No matter what our expectations were, these games blew them out of the water. Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for games released since 2020 that delivered beyond the hype.
00:00Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we'll be counting down our picks for the top 10 games
00:12that surpassed all of our expectations.
00:14Number 10 Returnal
00:27Chaos Marquis Returnal crash-landed onto the PlayStation 5, bringing an addictive roguelike
00:31loop combined with stunning visuals.
00:34What started as a niche sci-fi shooter quickly became a flagship title for Sony.
00:38Its haunting atmosphere and intense bullet-hell combat kept players glued to their DualSense
00:43controllers or, in some cases, sent them flying across the room in frustration.
00:52Selene's tragic journey through Atropos is both captivating and brutal, blending procedural
00:57level design with a deep emotional narrative.
00:59Not to mention, its use of the PS5's haptic feedback was an absolute game-changer.
01:04Chaos Marquis went from indie darling to AAA powerhouse, proving that sometimes, getting
01:09stuck in a time loop pays off.
01:15Number 9 Hi-Fi Rush
01:24This rhythm-action game from Tango Gameworks dropped with zero marketing and all the vibes.
01:29Hi-Fi Rush had no right to be as polished and charming as it was, but it hit all the right
01:34notes.
01:35Having rock-solid combat with a soundtrack that can make even the most rhythmically-challenged
01:39gamer feel like a rock star, it's a testament to why shadow drops can work.
01:48Protagonist Chai's quippy personality and the vibrant comic book aesthetic made this one
01:52a sleeper hit.
01:53For a studio known for horror titles like The Evil Within, this light-hearted beat-based
01:58game was the last thing anyone expected.
02:00Who knew fighting robots with a guitar could feel this good?
02:08Number 8 Hades
02:14Supergiant Games Hades gave roguelikes a fresh twist and became a standout indie hit.
02:19Set in the world of Greek mythology, it combined sharp gameplay with a story that unfolded naturally
02:24as you made your way through countless attempts to escape the underworld.
02:31Zagreus's mission to escape the underworld was as much about the relationships he built
02:36with gods and allies as it was about the journey itself.
02:39The dialogue stayed dynamic, the art style was breathtaking, and the voice acting kept
02:43players deeply engaged.
02:45Somehow, Hades made dying over and over again feel both satisfying and meaningful.
02:55Number 7 Grounded
03:00What if Honey, I Shrunk the Kids was a survival game?
03:03Obsidian Entertainment answered that question with Grounded, a title that shrank expectations
03:08and then blew them up.
03:09Set in a backyard filled with oversized bugs and hidden dangers, this co-op survival game
03:14proved that small-scale innovation can make a big impact.
03:21The crafting system, exploration, and sheer terror of facing a spider twice your size turned
03:27what could've been a gimmick into a genuine contender.
03:30Whether you're building a base out of grass or screaming as a ladybug charges at you, Grounded
03:34is proof that, sometimes, the best ideas are right under your nose.
03:42Literally.
03:45Number 6 Resident Evil 4 Remake
03:55Capcom faced a monumental challenge, remaking one of gaming's most beloved titles without
04:00alienating its devoted fanbase.
04:02With the Resident Evil 4 remake, they achieved more than just a faithful recreation.
04:06They delivered a revitalized experience.
04:08Leon's enhanced moveset, paired with stunning visuals and an intensified atmosphere, preserved
04:14the essence of the original while keeping it exciting and modern.
04:21Ashley, who was previously seen as a simple escort mission, was transformed into a well-rounded
04:29and engaging character.
04:30Whether you were revisiting a classic or experiencing it for the first time, this remake reminded players
04:36why Resident Evil 4 remains a cornerstone of gaming, chainsaw-wielding maniacs included.
04:41Cyberpunk 2077 had one of the rockiest launches in gaming history, but Phantom Liberty marked
05:00a massive redemption arc.
05:01CD Projekt Red doubled down on its strengths, delivering a gripping spy thriller expansion that
05:07fixed many of the base game's issues.
05:09Idris Elba's performance as Solomon Reed added star power, and the new Dogtown district gave
05:14Night City even more depth.
05:21The gameplay overhaul made the experience smoother and more immersive, turning skeptics into believers.
05:27Phantom Liberty was the phoenix rising from the ashes of overhyped marketing, a reminder
05:31that sometimes second chances are worth taking.
05:41Number 4.
05:42The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom
05:49How do you follow up a masterpiece like Breath of the Wild?
05:53By defying gravity, literally.
05:55Tears of the Kingdom expanded on its predecessor with new abilities, a massive sky realm, and
06:00deeper lore.
06:01Link's journey through Hyrule felt both familiar and brand new, proving Nintendo's
06:06unmatched ability to innovate within a beloved formula.
06:16The Ultra Hand mechanic turned every player into a part-time engineer, and the sheer creativity
06:21it encouraged was a marvel.
06:23Who knew you could build a flying death machine out of Zonai parts?
06:27Nintendo didn't just give us a sequel.
06:28They gave us a playground of endless possibilities.
06:31Sorry Ganondorf, but Link's got a sky base now.
06:35Alone.
06:36Link.
06:37Number 3.
06:41Black Myth Wukong
06:48Chinese developer GameScience set a bold new standard with Black Myth Wukong.
06:53Applying inspiration from the classic tale Journey to the West, this action RPG showcased a seamless
06:58blend of breathtaking visuals and demanding combat.
07:01Each gameplay reveal left fans in awe, questioning if what they were seeing could truly be achieved.
07:07And it certainly could.
07:10The game's rich connection to Chinese mythology offered a fresh perspective in a market often dominated by Western narratives.
07:21With fluid animations, stunning environments, and a protagonist embodying the legendary Monkey King, Black Myth Wukong demonstrated that innovation and ambition can rival even the largest AAA productions.
07:33Number 2.
07:40Baldur's Gate 3.
07:42Larian Studios delivered the ultimate Dungeons & Dragons experience with Baldur's Gate 3, creating a CRPG that felt limitless.
07:58The level of freedom and player choice was absolutely staggering.
08:01You could befriend a bear, romance a vampire, or accidentally set an entire village on fire.
08:07The characters, story, and turn-based combat were a chef's kiss, making this a must-play for RPG fans.
08:18With its intricate design and jaw-dropping attention to detail, Baldur's Gate 3 blurred the line between tabletop and video game.
08:25Also, pro tip, save often, because your party member's questionable decisions might lead to some hilariously tragic consequences.
08:32Or, um, was that just my playthrough?
08:40Number 1.
08:41Elden Ring.
08:42A game born from the collaboration between FromSoftware and George RR Martin delivered an unforgettable open-world experience.
08:53Stepping into the lands between, players found themselves in a hauntingly beautiful realm filled with secrets, rich lore, and formidable challenges.
09:01The game offered unparalleled freedom to explore and discover at every turn.
09:05It's combat system was a finely tuned masterpiece that elevated the experience, from conquering tower bosses to uncovering hidden dungeons.
09:16With a captivating blend of wonder and dread, Elden Ring kept players engaged for countless hours.
09:21And, unlike Martin's literary epics, this journey had a definitive and satisfying conclusion.
09:27Were there any games on this list that went above and beyond your expectations?
09:36Let us know in the comments!
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