10. Spider-Man 2 (X-Box, PS2, Gamecube)
» Read Space Junk review
Video games based on movie licenses are slowly starting to become more than mere marketing ploys, with developers catching on to the fact that they can make even more money if they just spend some extra time making the game fun to play. Spider-Man 2 for the X-Box, PS2 and Gamecube (not the PC version, mind you) are great examples of solid gameplay merged with characters that everyone knows and loves. The open-ended mission system and ability to swing around Manhattan without restriction is the thing that makes it most noteworthy, while the voice acting and story add just enough authenticity to keep you hooked. — Sean

9. Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow (X-Box, PC, PS2, Gamecube)
A major boost in graphics and it doesn’t veer too much from the original. Not to mention the innovative multiplayer aspect of it will keep you going back for a second serving. — Chian

8. Star Wars Battlefront (PC, X-Box, PS2)
» Read Space Junk review
Certainly one of the best Star Wars-based game. War is Hell! But it’s ok cause you don’t actually die in real life. — Chian

7. Metroid Prime 2: Echoes (Gamecube)
Usually you expect a sequel to have extensive upgrades and a huge list of new features, but the only thing new in Metroid Prime 2: Echoes is the deathmatch multiplayer mode — which at this point feels a little dated. Still, Retro Studios are so good at level design and creating atmosphere that I found myself drawn into this game even more quickly than I was the first. The new storyline showcasing light and dark forces may sound like it’s been done a million times before (not to mention the typical Metroid “explore to acquire bigger weapons” formula) but there’s something about Metroid games that I simply find so rewarding to play. Yes, it is a predictable game from our predictable friends at Nintendo, but it’s still grade A material. — Sean

6. Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy (X-Box, PS2)
» Read Space Junk review
A very original game, good graphics, nice gameplay. What else can you ask for? It’s a true shame that most of you people will overlook this game. GO BUY IT! It’S only 40 bucks! — Chian

5. Halo 2 (X-Box)
» Read Space Junk review
When you look past all the marketing glitz and bright lights, there is still a very spectacular game in Halo 2. The story isn’t nearly as epic as it wants to be, but you still have to give Bungie credit for trying. Even if the cliffhanger ending felt a little half-baked, the multiplayer options and X-Box Live support alone make this game an overwhelming accomplishment. I’m not big on first-person shooters and despite being a quick reflex action game at its core, Halo 2 offers so many visceral thrills that it’s impossible to put down. — Sean

4. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (PS2)
» Read Space Junk review
They can make a million Grand Theft Auto games and they will all still be kick ass. Somehow they keep getting better and better. Now just ask your self the question, “Does a polar bear shit in the woods?” — Chian

3. World of Warcraft (PC)
» Read Space Junk review
Blizzard’s World of Warcraft is far and away the most polished and well-designed MMORPG ever created, and the depth and detail of the virtual world of Azeroth is evident from the first few minutes of playing the game. WoW is quick-paced and easy to learn, but lays the groundwork for an infinite amount of gameplay. It is also extremely successful at weaving small story elements into the quests so that the typical MMORPG level grind is a non-issue. It just may be the ultimate achievement for this type of game, at least until someone invents the next evolutionary step for online role-playing. — Sean

2. Half-Life 2 (PC)
» Read Space Junk review
Truly state of the art. (See review.) — Chian

1. City of Heroes (PC)
» Read Space Junk review
There’s no doubt that 2004 was a huge year for massively multiplayer online games, and amidst the pack of fantasy and sci-fi themed titles, one game stood out head and shoulders above the rest by trying something new. City Of Heroes broke down a lot of barriers that previously stood in the way of the mainstream popularity of MMORPGs by simplifying gameplay and basing it in a modern world of superheroes. The character creation is the most fun and open-ended process found in any MMORPG, and even if World of Warcraft is a more solid game overall, CoH seemed like the more influential release — and the bigger success story considering they had no initial franchise or fanbase to build on. Even now Cryptic Studios and NCSoft continue to add great new features to the game on a regular basis, proving that their place among all the top MMORPGs was well-earned. In the end, no other game this year had us hooked quite like City Of Heroes and that seems to be the best indication of its brilliance. — Sean

Honourable Mentions: Prince of Persia: Warrior Within, Fable, Far Cry, Doom 3, Katamari Damacy

Reader’s Choice: Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas