Favourite Games
So this is my current Top 10 , past and present….
10. Metal Gear Solid 1
It’s old, it looks dated but I love it so much. Who can forget the first time you walk down that corridor and see the bodies strewn on the floor and the frantic whispering from Ninja. To me, it introduced the idea of successfully mixing plot and action in a way that has been hard to match since.
No matter who you speak to, they also speak nostalgically about the tragedy of the isolated, forgotten Gray Fox and the bitter, broken Psycho Mantis. Compelling characters with real history.
9. Final Fantasy VII
It was ambitious of Square Enix to release a 4 disc game on a new console such as the PS1, and the game certainly has big dreams. Although it was my first turn based game I was totally immersed in this world and Cloud’s journey. It was also my introduction to proper gaming ‘villains’ and Sepihroth is perfect, the one winged angel, not only did he look the part but his own journey within the game was cleverly mirrored within Cloud’s. Although both made shocking discoveries it was Cloud who fought. It has since been adapted for Crisis Core (June) and Advent Children, and no matter what game I play now I will never cry the same way I did when Aeris dies..
8. Discworld
This is an odd one to have in here but I couldn’t leave it out. Possibly the greatest point and click adventure ever, Rincewind was perfect and voiced by Eric Idle as the perfect comedic relief. Hours of clicking often resulted in snappy tell off’s from Rincewind and showed me that games could also include humour.
Although I’m sure I’m not the only one who never wants to hear ‘That Doesn’t Work’ ever again…
7.Resident Evil 2
The mother of zombie games, the opening sequence where you were placed in that impossible road full of burning cars, a hoarde of zombies and no weapon was terrifying. Forcing you to flee rather than fight it set the scene for the game, ‘Survival’. Resident Evil 2 also made it more about the story than zombies, leaving hints of what had happened scattered around the buildings in diaries and journals.
Sure, it played its scare tactics well, long corridors leading to one door and windows on one side always meant a jump was in store. But that is what these games are about!It also gave you the chance to play through the game as different characters giving the story a more rounded feel.
8.Dungeon Keeper
Breaking away from the light and fluffy strategy games on the PC whilst not falling into a was based game was tough but Dungeon Keeper did it perfectly.A game I still play and love now and has never been matched, even though Overlord tried on the 360. Spending hours slapping minions and sending them digging in lava for gold and jeweles whilst frantically protecting your dungeon heart was a gloriously tongue and cheek and well developed way to spend my youth.
5. Silent Hill 2 and 4
Taking a completely different approach to the horror genre in gaimg, Silent Hill 2 and 4 are perfect at creating a heavy air of apprehension and fear.Building on the Silent Hill history from one, they added a greater depth to characters even the more absurd and terrifying ones such as Pyramid Head.All the games have been greatly helped by an eerie and often beautiful soundtrack by Akira Yamoaka. The tragic storyline to 2 ended with mutliple endings depending on how you played and this has continued with both 2 and 4 having a life hanging in the balance in the final scene.
“Radio…What’s with that radio”
4.Call of Duty 4
This isn’t in here just for the new maps and amazing online gameplay, honest. I have always been somewhat cautious of console games based around war, whether it was ethical or just taste I’m not sure but COD4 blew me away, not just in terms of gameplay and ease of controls but also because it looks beautiful. Taking every detail into consideration from the swaying boat in the first scene to the frag and flash bang effects. Since its release it has been a constant top 5 in Xbox Live and the retailers charts and this is a true testament to the quality of this game and its reputation.
3. Halo 3
The return of Master Chief. I have to admit I was swept up in the hype, the queing, the ’sick day’ when it was released and I was amazed.Not just that Master Chief looked so good but that they had added to what I already considered a perfect games series. When a game receives as much hype as Halo, GTA etc there is a certain element of dread when it comes out in case you are disappointed with the end result but Halo 3 not only pleased all its fans but set new records in gaming. I am now working my way up the ranks in online and it reminds me exactly why I love this game, it is fun.It is what a FPS should be, accessible, immersing and fun to play whether on your own or online with friends.
2. Grand Theft Auto 4 (And Vice City)
Okay, so I’m suprised that this is so far up. Yes, the multiplayer is flawed and yes the friends missions get tedious but the rest of the game is magnificent. I was playing yesterday and was mesmerised by passers by, listening to mobile phone conversations, watching how they frantically put their papers over their heads to shelter from the rain and marvelling at how Liberty City looks and feels like a real, breathing city. Niko as a main character is both wry and sharp, contrasting perfectly to his foolish brother and serves as a much more convincing protagonist with a reason to have a large chip on his shoulder. A wonderful depiction of the failings of the American Dream..
1. Bioshock
Lets face it, this game is beautiful.I really didn’t want to believe all the reviews and ravings but couldn’t help it they all evaporated as soon as I took that fateful journey into Rapture. It looks exquisite and plays perfectly, with each new building in Rapture carrying its own sense of history and gene decadence. Deservedly it has won awards for the story telling, giving the player a choice to save or harvest the little sisters, although no game gives true choice Bioshock introduced the idea of a firm path in games, a path that you choose. I can’t finish without mentioning the Big Daddies, great lumbering protectors who are real challenges to kill, the Rosies being based on WW women workers adding an extra level of depth.
I won’t say which path I took but I have never enjoyed a game more, it is terrifying at times but throughout it is beautiful, and at times tragically so.
