My Top 10 Favorite Video Game Franchises of All Time
The List of My Top 10 Favorite Video Game Franchises of All Time.
Covers were picked according to my personal favorite game by each franchise, the ones I consider the Magnum Opus of the series.
Within these 10 franchises, there are 10 Official Game Of The Year Winners:
1. VGA 2004: Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
2. VGA 2005: Resident Evil 4
3. VGA 2006: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
4. VGA 2007: BioShock
5. VGA 2008: Grand Theft Auto IV
6. VGA 2009: Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
7. VGA 2010: Red Dead Redemption
8. VGA 2011: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
9. VGA 2013: Grand Theft Auto V
10. TGA 2018: God of War
Covers were picked according to my personal favorite game by each franchise, the ones I consider the Magnum Opus of the series.
Within these 10 franchises, there are 10 Official Game Of The Year Winners:
1. VGA 2004: Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
2. VGA 2005: Resident Evil 4
3. VGA 2006: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
4. VGA 2007: BioShock
5. VGA 2008: Grand Theft Auto IV
6. VGA 2009: Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
7. VGA 2010: Red Dead Redemption
8. VGA 2011: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
9. VGA 2013: Grand Theft Auto V
10. TGA 2018: God of War
10 Games
1. Resident Evil - (Capcom)
[Created by Shinji Mikami]
1 GOTY 🏆
Metacritic's Highest Critic Score: 96
Metacritic's Highest User Score: 9.7
Highest Rated Game In This Franchise Is Ranked 16° In Metacritic's Best Games of All Time
"The Definition of Survival Horror and the pinnacle of Game Design, Level Design and Atmosphere in gaming."
Resident Evil is a timeless videogame franchise that has some of the most impressive game design in all gaming, allowing you to replay countless times and still never gets old.
Shinji Mikami's masterpieces(RE1 and RE4) have revolutionized not only the survival horror genre but the gaming industry as a whole.
I find myself constantly returning to Resident Evil games because no other game gives me this kind of comfort, and I always want to share with others how magic these games are.
The first, second and fourth numbered entries(and their remakes) are strong contenders to Best Game of All Time.
TOP 20 IN THE FRANCHISE:
1. Resident Evil 4 Remake (2023)
2. Resident Evil 4 (2005) 🏆[GOTY]
3. Resident Evil Remake (2002)
4. Resident Evil 2 Remake (2019)
5. Resident Evil 2 (1998)
6. Resident Evil (1996)
7. Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (1999)
8. Resident Evil Village (2021)
9. Resident Evil 7: Biohazard (2017)
10. Resident Evil 3 Remake (2020)
11. Resident Evil: Revelations 2 (2015)
12. Resident Evil: Revelations (2012)
13. Resident Evil Zero (2002)
14. Resident Evil CODE: Veronica (2000)
15. Resident Evil 5 (2009)
16. Resident Evil 6 (2012)
17. Resident Evil Outbreak (2003)
18. Resident Evil Outbreak File #2 (2004)
19. Resident Evil Darkside Chronicles (2009)
20. Resident Evil Umbrella Chronicles (2007)
The Golden Age of Resident Evil:
• 1996-2005
• 2017-2023...
"Enter The Survival Horror."
[Created by Shinji Mikami]
1 GOTY 🏆
Metacritic's Highest Critic Score: 96
Metacritic's Highest User Score: 9.7
Highest Rated Game In This Franchise Is Ranked 16° In Metacritic's Best Games of All Time
"The Definition of Survival Horror and the pinnacle of Game Design, Level Design and Atmosphere in gaming."
Resident Evil is a timeless videogame franchise that has some of the most impressive game design in all gaming, allowing you to replay countless times and still never gets old.
Shinji Mikami's masterpieces(RE1 and RE4) have revolutionized not only the survival horror genre but the gaming industry as a whole.
I find myself constantly returning to Resident Evil games because no other game gives me this kind of comfort, and I always want to share with others how magic these games are.
The first, second and fourth numbered entries(and their remakes) are strong contenders to Best Game of All Time.
