What Is the Game of the Generation?

IGN - It's a tough question, but Game Scoop! got together with hundreds of fans to talk it out and we may have a winner.

[WilliamH]

Super Mario Galaxy, just one level of that game has more brilliance than 90% of any other full game. Nintendo can really stun when they want to.

[OrionNoctis]

Galaxy was awesome! ,but this is a very tough question...lemme think

[BlindGuardian]

impossible to mention just one, so here's ten in random order:

Bioshock
Metal Gear Solid 4
Uncharted 2
Super Mario Galaxy
Mass Effect 2
Demon's Souls
The Witcher 2
Batman Arkham City
Call of Duty 4
Fallout 3

but it's too soon for this, The Last of Us, Beyond, GTA5 and MGS5 are still coming to this gen, and Bioshock Infinite and Tomb Raider are too recent for them to sink in to their proper place for this gen

edit: for the sake of argument I think we should leave Half Life 2 out of this because it predates the 360

[guitarded77]

I think the game of this generation should be something new to this generation. As great a MGS4 is, it is a sequel from gens before. If there is a game of this gen, it should be broken down to different categories... Ex. Shooter, RPG, Indie... It's just too limiting to say "THIS GAME REPRESENTS ALL". Games are too diverse.

[MYSTERIO360]

Yeah, I don't think i can pick a single title....Well at least not now. There's still some great titles on the way. I think after the next gen launches it will be possible to decide.......Well on at least 5 games anyway.

[darren_poolies]

Demon's Souls or Dark Souls. The latter is my favourite game of all time.

[irepbtown]

BlindGuardian, totally agree with that list. However I thought about it and tried to narrow it down.
(No particular order)

Metal Gear Solid 4
Uncharted 2
Call of Duty 4

Call of duty 4 was a real game changer. Even today it is a great game to play. Campaign and Online were great experiences. You really feel this friendship with yourself and Captain Price, Gaz, and the rest. (SPOILER)

To see them die at the end was really saddening. I never feel like that towards any game.

MGS4/Uncharted2 were astonishing. The graphics were amazing and gameplay just as good. I can't say too much about them because I don't need to. They are that good!

There will be games that I've missed however these 3 stand out. I'm leaning towards Metal Gear Solid 4 at this current time. Things will change once PS4 is released and we look back.

[NewMonday]

IMOO these games are the most important(not necesarly the best):

*GoW1, I don't personally like GoW games but the first was the game to take console gaming to another level this generation.

* MW2, the explosion of the MP craze.

* Assasins Creed

* RDR/Skyrim best open world games this gen

* Batman AC , taking Metrovidania to 3D

* Uncharted 2 best single player TPS/adventure game this gen

* Journey, best artistic game

[Lykon]

The gay version of COD called 'Banged up two' on the commodore 64 was good

[jeseth]

As many great games as there are/were this gen, its hard for me to pick another game that changed console gaming more than COD4 : Modern Warfare.

MW blew up the console MP scene and created a juggernaut that took over all the big Console ambassadors Mario, Kratos, and Chief.

MW also became the mold in which hundreds of other games tried to replicate but couldn't.

Personally Uncharted, Gears of War, Assassin's Creed, LBP, MGS4, Bioshock, Valkyrie Chronicles, Heavy Rain, Red Dead Redemption, etc. etc. all ring in my head. But none of them created the phenomonon that COD did with MW.

I think a lot of us can agree they are wearing out the formula but MW was/is the game that really catapaulted console online insanity. Halo was there before it, but MW created an entire culture of console gaming.

Such a tough question.

[InMyOpinion]

Portal 1 & 2 would be on my list.

Trials, Dark Souls, FarCry 3, Super Mario Galaxy 2, L.A. Confidential. And of course Uncharted 2 and probably 50 more titles :)

[RTheRebel]

Galaxy was amazing
LittleBigPlanet was aswell tough choice

[gillri]

Mass Effect 2 for me

[Objective]

You should try 1 it was the best in the series

[MostJadedGamer]

Dynasty Warriors 7:Empires. I don't care if you said you will never buy another DW game again you NEED to buy DW7:Empires. The Stratagems, Fame Types, and Strong Allies not only breathes totally fresh life into the stale as 3 month old bread DW franchise, but returns it to its former glory it had way back in 2001 when DW3 came out.

[DatNJDom81]

Dude, while I dont agree that this is the game of the generation, I will say that DW7 Empires surprised the hell out of me. When Im not on God of War Multiplayer, Im on DW7 Empires. I have Lord Varys in my army....... Lord Varys....... Freaking awesome game!

We will see each other in the battlefield!

[RememberThe357]

Right when I read "DW3" I got that feeling only DW3 a player get. If DW7: Empires is as good as your saying I have to have it. I've wanted that DW3 experience for years now.

@EDIT: We don't have it in the States? NOOOO!

[LordHiggens]

Uhhhhh.....no bro....no I'm going to go with the first Mass Effect.

[rezzah]

Can you list the 90% please because I'm not sure if I missed 1 or 2 games.

[ILive]

I have to say uncharted 2 because it felt like a turning point this gen. Something about the game felt like pure magic. Honorable mentions includes heavy rain, la noire, batman aa, journey, and witcher 2 because of how unique of an experience they were.

This is off topic, but i think resistance 3 has the best fps single player experience this gen. I have not played bioshock yet, but when I do I will make the final call. But until then, this stands.

[rezzah]

UC2 is a very good choice. It is the most awarded game in the history of gaming. Over 150 awards during the E3 presentation.

Also, UC2 as impacted many games that came after it. What it popularized was stunning cinematic scenes. Even the personality of Drake was adapted into various characters.

In terms of Single Player mode, R3 is a great experience. But it does lack when compared to Bioshock.

Of course it is all opinions, so the final decision is always left to the individual.

[Kennytaur]

Maybe that one level, but there's a lot of less interesting ones in Galaxy, and the underwater swimming was piss poor thanks to the locked and otherwise perfect camera. I love Galaxy, but I wouldn't call it the best game of this generation.

