IGN:The number 1 modern game is....

IGN:
If there's one question we get all the time on My IGN and Twitter, it's "I just picked up [insert modern video game machine]. What should I play?" That's why we made this list of the Top 100 Modern Video Games. If you just came out of the persistent vegetative state you've been in since just before the Xbox 360 ushered in the era of high definition, these are the games we think you should play from the six years that have made up the current console generation. And yes, we worked in the coolest PSP, DS and mobile games that came out during that timeframe, too.

[Dart89]

That was expected much.

Edit:If you don't feel like giving hits to IGNorant number one is ME2:).

[Supman]

I don't think mass effect was very fun...
I honestly thought it was going to be super mario galaxy 2.

[jidery]

Honestly, LittleBigPlanet should be at least in the top 10, if not first place. No game has been more innovative this generation.

[handheldwars2]

1. Super Mario Galaxy 2
2. Portal 2
3. Metal Gear Solid 4
4. Super Mario Galaxy
5. Mass Effect 2
6. Red Dead Redemption
7. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
8. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
9. Assassin's Creed II
10.Super Smash Bros Brawl

These are definitely the top 7 games of this generation! F*** bioshock, batman and fallout 3, where are MGS 4 and SMG!?? I'm sure you skipped them just because Peace Walker and SMG2 are similar entries in the series IGNorant...

[jony_dols]

Uncharted 2 is only at #7 ?

Uncharted 2 is the quintessential modern game.

It's big budget, has stellar graphics, top notch voice acting & mo-cap, a musical score worthy of Hollywood and on top of a riveting single player campaign, it had an excellent multiplayer component to go with it. It is the epitome of a modern gaming.

Those features are what we will look back at as hallmarks of this generation of games, and yet, Uncharted 2 only comes in at a paltry seventh! I'm not saying it is a definite #1, but it deserves more respect than IGN has given it!

[RedDead]

Sorry not everyone loves Uncharted, and not everyone loves ME2. I think both are just good games and nothing more(and there's not F***ing way either are the best of all time), anyway...no one should start naming their top 10 games, you'll just get rampant disagree's because everyones list varies quite alot, I could name my top 20, but in no order at all. I just put games into a catagory, good games, great games and bad games. A list of top 100 games will never be universal.

[zootang]

Who cares IGN aren't relevant any more.

[SuperLupe]

"Who cares IGN aren't relevant any more."

Who cares IGN aren't relevant any more ON N4G. FIXED.

Its not because a bunch of extremist fanboys (btw kind of funny how 360/Nintendo/PC fanboys dont give a sh!t) on N4G DECIDE that they arent relevant that it makes them unrelevant.

You have to understand that outside of N4G nobody cares what you people think say or do. Nobody.

[handheldwars2]

Except....

Cliffy B! :P

[captain-obvious]

IGN suck man

[lil Titan]

you get better advice on games from your friends than the people on IGN

[TheOtherTheoG]

@handheldwars2
They did say at the beginning of the article quite clearly that they weren't allowed to put two games from the same franchise in, hence they chose SMG2 over SMG, Portal 2 over Portal, MGS Peace Walker over MGS4, ME2 over ME1, etc.

And have you actually played Bioshock, Fallout 3 or Arkham Asylum, because if you haven't, trust me, they're really quite good.

[Monkey521]

@ People saying PS3 fanboys are butthurt...

I hope you all realize that Mass Effect 2 is on the PS3. There has nothing to do with the console war.

While I don't agree that this makes IGN irrelevant, I have to say that I do not agree with this list completely, but I guess that's what happens when you try to appease the masses across all the consoles.

[Louis_Guzman]

@ superlupe: And by extension, nobody really cares what you, I or Ign, heck the whole internet videogame blog community thinks. These videogame forums are representative of such a small percentage of actual players that it's really quite irrelevent when all the consumers of videogames are taken into consideration. You think the family that just bought Super Mario bros Wii cares what Ign thinks? Hell, they probably don't even know what Ign is.

[Marceles]

ME2...meh. I like the first one better, its selling point was it was like a third person shooter RPG where you make decisions that affect the story. ME2 totally got rid of the RPG element and added that retarded planet scanning

[gamingdroid]

Where these games voted on by users?

[gaden_malak]

"Sorry not everyone loves Uncharted, and not everyone loves ME2"

Not everyone loves any game. What's your point?

[Pixel_Pusher]

UC2 had superior acting/dialog/cutscenes/graphi cs/gameplay and IGN is trying to tell the gaming community that ME2 was better UC2!?!?

FFFFUUU

we all know which was the better game and for damn sure it wasn't Mass Effect 2. lulz

Xbox fanboys nothing more.

[ChrisW]

PixelPusher,

Did you know that ME2 was ported to the PS3?

[nveenio]

I agree with you. Pound for pound, Uncharted 2 may be the best game ever created.

[bennyace]

It's funny how a site becomes irrelevant after they give a PS3 exclusive a bad score... Or a Multiplat a good one... I wonder how many sites are still relevant!!! Even Meta which compiles, like 90 reviews for a game is not relevant anymore...

