There have been a lot of excellent video games released in the last five years, but only a handful of them can truly be considered masterpieces. Even still, the near-perfect games that do achieve this level of quality make up for the lack of quantity by being among the greatest games of all time.
These titles range from epic open-world action-adventure titles, like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, to colorful platformers that can be enjoyed by the whole family, like Super Mario Bros. Wonder. For gamers looking for more recent hits to add to their collection, these are the must-own titles of the 2020s.
It Takes Two is Double the Fun
Some of the best modern games are meant to be experienced with other people. In the case of It Takes Two, two players take control of a divorcing couple, May and Cody, who must get over their differences when their daughter makes a wish that magically transforms them into dolls.
It Takes Two shines thanks to the way it incorporates its story into the gameplay. Each level is filled with unique platforming challenges that constantly shake up the gameplay and smartly use both characters in equal measure. The players’ ability to work together more as the game goes on mirrors Cody and May’s developing relationship, culminating in a beautiful journey that everyone can relate to.
Elden Ring is FromSoftware at Their Best
It’s hard not to constantly sing praises about Elden Ring, since the game is still one of the most thrilling and mesmerizing experiences ever put into a game. From the moment the player steps foot into Limgrave, an epic adventure unlike any other begins.
Players can create whatever Tarnished Hero they want, whether it be a dark wizard or a sword-carrying knight. The Lands Between is an open-world that can be explored in any way the player wants. And there are a massive number of bosses to fight, from giant dragons to vengeful gods, that will make players rage at how difficult they are.
Baldur’s Gate 3 is Too Monumental For Words
Baldur’s Gate 3 was a massive undertaking for Larian Studios, but it was one that paid off. The RPG managed to successfully translate the fun of playing Dungeons & Dragons into a video game, and managed to create one of the most entertaining titles ever made in the process.
The game has an incredibly flexible story that changes depending on the choices the player makes and the relationships they form. Baldur’s Gate 3 also features a deep combat system with a large variety of attacks to learn and enemies to encounter. All of this is experienced through gorgeous visuals and vibrant worlds that all do a lot to stand out.
Resident Evil 4 is a Fresh Spin on a Modern Classic
The original Resident Evil 4 is one of the greatest games ever made, and the 2023 remake proved that Leon’s solo adventure can be just as great within the modern RE Engine. Both Leon and the hostile Spanish village he investigates have never looked better, and his roundhouse kicks feel even better thanks to the tighter controls.
New gameplay features are also added on top of the existing action horror elements. His partner Ashley is easier to protect, certain attacks can now be parried, and new side quests are added so that players have more to do outside the main missions. All of these changes make the remake of Resident Evil 4 a great companion to the original.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Expanded Hyrulein Many Ways
Six years after The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild breathed new life into the franchise, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom made it clear to everyone that the magic of the original game wasn’t just a fluke. Everything players loved about the new open-world approach to Zelda returned, with new elements added to make an even more creative experience than before.
Players can freely explore every inch of Hyrule in any direction that they choose, whether it be on land or in the skies or even deep underground. New dungeons and shrines offer multiple challenges and puzzles to solve, as well as new bosses to defeat. But the Zonai devices are the biggest draw, letting players build just about anything they want by fusing different objects together.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder is Absolutely Wonderful
Super Mario Bros. Wonder brought the series back to its 2D roots in the best way possible. Mario and his friends must stop Bowser’s evil plans once again, and the new gameplay elements added greatly complement the stellar level design and catchy soundtrack.
New power-ups like the Elephant Fruit and Drill Mushroom created unique platforming gimmicks, badges altered character movement and actions with new abilities to boost stats, and Wonder Seeds altered each level for silly and psychedelic results. All of this combined to make for one of the best games on the original Nintendo Switch.
Lies of P Told a New But Familiar Tale
Taking inspiration from the classic tale of Pinocchio as well as the best games from FromSoftware, Lies of P is a challenging but engrossing dark fantasy that excelsin all areas. The puppet-overrun city of Krat is wonderfully designed, both in its level structure and environmental storytelling.
As with many Soulslikes, combat is the key to survival. A series of incredibly challenging enemies and bosses consistently provide a strong challenge, made even better by the large number of weapons the player can acquire. The sheer variety of ways to customize each playthrough makes Lies of P highly replayable as well.
Metaphor: Refantazio is a game that blends the social sim RPG elements of Atlus’ greatest games with an original fantasy tale that has political thriller elements thrown in. The result is one of the most original and engrossing turn-based RPGs ever created.
As a fallen prince fighting to take back their throne, players get to experience the traditional dungeon exploration of past Atlus games, battling monsters with the ability to summon supernatural beings with immense power. In between these battles are quieter moments dedicated to learning all about the lore of the fantasy kingdom of Euchronia, further tying into a story filled with unexpected twists that nobody will see coming.
Hollow Knight Silksong is a Punishing but Beautiful Experience
Another recent game known for its high difficulty level, Hollow Knight: Silksong isn’t for everybody. But for those who are brave enough to take Hornet’s latest adventure on, they’ll find one of the best Metroidvania platformers around.
Hornet must once again explore an unfamiliar and dangerous world filled with tough enemies and precise platforming challenges. Movement and combat feel better than ever, and the unlockable upgrades for both add more flexibility to the game. Add in some beautiful visuals and a strong soundtrack, and Silksong has all the makings of a perfect sequel.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Has Already Painted a Legacy for Itself
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 rode its positive critical reception to massive commercial success and record-breaking wins during award season. Within a short amount of time, the game quickly established itself as a modern masterpiece and one of the best turn-based RPGs ever made.
An original story filled with devastating twists and heartbreaking deaths, a large world filled with deep lore and challenging enemies, and a plethora of unlockable weapons and stat boosts to make combat even more exciting are all present here. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has it all, and it truly is a must-play for everyone.