So here we are then. It's time to sit back, rest our aching hands and pick the best games of 2005. In the interests of democracy we decided to chose three each rather than shout at each other. Handy really, as the only game we agreed on was PES 5. Let us know if you agree with our choices.
ALEKS: 1. Sprung - The writing's superb, the tasks (flirt mercilessly, get boyfriend/girlfriend, ski) are silly, the potential for this game to utterly twist social relationships into a strange husk of their formal selves - all of these make this my number one game of the year. 2. The Movies - This game provides a platform for users to do something really creative, and the results on the forums demonstrate what kind of creativity really abounds. 3. Second Life - It's been out since 2003, but this is the year they went from 18,000 subscribers to 90,000 subscribers, which has changed things immensely. It's not really a game; it's whatever you make it.
KEITH: 1. PES 5 - Astounding depth, breath-taking authenticity and always something new to discover. 2. God of War - A joyous unself-conscious celebration of videogame violence and possibly the finest visuals the PS2 will ever see. 3. Advance Wars Dual Strike - Once again, unputdownable strategy gaming that burrows into your brain like some nightmarish tropical virus - except it's more fun.
GREG: 1. World of Warcraft - A virtual world unsurpassed in beauty, imagination and the ability to kill things. A breathtaking example of what happens when you give talented developers the time they need, WoW will be played for years to come. 2. PES 5 - As close to the real thing as you can currently play, PES 5 is the footy game where every match is different and everything feels right. 3. Fahrenheit- It tailed off towards the end and the action sequences were distracting but Fahrenheit's beautiful adventure deserves plaudits for reawakening the genre.
So there we go then. 2005 hasn't been a truly vintage year but the quality of the games chosen proves that the bar for interactive entertainment continues to rise. Not convinced? Read on to find out what games some other Guardian journalists chose when I cornered them..
NICK GILLETT: 1. Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath - Like Fable, this is a game you feel you slightly live in after extended trips through its beautifully rendered alien Wild West. You come for the Halo-esque tactical battles; you stay for the non-intrusive, expertly told story with a very neat and playable twist. 2. Resident Evil 4 - It weighs in at a hefty 20-odd gloriously entertaining hours.. gunning down "the infected" being about as much fun as survival horror has ever been. 3. Advance Wars DS for Nintendo DS - Oh sweet Advance Wars, Dark Mother that saps weekends and whole holidays in its tiny cartoon military siren call. More will never be enough - if you've never played this, speak immediately to Santa and welcome yourself to a world where long haul flights and train journeys become keenly sought after oases of joy.
KIERON GILLEN: 1. Darwinia - The future, past and present of videogames in one entirely compulsive bundle. Has become something of a /cause celebre/, yes, and often hailed for what it symbolises as much as its actual merits... but that's because the what it symbolises is terribly important. Darwinia is a manifesto in gaming flesh and rejuvenated me like nothing else. 2. Guild Wars - A timely reminder that just because you're making an online fantasy game, you don't just have to rip-off Everquest's design and add a few shiny spangles. Bonus points for finally bringing the persistent online RPG to people without the cash or credit card to pay a monthly fee. 3. Civilization 4 - I've been working on my Top 10 games of the year in a list inside my head, and up until September I thought - for the first time in living memory - that I could have a list of games entirely without sequels (I was cheating a little by knocking BF2 just off the bottom). And then Civ 4 throw all that out the window.
KATE BEVAN: 1. GTA Liberty City Stories – Because it's so much fun to be able to steal cars and create mayhem while on the Tube. 2. World of Warcraft – For how utterly compelling it is, for how well the world is realised and for its sheer longevity: I played it solidly for six months … and am now thinking about retrieving my gnome mage who must be feeling rather abandoned in the Arathi Highlands. 3. Fahrenheit – For how intriguing it is and how brave it is in doing something a bit different.
STEVE BOXER 1. Resident Evil 4 - The squishiest, cleverest zombies ever seen in the game are even more satisfying to dispatch once you learn how to kick their heads off and upgrade your weaponry; great bosses and set-pieces ensure the gameplay never becomes samey. 2. Project Gotham Racing 3 - High-tech bells and whistles like incredibly detailed modelling of the world's most exotic cars and cities plus reactive spectators and Gotham TV provide an incredible sense of immersiveness; sublime car feel is what gets you hooked, though. 3. Super Mario Kart DS - Best ever version of one of the best games ever, and you can take on humans around the globe wirelessly.
RHIANNA PRATCHETT 1. World of Warcraft - Yes, I know this is predictable, but boy has this eaten into my life. After hour upon hour of playing this I've managed to refine my game playing to an hour, maybe two, a few times a week "just to relax". When Burning Crusade comes along I'm a dead woman. 2. Eyetoy: Kinetic - Thank god for this, because it managed to combat the ill effects of playing too much of the above title. A brilliant idea extremely well executed. Put one in every UK household and we'd be the fittest nation in the world. 3. Freedom Force Vs The 3rd Reich - I love the Freedom Force games because they never let up on the atmosphere... it's '50s schlock superheroes all the way and fantastic fun.