[IcarusOne]

@ jony_dols

"It's big budget, has stellar graphics, top notch voice acting & mo-cap, a musical score worthy of Hollywood..."

The fact that all of that comes before anything about how fun it is, the gameplay, or the story, tells you why it doesn't deserve to be #1. The Uncharted series and KZ are the biggest, baddest-ass tech demos the world has ever seen. Oh, and they happen to also have moments where you occasionally control a character.

ME2 is a controversial pick, but well deserved.

[mastiffchild]

Just like every GOTY award evefdr this is BS. Comparing apples to oranges to see which makes the best pineapple? Only a proper idiot would allow IGN to pretend this has ANY kind of authority whatsoever. Just stay deciding what you like yourself and don't ever bother clicking this kind of nonsense. So silly I cannot believe it.

[Mustang300C2012]

Seriously get a life cause it isn't that damn serious. It is their opinion list and honestly you shouldn't even have this much to say about this list or anything IGN does. I have no idea why some of you kids spend so much time complaining about all things a list of games. What happen to just enjoying what you actually do like and press on.
How about you and others put your own list together of the top 100 and I am sure it won't be any more wrong than what some of you are claiming about this list.

[ChrisW]

RedHemi,

Damn well said!

[snipes101]

I'll let the disagrees flow but I loved ME2. Great lengthy adventure with characters I love. Could say the same thing about Uncharted as well though. I don't really care about rankings. I love them both and this list doesn't change my opinion of that. Why is everyone else so angry about this?

[bozebo]

"lengthy adventure"

not true :/

[TheOtherTheoG]

So 20-30 hours isn't lengthy any more?

[TheTwelve]

Admittedly, ME2 is only truly lengthy if you want to have the best ending and truly experience and know the characters, and do the side missions. If you want to rush through the game it is shockingly short.

12

[clrlite]

@snipes: Judging by your lack of disagrees, perhaps it's not ME2 that people dislike. Maybe they are just tired of IGN's perceived BS. I think most of n4g would agree that ME2 was a pretty darn good game.

and..
@superlupe: You are the one who is wrong. The opinions of thousands of N4G members definitely have an effect on people outside this community. Especially the more influential members. Also, the opinions on n4g often reflect the view of hardcore gamers in general.

[Statix]

I bought and beat ME2 this year, to see what all the fuss is about. In all honesty, it's good... but not THAT good. It certainly, absolutely isn't the best game of the generation. Not even close. It's not even the best game of the series.

Fwiw, I don't think Uncharted 2 is deserving of "best game of the generation" either. I've personally always thought the series was overrated (even though I beat and platinumed both UC 1 and 2).

Meh, I don't even think this list is that bad. I just think IGN freaking sucks in general, and is full of dumb wannabe journalists and probably fanboys. I've always thought IGN sucked, for at least the past decade (~2000).

[Foxgod]

Since when do you only do the main quest in an rpg anyway?
For example, if you only did the main quest in morrowind (250+ hour game), then you could finish it in 8 hours.

Same with fallout 3, game can be completed in 6 hours if you only do the main quest, while the whole game could easily take up 60 hours of your time.

And me2 is +- 35 hours, thats pretty lengthy.

[snipes101]

Well Uncharted was reasonable lengthy for a TPS and I have sunk about 40 or 50 hours into my ME2 file so yes, ME2 is kind of lengthy.

These lists to me mean nothing in terms of ranking, I dont care what gets ranked over what. What I do pay attention to is the games in it to get an idea of what games I should be checking out.

Also, why did it all of the sudden become so cool to hate on ign? It's like it's the COD of internet websites. In fact if you hate them you'll ahve to start hating 1up too because I'm pretty sure they merged or something like that (correct me if I'm wrong).

[SonyPS360]

I agree with it, so extra hits from me for you retards who thing IGN is some sort of bias conspiracy.

[Trevonn]

they said gta4 deserved an OSCAR!
WTF!"£$%^&*()!

Nuff said

[SonyPS360]

It was a good game, quit whining.

[Foxgod]

gta4 was an accomplishment when it was released, right now it isnt anymore, but back then it was.

[Downtown boogey]

Why not the one in that picture!!??
WHYYYYY!??

[mynameisEvil]

While I believe Uncharted 2 is best game of the generation, I would pick BioShock over Mass Effect 2 any day.

Now, I'm not gonna say ME2 is crap, but I think BioShock had a better plot (who was expecting the twist near the end? Nobody? Exactly), better dialogue, better atmosphere, and better gunplay. It is definitely deserving of being up near the top.

Let the disagrees roll in because I said BioShock was better than ME2... come on. I'm waiting.

[Danteh]

not a bad list but there is a seriously worrying lack of metal gear solid

My list would be:

1. MGS4
2. Bioshock
3. Mass Effect 2
4. Uncharted 2
5. Super Mario Galaxy 2
6. God of War III

etc

[clrlite]

That's actually a pretty good list. I would have Demon's Souls on there for sure if only because it is not a meanstream piece of cheesy casual CRAP.

