There were so many excellent games in the 2010s, not to mention some incredible trilogies. Some trilogies began before 2010 and ended in the 2010s, while some were released entirely in the 2010s. We were flexible; one of our trilogies’ first installment released pre-2010, but the trilogy was so good we could not in good faith leave it out. With that being said, here are the top 5 video game trilogies of the decade.
Batman: Arkham Trilogy
The Batman: Arkham Trilogy is one of the best iterations of the Caped Crusader, perhaps second only to the Batman Animated Series from the 90s. In fact, it uses many of the same voice actors such as Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill, which only strengthens its case. Although the final installment, Arkham Knight, was not nearly as strong as Arkham Asylum and Arkham City, the trilogy still cemented itself as one of the best in the 2010s with its gripping story, characterization of villains and heroes alike, and the fact that it is a spiritual successor of the 90s series, which is the defining version of Batman.
Tomb Raider Trilogy
The 2013 reboot of Tomb Raider spawned a new trilogy which re-defined both the franchise and the character of Lara Croft, in a good way. The puzzles are thought-provoking, the stories engrossing, and the gameplay is both familiar and new. Lara’s modern update showed new dimensions of the character, one a bit more relatable. The games are a lot of fun, full of adventure and puzzles, and outclassed its contemporary, Uncharted.
Zero Escape Trilogy
The Zero Escape Trilogy is Kotaro Uchikoshi’s crowning achievement. The last installment almost didn’t happen either; it was fan support in the West which made the game happen. The series has one of the best narratives in gaming, mind-bending puzzles, references to quantum mechanics, philosophy, religion and so much more, and a unique branching storyline in each game. While some may view the final installment as a step below the first two games, considering it was made on a much tighter budget, this isn’t a surprise. Regardless, it ties up most of the loose ends of the series in a satisfying manner and are very rare games in that they challenge your critical thinking skills. It’s a must-play trilogy.
Mass Effect Trilogy
If not for certain dropped plot points, Mass Effect would be at the top of this list. That being said, the Mass Effect trilogy is not only one of the best trilogies of the 2010s; it’s one of the best trilogies of all-time. The music, the story, the characters, the gameplay; every aspect of Mass Effect is the sheer definition of excellence. It also revolutionized choice-based games and spawned a franchise that rivaled Star Wars in its size and scope. While we loved the ending, it was divisive and some believe it was one of the worst endings in gaming. The one blight on the trilogy is that the first Mass Effect is a step down from the rest of the trilogy and is a bit buggy; the Mako is insufferable. That being said, it doesn’t take away from the fact that Mass Effect is one of the top 5 video game trilogies of the decade.
Final Fantasy XIII Trilogy
The Final Fantasy XIII trilogy is endearing. It’s beautiful. It’s as close to perfection a trilogy of video games could approach. It has a compelling story, a superb musical score, endearing characters, and some of the best and most unique combat to ever grace an RPG. Each installment has something new to offer, and while it may sound cliche, the trilogy is, in one word, beautiful. There are few trilogies to come out over the years that reach the quality of the Final Fantasy XIII saga, and while there have been some that have approached it, none have surpassed it since its release. It’s the must-play trilogy of the 2010s if you love RPGs or are a video game fan.
Period.