Welcome to the first PC Gaming MetaCouncil GOTD (Games of the Decade) awards! The award focuses on PC games which we deem GOTD worthy.
Sit back and relax while you check out the results.
NB: The results for the Games of the Year 2019 (GOTY) are available in another thread.
- Voting took place in the monthly MetaCouncil Thread.
- Voting was open from January 4th - January 18th.
- Up to 10 games were allowed for each person to pick for GOTD.
- Games of the Decade had to be released on PC between 2010 and 2019.
- Overall the poll turnout was: 65.
- One game was removed from scoring for not meeting requirements: it was only released on Nintendo systems.
- 197 games were represented in the GOTD category.
- The ranking results from ranked voting without point.
- There are ties but there is no tie-breaker.
- Wok was allowed to vote in this poll.
Here are the top 11 Games of the Decade!
nordschatten said:The Witcher 3 invites you to a massive world full of interesting things to do, with a captivating overarching story and many no less interesting side stories full of characters you can relate to. The Witcher 3 is a gem that is also worthy of a replay.
TioChuck said:Amazing atmosphere, story, gameplay and variety of content. Masterfully crafted.
Flips said:Just my favorite game of all time. Even though some people bitch about the combat system, I never really got why. But where The Witcher 3 definitely shines is the world building, exploration, story, side content and two amazing expansions.
Mivey said:Combing a vast open-world with the intricate story telling, before only ever seen in much more linear games. The culmination of a great RPG series, and graphical powerhouse. And on top of that amazing characters, amazing writing (better than the books even, in many places). An amazing amount of Polish (pun very much intended) at every turn. If I had to say what my GOTD is adhoc, it would be The Witcher 3
Milena said:It's an amazing game: apart from the loot and weapon degradation systems, it's an overall improvement over the amazing TW2. And, surprisingly, I much preferred this ending to what we got in the books.
Dragon1893 said:On their third attempt CD Projekt Red realized the franchise's full potential, creating one of the best RPGs ever made.
m_dorian said:Best open world game, gritty and daring The Witcher III is a voyage to a fantasy world yet full with the moral grey areas of our own. It will always be used as a measure of comparison a masterpiece of its kind.
Swenhir said:No other game has managed to to weave it all together as brilliantly in one coherent piece : story, music, gameplay, writing, world, and its overarching design. This game is as huge and it is well-written, consistent in tone while delivering a story as grand as it is meaningful.
Kandrick said:Because it's The Witcher 3. Amazing game, with two amazing expansions that are better than most fully fledged games out there.
Stevey said:This just completely blew me away, the level design, the atmosphere, the story, the combat. Everything about it is perfect.
QFNS said:Dark Souls crystallized a genre around exploration, combat and it being ok for a game not to explain itself. The ""difficulty"" of the Souls games also had a huge impact on the wider gaming industry.
Joe Spangle said:The game that defined its own genre and gave me the desire to get gud.
kio said:In spit of obtuse mechanics and story, Dark Souls managed to be the game that defined this decade. In a time where more and more games were attempting to become movies, Dark Souls brought back what many appreciate in games and in a way saved the whole medium from becoming redundant. It's because of this and much more that nowadays most games and franchises try to mimic the Souls' formula.
KainXVIII said:FromSoftware magnum opus.
xxr said:Dark Souls redefined action RPGs for me. The sheer amount of unique ideas and how they managed to make it all work seamlessly is extraordinary. I still find it enjoyable after 700 hours and find new things to discover.
xinek said:Immersive, beautifully designed and directed. Infinitely replayable. Even the weak latter part can't diminish it. It not only defined a new genre but also launched 1,000 memes.
d00d3n said:The most influential game of the decade bar none. Dark Souls successfully reinvented the role of 3d exploration, action based combat and indirect storytelling in RPGs, creating an addictive template that has directly influenced its many official and unofficual sequels in the RPG space, but the influence has obviously extended to major games in most other genres as well. The introductory section of the game still stands out as one of the most impressive feats of 3d level design in gaming history, possibly most brilliantly in a macro sense in how the first couple of areas are connected by logically consistent paths and shortcuts.
