Games of 2010: No. 4

Choosing our favourite games of 2010 was no easy task, with arguments, witchcraft and mathematical equations all being used to take hundreds of games and whittle them down to just 10. Read on for our thoughts on why each game deserves its place and head to our Game of the Year 2010 hub for access to video features and loads of other content.

Neon Kelly, Deputy Editor

I'm pretty sure I've run out of superlatives to heap upon Red Dead Redemption. What more is there to say about the beauty of Rockstar's Old West, about the sheer promise of the rolling scenery and all that freedom of movement? When I cast my mind back over my favourite gaming memories of the year, a huge chunk of them stem from Red Dead: Hunting bears in the snow at Tall Trees; uncovering a stash of treasure atop a foot-shaped rock in the badlands of Mexico; going on a rampage with John Marston, and hog-tying every patron in Armadillo's saloon. Then there's the slowburn impact of the central narrative, and in particular the incredible payoffs at the story's eventual climax. Red Dead Redemption is my favourite game of the year, and by some distance too. Roll on LA Noire.

Jamin Smith, Staff Writer

It was dark. I was roaming the wilderness of New Austin, removing the bloody hides of rabbits and deer with my trusty knife, when the glowing semi-circle of the sun appeared behind the mountain range in the distance. Rather than continuing my slaughter of harmless animals (which is outrageously good fun, I must add) I simply stood there and watched the sun rise. For five whole minutes, I stood rooted to the spot to watch an artificial sun ascend into an artificial sky in an artificial Wild West. Red Dead Redemption not only boasts the best take on early 1900s America in video game history, but also the most cohesive, believable and totally absorbing open-world environment of any game I've played. This, in addition to fantastic characters, great gunplay and a phenomenal soundtrack is why Red Dead finds itself so high up our list.

Emily Gera - Staff Writer

Red Dead Redemption has an immense explorative spirit. The minute you realise you can hogtie an enemy and throw him in front of an oncoming train, you know you have something special on your hands. Even beyond the main storyline, the detail that goes into everything from - the sidequests to the poker minigames to the handling of your horse - is exquisite. Cougars will attack you, loyal nags can be ridden to exhaustion, and random strangers will challenge you to gunfights - all of which adds to the feeling of being in a living Western world.

For more end of year content, head over to our Game of the Year 2010 hub. Amongst other things you'll be able to watch videos in which we talk about each game in the Top 10.