There are times in games when you are just taken aback by how amazing a certain part is. An incredible moment that blends design, graphics, gameplay, story, and audio perfectly. A brilliantly executed moment that is the pinnacle of that game, and even gaming in general. Presented here, 5 of those such moments - but instead of just one writer’s opinion, each of us has selected the moment we remember most vividly as some of the best gaming we’ve experienced.

It was a time before “Gears of War” and “BioShock”. One of my most memorable and favorite graphic environments that really made an impression on me would have to be in “The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion”. When I first exited the imperial sewers and escaped out into the open, I was in awe at how I could see for miles across the landscape - mountains, ruins, towns on the horizon, grand forests, everything. Also, I immediately noticed the landscape in the distance was generated very quickly and smoothly and the player’s perspective is much like observing a vast, beautiful environment in reality. I remember actually feeling like I was placed in this world of Oblivion. It was gorgeous.

The beginning of Gun was amazing for me. I have always been a fan of western films and gritty cowboy characters, so when I played Gun, I was completely blown away. The beginning of the game involved you hunting with your dad in a rich wilderness surrounding. You mounted on a horse, shot off a couple of rounds from your shotgun, and rode around for a bit. The enviornment was so beautiful and rich to me…

Then further into the game, I seriously got more and more excited with every horse gallop I took. The more deeper I got into the game, the more amazed I was. The huge canyons, the bright sun, the saloons, the railroads, the hookers, the farms, the various animals and indians you’d run into; everything you’d discover while exploring this deep world made you think “Wow…I never would have expected this much depth in this title.

From the very first moment BioShock looked spectacular - when you first break the surface of the water and see the flames reflecting off of it, the shimmering orange in contrast to the deep dark water, it is amazing. But what is even better is the first full view of the city you’ll spend the rest of the game in.

Your submarine lights the sea floor as you move forward, illuminating the plain rock bottom - until you rise above it and as the haunting music reaches a crescendo, Andrew Ryan introduces his perfect city - Rapture. The music, the introduction, and the beautiful city itself all meld together perfectly to create an amazing and unforgettable moment. The city is stunning, its towers and structures glowing far into the distance, the seemingly endless ocean beyond that as its backdrop. It is an incredible sight, and even though it is merely a virtual creation it is more beautiful than many real cities.

The Sander Cohen sequence in BioShock when he goes crazy and starts sending spider splicers who dance around in tune with music while attacking you was just unbelievable for me. My jaw was literally on the floor in awe as I fought my way through that scene.

It was probably the first time I booted up Gears of War. Honestly, the detail in that game is amazing. The first time that I whipped out my chainsaw on some poor advancing Locust was just so … beautiful.

Note: This is going to be a weekly feature where each of us here at MEGATONik add our opinion, so if there’s anything specific you’d like us to tackle tell us in the comments