[ijust2good]

Gears of War 1 - for revolutionizing Third person shooter. Before Gears, i hated third person shooters. I only ever enjoyed GTA and it was cause its GTA. Gears took the over the top shoukder shooting of Resident Evil 4, mixing it with cover system and blind fire of an under-rated game from PS2 called "Kill Switch". All modern third person shooter owes it to this game.

CoD - to changing the first person shooter world for ever. You can't complain when the franchise sold over 120 million copies and counting. No doubt it made its mark. For better or for worse, every shooter has something that CoD did in terms of gameplay.

Mass effect - for story driven gaming. This game really got me into the story and the universe of mass effect and i don't think i've ever been that excited this gen of a story in a game since MGS last gen. The ending of ME3 was disappointing but it was still a great game to play.

Original Crysis - for Graphics. It was released on PC back in 2007 and it was way ahead of its time in graphics department. Sadly the franchise has always been about graphics and the gameplay and story were very average.
-----------------------------

Other notables are Bioshock, Uncharted, Arkham City, Red dead & Assassins creed.

[HammadTheBeast]

Gears of War didn't revo.utionize anything, it streamlined it a bit and put it's own taste. Max Payne had similar cover mechanics long ago, as well as other games.

Bioshock IMO did more for FPS then CoD, all CoD did was simplify things and let casuals think they were good at something. Mass Effect was pretty good, but I think there's still some gems to come.

Btw, this is merely my opinion, I respect yours and you make some good points.

[DonFreezer]

Gears of Wars for me also if you we exclude Mario who stays on top.I had never seen anything like it when I played the 1st one.PS drones can cry all they want Gears Of War was the reason most people got into third person shooters.

[MysticStrummer]

So Gears copied other games, yet all modern 3rd person shooters owe it to Gears? Gears sold a lot of 360s for Microsoft, but I'd bet there are few in the industry who would name it Game of the Generation.

I have to disagree with all your choices actually, but of course it's all subjective.

You contradict yourself talking about CoD. You admit it's had some negative influences on other shooters by saying "for better or worse", therefore you can complain when other shooters change what made them good so they can be more like CoD and try to sell more, which never works anyway.

Mass Effect, I tried to get into it, I really did. I bought the trilogy even after the demos made me yawn, shrug, and delete them. The story was well told but the shooting was so bland I had to force myself to finish the 1st game and start the 2nd, before finally trading the game in without ever reaching the 3rd. If I want to play a game with bad shooting where I can influence the story, I'd rather play Alpha Protocol to be honest.

Crysis was a PC game first and PCs have no generations, as the PC folk love to tell us here on N4G, so there's no reason to mention the title, especially when you admit it was all about graphics with average gameplay and story.

Your "other notables" are all more worthy of Game of the Generation mentions than your primary ones, in my opinion, though Demon's Souls is my pick.

[telekineticmantis]

It is fun, but not the most memorable experience.

[showtimefolks]

I believe this isn't like GOTY and everyone will have a different choice and in some cases more than one game

For me personally

Ratchet and clank tools of destruction: the 1st time I played the movie it felt like watching a PIXAR movie and it was so much fun to play and till this day one of my favorite and very under rated game

MGS4: for me this is when next gen began even though I had xbox360 and ps3 for quite a while before this came out

Uncharted 2: no words can describe what Uncharted felt to me personally, the promise in UC1 was there but ND really stepped up their productions value for this

Heavy Rain: when this launched I said a game with all QTE nah I am not interested than picking it up at launch and just can't describe how it felt. In my 20 plus years of playing games a game has never made me uncomfortable with choices as much as Heavy Rain

Fallout 3 the 1st time you come out of the Vault, that feeling can't be matched until Fallout 4 that is

yakuza series on ps3 is my #1 favorite series of all time, and yakuza 3 just had an amazing story

For me these were the games, one last game was Mass Effect 1, I know ME2 to some is better but ME1 gave you so many more options and choice when it came to actual RPG

[Eyeco]

Why did he get so many disagrees for that ? its not like he listed COD as game of the generation, in all fairness Super Mario Galaxy is better suited for the title than any other game here considering its the highest rated exclusive this gen, and really it appeals to everyone young, old, male, female, hardcore, casual.

It may not be my personal favourite but if someone was to call it the GOTG I wouldnt argue or disagree with that because its a very strong choice, In the same way I wouldnt disagree with someone calling Citizen Kane or The Godfather the best movies of all time, not my personal pick but a very good choice none the less.

My personal pick for GOTG would be between GTA4, Fallout 3, MGS 4 and LBP, SKYRIM, Red Dead.

[Hellsvacancy]

Skyrim? really, it was a good game, really enjoyable, but it was a broken game when it came to retail, thats not good

Some of my personal favorites are Demon Souls, Max Payne 3, Ni No Kuni, Portal 2 and Red Dead

[_QQ_]

people are sony boys on this site.

[Ezz2013]

come back after i play the last os us and beyond and GTAV and MGS5
and i will give you an answer about what is the game of this gen

[DonFreezer]

Come back when you realize that the game of this generation is not on your precious ps3.

[MysticStrummer]

@DonFreezer - Come back when you realize his opinion is just as valid as yours. Also, check the GotY scoreboard. Also, get me a beer while you're up.

[josephayal]

Mario Galaxy 2 is way better

[Picnic]

I haven't played Super Mario Galaxy because I wouldn't buy a Wii just to play that plus Donkey Kong Returns.
But, still, the concept looks lovely and even if it is casual, sometimes the concept can rule.

[_QQ_]

It's not a casual game, but casuals can play and enjoy it. there's a difference.

