Angry Birds
In a list that was bound to be dominated by First Person Shooters, I felt some variety may have been required, and what better contender than Rovio’s casual mobile hit? The whole game revolves around destroying small structures and the evil pigs that hide within them. It’s quick, simple and surprisingly challenging, making it a solid use of destructible environments.
Space Invaders
Developers can throw millions into their upcoming action game, but it will never be able to match the tension I first felt when my cover started to disintegrate in Space Invaders. The arcade and Atari 2600 classic was one of the first games many of us ever played, with new generations also experiencing it on account of the ridiculous amount of ports this legend has seen. Few ever forget the first time the safety of their cover was threatened by the advancing waves of aliens.
Battlefield: Bad Company 2
Bad Company 2 is one of the best shooters of this generation so far and, in a market that is becoming increasingly crowded, this is no small feat. The upgraded version of the frostbite engine allowed for more realistic destruction than with Dice’s previous efforts in the original Battlefield: Bad Company. This time around you could also completely collapse a building given enough firepower, resulting in many amusing multiplayer moments.
Dig Dug
The original arcade classic where players had to use crumbling debris as their primary method of defence against the game’s roster of enemies, Dig Dug was the first game to really bring environments forward as a gameplay mechanic. With its simple and addictive gameplay, Dig Dug is one of the first and best examples of destructible environments in gaming.
