In the vast gaming world, finding the perfect game can be daunting. With countless titles, it’s challenging to know where to start. Thankfully, Metacritic offers a solution, providing a website that aggregates reviews from professional critics and users. According to their Metascore, this article will delve into the top 10 best Metacritic games. These games have earned a special place in the hearts of gamers worldwide thanks to their immersive worlds, captivating storylines, and engaging gameplay mechanics.
What is Metacritic?
Metacritic is a review aggregator website that compiles ratings and reviews from critics and users to determine the most acclaimed movies, TV shows, video games, and music albums. Metacritic assigns a score, called a “Metascore,” to each product based on the weighted average of the reviews. The Metascore ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores showing more positive reviews. Metacritic is a valuable resource for consumers looking to make informed decisions about what movies, TV shows, video games, or music to watch or listen to.
Top 10 Best Metacritic Games
Let’s look at the top 10 video games according to Metascore by Metacritic. Whether you’re a veteran player or a newcomer to the gaming scene, these top-rated games will surely provide an unforgettable experience.
1. Half-Life 2 – Metacritic Score: 96/100
Half-Life 2 is a first-person shooter game developed and published by Valve Corporation. They released it in 2004, and it quickly became a critical and commercial success. They set the game in a dystopian world where the player takes on the role of Gordon Freeman, a scientist who must fight against an alien race known as the Combine.
Half-Life 2 is known for its innovative physics-based gameplay, allowing players to interact with the game world in ways that were impossible in previous first-person shooter games. The game also features an immersive storyline, with well-written characters and dialogue that make the world feel alive and realistic.
The game’s graphics and sound design are also notable, with detailed character models and environments that help create an immersive and believable world. The game’s soundtrack, composed by Kelly Bailey, is highly regarded and praised for its atmospheric and emotional qualities.
Overall, Half-Life 2 is considered a classic of the first-person shooter genre and is widely regarded as one of the greatest games of all time. Its innovative gameplay, immersive storyline, and stunning presentation have made it a favorite among gamers and critics. We can see its influence in many subsequent games in the genre.
2. BioShock – Metacritic Score: 96/100
BioShock is a first-person shooter game developed by 2K Boston and 2K Australia and published by 2K Games. They set the game in the underwater city of Rapture, a dystopian world built by the industrialist Andrew Ryan.
The player takes on the role of Jack, a survivor of a plane crash who finds himself in Rapture. They filled the city with genetically altered humans known as “splicers,” and the player must battle against them while uncovering the city’s secrets.
We know BioShock for its immersive world-building, detailed environments and well-written characters that make the world feel alive and realistic. The game’s art direction, which draws on the Art Deco and Art Nouveau styles, is also notable, creating a unique and visually striking world.
This game’s gameplay mechanics are also innovative, with various weapons and abilities that allow players to approach combat differently. The game’s morality system, which allows players to choose between saving or harvesting the game’s genetically altered children, known as “Little Sisters,” adds a unique element to the gameplay.
3. Grand Theft Auto V – Metacritic Score: 96/100
Grand Theft Auto V is an action-adventure game developed by Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games. They released it in 2013, quickly becoming a commercial and critical success. The game is set in the fictional city of Los Santos, a satirical version of Los Angeles.
The player takes on the roles of three different protagonists: Michael De Santa, a retired bank robber; Franklin Clinton, a gang member; and Trevor Philips, a drug dealer. The game features an open-world environment, allowing players to explore the city and complete missions in any order they choose.
We know Grand Theft Auto V for its immersive and expansive open-world environment, with detailed character models and environments that make the world feel alive and realistic. The game’s story and characters are also notable, with well-written dialogue and a plot that is engaging and humorous.
Grand Theft Auto V’s gameplay mechanics allow players to engage in a broad range of criminal activities, such as heists, robberies, and car theft, earning the game high praise. The game is considered one of the greatest open-world games of all time and a must-play for fans of the action-adventure genre.
4. Portal 2 – Metacritic Score: 95/100
Portal 2 is a puzzle-platform game developed by Valve Corporation and released in 2011. The game takes place in the Aperture Science Enrichment Center. The player assumes the role of Chell, a test subject who must navigate a series of increasingly challenging puzzles using a device that can create portals. Portal 2 received critical acclaim for its inventive gameplay mechanics, witty writing, and memorable characters. It remains one of the most beloved puzzle games of all time.
5. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – Metacritic Score: 94/100
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is an open-world action role-playing game developed by Bethesda Game Studios and released in 2011. The game takes place in the fantasy world of Tamriel, where the player assumes the role of the Dragonborn, a prophesied hero who must defeat a mighty dragon and save the world from destruction. Skyrim received critical acclaim for its immersive world, exciting story, and deep RPG mechanics. It remains one of the most popular and enduring RPGs of all time.
6. Batman: Arkham City – Metacritic Score: 94/100
The game takes place in the fictional city of Arkham, where the player assumes the role of Batman as he battles a rogue’s gallery of iconic villains. Batman: Arkham City received critical acclaim for its engaging story, tight combat mechanics, and faithful representation of the Batman universe. It remains one of the best superhero video games ever made.
7. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Metacritic Score: 93/100
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is an open-world action role-playing game developed by CD Projekt Red and released in 2015. This game takes place in a fantasy world based on the novels by Andrzej Sapkowski, where the player assumes the role of Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter who must track down his missing daughter and confront a powerful enemy known as the Wild Hunt. The Witcher 3 received critical acclaim for its immersive world, engaging story, and memorable characters. It remains one of the best RPGs of all time.
8. Sid Meier’s Civilization IV – Metacritic Score: 94/100
Sid Meier’s Civilization IV is a turn-based strategy game developed by Firaxis Games and released in 2005. The game allows the player to build and manage a civilization from ancient to modern times, competing against other civilizations for dominance. Civilization IV received critical acclaim for its deep strategy gameplay, intricate diplomacy mechanics, and addictive gameplay loop. It remains one of the best strategy games of all time.
9. StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty – Metacritic Score: 93/100
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty is a real-time strategy game developed by Blizzard Entertainment and released in 2010. The game takes place in a futuristic sci-fi world, where the player assumes the role of Jim Raynor, a rebel leader fighting against a tyrannical government. StarCraft II received critical acclaim for its balanced gameplay, engaging story, and complex multiplayer modes. It remains one of the best RTS games of all time.
10. World of Warcraft – Metacritic Score: 93/100
World of Warcraft is a multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) developed by Blizzard Entertainment. They released it in 2004 and quickly became one of the most popular and successful MMORPGs of all time. They set the game in the fantasy world of Azeroth and allow players to create and customize their characters, choosing from various races and classes.
The world-building of World of Warcraft is immersive and expansive, with detailed environments, quests, and lore that create a realistic and lively world. Players can engage in a diverse range of gameplay mechanics, such as combat, crafting, and exploration. This makes World of Warcraft a significant game in the MMORPG genre, played by millions of gamers worldwide.
Honorable mentions
11. Celeste – Metacritic Score: 90
Celeste is a platforming game developed and published by Matt Makes Games. The game follows the player character, Madeline, who climbs a mountain while battling various obstacles and her inner demons. We know Celeste for its challenging gameplay, stunning pixel art design, and engaging story about mental health.
12. Disco Elysium – Metacritic Score: 90
Disco Elysium is a role-playing game developed and published by ZA/UM. They set the game in a fictional city and follow the player character, a detective with amnesia, as they solve a murder case while battling their inner demons. We know Disco Elysium for its immersive world-building, complex characters, and unique gameplay mechanics.
13. The Stanley Parable – Metacritic Score: 88
The Stanley Parable is an interactive storytelling game developed and published by Davey Wreden. The game follows the player character, Stanley, as they navigate a surreal office building and make choices that determine the story’s outcome. We know Stanley Parable for its witty writing, unique gameplay mechanics, and meta-commentary on storytelling in video games.
FAQs
Q: How does Metacritic calculate its scores?
A: Metacritic calculates its scores by assigning weights to each review based on the source’s perceived level of quality and influence. The website uses a proprietary algorithm to determine the weight of each review, considering factors such as the publication’s history of reviews, the individual critic’s track record, and the quality of the review itself. They then averaged the scores to produce a Metascore.
Q: Are Metacritic scores reliable?
A: Critics and users consider Metacritic scores reliable, as they compile a large sample size of reviews from various sources. Remembering that scores are subjective is crucial, and one should only use them as a starting point for evaluating a product. It’s advisable to read reviews from various sources and base judgments on individual tastes and preferences.
Q: Can I trust Metacritic’s user reviews?
A: Taking user reviews on Metacritic with a grain of salt is advisable since they are susceptible to bias and manipulation. Metacritic has measures to prevent review bombing and other forms of manipulation. However, it’s still important to read user reviews critically and with an awareness of the potential for manipulation.
Q: What other uses for Metacritic besides finding the best-rated video games?
A: Besides finding the best-rated video games, Metacritic can be a valuable tool for finding the most critically acclaimed movies, TV shows, and music albums. The website can also compare the scores of different products and track a particular product’s critical reception.
Q: Does Metacritic only feature reviews from professional critics?
A: No, Metacritic also features user reviews submitted by registered website users. However, the calculation of the Metascore usually gives less weightage to professional reviews than user reviews.
Q: How often are Metacritic scores updated?
A: Metacritic updates its scores continuously as new reviews become available. The update frequency varies depending on the product and the availability of new reviews. Some products may receive daily updates, while others may only be updated periodically.
Final Thoughts
Metacritic is a valuable tool for finding the best-rated video games. The website collects reviews from professional critics and users and assigns each game a score based on the weighted average of the reviews. According to Metacritic, the top 10 best PC video games offer a great starting point for anyone searching for a new game. The Metascore is a helpful tool for comparing different games and tracking the critical reception of a particular game. However, it’s important to remember that scores are subjective and should not be the sole factor in deciding whether to purchase a game. It’s always a good idea to read reviews from a variety of sources and to make judgments based on your tastes and preferences.