[jakmckratos]

What the hell? It's a great game do not get me wrong...but it's got to be a game that defines a generation..and super mario almost stands alone as a greatplatformer(with the exception of Littlebigplanet and Rathet and Clank...of which Ratchet's games were my favorite of that group). But between the fact most of us are between 16-35 I think it would be proper to pick an HD game that was actually representational of the majority of games that we enjoyed...that being said it should still stand out amongst the crowd. That being said it's Uncharted 2. Super Mario Galaxy can be the best "Kids" game that everybody played but honestly it's not like it had revolutionary gameplay, crazy graphics or even a real cohesive story that highlights how cinematic video games have become. It's like comparing a Pixar movie to Avengers..sure everyone LOVES pixar and they make stellar movies but you can't just say Brave was better than the Avengers..different criteria and different genre's. Uncharted 2 was epic and revolutionary i so many ways and it's quite easy to see how several games try to emulate something from it being the story-telling or the way the world's progress.

[MysticStrummer]

Demon's Souls for me. Between the oppressive environments, "real" feeling combat, the thrill of my game being invaded by another player, and the nearly non-existent checkpoint system, I've never played a game that had me feeling like I was in danger like Demon's Souls did. It kept me tense the whole time, wondering if I should press forward or turn back to spend my collected souls and level up.

Dark Souls was a close second, and there were things I liked better about it, but overall they made it easier and less oppressive feeling so Demon's Souls is my choice.

[Reverent]

I want to think I enjoyed another game more than Demon's/Dark Souls... But damn... I can't think of any. I completely agree; Demon's/Dark Souls just made me feel like I was reliving my childhood of classic, hardcore RPG's again.

[otherZinc]

Halo 4
Mass Effect 2
Gears of War 3
Or
Call of Duty 4

[majiebeast]

Cant be decided. Everyone has different opinions on it, some will say Bioshock and others say Uncharted 2 then comes a group who thinks Mass Effect 2 is the best.

@William
Tone it down. I loved Mario galaxy 2 but do not go fanatic and say that 1 lvl of galaxy is better then 90% of the games out there. Hell i doubt you played that 90%.

[Bahpomet---]

so true i hate ninti fans they talk like they have the money to play all these hardcore games but there mums wont buy ps3 xbox for them so they hate

[chadboban]

Same can be said for all fanboys, if it's a great game on a system they don't own they'll find any way they can to hate on it. Even if they've never played it.

People with more than one console are more capable of a less bias stance on what the game of the generation is. Although, like its shown in the video here as well as in this comments section, there is no real way to determine the GOTG because it's different for everyone.

Kinda wish folks would stop with the hating. We're all gamers, we should all be able to get along without flinging shit at each other due to our differences in opinions.

[GamersRulz]

I would go with MGS4 myself, Journey close second.

[jcnba28]

The title is "What is the GAME of the generation" not MOVIE.

[punisher99]

Calling a game as movie is the biggest compliment you could ever give it. Because that means its just not some mindless fps game.

[fantasygamer]

I'd say its between Uncharted 2, LittleBigPlanet 2 or Demon Souls.

[dungeonboss]

Depends on the genre...
Action/Adventure: Uncharted
Platformer: Super Mario Galaxy 1/2
RPG: Xenoblade Chronicles
Racing: Forza 4

I guess it also depends on the mood I'm in at the time, but I've pretty much enjoyed every second of all of those games above for hundreds and hundreds of hours.

[OrionNoctis]

i think driving games as good as they can be dont quite fit in this category cause the feeling you get playing those is the adrenaline nothing new there...a game to earn such title needs to move with few more things besides adrenaline....
besides that its all good i supose, but its my opinion
didnt disagreed with yours jus feelt like sharing my point with you...

[Honky Kong]

your list looks pretty solid to me.
but it seems alot of folks dont agree....

[dungeonboss]

Haha, yeah. Must be folks that only can afford a single console. I would have added more genres with more time and thought.
For fighting games, I'm in love with DOA5 and Tekken Tag 2, my absolute favorite FPS of this gen would probably be Half Life 2: Episode 2, although I like COD:MW 1&2. I could have also made a distinction between JRPG and WRPG, as I like Fallout 3 and Skyrim.

Man, this is tough, there were just a shit ton of good games this gen. Some people are too blind to realize that every console had amazing games across this generation.

[dedicatedtogamers]

I would say Uncharted 2 is game of the generation, both in a good way and in a bad way.

It's game of the generation because it is the pinnacle (or at least, it's way up there) in terms of presentation, spectacle, and wow-factor. The voice acting is great, it's a fun adventure, and the graphics are great.

It's also game of the generation because it's yet another example of how gaming is becoming more and more linear, more focused on cutscenes instead of dynamic gameplay, and how quick-time events are replacing real gameplay at a frightening pace.

[Irishguy95]

Agree, Uncharted series is madly overrated for me, just as Bioshock: Infinite is. They ain't bad or anything, Bioshock even went for an epic plot and wonderous setting while Uncharted just played everything possible safe. Gaming is just taking leaps backwards with one step forward(presentation). Thankfully not all developers see eye to eye with dumbing down games into linear set pieces. Unfortunately the industry see's fit to reward gaming for becoming closer to movies.

I'll just type my top 10, i'd say Dark/Demons souls are my favorite set of games this gen and I cannot pick between them.

ME2, Bioshock 1, Valkyria chronicles, Witcher 2, Deus Ex HR, Cod 4, Gears 1(online/for it's time), Bad company 2(online), Killzone 2(online)....Think that's it. More than likely forgetting something. Ah - GT5 too. Oh - New Vegas too(I didn't get any of the bugs, other than that it is what Bethesda are too 'casual' to do since Morrowind)

[NastyLeftHook0]

i think i know why you think bioshock infinite is overrated....lot h2h

[Imalwaysright]

FC3 is one of my favorite games of this gen because of the randomness of it all. There was some other user ( don't remember who it was) here that said that FC3 allowed us to make our own stories and i completely agree with him.

[truechainz]

You raise a very good point. I am seriously not trying to poke the bear here when I say why so many phantom disagrees and no comments?

[DwightOwen]

It's because he called Uncharted 2 overrated. Sony Drones are a petty, spiteful bunch, aren't they?