If anything, the fact that people can still make long lists of good games is a GREAT thing.

BTW: here's my list(7 off the top of my head):
1) Demon's souls
2) Uncharted
3)bioshock
4)god of war 3
5) Battlefield BC2(online obviously)
6)Ninja Gaiden Sigma
7)Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2
I know I am forgetting some gems....

[bloodybutcher]

nice choice,even though i am not big fan of ninja gaiden.i mean,i own both but i prefer other games.and i think RDR should be on my list.together with u2,batman aa(never knew he had a drinking problem),demon´s souls,bfbc2(and yes,sp wasn´t good but online was a king),killzone2,deadspace,cod mw,oblivion,fallout3.i liked me2 for quite a while but i got bored with it...and bioshock...i remember reading news for the first time,i was so hyped for this game...then it turned out its not coming out on ps3,what a disappointment!and when the wait was finallz over and it indeed arrive,i just didnt feel the urge to play anymore...too long to wait,just damn too long...

[Orange]

@clearelite are you a chick? because with that list i think we might be soul mates.

[ChrisW]

Orange and Clearelite sitting in a tree..

[tplarkin7]

Bioware games are a glimpse into the future of video games. Mass Effect 2 is the pinnacle of their achievement and deserves the #1 spot for best modern game.

Anything on Nintendo is a rehash of the past. Their games are the equivalent of Milton-Bradley making a new board game. It may be fun, but it's not raising the bar.

[mynameisEvil]

Did you ever Play Baldur's Gate? KOTOR?

NEVERWINTER FRIGGIN' NIGHTS?

Personally, I think Neverwinter Nights was their best game yet and I love that game to death. I was happy to see a return to that style of gameplay after ME1, but then ME2 and DA2 happened and now I'm seeing an awful lack of tactical RPGs. I miss those games.

[nopunctuation]

Contenders for this list.
Mass Effect (good choice but not my choice)
LBP2 (my choice. 1000000 games in one cant be beaten period)
Fallout 3 (loads of replay value. Pretty much the essential RPG free roamer.)
Rock Band 3( thousands of music downloads ensures you will never run out of music,,,,as long as you have the money.)
Red Dead Redemption (Rockstars current gen magnum opus. Full of replay value and DLC for it is cheap and incredibly packed with content)
Demons Souls (Challenging gameplay and level scaling make this a 200 hour ordeal minimum. The only thinng that will stop you from playing is when you hit level 712....10 years later)
Uncharted simply lacks the replay value to be in this list. It is great the first time but you will never touch it again afterwards. Mario Galaxy games are easily the most overrated games of this generation and are given a free pass simply because its mario. Nothing new or innovative. Basically mario 64, mario sunshine and mario party mixed together.

EDIT:Now that I have seen the whole list im surprised at how many of my choices are in the top 10. The fact that LBP isnt even here at all discredits the whole list completly. Why is Bioshock #2? Very good game but it doesnt have the staying power that other games have. Play it for the good and evil ending and you are done unless youre a Trophy whore. This list is just full of flaws.

[zeddy]

where the frack is metal gear 4?! and where is cod4?! i know everyone hates the cod franchise these days but cod4 was the ultimate modern game, it kick started the whole fps boom, the clue is in title "modern warfare".

[theonlylolking]

I am fine with that choice. ME2 is one of my favorite games ever. Yes, I said ever.

[kookie]

Bioshock would be very great choice

[Inside_out]

.
What about Resident 4? Half life 2? Mario Sunshine, Luigi's mansion ( haha, love that game ), Prince Of Persia, sands of time, COD 4...there are so many.

In the end it's just opinions and you know what they say...Opines are like A**holes, everyone has one.

[snipes101]

Just about every game you mentioned is not of this generation. By "modern games" these guys are talking about 360 and on.

[hilyou]

this was a modern game list for current-gen.

[NLGSean]

The first Bioshock is still a game I can go back and play over and over again... IMO it is a gaming masterpiece.

[NovusTerminus]

How did Peggle get 30 when Demon's Souls only got #100?

[Saladfax]

Most of these lists are pretty arbitrary until it comes to the ten. I'm just glad to see Demon's Souls on the list, though I'd personally like to see it ranked higher.

It seems like most people focus on the fact that DS was *hard*, when the real beauty of the game was realized in the depth of its exploration, developing your character, and all of the little things that could be found if you were willing to play around with World Tendencies and such.

[falout]

peggle is great! lol

[Laika]

i know!!! i blows my mind that games like plants vs zombies or shatter can be placed a game like demons souls. and then a game like mgs4 doesnt even get added

[dkgshiz]

I see what they did here. They used a multiplatform so the fanboys didn't wet themselves. Oh well, its what I would of done to make everyone happy. ME2 was a great game. Not my favorite. This list still was forfeit the second they put Farcry 2 on the list. Just an awful boring game that didn't even deserve to keep the title of "Farcry 2" Oh, also they put Angry Birds on the list. Just a shitty flash game that someone shit out there ass in a quick 3 seconds. Also it was higher rated then Demons Souls...oh my

[bozebo]

this ^

[Objective]

Of course Angry Birds > Demons Soul, if you would bother to take a step back and consider the average appeal each game has on gamers generally.