TOP 20 IN THE FRANCHISE:
1. Resident Evil 4 Remake (2023)
2. Resident Evil 4 (2005) 🏆[GOTY]
3. Resident Evil Remake (2002)
4. Resident Evil 2 Remake (2019)
5. Resident Evil 2 (1998)
6. Resident Evil (1996)
7. Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (1999)
8. Resident Evil Village (2021)
9. Resident Evil 7: Biohazard (2017)
10. Resident Evil 3 Remake (2020)
11. Resident Evil: Revelations 2 (2015)
12. Resident Evil: Revelations (2012)
13. Resident Evil Zero (2002)
14. Resident Evil CODE: Veronica (2000)
15. Resident Evil 5 (2009)
16. Resident Evil 6 (2012)
17. Resident Evil Outbreak (2003)
18. Resident Evil Outbreak File #2 (2004)
19. Resident Evil Darkside Chronicles (2009)
20. Resident Evil Umbrella Chronicles (2007)
The Golden Age of Resident Evil:
• 1996-2005
• 2017-2023...
"Enter The Survival Horror."
1
2. Metal Gear - (Konami)
[Created by Hideo Kojima]
Metacritic's Highest Critic Score: 96
Metacritic's Highest User Score: 8.9
Highest Rated Game In This Franchise Is Ranked 17° In Metacritic's Best Games of All Time
"The Father of the Stealth Genre and Cinematic Story-Telling in Video Games."
Metal Gear revolutionized the gaming industry with its cinematic presentation, stealth focused gameplay and stellar voice acting, making this franchise one of the most important and influential of all time.
The first three MGS entries are strong contenders to Best Game of All Time.
TOP 10 IN THE FRANCHISE:
1. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (2001)
2. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004)
3. Metal Gear Solid (1998)
4. Metal Gear Solid 4 Guns of Patriots (2008)
5. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (2010)
6. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance (2013)
7. Metal Gear Solid V: Phantom Pain (2015)
8. Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes (2004)
9. Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake (1990)
10. Metal Gear (1987)
The Golden Age of Metal Gear:
• 1998-2015
"Life isn't just about passing on your genes. We can leave behind much more than just DNA. Through speech, music, literature and movies... what we've seen, heard, felt... anger, joy and sorrow... these are the things I will pass on. That's what I live for. We need to pass the torch, and let our children read our messy and sad history by its light. We have all the magic of the digital age to do that with. The human race will probably come to an end some time, and new species may rule over this planet. Earth may not be forever, but we still have the responsibility to leave what traces of life we can. Building the future and keeping the past alive are one and the same thing."
[Created by Hideo Kojima]
Metacritic's Highest Critic Score: 96
Metacritic's Highest User Score: 8.9
Highest Rated Game In This Franchise Is Ranked 17° In Metacritic's Best Games of All Time
"The Father of the Stealth Genre and Cinematic Story-Telling in Video Games."
Metal Gear revolutionized the gaming industry with its cinematic presentation, stealth focused gameplay and stellar voice acting, making this franchise one of the most important and influential of all time.
The first three MGS entries are strong contenders to Best Game of All Time.
TOP 10 IN THE FRANCHISE:
1. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (2001)
2. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004)
3. Metal Gear Solid (1998)
4. Metal Gear Solid 4 Guns of Patriots (2008)
5. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (2010)
6. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance (2013)
7. Metal Gear Solid V: Phantom Pain (2015)
8. Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes (2004)
9. Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake (1990)
10. Metal Gear (1987)
The Golden Age of Metal Gear:
• 1998-2015
"Life isn't just about passing on your genes. We can leave behind much more than just DNA. Through speech, music, literature and movies... what we've seen, heard, felt... anger, joy and sorrow... these are the things I will pass on. That's what I live for. We need to pass the torch, and let our children read our messy and sad history by its light. We have all the magic of the digital age to do that with. The human race will probably come to an end some time, and new species may rule over this planet. Earth may not be forever, but we still have the responsibility to leave what traces of life we can. Building the future and keeping the past alive are one and the same thing."
