1. Tales of Monkey Island

A very fun, funny, engaging adventure game that managed to be both similar to and different from its predecessors. Subjectively, I’d say it’s my favorite Monkey game (sorry; Curse is a close second), though, objectively, the puzzles sometimes needed a bit of a smoothing-out. I still love it.

2. Left 4 Dead 2

I’m not a big fan of online multiplayer, but this is fun with friends and the intense, rapid-fire feel of the game was fully used in the levels. It’s pretty funny too – sticking in “raw, delicious sushi” ads in a zombie game is a masterstroke – and the characters are all likeable, which only serves to make the game more fun.

3. Brutal Legend

It’s too bad the game never bothers to thoroughly explain how it’s supposed to work, thus forcing you to figure out some quirks on your own, because the word that comes to mind as I’m playing it is “awesome”; not as in “cool”, as in “I am in awe at how good this is”. When it works, there’s nothing like it; when it doesn’t, it’s a bore, but that’s only because they don’t explain it. The trademark Schafer is all there, in full glory; and the game itself is brilliant.

4. Uncharted 2

Some bits are too similar to the first game for it to be my favorite game of the year, but Nepal onwards it’s been a blast (pun unintended). I haven’t finished it yet – not even gotten to that famous train sequence – but I’m enjoying it. In terms of writing – I feel I should mention this, since everyone else has been talking about it – it’s fun banter, it could be better, but it doesn’t take it so seriously it matters.

5. The Path

For what it was, I liked it. For what it dared to do, for what it tried to do, I loved it. It’s not for everyone, but it’s the first genuine horror experience I’ve had in ages. It made me uncomfortable; it made me feel bad. That was enough.

I’ve played a few other games, but these are the ones that come to mind as being good.