The 2000s saw the release of numerous incredible games. The world was treated to a bunch of Mario, Zelda, Grand Theft Auto, and Halo games. Everyone remembers all of those very well. Even if you didn’t play them, you probably remember them existing. However, not every title had the same sort of impact.
Some of them were really good but didn’t gain the same level of fame, meaning they aren’t as well remembered by the gaming world today. Yet, they deserve a chance in the spotlight once again, through a re-release, remaster, or remake. Here are several titles from the 2000s that deserve such treatment.
When you hear the word Madworld, you may think of the song that is often heard in Gears of War trailers. Yet, it’s also the name of a 2009 hack-and-slash game. In this title, you’re the contestant of a very violent game show. You need to make your way through different levels, which are different parts of the island that the game show takes place on. Along the way, you need to murder people.
There are a bunch of ways to kill people, and the game gives you plenty of freedom to do it the way you desire. Each kill looks great, too, since the red of the victim’s blood is the only color you see in the game.
Heavenly Sword is areally good character action gamethat was released exclusively on the PlayStation 3. In it, you control a woman named Nariko, who attempts to defend her clan from dangerous forces. To stop those villains, she makes use of a special sword. You also make use of that sword in the game’s fast-paced, action-packed combat.
The sword is able to shift and change shape depending on the stance you take. So, it’s basically multiple weapons in one. Making use of it is very satisfying throughout the adventure.
The Saboteur only just made it into the 2000s, as it was released in December 2009. What a way to end the decade, as this is a great open-world action-adventure game set during World War 2. You play as an Irish man attempting to liberate France from the Nazis. So, you’re doing honorable work while also showcasing your parkour skills as you climb buildings and jump across them.
You don’t just fight back against the Third Reich through the use of climbing skills. You can also shoot at them, punch them in the face, or sneak past them. All of these feel enjoyable to do. What’s also cool about the game is how color is used. Nazi-occupied areas are in black-and-white to match the dreary mood, but if you liberate these places, you begin to see more color.
5Hogs Of War
At the start of the 2000s, the world was treated to a unique turn-based tactics game called Hogs of War. Each turn, a member of one of the teams has the freedom to move around and position themselves, then attack using any of the provided weapons.
So, it’s a bit like the Worms games, except you play as Hogs instead of worms. The real greatness of the title, however, comes in the writing and voice acting. There are plenty of hilarious lines in this game, which add a layer of personality to what is already a fun and chaotic experience.
The Darkness isan often-overlooked shooterthat stands out from most entries in the genre. This is because not only can your character use traditional guns, but they also have demonic powers. With these, you can summon monsters, create small black holes, and use tentacles as weapons.
Having all these powers at your disposal adds a lot of variety to the combat. This is good since you get into plenty of fights as you attempt to stop the mobster who betrays you at the start of the game.
BioWare has developed numerous action RPGs, but while everyone remembers Mass Effect and Dragon Age, Jade Empire is often overlooked. It’s set in a world based on Chinese Mythology, making it very different from the fantasy or sci-fi settings usually seen in RPGs.
The game tells the tale of a spirit monk going on a quest to save their mentor. Along the way, you engage a bunch of enemies in battle. This is where the game truly shines, offering a highly entertaining real-time combat system that allows you to utilize both weapons and martial arts skills against your opponents.
In Psi-Ops, you follow the adventures of a psychic secret agent who fights against a dangerous terrorist group. However, the game has ‘The Mindgate Conspiracy’ in the title, so there is obviously a conspiracy involved in the game, too, which you must uncover.
Playing as a psychic agent means you get access to all sorts of psychic powers, from mind control to telekinesis. These abilities are what make Psi-Ops a bit different from eventhe best action-adventure games out there. Naturally, you don’t just rely on your psychic powers to get the job done. You can also use stealth and guns to your advantage.
Mercenaries is an action-adventure game set in an open world. That world is North Korea, which is currently embroiled in a fictional war between two opposing groups, with additional factions contributing to the chaos.
Based on the title, you can likely guess that you play as a mercenary who enters the war-torn place and starts doing missions. The game’s real selling point is its action-packed gameplay. The open world is essentially your sandbox, where you can engage in a wide range of activities, mostly involving violent and explosive elements.