[thebudgetgamer]

I think LBP was an amazing game.

[Freak of Nature]

Totally agree.... Unique and stylish, they took a chance and gave us something new and special. LBP2 improved upon this, and I for one cannot wait for the next new IP from MM...

It should be on every 10 top game list IMO!

[Gamer-40]

The Witcher 2.
Super Mario Galaxy.
MGS4.
Bayonetta.

For me.

[Mac is OK]

My gotg would be between Metal Gear Solid 4, Super Mario Galaxy, and Red Dead Redemption.

[Freak of Nature]

These are on my top 6 list....

I am surprised that I see very Little of RDR on many lists here...

[Jek_Porkins]

So many great games, but probably Mario Galaxy 2.

[Bahpomet---]

omg shush dude have you played any other game than just nintendo games did you ever ask your parents to buy you a proper console jheeeze

[Jek_Porkins]

Oh wow, someone is trying to insult me on the internet by insinuating that I'm a child because I like Nintendo games and listed the highest rated game this generation as my personal favorite this generation....whatever will I do?

I have a PS3 and Xbox, did you want me to use the BS N4G answer? OMG Uncharted 2zers is the bestest game of allz time!

I don't do things like that, I like what I like and I'm proud of it.

Loved the first Gears, it's the game that got me into this generation and the first true next gen game that wowed me, Dragon Age was amazing, Uncharted 2 was good, not the best game ever or anything. Skyward Sword was amazing, as was Twilight Princess.

I like a lot of games, but MG2 was my favorite.

[FriedGoat]

lol skyward sword is one of the most boring Zeldas in a while. One of the only Zeldas I stopped playing.

[garos82]

for me demon/dark souls both first and I uncharted 2 second

[OrionNoctis]

i dunno , hard to say...
LittleBigPlanet , Uncharted 2 , The Journey , its hard to say...
My most awesome moment this gen was revisiting shadow moses in mgs4...

[carson_le_great]

for me its between uncharted 2 and ssx (thats right ssx)

[StreetsofRage]

Fallout 3, Skyrim, Witcher 2, Forza 4, Mass Effect, God of war 3, Gears of war 3.

[FoxHound_]

So many choices! It's hard to pick just one but my 3 favourite games this gen in this order is probably:
MGS4
Uncharted 2
Super Mario Galaxy

And I'm sure there's more that easily deserved a mention that I forgot about. Who knows, maybe my favourite game this gen will become MGS V :)

[imtheman2013]

I think it's easier, and more logical, to categorize which games are the best this generation by genre. It would still be really difficult, but narrowing down the list could possibly bring an overall winner after the sub-divisions have been made.

My personal favorites are Bioshock Infinite, MGS4, RDR, and Dark Souls.

[pompombrum]

For me the original Gears of War.. I'm sure it doesn't really deserve to be considered game of the generation but it was the first game on the 360 that combined jaw dropping visuals with a truly next gen gameplay experience.. everything about the game was just so much fun. Nothing since that game has really had the same effect on me with the possible exception of Fifa 09. Skyrim and Arkham City also both deserve mentions as being damn near gaming perfection.

[Old McGroin]

Agreed. Playing Gears 1 for the first time was a special occasion I would rank up there with the first time you emerge from the sewers in Oblivion.

[DwightOwen]

I remember literally wasting DAYS playing Oblivion back in 2006.

The Xbox 360 was so kickass when it first launched.

Edit: Ditto on playing Gears for the first time.

[Imalwaysright]

My games of the generation, so far, are Demon's/Dark Souls. TW2, Dragon Age, RDR, Batman AA and FC3 are my other favorites of this gen.

[SDF Repellent]

I think Red Dead Redemption is that game.

[Number-Nine]

Metal Gear Solid 4

[DownNotOut]

it was a weaker entry in the series, but still easily the game of the generation. This generation was so awful apart from a select few...

[BushLitter]

Have a coke and smile

[FriedGoat]

You are right, this gen has been pretty dire that's for sure.

[Zechs34]

Journey, Mass Effect, Uncharted 2, Red Dead, and Bioshock
1 & Infinite)

Runner up... Uhm... Assassin's Creed 2. That game did EVERYTHING brilliantly and actually realized what Ubisoft promised with part 1.

[BushLitter]

Yup AC2 for me... That game was just wonderful.

[level 360]

Super Mario, GranTurismo, Tomb Raider, Uncharted 2, Halo, Half Life

[Tommymk2]

Uncharted 2 for me

[AnyaShroud]

Fallout 3 for me

[Eyeco]

Agreed with Fallout 3 hates it at first but it really grew on me I loce tge music I love the world I love the game to bits,

Also I know ive bashed it allot but GTA 4 , it really is an engrossing game I really appreciate it so much more now, such a strong focused refined game, no other developer can nail open world action like Rockstar.

[stonecold3]

uncharted 1 uncharted 2 uncharted 3 demon souls god of war 3 god of war ascension mgs4 gt5 to much to chose from

[Jack of Death]

PS3 much.....

[xXBlondieVanHarlowXx]

Google the word "opinion" please Jack.....

[megalonagyix]

hmmm.. that has to be Gears of War.. or Bioshock... or.. Crysis..nope, just way to many good games to list

[silvacrest]

Metal Gear 4, Uncharted 2, God of War 3, all three had epic stories to tell while still providing solid gameplay

Mass effect 1, deserves a mention because we finally had a western rpg with actual worthwhile RPG elements until bioware/EA kept departing from that with each iteration

[FriedGoat]

Finally? KOTR, Jade Empire? Neverwinters? Bioware were making great RPGs years ago. Were you in a cave in the 00's?

[silvacrest]

the KOTR was released on the original xbox not the 360, thus, not this generation

never played jade empires so maybe that deserves a mention but again, that is an original xbox title

what neverwinter are you even talking about?

[scott182]

Red dead redemption

[plaZeHD]

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
Bioshock
Portal 2
Batman: Arkham City
Super Mario Galaxy and 2
Red Dead: Redemption
Mass Effect 2
Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Are the only right answers to me.
Soon The Last Of Us, Bioshock: Infinite and Grand Theft Auto V will join up.