Nabs said:Dark Souls is basically the Illmatic of 3rd person action games. It's a tight, extremely well made, and is infinitely replayable. It's often imitated, and looked at as the gold standard in its genre.
PC-tan said:The game created a new genre.
Parsnip said:Portal 2 is just a puzzler in its prime and still an absolute blast to play today.
prudis said:Cake is a Lie
PhaZZe said:The game change my mind for so many things, OST,Gameplay,Story, just amazing in every aspect. I know you need to mod it but its just amazing.
sprinkles said:The real GOTD is Nier: Replicant
「Echo」 said:NieR Automata is a garbage PC port yes, but the fact it exists at all is a miracle. Yoko Taro once more masterfully directs an underbudgeted game to punch well above it's weight, by marrying the story and gameplay in such a smooth way, it manages to frame the overall narrative and deeper meanings in a revelatory fashion when the (true) end finally hits. Automata directs itself at the darker side of humanity, tackling some themes we all wrestle with, and it does so in Taro's own poetic way. For me, who invests in stories so much it's hard to name a story this decade which resonates with me as much as Automata did. Finally, have you heard the OST? It's pretty amazing.
Taborcarn said:A gradually refinement, but the best example of the CRPG genre in a decade
Big McLargehuge said:For about 6 years, Xenoblade Chronicles sat at the top of my list of favorite RPGs and I had doubts that another game could top it. Then, came along Divinity Original Sin 2 to take that spot with its amazing combat, visuals, music, and role-playing elements. All of these qualities combined to make the best RPG experience I have ever played. It took me 177 hours to complete my first playthrough of the game and I loved almost every minute of it. I can’t think of another developer that is better suited to create Baldur’s Gate 3 than Larian Studios, and I will preparing myself by playing the previous 2 games as well as the rest of the Divinity games.
Panda Pedinte said:Not only the best metroidvania ever released, it's also the best game I played in the past decade
Wildebeet said:I like to hit bugs.
Dandy said:The high point of one of my favorite series of all time.
fantomena said:It was ultimately all around an amazing gaming experience.
InquisitorAles said:The peak in BioWare's history, they've refined the original Mass Effect and turned it into of the best games that were ever made. Excellent pacing, incredible characters, solid gameplay, outstanding world - a truly timeless masterpiece.
freshVeggie said:A milestone title that adds much-needed personal stakes in form of party side-quests, upheaving the gravitas of a universe in peril to ne new heights. Some qualites of the first game get watered down by the desire of a more blockbuster experience but as a whole package it was hard to not get attached and immersed in the finely crafted world and its inhabitants. Superb DLC washed away the ending's sour taste and leaves this epic tale as one of the best action-RPGs of all time.
None.
Kurt Russell said:I never thought we'd get anything that could top Planescape: Torment, yet Disco Elysium does that and so much more. Best RPG I've played in decades, and I'd go as far as recommending it to anyone who likes to play videogames, even if they aren't into RPGs.
NeuralProxy said:A very personal choice. While probably not the best game in my TOP 10, it's the game that brought me back into videogames after a few years hiatus due to lack of interest.
FunnyJay said:For making a great game even better.