2
3. Assassin's Creed - (Ubisoft)
[Created by Patrice Désilets]
Metacritic's Highest Critic Score: 91
Metacritic's Highest User Score: 8.8
Highest Rated Game In This Franchise Is Ranked 260° In Metacritic's Best Games of All Time
"One of The Best Stealth Franchises, Featuring a Rich Lore, Great Characters, Vast and Alive Open Worlds with Faithful Representations of Historic Places and Figures."
Assassin's Creed is one of the best open world and stealth franchises in gaming and it never fails to impress when it comes to historic representations, soundtracks and atmosphere.
The first four titles contains some of the best written stories and characters and one of the best composed OSTs in all gaming.
TOP 10 IN THE FRANCHISE:
1. Assassin's Creed II (2009)
2. Assassin's Creed Revelations (2011)
3. Assassin's Creed Brotherhood (2010)
4. Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag (2013)
5. Assassin's Creed Origins (2017)
6. Assassin's Creed (2007)
7. Assassin's Creed Mirage (2023)
8. Assassin's Creed Unity (2014)
9. Assassin's Creed Rogue (2014)
10. Assassin's Creed Syndicate (2015)
The Golden Age of Assassin's Creed:
• 2007-2014
"Nothing Is True. Everything Is Permitted."
[Created by Patrice Désilets]
Metacritic's Highest Critic Score: 91
Metacritic's Highest User Score: 8.8
Highest Rated Game In This Franchise Is Ranked 260° In Metacritic's Best Games of All Time
"One of The Best Stealth Franchises, Featuring a Rich Lore, Great Characters, Vast and Alive Open Worlds with Faithful Representations of Historic Places and Figures."
Assassin's Creed is one of the best open world and stealth franchises in gaming and it never fails to impress when it comes to historic representations, soundtracks and atmosphere.
The first four titles contains some of the best written stories and characters and one of the best composed OSTs in all gaming.
TOP 10 IN THE FRANCHISE:
1. Assassin's Creed II (2009)
2. Assassin's Creed Revelations (2011)
3. Assassin's Creed Brotherhood (2010)
4. Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag (2013)
5. Assassin's Creed Origins (2017)
6. Assassin's Creed (2007)
7. Assassin's Creed Mirage (2023)
8. Assassin's Creed Unity (2014)
9. Assassin's Creed Rogue (2014)
10. Assassin's Creed Syndicate (2015)
The Golden Age of Assassin's Creed:
• 2007-2014
"Nothing Is True. Everything Is Permitted."
3
4. Red Dead - (Rockstar Games)
[Created by Dan Houser and Leslie Benzies]
1 GOTY 🏆
Metacritic's Highest Critic Score: 97
Metacritic's Highest User Score: 9.0
Highest Rated Game In This Franchise Is Ranked 4° In Metacritic's Best Games of All Time
"The Pinnacle of Storytelling and Open World in gaming."
Red Dead Redemption has some of the best writing in the gaming industry and very emotional storytelling, the characters are some of the best ever written and the open world design is unmatched.
The last two main entries are strong contenders to Best Game of All Time.
TOP 3 IN THE FRANCHISE:
1. Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018)
2. Red Dead Redemption (2010) 🏆[GOTY]
3. Red Dead Revolver (2004)
The Golden Age of Red Dead:
• 2010-2018
"We Die Alone, But Live Amongst Men."
[Created by Dan Houser and Leslie Benzies]
1 GOTY 🏆
Metacritic's Highest Critic Score: 97
Metacritic's Highest User Score: 9.0
Highest Rated Game In This Franchise Is Ranked 4° In Metacritic's Best Games of All Time
"The Pinnacle of Storytelling and Open World in gaming."
Red Dead Redemption has some of the best writing in the gaming industry and very emotional storytelling, the characters are some of the best ever written and the open world design is unmatched.
The last two main entries are strong contenders to Best Game of All Time.
