We know you love those "top" lists and due to the advent of a new decade, we're starting to see them pop up just about everywhere. So we started thinking: what are the top 10 PlayStation games of the last ten years? …and how freakin' hard will it be to make such a list?
Well, I can tell you that Arnold and I spent quite a long time making the final selections; we probably considered at least 50 titles overall (if not more) and knowing that a lot of awesome and even groundbreaking titles released since 2000, this was not an easy task. In fact, it took longer to do this than it took to make our picks for the Game of the Year Awards…but then again, I guess it should, considering we're talking about a decade's worth of gaming. And while I'm well aware we can't possibly please everyone with a list like this, it'll be interesting to see what you guys have to say in response.
One thing you must remember: we considered impact and the memorable quality of the games; i.e., the games that were the most revolutionary, withstand the test of time, and/or stick out in our minds. There are a million possible criteria but this is what we used. So check 'em out; in no particular order: the best of the best of the best, released between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2009:
Vagrant Story
Still one of the best action/RPGs you will ever play, this game helped to pioneer the concept of targeting specific limbs and specific weaknesses in various enemies. It also presented the gamer with a downright fantastic story, excellent longevity (you could continue to work on your skills in a New Game+) and a hybrid turn-based/real-time combat style that remains one of the most polished and impressive systems to this day. If you ask anyone who has played this one, chances are, they will respond with something like, "oh my God, that game was awesome ." Yeah, there's a reason for that.
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
Yeah, I know, we could very easily have gone with MGS2, MGS3 or MGS4 but we ended up opting for MGS2 simply because of the massive impact it had on the new generation back in 2001. The story was about as deep and intricate as humanly possible (for the time, especially), and it was our first glimpse of a truly 3D MGS that looked like a beautiful action game but played like the top-notch stealth adventure it was. It just left the original on the MGS so far behind in terms of a technological leap and really laid the framework for the excellent MGS3 and MGS4. It just didn't get much better for the fans.
Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec
While GT4 was certainly another step in the right direction, GT3 performed a similar feat to MGS2: it marked the turning point in a rapid technological boom; it solidified Gran Turismo 's position in a new generation as the iconic racer of the time, and oh yes, stunned us all with its unbelievable visuals and massive leap forward in terms of driving physics. Polyphony tweaked it all and made everything better in GT4 (for the most part), but we're talking about the most "impactful" games; the most "memorable" games. Who doesn't remember when this one came out? It was one of the first true-blue system sellers for the PS2.
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
Think we're jumping the gun? Not a chance. For both Arnold and I, this really is the action/adventure game we've been waiting for since we started gaming. We've heard the claims of "playing a movie" hundreds of times before, but for the game that brought us closer to this than any previous title, it deserves its place in the top 10. Some will argue that if we are going to put a PlayStation game in from this generation, it should be Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots or perhaps Killzone 2 , but the impact Uncharted 2 had on us is almost unparalleled. Not to mention what it did for that genre; an instant "measuring stick game."
Grand Theft Auto III
Much like the Metal Gear Solid and Final Fantasy franchises, we had multiple options for a GTA representative. And although we all have our personal preferences, we ultimately had to go with GTAIII. Do you guys remember what GTA was like before this game? Most of you probably don't; it was a merely decent top-down action game that was actually quite forgettable. GTAIII put the series on the map and absolutely exploded onto the scene back in 2001 (one of the "years of years" in the industry). We just hadn't seen anything quite like it and boy, did it make a splash . Some of the most fun I've ever had, I tell you.
God of War
Again, per our chosen criteria, we have to place GoW ahead of the sequel, which was admittedly bigger and better in just about every possible way. But you can't have a sequel without an original and in this case, the first title was just…wow. Is there a better term? Although it didn't have a tremendous amount of hype, God of War got everyone's attention and put a serious charge into the action genre. We had never seen anything quite so fluid, quite so polished, or quite so innovative in terms of memorable boss encounters, QTEs, and nearly unrivaled brutality. Let's face it: when all is said and done, we could be looking at the most critically acclaimed franchise in history.
Dance Dance Revolution (the series)
What's this? Why? Before you get too upset, head on over to Wikipedia and check out how many DDR installments there have been. Worldwide, it looks like there are over 50; Arnold turned me onto this and it was only then did I realize the impact this series has had on gaming. Let's face it: this was Guitar Hero before there was any such thing; this was the game that blazed the trail for what we now recognize as the music genre. PaRappa the Rapper may have been the pioneer in the PS1 days but in terms of interacting fully with the music and rhythm on the screen, Dance Dance Revolution is innovative, evolutionary and revolutionary, all at the same time.