Game of the Decade Votes
1 | The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (appID: 1942, released on 2015-May-19)
2 | Dark Souls: Remastered (appID: 81085, released on 2018-May-25)
3 | Portal 2 (appID: 72, released on 2011-Apr-19)
4 | NieR: Automata - Game of the YoRHa Edition (appID: 113345, released on 2019-Feb-26)
5 | Divinity: Original Sin II (appID: 11800, released on 2017-Sep-14)
5 | Hollow Knight (appID: 14593, released on 2017-Feb-24)
7 | Mass Effect 2 (appID: 74, released on 2010-Jan-29)
8 | Yakuza 0 (appID: 11397, released on 2018-Aug-01)
9 | Disco Elysium (appID: 26472, released on 2019-Oct-15)
10 | Deus Ex: Human Revolution - Director's Cut (appID: 9740, released on 2013-Oct-25)
10 | XCOM 2: War of the Chosen (appID: 37060, released on 2017-Aug-29)
12 | The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition (appID: 19457, released on 2016-Oct-28)
13 | Dishonored: Game of the Year Edition (appID: 41590, released on 2013-Oct-07)
14 | Fallout: New Vegas (appID: 16, released on 2010-Oct-22)
15 | DOOM (appID: 7351, released on 2016-May-13)
16 | Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (appID: 1985, released on 2015-Sep-15)
17 | Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin (appID: 8222, released on 2015-Apr-02)
17 | Dishonored 2 (appID: 11118, released on 2016-Nov-11)
17 | Prey (appID: 19531, released on 2017-May-05)
20 | Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (appID: 76882, released on 2019-Mar-22)
21 | Dark Souls III (appID: 11133, released on 2016-Mar-24)
21 | Minecraft (appID: 121, released on 2011-Nov-18)
21 | Spelunky (appID: 3029, released on 2013-Aug-08)
24 | Divinity: Original Sin - Enhanced Edition (appID: 14177, released on 2015-Oct-27)
25 | Alien: Isolation (appID: 4754, released on 2014-Oct-07)
26 | The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky the 3rd (appID: 28101, released on 2017-May-03)
27 | Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana (appID: 27304, released on 2018-Apr-17)
28 | Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age (appID: 11667, released on 2018-Sep-04)
29 | Crusader Kings II (appID: 2918, released on 2012-Feb-27)
30 | Return of the Obra Dinn (appID: 9643, released on 2018-Oct-18)
30 | The Witness (appID: 5601, released on 2016-Jan-26)
30 | Transistor (appID: 3022, released on 2014-May-20)
33 | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (appID: 1372, released on 2012-Aug-21)
33 | Final Fantasy XIV Online (appID: 14729, released on 2010-Sep-30)
33 | Grand Theft Auto V (appID: 1020, released on 2015-Apr-14)
33 | HITMAN 2 (appID: 103210, released on 2018-Nov-13)
33 | Life is Strange (appID: 7599, released on 2015-Jan-30)
33 | Red Dead Redemption 2 (appID: 25076, released on 2019-Nov-05)
33 | Sid Meier's Civilization V (appID: 866, released on 2010-Sep-24)
33 | Stardew Valley (appID: 17000, released on 2016-Feb-26)
33 | Undertale (appID: 12517, released on 2015-Sep-15)
42 | The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky Second Chapter (appID: 16665, released on 2015-Oct-29)
43 | Darkest Dungeon (appID: 8965, released on 2016-Jan-19)
43 | Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition (appID: 19456, released on 2016-Apr-27)
43 | Subnautica (appID: 9254, released on 2018-Jan-23)
46 | Deus Ex: Mankind Divided (appID: 9498, released on 2016-Aug-23)
46 | Resident Evil 2 (appID: 19686, released on 2019-Jan-25)
48 | Batman: Arkham Asylum - Game of the Year Edition (appID: 27862, released on 2010-Mar-26)
48 | Cuphead (appID: 9061, released on 2017-Sep-29)
48 | Euro Truck Simulator 2 (appID: 3070, released on 2012-Oct-19)
