18 Best Video Game Levels Of The Decade (So Far)

1. The Firefly Lab - The Last Of Us

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55AsY6prM_c Spoilers within. Naughty Dog's post-apocalyptic tale of scattered humanity found amongst total devastation is one for the ages. From the perfect relationship between Joel and Ellie (the former who having lost his own daughter is very hesitant to bond again), to the world design showing nature's reclamation of the land, and all the trials and tribulations you'll go through before watching Ellie get taken hostage by the Fireflies - the moment you regain control of Joel and decide to get her back is minute-to-minute the most intense culmination of everything the game was building towards. At this point in the narrative you've firmly bonded with Ellie yourself, seen Joel crack a smile or two - hell, he's even decided to stick with her instead of handing off like he was initially planning. We know that Ellie is the only person so far to be immune to the virus, and although you're handing her over to the Fireflies to create a cure, the crushing realisation it will kill her is the biggest motivation for Joel deciding her life and his happiness is worth more than the population itself. It's some pretty intense stuff, especially intended to make you very uncomfortable as you intentionally kill 'the good guys' before murdering three life-saving surgeons and leave the building in a hail of bullets and fire. Incredible. What's been your favourite game level since 2010? Let us know in the comments!
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Gaming Editor
Gaming Editor

WhatCulture's Head of Gaming.