The next generation of consoles is about to get its next two big contenders this holiday with the release of the Playstation 5 and Xbox Series X. Because of that, it is time for us to look back at this current generation as it truly begins to end, and pick our decision for the best game of the generation.
First, we want to clarify that the generations of consoles is wonky, due to Nintendo’s not really caring what the other rivals do. Though the Nintendo Switch came out over three years ago, it is not a part the Xbox One and PS4 generation. In fact, that title belongs to the Wii U. The Switch actually technically started the newest generation in 2017.
So if you think we should choose a Switch game, we are sorry; it isn’t a part of the generation we are looking at.
But that still leaves the library of the Wii U up for grabs…
Which is why our choice for the best game of this generation to be:
The Legend of Zelda: The Breath of the Wild
Yes, we know it was launch title for the Switch, but don’t forget that it was intended for the Wii U and ported to the Switch. This is enough for us to feel just fine in giving this game our vote.
The Legend of Zelda series has been around for decades, practically since video games became a mainstream form of entertainment. Multiple entries in the series have come with high praise (Ocarina of Time, anyone?). We can’t say there isn’t a game in the series that we haven’t enjoyed. But there is absolutely something special about Breath of the Wild.
This game is the game we felt we were playing back when we first experienced Ocarina of Time. We know that statement may anger a lot of you, but hear us out. Ocarina was a truly monumental game, and nothing short of a masterpiece. Diving into a 3D Hyrule for the first time made us feel like we were experiencing a whole new world. But when you go back and look at it, the game is actually pretty small. Still amazing, but small.
Breath of the Wild is anything but small. Its world is huge, sprawling, and full of nooks and crannies to explore. Once you finish what is arguably the best tutorial ever made in gaming, that feeling of looking out and knowing that you can go anywhere you want is truly magical.
It was a moment we will never forget.
The possibilities just never ceased as the game went on, either. Puzzles could be solved in just about any way you wanted. You could even manipulate the physics and objects to creatively solve what you wanted. That sheer level of creative freedom was exhilarating.
Everything felt open and ready to be overcome. The game took everything we loved about the series: temples, items, weapons, diverse enemies, and it innovated in all the right ways.
Sure, it was light on story, but that’s because it was your story to write. The freedom of the game made up for it, and it kept us coming back for hours and hours.
Just writing this makes us feel an urge to go back and play it all over again. This game was beautiful, ambitious, incredible, and overall just plain masterful. That is why we have named it as the Best Game of This Generation.
Of course, this generation is full of other amazing games and we want to mention those as well. So here are our Honorable Mentions:
God of War
Monster Hunter: World
Red Dead Redemption 2
Grand Theft Auto V
Battlefield 1
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Marvel’s Spider-Man
There are a ton of great games to play out there, and this is just our choice. What game do you think is the best of this generation? Let us know in the comments!
And as always, for all your gaming news and more, be sure to check back in here with GeekHash.