Top 20 Best Video Game Missions of the Century So Far

20 Best Video Game Missions of the Century So Far


Welcome to WatchMojo, and it’s dangerous to go alone, take this. These are the 20 Best Video Game Missions of the Century So Far. We’re gonna just stretch the definition of ‘mission’ ever so slightly to include quests, and levels, but I’m sure nobody will complain because these moments are as good as it gets. Let’s do it.

#20: The Village

“Resident Evil 4” (2005)
Half of that intro explanation was to justify putting this moment in the list, and I refuse to apologize .. I’m sorry. An intro sequence can either draw a player in or lose them instantly. The village segment in Resident Evil 4 stands out as one of the most unsettling and terrifying intro missions in gaming. From the moment you begin, you’re completely off-guard. Playing as Leon Kennedy, you arrive at a small populated village, and within minutes, the village transforms into an absolute nightmare. Panic sets in as Leon scrambles to survive, barricading doors and desperately searching for ammo, tools, and resources to fend off the zombie horde. The tension never lets up, in fact, it only gets worse, also you have no idea what you’re supposed to be doing except survive. This moment reshaped the series, and sticks with every player to this day.

#19: The Ghost of Yarikawa

“Ghost of Tsushima” (2020)
This moment in Ghost of Tsushima has everything a siege battle should, slaughtering enemies as they breach the gates, archers covering your back, a stealth section where you take out siege weapons, and then shredding through the remaining soldiers. The best moment for the mission, and the game overall, was the introduction of the new technique the “Ghost Stance”. Jin mercilessly decapitates the general, activating the Ghost Stance which you’ll have for the rest of the game, giving you the first chance to fight through Mongols using the techniques instant kills. Jin’s famous speech at the end of the mission ties a bow on one of the best missions of all time.

#18: The Battle at Hu Lao Gate

“Dynasty Warriors 2” (2000)
"Do not pursue Lu Bu." is the objective of the mission ‘The Battle at Hu Lao Gate’ in Dynasty Warriors 2, and the first time I’d ever seen an objective in a game be to NOT do something. And when they say "do not pursue," they really mean it, because this guy will kiss you goodnight. The line has become legendary, and the mission itself deserves a lot of credit too. While it’s more straightforward than many others on this list, it's still one of the most iconic missions of its time. It’s a repeated trope, and repeated quest across the series, with Lu Bu ALWAYS appearing to ruin your life, but that first time will never be forgotten.

#17: Effect and Cause

“Titanfall 2” (2016)
The campaign of Titan Fall 2 has already received a lot of well deserved praise, but this particular mission stands out as one of best FPS missions from the last 10 years. By essentially creating two levels in one to deliver this experience, shows just how incredibly clever the game is, and introducing the ability to move back and forth between the two time periods is such a cool, thought-provoking mechanic, that I don’t believe has ever been executed this well. Well done Titan Fall 2.

#16: House Beneviento

“Resident Evil Village” (2021)


Just when we thought Resident Evil Village had completely let go of the horror of their 7th entry in favour of the action of their 4th, we were introduced to House Beneviento, not just one of the scariest moments of the game, but one of the scariest moments of all time. After going into the basement, you lose ALL of your gear, leaving you with that modern horror feeling, the feeling of total vulnerability. Just when you think it couldn’t get worse, the player is caught off guard by the terrifying sight of a giant screaming fetus monster. While the concept of a giant baby as a horror villain seems absurd, Village makes it work.

#15: And the Truth Will Set You Free

“Red Dead Redemption” (2010)
There are PLENTY of amazing missions in RDR1, but everything in this game builds toward this moment, and it feels like the culmination of the entire story, and the kind of mission where most games would typically end. You and your team all gear up and ride toward Dutch's stronghold in the mountains, with the game’s epic theme playing in the background. What follows is one of the most intense shootouts of the era, as you fight your way up to face Dutch. This interaction with Dutch is made even heavier after experiencing the prequel that is RDR2, but even without it, this moment feels as heavy as a wet towel.

#14: Going Hunting

“Battlefield 3” (2011)
Even if you’ve never played Battlefield 3, chances are you've come across clips or videos of the Going Hunting mission online. This mission places you in the cockpit of a fighter jet aboard an aircraft carrier. The slow walk to the flight deck, the fierce winds, and the crashing waves create an incredibly immersive atmosphere. From takeoff to dogfight, the mission is unforgettable for its sense of realism. The seamless transition from ground combat to aerial combat is one of the coolest gaming moments of 2011.

