Something that's become increasingly rare within gaming has been the release of a good, concrete trilogy; Three games that together create a natural start, middle, and conclusion to a storyline or character arc, despite perhaps going on to have a spin-off title later down the road.

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Making just one fantastic game seems hard enough, so it's incredible to think that over the year we've managed to see more than a few award-winning franchises that have held our attention, as well as our wallets. Here are some trilogies that we feel to be the best of the best based on critic scores, timelessness, memorability, and the love they've inspired from generations of players.

10 Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney

Ace Attorney Trilogy Cover Art With Phoenix Wright Guilty In The Courtroom

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney's courtroom hijinks may not be everyone's first thought when looking to play through an entire trilogy of games. However, those in the know have returned time and time again for the acclaimed and unique narrative, memorable characters, and their sheer undiluted love for this spectacular series of visual novels.

A game of logic and deduction, the original Ace Attorney trilogy follows plucky Attorney Phoenix Wright as he battles his way through a variety of cases; solving murders, saving friends, and taking on a plethora of cases that have far-reaching consequences throughout the trilogy both in Phoenix's own life and the courtroom.

9 Assassin's Creed The Ezio Collection

Assassins' Creed The Ezio Collection and shot of Ezio on roof

Assasin's Creed has taken its players to a variety of worldly locations, having fans play through some of history's most iconic and important periods. However, the story of Ezio told throughout Assassin's Creed 2, Brotherhood, and Revelations is arguably its best, made all the better when set against the stunning views of Ancient Italy.

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These games took us through Ezio's life from the loss of his parents in the Italian Renaissance to his final adventure in the footsteps of mentor Altair in 16th century Constantinople. With the trilogy fleshing out his character to become the series' best and most recognizable (as well as one of its most brutal.)

8 Dark Souls

Dark Souls Trilogy Cover Art And Gameplay

The Dark Souls trilogy has gripped players for its punishing level of difficulty, memorable and creative boss fights, and its absolute attention to detail; with a dark and gruesome setting many games have attempted but failed to replicate.

The story is both spectacular and terrifying, taking place in the city of Lordran where humans are afflicted with an undead curse that perpetually resurrects them until driven into madness and 'hollowed'. Taking the role of one of the undead, you escape an asylum and begin a pilgrimage through this terrifying landscape in order to discover what has happened to the rest of mankind, all whilst struggling to even survive the day.

7 The Witcher

The Witcher Official Image From Wild Hunt of Geralt Facing The Camera

The folklore and narrative of The Witcher trilogy is nothing short of excellence; following the story of Geralt of Rivia, a genetically enhanced human 'Witcher' who uses his superhuman powers to slay monsters.

The game's Celtic-inspired lore alongside the player-led narrative has kept these games at a height of popularity that has seen little diminishment, with all three seeing high critic scores and a lively fan base. With such an incredible story and reception, it's no wonder the trilogy has even gone on to become a critically-acclaimed Netflix series.

6 Bioshock

Bioshock the collection with Big Daddy Gameplay

Bioshock has held our hearts since the release of its first game back in 2007. Quickly becoming one of the best first-person shooters of all time and still seen today as one of the best PC games on the market.

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The entire trilogy has held critic acclaim thanks to its rich and unique narrative, philosophical questioning, and player-led decisions that expertly alter the storyline and conclusions based on shifting moral alignment, providing hours of replayability and always giving fans a reason to return to the city of Rapture.

5 Batman Arkham

Batman Arkham Collection Cover Art and Scene with Batman Fighting Joker Clowns

The Batman Arkham trilogy saw us stepping into the shoes of one of DC's giants; Facing off against Gotham's greatest villains all led by the Joker, with a dark and gritty narrative reminiscent of the original comic series.

Journeying through the Arkham Asylum and city of Gotham, these games offer the best Batman story yet, seeing critical acclaim across the board with fun, comic-book style combat mechanics, incredible graphics, intricate puzzles, and an abundance of hidden secrets for die-hard DC fans.

4 Max Payne

Max Payne Trilogy With Cover Art of 3

Rockstar's Max Payne follows the story of the fugitive undercover cop of the same name and his quite frankly miserable life after being framed for murder, fighting against mobs, and struggling to overcome his chequered past.

Max Payne is revered as having one of the darkest stories in gaming history. Witnessing his family's murder in the first three minutes of the game and going on to see endless violence, betrayal, and loss throughout the trilogy. Nevertheless, this first-person shooter has gone down a storm with its fans, with many reveling in how the detective somehow always manages to pull out the most disarming and hilarious quote despite his tragic circumstances.

3 Mass Effect

Mass Effect Trilogy Legendary Edition Cover Art and Combat Gameplay

Mass Effect has garnered critical acclaim and adoration across the world for its expansive universe full of unique history and lore that only progresses throughout the trilogy, as well as a romance system that has had fans hooked for years.

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Across the trilogy, you will find yourself exploring far-flung galaxies, wrestling love triangles, and fighting off the fiercest of enemies with a narrative and characters that have garnered worldwide adoration. With both Mass Effect 2 and 3 going down as having two of the best opening sequences in video game history.

2 Metroid Prime

Metroid Prime Trilogy Official Cover Art

Metroid Prime saw the return of Samus as she seeks to unravel the mysteries behind the ruined walls of Tallon IV, in a brilliant 3D translation from the original that outdid itself on level design, memorable enemies, and unique combat mechanics.

It is still seen today by critics as one of the best interactive experiences available, and one of the greatest video game trilogies money can buy. With Samus' title as the best interstellar bounty hunter/archaeologist/conservationist and all-round badass a hard one to dispute.

1 Halo

Halo Trilogy Halo Covers 1, 2, and 3

The original Master Chief collection has gained worldwide acclaim as perhaps the best video game trilogy ever created. Continuing to resonate through the remaster with new and old players alike, who see past the 2001 nostalgia to just how fantastic these games continue to remain.

Harnessing one of the largest science-fiction gaming universes of all time and revered as one of the best first-person shooters of the 2000's Halo's 1, 2, and 3 remain some of the best and most memorable experiences. It's therefore unsurprising to learn that Halo 3 continues to have a large and active online player base on the XBOX 360 all these years later, all of whom continue to party like it's 2007.

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