Games from the 2000s. Introduction
The 2000s were a golden era for the video game industry, marked by the launch of numerous titles that have become true classics. These games not only set a milestone in terms of graphics and gameplay, but also introduced new and exciting experiences for players.
From the rise of role-playing games like “Final Fantasy 2000 gave us a wide variety of games that today are considered the best of the decade.
We cannot forget to mention the titles of the “Grand Theft Auto” saga, which were consolidated as true cultural phenomena with the launch of “Grand Theft Auto III” and its iconic open world. Other notable games of the decade include the “Bioshock” series, with its captivating story and sci-fi elements, and “The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker,” which featured a unique and captivating art style.
The 2000s were an unforgettable time in video game history, marked by the release of numerous titles that continue to be remembered as some of the best of all time. These games not only raised industry standards in terms of graphics and gameplay, but also introduced new and exciting experiences for players.
Best games of the 2000s. Summary
- Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004): An open-world game where players take on the role of Carl Johnson, a gang member who returns to Los Santos to avenge the death of his mother. It offers a huge variety of missions, memorable characters and an unforgettable soundtrack.
- The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (2006): A fantasy RPG set in the province of Cyrodiil. Players embark on an epic quest to stop the Daedra invasion and save the Emperor. With stunning graphics, a vast open world and a captivating plot, this game is a true classic.
- World of Warcraft (2004): An iconic MMORPG that introduced millions of players to the world of Azeroth. With its wide variety of races, classes and missions, players explore a vast world full of dangers and challenges, while uniting with other players to face powerful forces of evil.
- The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (2002): An installment of the popular Nintendo franchise in which players control Link, who must rescue his sister and defeat the evil Ganondorf. This game is known for its unique art style, innovative gameplay, and captivating story.
- Halo: Combat Evolved (2001): The first game in the successful Halo saga that introduced players to a futuristic universe full of action and combat against the Covenant. With innovative gameplay and multiplayer, this game became a milestone in the first-person shooter genre.
- Half-Life 2 (2004): The sequel to the famous Half-Life that continues the story of Gordon Freeman as he faces the Combine in a dystopian City 17. With an immersive narrative, a revolutionary game system and a wide arsenal of weapons, Half-Life 2 is considered one of the best games of the decade.
- Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004): A stealth action game where players take on the role of the legendary spy Solid Snake. Set in the Cold War, players explore a hostile environment filled with enemies and must use their cunning and skills to complete missions and unravel a complex plot.
- Final Fantasy X (2001): An installment of the popular RPG series that follows the story of Tidus and Yuna as they try to save the world of Spira from destruction. With stunning graphics, a strategic combat system and an exciting story, this game was hailed as one of the best of its genre.
- Resident Evil 4 (2005): A survival horror game in which players control Leon S. Kennedy as he investigates a mysterious cult in Europe. With a tense atmosphere, terrifying monsters, and solid gameplay, Resident Evil 4 reinvented the franchise and became a benchmark for the genre.
- God of War (2005): An action-adventure game based on Greek mythology, where players control Kratos, a Spartan warrior seeking revenge against the gods of Olympus. With epic combat, a gripping plot, and stunning art direction, this game has become an instant classic.
Best games of the 2000s, year by year
Here’s a list of the best games of the 2000s, year by year, along with a brief description:
2000:
- Deus Ex: An innovative action RPG game with a mature narrative and a gameplay system in which the player’s decisions affect the course of the story.
2001:
- Halo: Combat Evolved: A first-person shooter that revolutionized the genre and established the foundation for modern shooter games on consoles.
2002:
- Grand Theft Auto: Vice City: An open world game that allows you to explore a large city set in the 80s and participate in various criminal activities.
2003:
- The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker: An installment of the famous adventure saga in which you embark on an epic quest to rescue Princess Zelda in a vast world full of mysteries.
2004:
- Half-Life 2: A first-person shooter with a deep story and impressive graphics for its time, which set new standards in video game narrative.
2005:
- God of War: An action-adventure game based on Greek mythology, in which you take the role of Kratos, a Spartan warrior seeking revenge against the gods of Olympus.
2006:
- The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion: An open-world role-playing game with a vast and detailed exploration system, in which you can create your own character and follow an epic main story.
2007:
- BioShock: A first-person shooter game with a unique environment and excellent narrative, which immerses you in the underwater city of Rapture and poses moral dilemmas.
2008:
- Fallout 3: An open-world role-playing game set in a post-apocalyptic future, in which you venture into a vast world full of dangers and decisions that affect the development of the story.
2009:
- Uncharted 2: Among Thieves: An action-adventure game that combines an exciting story with cinematic action scenes and solid gameplay.
Best consoles of the 2000s
- PlayStation 2: Launched in 2000, the PS2 became the best-selling console of all time, with more than 155 million units sold. It was known for its extensive catalog of games, which included iconic titles such as “Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas” and “God of War.” It was also the first console to integrate a DVD player, making it the digital entertainment center in many homes.
- Xbox: Launched by Microsoft in 2001, the Xbox was the company’s first foray into the console market. It stood out for its powerful hardware and for offering an online gaming experience through the Xbox Live service. In addition, it included exclusive titles such as “Halo: Combat Evolved” and “Fable.” The Xbox was also the first console to introduce the internal hard drive, allowing the installation of games and expanding multimedia capabilities.
- GameCube: Launched by Nintendo in 2001, the GameCube was differentiated by its compact design and wide variety of games focused on group fun and family-friendly Nintendo franchises, such as “Super Smash Bros. Melee” and “The Legend of “Zelda: The Wind Waker.” Although it was surpassed in sales by its competitors, the GameCube continues to be appreciated by fans of the Japanese company and its iconic characters.
- Game Boy Advance: Released by Nintendo in 2001, the Game Boy Advance brought with it a significant improvement in graphics and performance compared to its predecessor, the Game Boy Color. With incredible portability and a huge library of games, it became one of the most popular portable consoles of the decade. Some of his most notable games include “Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen” and “Metroid Fusion.”
- PlayStation Portable (PSP): Launched by Sony in 2004, the PSP was the company’s first portable console. It offered impressive graphics, a high-resolution screen, and a diverse game catalog, ranging from action games to RPGs. In addition, the PSP allowed you to play music and videos, making it a versatile alternative to other portable devices of the time.
Conclusion
The 2000s were an important decade in the history of video games. During this time, numerous technological advances occurred that allowed for the creation of more advanced and realistic games. Several popular video game consoles were also released, such as the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and Nintendo GameCube.
Some of the most notable games of this decade were “Grand Theft Auto: Vice City” (2002), “Halo: Combat Evolved” (2001), “The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker” (2002), “Call of Duty ” (2003), “World of Warcraft” (2004) and “Half-Life 2” (2004).
These games were characterized by their innovative gameplay, stunning graphics, and immersive narratives. New game genres were also introduced, such as open-world games and online multiplayer games.
In general, the games of the 2000s were well received by gamers and ushered in a new era in the video game industry. Many of these games are still remembered and played today.