12 Most Influential Action Video Games Of The 2000s, Ranked

The influence of action games created in the early 2000s is still felt today, and with good reason. The 2000s were a time of experimentation, and many film franchises found their primary voice in this landmark decade. Action always pushes the limits of the spectacle, and that’s exactly what these video games do.

These games and more will set the standard for the industry. Some of them, such as call of duty, became the best-selling video game. While there is no way to include every influential game created during this period, these games stand out and have earned their place in gaming history for their influence on other games. next video game.

12 Batman: Arkham Asylum (2009)

The superhero game is notoriously unstable until Rocksteady can finally make it through Batman: Arkham RefugeThe game follows Batman as he escorts his arch-nemesis, the Joker, to an insane asylum after the Joker orchestrates a mass escape from Gotham’s Blackgate Prison. Once inside, the Joker takes control of the sanctuary and Batman must find his way through the dangerous facility, facing the Joker and his clever gang. Arkham refugee douchebag.

The biggest impact is Batman: Arkham Refuge What has an impact on the game world is its “Freeflow Combat” system. This system standardized many melee action games over the next decade, such as Shadow of Mordor And Marvel’s Spider-ManOn a smaller scale, it also influenced the popularity of “Detective Mode” in some stealth-based video games.

11 Gears of War (2006)

war machine is a series of third-person shooters that take place on the planet Sera. The story follows Marcus Fenix​ and his team, the Delta Squad, as they battle the Locust Horde, a race of underground creatures that appear to threaten humanity.

While it didn’t make any big strides in terms of narrative, its influence on the cover system is undeniable. war machineThe elaborate masking system can still be seen in many third-person shooters to this day. Although influenced by older games like kill switch And take back, Gears of War The best and worst games innovate the cover system that is so popular in video games these days.

10 Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (2009)

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is the critically acclaimed action-adventure game that follows treasure hunter Nathan Drake as he embarks on a journey in search of the lost city of Shambhala. The game takes players on a thrilling journey through exotic lands where they must solve puzzles, engage in intense gunfights, and navigate treacherous terrain.

why discover 2 Even more influential than its predecessor, it became a completely different monster from the monsters of its time. The opening train sequence alone can confirm the high-octane action that leads to the seamless cutscenes, and it’s just the beginning of one of the best PS3 games. .

9 Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2003)

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time restarting Prince of Persia series, set in the great ancient Persia. The game follows the journey of a prince, who is on a mission to prevent the release of the Sands of Time, a powerful artifact with the ability to control time. Along the way, the prince teams up with Princess Farah and uses his dagger through time to save Persia from insidious traitors.

Although primitive by today’s standards, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time It will be the prototype of a 3D action platformer game like God of War will draw inspiration from its historical fantasy action, while its parkour will be the forerunner of Ubisoft’s ultimate sole franchise, killer creed.

8 Assassin’s Creed Series (2007-)

killer creed This is an action-adventure series spanning different historical eras. Throughout the game, the player leads the ancestors of central character Desmond through various cities, engaging in combat and stealth missions, uncovering the truth behind the Faith and the conflict between the Assassins and the Dead. Guardian and Knight.

in spite of killer creed lay the foundation, that is Assassin’s Theory 2 This will encode what many call the “Ubisoft Template”. Namely giant towers to display points on the map, hundreds of collectibles and a huge open world for parkour to overcome. Love it or hate it, this stencil was born on a historic street during the Italian Renaissance.

Hideo Kojima is one of the most influential figures in the gaming industry today, thanks in part to his landmark franchise, Solid Metal Gears. Set in another timeline, the series follows the adventures of legendary soldier and agent Solid Snake, who goes on a secret mission to save the world from the threat of nuclear weapons and forces are trying to control them. This is also the prototype stealth game of a generation.

Although competitors like split cell exist, metal gears Its main entry will be the basis for stealth systems in many modern games. Enemy control, dynamic response with sound and light, stealth kills enemies, everything starts with the best metal gears. Many future games will emulate these tried and true stealth mechanics.

