Half-Life 2 (PC, 2004)
This scene didn't actually appear in the final game, but the rest of Half-Life 2 certainly lived up to the hype.
Despite arriving well past its initial 2003 release date, Half-Life 2 made an earth-shattering impression. It saw the return of the silent, crowbar wielding figurehead of the resistance movement, an unwitting spearhead behind the people's liberation against Dr Breen's oppressive regime: Gordon Freeman.
Much had changed since Gordon's 1998 outing - the game sported a complete visual overhaul (not surprising, considering the six year gap) and with a revolutionary physics system, unforgettable water effects and a gravity defying "gravity" gun, Half-Life 2's new campaign was as timeless as ever.
The seamless blend of chapters helped push home the sentiment of a continuous, freewheeling story taking place over a dozen or so hours, while boat rides and flimsy buggies transported Gordon to his next port of call. Revamped enemy AI helped keep the gunfights as challenging as the original.
Half-Life 2 is still as impressive as it was four years ago. It's the definitive shooting experience with impeccable pacing. While the Steam authentication system is a mild blemish, Half-Life 2 still warrants fourth place.
Grand Theft Auto IV (Xbox 360, 2008 )
Niko Bellic's exploits are as varied as they are fun, and the cohesive plot is wonderfully woven.
Having recently completed Rockstar's latest entry in the seminal GTA series, Niko Bellic's exploits -- the sociopath, deadpan-delivering protagonist of the game -- are fresh in my mind. And what exploits they are. From high speed boat chases to bank robberies to the enactment of revenge and streaky motorbike missions, the tasks are as varied as they are fun, and, with ninety-four story missions in total, you're not going to be completing this saga any time soon.
Not that you'll want to. Niko's story is such an immensely engaging one that you'll be disappointed when it's all over, but disappointed in the way that you wish there was more, not an unfulfilled disappointment. I never expected to return to the game after finishing the story but, lo and behold, I slipped right back into Niko's fitting form only some hours after the closing credits appeared. And yes, I was only 60% through the game as a whole.
There are still pigeons to shoot, side missions to complete and new vehicles to filch. But, for the time being, it's only fitting I reflect on the immensely satisfying ride I've been on for the last week. Without a doubt GTA IV provides one of the most exhilarating, absorbing and addictive campaigns I've ever experienced. It proves that sandbox games, when done well, really work. There's so much cohesion at work and the story is wonderfully woven with Orwellian precision. It's astounding Rockstar can get it right so continuously.
There are so many details in GTA IV that are worth sampling. You've probably read reviews by now, detailing the individual aspects of the game - no, hearing about them doesn't spoil the experience. GTA IV is a visceral beast; it has to be experienced first hand.
I'm not going to waste your time explaining in laborious detail why this is worthy of the hype. Take it from me, take it from the numerous print reviews and take it from the millions of fans that have snapped up this gem: it really is one unbelievable journey. And it's 5th on my list.
Dead Rising (Xbox 360, 2006)
Dead Rising can be immensely unforgiving, but it's that much more compelling as a result.
Some love it, some hate it, but there's no denying that Dead Rising makes an impression. Initially, you feel you're being confronted by a straightforward zombie slash-fest, but the game's clever RPG-st*le level up system soon becomes apparent. It's really the only game I ever wanted to replay, and it achieves this by not forcing you to restart from scratch, but starting again with the level you ended on your previous play-through. Since the game involves you finishing the story segments in the correct amount of time, it feels like an exercise in impossible trial and error first, but having accumulated a level in excess of thirty, you'll soon be breezing through many of the levels. Essentially, it's a game you almost have to play twice (maybe thrice) to achieve the proper ending. Some may disagree with this completely, but I found it oddly compelling.
It's helped by the fact that Dead Rising is imbued with oodles of charm. It's genuinely funny at times and dressing your character in ridiculous attire is just the first avenue of laughs. The shambling zombies are ridiculous at times -- and impressively animated -- but they're merely a hindrance. They don't need to be killed, but you'll find yourself needing to clear a path to reach your next destination, and this usually involves mowing down the fiends with an assortment of inventive weaponry.
Tension levels are ramped to unassailable heights when you're racing against the clock. Although you'll curse the unforgiving gameplay system, you'll also applaud it, since it makes Dead Rising that much more unforgettable. There are many people who simply don't agree with the trial-and-error manner of it, but it creates something that's quite unlike any other contemporary.
Ultimately the raw invention and inspiration behind Dead Rising are real winners. It's one of the finest 3rd-person action/RPG/comedy/zombie/ games I've ever sampled. Wait, it is the finest one, and its fifth on my list for this reason.
