We’re taking a journey down memory lane, reviving the essence of the golden age of gaming. Today we look back on the best games of 2001. Every entry here is a titan in its own right, and the process of selecting them was as thrilling as it was nostalgic. So, brace yourselves as we embark on this retrospective ride, revisiting the games that made waves. They sparked debates, and most importantly, gave us countless unforgettable experiences.
From the divine domain of a god game to the gripping streets of Liberty City, our lineup will rekindle old memories while perhaps igniting new interests. Great that you’ve played these classics right as they were released. If you’re new to this, don’t stress. Each game holds its original value, no matter how many years go by.
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Best Games of 2001
As we journeyed through the archives of 2001, there were countless classics that stirred our hearts. However, not all could make it to the main stage, and it is these deserving contenders we honour in this section. Titles that carved their unique path in the gaming landscape and won the admiration of many gamers:
- Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 – Metacritic Score: 97 (User score 7.6)
- Halo: Combat Evolved – Metacritic Score: 97 (User score 8.7)
- Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec – Metacritic Score: 95 (User score 8.5)
- Madden NFL 2002 – Metacritic Score: 94 (User score 7.3)
- Paper Mario – Metacritic Score: 93 (User score 9.0)
- SSX Tricky – Metacritic Score: 92 (User score 8.8)
These titles remind us of the vast tapestry that is gaming, each thread as crucial and colourful as the next, contributing to the vibrant and diverse picture we see today. For example – Halo: Combat Evolved. A titan for sure, it’s a stepping stone in gaming.
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5. Black and White
Venture into the ethereal universe of Black and White by Lionhead Studios, a title that dared to challenge the god game genre’s status quo. With its brand-new morality mechanism, this game was not just another item on the shelf in 2001. Every decision reflected in the dynamic AI of your divine creature, the game offered a divine mirror, reflecting your virtues or exposing your vices.
Black and White’s graphics were a testament to the visual splendour games could achieve. Limitless in its potential, this game was a canvas waiting to be painted, rightfully earning its place in the annals of gaming history. It’s one of the best games of 2001 for sure.
Developer: Lionhead Studios
Metacritic Score: 90 (User score 7.8)
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4. Final Fantasy X
The magical quill of Square (Old Square Enix) penned yet another mesmerising chapter in the fabled Final Fantasy anthology with Final Fantasy X. The saga of Tidus and Yuna, their footsteps echoing through the surreal landscape of Spira, had gamers rooted to their screens, their hearts tethered to this fantastical journey. A gentle shift in the winds of combat was felt with the novel Conditional Turn-Based system, a refreshing gust that revived the franchise’s traditional mechanics.
Lending voices to the beloved characters was a daring innovation, but Final Fantasy X did it with flair. It was like watching silent film stars find their voices, and the effect was simply electric. The narrative’s emotional resonance amplified, and so did its place in the hearts of RPG fans.
Developer: Square Enix
Metacritic Score: 92 (User score 8.9)
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3. Devil May Cry
A wave of exhilaration swept the action-adventure landscape when Capcom’s Devil May Cry debuted. The relentless tempo of the gameplay and the charismatic Dante, a demon hunter with a thirst for vengeance, set a blistering pace that was hard to keep up with but impossible to resist. It was a symphony of gunplay and sword fights, a crescendo that kept building and never faltered.
Devil May Cry wasn’t just a game – it was a challenge, a dare to dive into a maelstrom of bullets and blades. Its innovative approach and spellbinding visual design set it apart from the crowd, marking its territory in the best games of 2001.
Developer: Capcom
Metacritic Score: 94 (User score 8.5)
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2. Max Payne
Max Payne strutted into the gaming scene with the swagger of a noir film protagonist and the slow-motion grace of a ballet dancer. Remedy Entertainment’s gift to gamers, this title combined gritty storytelling with a cinema-worthy action that was as much a visual feast as it was an interactive experience. The noir aesthetic, paired with Max’s bleak internal monologues, transported gamers to a New York City rarely explored.
Beyond being just a game, Max Payne was a rollercoaster ride, a cinematic extravaganza that left gamers breathless and wanting more. It was a game that didn’t just tell a story – it grabbed you by the collar and pulled you in, forcing you to live every bullet-time moment. Just as one of the best games of 2001 should have done.
Developer: Remedy Entertainment
Metacritic Score: 89 (User score 9.0)
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1. Grand Theft Auto III
Claiming the throne in our list, Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto III was not just a game, it was a revolution. It smashed the confines of open-world gaming, letting players loose in the urban jungle of Liberty City. This 3D sandbox world was a siren’s call for the criminally inclined, with a smorgasbord of missions and an expansive city that raised the gaming stakes to towering heights.
Its influential game design and gripping narrative didn’t just secure it the crown for 2001 but carved its name in the gaming hall of fame. Particularly Grand Theft Auto III was a titan that not just set new standards but towered over them, casting a long shadow that continues to shape the gaming landscape.
Developer: Rockstar North
Metacritic Score: 97 (User score 8.4)
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Special Prize: Silent Hill II
A chilling gust blew through the gaming landscape with the release of Silent Hill II. It was Konami’s contribution to the psychological horror genre, a title that didn’t rely on cheap scares but sank its teeth into your psyche, its unsettling aura lingering long after the console was turned off. The protagonist, James Sunderland’s journey into the eerie town in search of his deceased wife was not just a quest – it was a descent into madness.
This game’s atmospheric storytelling, complemented by its hauntingly beautiful soundtrack, made for an unsettling but undeniably immersive experience. Silent Hill II took its players by the hand and led them down a foggy path of psychological horror, a trail that even today, many games strive to follow but few manage to tread with equal finesse.
Playing Silent Hill II was akin to walking through a grim, symbolic representation of the human psyche, an experience that was as haunting as it was thought-provoking. This wasn’t just a game – it was a nightmare you willingly walked into, and that’s why it deserves its spot on this prestigious list. King of the best games of 2001 list, period. Also there is a complete remake project of Silent Hill 2. Well, isn’t that perfect timing?
Developer: Konami
Metacritic Score: 89 (User score 8.5)
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Was GTA III Banned?
Grand Theft Auto III was prohibited as it carried an incorrect age rating. The game was categorised for the 15+ age group. However, it faced bans in numerous countries due to its sexually violent content. After some time, it was re-evaluated as suitable for 18+ and sales resumed. These bans aren’t unique to GTA 3, the entire series grapples with this issue.
Is Max Payne Part of the GTA Universe?
No, Max Payne games are not set in the GTA universe. This question is asked a lot, as Rockstar Games had an influence on the development of the two game series. However, the Max Payne series is in a universe of its own. The only exception to this may be the Alan Wake 2, which will be released in the coming days. We know that the two games contain related easter eggs.
Is Black and White 3 Coming?
No, Black and White 3 or a new game with a different name does not seem possible. Lionhead Studios, one of the most popular studios of the 2000s, is currently inactive. As such, it is unlikely that the series will have a sequel. But don’t worry too much, Microsoft likes to resurrect old series, so there’s no need to be completely hopeless.
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- My journey into the world of video games began at four, when I was first introduced to arcade machines in 1996. Over the past decades, I've been fortunate enough to witness the incredible evolution of gaming, as it has grown from a niche hobby to a thriving art. Today, I'm dedicated to creating content that celebrates all genres of games. We will talk about them at Player.me.