[Louis_Guzman]

That's hilarious coming from a guy calling himself "Objective". I can see Angry Birds appealing to lobotomized mongoloids, though. Also, in my opinion, Demon's Souls > Angry Birds. Funny how opinions work.

[Laika]

imo angry birds should not even be on this list. its fun for a few minutes but there is not much appeal there for me. its pretty simple and repetitive. a game like demons souls i could get lost in for hours

[Statix]

By your logic, shouldn't Angry Birds be number one on the list? People have probably put way more total man hours playing that game than they have for ME2.

[Statix]

@dkgshiz: Totally agree with you. Although I kinda liked Far Cry 2 (albeit, it was a massive disappointment compared to Far Cry 1).

Here's hoping Far Cry 3 will be freaking amazing.

[InfiniteJustice]

Mass Effect 2 is one of my favourite games of this gen, it's an amazing game - but the best modern game might be pushing it a little.

I also think there were a few obvious games missed out... How do you miss out MGS4 in a list of ONE HUNDRED games?

[EmperorDalek]

They were only allowing one game per franchise, and they picked Peace Walker over MGS4.

[InfiniteJustice]

Finally someone cleared that up, thank you lol. It had me baffled as to why it wasn't there (that goes for a few other games now, too).

[Peaceful_Jelly]

that's bullcrap. They have like 7 Mario games on the list!

[EmperorDalek]

In that case per series. Which is why SMG1, MGS4, U:DF, Gears 2 and many more aren't listed.

[EmperorDalek]

I agree with #1, but there's a BIG flaw with this list: Angry birds is higher than Demon's souls and Resistance 2.

[Trevonn]

tbh resistance 2 dosent deserve to be on that list its a POS keep in mind that i would put resistance 1 in the top 3

[Swiggins]

I agree, Resistance 2 wasn't very good in my opinion, it seemed like they we're trying to make the series more cookie cutter.

Resistance 1 on the other hand, Holy Shit was that game awesome sauce!

[WhiteLightning]

Mass Effect 2....

I loved the game, don't get me wrong but ditching the RPG elements and adding ammo...Oh sorry I mean "Thermal Clips" made it seem like any other third person shooter. I thought ME would of had a better chance to get to Number 1 then that.

Is anyone actually not surprized that Uncharted 2/MGS4 or any other PS3 exclusive isn't at Number 1. Come on it's IGN......IGN..PS3 exclusive, put 2 and 2 together.

[Harelgur]

MGS4 is not in the list, IGN suck.

[TXIDarkAvenger]

LMAO. I was surprised that IGN didn't pick Call of Duty.

[BlitzAK]

They did, -.-
CoD4 19th place or is it 17th.

[BioDemon-]

CoD4 deserves that spot...

[TXIDarkAvenger]

CoD4 doesn't deserve to be THAT high but among every CoD game, but I guess its better that CoD4 should be chosen above all other CoD titles.

[NYC_Gamer]

i could have understood if they had picked mass effect 1 but part 2 lacked so much

[Bnet343]

You must be high if you think that.

[Reefskye]

Me and 2 where both good games, but he aint high when he says it. ME was far better for story and was a proper RPG, ME2 was a good game but it just felt like it was filling a gap for ME3. I enjoyed the combat a lot more, but the combat didnt make up for how much stuff they removed.

[SageHonor]

Its just an opinion guys... If anybody gets mad at the list is because you dont agree with their opinion... Just enjoy the games you have GOTY awards i feel were always stupid...

[NyGiants7]

DIdn't agree w/ this list that much...but then again I don't agree w/ IGN that much either so...

[Prcko]

bioshock is 1 lololololol

[YodaCracker]

Oh, IGN. You and your lists.

[the_kutaragi_baka]

Killzone 2 should won in this list!

I have played and beaten almost rated console FPS this gen.. from resistance 1 Halo 3,BF2 and in terms of Epic single player and and multiplayer Killzone 2 owns them all.

[5119ent]

The multiplayer is one of the most underrated. Along with MAG

[gypsygib]

Funny how this gen has been defined by online MP but IGNorant puts a SP only game as number one !?

I enjoyed ME2, it was a great game but definitely not the greatest of the gen. I played it once and was done with it while there are other games I've played over 4 times plus put 30plus hours into MP.

[CherryLu-Chan]

Demon's Souls at #100?!
Just shows how clueless IGN is.

In fact, that top 10 should be re-named 'Games that have advertised with us heavily'

[Roukuko]

how is starcraft 2 so low on the list and god of war 3 and demon souls

[hilyou]

WHAT!!!!!!!!! How come the best game of all time isn't even on this list! IGN seriously u guys didn't even put MGS4 on this list! MGS4 IS THE BEST GAME OF ALL TIME!!!

[Nintenuendo]

Settle down, Kanye. They only included 1 game from each series, and they chose Peace Walker over MGS4.

