Gamers will always have varying opinions regarding the hierarchy of the most popular video games. Just read the reviews for the most popular titles and you will see five-star reviews one right after the other. But what you will also see are the one-, two-, three-, and four-star reviews that differ significantly from the vast majority.
The best-selling games are, by default, the most popular but that doesn’t mean everyone is enthralled. Different strokes for different folks – they make vanilla and chocolate for a reason. That is a long way of saying not everyone will agree with the titles that made the cut, and the omissions will be glaring for some of you.
Therefore, it is by no means a comprehensive list, as there are some obscure titles that have a cult following but never resonated with the masses, to which those will not be included. But we call’em as we see’em and the video games below run the gamut from RPG to esports to just about everything in-between. In no particular order, here we go!
The Fab 5
Dota 2 (2013) – When it comes to esports spectator esports, few if any, rival Dota 2. All you need to do is consider the staggering $40 million in prize money being offered at The International 10 with over $14 million slated for the winner. In fact, it has become such a part of the mainstream culture that even the bookies are getting in on the action. The best site for sports betting is dealing odds on the Dota 2 TI10 and there will be millions of remote viewers watching this one.
Miranda Sanchez, executive director of IGN, said it best when she stated, “Dota 2 is complex, it takes an incredible amount of time to even begin to master one of its five roles, but it is not to say that you can’t enjoy this game casually and sign in during special events. Dota is tough, but if you’re down for the challenge, it’ll definitely be a game experience you’ll unlikely find anywhere else.”
League of Legends (2010) – Like many of these, titles, there have been many iterations since they were created and League of Legends is no exception. It reigns among the very best in the multiplayer genre and although this style is not for everyone, you wouldn’t know it by the staggering numbers LOL has done along with its esports arena contemporaries. On League’s 10th Anniversary, Riot Games announced their wildly popular title had reached an average peak player count of over eight million, breaking the record in this category.
Fortnite (2017) – Although younger than the previous two titans of this genre, Fortnite has captured the attention of millions, and celebrated athletes, like former AL Cy Young Award winner David Price, have been outspoken in their love for the game. Fortnite also has a vibrant community of tournament players and the big prize money is there to be had for the professionals. There are few games that have attracted this much attention and although it is free to play and easy to enter, it is difficult to master. Fortnite will get you hooked so make sure you have plenty of time to kill!
Player Unknown’s Battlegrounds (2016) – Yes, this is yet another online multiplayer battle royale game but we would be remiss if we didn’t include this with the other three previously mentioned. The newest version, PUBG: New State, will be released shortly and it is supposed to encompass the very best elements from the prior edition as well as many more wrinkles that will enhance the overall user experience. As with the other most popular games in the world of esports, the prize money is swelling as interest increases. Make sure you are on the lookout for the newest release.
Civilization 5 (2010) – There are currently six, soon to be seven, in Sid Meier’s Civilization series but Civilization 5 is tops in our book. Unlike the other games on this list, Civ 5 does not rely on fast-twitch trigger muscles but rather a strategic, turn-based, thinking man’s approach to creating a society that soars above the rest. There are several historical figures from which to choose and each has its own attributes. But the research invested through science must be balanced with an army strong enough to defend its territories from barbarians and invaders from other lands. It’s a game that can be replayed over and over without it ever getting tired or redundant.
The Best of the Rest: The Dirty Dozen
Fallout 4 (2015)
God of War (2018)
Skyrim (2011)
Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018)
The Witcher 3 (2015)
Halo 4 (2012)
Mass Effect 2 (2010)
Grand Theft Auto 5 (2013)
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017)
Bloodborne (2015)
Final Fantasy 15 (2016)
Pokemon Go (2016)
