Very few game developers have had as long-lasting of an impact as Blizzard, whose best titles still have massive fanbases even decades after their release. This goes to show just how beloved Blizzard games can be, but the strongest ones prove it through addictive gameplay loops that are hard for players to put down. From massive multiplayer to vibrant competition, Blizzard has defined genres again and again.
Despite multiple controversies over past years, Blizzard continues into 2026 with strong plans for its future. That being said, the past of Blizzard’s games often define them, as many of their titles rely on live service models to remain perpetually popular. Huge expansions, DLC, or microtransactions have been added to Blizzard titles, very rarely creating a need for sequels unless they bring huge changes.
Blackthorne
Underrated Platformer That Inspired Other Classics
Blackthorne is a very early Blizzard title that released in the mid ’90s, back when platforming games were popular with some of the first home consoles. This game broke the mold by being less focused on platforming itself, and more about strategic and focused level design that challenged players. Far darker and grittier than other games in its genre at the time, this single-player adventure was a stand-out.
The presentation of Blackthorne was mired in straightforward approaches, providing an arcade-like adventure that was easy to pick up. Many mechanics that would define other genres were invented by Blackthorne, such as hiding behind cover when trying to shoot enemies. Later icons like Mass Effect, Gears of War, and other action titles would be inspired by this Blizzard work, making it an innovative entry in the developer’s catalog.
Heroes Of The Storm
Robust MOBA With Plenty Of Fan-Favorite Characters
While DOTA and League of Legends dominate the MOBA space, Heroes of the Storm is a solid entry in the genre that features many innovations. Multiple game types and match modes introduce unorthodox approaches to how typical MOBA competitions go, instead of revolving around a single core map.
This game featured a crossover of Blizzard characters from each of their major franchises, each playing in unique ways from the games they’re from. For example, you can have the titular Diablo from the Diablo series hunt down Tracer from Overwatch, leading to fun crossovers you might not expect. Like other MOBAs, the teamwork needed to achieve victory led to compelling collaboration, in a totally new direction from other Blizzard titles.
Diablo 3: Reaper Of Souls
Incredible Turnaround With Limitless Endgame Content
When Diablo 3 first released, there were many systems that alienated long-time fans of the series, including a plethora of microtransactions for in-game items that racked up real-world costs. However, the Reaper of Souls expansion/update fixed many player problems, cutting away what was criticized and reviving the game into one of Blizzard’s strongest.
The main issue with Diablo 3 was its in-game auction house, where players could put up items for money. While this isn’t in Diablo 4, similar monetary systems in Blizzard series tend to bring controversy with various titles.
This game gives you tons of depth in varied character builds, which ramp toward a complex endgame grind that remains enjoyable even as you put more and more time into it. The Rift system added tons of replayability, allowing you and your friends to create OP characters to decimate dungeons together. The redone loot system also created an addicting loop like never before, crafting a solid Diablo experience that players look back on fondly.
Hearthstone
Continual Support With Tons Of Card Game Variety
Plenty of franchises have dipped into card game formats of their series, but Hearthstone is perhaps the most successful. This game simplifies competitive TCG formulas into something that is easy for beginners to understand, but incredibly complex at the highest level to master. Many different decks are viable through multiple game modes, allowing for more variety than you might not see in other online card titles.
Frequent expansions, updates, and tweaks to competitive formats keeps Hearthstone fresh, even if it means that older decks might become obsolete over time. Thankfully, the RPG elements also present in the game give the game a singular feel, making it appealing even if you aren’t familiar with World of Warcraft characters used for cards.
At the time of its release, Hearthstone‘s Mana system was a great innovation to the genre, forcing players to spend more time in a game to unlock their deck’s best combos. This allowed more important or flashy cards to be seen, making you feel like every part of your deck matters. With free-to-play systems giving you ways to build a strong deck over time, it’s no wonder why this game still has a strong future to this day.
Overwatch
Fascinating Characters Within Peak Hero Shooter Action
Overwatch was a monumental success for Blizzard, becoming arguably the strongest hero shooter ever made since Team Fortress 2. This came about due to how compelling each and every character in this game looked and played, with each having a sense of style in how players controlled them. From the twin shotguns and dark aesthetic of Reaper to the bombastic shield, hammer, and charge of Reinhardt, every hero had a quality about them that made them appealing.
Continual character releases added to Overwatch‘s success, with team combinations changing depending on how new heroes fit into the game. This kept the game fresh for a long time, adding content players looked forward to.
As an FPS as well, Overwatch had a far more simple approach to how character abilities worked. Every hero’s tools were easy to learn, but sometimes hard to master in team settings. Detailed and interesting map environments also contributed to a vibrant look for the game, with interesting lore for Overwatch‘s world through beautifully animated cinematic shorts. The richness felt from these extra details helped give Overwatch a strong identity, even among Blizzard’s other famous IPs.
