Although 2010 was almost a decade ago, if you think back on some of the things that happened that year, it certainly doesn't feel like it's been ten years. That is especially true when it comes to video games, and some of the classics that you remember enjoying might have been released much longer ago than you may realize. So if you want to feel really old, here are 10 games that are turning 10 years old in 2020.
BioShock 2
Earlier this week, we learned that a fourth BioShock game is officially in the development, but you might be surprised to learn that the second entry in the series was released almost a decade ago. First released on February 9, 2010, BioShock 2 cleverly allowed players to play as a Big Daddy, giving players a great reason to return to Rapture for a second time and once again experience the incredibly dystopian style of the BioShock universe.
Fallout: New Vegas
Back before Bethesda was selling $100 season passes for lackluster games, the company put out some classic open world RPGs, including Fallout 3. Building off of that success, Obsidian's spinoff Fallout: New Vegas thrust players into a post-apocalyptic version of Nevada, Arizona, and California, and introduced a compelling storyline with an addicting faction system. The game first hit shelves on October 19, 2010.
Heavy Rain
When it comes to games with massive pre-release hype, Heavy Rain always finds its way into the conversation. This story-centered title focuses on a mystery involving a serial killer, and broke new ground by introducing different story outcomes based on player decisions. The game certainly paved the way for story-focused games like Death Stranding, and it originally hit shelves back on February 18, 2010.
Halo: Reach
Building on the immense success of Halo 3, Halo: Reach served as a prequel to the original game, where players controlled a specialists group of Spartans in a large scale war against the Covenant. Reach originally released on September 14, 2010, but as of December 3, you can play an updated version as a part of the latest update for the Master Chief Collection.
Alan Wake
Remedy Entertainment may be experiencing Game of the Year whispers over Control, but many people still recognize the studio for bringing us Alan Wake, which originally released on May 14, 2010. Alan Wake tells the story of a writer of the supernatural who finds himself trapped in the narrative of one of his books. It certainly is a one of a kind game, and if you enjoyed Control, we definitely recommend going back and playing Alan Wake.
Rock Band 3
The music genre of gaming may be dead for now, but it's hard to forget the revolution that was created by the Rock Band series. When it comes to living through an on-stage rock 'n' roll fantasy, it doesn't get much better than Rock Band, and the third entry in the series released back on October 26, 2010. With songs like Amy Winehouse's Rehab, Avenged Sevenfold's Beast and the Harlot, and Good Vibrations by The Beach Boys, Rock Band 3 had something for everybody.
Call of Duty: Black Ops
Long before the Call of Duty series became bogged down by the need to release a brand new game each and every year, it put out some classics. The original Black Ops had an excellent campaign centered around the Cold War, and introduced some of the most iconic maps the franchise has ever seen. When it comes to the golden age of Call of Duty games, Black Ops certainly makes that list, and it was originally released on November 9, 2010.
Battlefield: Bad Company 2
For many gamers, Battlefield: Bad Company 2 is the closest the Battlefield series ever came to surpassing Call of Duty as the best realistic war shooter. First released on March 2, 2010, Bad Company 2 nearly perfected the series' large scale style of online multiplayer, and introduced an excellent campaign as well. Many consider the game to be the best in the series, and it's hard to believe that it's nearly a decade old.
Red Dead Redemption
When it comes to classic video games released in the last decade, Red Dead Redemption will be found at the top of many lists. First released on May 18, 2010, the game takes place after the events of 2018's Red Dead Redemption 2, and told an epic western story with gameplay and physics that were revolutionary at the time. The story of John Marston and the fall out of the Dutch Van Der Linde Gang is one of the best you'll find in gaming, and Red Dead is nothing short of a classic.
Mass Effect 2
The winner of many of 2010's Game of the Year Awards, Mass Effect 2 marked a milestone for gaming as a whole when it was released on January 26, 2010. The sci-fi world of Commander Shepard felt more realistic than most, and Mass Effect 2's gameplay isn't rivaled by many. With a grounded, impactful storyline, and the ability to continue your character's progress for the original, Mass Effect 2 offered players a one of a kind experience, and many remember it as the best game of 2010.
There you have it! All 10 of these games are turning 10 in 2020, which probably made you feel pretty ancient. Make sure to take your time and enjoy the next ten years of gaming, because before you know it, you'll be reading the same article again in 2029 wondering where the time went. Cheers!