Mass Effect 2

Mass Effect 2 came out in January, a lifetime ago in the games industry, yet you’re guaranteed to hear it in many “best of the year” discussions. It’s an improvement over its predecessor in every way, with a streamlined inventory, improved combat, and a well-implemented morality system. It also imports your save file from the first game to create a personalized adventure with a cast of fascinating characters, and a wealth of extra downloadable content. Since it’s easy to find on sale, Mass Effect 2 has a dollar-per-hour value that can’t be matched by any other single-player game this year.