More than a decade ago, the gaming industry delivered some seriously awesome titles that still hold up today. I’ve scoured the massive library of releases, and now we’re counting down 9+ must-play games from over ten years ago. Whether you're a retro gaming enthusiast or just looking for some old-school fun, this list is your ticket to a blast of nostalgia and hours of gaming goodness!
Since a lot of game series came out during that time, we’ll highlight just one standout title from each franchise to give other gems a chance to shine.
So, get ready to dust off your game collection and rediscover these timeless classics. Ready? Let’s dig in!
1. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (Metal Gear Series)
It’s pretty difficult to choose from a series of games that were all great! Anyway, if I have to select one, it should be Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater.
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater’s plot is set during the Cold War in the 1960s. This game highlights Snake’s beginnings and offers an unforgettable experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Get ready to uncover the origins of a legendary series and witness the birth of the Big Boss!
Delta is finally here!
This game is legendary and is considered one of the greatest of all time. Good news, because the remake version of MGS3: Snake Eater, which is named ‘Metal Gear Delta,’ has now been released. This game is now available to PS5 and utilizes the hardware, so the tito/uncle gamers like me can relive the game, and the younger generation of gamers can see how great this game is!
Video Source: PlayStation
2. Vanquish
Vanquish is a high-speed shooting game that puts players in the shoes of DARPA agent Sam Gideon, equipped with the powerful Augmented Reactive Suit (ARS). They’re battling against the forces of the Russian Federation of Eurasia. With lightning-fast movement and intense shootings, Vanquish combines fast-paced combat with a dynamic camera system, creating a thrilling experience.
To be honest, I forgot its story already, then I happened to see it on sale on Steam, so I gave it another try—and guess what! I gave myself a treat! The game is ultra fast-paced, with improved graphics, smooth FPS, lots of firepower, and the ability to destroy mechs!
If you are into mechs and hardcore shooting. I highly recommend giving this a try! You can also see my not-so-in-depth review of the game in this article. 🙂
Video Source: Gamespot
3. Ryse: Son of Rome
Ryse: Son of Rome is a 2013 action-adventure game set in an alternate version of Ancient Rome. The story features Ryse, the main protagonist, who is set to defend Rome against the barbarian invasion. Its gameplay is ruthless and has a lot of blood, so this is not a child-friendly game, ok? It features 3rd-party hack-and-slash mechanics, and when fighting with enemies, you’ll witness the savagery of the Roman soldiers against their enemies.
This game was initially an Xbox exclusive but was later on released to Steam. When I saw it on sale, I immediately scored a purchase and enjoyed defeating barbarian invaders!
Even though the gameplay is a bit old, this game is still comparable to some of the games today. This game is also dirt-cheap during the Steam Sale, so do yourself a favor, add this to your library, and start playing. 😁
Video source: GameSpot
4. Uncharted Series (Uncharted 2: Among Thieves)
Last decade, when you say the word ‘PlayStation,’ one word comes to mind, and that is ‘Uncharted.’ The reason is this game is so freakin’ good that it has etched itself into those who played it. The story and adventures of Nathan Drake really struck deep. The Uncharted game is an action-adventure game whose story highlights the adventures of Nathan Drake, a treasure hunter, who uncovers historical mysteries.
This game is also packed with numerous humor scenes and plenty of epic scenes, as well as great characters. You’ll love them, really!
The Uncharted series has four main games on the PS console, plus there’s another game that focuses on Chloe (Uncharted: The Lost Legacy). All of them are great and play really well on the PS5 and other consoles too.
Take note that the Uncharted series was also released on PC. Not-so-only-on-Playstation anymore, right? But that’s perfectly okay! The more platforms a game is available on, the more likely it will still be replayed by other gamers who are in a different gaming ecosystem.
I already finished the series, but I set the game again to backlog because I wanted to replay and cherish the story. Naughty Dog really raised the bar and gave us a treat!
Video Source: PlayStation
5. Mass Effect Series (Mass Effect 3)
Here’s another game that you truly need to play. The Mass Effect series. I could say this is BioWare and EA Games' best game so far! Yes, I am biased, because this game truly is one of the best games even until now.
Many say that the second installment, or Mass Effect 2, is the best. Well, I agree with them. But Mass Effect 3 is my personal favorite because of how epic the intro was and the main goal of Shepard, which is to take back Earth.
