10(ish) games for the 2010s pt 5

#6 Fallout: New Vegas & The Last of Us

	Two games in one?!? Do I know no bounds? Well, yes, and the primary reason these two are put together is for the rest of the list to be aesthetically pleasing to me, but they both give us similar lessons.  Let’s start at the top.

	Coming in 2010, Fallout: New Vegas was another entry in the Fallout series published by Bethesda.  Created by Obsidian, the game to this day is universally praised as being one of the best open world RPGs created.  With multiple dialogue options, quests, and several endings depending on which of the many factions you supported, the game deserves much of its praise.

	On the other hand, The Last of Us is a pretty linear zombie game from 2013 by Naughty Dog.  Featuring the quest of Joel and Ellie as they attempt to make their way to a relative safe haven following a zombie apocalypse, the game offers a deep and engaging storyline.  Narratively and mechanically this game has received critical acclaim, and demonstrates with F:NV a demand for story based games.

	As opposed to some of the other entries on this list, the stories of these games take far more precedence than gameplay.  That’s not to say the games aren’t good games, like, there’s a reason Gone Home isn’t on this list despite also having a compelling narrative.  However, it’s pretty undeniable that F: NV’s combat is… iffy despite the amount of love it gets, and survival games aren’t exactly everyone’s cup of tea.  Even with their flaws, however, these games have engaged vast fanbases who have clamored for sequels since their release.  While due to its “lacking” metacritic score F: NV never got a sequel, Obsidian recently released The Outer Worlds, a spiritual successor to the game, and The Last of Us 2 is coming out next year, clearly indicating that this type of game is both here to stay and greatly enjoyed.

Also I’ve barely played either of them.

	Don’t get me wrong, I clearly think these games are important, but they’re not my style.  However, I can’t leave games like them off the list because of how resonant they are with so many people.  Hell, my mom watched my siblings play through the entirety of The Last of Us and they have plans to do the same with the sequel.  What these games represent to me is the diversity of the medium, and how games can offer tales beyond “kill the baddies”.  Complex moral decisions can be made in video games, with characters can be praised for their depth and realism, all without sacrificing the essential medium of the video game.  As we see games like What Remains of Edith Finch, Life is Strange, and Firewatch come out, it’s important to remember that video games can be an artistic experience.  I for one am happy that’s the case.