Mirror's Edge (Xbox 360, 2008)

I think this game got mediocre reviews because it was released after the EA debacle with the Spore DRM. It was also overlooked because it was released amidst a glut of other big-selling sequels. This is truly one of my favorite games and I would give it a 9.5/10. (My other favorites are Call of Duty 4, Ninja Gaiden 1, and the Prince of Persia Franchise to see where I'm coming from.) Decent story line, VERY fun gameplay (even better if you try and get the achievements for not using guns), and VERY fun speed-runs and timed events. If you're an achievement wh... enthusiast, the achievements are fun and easy to get. I haven't had this much fun with a "racing" game for a long time. This game is easy enough to pick up and play and get through, but it gets RIDICULOUSLY fun after you master some of the tricks of parkour and can burn through the levels. It's one of those games like Ninja Gaiden 1, where after you get the controls down it becomes a real treat to play, because you feel like you're really good at it when you get a good flow going. EA and DICE went out on a limb with this creative new concept and I hope they continue the franchise!

My only gripes would be the story (it's a little short because they obviously knew they were going to make a sequel), lack of multiplayer, and the gun-play is a tad weak. However, you play Call of Duty for gun-play. If you play this like a racing/ fps hybrid, you will not be disappointed. I have to say, DO NOT SKIP THE TIME TRIALS, THEY ARE VERY FUN! Play the game after you've rocked the time trials, and you will have an INCREDIBLE time.
The other gripe would be the dark of the dark areas (felt like I needed to push up the brightness) and the bright of the bright areas (everything was washed out on purpose, so I wanted to turn the brightness back down.)
These are only small gripes though, this is truly a diamond in the rough.