48 | Hyper Light Drifter (appID: 9806, released on 2016-Mar-31)
52 | Dota 2 (appID: 2963, released on 2013-Jul-09)
52 | Monster Hunter: World (appID: 36926, released on 2018-Aug-09)
52 | Slay the Spire (appID: 40477, released on 2019-Jan-23)
52 | Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition (appID: 20228, released on 2014-Oct-14)
56 | Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance (appID: 378, released on 2014-Jan-09)
56 | Shadowrun: Dragonfall (appID: 22652, released on 2014-Feb-27)
56 | Wolfenstein: The New Order (appID: 2031, released on 2014-May-20)
59 | Factorio (appID: 7046, released on 2016-Feb-25)
60 | Yakuza Kiwami 2 (appID: 55090, released on 2019-May-09)
61 | Bioshock Infinite (appID: 538, released on 2013-Mar-25)
61 | Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy (appID: 26196, released on 2018-Jun-29)
61 | EXAPUNKS (appID: 106122, released on 2018-Oct-22)
61 | Pathfinder: Kingmaker (appID: 36929, released on 2018-Sep-25)
61 | The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings Enhanced Edition (appID: 20740, released on 2012-Apr-18)
66 | Alan Wake (appID: 1062, released on 2012-Feb-16)
66 | Elite: Dangerous (appID: 2955, released on 2014-Dec-16)
66 | Europa Universalis IV (appID: 1904, released on 2013-Aug-13)
66 | Far Cry 3 (appID: 529, released on 2012-Nov-28)
66 | Path of Exile (appID: 1911, released on 2013-Oct-23)
71 | Alpha Protocol (appID: 2539, released on 2010-May-28)
71 | Battlefield: Bad Company 2 (appID: 352, released on 2010-Mar-02)
71 | DUSK (appID: 25260, released on 2018-Dec-10)
71 | HITMAN (appID: 11157, released on 2016-Mar-11)
71 | Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Siege (appID: 7360, released on 2015-Dec-01)
71 | Wuppo (appID: 26175, released on 2016-Sep-29)
77 | Saints Row IV (appID: 1981, released on 2013-Sep-12)
77 | Spyro Reignited Trilogy (appID: 87683, released on 2019-Sep-03)
79 | Fez (appID: 1991, released on 2013-May-01)
79 | Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice (appID: 7603, released on 2017-Aug-08)
81 | Batman: Arkham City - Game of the Year Edition (appID: 21704, released on 2012-Sep-07)
81 | Endless Legend (appID: 9278, released on 2014-Sep-18)
81 | Metro 2033 Redux (appID: 80853, released on 2014-Aug-29)
84 | Ys Origin (appID: 10949, released on 2012-May-31)
85 | Dragon Ball FighterZ (appID: 36911, released on 2018-Jan-26)
85 | SOMA (appID: 9727, released on 2015-Sep-22)
87 | Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII (appID: 2449, released on 2015-Dec-10)
87 | Melty Blood Actress Again Current Code (appID: 19943, released on 2016-Apr-20)
87 | Tom Clancy's The Division (appID: 2114, released on 2016-Mar-08)
90 | AMID EVIL (appID: 74904, released on 2019-Jun-20)
90 | Devil May Cry 5 (appID: 76253, released on 2019-Mar-08)
90 | FTL: Faster Than Light (appID: 3075, released on 2012-Sep-14)
90 | Final Fantasy XV: Windows Edition (appID: 55034, released on 2018-Mar-06)
90 | Mount & Blade: Warband (appID: 2025, released on 2010-Mar-30)
90 | The Walking Dead: Season One (appID: 1871, released on 2012-Dec-11)
90 | Total War: Warhammer II (appID: 28028, released on 2017-Sep-28)
97 | American Truck Simulator (appID: 9667, released on 2016-Feb-03)
97 | Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition (appID: 5613, released on 2013-Nov-15)
97 | Battlefield V (appID: 83728, released on 2018-Nov-20)
97 | Cities: Skylines (appID: 9066, released on 2015-Mar-10)
97 | Darksiders (appID: 1270, released on 2010-Sep-23)
97 | Diablo III (appID: 120, released on 2012-May-15)
97 | Endless Space 2 (appID: 11550, released on 2017-May-18)
