Entertainment
Only 5 Video Games From the 2020s Can Be Considered True Masterpieces
The video game industry is booming. In fact, it might be at the peak of its influence, reaching more gamers than ever before and becoming a truly global enterprise. Moreover, after years of failed attempts, video games are finally starting to break through into other mediums, with movie and TV adaptations scoring with audiences and critics. Whether it’s the crowd-pleasing adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog or the acclaimed, Emmy-winning dread of The Last of Us, video game adaptations are finally thriving.
As for the efforts within the industry itself, those are also in a great place. Indeed, the 2020s have been extremely good for video games, producing many that range from solid to good to actually great. However, only a few are among the all-time best triumphs of the medium. In fact, only the five video games on this list can be called genuine masterpieces. Thanks to their visuals, gameplay, story, and influence, these five all-timers are worthy of standing next to the medium’s greatest icons, and their reputation will only keep improving with the years.
‘Hades’ (2020)
2020 kicked off a new decade of gaming on a high note, with great efforts like the Pandemic-favorite Animal Crossing: New Horizons, the long-awaited Final Fantasy VII Remake, and the wildly divisive The Last of Us Part II. However, the undeniable game of the year, and the one that’s arguably aged the best, is Hades, a creative spin on the Greek myths we all know and love. The plot centers on Zagreus, the son of the Lord of the Underworld, Hades. Aided by the Olympians, Zagreus attempts to locate his missing mother, Persephone, and reach Mount Olympus.
By every metric that counts, Hades is a unique game. Visually, the game has a distinct approach to the medium, looking more like a comic book (particularly Mike Mignola‘s iconic works) than a traditional video game. The use of color is particularly striking, making every environment look absorbing and rich in detail. The characters, too, jump to life, perfectly adapting the classical Greek aesthetic under a moder modern approach. Similarly, the story not so much updates as it reinterprets the Greek myths, resulting in a game that feels like a proper legendary quest. Hades is also the pinnacle of roguelike gameplay, which has made it a favorite of speedrunners the world over.
‘Elden Ring’ (2022)
2022 gave us such acclaimed titles as God of War Ragnarök and Horizon Forbidden West. However, if there’s one video game that has pretty much broken through the ranks of the medium to become a truly recognizable brand in pop culture as a whole, it’s Elden Ring. Directed by the great Hidetaka Miyazaki with worldbuilding by the one and only George R. R. Martin, this high-fantasy epic is set in the Lands Between and follows the Tarnished, who must repair the Elden Ring and become the new Elden Lord.
Elden Ring is among the greatest high-fantasy projects, full stop. As a video game, it’s a fascinating and immersive experience, largely thanks to the sprawling, endlessly surprising world that Martin created. Indeed, discovery is the main selling point here, and one can easily spend hours on end traversing this realm, where there’s seemingly a new surprise in every nook. The damage-sponge nature of the enemies can be frustrating, but there’s also something undeniably rewarding about finally defeating someone you’ve been stuck on for hours. Finally, the story is intriguing and quite challenging, making for a complete gaming experience that you’ll want to play again as soon as you end it. Elden Ring will soon become a movie directed by Alex Garland, so here’s hoping it can match the game’s groundbreaking and unforgettable tone.
‘Baldur’s Gate 3’ (2023)
Many video game fantasy masterpieces have come out since the medium’s inception, but only a select few rank atop a hypothetical Mount Rushmore of the genre, including Baldur’s Gate 3. Adapted from the fifth edition of Dungeons & Dragons, the game is the third entry in the series and follows the party as they go on a quest to rid themselves of the illithid parasites infesting their brains. Unlike the source material, Baldur’s Gate 3 can be played either solo or with companions.
2023 might just be the best year for video games in the 2020s so far — the next two entries on this list are also from 2023. However, there’s something about Baldur’s Gate 3 that makes it all the more special. The setting is high-fantasy to a tee, embracing the tropes inherent to it while also finding clever ways to elevate them, if not necessarily subverting them. The side quests are also fun and worthwhile, feeling like complements rather than distractions. The strongest aspect, however, is how perfectly it emulates the nature of playing an actual D&D campaign. Creativity is key to succeed here, as is resourcefulness. Moreover, Baldur’s Gate 3 is a perfect RPG because it actually makes every choice count: make the wrong move, and you and your party are done.
‘The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom’ (2023)
In 2017, Nintendo and the gaming industry as a whole found themselves in a true before-and-after moment, thanks to the release of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Quite possibly the franchise’s best game ever, Breath of the Wild redefined Zelda for a new generation and set the standard for what an open-world gaming experience could be. Six years later, the sequel came out, and it lived up to its predecessor. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom follows Link as he searches for Princess Zelda while attempting to stop Ganondorf from destroying Hyrule.
Tears of the Kingdom takes everything that worked in Breath of the Wild and improves it, expanding on the lore, worldbuilding, characterization, and, of course, the open world. The result is a majestic and sprawling game that feels like an endless adventure in a fantastical and mesmerizing realm. The Sky Islands are a particularly brilliant addition, not only adding to the world’s scope but also providing an interesting challenge to familiar gameplay. The new abilities are also a huge strength; by 2023, players had been controlling Link for almost forty years, so the fact that Tears of the Kingdom finds a way to keep the experience not only engaging but actually refreshing is a testament to its overall quality. It’s easy to say The Legend of Zelda is probably experiencing its best era right now, so hopefully the upcoming live-action movie can continue the momentum.
‘Resident Evil 4’ (2023)
Remakes can be tricky to pull off, especially when the original game in question is widely considered a masterpiece of the medium and a highlight of its franchise. Yet, 2023’s Resident Evil 4 proved itself every bit as worthy, to the point where it might actually be the definitive version of the story. As with the 2005 original, this remake centers on Leon S. Kennedy, who must rescue the daughter of the President, Ashley Graham, from a mysterious cult in rural Spain.
Resident Evil 4 does exactly what a great remake should: it maintains the essence of the original while updating the graphics, gameplay, storyline, and characterization. In the process, it not only justifies its existence but it actually makes a strong case for the importance of remakes in gaming, considering the industry is evolving at an alarming pace. Resident Evil 4 also understands that no story can thrive without strong characterizations, and it cements Leon and Ashley as two of the revered franchise’s most compelling figures. It is also far scarier than the original, partly because of the improved designs, but also because of the haunting and pervasive atmosphere of dread that it successfully maintains throughout. The Resident Evil saga has produced several gaming gems, but Resident Evil 4 has a special place as one of its defining titles and arguably the best execution of its distinct themes and settings.
Resident Evil 4
- Released
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January 11, 2005
- ESRB
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M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language
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