"A guided tour of your deepest fears
Designed to help you vision clear
We'll depart from here"

• 9Dec 09

  Death of a Decade: Best Games (#21-30)

  Top 50 Best Games of the Decade

  21. Heroes of Might and Magic V

  

  • Publisher: Ubisoft
  • Developer: Nival Interactive
  • 2006

  Between the mindnumbingly disappointing Heroes IV and New World Computing going bankrupt, the future seemed grim for the venerable turn-based strategy series. Then Ubisoft bought the rights and tapped respected Russian developer Nival to bring Heroes to 3D. There were many doubts, but they all dissipated once I played the game. It's basically Heroes III in 3D and you can't ask for more than that. Nival continued to show great competence in the expansion packs as well (particularly the fantastic Tribes of the East) and the future is looking bright for the series.

  22. Fable II

  

  • Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
  • Developer: Lionhead Studios
  • 2008

  Peter Molyneux achieved what was thought impossible - everything he promised was actually in the game. Coupled with the fact that Lionhead took all the complaints to heart and made great strides to improve the sequel and you have a truly outstanding game on your hands. A lenghty adventure, beautiful gameworld that would literally change based on your decisions, fleshed out simulation elements, a satisfying combat system, deep customization.

  23. Okami

  

  • Publisher: Capcom
  • Developer: Clover Studio
  • 2006

  One of the most visually striking games ever created. A painting in motion. Great writing, fantastic soundtrack, interesting characters, solid combat system, the innovative brush mechanic and a gameworld that is an incomprehensible joy to explore and bask in. If that wasn't enough, you get to play as Amaterasu - a Sun Goddess in wolf's form.

  24. Viva Pinata

  

  • Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
  • Developer: Rare Ltd.
  • 2006

  A game that manages to delight by simply walking around in a garden. Not only because it looks amazing, but also because of that wonderful sense of accomplishment. Everything you can see, everything you can interact with within the garden was your doing. Planting flowers, vegetables and trees, taming a wild pinata, building them a home, breeding them...everything in Viva Pinata is a pure joy.

  25. Resident Evil 4

  

  • Publisher: Capcom
  • Developer: Capcom
  • 2005

  A game that transcends genres and, indeed, its own heritage. Everything Resident Evil 4 does is for a reason, it's clearly a product of careful planning. The controls, game design, level design, enemies and bosses - all of these elements depend on each other to create a truly fantastic action game experience.

  26. King's Bounty: The Legend

  

  • Publisher: 1C
  • Developer: Katauri Interactive
  • 2008

  This is a sort of remake of King's Bounty, developed by New World Computing back in 1990 who went on to create the celebrated Heroes of Might and Magic series. King's Bounty: The Legend is basically an old-school RPG with battles very similar to those found in Heroes of Might and Magic. It's a huge, deep game with delightfully colorful graphics, an interesting gameworld and fantastic battles.

  27. The Sims 3

  

  • Publisher: Electronic Arts
  • Developer: EA Redwood Shores
  • 2009

  This is by far the best entry in the series. It features a seamless town which provides loads of interesting activities and opportunities, refined interaction features, unparalleled level of customization paving the way for some brilliant flashes of user creativity and a superb community implementation.

  28. Civilization III

  

  • Publisher: Infogrames
  • Developer: Firaxis Games
  • 2001

  True story: I played nothing but Civ III for about a year. At some point, it simply stopped being a conscious decision. I would simply turn on my PC and fire the game up. Civ III was considerably slower-paced than Civ IV went on to be - each session would last up to a month. It was a time when I had little responsibilities and all my days and nights were spent bulding my empire. Just...one...more...turn.

  29. Half-Life 2: Episode Two

  

  • Publisher: Valve Software
  • Developer: Valve Software
  • 2007

  Erm, it's Half-Life. If that doesn't designate instant awesomeness, I don't know what does. Episode Two takes Gordon and Alyx out of City 17 to face the Combine in the northern woodlands. Amazing atmosphere, unparalleled immersion, teriffic writing, Alyx, fantastic design and quite possibly the best action sequence in the series.

  30. Need for Speed Most Wanted

  

  • Publisher: Electronic Arts
  • Developer: Black Box
  • 2005

  Let's not beat around the bush - Most Wanted is one of the best racing games I've ever played. It was a perfect marriage of Hot Pursuit and Underground offering a cool city to drive around, fast cars, fantastically corny live action storytelling, deep customization and most importantly - incredibly fast, intense and exhilarating cop chases that were rewardingly tough and insanely epic.

  • Posted Dec 9, 2009 12:50 pm PT
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• 8Dec 09

  Death of a Decade: Best Games (#31-40)

  Top 50 Best Games of the Decade

  31. Fable

  

  • Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
  • Developer: Lionhead Studios
  • 2004

  An enchanting mix of action/adventure, RPG and simulation elements and a truly amazing gameworld define this flawed masterpiece. Stripping it down and examining each aspect of the game makes the game fall short in every one of them. But despite its serious shortcommings, as a whole it's a delight. Ultimately, Fable is not only saved, but defined by the intangibles.

