The 2010s were arguably the most important decade for the PlayStation brand, as it saw the release of many high-quality titles, including some of the absolute best and most influential of all time. From ambitious open-world masterpieces to fast-paced multiplayer affairs, the 2010s had something for everyone and, as a result, are fondly remembered by most seasoned gamers today, especially those who owned a PS3 and/or a PS4 during that time.
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We have already moved forward to the 2020s, and some pessimists wholeheartedly believe that this decade is nowhere near as good or exciting as the previous one. However, they’re deeply mistaken in that belief, as 2026 is filled to the brim with excellent, brand-new titles that serve as spiritual successors to some of the best ones from the 2010s (whether they’re already out or will come out in the next few months). The following 10 video games are perfect examples of this fascinating phenomenon.
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2010: Red Dead Redemption
2026 Equivalent: Grand Theft Auto 6
The arrival of HD gaming during the late 2000s and early 2010s was ideal for Rockstar Games, as it allowed the studio to make all sorts of mind-blowing open-world sandboxes, including the original Red Dead Redemption. This western take on the GTA formula really resonated with gamers, not only due to its huge map and open-ended gameplay, but also thanks to its cinematic and emotional storyline.
Of course, Rockstar will make its long-awaited comeback in 2026, with the upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto 6. The trailers have proven that this will be the studio’s biggest and most ambitious project so far, with a massive open-world map and an intriguing storyline starring two playable characters: Jason and Lucia. The entire gaming community is eager to get their hands on GTA 6, and those who enjoyed Red Dead Redemption (or any other Rockstar game, for that matter) are obviously no exception.
2011: Batman: Arkham City
2026 Equivalent: Marvel’s Wolverine
Batman: Arkham City is the sequel to 2009’s Arkham Asylum, as it took everything that had made the Caped Crusader’s previous adventure so remarkable and translated it into an open-world map with a satisfying combat system and multiple appearances from beloved comic book villains. This is widely considered one of (if not the) the best superhero video games ever made, and it inspired many other studios to make their own AAA titles based on other iconic comic book characters.
Marvel’s Spider-Man is often considered the spiritual successor to the Batman: Arkham series, but it’s currently undergoing a bit of a hiatus because its developer, Insomniac Games, is hard at work working on a brand-new project based on another Marvel superhero: Wolverine. Marvel’s Wolverine will be a fast-paced cinematic action game in which the titular character will have to explore various maps and confront deadly enemies, including many classic X-Men villains like The Sentinels, Mystique, and Omega Red. Comic book fans definitely need to keep an eye out for this one, as it looks extremely promising (and Insomniac never disappoints).
2012: Max Payne 3/Spec Ops: The Line
2026 Equivalent: 007 First Light
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Max Payne 3
9/10
- Released
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May 15, 2012
- ESRB
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M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Developer(s)
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Rockstar Studios
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Spec Ops: The Line
7/10
- Released
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June 26, 2012
- ESRB
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M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
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Yager Development
- Engine
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havok, unreal engine 3
2012 was a great year for third-person shooters, as it saw the release of two of the genre’s best offerings: Max Payne 3 and Spec Ops: The Line. These two games feature excellent cover-based shooting mechanics, combined with surprisingly deep and nuanced narratives, with the former serving as a direct sequel to a long-running franchise and the latter shocking players with its morbid plot twist (Yes, there are other entries in the Spec Ops series, but they have almost nothing to do with The Line)
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Fortunately for fans of third-person shooters, this genre is still immensely popular today, with one of the most anticipated releases of 2026 being 007 First Light, a single-player, narrative-driven AAA title starring the legendary James Bond himself. This game will tell an original story and will allow players to experience all sorts of set pieces and levels that combine stealth, vehicle driving, and high-octane action in one unforgettable cinematic package. If IO Interactive can deliver on its promises, 007 First Light has the potential to become one of the best third-person shooters of the decade.
2013: The Last Of Us
2026 Equivalent: Resident Evil Requiem
The Last of Us tells the story of Joel, an old man who has to protect a young girl named Ellie as they travel through a post-apocalyptic wasteland that’s filled to the brim with dangerous infected creatures. Thanks to its emotional narrative and immersive gameplay that combines elements of both the horror and action genres, it won many “Game of the Year” awards back in 2013 (and is also considered one of the best video games of that decade).
Resident Evil: Requiem tells the story of Leon Kennedy, an old man who has to protect a young woman named Grace, as they explore a medical facility and the ruins of Raccoon City while they fight hordes of dangerous zombies. Grace’s segments are slow-paced and focus on survival horror, whereas Leon’s segments are fast-paced and focus on brutal third-person combat. To no one’s surprise, Resident Evil: Requiem is already a lot of people’s favorite game of 2026, to the point that many believe that it should win Game of the Year in December. Needless to say, these two games share a lot of similarities, so anybody who enjoyed The Last of Us needs to give Requiem a try, whether they’re familiar with the Resident Evil franchise or not.
2014: Dragon Age: Inquisition
2026 Equivalent: Fable 4
Back in 2014, Dragon Age: Inquisition won multiple Game of the Year awards, not only because it completely revitalized the Dragon Age franchise, but also because it was a fantasy RPG with an incredible tactical combat system, memorable characters, and stunning graphics, released during a time when gamers believed no other title in this genre could surpass The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
While Dragon Age returned in 2024 (with varying levels of success), there’s another classic fantasy RPG franchise that will make its long-awaited comeback in 2026: Fable, with the upcoming release of Fable 4. This game has been in development for many years, but it promises to bring back everything that made fans fall in love with the original Fable games from the 2000s, complete with deep customization options, a complex morality system, a huge open world, a large collection of quests, and tons of wacky NPCs to meet.