[P_Bomb]

That pretty much defeats the entire point of a "best ever" list imo. Good games are omitted just because they have a number in their name allowing lesser standalone games a free pass. Sorry, but I'll take 2 Portals over 1 Peggle anyday.

[nightmarex121]

This is how it went down they started at #1 then went down the list, then in middle of the list they forgot mgs4 so then they just said fuck, they to lazy to redo the list so they just put down peace walker. Plus they got even lazier down the list b/c why is Viva Pinata even on the list, i rather see la noire then fucking Viva Pinata.

[specialguest]

_

[YodaCracker]

Here is the full list for those who don't feel like clicking through all 100 pages:

100. Demon's Souls
99. League of Legends
98. Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP
97. Resistance 2
96. Tiny Wings
95. Kirby's Epic Yarn
94. Crysis
93. Angry Birds
92. Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas
91. The Sims 3
90. Far Cry 2
89. Dragon Age: Origins
88. Valkyria Chronicles II
87. Killzone 2
86. Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow
85. Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light
84. Elite Beat Agents
83. 'Splosion Man
82. Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Conviction
81. Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes
80. Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit
79. Bionic Commando Rearmed
78. Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds
77. Total War: Shogun 2
76. Brain Age
75. The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings
74. Cut the Rope
73. Flower
72. The World Ends With You
71. Meteos
70. Super Stardust HD
69. Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise
68. Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story
67. Donkey Kong Country Returns
66. Picross DS
65. Mega Man 9
64. Burnout Paradise
63. Fable II
62. Advance Wars: Dual Strike
61. Alan Wake
60. Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II
59. Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords
58. Wii Sports Resort
57. Mirror's Edge
56. Dead Rising
55. DJ Hero
54. Pokemon Black & White
53. Professor Layton and the Unwound Future
52. Shatter
51. Company of Heroes
50. Battlefield: Bad Company 2
49. Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2
48. Castle Crashers
47. Super Street Fighter IV
46. God of War III
45. Super Paper Mario
44. Braid
43. Tetris DS
42. World of Warcraft: Cataclysm
41. Sid Meier's Civilization IV
40. Infamous 2
39. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
38. Lumines
37. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker
36. Shadow Complex
35. Borderlands
34. LittleBigPlanet 2
33. NBA 2K11
32. World of Goo
31. FIFA 11
30. Peggle
29. Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
28. Forza Motorsport 3
27. Team Fortress 2
26. Limbo
25. Mario Kart DS
24. Rock Band 2
23. Plants vs. Zombies
22. Gears of War
21. StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty
20. Dead Space
19. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
18. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
17. Left 4 Dead 2
16. Heavy Rain
15. New Super Mario Bros.
14. Halo: Reach
13. Pac-Man Championship Edition DX
12. Half-Life 2: Episode 2
11. Grand Theft Auto IV
10. Super Smash Bros. Brawl
9. Batman: Arkham Asylum
8. Assassin's Creed II
7. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
6. Fallout 3
5. Portal 2
4. Super Mario Galaxy 2
3. Red Dead Redemption
2. BioShock
1. Mass Effect 2

[thehitman]

Gracias + Bubble

Edit: Is it me or did they COMPLETELY miss MGS4?? and UC:DF holy shit this list is the definition of fail. Looks like IGN took a hat with 100 names and pulled 1 out of the hat each time to make a list.

[bunfighterii]

NO MGS 4?!

I thought IGN loved MGS 4? I LOVE MGS 4! THIS IS CRAZY?!

[thugbob]

haha Killzone 3 didn't make the list. KZ2 > KZ3. :)

And how the hell does Metal Gear Solid 4 not make the list? It's one of best reviewed games this gen. Hell didn't IGN themselves give MGS4 a perfect 10?

[DragonKnight]

Their list is utter fail. Look at some of the examples they have in this list. Games most people didn't even pay attention to. I wonder what their criteria for "best" is.

[Soldierone]

I honestly want to kiss you right now lol Thank you

[ginsunuva]

Who cares? Does IGN's listing actually make me2 the best modern game automatically?

Plus the only reason they do this is hits and advertising (this list is advertising for the games on it.)

[firefly69]

Bioshock its indeed the contender for 1° way ahead of ME2!Where is OUTLAND?

[m23]

I actually kind of agree with their choice. Mass Effect 2, for me, was just one of those games which had me so interested in the world and characters of the game. I remember when I finished it, I said to myself, this is one of the best games I have ever played. I also played Mass Effect 1, and transferred a lot of things over. Some people may say it's not a bog deal, but I think you lose a lot of story elements if you go straight to 2, so those people may not have the same feeling about the game.

[TheTwelve]

Mass Effect 2 is my favorite game of this gen for sure, and perhaps my favorite game of all time. I hadn't loved a game this much since Final Fantasy 7.

The game has visuals and facial constructions that are comparable with the best, but what does it for me is the amount of work and detail given to making the world real. The narrative and background, the high-end intellectual and credible science fiction, the mature plot full of symbolism and tons of reading about everything. You can play the game once, come away with a very fulfilling experience, and still not see 1/3 of the game. Finally, the combat is truly fantastic.

