The Gamesblog top 50 Games of the Noughties - 10-2

So, here we are: the top ten. Well, 90% of it anyway. We'll be dealing with the greatest game of the decade tomorrow, but for now here are the titles that almost made it. There are a couple of surprises in here, and several shocking omissions. That's democracy for ya!

Okay, get ready to feel vindicated - or enraged...

10. Civilization IV (2007, PC, Mac) – There were no doubt a few grumbles of apprehension among Civ acolytes when a complete overhaul of the series was announced for this fourth iteration. But Sid Meier, as if he hasn't proved it enough over the years, knows what he's doing. Civilization IV, complete with a luscious graphics engine, myriad new units and significant tweaks to the city management and technology systems, is an absolute joy. Engrossing, challenging, thought provoking and constantly evolving in time with the player's own strategic development, it is a testament to the whole concept of the strategy computer game. I love it and I'm surprised and delighted that it charted so highly with Gamesblog readers. My favourite comment amid the votes, was this one from DiderorDidit: "Some games let you shoot a mans head off with a big gun, others show you the arc of humanity's progress whilst teaching you about the interplay of politics, religion, technology and war. If this game is not on the GCSE History syllabus I want to know why". I'll second that.

9. Call of Duty 4 Modern Warfare (2007, PC, PS4, Xbox 360, Wii) – Once in a while, a game comes along that feels absolutely right, within five seconds of picking up the controller. It's very rare, but it happens. This is one example. The weight, feel and sound of the gun, the movement, the detail of the environments – it was all there in an instant. And after that came the marvelous rampaging narrative, the amazing level design and a few moments of quite extraordinary atmosphere that commented on the very nature of playing – and dying – in a videogame environment. And the multiplayer… Oh boy, did Infinity Ward get this right. Brilliantly structured around a complex character class system, it more-or-less forced you to keep playing. A landmark, simple as that.

8. Bioshock (2007, PS3, Xbox 360) – A controversial one perhaps. The critics fell over themselves to heap praise on this eccentric adventure; yet there were plenty of gamers who just couldn't get into it. But Bioshock is worth a place in the top ten, if only for its breathtakingly well-realised scenario, where art direction, philosophy and ethics all merge into a weighty intriguing tale of objectivist utopian ideals gone to hell. Brilliantly, you don't know who you are or why you are here, and the game seems to take a twisted pleasure in the nightmare of resolution that awaits. Also, the big daddies: the most iconic monsters in modern gaming? The final word goes to dylillama, who summed up his vote for the game like this: "The first time I descended into Rapture was one of the most memorable moments in my gaming past. The journey through it is unparalleled. Dripping (literally) with atmosphere, allowing so many different approaches to gameplay, and telling a beautifully melancholy and haunting story in a way that pushed forward the medium itself - it is a remarkable achievement."

7. Resident Evil 4 (2005, Gamecube, PS2, Wii) – This was the Resident Evil that changed everything. Suddenly you had an agile lead character who didn't have to jealously guard every bullet like some sort of armoury miser, and a rank and file enemy - Los Ganados - who would run at you with axes rather than shuffling forward like pensioners at an unpromising buffet table. The game is teeming with smart horror movie references, taking in everything from 28 Days Later to Don't Look now, and it's suitable stuffed with memorable set-pieces and ridiculously evil bosses. "I read a review that said 'Obviously only 12 year old girls will be scared by this'" recalled Biffo00. "Well, 12 year old girls must be more used to huge guys with sacks on their heads sprinting towards you with chainsaws, 'cause I was terrified."

6. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (2002, PC, PS2, Xbox) – Okay so GTA III made the all-important leap into 3D and introduced numerous elements that would become staples of the series. But it was Vice City that really set the Rockstar agenda, it was Vice City with its pitch perfect Eighties reminiscence, wanton violence and coke-high humour that really grabbed videogame culture and bitch-slapped it across a parking lot. This was an archly confident, self-assured and anarchic slab of entertainment, and for many, Vice City was effectively a place to stay for several weeks. As SimCitizen wrote, "It was a perfect mix of 'sandbox play' and nostalgia. It improved greatly on its predecessor (helicopters & motorbikes!) and had some of the most hilarious radio sequences in the series (Australian/American war anyone?) and some inspired missions and extra weapons made this the best of the series for me."

5. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004, PC, PS2, Xbox) – Moving the action on from mid-Eighties Latino club culture to early-Nineties gangland violence, San Andreas flipped the whole tone and feel of the series, bringing in a darker plotline and expanding every element. It is a bloated behemoth of a game, with a map so large you need a Rough Guide to navigate it and a cast of hundreds – most of them scum. In CJ, we have one of the most complete videogame characters of all time, not least because his fitness and physical appearance matter in the game – if you want respect in the hood, you can't wobble about in well-worn sweat pants, suddenly body image is a factor. There are also some stone cold classic missions (does the name Area 69 ring any bells?) dozens of mini-games, hundreds of customisable vehicles, a much-improved combat system… "All gaming life was here," wrote gettingnervous. "Loved the open world, loved CJ, loved the setting, loved being a gangsta, 'west side for life,CJ, for life'" Word.

4. Portal (2007, PC, PS3, Xbox 360) – And to think, this sinister, sardonic and stunningly realised puzzler was effectively an album track, a bonus feature in the Orange Box compilation, created by students from the DigiPen Institute of Technology (hired on the strength of their Narbacular Drop showcase game). But very quickly it became obvious that Valve's idiosyncratic extra was a work of genius. Killerbee puts it best, "this was a triumph of wonderful puzzle design married to a great narrative and scripting. It would've been great as a pure puzzler, but the way it was intertwined with the Half-Life universe and, of course, the way GLaDOS's character evolves over the course of the game was unexpected and brilliant. It also ended on a fantastic song. And cake. Yes." What do I like about it? It makes me feel like a lateral-thinking scientific genius, like no-one else could have thought of the solutions I thought of. Now that is Nobel prize-worthy game design.

3. Fallout 3 (2008, PC, PS3, Xbox 360) – Once you're in, you're really in. That's the thing about Fallout 3. The universe that Bethesda has created is so complete and immersive, you practically live the game. And of all the hyped open-world experiences released over the last couple of years, Fallout 3 is the most successful in conveying a sense of freedom to the player. Is it an RPG? A shooter? An action adventure? It is all of them in the measures that YOU desire. Add in masses of apocalyptic atmosphere, stunning enemies, humorous allies and a dog you'll love like a family pet, this is a dark, graceful epic that every single videogame player should experience. As Simian recalled with his vote, "I waited and waited for this game to be released, preordered months in advanced and for the first time ever I wasn't disappointed. From the first moment when you leave the vault though every accessible area this game amazed me."

2. World of Warcraft (2004, Mac, PC) - I'll hand over to Greg for this one:

If any game defined the noughties then World of Warcraft is surely it. It made online gaming mainstream - nearly 12 million players, prime time TV ads, etc - and almost single-handedly powered the PC gaming market. Launched in 2004 WoW is still going strong in late 2009 and will certainly be around for years to come. But behind the dry statistics is a masterpiece of a game design that redefined our expectations of a virtual world. And make no mistake - Azeroth felt like a real destination. Never before has a game had such a convincing sense of place.

Everyone who has visited Azeroth will have memories but for me the most precious are centered around those first few months of play. The first time I saw some Alliance players - I was a level 5 Undead warlock, they were gesticulating dwarves. The first time I flew on a bat and realized that the world was going on below while I soared above it. The chaotic back and forth battles at Tarren Mill. The first time I entered a capital city, marveling at both the architecture and number of other players. The feeling of satisfaction gained by getting the first blue and purple items. Above all, the sheer sense of adventure and explorative excitement as you wandered off into the wilderness with little idea of what to expect.

Yes, the grind is an issue - how many hours did I spend traipsing around the bloody Barrens? - while the continued need to keep the very hardcore happy has meant that casual players are essentially unable to compete in player versus player combat. But World of Warcraft is an undoubted classic and easily my favourite game of all time, never mind the last 10 years.