#13: The Battle of Kaer Morhen

“The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt” (2015)
The Battle of Kaer Morhen stands as one of the most emotional and action-packed moments in The Witcher series, being the confrontation between the Witchers and their allies against the forces of the Wild Hunt, also the whole game was leading to this moment, a theme of this list. Before the battle, Geralt must rally his allies from across the continent to unite against the threat, which is what makes this sequence so compelling, this connection the player has with the characters, which was built slowly across anywhere between 20 and 100 hours. The battle is epic, the sacrifices are plenty, the game is dope.

#12: Escaping from Darth Vader

“Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order” (2019)
The buildup to this shocking moment is 90% of what makes it so incredible. After a long campaign without any indication that you’re ever going to encounter him, Darth Vader makes a terrifying appearance in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order as the game’s final, unwinnable encounter, and we truly mean unwinnable. After protagonist Cal Kestis defeats the Second Sister, Vader arrives, effortlessly overpowering both Cal and her. His immense presence, combined with the game’s cinematic tension, forces players into a desperate escape rather than a traditional fight. Vader’s overwhelming power is showcased as he tears through the environment with ease. This moment reminds players that even though they’re pretty damn powerful, that there is always a stronger opponent, and in this game you’ll never have the opportunity to beat them.

#11: Ravenholm

“Half-Life 2” (2004)
Oh yes, this is the other entry that my opening was there to justify .. Back off. Among this games’ many standout moments, Ravenholm remains one of the most memorable. It’s the first area where players get the Gravity Gun, and instead of relying on firearms, they must improvise with scarce ammo and environmental weapons. What begins as a tense, horror-like experience soon transforms into a chaotic playground of destruction. Ravenholm is fun, and scary, and fun, and then scary again, showing off the themes and gameplay in a mishmash that feels as beautifully planned out as it is chaotic.
#10: Kill Ocelot
“Metal Gear Solid 4: The Guns of Patriots” (2008)


Ocelot was introduced in Metal Gear Solid in the 1998, and since then has become a fan favourite villain, appearing in all 5 numbered entries, even with four different protagonists across them. After absorbing Liquid Snake’s spirit, or soul, or essence, or something, he basically becomes two great villains for the price of one, and a hand to hand fight reminiscent of the last fight of MGS1 was no better way to face him at the end of Metal Gear Solid 4, our latest canonical Metal Gear Solid game. This final fight with Ocelot takes you on an audio and visual journey through the series, changing the hud and music to represent the previous 3 games. It. Is. Awesome.

#9: The Sickness

“God of War” (2018)
Few moments in the God of War series rival this one in sheer epicness. After Atreus collapses, Kratos learns that the only cure is the heart of a Bridge Keeper, and of course, they can only be found in Helheim. Setting off by boat, he quickly realizes a major obstacle: his Leviathan Axe is useless in this realm. After brawling his way through enemies, Kratos returns home and retrieves the Blades of Chaos, triggering one of the most unforgettable gaming moments of 2018. This sequence alone makes the mission incredible, but the real payoff comes when you descend into Helheim, wielding the iconic blades to wreak havoc.

#8: Truck Chase

“Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End” (2016)
There are a LOT of epic moments in this series that combine the environment and the gameplay into moments that rival million dollar action films. This sequence encapsulates everything that makes the series great. Nathan Drake is thrust into a high-speed pursuit through Kingsbay, Madagascar, as he fights to rescue his brother from Shoreline mercenaries. The mission’s brilliance lies in its fluidity, swinging from a grappling hook, leaping between moving vehicles, and gunning down enemies without a second to breathe. The adrenaline-fueled chase never slows until a shocking reveal at the end, cementing this as one of Uncharted's most unforgettable moments. It also hides its intentional and placed moments so well, that you truly feel like you made everything happen yourself.

#7: Three Leaf Clover

“Grand Theft Auto IV” (2008)
"Three Leaf Clover" is easily one of the most iconic missions in Grand Theft Auto IV, and arguably the entire GTA series. This high-stakes bank heist in broad daylight sees Niko and the Irish crew rob the Bank of Liberty, only for the job to spiral into a chaotic shootout with law enforcement. Inspired by classic films like Heat, the mission delivers an intense gunfight through Liberty City’s streets, alleyways, and subway tunnels. With police closing in from every direction, the escape feels desperate and exhilarating, making it one of the most challenging and unforgettable moments in the franchise. Some argue that the love for the mission inspired the entirety of GTAV.

