Yes, i do know ; the generation isn’t done yet – for a start, we’ve still got GTA V, BioShock Infinite and the Last folks to return; all games that would very realistically make their way onto this list upon release. But you recognize what – i do not care. Sometimes it’s fun to do lists and by God, that’s exactly what i will do. Here, if it make you are feeling any better, just consider it because the ‘Top 10(ish) Games of the Generation as much as and Including the 15th of March 2013′. It should not be catchy, but when you’re a stickler for the facts, it’ll certainly can help you sleep at night.

Anywho, with that long winded caveat out of ways, i will get all the way down to the business of regaling you with my favourite games of the generation. Ross and that i actually spoke about this at length at the most up-to-date episode of Brashcast (test it out here) and, while the vast majority of this list is interchangeable, my top 3 are both absolutely set in stone and bizarrely enough, totally different from Ross’ (although i believe which may have something to do with my general malaise toward Bathesda games). Now, before anyone gets too upset on the loss of Skyrim and the such, allow me to emphasise that i am removed from unaware of their qualities and charms; they only don’t click with me – maybe it is the combat, maybe it is the weird looking NPCs, but despite my best efforts, I just don’t enjoy them……….strange that I loved Dragon’s Dogma up to I did. Go figure.

As I said, you most likely shouldn’t take the site too seriously for numbers 10 through 4 as these really may be in any order with several honourable mentions added which may have easily made the pinnacle 10 if I had, say, compiled this list on a Tuesday in place of a Friday (essentially, it has seen changes to the order from the list presented at the podcast earlier this week), but yes; those top 3 – they’re golden.

10) – Lost Odyssey (Xbox 360)

Lost Odyssey is a game very near to my heart and stands as certainly one of my favourite gaming experiences of the generation (hence its place at the list i assume). a conventional JRPG experience within the finest sense of the word, Lost Odyssey is an outstanding game and a fine option for those disillusioned by Final Fantasy XIII’s streamlined, largely linear design.

Some may find it a bit too ‘old school’, but with its fascinating lead, great writing and brilliant game world, Lost Odyssey proves to be the 360’s finest JRPG at an absolute canter…..although which could have something to do with the final loss of stiff competition. Ni No Kuni may force its way onto the list after I play it, but because it stands, Lost Odyssey remains to be the only to conquer.

9) – Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (Nintendo Wii)

It will not be everybody’s favourite Zelda, heck, it’s not likely most oldsters favourite Zelda at the Wii, but for me (does that make me sound like Alan Shearer?), it’s right up there with the ideal that the series has to provide. i believe plenty of that has to do with the art design that I absolutely adore, but perhaps greater than anything, it would be that final battle which needs to be right up there amongst essentially the most memorable boss battles of all time.

I appreciate that it being originally developed for and simultaneously released on GameCube make this game borderline ‘last-gen’, but personally, I got it at launch with the Wii and thus has become somewhat synonymous with the console. Either way; it’s an utterly fantastic game.

– Portal 2 (Xbox 360 / PS3)

How the hell did Valve be capable of spring Portal on us? Every other developer or publisher will be screaming the virtues of a game of that quality from the rooftops months prior to release, but Valve, no, they go and sneak it onto a compilation including 4 others games with essentially zero fanfare. It was a bizarre but ultimately inspired decision as, given the volume of content at the disc, it often took gamers weeks if not months to finally get around to this hidden little gem…..but if they did; what a treat. What a downright pleasant surprise. On this age of knowledge overload, it’s borderline absurd that a game of this quality could essentially sneak up at the gaming masses, but that’s exactly what it did.

Valve’s spiritual successor to 2005’s independently released freeware game, Narbacular Drop, Portal and it’s near perfect sequel have gone directly to become two of this generations most beloved titles. Despite the outstandingly high standards of the unique, Valve, as Valve often do, outstripped all however the most unrealistic of expectations by delivering a sequel that improved upon essentially every aspect of the original’s design – ok, so the tip credits song was admittedly better in Portal 1 (i do not know the way which can possibly be topped anyway), but despite this most minor of caveats, Portal 2 is the very best product in barely about every way. The puzzles are more expansive, the visuals improved and, I’m being serious here, Portal 2 might just have the smartest videogame script ever; a script helped no end by some truly stellar delivery……..whilst I write this i feel about moving it further up the list.