[Hicken]

Journey, hands down, for me.

[CrescentFang]

Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors.

[Unicron]

For me its either Uncharted 2 or Mass Effect 2.

[thatsBangin]

Mgs4. Uncharted 2 and Fallout 3 all had the effin hell wow moments imo.

[OC_MurphysLaw]

Well, to be honest this question is tougher to answer than it looks like on surface. For me, I think Uncharted 2 probably gets my game of this generation just on how much it took story telling forward for gaming along with the visual touches along with solid play from single player to multiplayer.

If I look at it from an industry point of view... I hate to say it...but COD:MW2 changed the landscape of the industry and really has been a defining game this generation.

[Evil_Ryu]

the kid said brung this up

[Kennytaur]

Bodycount!

[xX_Altair_Xx]

For me between UC2 and MGS4.

Based purely on UNIVERSAL critical acclaim it would probably be UC2 (since that's the closest objective measure we can use).

[chronoforce]

mass effect 1. nuff said

[Max-Zorin]

Red Dead: Redemption

[OmniSlashPT]

Uncharted 2, it just changed the industry and blew everyone away, from gamers, to critics to even non-gamers. It also showed how games can be like movies and even superior to them.

Journey comes close though.

[DasTier]

"Journey comes close though."

Are you freaking kidding? The ridiculous love for that game is so out of hand. Journey being GOTY nevermind GOTG is even more ridiculous than the whole Sony vs M$ fanboyism.

The only, I repeat, the only reason people latched onto that game was because Minecraft was not avaliable on PS3. Had Minecraft been on all consoles it would not have won GOTY either, but no-one at all would be suggesting that Journey is as good as people currently claim.

The most overrated game of the generation = Journey.

Just my two cents.

[WickedLester]

Really? So I guess all those 9's and 10's that the critics gave Journey was because Minecraft wasn't on PS3? So my overwhelming enjoyment of the game comes from the fact that despite having access to Minecraft on my PC and my tablet, I can't play it on PS3? Wow I had no idea! Thanks for figuring all that for me!

You are entitled to your opinion of Journey but dont be a tool! I, along with many many other gamers and critics think Journey is a wonderfully unique gaming experience. WTF does that have to do with Minecraft? Going by your logic, I guess the only reason Xbox and PC gamers love Minecraft is because they cant play Journey.

[Gratisfaction]

Metal Gear Solid 4

and LittleBigPlanet...

Those are my gems

[2pacalypsenow]

COD 4

[DasTier]

Singleplayer - Its tough; Read Dead Redemption, Bioshock, there were many fantastic singleplayer games this gen.

Multiplayer - Halo 3, hands down, no other game gave gamer's anywhere near as much material to play with. Not even later iterations of the franchise could do it.

[black911]

Little Big Planet deserves it!

[JeepGamer]

You're going to need to find something that we never saw anything like before.

And for this generation... That's hard.

We'd never seen a game like Metal Gear Solid.

We'd never seen a game like Grand Theft Auto III.

What game that came out this generation have we seen nothing like before?

[NewVegasTroop]

Killzone 2 anyone? I personally bought a PS3 just for Killzone 2. I mean, this game was the turning point of the PS3 "HAS NO GAMES" trend, and shortly after Killzone 2 came out Uncharted 2 gave the finishing blow to the trend. And to top all this off, Killzone 2 is a fantastic game; awesome campaign, and the best multiplayer experience this generation ever produced, getting the Valor Grand Cross rank #4 trophy is a true sign of SKILL.

Also agree with Fallout 3, going outside Vault 101 and seeing the wasteland for the first time is a moment that can never be duplicated.

[wingman32x]

Hard decision for me. I've played mostly portable games this gen, so I don't have a lot of personal experience with the mega budget, AAA PS360 games. So this is based on what I played, and is saying NOTHING about all of the other popular choices, who are all very deserving.

My favorite console game is Super Mario Galaxy 2. This game just oozes creativity. There has been so many times where I just wanted to stand there and look at the levels. The gameplay was amazing, the music was great, and the addition of Yoshi was nice. I chose 2 over the original because it improves the camera. It does a much better job of tracking you on the underside of planets, for example. Overall the game is a true gem, and I'm so glad I was able to play it.

So that's mine. Like I said, I haven't played every single contender, so I can only go off of what I played. Honorable mentions are Zelda: Skyward Sword, Oblivion, Bioshock, and Mass Effect 1.

[Greyslash]

I hated Mario Galaxy, it was boring and tedious. I think my Game of the Generation may either be...wow this is a hard one, I've played a lot of games, but I know there are still a ton more I need to play.
Hmm, maybe The Witcher or Ni No Kuni, but those are the two freshest game I can think of really loving this gen.

[Hydralysk]

Are they seriously trying to decide what the game of the generation is before the generation is even over? I mean it's IGN so I guess I shouldn't be too surprised but still...

Furthermore the question of the best game of the generation is inherently subjective and has no concrete answer. A person who likes shooters is obviously going to have a different answer than someone who favors rpgs, and neither is going to have a more valid opinion than the other.

[kungfuian]

So many great games this gen it's hard to choose.

I'd go with Portal 2 or Uncharted 2 based on presentation, quality of dialog, intelligence of level design, game play, and overall immersiveness.

Other stand outs for me are LBP (for pioneering play create share on consoles), Killzone 2 (as a technical achievement and as the first fun cover based first person shooter), Gears (for similar reasons as killzone only as a 3rd person), Braid (for ingenious design),Journey and flower (games as experiences), etc...

[imsocool1234]

No specific order:

Uncharted 2
Batman: Arkham Asylum
GTA 4
LBP1
God of War 2
Red Dead Redemption
Killzone 2
COD 4
BF3
Mass Effect 2
Gears of War 2
Gran Turismo 5
MGS4
MK9
SSF4: AC
InFAMOUS
Resistance 2
Journey
Portal 2
Witcher 2
Ni No Kuni
Fallout 3
Forza 3
Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion
Super Mario Galaxy
There is probably more, but this is all I can think of.

