An exhilarating year for the gaming industry, 2015 marked the end of some fan-favorite series while bringing forth a plethora of new intellectual properties (or IPs). Most of these titles were so awe-inspiring that they influenced an entire generation of upcoming games, so much so that the pioneers are still discussed today.
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As such, it’s hard to fathom that we’re a decade past that extraordinary age upon entering 2025. Even now, it feels baffling to call Rocket League a classic despite its online community still being active today. With a new year on the horizon, what better time would it be to visit the genre-defining masterpieces of 2015, widely recognized and adored?
A few honorable mentions from 2015 include Fallout 4, Halo 5: Guardians, Ori and the Blind Forest, Dying Light, and Until Dawn.
9
Rainbow Six Siege
Cease Fire, You Muppet!
In today’s eSports era, the sheer volume of competitive FPS titles is staggering. Alongside legends like Counter-Strike and Call of Duty, Rainbow Six Siege is a veteran title in the scene. In almost ten years, this game has grown beyond what anyone could have imagined simply because of its updates and mechanics.
Mastering it requires practice and dedication — perfecting lineups, setups, team communication, and more. Still, the core gameplay loop is so simple and engaging that you can jump in today and play as if the title came out last week. And thus, dozens of new maps, operators, and abilities later, the fanbase has remained loyal to Rainbow Six Siege.
8
Life Is Strange
Even Angels Need Angels
Narrative-driven games, especially the ones emphasizing raw emotion, tend to stick with you for a while. Life is Strange was a heartfelt episodic voyage that set out to bring about nostalgia, care, empathy, and introspection, and it accomplished inducing those feelings. Max is one of the few protagonists in gaming you remember solely for their compassion, and, credit where it’s due, the game created a strong connection between you and her.
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The story and atmosphere here were profoundly mesmerizing, and the art style was so unique, vibrant, and dynamic that it remains perennial despite its age. For narrative seekers, this is a cruise unlike any other, as it certainly consummates the episodic formula.
7
Rocket League
What A Save!
Despite many attempts at imitation, none have successfully captured the audience and magic of Rocket League. Being an active eSports title is already a huge achievement, but the real highlight is how it has remained one-of-a-kind in the competitive space.
The game receives a ton of updates, yet it continues to be so easy to get into — simple controls, objectives, and mechanics. Rocket League perfectly fits the needs of anyone even remotely interested in combining football with racing, and it has a banger soundtrack you can jam to while you’re out on the field.
6
Undertale
Despite Everything, It’s Still You
Seeing Sans turn ten years old feels baffling, but the impact he and Undertale had on the industry, especially indie, has been astonishing. The music, characters, and depth alone are enough to convince you to play the game, but the tone and community encourage you to stay.
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As a turn-based indie game, it felt like Undertale would stay under the cloak of obscurity, but the fact so many picked it up demonstrates how sheer quality invites the masses. If you haven’t had the chance to play this game yet, just do it — like most non-mainstream titles, all you have to do is give it a fair shot.
Why Are We Still Here?
2015 saw the conclusion of one of gaming’s most iconic series, Metal Gear Solid, with an ideal send-off. Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain deviated from the series’ roots, but it harbored some of the best gameplay, controls, visuals, and story beats the community had ever known. The sheer freedom in that game is something modern titles struggle to achieve even a decade later.
Simply put, The Phantom Pain is what a stealth game should be. It encourages creativity, and the mechanical fluidity makes you question if it’s actually ten years old. The end of Snake’s adventure, and what a ride it was — one you should definitely try.
4
Mortal Kombat X
Fatality!
After the massive triumph of Mortal Kombat 9, fans were doubtful the series would ever peak again — they were wrong. Mortal Kombat X was, indeed, a worthy successor. Its visuals were leagues ahead of its time, and its combat system was the most fluid, action-packed, and rewarding Mortal Kombat had hosted.
Looking back, the game had several balancing issues, but nobody bothered to complain because the gameplay was so engaging, and the combos were so flashy. The character-specific dialogue to add personality was a wonderful addition, and horror-themed DLCs with Jason Voorhees and Predator kept the fanbase hooked for years to come.
3
Batman: Arkham Knight
I Am Vengeance
Rocksteady completed their Arkham trilogy with the release of Batman: Arkham Knight, arguably the most emotional game featuring the caped crusader. This is where Gotham City looked at its finest, Joker at his meanest, and Batman at his peak.
The tone and grittiness of Arkham Knight are what set it apart from the rest. It wasn’t afraid to make choices or explore characters, with the end result being an authentic ride in a crime-ridden world. It was the final piece to cement the Arkham series as the best superhero game trilogy of all time, adding to Kevin Conroy’s legendary legacy.
2
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Swear On Your Heads
When you think about the Mount Rushmore of open-world RPGs, you can’t deny The Witcher 3 a deserved spot. For most people, this was the game that put CD Projekt Red on the map, and it went on to win the 2015 Game of the Year award to establish its glory.
There’s not much to say about this title that hasn’t been said — the world, narrative, quests, and characters are fabulous, making for an immersive experience in a medieval fantasy setting. While the visual fidelity does feel a bit timeworn, almost every other aspect of The Witcher 3 has aged like fine wine, orchestrating a title any fan of the genre can treasure.
1
Bloodborne
Fear The Old Blood
- Released
-
March 24, 2015
- Developer(s)
-
From Software
- Engine
-
Havok
- ESRB
-
M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Violence
- How Long To Beat
-
33 Hours
- PS Plus Availability
-
Extra & Premium
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Mighty
- Multiplayer
-
Online Multiplayer
- X|S Optimized
-
no
- Steam Deck Compatibility
-
no
- Cross Save
-
yes
- Cross-Platform Play
-
ps4,ps5
Heralded as “Miyazaki’s masterpiece,” it’s extremely tough to argue any game that’s come close to Bloodborne’s atmosphere. This love letter from FromSoftware absolutely nailed the horrific Lovecraftian vibe, and its relentless combat is among the best the studio has ever produced.
Even now, almost a decade later, Sony has dismissed their fans’ plea to remaster Bloodborne or bring it to PC. Still, one might go as far as to buy a PlayStation console just to experience the game, and it would be justified. The art style, boss fights, dialogue, and lore are truly timeless, and a brilliant DLC to accompany your Soulsborne journey makes for a thrilling venture indeed.
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