Starcraft
The RTS That Defined A Genre
The original Starcraft is essential to gaming as a whole, popularizing the Real Time Strategy (RTS) genre through Blizzard’s signature presentation and simplification of complex ideas. Starcraft is a game where you can embody three different factions that have a wealth of depth to them, with every unit serving a distinct purpose. The strategic ideas behind what to build and how to use them build an immersive loop that can be insanely addicting.
One of the most appealing parts of Starcraft is its storyline between various factions. The campaign of this game and its sequel helped contribute to its popularity, beyond just its competitive elements.
What makes Starcraft one of the best strategy games ever comes from how seamlessly all of its parts blend together. For a game released in 1998, Starcraft holds up for its deep strategic complexity that arises from player skill and expression.
With its first expansion, Brood War, Starcraft became even better, adding more factions and a greater challenge to an already stellar game. In an even better story campaign, the natural challenges truly test your ability to microplay every scenario against your enemies, leading to mind-bending decisions through impeccable level design.
Warcraft 3
Warcraft 3 was another RTS that Blizzard made after Starcraft, but this sequel took many features of the genre and added new, exciting features. With the most factions Blizzard had ever put into an RTS, the sheer variety present in the game was staggering, giving players nearly endless strategies to adopt for each group. This was made even more complex with the introduction of hero units, who added even greater emphasis to the microplay of the game.
However, The Frozen Throne expansion to Warcraft 3 is what puts this game on such a high pedestal for many Blizzard fans. This added content expands an already massive game into something gargantuan, only giving players more ways to enjoy the title’s fascinating gameplay and interesting story. With a custom map maker giving players the ability to make their own RTS maps too, Warcraft 3 is endlessly replayable among Blizzard’s large library.
Diablo 2
The Ultimate Dark Fantasy Of Infinite RPG Depth
Many consider Diablo 2 to be the best entry in the series, for good reason. This game continues the original Diablo‘s dark fantasy ARPG style, but refines, polishes, and adds to it, creating systems that would inspire multiple smash hits later on. Diablo 2 practically allows you to make any type of character you want, using deep customization skills and build trees to open the door to tons of possibilities.
Like other Blizzard games, Diablo 2 grows even stronger with its expansion. The Lord of Destruction expansion to the game added an entirely new story Act, as well as a new area with stronger enemies and new quests for players to complete.
The depth of the characters in Diablo 2 is paired wonderfully with the impressive level design and reward systems present in the game. As one of the first games to feature proper co-op, Diablo 2 gave players the ability to join up with friends and dive into dungeons searching for the greatest loot, similar to a tabletop RPG. With unlimited options for every character you make, the brevity of Diablo 2 hardly matters.
Starcraft 2
Sequel That Solidified An Eternal Legacy
There is an argument to be made saying Starcraft 2 is one of the best sequels ever made, taking everything the original did and refining it to its full potential. Starcraft 2 defines itself by its strategic depth, doing everything fans of an RTS want, with engaging competitive systems that helped esports rise in popularity all over the world.
The rich narrative of the series continued in Starcraft 2 with its initial Wings of Liberty release back in 2010. With the Heart of the Swarm and Legacy of the Void expansions later, various factions gained the spotlight with their own stories, adding more content in the process. The rich content came with consistent support from Blizzard, alongside a useful free-to-play model that lets beginners try Starcraft 2 easily.
The absurd amount of quality of life improvements from Starcraft to Starcraft 2 cannot be understated, as each one builds upon what fans already liked before. Blizzard has also kept Starcraft 2 incredibly balanced over the years, adding to its competitive integrity with far more consistency than other RTS games get to experience. With free custom maps and alternative game modes, this game is considered the pinnacle of the RTS genre by many.
World Of Warcraft
World of Warcraft often comes to mind as “the” Massive Multiplayer Online (MMO) experience, bringing a server of players together in a single space as they play. The infrastructure of WoW is built off a world that, for its time, was larger than many other games offered, giving you a rich environment to explore. When combined with almost endless quests, boss raids, and other content, you always have something to do, either solo or with a group of friends.
Even getting into WoW today can be appealing, as many different expansions over the years have added tons of content into the game. Players also have options to play on “Classic” settings, emulating the initial launch of the MMORPG.
Playable races, classes, and factions also added great character depth to WoW, giving players strong ways to express themselves to others through strong RPG systems. This only improved the community element of the MMO, as it made each individual unique through their character’s build or appearance.
Expansions made this game grow even more, turning it from something innovative to an iconic title. The Burning Crusade and Wrath of the Lich King expanded the game’s lore from the Warcraft RTS titles, while also putting in massive amounts of new content for players to enjoy. Increased level caps, new classes, more quests, stronger enemies, and huge new maps expanded WoW exponentially, amassing millions of players at its height.
The imprint that World of Warcraft left on gaming is a testament to what Blizzard’s greatest strengths are. Despite mistakes in recent times, Blizzard is responsible for incredible innovations in their best games, driving forward genres with polished, simplified, and often refined mechanics that are both inviting and deep for all types of players to enjoy.
- Date Founded
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February 8, 1991
- CEO
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Bobby Kotick
- Subsidiaries
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Blizzard Albany, Proletariat
