of how game developers have increasingly embraced intricate political and social issues in recent years.
Super Mario Maker
Super Mario Maker, an online video game, exemplifies Nintendo’s deep understanding of its fans’ creativity and passion. It serves as a platform for players to create their levels within the Super Mario universe while offering a multiplayer component.
One of the standout moments of this decade is witnessing players engage in friendly rivalry through Mario Maker, crafting levels specifically designed to challenge each other’s skills and witnessing the ultimate triumph of these players. Super Mario Maker revolutionized the streaming landscape by empowering viewers to generate a constant flow of content for their beloved personalities, ushering in a new era of interactive entertainment.
Pac-Man
Pac-Man was the pioneering game that introduced the maze chase genre to video games. However, its significance goes beyond that, as it played a vital role in establishing the concept of characters with unique personalities within the gaming world. Additionally, Pac-Man introduced numerous gameplay elements that have become standard in maze chase games today. Its influence extended to other beloved titles of the era, such as Ms. Pac-Man, Dig Dug, and Ghost ‘n Goblins, shaping their development and popularity.
Portal 2
Portal emerged as a groundbreaking game, defying expectations and reshaping the gaming landscape. However, Portal 2 took this extraordinary and innovative concept to unprecedented heights by refining and expanding upon it. It elevated every aspect that made the original game exceptional.
The perplexing puzzles, the unexpectedly sad narrative, and the unique combination of absurd humor not only maintained the familiarity of the original but also introduced new and captivating elements. In this manner, Portal 2 became a more refined and awe-inspiring experience, skillfully walking the fine line between the familiar and the wholly innovative.
Red Dead Redemption 2
Created and released by Rockstar Games, this action-adventure game set in an expansive open world is a prequel to the 2010 title Red Dead Redemption. Taking place during the waning days of the Wild West era, players step into the shoes of Arthur Morgan, an outlaw, and member of the Van der Linde gang. The game presents a deeply affecting storyline that allows players to follow a structured progression or delve into optional side quests.
Summary
And with that, we conclude the compilation of the greatest video games ever. Some titles have secured their top ranks by evoking nostalgia, while others have enthralled players with their breathtaking visuals and immersive narratives. These extraordinary games have had such a profound impact that players often find themselves deeply absorbed in them, sometimes even exceeding what could be considered a healthy amount of playtime.
