The “console wars” raged on… sort of. As people who grew up playing games got older, started families, and began earning “grown-up” amounts of money, it became commonplace to have more than just one console in the house. Hell, I can’t think of a single friend with even a passing interest in games who didn’t own at least two systems, and most households had all three present. Exclusives still exist, but the majority of titles (including many of those on this list) are now cross-platform at launch, or “timed exclusives” that eventually ended up on every platform.

Thanks to that, this list is not limited to just one system from the past generation, though I did tend to play more things on the 360. This list is in no way meant to be “comprehensive;” there will be things missing that you might have included, or things I included that you might have hated. I’m not claiming these are the best games from the past generation, or even that these are my absolute favorites. When I think about the last eight years, though, these are the titles that stand out most sharply.

Assassin’s Creed (Xbox 360)

No, I don’t mean the entire franchise, though the Ezio trilogy is certainly one for the ages; I mean Assassin’s Creed, the much-maligned, admittedly imperfect first entry in the series. Many people may have forgotten that this blockbuster gaming giant started off as a PS3 exclusive, and after the reveal trailer, I was ready and willing to spend $500 at launch. The mission structure got a little repetitive, but watching Altair go from a real asshole to a real assassin was genuinely moving, and the open-ended free-running inspired greatness in later titles such as Infamous and Sleeping Dogs.

Battlefield: Cad Company 2 (Xbox 360)

Of all the games on that list, I don’t know that any approach the return-on-investment provided by “Bad Co 2.” We played the single-map beta for this game all night, every night while it was active; the full game consumed weeks’ worth of our lives over the next year; and the Vietnam expansion pulled us back in well after the fun should have run out. For me, this game is the standard by which all other multiplayer shooters are judged, and found wanting. Find me another game where “ram the objective building with a tank until it collapses” is a legitimate strategy, and then we’ll talk.

BioShock Infinite (PC)

I struggled at every turn with which BioShock game to put on this list, and it wasn’t until I was writing these blurbs that Infinite cinched the win. I still think the original has better atmosphere, the supporting characters are stronger, and Rapture still kicks Columbia’s ass in terms of environment. As a representation of this past generation, though, I think Infinite stands above its predecessor, because when you get right down to it, it is a better game. The relationship between Booker and Elizabeth maintains perfection from start to finish, and in my opinion is far more worthy of accolades than the title’s admittedly muddled metaphysical elements.

Borderlands (Xbox 360)

Erich literally had to trick me into playing this; after nearly a week of bugging me about it, he came over under some pretense, installed it on my 360, and shoved a controller in my hands. Six (maybe eight?) hours later, he finally managed to get the disc and leave for home, despite my protestations. For weeks after that, it was almost impossible to get a copy in Tuscaloosa, as anyone with a friend and a console snatched them up. I know the sequel is seen by many as some sort of co-op mecca, but for me Borderlands will always come back to fighting Nine Toes (he also has three balls) in split-screen at 4 am.

Dead Space (Xbox 360)

I have one word: Fear. Few pieces of entertainment have ever instilled in me the fear that the first Dead Space managed. Playing it became a catch-22, trying to balance my desire to keep going with the almost physical dread that came with being in Isaac’s boots. The next two iterations were greeted with mixed feelings and open hostility, respectively, but I don’t think anyone would deny that the original helped break new ground in horror. On some level, games like Amnesia and Outlast owe their success to Dead Space, just as Dead Space built from the foundation established by Resident Evil 4.

Fallout 3 (PC)

I own the collector’s edition of Fallout 3 on the 360, lunchbox, bobble head and all; I even used a friend’s GOTY edition disc to install all of the extra content. It wasn’t until I picked it up this past summer on a Steam sale, though, that I really took the time to appropriately explore the Capitol Wasteland. The game is still captivating: The landscape is simultaneously beautiful and desolate; the characters are appropriately realized; the sheer amount of content is staggering; and finally, the number of nods, homages, and references to all things sci-fi warmed my insides. The moment that still sticks with me the most is when I snuck up behind a feral ghoul sitting near a fire, took him out, and searched him to discover that his only possession was a teddy bear. It was heartbreaking.

Far Cry 3 (Xbox 360)

Beth and I received Far Cry 3 as a very generous gift from her parents, but it came at a cost. After we each unwrapped ours on Christmas morning, her mom sat us down and pointed out that the cover prominently features a man holding a gun, a person buried in the sand, and dead bodies hanging in the trees; she then read the laundry-list of reasons the game is rated Mature by the ESRB. After acknowledging that we were adults, and could make our own choices about what to play, she politely wrapped up with, “I don’t know if there will ever be a ‘Far Cry 4,’ but I can guarantee you it won’t be under this tree.”

