The Lazygamer Top 100 games of this generation – 21-30

Three more posts and we’re done with the generation. Hard to believe it! So many fantastic games – it has been really hard ranking all of these. No, that’s a lie, we just made our list and Gavin told us we were all wrong. In any event, here are the games that made us happy to be gamers this generation – no sales, scores or metrics were used to create this list.

30 – Minecraft (PC, Mac, Xbox 360, PS3, PS Vita)

Minecraft, that weird little gem of a game that has garnered a cult following as well as mass appeal. It seems just about anything can be done in Minecraft – people build replicas of Erebor and London, or even learn about urban planning. Minecraft is what you make of it – the ultimate sandbox game.

It goes beyond the basic game, too. With tons of mods and maps, including adventure scenarios, Minecraft has a world of content to explore. It can get a bit overwhelming at times, just like the vastness of the real world. What will you build?

29 – Forza 4 (Xbox 360)

As far as racing games go, the biggest rivalry on the console track has to be between Forza Motorsport and Gran Turismo. But Microsoft was sending a second-string vehicle onto the course, as Forza was a petrol-head dream. Easily able to shift gears between authentic simulation and enticing fun for newcomers, the franchise may not pack as many vehicles as its Sony counterpart, but it packs plenty of content where it matters, under the hood.

Many, many horses of power have resulted in one of the prettiest looking racing games of all time, and a game that handles even better around the bends.

28 – Dead or Alive 4 (Xbox 360)

Dead or Alive 4 was the very first “next gen” fighter when this passed generation launched – and it had it all. Sexy visuals, sexier women, and a surprisingly deep 3D fighting system.

It pioneered global, online tournaments, had incredible interactive stages and an all-star line up of new and returning characters. And exceptional boob-jiggling physics.

27 – Super Meat Boy (PC, Mac, Linux, Xbox 360)

What makes an awesome platformer? Simplicity in controls and complementing level design. Super Meat Boy by Team Meat has this, and 300 levels to boot.You play as the aforementioned red cube Meat Boy, wall jumping his way through 7 chapters in order to save love interest Bandage girl from the clutches of the evil Dr. Fetus.

A loving pastiche of every retro game ever, Super Meat Boy has an undeniable retro style filled with references and kickass music by the acclaimed Danny Baranowsky. Part of what makes it such an engaging experience is the instant restart upon failing a level. You are constantly attempting to clear the level as fast as possible, perfecting the wall jumping and momentum mechanics and taking the grind out of restarting. Super Meat Boy is the finest example of a pure modern platformer that truly cemented Team Meat on the indie game map.

26 – Tomb Raider 2013 (PC, Mac, Xbox 360, PS3)

Take one of the most iconic characters in all of videogames, and give her a gritty, more personable and relatable makeover. Throw in a bow and arrow, and a lot of gratuitous violence and you have Tomb Raider.

An origins story, this year’s Tomb Raider reboot shows a Lara Croft you didn’t know; a young, naive and vulnerable lass, and shows you how she started her path to becoming an ass-kicking archaeologist.

25 – Xenoblade Chronicles (Wii)

The successor to Xenogear, Xenoblade Chronicles throws players in to a universe bursting with imagination. With a fantastic combat system, a focus on relationships and a sprawling, unfolding story, Xenoblade did things you wouldn’t think the Wii was even capable of

Along with Ni No Kuni, it’s quite possibly the finest JRGP of this generation, and it makes the wait for Monolith’s “X” for the Wii U unbearable.

24 – Gears of War Franchise (PC, Xbox 360)

It’s safe to say that without Gears of War, the Xbox 360 might never have had the impact on gaming that this franchise afforded it. Love it or hate it, the Epic Games developed title created ripples in the pool of gaming that influenced other games and genres for years to come.

The bloated muscles of the super soldier, the cover-based shooter mechanics and buckets of gore made this a franchise for the ages, with a single-player campaign spread over three games that brought multiplayer to the masses. Even if you hate the dudebro story, it;s hard to find any fault with the online side of this beast, which spread giblets of joys throughout the run of the Xbox 360.

23 – Dishonored (PC, Xbox 360, PS3)

Very rarely does a first person shooter get stealth right, Dishonored takes that coveted title. A new I.P by Arkane Studios and Bethesda takes players to the plague-ridden city of Dunwall where you control Corvo Attano, the empresse’s kickass bodyguard, framed for her murder. Corvo, aided by the Loyalists, a resistance group hoping to reclaim Dunwall from corrupt officials. A mysterious figure called the Outsider grants Corvo magic abilities to aid him in his fight.

Dishonered takes stealth seriously, the less of a disturbance you make on the world, the less you kill, the better the ending. It’s a fantastic way to incentivise stealthy play while having a meaningful impact on the story. By collecting runes, Corvo is able to teleport short distances and double jump, among many other abilities to stay unseen. It’s a pleasant surprise for a brand new I.P to be this polished.

22 – Super Paper Mario (Wii)

This Mario game on the Wii was revolutionary. Not only could you flip the 2D perspective, but you could point at the screen to reveal hidden things. Throw in a variety of Pixls with strange and unique powers, plus the ability to play as all your favorite Mario characters with different abilities, and this game was pure Mario joy on the Wii.

Super Paper Mario was pure platforming genius that made magnificent use of the Wii’s technology. This little classic is a must-play.

21 – Castle Crashers (PC, Mac, Xbox 360, PS3)

Castle crashers is a 4 player 2D side scrolling indie beat ’em up with light RPG elements. One of the indie darlings of the year, developer The Behemoth showed that beat ’em ups could still be engaging and fun.

With both local and online multiplayer, Castle Crashers is a hell of a good time with friends. It’s a simple premise, defeat evil sark wizard, level up, get new perks and abilities, and it totally works. The upgrades are similar to a Rogue Legacy in that you can get new weapons and familiars to aid you in battle, as well as modifiers such as an increase in dropped loot, or just attribute benefits to your character. Coupled with  a unique art style, Castle Crashers is an indie must play.

[button link=”https://www.criticalhit.net/xbox-360/the-lazygamer-top-100-games-of-this-generation-11-20/”]It’s the big time baby.. this way to the top 20[/button]

Last Updated: December 21, 2013