Final Fantasy XII
Trust me, choosing between this and Final Fantasy X was not an easy task. And everyone is going to have their own preferences, especially all you ardent FF fans, but you just can't argue against this: FFXII introduced a style of gameplay never before seen in the series and wonder of wonders, it worked beautifully. We also finally got some great voice-acting (let's not forget some of the painful voices in FFX), and the big, wide world of FFXII made the more linear, straightforward adventuring approach in FFX seem a little constricted. The game honored here just appeared to mark a progression in the franchise that many had been waiting for and all in all, its sheer size and scope prevailed. < /p
Chrono Cross
If you ask a role-playing fan to name a single PlayStation title that might actually compete well against any Final Fantasy , the name "Chrono Cross" will be heard in reply more often than not. Beautiful, complex, and loaded with a cast of characters that didn't seem to include any duds, this was one of the finest RPGs in history. There just didn't seem to be anything wrong with it. Try as we might, it's difficult to remember any flaws, and that combat system featuring the Elements mechanic was freakin' sweet . It just didn't get much better from a role-playing perspective, and that's why CC has a place on the list.
ICO
Really, this came down to ICO or Shadow of the Colossus and although SotC once again offered something we had never seen before, ICO really stands out in our minds as one of the first "wow, look at this " titles of the decade. The artistry was gorgeous, the co-op gameplay between two normal people (not superheroes) and the puzzles involved all came together in an irresistible package. It was just a joy to watch and play and to this day, everyone is pining for a sequel. Well, we'll get The Last Guardian instead, and I doubt anyone will complain too much. ICO is more than a cult classic; it's a legitimate phenomenon on the world of gaming.
And that's that. Bear in mind that towards the end, we had five games left and only two spots available; we had to choose between MGS4, Chrono Cross , FFX, LittleBigPlanet , and FFXII. Think that's easy?! But now, we'll give you what we consider to be the:
Top 5 Non-PlayStation Games of the Decade
Halo
I doubt we have many Halo fans amongst our readers but there's not much you can say against it; not when we're talking about games that made the biggest impact. It was also just voted as the most popular video game in history according to the Guinness Book of World Records: Gamer's Edition. What this FPS did for console shooters and the corresponding legion of followers is almost unparalleled in the world of gaming, and it's tough to argue against this game's fun factor, excellent control, and what could be considered as top-notch AI for the time.
Gears of War
In terms of third-person shooter action, this is another pioneer in the genre. Gritty, dark, brutal, and with wonderfully honed mechanics, this is one game that totally ruled the school in every sense of the claim. One can argue that Uncharted: Drake's Fortune helped to revolutionize the genre in question but Naughty Dog didn't really perfect this until the sequel. And besides, let's not forget that Gears featured a bad-ass online mode, too. That kinda matters.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
It helped to bring the concept of "player choice" into the limelight, all the while providing us with one of the best free-roaming, real-time battle systems available. The story was almost second-to-none and for "Star Wars" fans, this was the title they had all been waiting for. For some reason, the sequel just didn't hold up under the scrutiny of those who adored the original, and so, this is a no-brainer. Known by most as "KOTOR," this is remembered very, very fondly by millions and that alone is immensely impressive, isn't it?
Half-Life 2
Although we may have our reservations about Valve, that doesn't mean this sequel didn't have a tremendous impact on the industry. One of the most anticipated follow-ups in history, this once again reset the bar for the rapidly expanding FPS genre. Once again, we're brought into a world that features both FPS elements and an RPG-like story; the unique aspects of items like the Gravity Gun prompted plenty of discussion and entertainment. It's still revered by many as one of the best FPSs ever made.
NFL 2K2
This may be another surprise to many but if you really think about it, NFL 2K2 was the game that football sim fans desired, and pushed EA to take the necessary steps to ultimate gridiron domination. At the time, Madden was still trying to find itself and most will argue that NFL 2K was superior to Madden 2001 . There's little doubt that 2K2 was a definite step up from 2K and for the Dreamcast, it was the sports game to own for many.
Although I agree that GTA III was the first to revolutionise the genre , Vice City is the better game .
