Some well-known titles have become part ofgaming history, but are no longer played. Others profess to be the savior of the gaming market, yet fizzle into insignificance shortly after launch. And then there are those games that just keep getting better, and are still played regularly by a host of gamers long after their initial release.
There can be no doubt that either an active developer improving a game, or a capable and committedmodding communityconstantly adding features and content, can help to make a game better over time. Almost all the titles on this list fit into one of these two categories, although not all. Regardless, they’ve not only withstood the test of time, but gotten better over the years.
Doomwas one of the first commercially available FPS games, and helped to define the entire genre. In its day, the graphics were cutting edge, despite how they appear in modern times. Most gamers, regardless of age, will be aware ofDoom.
But how can such an old game, which has not received updates in years, be getting better with age? This is due to how accessible the game is becoming. Everyone can playDoom, even on their browser.Doomhas become something of a cult game, with a whole community based around trying to get it to run on the wildest types of hardware. People have managed to get Doom to run on pocket calculators, and even apregnancy testkit.
Thestory of Shepardand his crew is one of the most beloved by gamers. TheMass Effectfranchise consists of five PC/console titles, with more planned, and two mobile games. What has helped keepMass Effectfresh, are the bundles that Bioware has made available.
TheMass Effect Trilogybundle includes the three initial games in the franchise. It is often available on sale for a low price, enabling gamers who may have once missed out on this franchise to give it a playthrough. The modding community is very active, fixing long-term issues with the game, and adding new features.
X4: Foundationsis a space combat, exploration, and trading game that offers incredibly deep gameplay. Gamers can either play it as aspace sim, or as a strategic resource management and building game. This depth of gameplay gives it incredible levels of replayability, with veteran players racking up thousands of hours.
Each time the developer, Egosoft, releases a new DLC, they also update the base game with fresh content and features. This means that anyone who purchased the base game on launch back in 2018 still gets fresh content regularly, even if they do not buy each DLC. The game is constantly improving, and new features are added.
WhenWorld of Warcraftlaunched in 2004, it set a precedent in MMORPG design. It shifted away from free roam, grinding MMORPGs to a theme park approach to presenting content. It was well received and captured a huge market share. However, Blizzard did not rest on its laurels, andWoWis still a major project for them.
World of Warcrafthas hadnine major expansionsat the time of writing. Each of these introduced heaps of new content, and other features such as new classes and a higher level cap. In 2019, Blizzard rolled out “classic” servers for players who wanted to try the game as it was on launch.WoWkeeps getting better, and remains wildly popular.
Bethesda excels at world-building, andFallout 4is a great example. With the huge impact it made on the gaming community,Fallout 4remains popular nearly a decade after its initial launch.
Fallout 4benefits from having a capable and vibrant community of modders who continuously introduce fresh content, new features, and various enhancements. Bethesda’s occasional updates also help to keep the game fresh. The game’s vast open world, compelling storylines, and strong support for modding keep it engaging and appealing for both newcomers and long-time players.
Best Selling Game Of All Time
Minecraft
Minecraft is a game made up of blocks, creatures, and community. You can survive the night or build a work of art – the choice is all yours. But if the thought of exploring a vast new world all on your own feels overwhelming, then fear not!Minecraft has no set goal and can be played however you’d like! This is why it’s sometimes called a “sandbox game” – there are lots of things for you to do, and lots of ways that you can play. If you like being creative, then you can use the blocks to build things from your imagination. If you’re feeling brave, you can explore the world and face daring challenges. Blocks can be broken, crafted, placed to reshape the landscape, or used to build fantastical creations.Creatures can be battled or befriended, depending on how you play. The world of Minecraft allows for epic adventures, quiet meditations, and everything in between. You can even share your creations with other players, or play in community worlds!
No other game has sold more copies thanMinecraft. It is an open-world sandbox game where players can construct, explore, and survive within a block-based, randomly generated environment. With creative and survival modes offering limitless opportunities for building, adventure, and resource management, it is popular with players of all ages.
Minecraftremains popular due to its limitless creative possibilities, frequent updates, and strong community support. The game has extensive modding options, which have been fully exploited by the community. Cross-platform availability contributes to its enduring appeal as well. The game’s simple yet engaging mechanics are easy to learn, yet fun.
Grand Theft Auto 5is the second best-selling video game of all time. It has been a constant entry on the Steam most played charts each week since its release in 2013, despite being over two decades old at the time of writing.
Rockstar transitionedGTA 5to alive-service type gamesome years ago. This means that there is new content made available regularly, and a very active community. Players who ownGTA 5can also play the online version, sharing the world with others. Add to this an active modding community, and this is a recipe for the game continuing to improve long into the future.
