Gears of War.

While many will tout the nonstop action, insane thrills, and unparalleled graphics engine of this years must have first-person shooter title, Gears of War, gay gamers will undoubtedly pick up on the sweet, subtle tenderness lurking beneath the mega-warrior heroes of the game. You play as one-man-army Marcus Fenix as he and his best friend (and constant companion), Dom, blow away legions of mutants that have destroyed their planet. Between intense firefights with your enemy, the cut scenes slowly reveal a deep relationship between Fenix and Dom that isn't fully developed in the game's short story line. All their playful quips and asides certainly made me wonder what happens after dark on this planet where it seems all females have been eradicated. It might not be Brokeback Halo, but it's hard not to admire such a hard-core game that seems to have a soul--and possibly even a queer one at that.