Platform’s gaming team share their picks for the decade’s best
We were never going to be completely satisfied with our team picks for games of the decade. The fact is gaming has grown so rapidly in the last decade that choosing just a handful of games is a messy task when there have been so many prolific and culturally important titles. So, in order for us to crack-wise and share our more personal treasures, here are some choices from Platform regulars and friends…
Nadya Jaworskyi, Contributor
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007)
Activision
The single-player campaign is over in the click of a finger and although this is a shame, the high quality of that campaign and the shear breadth of terrific multiplayer options being some of the best that I have ever played, I feel make this a truly astounding package. With an amazing audio-visual combination to keep you enthralled throughout this is definitely a game I found hard to put down.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (2006)
Bethesda
What’s overwhelming about Oblivion is just how much there is to it. Almost everything that’s ever been done well before in past RPGs is here, but better. From the quality of the story and character interactions, to the pure thrill of combat, to all the pleasure to be found in the game’s minute details. These elements combine to make Oblivion one of the single best, longest-lasting game experiences to be had in a long time.
BioShock (2007)
2K Games
BioShock’s components create a creepy and mysterious setting as well as breath-taking results. However, its real strengths are a compelling work of interactive fiction and as a unique ride through a warped world with some great payoffs built into its mysterious plot. It never has you disappointed.
Professor Layton and the Curious Village (2008)
Nintendo
With a combination of an interesting story and challenging logic puzzles, what more could I have asked for in a game? Well, the creators of Professor Layton sure gave me plenty more with this one. An extra mixture of exploration, comedy, entertainment and even an educational experience to boot. I was flabbergasted at just how attached this wonderful DS game had me and I didn’t even get frustrated.
The Sims (2000)
EA
The amount of creativity and control given to me over lives of tiny computerised people dwelling in miniature homes of SimCity when I first played this game almost had me wetting myself with excitement. I was glued to the computer screen as well as my chair going over vast possibilities for hours upon hours… and then I couldn’t wait for the expansion packs. The Sims was, and still is, an enjoyable and intriguing game and the first of its kind. And even though some won’t admit it, they will more than likely have found themselves engrossed in The Sims’ exciting world of miniature people at some point.
Stuart Kent, Contributor
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004)
Rockstar
Arguably the best action adventure franchise of the decade, GTA will always standout in any ‘best of’ list. And San Andreas is the prize jewel of the series, still to this very day. 5 years after its original release, Rockstar are still playing catch-up with themselves to reach the glorious heights achieved with San Andreas. Three huge cities, massive open areas, an epic story and jumping out of planes. The best GTA game to date.
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007)
Activision
The revolution for online shooters arrived in 2007 with Infinity Ward’s outstanding Call of Duty 4. Breaking all kinds of records and changing the landscape of multiplayer shooters forever, so much so that even now, two years later, the competition is still scrambling to keep up and Infinity Ward’s influence can be felt throughout the industry.
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2005)
Konami
PS2 saw the rise and fall of many great franchises, including the peak of Metal Gear creator Hideo Kojima’s career. Thoughtful storytelling, vivid settings and memorable characters are keystones of the MGS franchise and nowhere are these features more vibrantly brought to life than in 2005’s Snake Eater. The last MGS game on the PS2 and easily the series’ highlight.
LittleBigPlanet (2008)
Sony
Creative, colourful and bags of fun. A game for all ages, LBP captures the imagination of young and old alike, and invents a whole new genre of its own. Play, Create, Share. One of the brightest and most original games ever, an inspiring game that encapsulates the best points of its generation.
God of War (2005)
Sony
The word ‘epic’ is casually thrown around these days all too often, however, nowhere is it more appropriate than in describing the jaw-dropping intensity of God of War. With finely tuned combat mechanics that remain accessible for newcomers, yet have the intricacy to keep the hardcore entertained. It raised the bar for epic boss fights. God of War doesn’t bury the lead as the first level has you taking on a giant Hydra and impaling its face on the mast of a boat. For a PS2 game the sheer scale of the environments is unbelievable. God of War ramped up the level of quality for all action games, and showed what true ‘epicness’ is.
Tags: list, noughties, team choice
