In a time where triple A releases fall flat on their faces and video game fans beg for something different to break the cycle of announcement, hype, flop, many have returned to those games that bring us a feeling of nostalgia and familiarity. So, today I will be breaking down my Top 10 games to return to in 2023 across PlayStation, Xbox and PC.
10. Ratchet and Clank Size Matters (High Impact Games, 2007)
Image sourced from Ratchet and Clank Wiki
My favourite iteration of the Ratchet and Clank series, due to my fond youthful memories playing this game on the PSP, has to be Size Matters which released on the PSP and PlayStation 2 in 2007 following the success of previous titles like Going Commando and Up Your Arsenal.
The Ratchet and Clank series never fails to fulfil that hack and slash itch as you scrounge up all the nuts and bolts you can find, whilst experimenting with the usual quirky and insane armory at Ratchets disposal.
Furthermore, the smooth combat and gameplay which leans the player in from one level to the next is something lacking it todays market with games like High on Life and Hi-Fi Rush filling that mid 2000s style where other studios favour deep storytelling in massive open-worlds.
9. Empire Earth (Stainless Steel Studios, 2001)
Image sourced from Empire Earth Wiki
Empire Earth has long awaited a reboot since the lacklustre release of its third iteration Empire Earth III in 2007, yet the 2001 made profound developments in the RTS genre with its long campaigns through from the Stone Age to the Atomic Age providing its fair share of fun and challenge.
Whereas the gameplay of Age of Empires centres around the Dark Ages to the Early Modern Era, Empire Earth lets the player construct a military consisting of battleships, aeroplanes and even experiment in mechanised warfare at the latter stages of the game.
Despite the releases that followed Empire Earth, this title has something to offer any fan of the RTS genre who craves a return to that early 2000s style and gameplay.
8. Fable (Lionhead Studios, 2005)
Image sourced from Game Informer
The first title in the Fable series set the tone for what the Fable franchise was meant to feel like, the third-person adventure-RPG game played every tune of the genre to perfection with its wonderous setting and simplistic gameplay.
On top of this, the games linear narrative, which drives players to support the hero’s guild with quest after quest, was a welcome addition to the genre as it expressed its ties to the genre with plenty of loot, weapons and abilities to help the player on their journey.
Furthermore, the players alignment to be either good or bad had its own consequences as townsfolk would treat the player differently as the players morality would also directly affect the Hero of Oakvale’s physical appearance.
7. Total War: Medieval II (Creative Assembly, 2006)
Image sourced from Game Spot
The Total War franchise is known for its sprawling battles and lengthy campaigns as you take control of a fiction or historical civilization or empire and lead them to glory whilst upgrading your troops whilst balancing supply and demand.
Despite the titles focus on the years surrounding the crusades, mod support on Steam has greatly benefitted the game as a Lord of the Rings overhaul has often been cited as one of the greatest mods ever made for a game.
The series has visited various eras through history with the Renaissance, ancient Greece, the Dark Ages and even dabbling into the Warhammer universe, but it is the 2006 release of Medieval II that stands head and shoulders above the rest in terms of its simplicity, enjoyability and longevity.
6. KOTOR II
Image sourced from Nintendo
Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords is often regarded as one of the greatest video game adaptations of the Star Wars universe as its open world RPG as you take control of a veteran of the Mandalorian wars and exile of the Jedi council.
The sheer amount of customization and room for role-playing within the sequel to the much-appreciated Knights of the Old Republic (2003) is staggering for a game released in 2005 as your allegiance to the dark or light side of the force lies at the centre of its gameplay and dialogue.
Furthermore, your parties individuality really ingrains itself in the Star wars universe as your decisions can have direct consequences on their opinions of your character, whilst each followers skills and abilities are completely customizable to suit your playstyle.
5. Age of Empires II (Ensemble Studios, 1999)
Image sourced from Polygon
Age of Empires II has largely been seen as the gold standard of the RTS (Real Time Strategy) genre with its management and combat sim mechanics setting the standard for similar titles within the genre such as Command and Conquer, Starcraft and Anno.
Despite its release in 1999 by Ensemble Studios it still has an incredibly active Multiplayer community and online presence with competitions between players exhibiting various meta relevant playstyles.
On top of this, Age of Empires’ rock-beats-paper combat mechanics it takes little time for the player to get accustomed to conquering enemy civilizations as the Azetcs, Vikings, English or Romans.
4. Smackdown Vs Raw 2007 (Yuke’s, 2006)
Image sourced from Amazon Store
Smackdown Vs Raw 2007 is often seen as the pinnacle of the WWE wrestling games before the dissolution of the Smackdown Vs Raw franchise in 2012, which is often seen as the downfall of the series from that point onwards.
Yet, something about the arcade style of the original Smackdown Vs Raw games still holds up to this day as 2007 shines through as the pick of the lot. With the games inclusion of the Money in the Bank matches alongside the Elimination Chamber, Royal Rumble and Buried Alive modes there are plenty of ways to enjoy this title.
Despite its release in 2006 onto the PS2 and Xbox 360, the graphics hold up especially well when compared to other titles under the Smackdown Vs Raw brand with its Manager Mode and Story Mode surpassing even some of the contemporary titles in terms of entertainment and replay ability.
3. Bioshock (2K Games, 2007)
Image sourced from IMDB
The most recent release to this Top 10 list is Bioshock, the 2007 release from 2K Games which follows the protagonist Jack as he traverses the inhospitable remains of Rapture, an underwater utopian City which has succumbed to its own downfall and has since experienced a severe downfall.
Rapture’s eery and uncanny 50s inspired environment challenges players morality and survivability as you fight your way through the various inhospitable inhabitants of Rapture with a Big Daddy or Splicer always looking to tear you down.
Bioshocks mysteries surrounding ADAM and the Little Sisters provide the player with plenty of intrigue as the combat surrounding abilities and firearms is exceedingly entertaining and easy to master, this means that players across the spectrum have something to enjoy from the world of Bioshock.
2. Oblivion (Bethesda, 2006)
Image sourced from PCGamer
The fourth title in the Elder Scrolls series, Oblivion revolved around a particular conflict known as the Oblivion crisis which followers the player, the hero of Kvatch, as they seek to dismantle the rifts between Nirn and Oblivion in order to save Tamriel.
Oblivion is the clear predecessor of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim as many of the mechanics and tropes available in Skyrim are also present in Oblivion as the dungeon crawling action-adventure RPG series from Bethesda is at its fantastical best in this title.
Not only is the main story of Oblivion good enough for the big screen, but its fantasy world also makes for excellent exploration and gameplay, while the addition of the Shivering Isles DLC really drives home the fantasy elements of the franchise.
1. Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga (Traveller’s Tales, 2007)
Image sourced from Steam
Despite the 2021 release of the Skywalker Saga set which included the Disney trilogy, the original collection of both the Star Wars trilogies in Lego form holds up even to todays standard of shiny ray-traced Lego figures with a large open-world.
What is even more so, the original arcade like levels of The Complete Saga feel uncomplicated and immensely enjoyable as you take control of fan favourites like Obi-Wan, Anakin, Han Solo and Luke Skywalker.
Although the Skywalker Saga has immensely improved on the Lego Star Wars franchise graphical capabilities, the cantina theme from Mos Eisley combined with the minimalistic line and two-dot faces are still exceedingly charming and brimming with that feeling of nostalgia.
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