TOP 3 IN THE FRANCHISE:
1. Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018)
2. Red Dead Redemption (2010) 🏆[GOTY]
3. Red Dead Revolver (2004)
The Golden Age of Red Dead:
• 2010-2018
"We Die Alone, But Live Amongst Men."
4
5. BioShock - (2K Games)
[Created by Ken Levine]
1 GOTY 🏆
Metacritic's Highest Critic Score: 96
Metacritic's Highest User Score: 9.0
Highest Rated Game In This Franchise Is Ranked 18° In Metacritic's Best Games of All Time
"The Perfect Mix of Atmosphere and Storytelling."
Rapture and Columbia, two of the best atmospheres in all gaming and two completely different ambiences with fascinating stories and characters.
One of the best first person shooters, atmospheres and story-driven games to ever exist.
The first and last entries are strong contenders to Best Game of All Time.
TOP 3 IN THE FRANCHISE:
1. BioShock Infinite (2013)
2. BioShock (2007) 🏆[GOTY]
3. BioShock 2 (2010)
The Golden Age of BioShock:
• 2007-2014
"No Gods Or Kings, Only Man."
[Created by Ken Levine]
1 GOTY 🏆
Metacritic's Highest Critic Score: 96
Metacritic's Highest User Score: 9.0
Highest Rated Game In This Franchise Is Ranked 18° In Metacritic's Best Games of All Time
"The Perfect Mix of Atmosphere and Storytelling."
Rapture and Columbia, two of the best atmospheres in all gaming and two completely different ambiences with fascinating stories and characters.
One of the best first person shooters, atmospheres and story-driven games to ever exist.
The first and last entries are strong contenders to Best Game of All Time.
TOP 3 IN THE FRANCHISE:
1. BioShock Infinite (2013)
2. BioShock (2007) 🏆[GOTY]
3. BioShock 2 (2010)
The Golden Age of BioShock:
• 2007-2014
"No Gods Or Kings, Only Man."
5
6. Grand Theft Auto - (Rockstar Games)
[Created by David Jones, Sam Houser, Dan Houser and Leslie Benzies]
3 GOTYs 🏆🏆🏆
Metacritic's Highest Critic Score: 98
Metacritic's Highest User Score: 9.1
Highest Rated Game In This Franchise Is Ranked 2° In Metacritic's Best Games of All Time
"The Franchise That Defined Open World In Gaming."
Grand Theft Auto has changed open world games forever with its freedom, size and details, while also presenting great writing and iconic characters. The open worlds in GTA are unmatched even by today's standards.
The last three main entries are strong contenders to Best Game of All Time.
TOP 10 IN THE FRANCHISE:
1. Grand Theft Auto IV (2008) 🏆[GOTY]
2. Grand Theft Auto V (2013) 🏆[GOTY]
3. Grand Theft Auto: S. Andreas (2004) 🏆[GOTY]
4. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (2002)
5. Grand Theft Auto III (2001)
6. Grand Theft Auto: Eps. from Liberty City (2009)
7. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories (2006)
8. Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (2005)
9. Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (2009)
10. Grand Theft Auto 2 (1999)
The Golden Age of Grand Theft Auto:
• 2001-2013
"War Is When The Young And Stupid Are Tricked By The Old And Bitter Into Killing Each Other."
[Created by David Jones, Sam Houser, Dan Houser and Leslie Benzies]
3 GOTYs 🏆🏆🏆
Metacritic's Highest Critic Score: 98
Metacritic's Highest User Score: 9.1
Highest Rated Game In This Franchise Is Ranked 2° In Metacritic's Best Games of All Time
"The Franchise That Defined Open World In Gaming."
Grand Theft Auto has changed open world games forever with its freedom, size and details, while also presenting great writing and iconic characters. The open worlds in GTA are unmatched even by today's standards.
The last three main entries are strong contenders to Best Game of All Time.
