[Agalloch]

1. Bioshock - Not much to say about this game that hasn't already been said. Incredible story, art, music, gameplay, etc. It just all comes together here. Ebert said games aren't art, this one proves him wrong. Singleplayer is what has always drawn me to games, so a lack of multiplayer doesn't bother me at all, like it does a few.

2. Mass Effect - For me, the good far outweighs the bad on this title. Yes, there are frame rate issues, yes there are glitches, yes the team AI is practically non existent, but the story, RPG elements and even much of the combat, when it's working well, creates one of the most compelling gaming experiences I've had in a long time. I've been waiting for a great sci-fi RPG, and I got it.

3. Call of Duty 4 - The single player is great, short, but great. What I've come to expect from the guys at Infinity Ward. There are a number of jaw dropping moments throughout it. Graphics, sound, etc. all stellar. What really takes this one to the next level is the multiplayer...very deep, and engrossing. I love the perk and xp system, it keeps me coming back for more and more...I'd maybe like a little slower paced MP, as it's very fast, something a little more tactical, but it's a minor quibble.

4. Assassin's Creed - I know a lot of people were disappointed this game. Not sure if those people maybe got too wound up in the hype or what, but I thoroughly enjoyed this game. Yes, there could have been a little more variety in the quests, at the very least different dialog for the people you saved, but in the end the quests were simply an excuse or vehicle to get me doing what I wanted to, which is free-running, climbing, fighting, etc. These aspects, along with the story, kept me very entertained. Can't wait to see what happens in the sequel.

5. Halo 3 - I actually debated this one quite a bit. I was never really on board the Halo train like a lot of people. Never played through the first one, only ever played a little co-op and a little multiplayer on the second. I knew they were good games, but coming from a PC gamer background, there was nothing really revolutionary about it as a FPS. I definately boned up on the story before 3, and I definitely enjoyed the experience, especially co-op which is probably my all-time favorite feature in games, but it was still nothing revolutionary as an FPS. Good story, good graphics, gameplay.
While the lack of quality maps hurts the online experience somewhat, I feel, like Astrakan, that the replay feature is a amazing achievement, and it keeps me coming back, if for no other reason than to fly around during a match and check out the cool stuff I did and get screenshots etc. From now on, every multiplayer game that doesn't have this feature will feel like it's lacking.