Don't take into account only graphics and it doesn't have to be your favorite.

For me it would have to be GTA4 or Skyrim. The aesthetics in those games are just amazing. I really feel everytime I play in those worlds that I'm in those worlds. The detail to those games is amazing.

GTA4 had a good story.

Skyrim had dragons.

If I had to pick though.....I guess I would pick....I dunno. I gotta think about this one.

Edit: "this generation" meaning the console cycle but include PC games during this gen as well. I know there isn't a generation or what have you with PC, but since most PC games haven't escaped this console gen I'm starting to lean towards the "generation" thing with PCs.

How would one define something as the pinnacle of this generation? What game was the pinnacle for me personally or what game do i think was the pinnacle for most people?

Demons Souls? Maybe. For me at least.

Thats why I put *in your opinion*.

I think it'd have to be Red Dead redemption. Good story, gameplay, graphics, settings, and Undead Nightmare. I had a great time with that game. At the time of its release, I thought I had overhyped it but looking back I see I didn't one bit.

Easy. Final Fantasy XIII. The non-linear gameplay and epic story about whatever it was about reminded me why the series holds so special a place in the hearts of many gamers... Just kidding. It was terrible.

I'd probably go along with Red Dead Redemption, apart from the Undead Nightmare part. For some reason that never struck a chord with me.

So, what is a generation in this context?

Limbo of the Lost.

Skyrim is the pinnacle of this generation. Why? Because they sacrifice every gameplay aspect for marketing? Or because they just decided to svck? It's a close call.

What's your pick for best game this generation, so I can try to shoot it down with my own very loud opinion?

Is there such a game?

I'm assuming we're talking about the 7th generation(360, PS3, and Wii)? Because that's a LONG damn time to narrow down to one game.

I supposed I'd have to say Skyrim. Oblivion was great, it did feel a bit sterile being set in Cyrodiil, and I felt like Skyrim managed to do a good job of combining the strengths of Morrowind(an interesting setting) and Oblivion(actually decent combat). I also think Skyrim is pretty representative of the developments in this generation: nearly complete voice-overs are pretty much mandatory for AAA games these days, especially RPGs; and with the patch for xbox allowing use with kinect, you can also see the trend towards utilizing alternative forms of control, ranging from voice to motion; also, you can see the continuing overall trend towards photorealism over more artistic styles, and in certain areas you can definitely see the influence of http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/RealIsBrown which has permeated this generation of games.

HOWEVER, I'd have to also give a nod to the Assassin's Creed series. I'm absolutely in love with that series.

I'd go with Grand Theft Auto IV. I haven't played a game yet that is as complete a package as that game.

Whoa.. You trolled Final Fantasy XIII in TWO threads. Impressive. Someones really disappointed with their purchase.

As for this generation.. That's a pretty difficult choice. I'm guessing the context means this "Console Generation", as in any PS3 or Xbox 360 games from release date up until this point. Not sure if he wants to include PC titles.

It's a toss-up between the bug-ridden but well-crafted Fallout: New Vegas, The excellent and engaging story of the Witcher 2, the somewhat empty but still open-world western Red Dead: Redemption, and the incredible underwater city of Rapture in Bioshock. Damn, a lot of good games this generation.

I'll probably have to go with the Witcher 2, because it really made me feel like my choices mattered, gave me a sense of difficulty, and had an incredible and well-crafted story. Combat was fluid, dialogue was interesting, lore was fascinating, just an all-around great game.

I can't even remember many games from this generation.

Halo 3, Kane's wrath or Fallout NV.
Take it or leave it!

WoW, CoD MW, or Skylanders, IMO, might change this later on

Too many genres.

RTS - Company of Heroes
TBS - Civilization 3
RPG - Morrowind
FPS - Call of Duty: World at War
Dungeon Crawler - Dungeon Siege 2

Disappointing list from someone with a Geralt avatar.

This generation seems to get longer and longer.

I have no idea what the time frame is that we're talking about, but sticking to the last three or four years or so I'd say it's probably The Witcher 2 or Red Dead Redemption.

Call of Duty Black Ops; Zombies.
Modern Warfare 3
Mass Effect 3
Fallout New Vegas ((if it's graphics were better it'd be higher up)I say this because since playing better games I notice how outdated the graphics are, and that peoples mouths don't move when they speak - this annoys me so much )

Limbo- It represents the greatness that games can achieve if they strive for it, shows that indie studios on small budgets can make great games and demonstrates that the unique aspect of video games (the act of playing) can contibute instead of hinder to the story telling process. While the majority of games are simple entertainment or stories that would have been better told as books or movies; Limbo is a game that could only have been a game.

Edit: Why is Red Dead Redemption considered to have a good story? The story almost ruined the game for me...

This is a toughie. if I had to choose one, it would be Mass Effect 2. Everything about it is top notch: story, art design, graphics, music, production values & overall quality, some of the best DLC ever (Lair of the Shadow Broker), replayability, immersive universe, voice acting... everything. For me, as a complete package Mass Effect 2 represents the pinnacle of the current console generation. I can't think of another current-gen console game that offers as much as Mass Effect 2 with as much overall quality.

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, I suppose.

It's a great game in its own right, but it also happens to conclude* the saga of one of gaming's most iconic characters and did so in a way that went above and beyond my expectations. I don't know if I'd call it my favorite game released this generation, but it certainly evoked more feelings than any other title released in the last ~6 years.

*Until Konami forces poor Kojima to shoehorn a post-MGS4 game featuring Solid Snake into the series.

Dark souls, hands down. It reminded me why I started liking videogames in the first place. Everyone else can sit around reading text, watching cutscenes and selling tons of useless loot for more usless gold and think they are playing an awesome game if they want to, just dont do it around me

Mount & Blade: Warband
Arma 2
X3: Terran Conflict
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Amnesia: The Dark Descent
Red Dead Redemption

lol Oblivion and call of Duty. No wonder videogames svck so bad these days.