20 Best Video Games Of The Decade

14. NieR: Automata

Platinum have fast become the name in character action, but nobody expected them to push the boat out quite so much with NieR: Automata.

Requiring three full playthroughs to even see the full story, the game's multi-genre approach to level design is phenomenally unique. By sticking with one set of controls but moving the camera behind, above and to the side of your character - all while rules of combat like avoiding projectiles or returning fire stay true - it lets NieR hop between standard action game, a top-down bullet hell shooter and a side-scrolling platformer.

True mastery of all-things action gaming from the devs, you then layer on so many intricate thoughts on an android's purpose, the role of emotion in the development of consciousness, and everything in between.

NieR: Automata is a real body of work, and creative director Yoko Taro is someone we're only going to champion more going forward.