Top 10 PC Games of the Decade

Well the decade is nearly over and every website under the sun will be taking the opportunity to do its “top 10” lists. The following is a list of what I consider to be the best PC games released over the past 10 years.

10. Race Driver: Grid (2008)

Some will consider this to be a highly controversial addition to the list, yet I would argue that Codemasters’ arcade racer is one of the best available on any platform. Graphically the game is stunning and the realistic crash damage only adds to the fun. Although the range of circuits and cars isn’t as vast as what you would find in a Gran Turismo game, the gameplay itself is fast paced and addictive enough for you to keep coming back.

9. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007)

Stuff realism! Its all about big guns and huge explosions. Modern Warfare is as dramatic and exciting as even the best action movies. With an engaging storyline, well balanced powerful weapons and competitive multiplayer, Infinity Wards military shooter truely deserves a place on this list.

8. Championship Manager 03/04 (2003)

Champ Manager 03/04 was the last game to be produced before the Eidos / Sports Interactive split, yet at the time it was without doubt the best management simulator available. Designed entirely for those of you with an unhealthy interest in football and a fear of going outside, Champ Manager allowed you to control your favourite team in unprecedented detail.

7. Portal (2007)

Valve have a habbit of releasing truely excellent games and Portal is no exception. Released as part of the Orange Box, Portal is perhaps one of the most original games this decade. The game has a certain charm to it and the puzzle based gameplay is pretty much flawless in its execution. My only complaint would be that it isn’t long enough. Fingers crossed we’ll see Portal 2 sometime in the next decade.

6. Max Payne 2 (2003)

Try and imagine a graphic novel / film noir / video game mash up and you pretty much have Max Payne 2. It was the original Max Payne that first introduced the idea of bullet time to video games and Max Payne 2 takes this to the extreme. OK the storyline doesn’t really make much sense but the intense gameplay and moody atmosphere more than make up for this.

5. F.E.A.R (2005)

Developed by Monolith F.E.A.R manages to blend together increadibly intense firefights, a damn scary atmosphere and an engaging storyline. At the time of release the graphics were some of the best in any game, and yet it is the music and sound effects which really make the game what it is. I would also argue that the actual gunplay is some of the best in any First Person Shooter, either before or since.

4. Grand Theft Auto III (2002)

It seems that every other game released now is a sandbox game, and for that the finger of blame can be pointed squarely at GTA III. At the time the concept of an open free roaming world was increadibly revolutionary. Unlike previous GTA games GTA III had a proper storyline, brilliant characters and some hilarious dialogue (particularly on the radio stations).

3. Rome Total War (2004)

Five years after its original release Rome Total War is still one of the best strategy games ever made. One cannot failed to be impressed by the sheer scale of the game. It is quite simply a joy to play God and command thousands of troops on the battlefield. The campaign in which you strive to control the vast Roman Empire can only be described as epic.

2. Call of Duty (2003)

Modern Warfare 2 is grabbing all the headlines these days, so it is important to remember that this is where it all started. Even by todays high standards the gameplay is still exceptional, and the level where you play as a Russian sniper in Stalingrad is one of the best in any game. The game takes onboard everything that previous Shooters did, and then does it much better. If you haven’t played this World War II epic your not a true gamer.

1. Half Life 2 (2004)

Need I say any more? This game is the reason why every shooter released now seems to have a vehicle section in it. The only problem with Half Life 2 is that it has set the bar for standards so high not even Peter Crouch can reach it. Half Life 2 isn’t so much a straight FPS, instead it brilliantly blends together an excellent script and voice acting, puzzle based sections, great gunplay mechanics and a very atmospheric universe. Seriously, if you haven’t played it yet go and get yourself a copy now!

Tags: games of the decade, PC