Gears of War 2 (Xbox 360)

I knew I would have to buy an Xbox 360 after playing the first Gears of War at a LAN / System Link party in my dorm; I had to be physically restrained from going to Wal-Mart that very instant after my first chainsaw kills. Gears of War 2 only improved upon that formula, with Horde mode being the best inclusion by far. Few cooperative experiences match the thrill getting everyone settled into the right location and rhythm during the early waves, only to have everything fall apart at the claws of a well-placed ticker. It only gets better when one person, alone and out of ammo, manages to finish the wave using nothing but the stock of their shotgun.

Halo 3 (Xbox 360)

There is not a game on this list I am more ambivalent about at times, or one I have said more terrible things about in the heat of the moment. I picked Halo 3 up at midnight, played some multiplayer, and then finished the campaign in one sitting after everyone else had logged off and gone to bed. I hate the story, yet have played the campaign multiple times, and some of the set-pieces still get my heart pumping. The multiplayer options opened up by Forge are staggering, and we still played custom games (Said the Liar!) for hours at a time years after release.

Mass Effect (Xbox 360)

I had no interest in Mass Effect when it came out. Our friend Oz got a copy the first day, then convinced Erich to play it, and several months after the fact I borrowed it and decided to give it a chance at their insistence. I play for six hours, and the next day was overjoyed to discover that a store nearby still had a collector’s edition in stock. To this day, I feel the Mass Effect series is the closest we’ve gotten to games that genuinely capture the spirit of something like Star Trek, and the vast galaxy exploration still impresses with its sheer size.

Metal Gear Solid 4 (PlayStation 3)

I bought a PlayStation 3 to play this game; in fact, I bought the system bundle that included the game. I’ll admit that the cutscenes can get both tedious and extraordinarily silly, but the core gameplay and story remain true to the excellence that is Metal Gear Solid. I could write pages about this game, but all that needs to be said is that the opening moments of your return to Shadow Moses brought tears to my eyes. Those tears evaporated shortly thereafter, of course, when I found myself using *(@^ing Metal Gear Rex to fight Metal Gear Ray as building crumbled around us.

In a few short weeks we will finally get our hands on Far Cry 4. To say that we are excited is an understatement. Far Cry 3 was our 2012 Game of the Year for good reason and now we are ready to get lost in the frosty, mountainous terrain of Kyrat.

To get you ready even more, here is the story trailer which plays up that you will have choices to make about which side you will take to help your people. Let’s hope there is a third option to join Pagan Min, just because we are dickheads like that.

Far Cry 4 will be just as over-the-top as Far Cry 3 by the looks of this new video that focuses on some of the weapons you will have. Of course, we already knew that you could ride elephants so saying this video is over-the-top is an overstatement.

Far Cry 4 releases  November 18th.

E3 is over. While that may make you sad to hear, remember that E3 is not the end all of gaming shows. Hell, if we are being honest it is barely holding onto third best show after Gamescom and PAX and followed by TGS in fourth.

If this year’s E3 taught us anything it was that 2015 is going to be a clusterfu** of amazing games. There are plenty of fun times ahead this year with Far Cry 4, Dragon Age: Inquisition, Destiny, Shadow of Mordor, Alien: Isolation, Super Smash Bros. and the like, but if we are being honest, companies were squarely focused on the huge titles that will (presumably) be in consoles next year.

If most of these titles hold serve and release next year, 2015 will be one of the biggest years in video game history. Take a look at the lineup expected to hit next year.

The Witcher 3
http://youtu.be/2wNiiQpDPJE

Mortal Kombat X

Batman: Arkham Knight

Halo 5: Guardians

The Order: 1886

Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End

Rise of the Tomb Raider

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

Dying Light

Bloodborne

The Division
http://youtu.be/WxjhXCYUpk0

No Man’s Sky

The Legend of Zelda Wii U

Yoshi’s Woolly World

Star Wars: Battlefront

Xenoblade Chronicles

Dead Island 2
http://youtu.be/E6FrU0p7ijw

Will all of these be released next year? Doubtful (I am looking at you Zelda and Battlefront). Yet, there is an over-abundance of triple-A titles coming in 2015 and then you add in the dozens of indie titles coming, you won’t be able to throw a fat guy in any direction without hitting a good game.