TOP 10 IN THE FRANCHISE:
1. Grand Theft Auto IV (2008) 🏆[GOTY]
2. Grand Theft Auto V (2013) 🏆[GOTY]
3. Grand Theft Auto: S. Andreas (2004) 🏆[GOTY]
4. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (2002)
5. Grand Theft Auto III (2001)
6. Grand Theft Auto: Eps. from Liberty City (2009)
7. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories (2006)
8. Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (2005)
9. Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (2009)
10. Grand Theft Auto 2 (1999)
The Golden Age of Grand Theft Auto:
• 2001-2013
"War Is When The Young And Stupid Are Tricked By The Old And Bitter Into Killing Each Other."
6
7. Devil May Cry - (Capcom)
[Created by Hideki Kamiya, Shinji Mikami and Hideaki Itsuno]
Metacritic's Highest Critic Score: 94
Metacritic's Highest User Score: 9.0
Highest Rated Game In This Franchise Is Ranked 53° In Metacritic's Best Games of All Time
"The Greatest Hack N' Slash Franchise With Stylish Combat, Badass Characters and Amazing Soundtrack."
Devil May Cry has some of the best combat and gameplay mechanics in all gaming, along with great level design, soundtrack and characters.
TOP 5 IN THE FRANCHISE:
1. Devil May Cry 5 (2019)
2. Devil May Cry 3 (2005)
3. Devil May Cry 4 (2008)
4. Devil May Cry (2001)
5. Devil May Cry 2 (2003)
The Golden Age of Devil May Cry:
• 2001-2019
"He Who Desires But Act Not, Breeds Pestilence."
[Created by Hideki Kamiya, Shinji Mikami and Hideaki Itsuno]
Metacritic's Highest Critic Score: 94
Metacritic's Highest User Score: 9.0
Highest Rated Game In This Franchise Is Ranked 53° In Metacritic's Best Games of All Time
"The Greatest Hack N' Slash Franchise With Stylish Combat, Badass Characters and Amazing Soundtrack."
Devil May Cry has some of the best combat and gameplay mechanics in all gaming, along with great level design, soundtrack and characters.
TOP 5 IN THE FRANCHISE:
1. Devil May Cry 5 (2019)
2. Devil May Cry 3 (2005)
3. Devil May Cry 4 (2008)
4. Devil May Cry (2001)
5. Devil May Cry 2 (2003)
The Golden Age of Devil May Cry:
• 2001-2019
"He Who Desires But Act Not, Breeds Pestilence."
7
8. God of War - (Sony - Santa Monica Studios)
[Created by David Jaffe and Cory Barlog]
1 GOTY 🏆
Metacritic's Highest Critic Score: 94
Metacritic's Highest User Score: 9.1
Highest Rated Game In This Franchise Is Ranked 51° In Metacritic's Best Games of All Time
"The Best PlayStation First-Party Franchise"
God of War does everything great: Story, Gameplay, Soundtrack, Characters, Level Design, Sound Design, Art Direction...
From the first to the last entry we have a brutal and epic journey of one of the best protagonists ever written, in the greek and the nordic mythologies.
TOP 5 IN THE FRANCHISE:
1. God of War Ragnarök (2022)
2. God of War (2018) 🏆[GOTY]
3. God of War III (2010)
4. God of War II (2007)
5. God of War (2005)
The Golden Age of God of War:
• 2005-2023
"I Am What The Gods Have Made Me.”
[Created by David Jaffe and Cory Barlog]
1 GOTY 🏆
Metacritic's Highest Critic Score: 94
Metacritic's Highest User Score: 9.1
Highest Rated Game In This Franchise Is Ranked 51° In Metacritic's Best Games of All Time
"The Best PlayStation First-Party Franchise"
God of War does everything great: Story, Gameplay, Soundtrack, Characters, Level Design, Sound Design, Art Direction...
From the first to the last entry we have a brutal and epic journey of one of the best protagonists ever written, in the greek and the nordic mythologies.
TOP 5 IN THE FRANCHISE:
1. God of War Ragnarök (2022)
2. God of War (2018) 🏆[GOTY]
3. God of War III (2010)
4. God of War II (2007)
5. God of War (2005)
The Golden Age of God of War:
• 2005-2023
"I Am What The Gods Have Made Me.”