6 Team Fortress 2 (2007)

Fortress Team 2 is a first-person shooter multiplayer game with a unique art style that made the hero shooter genre. The game takes place in an eccentric cartoon world where two teams, Team Red and Team Blue, compete against each other in various game modes. Each player can choose to play as one of nine classes, each with their own unique abilities, strengths, and personalities.

Fortress Team 2 Incredibly influential in a way that many people don’t even realize. In addition to building on the popular hero shooter genre today (such as guard And hero), Fortress Team 2 Also the first game to get a huge cosmetics market. This is Task Force 2The unique model of the game gives surprising profits and many games, especially the free version Counter-Strike: GoAnd League of LegendsThis format has been followed.

5 Half Life 2 (2004)

half life 2 Taking place in a dystopian future, alien alliance forces have taken over Earth and oppressed its population. Players take on the role of Gordon Freeman, a scientist who must team up with his allies to use his weapons and puzzle-solving skills to overthrow the Complex and save humanity.

half life 2 is one of the most innovative games of all time, and much of it involves the incredible Source engine. The physics-based puzzles and exciting narrative gameplay will be common in countless future first-person shooters. The Source engine itself is also the basis for iconic video games, such as video game mods Counter-Strike: SourceWeb portal, And Gary’s regime.

4 Evil 4 (2005)

While there have been plenty of action-packed third-person shooters before, perhaps none quite like it. Evil 4The game is about the mission to rescue the president’s daughter in a remote European village by agent Leon S. Kennedy. However, he soon discovers that the village is inhabited by cultists and their families, infected with a mind-controlling parasite called Las Plagas.

Great horror game released by most AAA studios since then Evil 4 Mainly action based. Every other action shooter has to step up their game with exciting scenarios, fast events, and the most impactful – standardization of the over-the-shoulder camera. Evil 4 Inspire many games of the horror and action genres.

3 Grand Theft Auto series (1997-)

Switch to 3D merge Grand Theft Auto One of the most influential brands of all time, this is largely due to its open world. The franchise follows various criminals through the grainy hinterlands of their respective cities. From the neon-lit streets of Vice City to the dusty streets of Liberty City, Grand Theft Auto The franchise is respected and continues to be inspired by.

in spite of Grand Theft Auto III lay the foundation, that is San Andreas cause an explosion Grand Theft Auto Replicas for years to come.Grand Theft AutoThe massive open world map is filled with loads of activities, and the game is also a chaotic sandbox for the player to wreak havoc. As other games have recorded, these parodies show the extent of Grand Theft Auto has become an integral part of gaming history.

2 Call of Duty Series (2003-)

For better or worse, call of duty will mark a trend in military shooters that has defined an entire decade of gaming.this call of duty The franchise takes place in different eras of military history and follows the lives of soldiers who uncover conspiracies and fight to save their country from military destruction. From time to time, the franchise pauses to kill some zombies.

best seller call of duty Over the next decade, the franchise standardized the “aesthetics” of many first-person shooters. Moreover, it also revolutionized the progression system in multiplayer mode. How impressive the incentive perks and rewards are for player retention. Battlefield 2 First of all, it’s call of duty This brings it to the mainstream.

1 Halo series (2001-)

Undoubtedly, the king of first-person shooters of the early to mid-2000s was Microsoft’s. HaloThe series follows the adventures of legendary super soldier Master Chief and his artificial intelligence companion Cortana as they battle alien forces and catastrophic swarms of parasites to save humanity in a galaxy. ravaged by war.

there’s a good reason Halo Critics rated it very highly. It standardized the controller layout for first-person shooters in a way that the PC-dominating genre didn’t even think about. Several concepts became standard in many later shooters, such as the two-weapon restriction, vehicle combat, and health recovery (via shields) outside of combat. call of duty can thank you Halo Prototype the FPS system for building action games.