  32. The Witcher

  

  • Publisher: Atari
  • Developer: CD Projekt Red
  • 2007

  A game that mercilessly destroys RPG conventions, you don't need to look any further than Dragon Age to realize its influence on the genre. A dark and gritty fantasy gameworld in which nothing is clear-cut, no right or wrong, no good or bad - everything is a shade of grey. Violence, sex, corruption, drugs, racism, human-trafficking, slavery...not exactly your cIassic fantasy RPG. The Witcher is also a visual tour de force which heavily contributes to the high level of immersion.

  33. Burnout 3: Takedown

  

  • Publisher: Electronic Arts
  • Developer: Criterion Games
  • 2004

  One of the most insane, intense and satisfying racing games ever made. Every single mode is a thrill be it a regular circuit race, a road rage event or crash mode. You don't just drive cars in Burnout 3, you use them as weapons of mass destruction by wreaking havoc everywhere you go. Takedown, sucka!

  34. F.E.A.R.

  

  • Publisher: Sierra Entertainment
  • Developer: Monolith Productions
  • 2005

  Pegged to be the next big thing of the FPS realm, F.E.A.R. delivered unparalleled firefights and highly impressive AI that constantly amazed. Enemies would use tactics and communicated with each other, they used the level design to flank you and generally did some pretty crazy stuff like jumping out of a window to catch you off-guard. Also, slow motion. Win.

  35. Halo 2

  

  • Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
  • Developer: Bungie Studios
  • 2004

  Unlike its horribly overrated predecessor, Halo 2 had actual level design, refined on-foot and vehicle controls, urban warfare and some fantastic setpieces (the Scorpion highway section and the Scarab level). It also features the best storytelling in the series thanks to The Arbiter providing an interesting view from The Covenant's perspective.

  36. Dead or Alive Ultimate

  

  • Publisher: Tecmo
  • Developer: Team Ninja
  • 2004

  Amazing visuals, accessible yet deep combat system, plenty of interesting and varied characters sporting different fighting styIes, multi-tiered destructible/interactive arenas...I'm far from a fighting game fan, but this is one fantastic game.

  37. Forza Motorsport

  

  • Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
  • Developer: Turn 10
  • 2005

  The suggested line. It all really comes down to this. I love the concept of racing simulation, but I just can't tell when to brake. Full simulation setting I have no problem with, but I'm just stupid at braking. It was Forza's suggested line that made it possible for me to enjoy its incredible driving model, detailed cars and tracks, damaging model and deep customization. Where everyone else failed, Forza was triumphant.

  38. Etherlords II

  

  • Publisher: Strategy First
  • Developer: Nival Interactive
  • 2003

  A very unique and deep turn-based strategy/collectible card game hybrid. In Etherlords II, your hero doesn't lead an army, in fact, he's all alone. In battle, he doesn't fight, either. He uses cards acquired throughout the campaign to cast spells and/or summon creatures to fight for him. What he can or cannot cast depends on the world's only resource - ether. Battles can get pretty massive with a myriad of summoned creatures occupying the battlefied and loads of spells and abilities being cast by the combatants.

  39. Halo 3

  

  • Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
  • Developer: Bungie Studios
  • 2007

  Perhaps the most thought-out entry in the series, Bungie seemingly tried to combine the best elements of its predecessors to create the definitive Halo game. They mostly succeeded (plenty of trademark on-foot and vehicular action, varied level design, rather large environments with wonderful vistas), but unfortunately, also failed on occasion (quite possibly the worst level in the series - Cortana).

  40. Gladius

  

  • Publisher: LucasArts
  • Developer: LucasArts
  • 2003

  Gladius is an enthralling and deep turn-based strategy game with RPG elements based on Roman and Norse mythology, among others. You start the game by choosing to play as either a "Roman" noble or a pair of "Viking" siblings. During your journeys, you'll amass a wide variety of fighters and creatures all with their own distinct specialization. The vast majority of your time will be spent in battles which are fantastic as well as cortically stimulating. They range from intimate 1 on 1 fights to sprawling multi-team battles.

  • Posted Dec 8, 2009 12:41 pm PT
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• 7Dec 09

  Death of a Decade: Best Games (#41-50)

  Top 50 Best Games of the Decade

  41. Mafia

  

  • Publisher: Gathering of Developers
  • Developer: Illusion Softworks
  • 2002

  An epic crime saga set in the 1930's that is defined by its riveting storyline and incredible action setpieces. It is often compared to Grand Theft Auto, but anyone who has actually played the game knows that nothing could be farther from the truth. Mafia does feature an open city, but it greatly emphasizes story and action setpieces over any kind of exploration.