2015: Bloodborne
2026 Equivalent: Phantom Blade Zero
FromSoftware was already extremely popular before 2015 (seeing as they had made Dark Souls 1 back in 2011), but the release of Bloodborne changed everything, for both the studio and its fans. Many people saw this game as the very first PS4 exclusive worth buying, as it boasted a more action-focused combat system, but it was arguably even more challenging than any of its predecessors in the “Soulslike” subgenre, not to mention that it took place in a dark and atmospheric world based heavily on Lovecraftian horror.
Bloodborne was such a massive critical and financial success that it seemingly inspired many subsequent titles, including one that will come out on PS5 and PC in September 2026. The upcoming Phantom Blade Zero seamlessly combines elements of both the “Soulslike” and hack-and-slash genres in a way that is highly reminiscent of the 2015 masterpiece. As a result, players will be able to confront terrifying creatures with striking designs in challenging battles that will test their skills and reflexes. Combine that with dark and hyperrealistic visuals, and Phantom Blade Zero seems like the perfect action game for any Bloodborne fan that’s still patiently waiting for FromSoftware to announce its next game.
2016: Overwatch
2026 Equivalent: Marathon
Overwatch
8/10
- Released
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May 24, 2016
- ESRB
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T for Teen: Blood, Use of Tobacco, Violence (online interactions not rated)
Many legendary games came out in 2016, but Overwatch dominated the entire industry for most of that year. Regardless of their system of choice (PS4, Xbox One, or PC), gamers were enthralled by this multiplayer shooter’s colorful graphics, creative and lovable characters, and addictive team-based gameplay. As a result, Overwatch went on to win multiple accolades, including GOTY at The Game Awards 2016.
Of course, Overwatch 2 is still going quite strong in 2026, but those who are interested in trying out something different should give Marathon a shot. Developed by Bungie, this is another multiplayer extraction FPS with a distinct visual style and captivating gameplay that has amassed a massive player base in less than a month. Needless to say, after the unfortunate failure of Highguard (another game that felt like a spiritual successor to Overwatch), hardcore fans of multiplayer shooters are more than happy with the unexpected success of Marathon.
2017: NieR: Automata
2026 Equivalent: Tides of Annihilation
NieR: Automata was undoubtedly one of 2017’s biggest surprises, as this collaboration between Yoko Taro and PlatinumGames ended up becoming something truly special. It’s a fast-paced hack-and-slash with an excellent combat system that stars 2B, one of gaming’s best-written female protagonists, who has to explore a barren post-apocalyptic world to find out what actually happened to humanity.
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While there aren’t many true hack-and-slash games coming out soon, one of the most promising ones is definitely Tides of Annihilation. This will also be an action game with frenetic combat and an intriguing female protagonist named Gwendolyn, who has to explore the remains of an extinct civilization, with its main gameplay hook being the addition of Knights that assist her in battle. The similarities between these two hack-and-slash titles are undeniable, and while Tides of Annihilation’s official release date hasn’t been announced yet, all signs point to a late 2026 release.
2018: Red Dead Redemption 2
2026 Equivalent: Crimson Desert
Red Dead Redemption 2 is highly regarded by many as the absolute best open-world video game ever made, and for very good reason. Not only is its map both breathtaking and massive, but it has also been endlessly praised for its mind-blowing attention to detail and its vast collection of activities, quests, and missions. It’s one of those games that feels truly endless, which explains why its passionate fan base keeps playing it regularly to this day, even eight years after its launch.
Curiously enough, it seems some Red Dead Redemption 2 fans have found something new to play while they wait for GTA 6: the recently released open-world RPG Crimson Desert. In a similar vein to Rockstar’s award-winning western, this game has both surprised and captivated gamers with its huge open world that’s brimming with interesting content in every corner, not to mention that it also boasts an impressive level of detail. While Crimson Desert falls short in some areas, it has already amassed a sizable player base that has been enjoying every second of it (additionally, developer Pearl Abyss has improved various elements via some much-needed updates).
2019: Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
2026 Equivalent: Nioh 3
Back in 2019, many compared Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice to Nioh, another “Soulslike” set in ancient Japan with deadly Yokai as enemies. However, since it was developed by the masters of the subgenre, FromSoftware, it managed to stand out thanks to its impeccable combat system, ruthless difficulty, and fascinating narrative. As a result, Sekiro earned multiple well-deserved GOTY awards and (for many) it even surpassed Nioh as the quintessential Japan-themed “Souslike”.
However, of course, FromSoftware has yet to make a Sekiro sequel, whereas Team Ninja kept developing more entries in the Nioh franchise, of which the most recent one, Nioh 3, came out in February 2026. After three successful mainline entries, the studio has managed to perfect the “Soulslike” formula, as the combat feels amazing while also giving players freedom to choose their preferred play style: Samurai or Ninja. Additionally, Nioh 3 boasts punishing but satisfying fights against powerful Yokai and human enemies, which are absolutely perfect for Sekiro fans that are still looking for a good challenge after all these years.
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