Gosh I am not trying to write this series on an annual basis. But it just so happens that each part of 'the most memorable games I have played' is released once a year !! So, its 2010 and its time to look back on what went right with the gaming world since June '09 (the last time I listed some awesome games). I am still a hardcore PC gamer, while that might make this post void for lot of 'console'rs or console lovers, it might go well with those with general love for video games. So without further adieu, lets begin:

Sims 3

That simulation might one day become reality is exemplified by this game. Compared to previous Sim games, there is a sea change.. sometimes through tiny changes while sometimes through vast. The number of possibilities you could end up with are enormous, you could be anything you want in truth. So if you do not want to get off your tired ass and work out, you can feel like an athlete in this game. A little slow to begin with, but just like life.. the possibilities are enormous once you devote yourself to a goal. That can range from being a 'Barney' of HIMYM to a nuclear scientist. If you have loads of time and a dull social life, this game is a must for you ;)

Plant vs. Zombies

Think of this game as a stupid time pass before you start playing it. Soon, it will become your addiction instead of a time pass. The simplicity of the concept coupled with amazing gameplay in the battle between a species we dun care about (plants) and a species we care about only when they move (zombies) makes this game a beauty. The only game feverishly played by non gamers on my university campus, including an official competition. This game. much like portal was, is different in concept - and thats what makes the exploration so much fun.

Dragon Age Origins

I do not list this game as one I would love to replay, but it was memorable... because of its sheer lack to live up to my expectations of what more Bioware could achieve. I was expecting more from Bioware and not a prettier version of Dungeons and Dragons. Having said that, not all of us are as fiercely RPG lovers as I am, and for anyone exploring the RPG domain .. please do play Origins, cause your computer can do better than Diablo 2.

Mass Effect 2

I have an amazing attachment to this series, and I dare say this is the first game I have pre-ordered in my life ( well there you go I said it). ME 1 was a breathtaking experience that changed my beliefs, and ME 2 was not a let down either. Though the game concentrates more on character storyline than the actual game storyline, it all has a reason which is exposed in the final suicide mission. When you play this final mission, and I wont put anymore spoilers, you feel you are in an action movie.. and few games have such impact. I urge you not to ignore this game if you dislike sci fi. Play it, its technically proficient with brilliant characters and a breathtaking storyline.

Supreme Commander 2

"Yes we can"... oh I meant to say... "Yes your PC can". SC 2 is not a system hogging piece of 'awesome' like SC 1 (SC stands for Supreme Commander.. and not Starcraft 2 ..lol ). The game is really enjoyable, with weird machines that destroy weird things in weird ways. But hey, its fun all right. The story line is nothing compared to the previous two in this list, but the gameplay is exciting and requires considerable strategy on your part, as an RTS game should have.

Starcraft 2: Wings of Liberty

The king of all games is here. You should play this game just based on the popularity of the franchise. That is not a suggestion I am afraid to make, because you cannot be dissapointed by this game. Ok so it does not have LAN gaming, thats fine.. just try battlenet. Very good game. Great graphics and gameplay. And Raynor rocks. I was never a fan of this guy in the previous part, but in this one.. he is just one bad ass (with an awesome helmet).

Worldshift

You guys probably haven't heard much about this game, but I liked it. It is very similar to the book by M. Geston called The Siege of Wonder, in which there is war between a magical nation and a tech savy nation. Love the concept. The game has a few flaws, but its worth a shot. Also, awesome music and axiomatic camera.

Prince of Persia 2008

The Prince never having to die, saved by the beautiful princess every time.... so that you do not have to frequently reload the game --- great idea Ubisoft. The storyline is not that great, but the scenes are.. and so is the action. Sometimes monotonous, but you will appreciate the beauty of your surroundings even when you are standing doing nothing. Oh and by the way, the combo action moves (prince+princess) are wonderful.

Here I am again. More than a year gone. I wrote part 1 of this series from India. I am writing part 2 from USA. Somehow, I feel lot closer to the gaming world ( no offense to the indian gamers) - watching the E3 live was truly an experience. Over the last year, I haven't head enough time to consistently play games, I rather played a few great ones over short periods and completed them over 4-5 days (playing almost 18 hrs a day). No .. dat dosent make me hardcore, neither a gaming freak.. im just one of those millions who feel changes in bursts relaxes u more than anything !

