If you’ve been on social media at all in 2026, you’ve surely seen almost everyone on your friends list post a story with a caption like, “This was me in 2016!” Mostly, these kind of just feel like excuses for people to share their most flattering pictures ever, or to humble-brag about some cool thing they did a decade ago.
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But who am I to judge? I’m all about taking a walk down memory lane on occasion, fondly remembering the days of old and the good times they brought. Of course, it was then natural for a games editor to also start thinking about what video games were like back in 2016, which reminded me just how many bangers we had the pleasure of playing at the time.
The following are my picks for the best games of 2016, based partially on critical reception at the time, but also my own personal opinion on how they’ve aged and held up a full decade later.
Of course, by the very nature of this list, there will have to be some big snubs. I’ve also decided to omit games like Overwatch. Yes, it was revolutionary at the time, but you can’t even play it anymore.
10 The Witness
Make Me Feel Smart
Puzzle games have been a thing forever, but The Witness still took a ton of people by surprise back in 2016. In a lot of ways, it was a throwback, practically forcing players to break out a pen and grid paper in order to figure out the game’s solutions.
On the other hand, it also was the perfect combination of challenging yet rewarding brain twisters, as well as a lonely, almost ominous vibe across the island where The Witness takes place.
It wasn’t for everyone, but if you’re someone that’s down for some out-of-the-box and wacky critical thinking, the game is a masterpiece. In fact, the only puzzle game since that is arguably better is 2025’s Blue Prince, almost a full decade later.
Terrific Tactics
XCOM 2 wasn’t even the highest profile strategy game in 2016, since that title belonged to Civilization VI. XCOM 2 was also extremely well-received at the time, but most of the genre’s awards went elsewhere regardless.
But in 2026, give me XCOM 2. The title has been supported better over its lifetime, and it still manages to feel unique and different from most other turn-based tactical games out there.
There is a steep learning curve here, but it’s more than worth investing into fully if you’ve ever been curious about the series. Just don’t blame me when thousands of hours are suddenly gone from your life at a later date.
8 Dishonored 2
Going Full Arkane
The original Dishonored was really the game that put the now legendary Arkane Studios on the map, and 2016’s sequel pushed the series further in nearly every possible regard. The trippy, Steampunk-ish setting is immaculate, with top-tier action/stealth gameplay to match.
This was actually the first title developed by Arkane Lyon, an offshoot team that went on to create Deathloop, one of my actual favorite video games of all time. It’s that sort of pedigree that should show you the level of quality you’re in store for with Dishonored 2.
If you like action games that trust you enough to figure out your own, unique solutions to get through each and every section, then Dishonored 2 is still up your alley.
7 Ratchet & Clank
I Need Many Weapons
Ratchet & Clank had obviously already been a long-time beloved first-party series on PlayStation, so it was pretty insane that a remake/reimagining of the original game from 2002 turned out to actually be the best entry in the franchise to date.
This game was the greatest example at the time of, “Wow, this looks like a Pixar movie.” And in addition to the stunning visuals and insane particle effects, the game was also non-stop, raucous action, as well as one of the most entertaining Platinum trophies you can earn.
Rift Apart on the PS5 is probably a better game these days, but even then, it’s still up for debate. And it doesn’t even matter anyway. 2016’s Ratchet & Clank is some of the most fun you can have with a controller in hand.
6 DOOM
Bang Your Head
It was hard to really know what we should expect with a reboot of DOOM in 2016. Yes, it was still arguably the most iconic shooter franchise of all time, but it also was a series that felt a bit in limbo. Thankfully, we soon realized no one had any reason to worry after all.
DOOM (2016) is an absolute bloodbath of gore, metal, and frantically wonderful FPS action. It had been some time since a shooter had truly captivated me personally, and this title remedied that with the first chug of Mick Gordon’s guitar.
This latest version of DOOM was so awesome that id Software hasn’t looked back since. DOOM Eternal and The Dark Ages have shown that the series has no plans to slow down any time soon, and the 2016 game is to thank for this.
5 INSIDE
Wait No, Let Me Back Out
Playdead’s first title, Limbo, was a monochromatic indie darling that seemed nearly impossible to surpass. Many expected a bit of a sophomore slump for whatever came next, no disrespect to the studio whatsoever.
And then, Inside came out in 2016, and everyone’s fears were immediately laid to rest. To this day, it’s still very easily argued as the best atmospheric, side-scrolling puzzle-platformer out there.
The game starts off weird, gets even weirder in the middle, and still manages to have a final act unlike anything else in video games to date. Don’t look anything up if you’ve never played it. Just dive right in.
4 Titanfall 2
Still a Case for GOAT FPS Campaign
The original Titanfall was well-liked on XBOX, but it was also a multiplayer-only title that only appealed to players with those inclinations. As a result, Titanfall 2 boasting a brand-new, original single-player campaign felt like a bit of a wildcard.
And oh boy, did it end up being incredible. Ten years later, and it still has an incredibly strong case to be the best, pure FPS experience that’s ever been released.
The titans are endlessly cool. The gunplay and wall-running movement is precise and fluid. The boss fights are spectacles. The story is ridiculously fun. Pound for pound, 2016 really might’ve given us the best FPS ever.
3 Stardew Valley
Get Your Hands Dirty
On the complete opposite end of the gaming spectrum from Titanfall 2 is Stardew Valley. This life/farming sim absolutely took the world by storm, and it’s honestly never looked back.
In fact, the mod support and additional content continues on in full force an entire decade later, with the game also remaining consistently in the upper echelons of the Steam playerbase trackers as well. For this type of game to manage this type of staying power ten years later, you know it’s something special.
Stardew is a game you can play forever, and it seems like many people fully intend to do so. Try it out, and you’ll probably understand why.
2 Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
Say Drake, I Hear You Like Your Guns
There’s probably not a more well-respected name in the gaming industry as Naughty Dog, and while they’ve clearly had plenty of prolific and medium-defining series along the way, Uncharted was what really got them their flowers initially. As such, the conclusion of Nathan Drake’s story in Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, was set to be a huge deal.
Upon finally getting to go hands-on with it in 2016, we quickly learned that the team delivered, and then some. Sure, a minority of players might argue that UC4 is a bit too cinematic and dialogue-heavy for its own good, but by the fourth game in the series, it had earned that right.
What’s here is still incredibly action-packed, while also managing to feel like a game that’s simply important and was about to have a moment. Whether or not this really was the end of Drake’s journey, we still don’t know. But I know I’m not alone when I say I’m ready for more from Uncharted whenever Naughty Dog is feeling up to it.
1 Dark Souls III
Still Peak FromSoftware
Ask a Soulsborne fan their favorite game in the genre, and you’re going to get a lot of different responses. The original Dark Souls has the amazing, interconnected map. Bloodborne has the vibe. Sekiro has the precision-based combat. Elden Ring has the freedom of exploration. Dark Souls 2 has… Uhh… Well, nevermind.
For me, I give the crown to Dark Souls 3, and that is really saying something when you consider just how strong FromSoftware’s entire roster of games truly is. Sure, it’s a bit more linear than some of its brothers and sisters, but that also works for its benefit.
It’s the most replayable From game out there, has the best boss fights, and still some of the most breathtaking, brutally challenging areas ever if you don’t know what you’re getting yourself into. 2016 was a loaded year in retrospect, but DS3 is the title that I and many other gamers simply can’t stop coming back to.
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Author: 360 Technology Group