[e-p-ayeaH]

Uncharted 2 it single handily changed the whole generation in how games can be experienced.

[Logak]

Difficult decision...
Skyrim
Oblivion
Dark Souls
The Witcher 2
Metal Gear Solid 4
Uncharted 2
Bioshock
Fallout 3
Dishonored
Mass Effect 1-2
Asassin's Creed 2
Red Dead Redemption
I loved this generation, especially it's rpgs.

[Donnywho]

The best is yet to come. Then again it might have arrived this past Tuesday.

[PAYNEinc85]

Fallout 3
Skyrim
Uncharted 2
Halo 3
Bioshock

Too many to choose just 1.

[JustInTlME]

Bioshock or Red Dead Redemption. Its like a tie..

[animegamingnerd]

red dead redemption, mass effect 2, and xenoblade for me

[OWWO]

mw1 mw2 for me

[SOULJER]

IGN late to the party again. I remember reading the before. It was uncharted voted by a wide margin.

[HonestDragon]

A good question that is difficult to answer without having a slew of multiple choices. It is impossible for someone to choose just one game that is THE game of the generation. There are many great games that came out. Even then, we still need to go through the games that are due this year (The Last of Us, Watch Dogs, Remember Me, etc).

For me, it would have to be games that either blew me away or were just a bundle of fun. It's too hard to choose one. It's like asking what your favorite movie is. If I had to have a list it would be this:

Ace Combat: Assault Horizon
Assassin's Creed series
Batman Arkham Asylum and Arkham City
Bioshock series (including Infinite)
Borderlands 2
Dead Space/2
Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Dishonored
Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Far Cry 3
Gears of War series
Heavy Rain
Infamous series
Kirby's Return to Dream Land
Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
LittleBigPlanet/2
Mass Effect series
Metal Gear Solid 4
Minecraft
Mortal Kombat
Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch
Portal/Portal 2
Red Dead Redemption
Spec Ops: The Line
Split/Second
StarCraft II
Starhawk
Super Mario Galaxy/2
Super Smash Bros Brawl
Tales of Graces f
Team Fortress 2
Tomb Raider
Uncharted series
Valkyria Chronicles
Vanquish
Walking Dead (TellTale)
XCOM: Enemy Unknown

These are some games (not all) that I think are the best from this generation. There are many other great games out there, but this is from either my personal collection or games I have played and loved but still need to purchase. Anyone have some other good ones that I may have missed or should play?

[TheDivine]

Depends. I could pick my fav, the most polished, biggest impact made, or most groundbreaking.

Myself I'd say my fav for this gen is either Lost Odyssey, Xenoblade, Fire Emblem Awakening, Mass Effect, Demons Souls, TWEWY, Alan Wake, or Uncharted 2.

There's too many really good games to pick just one title. Stuff like MW had a massive impact and changed mp gaming forever, Gears was prob the game that showed the promise of next gen gaming, Bioshock, Arkham Asylum, Assassins Creed 2, Heavy Rain, all of these are worthy contenders for what they did. Pick your poison lol.

[ufo8mycat]

Bioshock Infinite
Uncharted 2
The Walking Dead
Red Dead Redemption
Deus Ex: Human Revolution

There really aren't many games, if at all, that are able to deliver such awesome gameplay experience, that the ones above provide.

Of course there are A LOT of great games like FarCry3, Batman, Tomb Raider etc, but I think the games above really have that little bit more, then anything else this generation and deserve the title of not just GREAT but AMAZING, its own special category.

Congratulations to the developers on the above games. You have delivered an amazing experience for us gamers.

[nintendoland]

I had been playing lots of ds games and wii games and decent amount of pc games this generation. Then I bought Terraria about 3 weeks ago. That game literally blew every game out of the water. I played that game for days around the clock. It was so good. Now I'm waiting for new content. So yes Terraria is the best game of this generation clearly

[hazelamy]

my choices would be between Red Dead Redemption, and Xenoblade.
those are the games i probably enjoyed most this gen.

[_FantasmA_]

Call of Duty of course...just kidding. Definitely the biggest influence and biggest seller, but also the most milked and least innovative game. You can't deny Call of Duty is a beast, even though I only like the Black Ops games. Infinity Ward blows. So I'd have to say Bioshock 1 on PC/PS3. Rapture and Andrew Ryan while not very original, were very well done and worked well to create a game that can be replayed over and over. I just wish the game was longer because the city looks so big and yet you barely even scratch the surface.

[Good_Guy_Jamal]

Uncharted 2 is way overrated in my opinion. It was the reason I bought a ps3 and I was very disappointed. UC3 looks fantastic though, that jungle level with Sully on the way to the castle melted my eyes and tv!

[coolbeans]

Although I won't go so far as "way overrated," I'm honestly surprised to see UC2 as the de facto "GOTG" when several other PS3 exclusives are either daring to do something better either in visuals, gameplay, and/or narrative.

[stage88]

Uncharted 2 obviously.
Nothing else comes close.

[hivycox]

Super Mario Galaxy

...

Why everyone is putting shooters on here I don't understand..
Really Mass Effect??? oh man..."gamers" nowaydays -.-

[coolbeans]

The first one was the first defined leap in this-gen RPG's when it comes to storytelling. The RPG/TPS hybrid frame was also incredibly well-realized.

[Sharius]

there are alot, damn i can't even name them because there will be not enough place in one comment

but if i have to name 1, i'll chose Demon's souls, you could call it the love at first sign

[Britainz-Fin3st]

For me it has to be Elder Scrolls: Oblivion

[Dude420]

I assume by generation, they mean console games, but I'm just going throw in The Witcher. The Witcher 2 is on Xbox, so the series must count :P.

It's a decision for me between The Witcher 1, Mass Effect 1 or Batman AC.