97 | Final Fantasy Type-0 HD (appID: 7399, released on Aug 18, 2015)
97 | Grim Dawn (appID: 1907, released on 2016-Feb-25)
97 | Hearts of Iron IV (appID: 15894, released on 2016-Jun-06)
97 | Her Story (appID: 11346, released on 2015-Jun-24)
97 | Journey (appID: 1352, released on 2019-Jun-06)
97 | Muv-Luv Alternative (appID: 11781, released on 2016-Q3)
97 | Pillars of Eternity (appID: 1593, released on 2015-Mar-26)
97 | Rayman Origins (appID: 981, released on 2012-Mar-30)
97 | Supraland (appID: 89354, released on 2019-Apr-05)
97 | Titanfall (appID: 2115, released on 2014-Mar-11)
97 | Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 (appID: 2066, released on 2017-Mar-07)
97 | What Remains of Edith Finch (appID: 11233, released on 2017-Apr-25)
116 | Assetto Corsa (appID: 5597, released on 2014-Dec-19)
116 | Banished (appID: 2002, released on 2014-Feb-18)
116 | Bomber Crew (appID: 55628, released on 2017-Oct-19)
116 | Dead Cells (appID: 26855, released on 2018-Aug-07)
116 | Dragon Age: Origins - Ultimate Edition (appID: 27911, released on 2010-Oct-10)
116 | Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen (appID: 16300, released on 2016-Jan-15)
116 | Guilty Gear Xrd: Revelator (appID: 13620, released on 2016-Dec-14)
116 | Heat Signature (appID: 10160, released on 2017-Sep-21)
116 | Heave Ho (appID: 116685, released on 2019-Aug-29)
116 | ICEY (appID: 25964, released on 2016-Nov-17)
116 | Into the Breach (appID: 27117, released on 2018-Feb-27)
116 | La-Mulana Remake (appID: 7936, released on 2012-Jul-13)
116 | Metro: Last Light (appID: 539, released on 2013-May-14)
116 | Might & Magic X: Legacy (appID: 5641, released on 2014-Jan-24)
116 | Nioh: Complete Edition (appID: 68461, released on 2017-Nov-07)
116 | Obduction (appID: 8983, released on 2016-Aug-24)
116 | Opus Magnum (appID: 74545, released on 2017-Dec-07)
116 | Papers, Please (appID: 2935, released on 2013-Aug-08)
116 | Papo & Yo (appID: 7388, released on 2013-Apr-18)
116 | Pinball FX3 (appID: 41051, released on 2017-Sep-26)
116 | Pyre (appID: 18822, released on 2017-Jul-25)
116 | SaGa SCARLET GRACE: AMBITIONS (appID: 119373, released on 2019-Dec-03)
116 | StarCraft II: Trilogy (appID: 46986, released on Nov 10, 2015)
116 | Stellaris (appID: 11582, released on 2016-May-09)
116 | Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition (appID: 103286, released on 2019-Jan-11)
116 | The Evil Within (appID: 4786, released on 2014-Oct-16)
116 | The House in Fata Morgana (appID: 36278, released on 2016-May-13)
116 | The Legend of Heroes: Ao no Kiseki (appID: 23323, released on Mar 28, 2013)
116 | The Talos Principle (appID: 7386, released on 2014-Dec-11)
116 | Titanfall 2 (appID: 17447, released on 2016-Oct-28)
116 | Towerfall Ascension (appID: 9567, released on 2014-Mar-11)
116 | VA-11 HALL-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action (appID: 15465, released on 2016-Jun-21)
116 | Valiant Hearts: The Great War (appID: 7327, released on 2014-Jun-25)
116 | Warframe (appID: 2903, released on 2013-Mar-25)
116 | X3: Albion Prelude (appID: 9321, released on 2011-Dec-15)
116 | XCOM: Enemy Unknown (appID: 1318, released on 2012-Oct-09)
152 | 428: Shibuya Scramble (appID: 95069, released on 2018-Sep-04)
152 | A Plague Tale: Innocence (appID: 27316, released on 2019-May-14)
152 | Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition (appID: 55056, released on 2019-Nov-14)
152 | Age of Wonders III (appID: 5652, released on 2014-Mar-31)
152 | Arma 3 (appID: 1881, released on 2013-Sep-12)
152 | Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (appID: 113, released on 2011-Mar-20)