Mass Effect 2, simply put, is an epic work of art, the Illiad of videogames. Quite honestly, it ruined many other videogames for me because it set my standard of a "quality game" very high.

12

[coryok]

lol that list is so messed up

[bigjclassic]

Top 5 in no particular order:
1. SMG2
2. MGS4
3. Red Dead Redemption
4. Uncharted 2
5. LoZ: Twilight Princess

[jdktech2010]

Opinion list is just that...opinions. Don't get your unmentionables in a wad. Personally, I think ME2 is the best game of this gen overall. It gave me the best overall feeling and ambience of any game this gen while and after I played it.

There's a lot of good games but I can't argue with the top games (though I never played RDR)

[jdfoster00]

Where was Gears Of War on this list again? Oh right yes. 22... and where was Uncharted 2? Point made.

[BioDemon-]

You fanboys never stfu do you? Fine I can play that game too.
In IGN's top 25 consoles of all time article.

The 360 = #6 http://www.ign.com/top-25-c...

The Ps3 = #15 http://www.ign.com/top-25-c...

Point made.

[CDbiggen]

Who cares. :/ Make your own list if you give that much of a damn.

[spektical]

how can fallout3 be in the top 10 when the game freezes a lot... i shouldve saw this as a sign, because NV is unplayable

[JonnyBigBoss]

Whatever. I have a completely different list. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but having some of those games on top ten without MGS4 is just sickening.

[DrillaKid]

This is just the opinion of one guy. Just because it comes from a "journalist" doesn't give it any more credibility than if any of us were to make a list. Everyone has their own favourite games this gen. Mine's are MGS4, UC2, Bioshock, and Gears.

[8bit_Nes_Rambo]

Exactly. My personal list would look nothing like this, hell I couldn't dredge up 100 games this gen that I even cared for. Point is, this list is no more or less relevent that any other person's. Enjoy your own games and don't let other dictate what is and is not worthy.

[Demarco156]

i know is there opinion but... MGS4 not on the list WTF!!

and i agree with hideo kojima, best game of this generation is by far COD4

[Swiggins]

The lack of MGS4 on this list is a little disconcerting.

However I wholeheartedly agree with their choice for #1, Mass Effect 2 was deep, compelling, funny, and most of all FUN!

Mass Effect 3 can't get here fast enough!

[8bit_Nes_Rambo]

Garbage list, but the great thing about things like this is that they are quickly forgotten. By next week Ign's opinion on the top 100 modern games will be forgotten and people will move onto something else.

[Orionsangel]

What a surprise! IGN has always had a hard-on for Mass Effect.

[MrBubble]

Gametraliers also does

[MrBubble]

In my opinion Mass Effect 2 is the most overrated game this gen.

The universe I find is fantastic but the gameplay felt flat

[InTheLab]

The worst Splinter Cell of the franchise made the list but MGS4 didn't? And there's 99 other games better than Demon's Souls.

List is a failure.

[Tikicobra]

I respectfully disagree. I love Mass Effect 2, but it's not the best modern game.

[jeremyKX]

1. Half-Life 2

I don't get how they came up with the top 10. Complete joke

[TheOtherTheoG]

Half-Life 2 was released in 2004, these games are 2005-2011 only. Believe me, if it did count, it would be my no.1 too.

[pepsilover_2007]

. . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . ,.-‘”. . . . . . . . . .``~.,
. . . . . . . .. . . . . .,.-”. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .“-.,
. . . . .. . . . . . ..,/. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ”:,
. . . . . . . .. .,?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\,
. . . . . . . . . /. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,}
. . . . . . . . ./. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,:`^`.}
. . . . . . . ./. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,:”. . . ./
. . . . . . .?. . . __. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . :`. . . ./
. . . . . . . /__.(. . .“~-,_. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,:`. . . .. ./
. . . . . . /(_. . ”~,_. . . ..“~,_. . . . . . . . . .,:`. . . . _/
. . . .. .{.._$;_. . .”=,_. . . .“-,_. . . ,.-~-,}, .~”; /. .. .}
. . .. . .((. . .*~_. . . .”=-._. . .“;,,./`. . /” . . . ./. .. ../
. . . .. . .\`~,. . ..“~.,. . . . . . . . . ..`. . .}. . . . . . ../
. . . . . .(. ..`=-,,. . . .`. . . . . . . . . . . ..(. . . ;_,,-”
. . . . . ../.`~,. . ..`-.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..\. . /\
. . . . . . \`~.*-,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..|,./.....\,__
,,_. . . . . }.>-._\. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .|. . . . . . ..`=~-,
. .. `=~-,_\_. . . `\,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . . . . .`=~-,,.\,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . `:,, . . . . . . . . . . . . . `\. . . . . . ..__
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .`=-,. . . . . . . . . .,%`>--==``
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _\. . . . . ._,-%. . . ..`

[meganick]

That's Capt. Picard isn't it? Very cool.

