An exhilarating year for the gaming industry, 2015 marked the end of some fan-favorite series while bringing forth a plethora of new intellectual properties (or IPs). Most of these titles were so awe-inspiring that they influenced an entire generation of upcoming games, so much so that the pioneers are still discussed today.
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Posts 2As such, it's hard to fathom that we're a decade past that extraordinary age upon entering 2025. Even now, it feels baffling to call Rocket League a classic despite its online community still being active today. With a new year on the horizon, what better time would it be to visit the genre-defining masterpieces of 2015, widely recognized and adored?
A few honorable mentions from 2015 include Fallout 4, Halo 5: Guardians, Ori and the Blind Forest, Dying Light, and Until Dawn.
9 Rainbow Six Siege
Cease Fire, You Muppet!
CloseTom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege
Shooter Released December 1, 2015 ESRB M for Mature: Blood, Drug Reference, Strong Language, Violence Developer(s) Ubisoft Montreal Publisher(s) Ubisoft Engine AnvilNext 2.0 Multiplayer Online Multiplayer Cross-Platform Play PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S Franchise Tom Clancy Platform(s) PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Amazon Luna, Stadia, PC How Long To Beat N/A X|S Optimized No File Size Xbox Series 58 GB (June 2023) Platforms That Support Crossplay PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S PS Plus Availability Extra & Premium OpenCritic Rating Strong Powered by Expand CollapseIn today’s eSports era, the sheer volume of competitive FPS titles is staggering. Alongside legends like Counter-Strike and Call of Duty, Rainbow Six Siege is a veteran title in the scene. In almost ten years, this game has grown beyond what anyone could have imagined simply because of its updates and mechanics.
Mastering it requires practice and dedication — perfecting lineups, setups, team communication, and more. Still, the core gameplay loop is so simple and engaging that you can jump in today and play as if the title came out last week. And thus, dozens of new maps, operators, and abilities later, the fanbase has remained loyal to Rainbow Six Siege.
8 Life Is Strange
Even Angels Need Angels
CloseLife is Strange
Adventure 8.0/10 Released January 30, 2015 ESRB M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol Developer(s) Dontnod Entertainment Publisher(s) Square Enix Engine unreal engine 3, unreal engine 4 Franchise Life is Strange Platform(s) Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One How Long To Beat 15 Hours PS Plus Availability Extra & Premium OpenCritic Rating Strong Powered by Expand CollapseNarrative-driven games, especially the ones emphasizing raw emotion, tend to stick with you for a while. Life is Strange was a heartfelt episodic voyage that set out to bring about nostalgia, care, empathy, and introspection, and it accomplished inducing those feelings. Max is one of the few protagonists in gaming you remember solely for their compassion, and, credit where it's due, the game created a strong connection between you and her.
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PostsThe story and atmosphere here were profoundly mesmerizing, and the art style was so unique, vibrant, and dynamic that it remains perennial despite its age. For narrative seekers, this is a cruise unlike any other, as it certainly consummates the episodic formula.
7 Rocket League
What A Save!
CloseRocket League
Sports Released July 7, 2015 ESRB E for Everyone: Mild Lyrics Developer(s) Psyonix Publisher(s) Psyonix Engine Unreal Engine 3 Multiplayer Local Multiplayer, Local Co-Op, Online Co-Op, Online Multiplayer Cross-Platform Play PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S Number of Players 1-4 Split Screen Orientation Vertical or Horizontal Platform(s) PC, PS4, Xbox One, macOS, Linux, Switch Metascore 85 Platforms That Support Crossplay PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S Powered by Expand CollapseDespite many attempts at imitation, none have successfully captured the audience and magic of Rocket League. Being an active eSports title is already a huge achievement, but the real highlight is how it has remained one-of-a-kind in the competitive space.
The game receives a ton of updates, yet it continues to be so easy to get into — simple controls, objectives, and mechanics. Rocket League perfectly fits the needs of anyone even remotely interested in combining football with racing, and it has a banger soundtrack you can jam to while you're out on the field.
6 Undertale
Despite Everything, It's Still You
CloseUndertale
RPG 10.0/10 Released September 15, 2015 ESRB E10+ for Everyone 10+: Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Simulated Gambling, Use of Tobacco Developer(s) Toby Fox Publisher(s) Toby Fox, 8-4 Engine GameMaker Platform(s) PS4, PS Vita, Xbox One, Switch, PC How Long To Beat 7 Hours PS Plus Availability Extra & Premium OpenCritic Rating Mighty Powered by Expand CollapseSeeing Sans turn ten years old feels baffling, but the impact he and Undertale had on the industry, especially indie, has been astonishing. The music, characters, and depth alone are enough to convince you to play the game, but the tone and community encourage you to stay.
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Posts 3As a turn-based indie game, it felt like Undertale would stay under the cloak of obscurity, but the fact so many picked it up demonstrates how sheer quality invites the masses. If you haven't had the chance to play this game yet, just do it — like most non-mainstream titles, all you have to do is give it a fair shot.
5 Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain
Why Are We Still Here?
