Top 50 Games Of The Last Decade: 40 to 31
Feature
Here it is, day two of our big week-long feature! Did your favourite game from 2001-2010 make it into today's line up? We're still recovering from the punch ups caused by this list.
The following ten games contain a couple of our all-time favourites for some of us due to their memorable take on a certain genre, being completely zany or just being nothing but pure fun to play over and over again. In case you missed it, the first lot of ten was unleashed yesterday, click here for entries 50-41. Join us again tomorrow and remember to use the comments section below for any thoughts on our decisions!
40. God of War II (PS2, 2007)
Developer: SCE Santa Monica Studios
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
There are a lot of incredible games on our list but few were as pivotal to their respective console's success as the God of War franchise. God of War II is, chronologically, the 5th and final chapter in the series which follows a not so black and white Spartan warrior, Kratos. The entire series is beloved for its intense action, wonderful gameplay, and exhilarating narrative enveloped in Greek mythos. God of War II stands out against its brethren because it’s widely considered the swan song of the PS2 generation.
39. Professor Layton and the Curious Village (NDS, 2008)
Developer: Level-5
Publisher: Nintendo
Combining adventure and puzzle gameplay, the Professor Layton series is one of the standout franchises on the DS. Much like the Ace Attorney series, you can’t go wrong with any one of them. Not only are the puzzles fun and engaging (and sometimes brain-scratchingly difficult), but the presentation is unmatched on Nintendo’s handheld with fully animated and voiced cut scenes.
38. Brothers In Arms: Road To Hill 30 (Xbox, 2005)
Developer: Gearbox
Publisher: Ubisoft
At a time when the likes of Battlefield, Call of Duty and Medal of Honor were all still focused on the theatre of World War Two, it would take something special to make the setting feel worthwhile once again. Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30 did just that. Focusing on squad-based combat, BiA brought a whole new dimension to such a clichéd and overused genre. More than that, the squad-based combat allowed you to have an emotional attachment to Hartsock, Allen, Garnett and Leggett that is missing from other games. Continued in two more games, the story of Matt Baker and his men is one that stays with you long after you’ve finished the games. Regrettably, the upcoming Furious Four has abandoned Baker and his boys, but you never will after playing Road to Hill 30.
37. Left 4 Dead (PC, 2008)
Developer: Valve Corporation
Publisher: Valve Corporation
Zombies are awesome. Friends are awesome. Valve is awesome. So naturally, when Valve published a 4 player co-op zombie shooter called Left 4 Dead in 2008, a winning combination was struck. With drop-in drop-out gameplay, varied weaponry and lots of cannon fodder, Left 4 Dead became the co-op game of choice. Add to that an addictive ‘versus’ mode where you could play as one of the special Infected and a wide variety of user-made mods, this was one game that wasn’t left idle 4 very long.
36. StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty (PC, 2010)
Developer: Blizzard Entertainment
Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment
10 years. It seems insane to leave fans waiting for such a long time when it concerns such an iconic strategy title, but Blizzard took their time. When the game finally hit the shelves, fans and newcomers to the series were ecstatic. They had taken everything that had made the original game great, and made it bigger and better and introduced a storyline unlike anyone had ever seen in a strategy title before. It propelled players forward at a dizzying pace and proved an intriguing start of the Starcraft II trilogy.