152 | Assassin's Creed: Odyssey (appID: 103054, released on 2018-Oct-05)
152 | Assassin's Creed: Origins (appID: 28540, released on 2017-Oct-27)
152 | BATTLETECH (appID: 18279, released on 2018-Apr-24)
152 | Baldr Sky (appID: 127153, released on 2019-Dec-20)
152 | Battle Brothers (appID: 14394, released on 2017-Mar-24)
152 | Bayonetta (appID: 2136, released on 2017-Apr-11)
152 | Borderlands 2 (appID: 1011, released on 2012-Sep-21)
152 | Celeste (appID: 26226, released on 2018-Jan-25)
152 | Destiny 2 (appID: 25657, released on 2017-Oct-24)
152 | Gone Home (appID: 1906, released on 2013-Aug-15)
152 | Invisible Inc. (appID: 6044, released on 2015-May-12)
152 | Kerbal Space Program (appID: 3102, released on 2015-Apr-27)
152 | Life is Strange 2 (appID: 62151, released on 2018-Sep-27)
152 | Limbo (appID: 1331, released on 2011-Aug-02)
152 | Magic: The Gathering Arena (appID: 54538, released on 2019-Sep-26)
152 | Mass Effect 3 (appID: 75, released on 2012-Mar-06)
152 | Megadimension Neptunia VII (appID: 9620, released on Jul 5, 2016)
152 | Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight (appID: 18182, released on 2016-Mar-04)
152 | Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom (appID: 14748, released on 2018-Mar-24)
152 | Night in the Woods (appID: 10148, released on 2017-Feb-21)
152 | Outer Wilds (appID: 11737, released on 2019-May-30)
152 | Oxenfree (appID: 14587, released on 2016-Jan-15)
152 | PLAYERUNKNOWN'S BATTLEGROUNDS (appID: 27789, released on 2017-Dec-20)
152 | Pathologic 2 (appID: 55322, released on 2019-May-23)
152 | Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire (appID: 26951, released on 2018-May-08)
152 | Red Dead Redemption (appID: 434, released on May 18, 2010)
152 | Rise of the Tomb Raider (appID: 7323, released on 2016-Jan-28)
152 | SUPERHOT (appID: 7205, released on 2016-Feb-25)
152 | Saints Row: The Third (appID: 873, released on 2011-Nov-18)
152 | Shovel Knight: Shovel of Hope (appID: 27240, released on 2017-Apr-05)
152 | Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove (appID: 26848, released on 2017-Q2)
152 | Spec Ops: The Line (appID: 1377, released on 2012-Jun-29)
152 | Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (appID: 74701, released on 2019-Nov-15)
152 | Tekken 7 (appID: 7498, released on 2017-Jun-02)
152 | Terraria (appID: 1879, released on 2011-May-16)
152 | The Last of Us (appID: 1009, released on Jun 14, 2013)
152 | The Wolf Among Us (appID: 2993, released on 2013-Oct-11)
152 | Umineko When They Cry - Answer Arcs (appID: 75081, released on 2017-Nov-17)
152 | VVVVVV (appID: 1990, released on 2010-Jan-11)
152 | Zero Escape: The Nonary Games (appID: 25343, released on 2017-Mar-24)
A big thanks to the following who voted and just for being awesome people on MetaCouncil: AHA-Lambda, Amzin, Ascheroth, BO7AMMOOD, Big McLargehuge, BlackRainbowFT, Bonfires Down, Dandy, DeejayDoom, Derrick01, Dragon1893, Durante, Flips, FunnyJay, Ge0force, Gevin, Ibuki, InquisitorAles, Joe Spangle, KainXVIII, Kandrick, Kurt Russell, Kvik, Kyougar, MJunioR, Milena, Mivey, Monooboe, Nabs, NeuralProxy, PC-tan, Panda Pedinte, Parsnip, PhaZZe, QFNS, Stevey, Swenhir, Taborcarn, Theswweet, TioChuck, Tizoc, Wibblewozzer, Wildebeet, Wok, d00d3n, daxy, eonden, fantomena, fearthedawn, freshVeggie, kafiend, kio, lashman, lazerfox, m_dorian, mssq, nordschatten, oipic, prudis, sprinkles, uraizen, xinek, xxr, yuraya, 「Echo」.
Thank you and see you next decade!
PS: Results are summarized in the Wiki of my Github repository: woctezuma/metacouncil-goty
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