Naaaaah GTAIII beats them all imo
I'm gonna have to agree with scarecrow, GTAIII has a special place in my gaming memories.
since i've never played a single gta game before gta III (i even had the first playstation, just never bothered to try gta games.. i was an rpg nut), i thought gta III set new standards of games in terms of replayability. there were so much things to do in that game.
nah vice city is by far the best in the series.
had so many jumps and motorcycles were so much fun hitting top speed on the ramps and go flying.
and stirring up the cops with the tank, and vigilante missions.
GTA vice city and a mix of san andreas with the weapons of TBOGT is what GTAIV should of been.
my most anticipated title of all time, and also the most disappointing title of all time.
I haven't played GTA III, but I enjoyed Vice City because of the time period and all the stuff that came with it; the music, the style of clothes everyone wore.. stuff like that I made Vice City an awesome game for me 😀
Unfortunately, FFVII is not part of the "decade".
FFVII is the reason I love playing RPGs today.
Maybe that's why they were discussing XII and not VII.
Why "decade" with the quotes? 😉
You know why Guernica, you know why.
Neohumpty, unless your talking about Final Fantasy VII: Dirge of Cerberus….no scrap that… Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core, while that one was actually good, top 10 games of the decade…. hmmm, Top 10 PSP deffinatly
maybe he suggesting it wasn't a real decade…
My favorite FF game is still FFIX, released in 2001 (a year earlier in the USA I think). Kind of unbelievable someone would prefer FFX or FFXII over this classic, but whatever. ^^
Agree 100%
FFXII rocking it with Vagrant Story (have both games by the way 😉 ) (original copies too lol)
Anyway, great list, definitely some of Playstation's best games ever.
I'd take out Chrono Cross though and insert Silent Hill 2 for example. (though the original SH was the best)
PS: Will properly reply when I've read the whole thing hehe
I personally liked SH2 better. But RE2 is the all time best survival horror game IMO. The Fatal Frame series is a close second, its one of my favorite PS2 games.
I personally dont want to touch XII.
I just dont like the look of the battle system….i really dont.
As tempted as i have been to pick it up, just to try it, i just cant bring myself to do it.
And hey! i spent about 130 hours on X, and i never thought it was THAT linear
i would never write off FF12.
its one of my favourite FFs
the battle system is new and honestly a lot of fun and a lot of strategy involved once u get into it. it would work even better if it somehow had an online component because the system reminds me of MMOs battle systems
best final fantasy is still final fantasy 6 (most of you young kids may crucify me for saying that but FF6 has one of the best stories ive ever played. it just didn't have the 3D graphics)
I played and loved most of those games, especially GTAIII and CC. I never did play ICO, which is a damn shame since I played SotC and loved it.
I do need an explanation for one little thing: If you are taking into account the impact that a game has had, how come there is no mention of Modern Warfare anywhere? I mean, like it or not(personally not a big fan) you have to admit that it's impact on gaming is HUGE.
I would have liked to see Tony Hawk Pro Skater 2 in the list somewhere. That game was crazy good, the best of the series and easily the most fun I had with any skating/snowboarding game.
What? It didn't do anything new. Just because everyone flocked to that particular multiplayer experience doesn't mean it's innovative. And besides, we still believe KZ2 is a better overall experience, anyway. That game was actually IN consideration, at least.
I have a feeling you were just waiting for someone to bring it up 😉
I was just wondering what your thought process was, thats all. I'm sure there may be some people here that feel it should be on the list somewhere. I'm not one of em, but I was curious.
Modern Warfare is awesome but I don't think it deserves a spot on "Games of the Decade".
Sorry, but you can't possibly be saying that MW has been as impacting or as compelling as any of these games listed here, are you? A bunch of kids run around and shoot everything that moves and the grown-ups that are playing are sitting around taking hits or shots while they hide in their sniper position. Oooo. That game took a stroke of genius story writing, huh? lol. I kid, I kid. Kinda.
I asked a few of my older friends about great RPG's other than Final Fantasy ones, & they responded with Kingdom Hearts. Did you think of those Ben?
Yes, and they're great. But games like Vagrant Story and Chrono Cross are in a class of their own in direct comparison.
