Games don’t always age all that well. Some do, while others are just sort of afterthoughts in gaming history. It’s tough to determine which games will stand the test of time and which will ultimately end up in the bargain bin. Of course, you can always try and make an educated guess.
It’s pretty easy to tell if a game hasn’t aged. The most important thing to ask yourself is whether or not the game is still fun. If that’s a yes, then you have your answer. If the game looks too dated, doesn’t play as well as you remember and just drags on, then chances are it didn’t age all that well. Here are 10 games that will either age super well or super badly in another ten years.
10 Not As Fun: Assassin's Creed Odyssey
The Assassin's Creed series has been sort of dead in the water for a while now. Most of the modern games aren’t really worth a second glance and Odyssey fits into that conversation.
Despite trying out new things and attempting to breathe some life into the series, Odyssey lacks what made its predecessors so memorable and great. In due time it’ll just be another old and dated game in your library, even though its vast world has stunned many.
9 Won’t Age: Nier: Automata
Nier: Automata isn’t necessarily going to blow you out of the water with incredible visuals, but the game looks good enough and will likely still look pretty decent down the line. With Nier, the question is: what exactly will age terribly in ten years?
Its graphics won’t be amazing, but will still be solid for its time. The music is phenomenal and will likely be regarded as a classic soundtrack. The combat isn’t super complicated, but it's functional and enjoyable, giving just enough of a challenge to keep you engaged. We think this game will do fine.
8 Not As Fun: Super Mario Odyssey
This might seem like a bit of a shock call, but it could very well be the case down the line. Super Mario Odyssey won over a lot of fans when it came out, and the game certainly isn’t bad by any stretch of the imagination. But it’ll be interesting to see whether or not it passes the test of time.
The game isn’t without its charms, but you have to wonder whether the gameplay will hold up, or whether it’ll be viewed as tedious as the years go by. The level design and repetitiveness are other things to watch as well. You know how the fandom can be with past Mario games.
7 Won’t Age: Resident Evil 2 (2019)
It’s a little weird to choose a remake here, sure, as it proves that the original did need some work. But the original Resident Evil 2 came out a long time ago, and if its 2019 remake can remain as solid as it did over the years, then things should be fine.
The updated graphics and gameplay of the remake make it a survival horror experience you can enjoy now, or if you’re just not interested yet, something you can pick up years down the line. In any case, you’ll have fun.
6 Not As Fun: Red Dead Redemption 2
This is probably going to shock some people, but stay with us here. Yes, Red Dead Redemption 2 received a lot of hype and was called a perfect game by many after its release. But in the not so distant future, it won’t be seen as fondly.
The game is massive and there’s a lot to do, sure, but it isn’t without some strong faults. It kind of looses momentum towards the last half of Arthur’s story. There are also some forced cinematic sequences that really take you out of the experience. As its depth and scope is left behind by the advance of open-world titles, it could well be left by the wayside.
5 Won’t Age: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
If Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is really the last Super Smash Bros. game we’ll ever see, the series ended off on a high note. Not only does it have the biggest roster in the series, but the gameplay is solid and can be enjoyed for years to come.
In all likelihood, a sequel will probably come out sometime down the line. It really feels like a question of when rather than if. But still, even if that does happen, Ultimate will be just as enjoyable.
4 Not As Fun: Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus
The New Colossus was well received in some circles, but the game really did just feel like a mediocre title lacking in any real innovation or memorable gameplay aspects.
That will all become clearer when the game is gradually revisited in time. It may be a decent title for now, but just give it a few years. The shine will wear off soon enough.
3 Won’t Age: South Park: The Stick of Truth
It may seem a little silly to add this one to the list, but it’s the truth. The Stick of Truth really does seem like a game that won’t age and will be as fun when you play it in 2029 as it was in 2014.
With its core battle mechanics being turn-based, the game won’t suffer from questionable design choices down the line. The story is engaging and lined with classic South Park humor. It’s really just a game you can pick up any time and enjoy. A phenomenal achievement for a licensed game.
2 Not As Fun: Pokémon Sun and Moon
The Pokémon games have sort of trailed off in quality over the years. There’s only a select few that can be picked up and enjoyed any time. Sun & Moon really don’t feel like they would be those kinds of games.
The Gen 7 games were, sadly, just too boring. They were formulaic and didn’t offer anything all that memorable. Despite efforts to break away from said formula, things were more or less the same. Really, Game Freak played it too safely.
1 Won’t Age: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Everyone sang Breath of the Wild’s praises when it came out, and two years later people are still talking about it and discovering new things to do. The game’s non-linear nature may not be for everyone, but is one of the main reasons why it’ll still be enjoyable years down the line.
Breath of the Wild offers players a kind of freedom that won’t go unappreciated in the future. The way it gives the reigns over to the player doesn’t seem like something most developers will take to – at least not in the same way. So, it will likely be just as enjoyable in the years to come.