2. Halo 3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5EroNgD54k Those 'Halo drums' have never rallied the fanbase quite like this. Although the end of Halo 2 wasn't what everyone wanted, thanks to one hell of an unresolved final mission it just served to build hype for part three. Come E3 2006 as the lights dimmed and Cortana's voice filled the auditorium, the return of the Chief - heralded in by Martin O'Donnell's impeccable score no less - remains that perfect mix of a mysterious opening building to one of the most satisfyingly epic crescendos on this list.