8
9. Uncharted - (Sony - Naughty Dog)
[Created by Amy Hennig and Bruce Straley]
1 GOTY 🏆
Metacritic's Highest Critic Score: 96
Metacritic's Highest User Score: 8.8
Highest Rated Game In This Franchise Is Ranked 19° In Metacritic's Best Games of All Time
"Endless Fun and One of The Greatest Action Adventure Games Ever."
Uncharted has great writing, characters and always keeps the pace with the non-stop fun in different places like beautiful landscapes, paradisiac islands, ancient cities, forgotten lands and many other fascinating scenarios, along with the action oriented gameplay and climbing mechanics.
TOP 5 IN THE FRANCHISE:
1. Uncharted 2: A. Thieves (2009) 🏆[GOTY]
2. Uncharted 4: A Thief's End (2016)
3. Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception (2011)
4. Uncharted: Lost Legacy (2017)
5. Uncharted: Drake's Fortune (2007)
The Golden Age of Uncharted:
• 2007-2017
"Sic Parvis Magna."
[Created by Amy Hennig and Bruce Straley]
1 GOTY 🏆
Metacritic's Highest Critic Score: 96
Metacritic's Highest User Score: 8.8
Highest Rated Game In This Franchise Is Ranked 19° In Metacritic's Best Games of All Time
"Endless Fun and One of The Greatest Action Adventure Games Ever."
Uncharted has great writing, characters and always keeps the pace with the non-stop fun in different places like beautiful landscapes, paradisiac islands, ancient cities, forgotten lands and many other fascinating scenarios, along with the action oriented gameplay and climbing mechanics.
TOP 5 IN THE FRANCHISE:
1. Uncharted 2: A. Thieves (2009) 🏆[GOTY]
2. Uncharted 4: A Thief's End (2016)
3. Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception (2011)
4. Uncharted: Lost Legacy (2017)
5. Uncharted: Drake's Fortune (2007)
The Golden Age of Uncharted:
• 2007-2017
"Sic Parvis Magna."
9
10. The Elder Scrolls - (Bethesda)
[Created by Todd Howard]
2 GOTYs 🏆🏆
Metacritic's Highest Critic Score: 96
Metacritic's Highest User Score: 8.8
Highest Rated Game In This Franchise Is Ranked 22° In Metacritic's Best Games of All Time
"One of The Finest Open World RPG Games Ever Made."
The Legendary RPG Franchise where you can choose what you want to be in a large and detailed open world with uncountable number of quests, activities and NPCs.
TOP 5 IN THE FRANCHISE:
1. TES V: Skyrim (2011) 🏆[GOTY]
2. TES IV: Oblivion (2006) 🏆[GOTY]
3. TES III: Morrowind (2002)
4. TES II: Daggerfall (1996)
5. The Elder Scrolls: Arena (1994)
The Golden Age of The Elder Scrolls:
• 2002-2011
"What Is Better - To Be Born Good, Or To Overcome Your Evil Nature Through Great Effort?"
[Created by Todd Howard]
2 GOTYs 🏆🏆
Metacritic's Highest Critic Score: 96
Metacritic's Highest User Score: 8.8
Highest Rated Game In This Franchise Is Ranked 22° In Metacritic's Best Games of All Time
"One of The Finest Open World RPG Games Ever Made."
The Legendary RPG Franchise where you can choose what you want to be in a large and detailed open world with uncountable number of quests, activities and NPCs.
TOP 5 IN THE FRANCHISE:
1. TES V: Skyrim (2011) 🏆[GOTY]
2. TES IV: Oblivion (2006) 🏆[GOTY]
3. TES III: Morrowind (2002)
4. TES II: Daggerfall (1996)
5. The Elder Scrolls: Arena (1994)
The Golden Age of The Elder Scrolls:
• 2002-2011
"What Is Better - To Be Born Good, Or To Overcome Your Evil Nature Through Great Effort?"
10