There have been thousands of video games released through the years.

Millions of us love nothing more than sitting down and turning on our latest console, (or one that we've kept from the past for a dose of nostalgia), popping on our favourite game and spending hours in virtual lands that allow us an escape from our own realities.

Whether we jump headfirst into the horror genre, the latest platformer on offer, or something else altogether, there's something for everybody to enjoy.

Characters such as Lara Croft and Link have left an impact that is sure to stand the test of time, and we're being introduced to new heroes every year that are carving out their own legacies.

For as many gems as there are, however, there are also a whole host of games we've had to leave on our shelves to collect dust.

For every Super Mario or Nathan Drake of the gaming world, there's a Leisure Suit Larry or SPOGS racer. It's a minefield out there.

With all of that in mind, we decided to see what the critics thought. As the people who shape opinion and influence consumerism, they've surely got to be listened to.

What we must , though, is that one man's trash is another man's treasure.

Heading over to Metacritic to check out the overall consensus of those in the know, we've put together a list of the 20 Best Video Games According To Metacritic (And 10 Worst).

Best: Resident Evil 4 (96%)

This third-person shooter is regularly hailed as the single best entry into the extensive Resident Evil franchise.

Not only did the gameplay impress, but the narrative direction, character development, and skill of the voice actors involved.

Players took control of protagonist Leon S. Kennedy: a man on a mission to rescue Ashley Graham who had been abducted by a mysterious cult.

What followed was an intense and evocative journey that drew all those in who sat behind their controllers.

If you've got the stomach for it, there's a remastered version available!

Best: Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (96%)

Nathan Drake made a triumphant return in Among Thieves, which has been recognized by the majority of players across the globe as the best entry in the Uncharted franchise.

Though there were a further two sequels and a spin-off, this adventure is the one that stood the test of time.

That opening sequence where players had to help Nathan make his way up the side of a cliff, whilst hanging off of a derailed train, is one of the most breathtaking scenes in video game history.

Worst: Infestation: Survivor Stories (The War Z) (20%)

There are plenty of zombie games available, but one you don't need to experience (even if you're a major horror junkie) is the open world title, Infestation: Survivor Stories.

Panned as one of the worst video games of all time, Infestation did manage to survive before a few years following its release in 2012, but servers were taken offline at the end of 2016.

There was so much potential, but this just fell flat. A shame, but we'll just jump into Dying Light when we get the itch to take down the walking dead.

Best: GoldenEye 007 (96%)

As the most famous spy in the world, you'd think there would be a whole series of James Bond games that are as addictive as 1997's GoldenEye 007.

Nothing ever dropped that was as brilliant as the Nintendo 64's release, either from the Bond franchise, or as an adaptation of a major motion picture.

Cited as the reason the first-person shooter experience was made available to gamers who used platforms other than the PC, this one will go down in history.

Best: BioShock (96%)

The BioShock experience is something you have to go through firsthand to really believe. It's spooky, eccentric, addictive, and strangely believable at times.

Sequels followed the original, and whilst they were incredible, the first game is head and shoulders above the rest.

Being given the option of rescuing or harvesting the "Little Sisters" (young children) was a decision that left a lasting impact on the player, with two different endings available depending on which route you took.

This one's worth a replay no matter how many times you've ran through it.

Worst: Deal Or No Deal (20%)

Based on the television series of the same name, hosted by Howie Mandel, fans of one of the world's most popular game shows were able to try and beat the banker and take home a virtual cash prize.

Unfortunately, the tension of the real game never really made its way to DS consoles.

Audiences discovered it just wasn't as fun when the money being fought for wasn't going to end up in their bank .

Couple that with bad graphics and sound effects, and you get the Deal or No Deal video game.

Best: Half-Life 2 (96%)

Taking place a few years after the original Half-Life game, Half-Life 2 saw players step into the shoes of Gordon Freeman; a man hoping to free humanity from the grips of the alien species known as Combine.

What followed was a memorable story millions of players found themselves instantly invested in.

A rollercoaster ride of emotions and intricate narrative detailing ensured we were all on the edge of our seats right from the off, through to the final moments. Sheer perfection.

Best: NFL 2K1 (97%)

Released for the Dreamcast back in 2000, NFL 2K1 is still to this day the best entry in the NFL gaming series.

Finally, football fans were given the experience they'd always wanted brought from the small screen to their consoles.

More refined than its predecessor, 2K1 offered a stellar and natural AI system which, for its time, was a monumental and groundbreaking thing.

The game also has the distinct ability to boast it's the first football games on consoles to allow online multiplayer.

Worst: Alone In The Dark: Illumination (19%)

Up to four players can come together for co-op play in Alone in the Dark: Illumination, and while it looked at first to be an exciting experience, the gameplay pretty much immediately let everybody down.

Despite having some fantastic ideas behind it, all were executed poorly. This is a real dark stain in the Alone in the Dark franchise.

Not even the availability of playing as different characters was enough to maintain audience interest. Avoid at all costs!

Best: Halo: Combat Evolved (97%)

Gorgeous graphics, intimate attention to detail and an expansive story meant that all those who got their hands on Halo: Combat Evolved had an amazing time playing through it.

There are plenty of sci-fi games available, but this is the closest thing to perfection to have ever been born out of the genre.

It's even classed by many as the best first-person shooter of all time.

Seeing the expansive Halo series that has followed shows just how much love this franchise has gotten. Long may it live.