Games I Thoroughly Enjoyed

An evolving list. See, it's not even in order. No kind of organization whatsoever. Just a stream of consciousness thing here for now.

"Thoroughly enjoyed" doesn't necessarily mean finished. Sometimes I get distracted and want to start a new game because I just bought one or got it as a present and the one I was playing gets forgotten about. Not so much as I used to, though. Even if it takes months (because of my job and family obligations) I will finish. But sometimes it still happens, like if I get to a fight I just can't win after 30 tries. I'll put it away for another day, and then pick it up again and realize I'm at that fight that pissed me off, so I'll put in a new game, 'cause who wants to start the day pissed off? I try not to do that.

Beyond Good and Evil - I just want to live is this world.
Halo - Played every single damn one multiple times. And Bumperhogs. If you don't know what that is, you missed out on the best thing about the first Halo. Ask me about it.
Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2 - Haven't played 3 yet, still on 2 because my save from the first was stuck on my brother's Xbox for two years.
Fallout 3 - Unfinished. This save was also stuck on my brother's Xbox. It was when he moved out and we didn't have memory cards. Then it was long stretches without seeing each other.
Gears of War, Gears of War 2 - Gears 3 not as much, especially since one brother was so disappointed in it that he wishes it never happened. Probably because he played the first time co-op with my other brother and they were blindsided a certain event and were forced to play with a character they grew to hate. I played on the hardest difficulty available (as always) and so also didn't notice as much of the crap that the AI team pulled that they complained about. They said it was too easy since the AI characters would run off and kill the locust before they got much of a chance. I noticed this, but most of the time they left enough behind for me. Even then, I would have loved a bit more challenge. And then, when you actually needed them, they would go off and get themselves knocked down and you'd have to risk yourself to save them. Makes boss fights a bit annoying, especially the lambent berzerker. Yikes! I loved the game, but not as much as the first two. Also, the soundtrack was just not up to par. I really didn't even notice it. But "Armored Prayer" from Gears 2 is unforgettable.

God of War (all)
Psychonauts - Love, love, love the quirkiness and humor. Just a world I want to go back to.
Ratchet & Clank - 1, 2, 3, Tools of Destruction. Or was it Up Your Arsenal? I got a trade and the wrong game was in the box. Didn't even realize until half way through. XD
Jak and Daxter - I want my own Daxter.
Sly Cooper - Is is weird to dream of being a raccoon?
Ninja Gaiden (2004) - Oh, so good. For the longest time we (my brothers and I) were avoiding upgrading the wooden sword. Then one of us got curious. The Unlabored Flawlessness was a very nice surprise.
Resident Evil - Especially 4, the prettiest game where zombie-ish people try to kill you with chainsaws. Never bothered with RE5. My brothers tell me time and again that it would have been very good if RE4 had never happened. As it is, the game was just meh.
Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath - If you've never played this, shame on you. A cartoony wild west world is a wonderful thing.
Jade Empire - Beautiful. If they made a sequel I would squeal with joy.
Okami - Another one I didn't finish. Don't know why. I loved it. I'll have to get back to it some day.
Assassin's Creed - Every single damn one from the first until the end of time. It's such a lovely glimpse into the imagined past, made better with every little schwick of the hidden blade finding that sweet spot.
Uncharted and Uncharted 2 - I haven't had the opportunity to play the third one yet. sad face Obsessed with Indiana Jones? If not, you will be after you play this game. Incredible, lush locations, movie feel, great acting and storytelling, and characters to love.
Splinter Cell - Somehow I missed Conviction. Must get it eventually. Every time I play one of these games I end up hiding in shadows and trying to sneak up on people...or at least I used to.
Dead Space and Dead Space 2 - This is a world that I'm terrified to be in but never want to leave. The dread of something hideous popping out at me is too much and I love it so much. If you haven't played them, go do it now. I'll wait. See? How incredibly mesmerizing was the Marker at the end of 2? Didn't get to the end of either one? Then we have nothing to talk about.
Bioshock and Bioshock 2 - I hid from every Big Daddy and killed them from a safe place. Hey, I was playing on the hardest difficulty. There's not much scarier than hearing a huge metal suit barreling after you. I can't wait for Bioshock Infinite.
Ico and Shadow of the Colossus - Beautifully desolate and bittersweet.
Brutal Legend - I had too much fun driving around the open world listening to great songs over and over. Loved the story, too.
Portal - Just hilarious.
The Orange Box - Unfortunately, I never played Half-Life, but Half-Life 2 and its two expansions were such a treat.
Arkham Asylum and Arkham City - Never expected comic book games to be so utterly amazing...and thumb destroying. Like God of War or Ninja Gaiden, button mashing will get you nowhere. It's a very rare thing to not just cash in on the license.
Crimson Skies - This will always be tinged with sadness for me. I started playing it as a distraction the day my cat, Kit-Kat, died. A highly entertaining game that I think about often. Love the freedom of flight and the debris in my wake.

There are tons more, but I have no time right now. Just wasted a half hour when I should have been working.