CloseMetal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain
Action Open-World Released September 1, 2015 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language Developer(s) Kojima Productions Publisher(s) Konami Engine Fox Engine Multiplayer Online Multiplayer Franchise Metal Gear Solid Platform(s) PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One How Long To Beat 46 Hours Metascore 95 Powered by Expand Collapse2015 saw the conclusion of one of gaming's most iconic series, Metal Gear Solid, with an ideal send-off. Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain deviated from the series' roots, but it harbored some of the best gameplay, controls, visuals, and story beats the community had ever known. The sheer freedom in that game is something modern titles struggle to achieve even a decade later.
Simply put, The Phantom Pain is what a stealth game should be. It encourages creativity, and the mechanical fluidity makes you question if it's actually ten years old. The end of Snake's adventure, and what a ride it was — one you should definitely try.
4 Mortal Kombat X
Fatality!
CloseMortal Kombat X
Fighting Released April 7, 2015 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language Developer(s) NetherRealm Studios Publisher(s) Warner Bros. Interactive Engine Unreal Engine 3 Multiplayer Online Multiplayer Franchise Mortal Kombat Platform(s) PS4, Xbox One, PC OpenCritic Rating Mighty Powered by Expand CollapseAfter the massive triumph of Mortal Kombat 9, fans were doubtful the series would ever peak again — they were wrong. Mortal Kombat X was, indeed, a worthy successor. Its visuals were leagues ahead of its time, and its combat system was the most fluid, action-packed, and rewarding Mortal Kombat had hosted.
Looking back, the game had several balancing issues, but nobody bothered to complain because the gameplay was so engaging, and the combos were so flashy. The character-specific dialogue to add personality was a wonderful addition, and horror-themed DLCs with Jason Voorhees and Predator kept the fanbase hooked for years to come.
3 Batman: Arkham Knight
I Am Vengeance
CloseBatman: Arkham Knight
Action 10.0/10 Released June 23, 2015 ESRB M for Mature: Blood, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence Developer(s) Rocksteady Studios Publisher(s) Warner Bros. Games Engine Unreal Engine 3 Franchise Batman Platform(s) PS4, Xbox One, PC How Long To Beat 17 Hours PS Plus Availability Extra & Premium OpenCritic Rating Mighty X|S Optimized No File Size Xbox Series 47 GB (November 2023) Metascore 87 Powered by Expand CollapseRocksteady completed their Arkham trilogy with the release of Batman: Arkham Knight, arguably the most emotional game featuring the caped crusader. This is where Gotham City looked at its finest, Joker at his meanest, and Batman at his peak.
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PostsThe tone and grittiness of Arkham Knight are what set it apart from the rest. It wasn't afraid to make choices or explore characters, with the end result being an authentic ride in a crime-ridden world. It was the final piece to cement the Arkham series as the best superhero game trilogy of all time, adding to Kevin Conroy's legendary legacy.
2 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Swear On Your Heads
CloseThe Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
RPG Action Adventure 5.0/5 9.8/10 Released May 19, 2015 ESRB M for Mature: Use of Alcohol, Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content Developer(s) CD Projekt Red Publisher(s) CD Projekt Red Engine REDengine 3 Cross-Platform Play yes Cross Save yes Expansions The Witcher 3: Hearts of Stone, The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine Franchise The Witcher Steam Deck Compatibility verified Platform(s) Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S How Long To Beat 52 Hours PS Plus Availability Extra & Premium OpenCritic Rating Mighty X|S Optimized yes Metascore 94 Powered by Expand CollapseWhen you think about the Mount Rushmore of open-world RPGs, you can't deny The Witcher 3 a deserved spot. For most people, this was the game that put CD Projekt Red on the map, and it went on to win the 2015 Game of the Year award to establish its glory.
There's not much to say about this title that hasn't been said — the world, narrative, quests, and characters are fabulous, making for an immersive experience in a medieval fantasy setting. While the visual fidelity does feel a bit timeworn, almost every other aspect of The Witcher 3 has aged like fine wine, orchestrating a title any fan of the genre can treasure.
1 Bloodborne
Fear The Old Blood
CloseBloodborne
Action RPG Soulslike 8.0/10 Released March 24, 2015 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Violence Developer(s) From Software Publisher(s) Sony Engine Havok Multiplayer Online Multiplayer Cross-Platform Play ps4,ps5 Cross Save yes Steam Deck Compatibility no Platform(s) PlayStation 4 How Long To Beat 33 Hours PS Plus Availability Extra & Premium OpenCritic Rating Mighty X|S Optimized no Powered by Expand CollapseHeralded as "Miyazaki's masterpiece," it's extremely tough to argue any game that's come close to Bloodborne's atmosphere. This love letter from FromSoftware absolutely nailed the horrific Lovecraftian vibe, and its relentless combat is among the best the studio has ever produced.
Even now, almost a decade later, Sony has dismissed their fans' plea to remaster Bloodborne or bring it to PC. Still, one might go as far as to buy a PlayStation console just to experience the game, and it would be justified. The art style, boss fights, dialogue, and lore are truly timeless, and a brilliant DLC to accompany your Soulsborne journey makes for a thrilling venture indeed.
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