#6: Kick the Hornet’s Nest

“Far Cry 3” (2012)
Mash up the place, turn up the bass, rude boy. "Kick the Hornet’s Nest" in Far Cry 3 is as chaotic and explosive as a mission gets. Jason Brody is tasked with burning down Vaas' drug fields using a flamethrower, and he does this all to the soundtrack of Skrillex and Damian Marley’s “Make it Bun Dem”, hence why you aren’t hearing any audio from this gameplay. As flames engulf the fields, enemy reinforcements arrive, forcing players into intense combat while the music fuels the adrenaline. The fiery visuals, coupled with the dynamic gameplay, make it one of the most memorable missions in Far Cry 3.

#5: Dragon Rising

“The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim” (2011)
I’m sure there will be a lot of people who don’t rank this as the BEST mission of the game, but give me a chance, hear me out. Although Skyrim is packed with countless epic quests, including its unforgettable opening, there’s something REALLY, really special about slaying that first dragon. The thrill of the battle, the intensity of the fight, and the awe of the guards as they witness you absorb its soul make it an undeniably game defining moment. No matter how many times I play, I always look forward to it. This encounter not only marks your first true test against a dragon but also sets the stage for the overarching narrative, cementing your role as the Dragonborn in one of gaming’s best quests.

#4: The Big Score

“Grand Theft Auto V” (2013)
As I mentioned previously, GTA V is all about pulling off high-stakes heists, and the final one (The Big Score) is easily the most memorable. You can choose between a subtle gold transport robbery or the all-out, guns-blazing vault break-in, both offering completely different experiences. The obvious approach, however, is pure chaos. It kicks off with a giant drill tunneling into the vault, leading to a massive shootout as Trevor airlifts the gold. Then comes an all-out war in downtown Los Santos, where Michael tears through waves of enemies. Finally, Trevor and Lester take down enemy helicopters before escaping by dumping the gold onto a moving train. What. The. Heck. Just. Happened.

#3: The Silent Cartographer

“Halo: Combat Evolved” (2001)
The island level in Halo: Combat Evolved is where everything great about Halo comes together. The objective is simple: locate the Halo installation’s map room. But getting there means storming a Covenant beachhead, breaking through defenses, and fully embracing the game's open-ended combat. The level offers a perfect mix of vehicles, weapons, and strategy. With an unforgettable opening cutscene, an epic soundtrack, and such good pacing that game developers should study it. Some argue that the entire series peaked with this fourth mission, and agree or disagree, you can’t argue it stands as one of Halo’s most iconic moments.

#2: All Ghillied Up

“Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare” (2007)
When I said the topic “Best Video Game Missions”, I promise this mission appeared in the brains of more than half of the audience watching this video. Few missions in gaming are as iconic as All Ghillied Up from Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. This mission highlights the brilliance of the early Call of Duty games by completely changing the pace. Instead of the usual fast-paced combat, it offers a tense, stealth-focused experience set in the Chernobyl exclusion zone, where you and Captain Price must assassinate an arms dealer. Dressed in ghillie suits and using silenced weapons, the mission requires sneaking through heavily guarded areas. The tension is palpable, and the shift to strategic stealth over action makes it one of gaming's best missions. It truly separates the boys from the men, and the girls from the women. Play. Adapt. Grow.

#1: Blood Feuds, Ancient and Modern

“Red Dead Redemption 2” (2018)
Red Dead Redemption 2 is (no hyperbole) one of the greatest games of all time, and it’s filled with some of the most memorable missions of all time. But, one stands out above the rest: Blood Feud, Ancient and Modern. This mission is packed with pure unadulterated emotion, and a gripping storyline, with earlier quests building up to its explosive conclusion. The Van Der Linde gang must rescue Jack Marston from the Braithwaite family, and the entire sequence feels like a true Western. The ride to the manor is one of the most electrifying moments in gaming, followed by an intense shootout driven by a heart-pounding soundtrack. By the end, the mission perfectly captures the escalating tension between the gang and their enemies, setting the stage for the gang's eventual collapse. Visually, it’s like the greatest western ever written, and plays like the greatest western ever developed.