[MARKUS_MAX1MUS]

Disagree with the list, Dont know what exactly qualifies as a "modern game" in their eyes but to see Bad Company 2 on the list and not BF2 is just a crime.

[caboose32]

My thoughts exactly. Saw some other games from 2005 so I was expecting to see BF2 there. But IGN has proven once again that they dont even know what video games are.

[qwertyz]

when mgs4 got a 10/10 they where VERY reliable then weren't they ?

[JasonBloodbourne]

how demon's souls only got to 100th place is a mystery to me! its personally my fave game this gen and if i'd done this list that'd be top for me!

[Sorrow24]

I haven't played ME2 yet. I played the ps3 demo and honestly, I didn't see what all the fuss was about. However, I also bitched about Fallout 3 and Assassin's Creed 2 and I ended up loving those. Except Fallout 3 always breaks my heart by glitching like a mother.

I beat Peace Walker and I still believe MGS4 should have been listed instead.

[Jacks_Medulla]

The Witcher 2 is my choice for #1.

[caboose32]

Definitely deserved higher then what it got.

[meganick]

Am I the only one who didn't like Mass Effect 2?

[R_A_LEE20]

Halo or Gears not in the top ten! Now that doesn't surprise me!

[MoreRPG]

as much as i like the mass effect series i wouldn't put it first i think that place is for BioShock
btw i would put LBP instead of LBP2 on the list and on the top ten

[abczby]

Bad choice for almost ever other number...

[TitanUp]

my top would be

1.cod4
2.bad company 2
3.just cause 2
4.burnout paradise
5.uncharted 2
6.halo reach
7.no more heroes
8.darksiders
9.little big planet
10.need for speed shift
11.99 nights
12.gears of war
13.last remnant pc version
14.rift
15.homefront

[gumgum99]

well, at least its not another Mario game again. Mario's great and all, but such a choice gets predictable after awhile. List is probably still predictable anyway.

And no one ever wins with lists because of lists. If Mario won, people would complain If its a shooter, people will complain.

You can't win.

[Beastradamus]

I think Uncharted 2 should get it, because it's the culmination of so many different elements in game design in one game.

[rexbolt]

so many diffrent game designs in uncharted? just seems like a good adventure game to me lol wut u mean different elements?

[Beastradamus]

The gun play, level design, platforming, cover system, storytelling etc. It's like it uses all the most innovative elements from the last twenty years of gaming. It's like a best of video games mix tape.

[rexbolt]

uh u mean like tomb raider? i dident like uncharteds story... it was meh

[rexbolt]

you guys are ware that this is simply just an opinion? its not what the whole world thinks so why are you guys freaking out? your going to fight over someone saying uncharted is not the best? hey look i don't like little big planet i think the game is to slow paste and weirdly animated are you going to shoot me for that statement? hey i think Zelda is better then uncharted are u going to get mad over that? big whoop suck it up or just keep your tantrums to yourself 3DS FTW just felt like doing that since its hip on this site to do random and irreverent things

[parasit3]

Surprised a FUTURE game made #1 on a MODERN game list.

[Achemki]

I don't know what IGN's obsession with lists is. They do one like every other month and apart from the same couple overrated Rockstar games they always fap to or the token Mass Effect circle jerk (anyone remember Greg Miller's "you're a fanboy if you don't think it's the best" article lol?), they're always flip-flopping anyways.

One list Demon's Souls is listed, the next it isn't even in their top 30 PS3 games, the next it's #100 overall. Wtf, I can't even get a bead on them. Now they're only listing one game per series? That doesn't even make sense in the twilight zone. Call the list "best franchises" then, not "best modern games" when you automatically disqualify more than half of them.

Coming in August: IGN's top 25 of the best 10 games ever according to our interns who still need a writing credit on their community college final exams. And the forums go wild. /s

[fr00ty-wizenhymer]

Worst. List. Ever.

[MidNight-Guy]

you're wrong, dude, this is a perfect.

[fr00ty-wizenhymer]

not sure if troll or just dumb.

[xtremegamerage]

Possibly the worst list i've seen for me.

Obviously opinions. There is no right or wrong.

UNCHARTED 1&2
BIOSHOCK 1&2
RESISTANCE 1&2
BFBC2

Oblivion, fallout are overrated because they are hours and hours of boredom, with a few decent parts inbetween.

[No_Pantaloons]

I can't possibly agree with ME2 being ranked number 1. It was pretty good, but hardly as great as everyone gives it credit for. I just replayed it with all the dlc and honestly it wasn't much different this time around, which makes me think even less of it having no great replay value.

Much of the dialog has canned responses. Once you pick good or evil, you're basically picking the appropriate line every time, but playing renegade this time I noticed how similar the dialog is from paragon. Nothing really changes, you threaten or you ask, either way you get what you want and walk away the same.

Not to mention the many other faults in the game, like loss of inventory/shops, along with a very weak story compared to the first. The only twist was while getting the IFF and that was obvious when they introduced the collectors. Its certainly not epic, and no where near #1.

