The 10 best video game franchises, right? This list is going to be as polarizing as any list of the best video games of all time. I've had to kill off a lot of my franchise favorites. Mass Effect. Super Smash Bros.. Kingdom heartsThe competition was fierce, but these games were won.
Ten. Dark Souls
“Soul-like.” Few game franchises can claim an adjective of their own. Like “Kafkaesque,” it's a form of self-expression to which all artistic endeavors aspire. soul The trilogy, (and Demon's Souls The previous RPG completely revamped the romanticized notion of modern RPGs. Final Fantasy And cartoonish mayhem World of Warcraft We've created a brutal, dark fantasy work of art that plays like a horror game. A dark world full of lore and crushingly difficult combat combine to create one of the most nightmarish and unique franchises ever made. It has spawned thousands of imitators, but soul The franchise comes first.
9. fall out
A choice that feels like a ray gun to your head Elder Scrolls and fall out, fall out has the upper hand. There's no other game like it. It mixes 1950s-inspired retro-futurism comedy style with wry post-apocalyptic irony. fall outIts atmosphere is as fantastical as the monsters that inhabit its wasteland. It's a sprawling post-apocalyptic epic with a story like no other. Mutant marauders. Giant robots fighting for freedom. Cyborg detectives. No other franchise is this singular, this original, this strange, this bloody, this beautiful world.
8. resident evil
resident evil It's a testament to the power of raw gameplay. Resident Evil 7The story was a boring action-horror movie: a jokey action hero has to save the president's daughter. But the gameplay? God-level. The game is a tense resource-management experience. There's always enough space, enough ammo, enough stamina, and enough courage. resident evil's Menagerie of Flesh Horrors is a sublimely terrifying experience. It's the only game series I've ever yelled out loud.
7. Final Fantasy
There are over 20 games Final Fantasy Doing the right thing. At its core, this series is a Romantic take with a capital “R.” Dungeons & DragonsThe series takes the tactical turn-based mechanics behind old tabletop RPGs and gives them a gorgeous coat of paint. Final Fantasy is a work that is as much about style as it is about content, filled with fantastical costumes, iconic weapons, buckles and belts, bells and whistles. The haute couture character designs, combined with a glorious fantasy soundtrack and a breathtaking world, are just heartbreaking to look at. feel There's something about playing this series that makes me feel something. Melancholy. Nostalgia. And of course, good old-fashioned level-gripping frustration.
6. God of War
God of War Arguably one of the most successful video game rebrandings ever devised, the original trilogy was a sweeping hack-and-slash epic, a gaming spectacle as grand as the ancient Greek tragedies that inspired it. God of War III ” took the game to its zenith, then completely reversed course. As the fanbase matured, protagonist Kratos matured with them, going from a bloodthirsty young warrior to a regretful middle-aged father. Watching that transformation from a violent killer into a loving father is one of gaming's most subtle testaments to the fact that humans are truly capable of lasting change. God of War It's one of the greatest character dramas in gaming history.
Five. Super mario bros
Super mario bros. teeth Nintendo's flagship game, about an Italian plumber smashing evil mushrooms while saving a princess from a turtle monster, isn't particularly profound, but it proves something that many modern game designers have forgotten: games should be fun. Before video games began to consider deep artistic questions about the human mind, they were meant to entertain. Give kids something to enjoy. Mario understands this throughout the franchise, and as a result, it's constantly pushing the boundaries of what a platform game can be. A gravity-defying space odyssey. A magic hat. Is there even a weird RPG game? Mario The surprises and delights are endless.
Four. Metal Gear Solid
Hideo Kojima is a rarity in the games industry: he is the first person to be truly recognized as a game designer. director and Writer. Metal Gear Solid is more of a fully playable movie than a gaming experience, and Kojima has always pushed the boundaries. metal Gear Arcade games have made a leap in storytelling, Street Fighter next, Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain This is a AAA blockbuster spy thriller game starring Kiefer Sutherland as the iconic Big Boss. A globe-trotting historical story. Brain-busting boss fights that require you to think outside the console to win. Groundbreaking stealth-action gameplay. All of this combines to create a one-of-a-kind experience. It would be remiss not to mention David Hayter, who came up with the English dub for the role. This voice, “the voice of the guy who threw gravel into the washing machine,” has immortalized Snake as one of the most enduring video game characters of all time.
3. grand theft auto
grand theft auto I understand something about human psychology: we love to destroy things. grand theft auto It provided players with a safe digital space to do just that. grand theft autoThe title alone promises to involve players in an unforgettable series of crimes, and it delivers on that promise. Robbery, arson, murder. Every crime is not only possible, but encouraged. The game's wry irony constantly reminds players what they already know: that in this digital rat race, everyone is only thinking about themselves, and the only way to survive is to listen to your darkest impulses and see them through to their bloody and ludicrous conclusion.
2. The Legend of Zelda
if grand theft auto Rewarding the villain in all of us The Legend of Zelda Reward heroism. Link never really exposes himself in the game. He has no personal relationships to save. He's not a resident of a realm he can necessarily save from ruin. He's a wandering good guy, a hero who is rewarded for doing the right thing. Link embodies the desires we are born with. help each other. Zelda The series paints an optimistic picture of humanity, where no one is spurned by a good deed. Of course, the beautiful level design, amazing boss fights, and epic storyline help convince people to take up arms, but still, it's all for a good cause.
1. Pokemon
Pokemon is the quintessential video game franchise. It's a franchise that everyone can enjoy. It exploited humanity's laudable love for animals with an insane desire to pit animals against each other. It's a morally grey area, and a surefire recipe for success. Pokémon is one of the most successful games ever. Enterprise Pikachu is the most famous game on the planet, with over 250 million copies sold. Even though it was released over 20 years ago, the series remains a huge hit in the gaming world. It has a huge following across cultures and generations, and is so popular everywhere that even your 80-year-old grandma knows who Pikachu is. There's really something for everyone. With over 1,000 Pokemon to choose from, it's impossible to resist finding a favorite.