I wish we got Chrono Cross in the uk >:(
A lot of the listed games are great. If not all of them. For non-Playstation games I would've listed a MMORPG to the likes of World of Warcraft/Everquest as one for certain. Also, I think the whole Guitar Hero thing has been something of a cultural phenomenon and really should've been on the list despite it being a music/rhythm game like DDR. Having played through both FFX-wooden dialogue and all-and XII, the former was really the entry gate into the FF world done PS2-style. Picking FFXII over FFX also seems as something as an inconsistency in picking new/re-newed-franchise-platform-birthers like Halo, GTA3, Gears, GoW, KOTOR, MGS2, and GT3. All franchises that debuted on new hardware though many of them outdone by there successors on the same hardware. And not to be the geeky guy that I am, but the new decade actually begins next year.
Everquest misses the decade by only a few months but I'd agree with WoW. Would have stuck it in there instead of Half Life 2.
Great list and great choices. Maybe you and Arnold could sit down, take some shots and make a new list I'd like to see. The 20 "Must Play" games of ALL TIME. Nevermind the system. Nevermind the decade. I know mine, but now that I found PSXE maybe you could enlighten me on something I've missed on my journey of getting old. Respect and thanks.
Oh jesus.
There goes a whole week.
oh yes! i love the top 10's!
Ok. Maybe the 5 must play titles, then. lol.
nah its gotta be atleast 25. 😉
No one cares about Syphon Filter huh? That was one of the first games I could remember where a headshot really meant a one shot kill. Watching the blood spew and the body drop used to entertain me and the roomies for hours!
Headshots were cool, but the Taser is what really shines in that game. I had hours of fun setting enemies on fire.
Ah remember the park level, where you had to wait until the enemies were lined up so you could shoot both in the head with one bullet? That was awesome. This game was really fun.
I don't have it anymore, but I bought it on PSN and I got to level 14 before I gave up, the guy I'm supposed to rescue from the catacombs keeps getting shot.
Syphon Filter was fun. But…one of the 10 best of the DECADE…?
HAhahaha
It didn't even come out this decade, it was released in 1999.
How about the top ten Playstation games of all time?
Take as long as you need. We'll be here.
Actually, it wouldn't be THAT much different. Obviously, the other FFs would have to be in contention as well as Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, Twisted Metal 2, Resident Evil 2, and a few others but the list really wouldn't be entirely different.
Well, you know my stance on FF12 Ben. But the others are great choices, except GT3 also. I diddn't care for it much either. I love the GT series but not 3 so much.
I remember getting so frustrated with that game. It really turned me off of car/racing games until I got Burnout Paradise on the PS3.
Anybody remember Sniper Elite? That was one of the best games of the last 10 years and the other that gets my vote is, guess… anybody? Thats right Star Ocean Till the End of Time. Then there is the unforgettable, undeniable, uber fantastic BLACK. Those are my top 3 of the last decade.
Thats a damn fine list! I will admit i havnt played all the games on the list Chrono Cross, or ICO damn me! But i trust those games are epic.
I will have to admit i know MGS2 was awesome, but the MGS that did it for me was MGS3: snake eater! Thats just me though. I think that game did a lot of things right to push the story, and series further!
All in all i love articles like this! Personally since you asked what we'd like to see more of around here is your personal thoughts on games, and the industry like this article has done. I know you can only do a top ten of the decade every decade but something like this every now and again would be nice. Get away from the "news" a couple times a month. Just a thought.
Last edited by bigrailer19 on 1/9/2010 12:51:57 AM
100% in agreement on MGS3. Thats the game that got me liking the series. There was so much to do in Snake Eater.
GOW previews convinced me to get another ps2 after the fat one stopped reading disks. It did not disapoint. It single handedly reinvigorated my love for gaming at the time. Now I can not wait for the third one. A great story is important to me. Best game of the decade has been uncharted for me. I love it as an interactive movie.
uc2 i mean, edit button has seemed to vanish lol
I knew what you meant! 😉
Thats alright though sometimes the first game is always more memorable, maybe cus its the first. I know UC2 WAS EPIC, but i fell in love with the series because of the first one. It dropped my jaw when i first played it and by the end was just inspred to say the least. Then i played UC2 and my mouth hit the floor so… I think either one would be a good choice.
BTW UC2 is my fav. game its just too good!
Last edited by bigrailer19 on 1/9/2010 1:09:59 AM
I think you should include Guitar Hero somewhere on that list. It changed music gaming so much with peripheral gaming. It's the recent years where Activision and EA eventually milked the genre dry, but thats a different story.
DDR was the game for arcade, Guitar Hero was the one that brought the peripheral to home gaming.
Last edited by godsman on 1/9/2010 1:07:51 AM