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.
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.
In today’s eSports era, thesheer 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 hasgrown beyond what anyone could have imaginedsimply because of its updates and mechanics.
Mastering it requires practice and dedication — perfecting lineups, setups, team communication, and more. Still, thecore gameplay loop is so simple and engagingthat you may 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.
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 thatset 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.
Thestory 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 itcertainly consummates the episodic formula.
Despite many attempts at imitation,none have successfully captured the audience and magicof Rocket League. Being an active eSports title is already a huge achievement, but the real highlight is howit has remained one-of-a-kind in the competitive space.
The game receives a ton of updates, yet itcontinues to be so easy to get into— simple controls, objectives, and mechanics.Rocket League perfectly fits the needs of anyoneeven remotely interested in combining football with racing, and ithas a banger soundtrack you can jam towhile you’re out on the field.
Seeing Sans turn ten years old feels baffling, but the impact he and Undertale had on the industry, especially indie, has been astonishing. Themusic, characters, and depth alone are enough to convince youto play the game, but the tone and community encourage you to stay.
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 howsheer 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.
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 harboredsome of the best gameplay, controls, visuals, and story beatsthe community had ever known. Thesheer freedom in that game is something modern titles struggle to achieveeven a decade later.
Simply put, The Phantom Pain iswhat a stealth game should be. It encourages creativity, and themechanical 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.
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. Itsvisuals were leagues ahead of its time, and itscombat system was the most fluid, action-packed, and rewardingMortal Kombat had hosted.
Looking back, the game had several balancing issues, but nobody bothered to complain becausethe gameplay was so engaging, and the combos were so flashy. The character-specific dialogue to add personality was a wonderful addition, andhorror-themed DLCs with Jason Voorhees and Predatorkept the fanbase hooked for years to come.
Rocksteady completed their Arkham trilogy with the release of Batman: Arkham Knight, arguably themost emotional game featuring the caped crusader. This is whereGotham City looked at its finest, Joker at his meanest, and Batman at his peak.
Thetone and grittiness of Arkham Knight are what set it apartfrom 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.
When you think aboutthe Mount Rushmore of open-world RPGs, you can’t deny The Witcher 3 a deserved spot. For most people, this was the game that putCD Projekt Redon the map, and it went on towin the 2015 Game of the Year awardto 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 titleany fan of the genre can treasure.
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 absolutelynailed the horrific Lovecraftian vibe, and itsrelentless combat is among the bestthe 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 tobuy a PlayStation console just to experience the game, and it would be justified. Theart style, boss fights, dialogue, and lore are truly timeless, and a brilliant DLC to accompany your Soulsborne journey makes for a thrilling venture indeed.
