8 Best Games That Shaped The 2000s
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The 2000s were a revolutionary decade for gaming. 3D gaming became the norm, new genres were established that would shape modern gaming, and the industry became more valuable than ever.
Players were treated to some of the most iconic video games of all time in this decade, titles which have gone a long way in shaping gaming history. From the dawn of the open-world genre to the increasing importance of cutting-edge graphics, there’s no shortage of quality games from the 2000s that are remembered for their significant contributions to the gaming industry.
Grand Theft Auto 3
Established The Open-World Formula That Has Become Commonplace
Rockstar wouldn’t be where it is today had it not been for Grand Theft Auto 3. This title established the open-world template that Rockstar (and other video game developers) would follow for their sandbox games going forward, one that persists to this day.
The idea of living a virtual life of crime and debauchery was a fantasy that could be fulfilled with Grand Theft Auto 3. Fans couldn’t get enough of this title, so much so that Rockstar decided to make Vice City and San Andreas in quick succession to capitalize on this game’s success before finally moving on to a new engine.
Resident Evil 4
The Third-Person Shooting Gameplay Was Revolutionary
In many ways, every modern third-person shooter owes its success to Resident Evil 4. Shinji Mikami’s masterpiece established the over-the-shoulder camera that would become all but mandatory in this genre. Leon Kennedy’s adventures in this Spanish village are full of action-packed set pieces and iconic gaming enemies, making it clear that the Resident Evil franchise wouldn’t shy away from changing its core design in new and innovative ways.
This game is hailed as one of the best games in the series and is extremely important for the evolution of modern gaming. It’s amazing that the 2023 remake managed to live up to this title’s legacy, even if it lost some of its campy charm along the way.
Halo: Combat Evolved
Established One Of The Most Iconic FPS Franchises Of All Time
Halo: Combat Evolved marked a major moment in the video game industry. It introduced players to a riveting sci-fi world full of intergalactic conflicts where they’d control one of the most iconic video game characters of all time: Master Chief.
Master Chief is a no-nonsense soldier who can obliterate aliens by the hundreds, and his AI partner, Cortana, is yet another iconic character who made her appearance in the series, with her legacy speaking for itself. While Halo made a name for itself with a riveting story campaign, it was the game’s online modes that made it a must-play for any owners of the original Xbox. That claim to fame played a large part in establishing the framework for what online multiplayer shooters look like today.
Deus Ex
Arguably The Greatest Immersive Sim Of All Time
Deus Ex is one of the greatest immersive sims ever made, one that turned Warren Spector into one of the most recognized developers in the industry. This cyberpunk masterpiece shows the importance of great level design and how it can encourage players carve their own path to an objective.
Despite its character models ageing like cheese, the amazing exploration and tense stealth of this game still hold up. All of this is supported by a conspiracy-laden storyline that feels uncomfortably relevant in the modern climate.
Half-Life 2
An Amazing Physics Engine Coupled With Deep Immersion Made For A Winning Formula
Half-Life was an incredible title in its own right, and fans wondered how Valve could possibly top this experience. With the advent of the Source engine and a revolutionary physics system, Half-Life 2 broke new ground as one of the most technically impressive first-person shooters ever made, opening the door to tense first-person shootouts, jaw-dropping weapons systems, and complex puzzles.
The addition of the Combine makes events more harrowing and shows the consequences of Earth accidentally opening a portal to an alien world. However, Gordon Freeman and the Resistance refuse to yield to these foreign invaders and make it a point to fight against these oppressors, however they can.
The Sims
The Birth Of One Of The Most Popular Video Game Franchises Of All Time
The Sims was the start of something truly special. Despite the surprisingly difficult gameplay, fans found something special in this virtual dollhouse where they could build their own household and help its members live lives of their own.
It was a promising first game that spawned two sequels that are widely regarded as some of the greatest video games of all time. It’s a shame that, in many ways, The Sims 4 felt like a step back, but fans can hope that this iconic life-sim series will live up to its legacy in an uncertain future.
Wii Sports
Popularized The Idea Of Motion Controls, Enhancing The Connection Between Players And Games
The Wii was a gamble from Nintendo, who decided to go all in on introducing motion controls to the gaming industry. This gimmick would’ve been incomplete without a game that highlighted how engaging these motion controls would be, leading to the iconic launch of Wii Sports.
The iconic nature of this game can’t be stated enough. It invited casual players and Nintendo veterans alike to get their hands on a Wii and spend hours with their friends on Wii Sports. Every sport was a joy to play and showed the potential future of video gaming, and it’s impossible to look at the tech behind today’s VR systems and not see the impact that the Wii’s controls have had.
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Created The Modern-Day Shooter Trend That Took Over The FPS Scene For A Long, Long Time
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare is one of the most important video games for the franchise, as it single-handedly turned CoD into a household name. Modern Warfare‘s title personifies its setting, with players taking part in a war with modern weaponry that ultimately descends into a horrific conflict.
The campaign is iconic in its own right, but it’s the amazing multiplayer that turned this game into one of the best FPS titles players could get their hands on. It’s a template that has carried the Call of Duty franchise for a long time, with much of what was established in this entry—including killstreaks, prestige, and numerous iconic multiplayer maps—persisting in today’s Call of Duty entries almost 20 years later.