  42. Company of Heroes

  

  • Publisher: THQ
  • Developer: Relic Entertainment
  • 2006

  Just as WWII started to get boring and drab thanks to countless first-person shooters and strategy games exploring the subject matter, Relic decided to take a shot at it and schooled every developer in the process. A graphical and technological powerhouse, Company of Heroes is the first ever game to feature fully destructible environments and incorporated it into the gameplay in such a way that completely revitalized the RTS genre. You could order your troops into craters made by heavy shelling, you could order them into cover, but no cover was permanent. German panzers would take down entire buildings as they mercilessly wanted to end your efforts. Company of Heroes proudly stands as one of the most atmopheric and insanely intense games ever made. This game is WWII.

  43. Oddworld Stranger's Wrath

  

  • Publisher: Electronic Arts
  • Developer: Oddworld Inhabitants
  • 2005

  A fantastically unique and horribly overlooked gem. Oddworld Stranger's Wrath throws the player into the role of Stranger, a creature of unknown origin that happens to be a bounty hunter in a Wild West inspired fantasy world. It bravely and successfully combines third-person action and platforming with first-person "shooting" with the most bizarre characters, bosses and weaponry.

  44. Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth

  

  • Publisher: 2K Games/Bethesda Softworks
  • Developer: Headfirst Productions
  • 2005

  The only survival horror game. Set in 1920's Massachusetts, you play as a Jack Walters, a private detective hired to investigate strange happenings in an uninviting coastal town of Innsmouth. It's a psychological rollercoaster in which you just want to get away from it all (not kill everything in your path) with not only your physical well-being intact, but also your mental health. In a truly inspired gameplay mechanic, the player grows more and more insane as he is exposed to chilling images. Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth is a wholly unique and innovative game that courageously melds first-person adventure, puzzle, platforming, stealth and action elements into a coherent and consistent whole.

  45. Otogi 2: Immortal Warriors

  

  • Publisher: Sega
  • Developer: From Software
  • 2004

  By employing traditional Japanese art (as opposed to Disney-inspired anime bull****), Otogi 2 is a visual and sonic masterpiece that constantly delights the senses. The combat system is rather simplistic when compared to the best the genre has to offer, but the 7 playable warriors (each of whom has a distinctly different playstyIe) keeps things fresh and diverse. Destructible environments, unique and interesting enemies, aerial combat, vertical combat, water combat all contribute in making Otogi 2: Immortal Warriors a graceful ballet of destruction and death.

  46. Need for Speed Underground

  

  • Publisher: Electronic Arts
  • Developer: Black Box
  • 2003

  The title that moved Need for Speed into the tuner culture. It was a story-driven over-the-top racer that drowned the player into flashy neon-lit city streets and insanely pimped out rides. Need for Speed Underground spawned lots of immitations, but none came close to replicate its impeccable sense of styIe.

  47. Freedom Fighters

  

  • Publisher: Electronic Arts
  • Developer: Io Interactive
  • 2003

  The Soviet Union invades America. It's a well-known and oft-used alternate reality setting. But what makes Freedom Fighters special is its execution, game design and combat. The level and mission design is truly inspired in that it offers you lots of objectives which you can do in any order you want, but your choices affect how the game plays out. For example, if you decide to assult the enemy base before neutralizing the helipad, you'll encounter helicopters on your way. If you don't take out the bridge, the enemy will recieve additional ground troops in a later mission. Freedom Fighters is a squad-based game and it should be said that it offers, hands down, the best friendly AI out there. They never get in the way and they actually serve as something more than enemy fodder.

  48. The Darkness

  

  • Publisher: 2K Games
  • Developer: Starbreeze
  • 2007

  The Darkness follows the exploits of young mafioso Jackie Estacado who discovers an ancient evil within him and uses it to exact vengeance on his uncle, Paulie, the mob boss that tried to kill him on his 21st birthday. A strong narrative, interesting characters, impressive voice acting (Mike Patton as The Darkness gives a fantastic performance), solid first-person shooting, unique Darkness abilities and several truly memorable scenes make The Darkness easily stand out in a sea of first-person shooters.

  49. Crackdown

  

  • Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
  • Developer: Realtime Worlds
  • 2007

  Yet another Grand Theft Auto clone, innit? Not really. Crackdown never even attempts to be grandiose or sophisticated. It doesn't want to be anything more than a game. And that simplicity turns out to be its redeeming quality. You run around, jump around and drive around in order to kill bad dudes. That's it. However, it's a cleverly designed game. The boss hideouts are very well thought-out and give plenty of opportunities for experimentation. As you clean a borough and kill more bosses to get to the kingpin, you encounter less and less resistance on the streets which actually makes perfect sense as opposed to wiping out throngs of enemies only to face more and more as you near the end.

  50. The Sims 2

  

  • Publisher: Electronic Arts
  • Developer: Maxis
  • 2004

  I used to hate The Sims. Hated it. Then, on a cold and boring January afternoon, I gave The Sims 2 a shot. What ensued is a week-long addiction and obsession. I've been a fan ever since. It's the only true sandbox game in which you can do anything you want, how you want it. Some people only build and decorate houses, others play out their dreams. It's anything you want it to be.

  • Posted Dec 7, 2009 12:28 pm PT
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