2004 will go down as the year that pigs flew. Well not quite, but we did get Doom 3, Half Life 2 and of course Halo 2. Now I can't speak for the first two (since I don't have a PC any more), but Halo 2 was definitely worth the wait. Not only it's technically way better, with graphics that amazed me, considering the hardware hasn't changed. We have better game play, I just love the dual wield option and a complex and interesting story line. And I'm not even half way through it (apparently).
Halo and Halo 2 have to be the most cinematic games I've seen played. It's easy to see how production of a modern video game can rival a Hollywood movie in terms of complexity and cost. In fact I head that Halo 2 in it's 'opening weekend' took more several films over the same time. They are not just games any more. This feeling was further confirmed when I saw the sound track CD's for the Halo and Halo 2. Not the first time this has happened (I'm thinking Metal Gear, here), but the first time I've been tempted. The music is definitely one of the major factors in the games success as far as I'm concerned.
Yes Halo 2 is my video game of the year for 2004 and possibly 2005 as well!