This game was so good that I bought a Trilogy version on PS3, years later sold the game due to personal reasons, and then in 2023-2024, I bought an old PS3 unit again and bought 2 copies of the trilogy, and then recently, I bought a Legendary Edition on Steam during the summer sale, downloaded and played it on PC Game Pass (it was free), and then I also bought another copy of the Legendary Edition on the PS5! 😆😅 Talk about a monumental waste of money, right!? Well, I did that because the game was less than 5 USD!
Video Source: Mass Effect
6. Tomb Raider Series (Rise of the Tomb Raider)
There were many Tomb Raider games in the past, but Rise of the Tomb Raider impressed the most. The game’s plot is when Lara Croft travels through dangerous parts of Siberia to find the lost city of Kitezh. After what happened in the last game (Tomb Raider Definitive Edition), she’s determined to prove her father’s ideas about the supernatural and discover the secret of immortality said to be hidden there. She then encounters resistance from a military organization named Trinity.
I just finished Rise of the Tomb Raider recently, and I am filled with regret: the game was super amazing! The visuals are great, and this game was ahead of its time! I should have played it sooner!
Video Source: IGN
7. The Order 1886
This game is one of the hidden gems on the PS4. Despite the negative reviews about it being a short game (it can be completed within 6 hours), The Order: 1886 offers a truly immersive experience. The game's graphics are top-notch, and the story is very well written. I just hope someone will revive the story and create a sequel to this! Or create a remake version.
This game’s story follows Sir Galahad, a member of the Round Table. He investigates a series of murders in Whitechapel and eventually discovers a dark truth. Aside from the great story, this game offers interesting characters and stories.
Still don’t believe me? Guess what? Why don’t you score a digital copy of the game and give yourself a treat? Thank me later! 😄
Video Source: PlayStation
8. Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
I think some of the readers won’t believe that this game was released in 2015. Why? Because The Witcher 3 is still stunning as of today. Packed with a PS5 upgrade, this decade-old gem has been modernized and is very playable on PS5 and current-gen PCs.
Years ago, I once bought a physical copy of this game, but because of my busy schedule and other priorities, this game was just on my shelf and is serving as a decoration to my games collection. But I was thankful that I gave it another try last year (2024) and got deep in its story, and yeah, I was stunned and immersed in its very well-written story.
Video source: The Witcher
There was a joke in this game that the side quests are better than the main story. Well, guess what! I could say that is true because so many times, I often forgot about the main quest!
Also take note that this game is always on sale (on almost all major platforms), so make sure you grab a copy and thank me later! 😄
9. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered
This is a remastered version of the game released in 2007. The remastered version is playable on the PS4 and PS5, and you will now learn about the name ‘Soap’ McTavish, which is an iconic character in the Call of Duty series.
Ever wonder why Call of Duty games are highly rated? Then, here’s one of the reasons why. Play this game and you will understand. I just finished this game on PS5—and I relived the epic scenes, especially the sniper mission and the epic battle on the Ferris wheel where the enemy forces are chasing and ensuring they won’t escape. Man, that mission was truly epic!
Video source: Admiral Hattori
Let’s not stop from this list… I’m going to share more, so you can discover more! 😁
10. Metal Gear Solid: Revengeance
Now this one’s an oldie, but still an absolute standout! Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance dropped back in 2013, and it’s got Raiden, our cyborg ninja, slicing through a private military group in full-on hack-and-slash chaos. Fast-paced, flashy, and still ridiculously fun to play today. Oh, and make sure to set your volumes to loud because its soundtrack is totally cool!
Some of the enemies here are gigantic! Plus, you’ll get to encounter some of the iconic figures of the Metal Gear franchise. Want to see a sample?
Video source: Rules of Nature
Many gamers say that MGSR is one of the hardest games to finish because of the ridiculous bosses. I played and beat the game, and I agree! In this game, you will meet one of the hardest bosses in the early days—Senator Armstrong! 😂
In Summary:
And there you have it! 9+ games from a decade ago that are still totally worth playing today. I hope you found some awesome gems on this list. Now, go forth and game like it's 2015, and let me know in the comments—which of these classics is calling your name?
Time to get your game on and relive some epic gaming moments!
P.S. I will be uncovering more games of the past decade and featuring them on the website. Right now, there are only a few in the Retro Revisit category, but stay tuned because we will add more!
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