But really, if you can throw a fat guy any kind of distance you should not be playing games. Maybe do those ESPN strong man competitions. Chop wood, flip tires, have a really long name that sounds like an angry German screaming.

You go do that. I will play some games.

Eurogamer is reporting that Far Cry 4 will see a drastic change in setting and take place in the Himalayas. Far Cry has always been associated with tropical settings (or just damn hot if we are talking about Far Cry 2), so the switch to the mountainous terrain will be a huge shift.

The gameplay will remain close to that of Far Cry 3 (our 2012 Game of the Year) including outposts that need liberating. One new feature will be the ability to ride elephants.

You heard it ride. Elephants…that you ride. I love you Far Cry.

Expect an unveil at the Ubisoft press conference at this year’s E3. A release is expected before the end of March 2015.

Alright Xbox owners, now there is no excuse for you not to pick up [amazon_link id=”B0050SYK44″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Borderlands 2[/amazon_link] because, for today only, it is $9.99 in the Xbox Live Ultimate Game Sale. Our Game of the Year from 2012, [amazon_link id=”B0050SYV70″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Far Cry 3[/amazon_link], is marked down to $19.99. Assassin’s Creed 3 and Max Payne get deep discounts today as well.

Check out the full list of games below including the other titles for sale until July 8th.

One Day Only (July 2nd)

-Borderlands 2- $9.99

-Assassin’s Creed 3- $14.99

-Far Cry 3- $19.99

-Max Payne 3- $9.99

On Sale Until July 8th

-Brothers in Arms: Hell’s Highway- $4.99

-Far Cry Instincts: Predator- $4.99

-Crysis- $4.99

-Command & Conquer: Red Alert- $4.99

-WWE 13- $14.99

-Prey- $2.99

-Mass Effect- $4.99

-Bulletstorm- $4.99

-Perfect Dark Zero- $2.99

-Dragon Age: Origin- $4.99

-Divinity 2: The Dragon Knight Saga- $4.99

If you thought the mere fact that you would get to play a game like Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon was where your 80’s journey would stop, you were way off the mark. This live action trailer titled “The Cyber War” shows exactly how humanity’s war with the androids began. There are VHS tapes, a neon katana blade fight and the thought that you could shield yourself from a nuclear blast by hiding behind a destroyed android carcass.

God I miss the 80’s….then I get on my cell phone and start to play Angry Birds and rethink that. The video is still balls awesome.

Holy Ronald Reagan Oingo Boingo John Carpenter Roddy Piper Jane Fonda TBS Superstation Space Mutiny fuck balls.

That was roughly what was running through my head as I watched the reveal trailer for Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon in all its VHS tracking glory. I will give you a chance to watch it below then keep scrolling.

Has your mind been sufficiently blown?

Are you thinking, like me, that you will now name your firstborn male child Rex “Power” Colt?

If you want to see more of just how batshit insane and awesome this game is going to be click here for the first fifteen minutes of the game from IGN.

How can having a release date (and therefore proving this thing is real) not be the best part of this announcement? Because now Michael Biehn is confirmed to be in the game and hopefully wipe away any memory I have left of the giant shit that Gearbox took on my chest in Aliens: Colonial Marines. I am just considering this DLC, which does not require a copy of Far Cry 3 to play, as an apology for my 60 bucks that was stolen from me.

Thank you, Ubisoft. Bet you never thought you would see me type that, but the thought of Aliens does weird things to me. Check out the official synopsis below.

 Far Cry 3 Blood Dragon is THE Kick-Ass Cyber Shooter taking place on a bizarre open-world island crawling with evil. Welcome to an 80’s VHS vision of the future. The year is 2007 and you are Sargent Rex Colt, a Mark IV Cyber Commando who’s fighting against a cyborg army gone rogue. Your mission: get the girl, kill the baddies, and save the world. Experience every cliché of a VHS era vision of a nuclear future, where cyborgs, blood dragons, mutants, and Michael Biehn (Terminator, Aliens, Navy Seals) collide. Playing Far Cry 3 Blood Dragon doesn’t require a copy of Far Cry 3.

It seems that this slow moving Friday has now given me a reason as to why I got up this morning. The first screens for the (supposed) DLC Frar Cry 3: Blood Dragon have surfaced and I feel like this may be the culmination of everything that went right in the 80’s minus all the shitty things that happened in my childhood in the 80’s. I swear to God if there is a pair of sunglasses I have to put on to see what aliens look like, I may just lapse into what the medical community calls the “Piper/Plissken coma”.