25 Best Video Games Of The 2000s

11. Half-Life 2

Valve may have dropped and lost the ball they were once (in theory) going to deliver with Half-Life 3, but no matter - we already got the physics sandbox that was part two back in 2004. Building on one of the most enjoyable sci-fi lores in gaming history (putting you once again in the shoes of mute protagonist Gordon Freeman tackling the insidious human-harvesting Combine), people rarely talk about the story when it comes to why this felt so incredible to experience.

Why? Because although HL2 did further cement the idea of 'cutscenes' playing out around you as you're able to walk through them, it's the Havok physics engine giving weight and definition to all sorts of ancillary objects alongside the Gravity Gun to fire them off in all directions that blows everyone's hair back when they see it in action.

A testament to the rising tide of physics-based gameplay set to roll out in everything from action titles, puzzlers and everything in between, Half-Life 2's potent mix of tech demo-style experimentation allowed for a sense of playfulness that's all but died in an industry where genuine innovation is very few and far between.