7) – Project Gotham Racing 3 (360)

I’m sure this would possibly not be on too many top 10 lists come the generation’s end, but i do not believe I’ve put such a lot of hours into some other racer………possibly ever. With its near perfect balance of realism and arcade sensibilities, each car to your virtual garage is a joy to behold, and because of the inspired kudos system, something so simple as a single corner is actually transformed right into a mini-challenge unto itself.

Not proud of simply continuing at the series’ fine tradition of painstaking recreation, varied challenges and super slick gameplay, Project Gotham Racing 3 almost single handedly dragged early adopters into the subsequent generation of gaming; from its striking high definition visuals to its then incomparable online integration, Project Gotham 3, greater than some other launch title, managed to successfully sell the main concepts of next-gen gaming to the loads.

6) – Metal Gear Solid 4 (PS3)

I’m unlikely to lie – i have never been exactly enamoured with the PS3. Yes, it has its positives, but honestly, as a bit of hardware, i locate it very difficult to like – substandard ports, mandatory installs and quite possibly, the longest update times known to man have all combined to make the PS3 slightly, well, a little a chore if I’m to be honest. So, thank God for games like Metal Gear Solid 4, a game so good, it somehow makes the console for which it was built look superior by association.

Despite my issues with the hardware, the PS3 have been host to a set of amazing first party content (only the shooting mechanics have kept Uncharted from making this list), but despite the array of quality on display, it’s Metal Gear Solid 4 that effortlessly stood out from the Sony crowd.

Of course, it’s not for everybody and, as one might expect, is home to a virtually incomprehensible story, but Snake’s final flourish (?) is nonetheless a borderline masterpiece of recent game and art design and is just bettered by the genuinely unforgettable Metal Gear Solid 3.

5) – Gears of War (360)

Despite the unique only being released 6 years ago, it’s already easy to forget just how innovative and impactful the primary Gears of War game really was. Beyond ushering in genuine next-gen visuals, it popularised, and arguably perfected cover shooting mechanics, and managed to take action at the first attempt no less. Apart from possibly Platinum Games’, Vanquish, no game has come just about matching Gear’s pitch perfect cover system. Yes, it’s dependent upon a plethora of conveniently placed, waist high walls, but if the gameplay is as enjoyable because it is here, it becomes all of the easier to suspend ones belief.

Sure, the tale and characters are mostly mince, however the testosterone fuelled script and beefcake visuals perfectly match the on screen gameplay and, man, those visuals sure are great aren’t they? Obviously, they’ve since been trumped, most glaringly by its gorgeous looking sequels, but when it comes to initial impact, few games this gen have managed to compare the initial Gears of War for sheer wow factor.

4) – Mass Effect 2 (360 / PS3)

The story of Commander Shepard may vary looking on your choices but something that continues to be universal is the standard of the overriding experience. Mass Effect could have successfully laid the rules however it was the games’ far superior sequel that actually brought BioWare’s unforgettable universe to life.

By ironing out the faults of the primary game and building on its already rock solid foundations, Mass Effect 2 proved one in every of this generation’s most unforgettable gaming experiences. Mass Effect 2 delivered a very flexible combat system, a memorable cast of characters and arguably some of the generation’s finest videogame narratives. Helped no end by BioWare’s game changing conversation wheel and film standard voice work, Mass Effect 2 proved a gripping, hugely addictive experience………still haven’t played Mass Effect 3 though – what’s that about?

