GameGuide

Now that we’ve looked forward to the year ahead, it’s time to look back and remember the best gaming moments of the last ten years. And yes, we do know that we’re about to open a can of worms, because ten games over ten years means that some one will get annoyed that we missed out the best game ever, or included the worst game ever. Sigh. 

11. Fahrenheit – PS2, XBOX, PC
Hold on a second, how come there’s a number 11? Well I (Faousfivenz) couldn’t let this list go live without squeezing in a mention of one of the most original and daring games of the decade. Of course many people won’t have heard of it, because it wasn’t as big a hit as it deserved to be, maybe because all the nudity and interactive sex scenes were taken out of the American version (where it was called Indigo Prophecy) and as such, there was no controversy to drive sales. Or maybe it was because it was an interesting story driven game, with a unique set of controls but no blood-thirsty killing rampages? Whatever it was it’s good to see that Quantic Dream are still in the game making business, even though their next game, Heavy Rain is a PS3 exclusive. It might actually make me wish I had a PS3.

10. Brothers in Arms: Road To Hill 30 – PS2, XBOX, PC
Squad-based World War 2 shooters were a dime-a-dozen this decade, but Road To Hill 30 stood out. It was deep, strategic and intense.

9. Portal – PS3, XBOX 360
What would you get if you combined the perspective of a first-person shooter with… um… Tetris? You’d get a Portal, of course. Portal was a left-field, but addictive offering from Valve, the makers of Half-Life. There hasn’t been anything else quite like it.

8. Fallout 3 – PS3, XBOX 360
Sure, Fallout 3 had a good story, and a decent combat system. But the real star was the setting. It was grim and foreboding, and yet somehow still beautiful and stirring. It’s a rare game which will affect your mood, but this is one of them.

7. Burnout 3: Takedown – PS2, XBOX
Burnout 3 was the perfect arcade racer. It still has the greatest sense of speed of any racer I’ve ever played. And when you were done with the racing, the crash mode provided hours of puzzle-solving goodness… and of course, explosions.

6. Dragon Age: Origins – PS3, XBOX 360
The most recent game on this list, Dragon Age: Origins is all you’ll need to scratch that RPG itch. It’s a huge, old school fantasy title from Bioware, so you know it’s good for you. There are a few good RPGs on offer on consoles these days, but this is one of the best.

5. Mass Effect – XBOX 360
Mass Effect is another epic RPG from Bioware, though this one is set in space. It’s more action oriented than your average RPG though, and it does action well. The graphics, meanwhile, are some of the best on the 360. But, what sticks with you about this game is how well dialogue is done. It approaches film quality.

4. Bioshock – PS3, XBOX 360
Creating a unique and unpredictable experience in the FPS genre is hard enough, but add to that the RPG feel of customisation and you have the Big Daddy that was Bioshock.

3. Grand Theft Auto IV– PS3, XBOX 360
Any one of the 3D Grand Theft Auto’s could make this list, but GTA IV made the biggest splash. The gameplay is top-notch stuff, but GTA IV is ultimately that rare thing: a video game with something mature to say. Developer, Rockstar’s take on the American dream is hilarious and sickening, all at once. GTA IV is gaming’s Citizen Kane.

2. God of War II – PS2
Hands down the most enjoyable action game of the decade. The visuals were gorgeous, and all the gaming boxes were ticked. From giant boss fights to wreaking vengeance on the lowliest skeleton, Kratos controlled perfectly. Throw in a few darn good puzzles, and God of War II was simply amazing.

1. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare – PS3, XBOX 360
Call of Duty 4 didn’t break new ground. Instead, it took a great formula and refined it flawlessly. The single player campaign alone would get COD4 on this list, with its Hollywood action interspersed with some truly memorable moments (who can forget that sniper mission?). But it was the online multiplayer that cements COD4’s place. It was gaming crack, pure and simple. The immediate feel of the controls… the satisfying feel of the guns…. the addictive levelling system… All of it added up to a game which people didn’t put down until the sequel. And for some, not even then.