I get asked this question fairly often, and the answers I give change a lot depending on which games I can remember at the time. Since I actually put a lot of thought and effort into the NooBTooB event last year, that's about as definitive a list as I'm ever likely to make. Therefore I thought I'd save it here for easy access. Over time I'll probably change these as new games come out.
Simply the best for taking an existing formula and expanding on it to fine tune the mechanics, beef up the campaign to a truly epic scale, and give me a reason to keep coming back with the addition of Horde mode and the countless hours I've spent killing the locust with friends.
So much imagination in one package, it's hard to know where to start. Mario's joy of movement is still as good as ever, but Nintendo just went the extra mile keeping things fresh throughout the game with new ways of playing and using the mechanics constantly being presented to you.
I absolutely loved the original, but having completed this I'm sure that the sequel is superior in its roller-coaster of set pieces that it calls a campaign, and the multiplayer is addictive as hell. Finely tuned gunplay and extremely intuitive platforming mixed perfectly together.
A masterpiece of immersive storytelling, Gordon Freeman's continuing adventures offer a journey rivaled by few, in addition to some groundbreaking technology and extremely satisfying first-person shooter mechanics.
There are few things as exciting as running out along the undulating tail of a flying bird made of stone and wood to cling to its feathers and try to find a good window in which to take a stab at its weak-spot. It's something I won't forget, and moments like this are all over Shadow of the Colossus.
Giving the player the freedom of the open road, it's sometimes fun to just boot up the game and just drive. Taking the racing game in a new, interesting direction, there's a reason I've logged 100 hours in Paradise City.
A love letter to a simpler age of bedroom programmers and bootleg software on floppy discs, Darwinia combines numerous tributes to retro games into a captivating adventure in a beautiful digital dreamscape.
I'm surprised how far down the list this is coming, but there you go. My first Zelda game, it showed me just what was possible with a huge 3D world full of adventure and places to explore. Aside from the amazing main quest, the world really came to life with extras like fishing, hunting for ghosts or tracking down the masks. Some say it's the best ever, and it's hard to disagree.
A vast sci-fi universe that seemed to spring, fully formed, out of the screen. Full to bursting with interesting details it was a place to truly get lost in, and a great setting for an epic RPG adventure full of memorable characters and excellent locations. In my original list this was ME1 since ME2 hadn't come out by then, but it's easy to give the nod to the sequel.
An oil painting for the mind, Braid is beautiful in so many ways. The abstract storytelling, the gorgeous art style and the fiendishly clever puzzles all come together to make a completely unique experience that everyone should play.
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