Summary
- Fans witnessed the rebirth of old-school genres with modern twists — a treat of quality games from the eighth generation.
- Titles like Uncharted 4 and The Witcher 3 stood out with captivating storytelling and gameplay.
- Critically acclaimed masterpieces like The Last of Us Part 2 and God of War showcased unforgettable experiences and impactful narratives.
The eighth generation of gaming treated fans to a bevy of excellent video games. After certain genres stagnated in the last two generations, fans were thrilled to see old-school genres modernize themselves just enough to appeal to mainstream gaming audiences.
16 Open-World Games With The Best Stories, Ranked
The focus in open-world games is often placed on explorations and player freedom, but some titles manage to tell awesome stories, too.
As a result, players were treated to a wealth of quality games from genres that were either tried and tested or slightly experimental. Some of these games ended up being critically acclaimed masterpieces that serve as the very best of what the eighth generation of gaming has to offer.
12 Uncharted 4: A Thief's End
OpenCritic Score: 93
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End
- Released
- May 10, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Naughty Dog
- Publisher(s)
- Sony
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Adventure
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
The Uncharted games put Naughty Dog on the map as developers of mature third-person action-adventure games. With the release of the fourth mainline entry in this beloved series, the developer decided to go all out with storytelling, combat, graphics, and anything else fans can think of.
Seeing a more jaded Nathan Drake embark on one final adventure against the wishes of his wife humanizes him and the other characters in a way fans had never seen before. Combat is better than ever before, and the game's visuals are so jaw-dropping that they still look astounding to this day.
11 Divinity: Original Sin 2
OpenCritic Score: 93
Divinity: Original Sin 2
- Released
- September 14, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Larian Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Larian Studios
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Divinity: Original Sin 2 hammered in the notion that the CRPG genre was back and ready to sweep players off their feet. After an admirable showing in the first game, the wealth of changes made to the combat system, coupled with more role-playing options, ensured that Divinity: Original Sin 2 would leave a lasting impression on players.
The amazing quality of this title led to it attaining rave reviews from fans and critics alike. It also paved the way for Larian getting their hands on the Baldur's Gate IP, letting fans enjoy one of the greatest modern CRPGs of all time.
10 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
OpenCritic Score: 93
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
- Released
- May 19, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Publisher(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
CD Projekt Red started from humble beginnings, with The Witcher being a modest success that paved the way for a franchise that would take over modern gaming. The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings did a great job of modernizing the gameplay, and The Witcher 3 combined these gameplay advancements with an open-world structure to great effect.
8 Best Open-World Games Where Exploring Freely Is More Rewarding Than The Main Story
These open-world games do offer a main story campaign to complete, but their settings are so immersive that exploration almost always takes priority.
Velen, Novigrad, Skellige, Kaer Morhen, and Toussaint are all incredible locations to explore, full of enlightening main story content coupled with side quests that flesh out the world to an incredible degree. It's easy to see why fans couldn't get enough of this title, turning it into CD Projekt Red's magnum opus in no time.
9 The Last of Us Part 2
OpenCritic Score: 93
The Last of Us Part 2
- Released
- June 19, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Naughty Dog
- Publisher(s)
- Sony
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
As divisive as The Last of Us Part 2 may have been for some, fans can't deny the cultural impact this game had. The fact that people have started warming up to the game after the show took some liberties with its story shows just how underappreciated this title was.
The amazing acting and brilliant action ensure that players will love controlling both Abby and Ellie during their respective adventures. While it's true that some parts of the game may feel a bit too lengthy at times, that should take nothing away from the high points of a title that is always a blast to play.
8 God of War (2018)
OpenCritic Score: 94
God of War
- Released
- April 20, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Santa Monica Studio
- Publisher(s)
- Sony
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Fans were hyped for Kratos' comeback, and 2018's God of War didn't disappoint. Fans were treated to a story for the ages as they saw a more mature Kratos struggling to be a father that his son, Atreus, can look up to, while also grappling with the violent actions he carried out in his past.
It makes for a surprisingly human story in a world full of powerful gods and imposing enemies that will flatten Kratos if he isn't on his A-game. The graphics, story, and combat all combine to make God of War one of the best games of the eighth generation.
7 Persona 5 Royal
OpenCritic Score: 94
Persona 5 Royal
- Released
- March 31, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Atlus, P-Studio
- Publisher(s)
- Atlus
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Persona 5 was already a brilliant title as is, and the Royal version enhances the gameplay while adding one more semester for players to mess around in. This makes Persona 5 Royal a must-play for JRPG fans, or just those looking to get into the genre.
8 PlayStation Games That Surpassed Expectations
These PlayStation games blew away expectations and are today considered some of the greatest titles ever released on the blue brand of console.
The stylish interface and snappy combat are instant draws. The story is a bit of a slow burn and takes a while to get going, but infiltrating Palaces and living out the day-to-day life of a high school student becomes intensely riveting once the game finally opens up.
6 Hades
OpenCritic Score: 94
Hades
- Released
- September 17, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Supergiant Games
- Publisher(s)
- Supergiant Games
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Roguelite
- Platform(s)
- PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Switch, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
It's a testament to Supergiant Games' approach to video game design that every one of their games tries to merge narrative and gameplay as harmoniously as possible. This can be seen in Hades, where the roguelike structure is used to build up the world and its characters with the game's incredible dialogue.
Players love how satisfying it feels to beat the game's bosses and make progress, eventually conquering Hades himself. However, even if players lose, they look forward to the new interactions that are unlocked in the House of Hades, ensuring that death is never too frustrating.
5 Metroid Prime Remastered
OpenCritic Score: 94
Metroid Prime Remastered
- Released
- February 8, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo, Retro Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Genre(s)
- FPS, Metroidvania
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Metroid Prime is one of the best games in the series that modernized Samus' CameCube adventure. The game was stuck on the GameCube for the longest time before finally getting the Switch remaster it deserved.
This allowed more people to check out this game's brilliance and why it's lauded as one of the best Metroid games out there. Exploration feels great and rewarding as players uncover powers, find secrets, and figure out the best way to defeat enemies and take out creative bosses.
4 Red Dead Redemption 2
OpenCritic Score: 95
Red Dead Redemption 2
- Released
- October 26, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Rockstar Games
- Publisher(s)
- Rockstar Games
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of the best open-world games of all time. Rockstar went all out in the creation of this title, with the storytelling being a notable step above anything the company had integrated in their games previously.
8 Best Open-World Games With Extensive End-Game Content, Ranked
These open-world games offer near-infinite playtime with content that goes beyond the main quests.
With a high Honor playthrough, Arthur becomes one of the most compelling and likable video game characters of all time. He struggles to grasp his humanity while trying to make amends for his past actions in a game full of cinematic shootouts, beautiful visuals, and immersive gameplay elements that ensure this title will be revered for decades to come.
3 The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
OpenCritic Score: 95
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
- Released
- May 12, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Action, Open-World
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Fans were eagerly anticipating a sequel to 2017's Breath of the Wild that would move things in a new direction. By expanding on Hyrule's map with the addition of the Sky Islands and the Depths, as well as updating the more familiar locations with big and small changes, Tears of the Kingdom stands out as a worthy sequel.
Ultrahand, Fuse, Ascend, and Recall are all incredible abilities to mess around with and allow for more creative gameplay. While it may lack the fresh appeal of its predecessor, Tears of the Kingdom more than makes up for it with its complex mechanics and engaging gameplay.