The 10 Best Xbox Games Of The 2000s Ranked
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The 10 Best Xbox Games Of The 2000s Ranked
The Xbox featured some truly revolutionary games, and throughout the 2000s, we saw some of the best it would ever feature. has invested heavily in gaming over the last few generations. From the Xbox Live to the Game Pass, they have always tried to innovate. This innovation also extends to the games on their platform. First-party or AAA, every system has had a fantastic selection of games available to play. Xbox Live made great strides to incorporate online play into consoles as well, further changing the gaming market. The recent creation of the Xbox Game pass allows Xbox owners to play hundreds of games they would not otherwise be able to. With all of the great titles releasing now, it would be wise to look back at the best Xbox games made in the 2000s. THEGAMER VIDEO OF THE DAY Splinter Cell Chaos Theory
is one of the most influential stealth games ever created. The art style, story, and mechanics all culminated into an experience none would forget. took inspiration and made their own stealth series titled Splinter Cell. Splinter Cell Chaos Theory is one of the . Stealth was perfected in this game, giving the player plenty of information on how much sound they were making, the noise levels nearby, and hearing guards discuss their lives. Expertly designed levels and exciting near-future technology take what MGS started and refine it to unprecedented levels. Industry-defining lighting—which still holds up to this day—and fantastic multiplayer offerings place Chaos Theory as one of the best, most refined stealth game ever made. Prince of Persia The Sands of Time
Time is constant in almost every video game. No matter the mistakes players make, they reload from a save point and try again. Games like are renowned for their persistent punishments after death, but Ubisoft did the polar opposite and allowed players to manipulate time itself. Prince of Persia The Sands of Time is one of the most cleverly creative games made. Players get a dagger early on that allows them to manipulate time, rewinding or freezing time to try new strategies and solve platforming sections. This extends to the combat as well, allowing players to kill enemies while they're frozen. The well made levels and excellent animations make this title a must-play. Mechassault 2
might have been the game to launch Xbox Live into the mainstream, but it was Mechassault 2 that demonstrated how fun online multiplayer on consoles can be. Multiple mechs blowing up entire cities in competitive multiplayer is one of the highpoints from the original Xbox. Players take control of a pilot, someone who is well versed in operating Mechs. Based on Battletech, Mechassault 2 combines iconic mechs with fast-paced arcade action. While the story isn't memorable, the gameplay and multiplayer are. This was one of the first times Xbox Live was fully utilized, but it would not be the last time it would be used well. Not even close. Spider-Man 2
Yes, a movie licensed video game is on this list. Those who have played know of its sprawling world, engaging missions, and how to deliver pizza as fast as possible. Most important, however, is the way Spider-Man traverses the world. No Spider-Man game, let alone any open-world game, has made traversing the environment as fun as Spider-Man 2. The player builds momentum on every building they sling by and can quickly latch on to any building. Skyscrapers rush past the screen as Spider-Man moves at an incredible speed. What more ? Combat is dated, but the scale and sheer fun of traversal sure have not. Ninja Gaiden Black
Difficulty has been a point of discussion among many gamers for years now. Games seem to be getting easier, rewarding players more for doing less. Dark Souls was praised for its difficulty, but that is not the only game known for its soul-crushing difficulty. Meet , a game that will test your patience and skill with equal measure. Combat is superb, with visceral slashes combined with brutal difficulty. Like Dark Souls, mistakes are heavily punished, but unlike the Souls series, this game is focused on faster-paced combat. You are a ninja after all, so expect blazingly fast attacks and high mobility. The fantastic enemy design and levels culminate into an adrenaline-fueled action-adventure that stands among the best in the genre. Star Wars Knights Of The Old Republic
Ever since Electronic Arts obtained the IP, they have only created three AAA Star Wars games: Star Wars Battlefront I and II, and . Since they have obtained the license, they have created one new game and rebooted an old series twice. It didn't use to be this way. Star Wars Knights Of The Old Republic (or KOTOR) was from a different time when this IP meant massive innovations. KOTOR contains a unique setting that is all it's own, setting it apart from all other games. The excellent writing and truly shocking plot-twist demonstrate how to create a suspenseful role-playing game. Some would consider this Bioware's best game, and it is hard to argue against that. Without the license, this is a fantastic RPG. With it, KOTOR resides alongside and . Grand Theft Auto San Andreas
is no stranger to making phenomenal video games. changed open-world games forever, and Vice City refined those systems while telling a more interesting story. San Andreas takes it a step further and shows demonstrable character growth in one of the best sandboxes Rockstar has ever designed. Players start from humble beginnings as a member of Grove Street, but things quickly escalate to include law enforcement and more powerful gangs. Family, betrayal, and self-growth are all powerful themes this game covers. No other GTA game has been as personal as San Andreas or as emotional. It has aged poorly gameplay-wise when compared to GTA V but has stood the test of time for its story and open world. Call of Duty 4 Modern Warfare
Experience points, perks, and challenges are not uncommon in shooters. , not to be confused with the most recent entry, made waves in the gaming world when it released in 2007. Not only did this game contain a fantastic cinematic campaign, but it also included a revolutionary multiplayer progression system. Account-wide ranking, coupled with persistent perk and attachment unlocks was a drastic change from skill-based progression systems like Halo used. Not only was it engaging, but it was a massive success. Besides the multiplayer, the campaign provided was highly memorable and expertly made. From the famous nuke scene to the game's opener, CoD 4 was nothing short of fantastic. Halo 1
It had to be on the list. Most people who do not even play video games know of Halo, science fiction FPS epic. But calling it an FPS epic is a massive understatement to what this game accomplished. Halo changed first-person shooters forever. The control scheme Bungie designed made bulky controllers make sense. Joystick sensitivity changes when looking at an enemy, weapons sound powerful, regenerating health, and a limited carry limit made this game stand above most. But what propelled it into one of the best games ever made was the iconic art style, high energy LAN multiplayer, and a soundtrack so perfect words can not do it justice. This game was lightning caught in a bottle, and it seemed like a shooter this great would not come again. Halo 2
Yet Halo was topped by its sequel, Halo 2. Somehow, Bungie found a way to make combat even more engaging. Players could dual wield single-handed weapons, potentially doubling their firepower. Highjacking vehicles made its rendition here, and players could finally play as a member of the Covenant. The music somehow transcended what it accomplished in the last game, and the campaign began to rival the quality of most movies. Even with all of those improvements, Halo 2 took the engaging LAN multiplayer games from its last entry and tripled down on it. With the use of Xbox Live, Halo 2 could be played with or against anyone from anywhere in the world. Halo refined shooting controls and feel, but Halo 2 utilized that to revolutionize the multiplayer scene. Mechassault 2 showed that Xbox Live had potential, but Halo 2 reached every ounce of potential possible. Competitive multiplayer was possible on consoles and no longer a PC exclusive. People bought Xbox consoles just to play this game. People just to answer a payphone. Halo 2 changed gaming forever, and it is easily the best Xbox game released since the 2000s, arguably ever.