Entertainment
10 Greatest Video Games of the Last 5 Years
Whatever fans have felt about the past five years, the one thing they can admit is that it has been home to some of the greatest video games of all time, even rivaling masterful classics such as The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and modern sensations, including Red Dead Redemption 2. As the medium continues to grow and improve, gamers can see a clear difference in the shift from before and after five years.
That is why this list will be ranking the ten greatest video game masterpieces of the past five years, specifically 2022 to 2026. Based on elements such as gameplay, narrative, art, originality, influence, innovation, design, fan opinion, popularity, critical acclaim, and overall quality, these ten titles are must-play modern masterpieces that define the past five years of gaming.
10
‘Donkey Kong Bananza’ (2025)
Nintendo is going strong with the Nintendo Switch 2, already boasting impressive sales. While it wasn’t the system’s selling flagship title, Donkey Kong Bananza is the best game on the console. After the Void Company and its boss drill into the world in search of bananas, DK and Pauline are the only two who can stop this dastardly villain and his heinous plan.
Donkey Kong Bananza isn’t a typical 3D platformer; in fact, it is barely a platformer at all, instead focusing on a powerful punching mechanic, where every bit of land is destructible. This cathartic, engaging, and satisfying gameplay makes players feel stronger than ever, and the game has plenty of unique levels, gimmicks, bosses, and collectibles to keep them entertained and smashing from start to finish.
9
‘Pragmata’ (2026)
Maybe this is just recency bias, but Pragmata has already become a fantastic game of the 2020s that can compete with some of the best. Abandoned in a rundown facility on the moon, the protagonist and a little android girl must trek across the base and search for a way to escape back to Earth while making sure not to be shot down by the hostile AI running it.
As the newest game, Pragmata had a harder time establishing itself on this list, but it is already a sensation because of its unique gameplay that blends hacking and puzzles into the shooting. As one of the best sci-fi video games of all time, it features an imaginative system that is fun to play. The gameplay loop never gets tiring, and Pragmata’s tight pacing and linear exploration keep the game from being bloated.
8
‘Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’ (2025)
2025 was a versatile year of gaming, and the one that walked away with the title of Game of the Year was Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. In a fading world exists the paintress, an entity able to erase an age from the planet every year. Now, a brave group of adventurers set out on the 33rd expedition to defeat her and save the planet from becoming ageless.
Using the innovative blend of turn-based combat and real-time events, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a compelling masterpiece from a gameplay perspective that delivers immersive and tense combat. However, this award-winning title is also renowned for its incredible narrative and painterly world, which sets up some of the most unique worldbuilding. Not to mention its voice acting is spectacular, making this big-budget indie a game to remember.
7
‘Kingdom Come: Deliverance II’ (2025)
As mentioned, 2025 was a magnificent year for gaming, and one specific title was the must-play hidden gem: Kingdom Come Deliverance II. Players are a soldier traveling to a king to make sure their loyalty is still intact, but when they lose their identity, players have no way to prove who they are, all amidst a brewing war between nations.
This sequel improved on pretty much everything, expanding the world with more things to do in new avenues, gameplay opportunities, and different roles to play. Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is one of the greatest RPG titles ever made, using its vast possibilities to create an immersive and authentic medieval title. Since 2025 was such a great year, this game went under the radar, yet it remains a definitive title from the past five years.
6
‘God of War: Ragnarök’ (2022)
2022 was a two-horse race for the honor of Game of the Year, and while God of War: Ragnarök didn’t come out victorious, it is still a worthy sequel. As Midgard freezes, the prophesied end of the world is nigh, leaving Kratos and his son, Atreus, to journey around the realm in search of allies to help in the fight against the Gods, hoping to save the world.
The 2018 reboot was a massive rebranding that improved the franchise in a big way, and while God of War: Ragnarök isn’t better, it is still a remarkable game. Its single-take camera style created a cinematic masterpiece among the best that video games have to offer. However, God of War: Ragnarök‘s true strength is its mechanical depth with systemic combat and variety to deliver an action masterclass.
5
‘Astro Bot’ (2024)
The 3D platformer genre has been dominated by Nintendo forever, but 2024 saw a change, with Sony delivering Astro Bot, an unexpected delight. Playing as the titular character, players must travel around a plethora of levels to try to rescue their crew, repair the PS5 mothership, and escape this planet.
Games are all about having fun, and unfortunately, some fans have forgotten that. However, Astro Bot will revive that passion for entertainment through its incredible level design and platforming gimmicks. This modern platforming gaming experience is at the peak of its genre, using haptic feedback to create an immersive feel, while its fluid character and movement make jumping satisfying.
4
‘Hades 2’ (2025)
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is technically an indie game, but one that has that distinct feel and style is Hades 2, the much-anticipated sequel to the 2020 original. With Chronos newly resurrected, he immediately takes over the underworld and imprisons his family. However, Melinoe escaped, and now she must travel through Tartarus and Olympus to kill Chronos and free her family.
Indie games have been getting better and better over the years, with the genre reaching its peak with Hades 2. This game keeps the hook from the first game, but reinvents the combat and adds more weapons to make it even better. The refined roguelike gameplay loop has a grander scale that weaves the narrative into the repetitiveness, making Hades 2 one of the more creative games of the past five years.
3
‘The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom’ (2023)
With Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, God of War: Ragnarök, and Hades 2, this list features many sequels, highlighting the anticipation felt in the past five years. But the greatest sequel comes from The Legend of Zelda franchise, specifically its newest 3D entry, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. When Zelda and Link discover Ganondorf beneath the palace, he is resurrected again, sending Zelda to the past and Link without his Master Sword.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is still the better and more influential game, but Tears of the Kingdom improved on virtually everything. From the narrative to bosses to dungeons to exploration to side quests and overall content, this expansive open-world masterpiece isn’t lacking in things to do. Tears of the Kingdom‘s revolutionary traversal rewards exploration by encouraging curiosity in the most marvelous and whimsical of ways, proving it is one of the best video games on the Nintendo Switch.
2
‘Elden Ring’ (2022)
FromSoftware is a prolific game studio, and the past five years saw them release their magnum opus, Elden Ring. After the titular object shatters, the pieces are collected by the demigod children of Queen Marika. However, the players control the Tarnished on a journey through the Lands Between to defeat the children, collect the shards, restore the ring, and become the Elden Lord.
With George R.R. Martin‘s worldbuilding and FromSoftware’s soulslike gameplay, this game-changing RPG is the ultimate fantasy experience that bridges prestigious lore and storytelling with challenging combat. Elden Ring may be known for its relentless challenge and difficulty, but that is what makes the combat so rewarding. Plus, this title features amazing exploration in what is regarded as one of the best open-world video games of all time.
1
‘Baldur’s Gate 3’ (2023)
The past five years have been home to some of the greatest video games of all time, but Baldur’s Gate 3 is the best and most innovative. Set in the world of Dungeons & Dragons, players are infected by a mind-flayer tadpole and must adventure across the world to find a cure. However, amidst the ticking clock is a brewing war between mortals and gods.
The best fans can hope for is companies to actually care about their games, because when they do, games such as Baldur’s Gate 3 are made. This passion-fueled masterpiece is the product of hard work and love of the IP, creating a game full of agency and player choice. Baldur’s Gate 3 is a detailed video game where players can do whatever they think of, perfectly translating the D&D experience to the interactive realm.
Baldur’s Gate 3
- Released
-
August 3, 2023
- ESRB
-
M
- Developer(s)
-
Larian Studios
You must be logged in to post a comment Login