Mass Effect 2 improves upon the very best qualities of the original, and forsakes the most needless as well. The scale of the universe feels larger, the narrative more intimate, the characters more multi-dimensional. What’s more, the moment-to-moment gameplay now feels seamless and fluid. The sheer scale of the game does result in a loss of focus on occasion but it’s inconsequential when faced with the larger whole, which is stunningly realized, emotionally captivating, and unparalleled.

As polarized as opinions are, I’m convinced that Project Origin is the most well-crafted game in the series, and perhaps one of the genre’s finest examples of near flawless first-person storytelling. It does feel distinctly consolized, but it’s hardly a detriment to the game as a whole, which improves upon nearly every aspect of the original game. However, It’s transcendent quality is that it explores the series’ more intricate themes of Family and Motherhood in an increasingly disturbing context and in surprisingly subtle and clever ways. Here, Alma becomes one of gaming’s most iconic and interesting antagonistic characters. In the end, Project Origin will leave you thrilled, perturbed, exhausted, and ultimately very strangely rewarded.

F.E.A.R might just be one of those timeless classics. It's level design can be terribly mundane and repetitious. It's combat can be frustrating given the little variation in enemies throughout the game. But strangely it's something I can never tire of. It's a visceral and incredibly atmospheric experience which blends Japanese style horror with first-person action seamlessly while taking a few fantastic pointers from Half-Life's mode of story-telling. It has a deeper and more interesting plot, meticulously told, than many might first give it credit for. Half-Life aside, I’d be hard pressed to recommend any shooter.