STAR WARS: KNIGHTS OF THE OLD REPUBLIC

Popularly known to the gaming world as KOTOR, this game comes from the developers Bioware who excel at RPG games. The story is awesome and takes place some 100 - i dont rem yrs before the Star wars movie era. The characters are amazingly transparent and the gameplay is just smashing.

Waiting for the MMORPG - Old Republic due next year ! :D

World of Goo

Simple can be fun.. and not so simple. This game was developed by two former EA employees and really captures the essence of Indie games. Its probably one of the best puzzle games u will play. :)

SPORE

If u like sci-fi, not for the tech but for the exploration and fascination with other cultures - then theres nothing better than spore. It will particularly appeal to Stargate SG1 fans (for some reason). The evolution is terrific and the game is one of the most customizable around. What this means is you experience urself rising from the shallows of the ocean to dominate galactic universse. The space age is difficult..:( but hey life on earth isnt easy either.

FALL OUT 3

The preview trailers dint interest me much.. but boy this games rocks once you start killing zombies in a post nulclear castastrophe world. Plus if u like gore... :o

Supreme Commander

I have no idea :shock: how my old hp laptop pulled this game.. but I have to say.. its one hell of a ride. I heard everywhere this game was immensely system hogging.. i still decided to try it .. with reduced graphics..and it was a great decision. What i like about this game is the huge battles.. and I dint concentrate on the graphics.

Mass Effect

Just when I thought KOTOR is the best RPG I will ever play... along comes another one from Bioware.

Mass Effect is a game that changed me.. as it did millions of gamers around the world.:!: With undoubtedly the best voice acting ever, :D this game feels like u r in a movie living the life of a action hero. Isnt that what games are supposed to do ? Help us escape from the fkin reality of life... well Hell yes !

Sins of the Solar Empire

The scale of this game is gigantic.. the only thing lacking is a story :? ( and dats the most imp thing for me in a game). But i enjoyed this game immesely.. especially the sleek zoom .. the huge fleet. Nothing feels better than see other ships fall to ur mothership.. again SG1 fans might appreciate this game a lot.

World in Conflict

If you do not like the gather-defend-attack idea of RTS games.. then u wud wanna play this game. The action is fast paced with terrific gameplay and... amazing air strikes.. o i love that part..

Hmm there comes dat dreaded topic... hell who wants to know wat games i love and are memorable to me???... not u im sure... however, if ur still reading on lemme tell u ...one of the vital things to gamers is the community they form whenever theyr together...instantly..like they are blood brothers. I have been lucky to have such gamer friends...who are not just avid gamers, but are actually lovers of the concept of gaming. So having listened to this dogmatic intro.. lemme introduce u to wat this is all about.

STARCRAFT

I love this game because of the sheer brilliance of its story. Yes, if uve played it...ul know wat im talking about! Ahh if only they hadnt stolen the idea for movies like alien vs predator and stuff....! If I ask u to play stracraft today most of u wud refuse simply for the graphics arent good enough for the present. But that was 1998 and the graphics was good enough then. Nevertheless, if u call urself a real RTS fan then this one should be like ur text book. And make no mistake, it wasnt voted game of the year for nothing.

NEVERWINTER NIGHTS

BioWare rocks. The original and the expansions are awesome. And Aribeth ;)

WARCRAFT III

oH gOD ..this was another hell of a strategy game.. i started playing it with huge expections...and it exceeded everything.. wonderful graphics and a gr8 gameplay boosted by some superb cinematics...

AGE OF MYTHOLOGY

oK firstly, im not a very big fan of microsoft game studios. Yet, the most basic reason people play games is to escape from reality.. and wat better to immerse into magic and mythology. Also the heroes wer cool... especiialy arkantos. age of titans - the expansion package isnt my favorite since it was small...only thing good was timeshift by kronos.

CALL OF DUTY

For a week after playing this game, I would hear and dream of being a solder in WW2. Such is the immersion depth of COD. One of the greatest war games to be ever developed.

COMMAND AND CONQUER: TIBERIUM WARS

GREAT BATTLES ! and great cinematics..which are so lifelike... good gameplay u expect that from EA.

DOOM 3

Uhh... the sleep snatcher... trust me its scarier than the Ring or Omen or all those ghost movies.... !!! But its gr8 funn

LORD OF THE RINGS : THE RETURN OF THE KING

I tell u now.. there is no LOTR game better than this wonder action/ rpg from EA.Its a must for LOTR fans.. and in any casethe graphics and gameplay is awesome...the camera is stupid sometimes... dats ok..but wait till u face a live nazgul on the battlefield.

to be continued......