Add these eight great games to your gaming library

By Amanda-Joy Lee

Remember a time when the simplest games such as “Club Penguin” and “Toontown” were the most entertaining, and the overwhelming feeling of joy when a quest was completed. Since then, the advancement of technology and game-play has become more sophisticated along with its graphics. Out of all of the games that have been created in the past decade, here is a list of the best games that all gamers should play at least once.

1. Monster Hunter World

“Monster Hunter World” originally debuted on Jan. 26, 2018 exclusively for console, but over the summer, it finally released its PC version of the game for $60. Monster Hunter World is a storyline based ARPG (action role-playing game), where players try to defeat all the bosses while progressing the story. Over time, players can upgrade weapons to continuously fight upcoming bosses until the king is defeated. It is technically a single player game, but players can invite friends to defeat monsters and go on missions with them. It has fantastic reviews with a 9.5/10 on IGN and a 9/10 from Polygon. The graphics are astonishing, with detailed depictions of different bosses such as Anjanath and Rathlos. Gamers who enjoy realistic, adventure-based story games would enjoy playing “Monster Hunter World.”

2. Spider-Man

Insomniac games revealed the new Spider-man game on Sept. 7 exclusively for PS4. It received an 8.7/10 on IGN and an 87% on Metacritic. It is the story of Marvel’s friendly neighbor Peter Parker and his adventure to become a great superhero with his new powers. In this story-based game, players face different missions and challenges that allow them to progress in the story. There are different abilities that can be used to fight enemies, players can improve their skills by leveling up. To Marvel fans and gamers who enjoy adventure-based games, it is definitely worth $60 to play and experience this phenomenal game.

3. Overwatch: Summer Games 2018

Available for purchase on May 24, 2016, Blizzard Entertainment’s “Overwatch” is a first-person shooter game. According to Google Players and IGN, 94% of players enjoyed it. Its season 12 competitive season consists of different game-modes, including “Control,” “Payload,” and a hybrid of both.  It’s been popular since 2016 and is best known for its diverse roster of characters and its complex, intuitive game-play.“Overwatch: Summer Games” has been a regular event since its release because fans look forward to its seasonal costumes, emotes, voice-lines, and sprays. What really elevates this game is the new competitive Lucio Ball, the recently-added character “Wrecking Ball” (Hammond), and the new map “Busan.” Lucio Ball is a three versus three soccer match, where players are only allowed to play Lucio using his abilities to win. Sadly, Lucio Ball is only available for a limited time until it is available again next summer, but players are excited for the upcoming seasonal activities that “Overwatch” has to offer.

4. We Happy Few

“We Happy Few,” an action-adventure game based on a twisted dystopian city came out on Aug. 10, and as stated by Google Players 91% of players enjoyed it. It contains a plot very similar to the book “The Giver.” The goal of the game is to escape the town without getting caught and to try expose the town’s despicable ways. It is still relatively new, so updates are inevitable. Since it is a survival game, players can craft items to help them advance in the game and avoid being caught. Though it is $60.00, this game is worth buying because of its high quality graphics and storyline.

5. Slime Rancher

“Slime Rancher” has overwhelmingly positive reviews on Steam since it came out on Aug. 21, 2017, and has a 98% percent on Google Players. The goal is to become the best slime rancher by collecting and selling slime plorts (excrement) to progress the story. Although, this game is out of its beta stage, but there are still continuous updates to make the game more efficient and fnu for players. The most recent update was to accommodate players by creating automated drones that can take care of slime by feeding them and selling their plort. Depending on the route a player chooses to take, different achievements can be awarded throughout the game. Its first-impression of overwhelming cuteness is what makes this game intriguing.

6. Doki Doki Literature Club

“Doki Doki Literature Club,” released in late 2017, has taken over Steam as one of the most influential games of its year. At first glance, it resembles an innocent dating simulator with anime girls, but there is more to it than it seems. If players are easily-disturbed, this game may not be for them. According to Steam, it has 10/10 rating, and its reviews are overwhelmingly positive due to its unsuspecting game-play.

7. Overcooked 2

“Overcooked 2” debuted on Aug. 7, 96% of Google Players enjoyed it whereas on Steam it received mostly positive reviews. The first “Overcooked” has a similar gameplay of cooking various foods, but people wanted more. After his first “Overcooked” success, the game’s designer Phil Duncan decided to create another version that was online-multiplayer instead of local-multiplayer (Online-multiplayer allows players from different areas to play together in game, while local-multiplayer forces people to play a game at the same location). Another difference in “Overcooked 2” are the six levels that showcase different types of food and locations such as sushi, chicken nuggets, and burritos. There are also “Kevin levels” where the dog “Kevin” allows players to earn more points and different characters. Additionally, there is a modpack that can be bought for $2.99 that gives more characters to play as such as the unicorn and walrus. “Overcooked 2” is an easy-going, fun game that anyone can figure out and enjoy.

8. League of Legends

One of the most popular MOBAs of its time (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena,) “League of Legends” came out on Oct. 20, 2009. PC Gamer awarded it with an 82% as well as IGN giving it a 9.2/10. There are a multitude of character choices and game modes, but it is best known for its competitive Summoners Rift, a five versus five gamemode, where players must destroy their enemies’ base while battling their opponents. Recently, there was a new update that created game modes called Nexus Blitz and Odyssey. Nexus Blitz combines at least four different game modes to be played at once, while Odyssey allows players to go on missions to defeat different bosses. Not only are there two new game modes, but also new champions come out every month. It takes a greater level of skill and general gaming sense to achieve the highest rank, but it is still an enjoyable game to play. 

These are some of the most significant games of this time, and gamers should consider playing all of them.