Half-Life: Alyx #85. 100 Best Video Games of 2010s [1/3]

Although the new generation of virtual reality goggles has been with us for a few years now, it wasn't until 2020 when an AAA-exclusive game that would present itself not only as an impressive technology exhibit but simply as a great production.

Half-Life: Alyx is essentially a full-fledged part of the iconic series - offering hours of long campaigns with an engaging story, interesting twists, memorable moments, great gameplay mechanics, and a breathtakingly designed levels. Should the game have been released as a regular PC title, it would have been a hit as well. However, it has been designed exclusively for VR goggles, and developers took full advantage of the benefits of this technology by preparing unique controls and opportunities to interact with the virtual world that are unattainable in traditional ways. Alyx has virtually no competition in its class, and absolutely every VR goggle owner should play it.

1. More about Half-Life: Alyx
2. Review of Half-Life: Alyx - the best game you'll never play

Titanfall 2 #84

Electronic Arts' kiss of death on Titanfall 2 will go down in electronic entertainment history. The publisher decided that this promising first-person shooter game by the talented team of Respawn Entertainment will be released at the worst possible time - just a week after the release of Battlefield 1 (also published by EA) and a week before the debut of Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare. Similar games, but incomparably more popular and recognizable. The effects turned out as one could have anticipated - despite great reviews, the game didn't match up to the expectations.

Gamers and reviewers thankfully didn't let Titanfall 2 disappear completely unnoticed, trying to repair the damage done by EA and urging everyone around to give it a chance. It was partially successful. As a result, one of the best single-player FPS campaigns of this decade has been seen by many people over time, and the relentless multiplayer has managed to stay alive. In addition to excellent mechanics, the game was also distinguished by the titans - huge robots whose appearance on the battlefield is critical moments could change the course of the match.

1. More about Titanfall 2

Pathologic 2 #83

Games are primarily meant to be fun - after all, that's why we talk about "electronic entertainment." Pathologic 2 didn't care about the entertainment part. It is a painful and difficult experience, which frequently led to failure and frustration. Restart after the failure wasn't any easier; despite any lessons learned, the game just made it hard on each attempt. All that is done to make you think, instead of just entertaining you, the game makes you experience something more while playing rather than just shallow pleasure.

In Pathologic 2, we found ourselves in a town overrun by an outbreak. Despite the patricide accusations weighing on us, we tried to save the inhabitants. And for most of the time, we didn't only fail but either got infected or died. The relentless passage of time made it impossible to save everyone, and the everlasting shortage of supplies forced cruel decisions. No, playing Pathologic 2 was not fun. But it was a touching, exciting and unforgettable experience. And that's more valuable than short-term excitement.

1. More about Pathologic 2
2. More Difficult With Each Death – How Pathologic 2 Toys with our Gaming Habits

Warhammer: Vermintide 2 #82

Due to Games Workshop's approach to the Warhammer license, enthusiasts of this universe have no reasons to complain about the shortage of games in this world. Unfortunately, the quantity of these games does not always come hand in hand with their quality. Based on the gameplay model derived from Left 4 Dead, Vermintide also did not appear to be very promising. So when it turned out that it can be enjoyable cooperative fun for many evenings, many people couldn't hide their surprise. The sequel, released three years later, took off from a much more established position and did not disappoint fans.

Fatshark Studio has borrowed mechanics from Valve's iconic series and wrapped them in Old World reality. It introduced the evil-controlled city of Helmgart to the players, where divided into groups of four, they had to face the forces of Skaven and Chaos. Five different character classes with a traditional formula, built around attempts to survive against the enemy's hordes attacks and collecting more and more equipment, translated into very addictive gameplay. The game is not a revelation of any kind, but it's made with panache and in a well-loved universe, so altogether turns out to be a great piece of fun. Especially that we still have to wait for a legitimate successor to Left 4 Dead 2 .

1. More about Warhammer: Vermintide 2

Hitman # 81

IO interactive in 2016 revolutionized the adventures of Agent 47 twice. The first was about the way the game was released and was only moderately applauded. Even if dividing the game into episodes seems like a good idea now as it encouraged exploration of the maps and completion of more challenges, back in 2016 gamers didn't like receiving Hitman in pieces, and as a consequence Hitman 2 came in its entirety (not counting paid DLC and very specific packs of free post-release content).

The second revolution was related to the gameplay itself, and this was a complete success. On this occasion, Agent 47 found himself in vibrant open-world locations where he could eliminate his targets in dozens of ways - starting with sophisticated, scripted methods planned by the developers to the creative ideas of players based on a simulation of the virtual world. Each map of 2016's Hitman is a small masterpiece that makes you want to lose yourself in it and perform the same contract again and again, with each approach discovering completely new ways to make a kill.

1. More about Hitman
2. Hitman 3 Rules! Review of the Ultimate Agent 47 Game