8. The Island
Islands are one setting that, with games like the Far Cry series, have really been done to death, yet Crystal Dynamics have managed to breathe some fresh life into it against the odds, thanks to their deft, detailed construction of this believable locale as well as the sheer range of things you're able to do therein. Whether it's the dynamic weather system, the death-defying climbs up steep cliffs, or the ability to seemingly create your own path to objectives using ropes, fire and other trinkets, this is above all else a game that disguises any potential limitations with a meticulous level of care. Superb visuals notwithstanding, the visceral feel of the island is unmistakable, an untamed beast that Lara comes to master over the course of the game, and much of Tomb Raider's satisfaction emerges from the process through which this occurs. At first, the island is frightening, imposing and mysterious, yet once you reach the game's finale, you'll feel like a King, or rather, a Queen.