Well it's always fun to update one's list (I think I've posted on another Top 10 of the Seventh Gen thread). So, as of October 2013; I'll likely not get a chance to do another in November.
10: Bayonetta
I haven't finished Bayonetta, but even from what I've played it brings me much enjoyment. I'm not very experienced in Hack n' Slash but I enjoy the controls and the spectacle. Even the constant repetition of the music doesn't put me in a bad mood. It does have it's pit falls like the Quick Time Events and the Ship Enemies (FUCK YOU SHIP ENEMIES), but overall it's a very good experience.
Edit: Finished Bayonetta last night, though I'm not changing the position even with that ending.
9: Halo 3 and ODST
Both are quite good in terms of world building and scale. ODST I'd say is superior but Halo 3 is the game which is more about being fun as opposed to trying to engage, so they stand about even. ODST has stronger characters, but 3 has stronger villains. I like the art style of 3 and ODST, they didn't try to look realistic unlike their competitors yet they still looked grounded. Despite their disappointing lengths they did tie up the series well and I'd call them good experiences, not so much good games.
8: Silent Hill: Shattered Memories and Silent Hill Downpour
The two best Silent Hill games of the last 10 years, upsetting in most ways but ultimately Shattered Memories and Downpour have proven at least to me that Silent Hill is still an excellent series and worth taking seriously today. Though in all fairness compared to it's biggest competitor Resident Evil, Silent Hill is a 5 star triumph in 'horror'. Both SM and Downpour have excellent atmospheres, both dabble a little bit in the concept (one with Ice, the other with Rain and prison). The characters of both are engaging enough to want to keep playing, and the gameplay of both is strong enough to keep you going. Of course the story is the strong arm of the games and besides the occasional screw up like the final boss fight and endings of Downpour, it solid and well put together.
7: Hitman Absolution
I know it's called Shitman Abomination but I couldn't help myself. I find Absolution very entertaining, challenging and more importantly fun. It's the kind of game which I can play over long periods of time and it's just what I go on if I feel like a few hours of entertainment. The stealth is well done and I was never really put off by it's inconsistent tone. It also convinced me to buy that prequel novel thing which, while not very good, did allow me to enjoy the game more.
6: Portal.
I can't think of any flaws for it, it's just a damn good puzzle game with a nice little atmosphere of it's own. Sure the fan storm that followed was irritating but it doesn't take away from the fact that Portal is a fantastic game.
5: BioShock and Remember Me
I shouldn't have to explain BioShock, we live on the internet so we've heard it all before. Though I don't find the ending as shit as the internet does.
Remember Me I enjoy in general, but I do find it's odd combination of Mirror's Edge with God Hand and memory mixing quite entertaining.
4: Gears of War 1
Though Gears of War 2 is superior in gameplay, I enjoy the world and the mood of Gears 1. I'm never going to forgive Epic Games for removing the Kryll after 1 and butchering them in subsequent appearances (seriously, what hell Gears 3/Judgment?) because if somebody asked me what tone Gears 1 set I'd point at the Kryll chapters and say 'pretty much that'.
Gears was also young and innocent at this point and didn't have legions of fans to defend it, making it's cover based shooting brown-a-thon much more tolerable and enjoyable at some points. The plot loses it at the end, though but the PC version manages to patch it up to a certain degree.
3: TES IV: Oblivion and Dead Rising 2
Already explained this countless times, the faults people point out with it don't bother all that much. Maybe it's just overexposure but I do love Oblivion, warts and all.
DR2 was just a fun Zombie sandbox which juxtaposed against a plot which was taking itself too seriously (though I did enjoy it). A very bizarre difficulty curve and a frankly stupid approach to travel give it this whimsical charm that I absolutely adore.
2: Rayman Origins
Nice platformer, good difficulty curve. It looks good, sounds good, has charm and is well presented. It's good to see Rayman come back in style after the whole Rabbids horror. Like Portal, I can't think of a fault with it.
1: WoW: Wrath of the Lich King.
I know it's an expansion, but WotLK was my favourite part of WoW and I've had more fun with WotLK than I have most, if not all the releases of this generation. Best continent, balance of 'new' and 'old' WoW questing, nice raids (besides one), nice dungeons and the Lich King himself will always have this love-hate relationship with me. Just a shame that it had a crap ending.
