Red Dead Redemption 2 2018
Why it still holds upA world that answers what you do, from the weather to the law, still keeps it worth playing today.
2010s shooters that still hold up
From cover, from the hip, and from a side-scrolling jet
Games
Red Dead Redemption 2 2018
Why it still holds upA world that answers what you do, from the weather to the law, still keeps it worth playing today.
The Last of Us 2013
Why it still holds upThe fights still come down to that scarcity today, and retreating to come back from another angle is often the way through, in levels open enough to improvise in.
Mass Effect 2 2010
Why it still holds upYour squad keeps it worth playing today: you spend time on your ship, the Normandy, learning their pasts and doing their optional missions, and those choices carry through to the end.
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End 2016
Why it still holds upYou would play it today for the traversal and the performances, since climbing carries much of the game and the dialogue and acting carry a personal story.
Grand Theft Auto V 2013
Why it still holds upToday the reward for your time is the detail: conversations while driving change if you repeat a mission, and the story takes about 30 hours.
Horizon Zero Dawn 2017
Why it still holds upFighting each machine is a small puzzle of weak points, in a seamless world with tribes at different technology levels, which keeps it worth playing now.
Fallout: New Vegas 2010
Why it still holds upA world where the side you take closes some doors and opens others still makes every decision count today.
Resident Evil 2 2019
Why it still holds upPlayed today it keeps the tension through scarcity: ammunition is short, zombies need their heads destroyed to stay down, and a first run takes about eight hours.
BioShock Infinite 2013
Why it still holds upThe first hours let you wander Columbia at your own pace, and Elizabeth works as a partner in the fights, which keeps it enjoyable today.
Dead Space 2 2011
Why it still holds upIts atmosphere is why it still works: the lighting and the sound design keep you on edge from start to finish.
Death Stranding 2019
Why it still holds upA route planned, built and shared with strangers still makes the long walks worth doing today.
Mass Effect 3 2012
Why it still holds upBecause so much of it rests on those earlier choices, the trilogy played in order from the first game still gives it its full weight today.
Doom 2016
Why it still holds upIts combat is why it is worth playing now: it never asks you to hide, since health and ammunition come from killing up close, so the game keeps you moving forward.
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain 2015
Why it still holds upWhat it still offers is a big sandbox where you choose how each infiltration goes, and where the base, the soldiers and the weapons you research feed into the next mission.
Cuphead 2017
Why it still holds upBoss fights built on learning patterns, in that style, are still the reason to play it today.
Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception 2011
Why it still holds upIts set pieces blend climbing, shooting and escape in single sequences rather than separate modes, and that is why it is still worth playing now.
Dishonored 2 2016
Why it still holds upLevels with many routes let a stealth run, a lethal run and a power mixing run all work, which keeps it worth replaying today.
Deus Ex: Human Revolution 2011
Why it still holds upIt still rewards a visit for levels with several routes and fine environmental detail, and for its mix of stealth, combat and conversation.
The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth 2014
Why it still holds upItem combinations that differ every run, from a large library to unlock, keep giving it new runs today.
Bayonetta 2 2014
Why it still holds upFast combat built on dodging and combos, with varied set pieces and challenge portals, is the reason to play it now.
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard 2017
Why it still holds upPlay it now for the anxiety that builds in one confined location with limited vision.
Borderlands 2 2012
Why it still holds upA huge range of guns and builds, shared by friends in co op, still gives it reasons to replay today.
Far Cry 3 2012
Why it still holds upFive core systems, sneaking, shooting, driving, exploring and hunting, all feed the same leveling system, so the same encounter plays out differently depending on stealth, firepower and wildlife, and that is the reason to play it now.
Halo: Reach 2010
Why it still holds upA campaign of large battles, with modes to build and survive in after it, still gives you ways to keep playing today.
Mount & Blade: Warband 2010
Why it still holds upWith no set objective, you can still decide whether to be a mercenary, a vassal or a ruler.
Control 2019
Why it still holds upEach of its shifting, brutalist rooms leads to a fight, and powers on cooldowns beside a weapon that changes form still keep those fights moving today.
Hotline Miami 2012
Why it still holds upWith one hit deaths, doors, sight lines and scarce ammo, each room becomes an almost puzzle like problem, and that still makes it fun to replay.
Titanfall 2 2016
Why it still holds upLevels with several routes, and a Titan you swap into at the push of a button, still give five hours plenty of variety today.
CrossCode 2018
Why it still holds upFights and puzzles built from the same launch still give its dungeons two kinds of challenge today.
Metro Exodus 2019
Why it still holds upChoosing how to approach each objective, between open areas and linear stretches, still gives it room to play your way today.
Metro: Last Light 2013
Why it still holds upSupplies that keep running out still give every trip outside its tension today.
Star Citizen 2013
Spec Ops: The Line 2012
Why it still holds upOrdinary shooter systems turned toward the protagonist's choices, with missions, hints and environment all pushing one theme, still make it play as one argument today.
Max Payne 3 2012
Why it still holds upWeighty animation, cover that breaks and bullet time still make each gunfight feel physical today.
Metro 2033 2010
Why it still holds upSet pieces such as turret defense, sneaking onto a tram and hallucination sequences keep a linear structure from feeling monotonous today.
Tomb Raider 2013
Why it still holds upBalancing stealth, action and puzzles, with fast travel that turns backtracking into a reward, still lets you set the mix today.
Duck Game 2014
Why it still holds upOne hit kills and simple controls still let a round be learned in seconds today, so it is quick to start.
Wolfenstein: The New Order 2014
Why it still holds upChoosing between silent takedowns and open fights still makes each encounter your own call today.
Mafia II 2010
Why it still holds upToday you still get a period feel from a city dressed in cars and music of its years, with cars that handle differently on ice.
Rise of the Tomb Raider 2015
Why it still holds upReasons to explore every corner remain today, from optional tombs with physics puzzles to hubs full of crafting materials.
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus 2017
Why it still holds upDual wielding any pair of weapons, and a hatchet for silent kills, give you your own way to clear a room today.
Gears of War 3 2011
Why it still holds upCover that can break, and a squad that has to stay together, still make each firefight a question of where to stand today.
The Evil Within 2 2017
Why it still holds upEven now, a town you can explore freely, with scarce ammunition, makes every trip between buildings a decision about risk.
Alan Wake 2010
Why it still holds upBecause your flashlight is both your aim and your weapon, every dark stretch is a choice of where to point it, and the tension survives even now.
Dusk 2018
Why it still holds upMoving fast, with no health coming back, still keeps each room tense today.
Big story driven campaigns sit beside fast arena shooters, bright team games and small ones seen from above. Which suits you depends on whether you want a story, a challenge or other people.