Despite its gigantic flaws, the Witcher is at the top because CD Projekt have done such a fantastic job on the story. Even if the combat and voice acting weren't the best, the game still managed to suck me in. The decisions you've made really did have an impact on the game and it was so atmospheric. This was a Polish dev's first game, so I give them huge amount of credit for this.

Mass Effect is here because it also has a great story. I was intrigued by its universe and I was blown away when the plot unfolded. Despite its gameplay flaws, I really loved how implemented 3rd person shooter elements in an RPG. It's too bad BioWare got bought by EA and instead of improving on the first, completely changed the style to an action 3rd person.

Batman AC, what can I say? Terrific story, terrific voice acting, especially the two main actors from the animated series and a terrific soundtrack. The really smooth combat was just icing on the cake. It's hard for sequel to be better than the first in the series, this game did just that.

I'm going to have to go with the Witcher 1 because it was an RPG that just felt very fresh to me. While it's not a 10/10 game, a game that was able to suck me in while having not so average voice acting and clunky combat (I did like Geralt's acrobatic moves though) gets top spot for me (I also bought some of the books, fantastic read!).

[fsfsxii]

Metal Gear Solid 4

[NastyLeftHook0]

i agree.

also uc2

[urwifeminder]

Without a doubt BSP for me would be the best shadowrun a close 2nd.

[WickedLester]

My immediate thought was Uncharted 2 but honestly, I'm currently playing Bioshock Infinite and it truly is a revelation! Plus with titles like The Last of Us, Beyond: Two Souls, Metal Gear 5, Destiny, etc still yet to come out I think it's still too premature to declare a winner.

[Sameh]

From a journalistic standpoint - not dissimilar to the way Rolling Stone rank the best albums and always put a Beatles record at the top - I think GTA IV is the only correct answer here. It's Grand Theft Auto. It epitomizes gaming; it's the logical evolution of the most controversial and talked about gaming franchise of all time. On top of this, GTA IV IS the highest rated game of this generation. Uncharted may have the grand cinematics and Super Mario Galaxy may have the brilliantly fun platforming; LittleBigPlanet may have let the gamers play god and Halo 3 may have taken over our social lives with is addictive multiplayer but only Grand Theft Auto IV put us in Liberty City. Grand Theft Auto IV isn't just the game of the generation, Grand Theft Auto IV IS the generation.

[Picnic]

It's been decided that Grand Theft Auto IV wasn't anywhere near as fun as San Andreas though.

New York just is never as exciting a location as Los Angeles/San Fransisco for a game. They always end up resorting to cliches. Look at Crazy Taxi 2 - nowhere near as good as Crazy Taxi.

[inFAMOUS_KRATOS]

i would say little big planet, is huge game changer, all the others game were " did that done that " im not fan of lbp at all, it just the way the game is built, so unique.

i think most will agree.

[VforVideogames]

Halo 3

[TuxedoMoon]

It's really hard to call out a single game for this. This generation was very long compared to the past and no game really stood out as the best of the best of this generation. If I had to pick a game that described this generation (in the west), it would be Call of Duty. Not because it's a good game, but it's a game that influenced a whole bunch of other games in a negative way. RE5-6 and Dead Space 3 being my examples. It was just a military overload and the generation ended with a zombie over load.

Xenoblade, Valkyria Chronicles, Mario Galaxy, Journey, Red Dead, Skyward Sword, Tomb Raider, MGS4...see? Too many great games for a long generation. I can't name 1 game that pilled an OOT or Mario 64 and revolutionized this generation. Unless you want to give that to Motion controls and the Wii. IMO, that was a system thing more so that an amazing game thing. The best use for motion controls would go to Dance Central (the only game that works with the Kinect) and Skyward Sword. Skyward sword would be the game of this generation because it made the wiimote WORK and had great sword controls, something motion control devs have been trying to do forever (looking at you Star wars Kinect). It was also a great game.

[abzdine]

2 words: Heavy Rain

[Picnic]

Looking at these comments. it's as if no-one's played a download only game that isn't Journey.

Or maybe you did but didn't it deserve to be in your big long lists?

I have loved The Cave, Papa and Yo, The Unfinished Swan.
I would not be making some kind of pretentious statement to say that one of those could be chosen as my game of the generation. The Cave is by Ron Gilbert for goodness sake and its 7 little morality tales are brilliant, especially The Hillbilly and The Knight for me.

If I picked a so called 'AAA' title I'd go for the original Bioshock. It's far more hardcore than Infinite and it used up a lot of the ideas of a faded art deco age that Infinite could only choose to essentially repeat only in a less scary way and with some nice sunlight effects.

[CaulkSlap]

I absolutely hate to say it, but I think CoD4:MW really defined this generation. There's no point in arguing "best" game because that's based on personal preference and there's just so many good ones. CoD4 is just hands down the most influential and trend setting game... even though CoD is essentially a plague on gaming now.

[jakmckratos]

Duke Nukem Forever. It made it so nobody would EVER want to do an awful reboot again. ANd w thank him for that.

Just kidding it's Uncharted 2

[rammstein91]

heavy rain,god of war iii,metal gear solid 4

[Y_5150]

Games that define my generation was these games: inFamous Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and Uncharted.

What surprised me was Batman Arkham series.

PixelJunk Shooter, Castle Crashers, and Journey are amongst a lot of the awesome download only titles (I know Journey has a physical collection but still).

The game of the generation...uh lets wait till I hop into the next generation before I decided, there are still gems coming out this year.

[chasedagreat]

uncharted 1,2,3 3rd person
COD MW 1st person

[wishingW3L]

what about the Last of Us and the many other unreleased games? This gen's still going strong! This is too pre-mature.

[pissed999]

Some overhyped mainstream game.

[Veneno]

I suppose for me, the most impactful games of the generation would go to the on3s that PRESENT their game in the freshest, most original way. I would give it a 3 way tie to Metal Gear Solid 4 Guns of the Patriots, Uncharted 2 Among Theives, and Bioshock Infinite.