[SkittlesLikesPopcorn]

i just started playing witcher 2. To anyone who has not tried it... i def recommend it. I dont think any console game comes even close to this gem.

[Guitardr85]

This is why lists suck...no one agrees, so we should just stop making them and move on...

[death2smoochie]

If you want bubbles raining from heaven and more on N4G.COM...
Say Uncharted 2 should be number 1....

[MidNight-Guy]

GTA IV is the real of reality!!

[femshep]

disagree mass effect was a good series but ME2 is not the best.....no where near it

[MidNight-Guy]

GTA IV should won.

GTA IV #1 lol

[Soldierone]

LMAO

Resistance 2 over RFOM even though the fans think otherwise and IGN themselves have been caught thinking that way too.

Angry Birds, Pac Man, and 3 Mario games are all better than MGS4? Never knew that either. To all the people "only one game per franchise" again 3 Mario games, from what i saw in the top 20 alone made the list. 2 Of them were Mario Bros....

Honestly some of these games absolutely suck...why the hell are games like cut the rope on a list like this? Really? The journalists that voted that in shouldn't be working at a video game website. This list is more of a "hmm what comes to mind" list and not "this game kicks ass, has great fan feedback, and positive reviews" like its supposed to be.

[5119ent]

Terrible List.

[IHateYouFanboys]

i cant disagree with their list, its their opinion.

what i can disagree with is the dozens of people in here shouting MGS4 should be number 1. a game like MGS4 couldnt be number 1 because its probably the most polarizing game of the generation - you either love it, or you hate it. you wont really find people that think its "just ok", or that "kinda" like it. they either love the cutscene-heavy-with-little-gam eplay game, or they loathe it. for every person that gives it a 10/10, thered be a dozen more that give it a 0/10. its a niche game.

and for those shouting uncharted 2 - its a good game and all, but the best of the generation? no way. the single player holds no replay value, and is pretty much the single most linear game you will ever play. that in itself isnt necessarily a bad thing as some people love it cause it feels like a movie. but others expect and want more GAME from their video games. its like the michael bay of video games - looks flashy, has some great set pieces, but is shallow and once youre finished it you quickly forget it.

my top 5 would be this:

1. Bioshock - absolutely incredible game with a brilliant story and twist. groundbreaking in the way its entire world and storytelling breathes atmosphere and feeling into the game.

2. Rock Band 1/2/3 - ive put the most hours into this game out of any this generation or probably any generation. the pro instruments really step it up a level and require a lot more skill and practice to master, and the 2000+ available songs mean youre never going to run out of songs to play. virtually unlimited replay value.

3. Gears of War 1/2 - Gears of War ushered in the "next gen". before it this generation was basically PS2/xbox in high definition. really brought online multiplayer to life.

4. Geometry Wars Retro Evolved 2 - classic, simple, addictive and extremely fun to boot.

5. Limbo. just awesome in every way.

[ChronoJoe]

It's hard to make a list like this.

I think games like Mass Effect and Uncharted 2 are at the top of their fields, for instance. But it's very difficult to place them against games of other genres, and not really fair either.

[Allowen]

This list misses Heavenly Sword (PS3) .

Jesus Crist, I still think this game is hell more epic then God of War 3 !

[Foxgod]

Well, it just shows everybody has an opinion, many people would flame you for it.

[majiebeast]

Demons soul on 100. List invalid. Plus uncharted 2 shouldve been number 1 no other comes even close.

[gamerwiips360]

The most Well Deserved Spot is Bioshock,Portal 2 & Read Dead Redemption. They kept @ perfect place and even the users here r not arguing about them. But the Rest are Debatable,
1. Can't believe they started this list by keeping Demon Souls @ 100
2. No Brainer, The Absence of MGS 4 which IGN gave it a Perfect Score.
3. CoD4,GTA IV shouldn't be that far....
4. I knew they had a special love for ME2 & FO3, and I can see them in Ratings.

Trust me Guys, ME2 dosn't deserve that No. 1 Spot but its still 1 of the Best this Gen. Offered, Maybe we can Put in Top 10.

Do u guys really want to know my list??

1. Bioshock
2. Uncharted 2:Among Thieves (It would be 1 if it was the 1st part).
3. MGS4
4. Red Dead Redemption
5. Grand Theft Auto 4
6. Mass Effect 2
7. Portal 2
8. Super Mario Galaxy 2
9. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
10. God of War III
DS2/AC II/Batman:AA/Demon Souls/Halo:REACH/Gears of War.... Follows upto 20.

Its an honour and consider urself lucky if u have played all the Games that I have mentioned. I Know Im Lucky....

PEACE & CHEERS :)

[Foxgod]

I agree with the number one :)
Its my favorite game of all time, and ive played games since 1987.
(started with atari 2600 and msx which where early 80ies machines).

Cut ign some slack, i am pretty sure their opinion is a lot more crafted and objective then most people here who are just spouting their personal preference.

I see 100s people here all having a different opinions from each other, but all spouting on ign.
Get real people, the only agreement you all have with each other is that you dont like ign.

If your own opinion would be up for debate here, it would get nothing but bitching either.