3) – Vanquish (360)

I said it in my review and I’ll say it again – this may be the good game ever created. It’s cool in that way that only Japanese developers and writers look in a position to break out with. For one, Sam Gideon ought to be a whole douche, and in many ways he’s, but burning around on his knees, talking shit and smoking far too many cigarettes, he somehow comes out any other side looking, and here’s that word all over again, ‘cool’. From the clean, crisp art design to the ultra-tight gameplay, nearly everything in Vanquish works. Sure, that you need to argue that it’s just another cover shooter, but if it’s person who arguably surpasses its primary inspiration, who am I to argue with its existence?

There were a bunch of canopy shooters this gen, but except for Vanquish, few, despite the appropriate efforts of such games as Binary Domain, have come near matching Epic’s initial tackle the mechanic. Not just does Vanquish match it mechanically, nonetheless it also manages to inject some much needed pace within the sort of the inspired knee slide boost, something which, let’s be honest, don’t have worked, but in practice, is an absolute joy. i’m an unashamed Platinum Games super fan and despite the brilliance of Bayonetta et al, I genuinely believe that Vanquish possibly their finest work to this point. Perhaps it’s not as tight as Bayonetta, but hey, what am i able to say, i like giant Japanese robots (or are they Russian?).

2) – Red Dead Redemption (360 / PS3)

I’ve always appreciated the Grand Theft Auto series greater than I’ve actually enjoyed it. Each game within the series has proved technically outstanding, have all deliver huge amounts of content and are about as cinematic as gaming experiences get. The article is though, as great as they could be, I’ve always found the realism of every games’ setting quite jarring against the flat out outrageous back drop of mass murder, maiming and customarily blowing sh*t up. Sure the cops rock up in the event you really get out of hand, but get some decent distance between yourself and the chasing pack and all is forgotten.

Thanks to the wild west setting and the more devastating effect of basic weaponry, the tale and subsequent actions of the player in Red Dead Redemption felt more natural and in sync than in any of the Grand Theft Auto games that came before it. Simply put, Rock Star had found the correct setting for his or her exceptional brand of sandbox gaming and boy did they run with it.

Red Dead Redemption’s world, while inevitably a quieter place than the bustling today’s Liberty City, is a piece of creative genius. Visually, it’s as stunning as anything you can find this gen, the tale is compelling, its characters both memorable and unique…..and that ending, my God that ending. Considering how much time people often spend with a game, it’s amazing just how little effort goes into the finale of even the superior games. Red Dead Redemption’s is poignant, thought provoking and entirely befitting of the experience that comes before it. Simply put, it is a masterpiece.

0 1)– Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii)

It was always going to take something very special to maintain Rock Star’s, Red Dead Redemption from claiming the highest honour and that is exactly what Super Mario Galaxy 2 is – something very special indeed. Nearly as good because the other games in this list are, nothing comes just about the pure gaming joy of Nintendo’s implausibly good Super Mario Galaxy 2. i’d honestly go as far to claim that i’ll play this game forever. With all 240 stars within the bank, i will not help but return to this tour de force in videogame design time and time again.

Back when the unique was released in 2007, I honestly thought Nintendo had painted themselves right into a corner. I mean, how could they possibly top something quite so brilliant? The truth that they did so and just 3 years later continues to be something of a mystery to me. As great because the first game was, Mario Galaxy 2 trumps it on with reference to every level – the extent design in improved, the soundtrack much more magical and the visuals just that little more crisp and imaginative.

I often ask myself an identical question now as I did back in 2007 – how are Nintendo going to top this? Only Nintendo have the reply to that query – and that is the reason why they’re Nintendo i assume. The proper game? It just probably can be.

Honourable Mentions – Halo 3: ODST, Halo 4, Ghost Recon: Advance Warfighter, Bayonetta, Street Fighter IV, Rayman Origins, Journey, The Orange Box, Dragon’s Dogma

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5. What’s the toughest game of this generation and are all of us going somewhat soft?
6. This generation’s most valiant misfire – Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts
7. Next generation consoles……..who needs ‘em?
8. Platinum Games’ next game is………
9. Brash Games’ Top 5 Games of 2010
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