As far as impactful fresh GAMEPLAY of the generation I would give it to No ONE as every game released this gen was only an evolution of what has come out in the previous generations. I can't think of any game that was truly groundbreaking and fresh.

[saimcheeda]

Favorite game of mine!

[Lotus9]

Top three are clear on my list. No disrespect to anyone else's:

1) Mass Effect 2
2) Killzone 2
3) Uncharted 2

[ZigZagLagger]

Halo 3. Great Campaign. Flawless multiplayer. In-game map editor. theater mode. Custom games with many nobs and game types for players to tweak and edit.

Halo 3 was truly a game for the community that was very passionately crafted. Hail the Chief!

[Roper316]

I don't have any 1 in particular but a few that really stood out to me in certain ways.

Atmosphere - The original Dead Space ( to bad EA killed the franchise )

Story with twist - Bioshock - would you kindly ( hot dam subliminal messages for the win )

Connection with your characters - Valkyria Chronicles, I had the same empty felling with what happened to Isara that I had with Aeris in FF VII & very very few games make me feel that way ( still my favorite game this gen )

[landog]

the witcher, followed by the witcher 2, followed by oblivion or starcraft 2

[crowsticky1234]

I have to give this to Uncharted 2: Among Thieves. This game alone has impacted the gaming industry, not only was it a turning point in TPSs and shooters alone, it received so many accolades than any game established, it influenced so many developers that you can put games into so many cinematic levels that it would be reminiscent to a movie It was one of the most innovative games in this gen. There so many motives and explanations that UC2 effected the gaming industry and composed a new trend in shooters and games.

[coolbeans]

"...it influenced so many developers that you can put games into so many cinematic levels that it would be reminiscent to a movie."

What about the games that came before it that already accomplished placing "cinematic levels?" Wouldn't that make it more of one following, yet improving upon the trend set by others?

[crowsticky1234]

Name one game before UC2 released that was as cinematic as that game and "influenced" other developers that they can do a similar approach. I don't recall any except for UC2. Sorry.

[coolbeans]

Part of your statement does not contradict what I said.

-Notice the "yet improving upon the trend set by others" portion of my reply. I'm not disagreeing with the notion that no other game was as cinematic as UC2 when it released.

In regards to precursors, CoD4 already created the perfect mix of linear design that brought a plethora of cinematic levels reminiscent to Hollywood. Heck, even the likes of GRAW back in '06 was this gen's first "pure" version of action blended with cinema: loading screens masked by chopper flights sprinkled with story tidbits, all rendered in-game with no cutscenes. What I can honestly admire about it is the proper handling of both elements: left gameplay still centered around levels that weren't claustrophobic and still provided a nuanced way to present the story.

[Siren30]

Uncharted is way to linear for me. I would pick borderlands, just cause 2, darksiders, fallout 3 as my favorite games of thise generation

[MakiSaad2]

God Of War 3
Uncharted 2
AC 2
Fallout
Red Dead Redemption
The Darkness 2
Ni No Kuni
Gears Of War 3
Killzone 2

[Dakriz]

I for 1 have 0 in my list but that's my own experience but my girl omg she loves GLOVER for the N64.... GLOVER. Lmao. To my point we all different so lets act differerent so my Amazing list of 0 should not be scrutinized for I love and enjoy every game and I don't partake in limiting my enjoyment for brand name or genre.

[Relientk77]

There are WAY to many

Ni no Kuni
Tales of Graces f
Dishonored
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Super Mario Galaxy 1 & 2
Smash Bros. Brawl
Assassin's Creed 2
Uncharted 1-3
BioShock
Red Dead: Redemption
Call of Duty Modern Warfare & Black Ops
Borderlands 1 & 2
Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time
Rage

[JDW]

Given that this gen has still not finished and some recently released games (Bioshock Infinite, for example) will no doubt be considered once they have been out for a few months, it seems slightly premature to decide which is the best game of this generation.

Anyways, so far, here are the games that I enjoyed playing and left a lasting impression.

Bioshock
Fallout 3
Day Z
Portal 2
Deus Ex : Human Revolution
XCOM : Enemy Unknown
Frozen Synapse
Battlefield 3 (on PC)
COD4 - Only played the MP...hates the sequels.
GTA IV - lots of modding fun
Super Mario Galaxy - just pure fun
Sins of a Solar Empire
Civilization 5

[Freak of Nature]

Honorable mention...

Demon's/Dark Souls
Mario galaxy 2
Gears
MGS 4

3.Red dead redemption
2.Uncharted 2

1. LBP 2

[jcnba28]

Super Mario Galaxy 1 & 2, Skyward Sword, Metroid Prime Trilogy

[zbg31610]

Although many people prefer skyrim, I think they must have brain damage. Oblivion was my favorite.

Also Mass effect 2
Uncharted 2
Red dead
mgs4

[Father Murder X]

Here is my 2cents. I have several

Fight Night 3-technical masterpeice
MGS 4-awesome game
Gears Of War-it was the 1st truly next gen game
Halo 3 mulitplayer--It set the table for every fps that came after it

COD-it made FPS casual

The funny think about my list is that 3 of the 5 games are hated on N4g but represent the biggest sellers in the industry.

Unfortunately if I had to pick one and be honest. i would have to go with Call Of Duty Modern Warfare 2. I personally don't like COD (I prefer Battlefield) but you have to be the biggest fanboy in the world` to deny that its not the game of this generation.

[coolbeans]

Although that choice is certainly one I don't have a bone against choosing (nor any of the others I've replied to), to say anyone has to be the "biggest fanboy in the world to deny X game isn't GOTG" is terribly unfair when considering how many excellent games have released this gen with less flaws.

I do find MW2 to be an exemplary FPS when it released (something I could get endlessly berated over for) but it falters in two significant aspects of MW1:

-Nonsensical plot devices/twists
-Although progressing the killstreak formula and multiplayer extras much further, it did present a few more balance issues compared to predecessor.