Top 100 Favorite Video Games of All Time
Here is my list of my Top Favorite Video Games of All Time. This is something I never see on this site, despite its' excellent library. I've tried desperately to strike a healthy balance between quality, effect and personal nostalgia in this list and understand completely if you wish to push me in front of a bus for some of my views and placements of these games. At another time I may post a list about the true greats of all time, but for now these are just personal faves. Please note that I am a human being with a limited lifespan and may not have gotten around to some of YOUR favorite games, ala Infamous, God of War series (shocking I know), The Force Unleashed 2, etc. (If you liked my list and wish to recommend a title that you think I'd like, feel free.) Something I'll warn you about first is that I'm incredibly long-winded, as you can tell, and often go into my own experiences with these games, but I feel that these explanations are neccessary to understand where I'm coming from. Secondly, I am campaign/story gamer, so Online Gamers BEWARE!. Not to say that I never frequent the multiplayer scene, but when I play a game, story is what matters most to me in nearly every case. There are a few exceptions, as you'll read, but for the games that have made giant leaps in the online gaming world, they wont be as high on MY list if they didn't have at least a story that caught my interest. Also, if you're wanting to get the full effect of reading this list IT IS BEST TO START FROM BOTTOM TO TOP. Also Also Also, there are some very minor spoilers in #'s, --you know what, just go ahead and assume that I am spoiling the ending of every game on the entire list. That way you're warned and I don't have to skim and renumber every one of my reviews. And P.S. the bottom few are my honorable mentions. Enjoy.
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- DirectorCasey HudsonStarsShohreh AghdashlooMaggie BairdAdam BaldwinAfter being revived from death and having to join a pro-human organization without a choice, Commander Shepard must assemble a team, battle a new threat, and make tough choices in order to save the galaxy from total annihilation once more.Well, here we are at the top of the mountain. For those of you who read my message about reading from BOTTOM TO TOP, I congratulate you, unless of course you read the message and ignored it, in which case, you suck and I hope rabid bats tear your face off and wear it on halloween. In truth, if you have read this far, or even any at all, thanks for taking a look at my list. I really wouldn't mind doing this kind of thing for the rest of my life and anyone who likes what they've read I really appreciate it.
How do you describe a game that is so extraordinary as Mass Effect 2? Where do you begin? With the superb graphics, that stand with the best today? Do you go with the gameplay that feels a thousand times more polished than the first with absolutely tons of available sidequests as well as Downloadable content? Maybe with the fact that this is the first story game that has allowed a player to carry over player-made decisions onto another game, and with this comes a promise that the character you crafted to YOUR expectations would be waiting for you in this story. (That alone is something that gamers like myself have been waiting years for.) And don't even get me started on the story and where the team at Bioware is taking this series. Not only are your character relationships you made in ME1 still intact, but now they have new and truly exciting avenues that they can take. This is doubly true for the Lair of The Shadow Broker DLC with character Liara T'soni. (Highly recommended, along with all the other DLC) Then there is Shephard. The hero who has a bit more personality than before, is forged through player decisions that can alter the state of your party dramatically. And forging him or her is another matter altogether. How exactly do you craft a character who is the most important human in the galaxy? And more, a character who knows it? These elements are sheer brilliance and the amazing experience gifted to us in the first is grossly intensified. The action feels real and livid. The romantic stories feel romantic (particularly with Thane, Jack and Tali Zorah, who seem the slightly less than obvious choices) And the music (yes, I'm yet again, going into the music) composed by Jack Wall fits the situations of the game even better than the first entry. Some take issue with the mining and doorlock minigames because of their repetitive nature. To me, it is small potatoes considering the rest of the experience. By the end, you feel the weight of your decisions and their consequences on your shoulders, be they good or bad. The brilliant thing, though, is that you've felt this all along. That feeling is something that never lets up, and because of that, I have absolutely no reservations about sticking this game at #1 where it deserves. And I have no worries about Mass Effect 3 in 2011 either. Bioware has proven to be the best out there when it comes to delivering an experience that satisfies. I will only be sorry to see what has become an embodiment of my great love of gaming come to a close. I don't think I'll stop gaming or anything, but rather I'll look forward to the day some other amazing title can knock this game off its well-earned throne. Until then, Mass Effect 2 will keep bringing me back for more every time.
P.S. Favorite Characters: Tali Zorah vas Normandy, Thane and Garrus.
Oh, and Kaiden Alenko... HA! NOT! Leaving you with the nuke, dude!
Last Note: 2011 is going to be a very good year.
Thanks for reading. Cheers. - DirectorYoshinori KitaseStarsJames Arnold TaylorHedy BurressJohn DiMaggioA celebrated young athlete is drawn from his futuristic hometown and convenient lifestyle to a harsh and techno-phobic land by a mysterious force only known as Sin.Sculpting a fantasy that has absolutely no hand in the real world is difficult work when presenting it to an audience, but Squaresoft (or Square Enix) made it look astonishingly easy when they dropped us into Spira. From the moment we watch Tidus play a game of Blitzball and then watch everything he loves get destroyed by the beast known as Sin, we are absolutely engrossed in this vast exploration. After that, he is brought a thousand years into the future. While we begin to familiarize ourselves with a new world, we slowly find ourselves falling in love with it. The mythology that follows, the relationships, and of course the beautifully executed romance make us wish this experience would never end, and the romance deserves a word of its own. The relationship between Tidus and Yuna is truthfully the reason this game is marked here at #2. It is without question the greatest love story in games. Anybody who says otherwise has either never played this game or has never dated anyone, loser. Anybody who agrees knows that this is because we relate so well with the two involved. We watch from the moment these two meet and follow their awkward silence, polite comments, laughter, and ultimately their heart wrenching conclusion that still cannot be more perfectly done. So much so in fact, that by the end, I myself was quite literally blubbering like a schoolgirl. No joke (and no shame, guys) because the ending is just that good. The music also by Nobuo Uematsu (which here is his best work) captures the emotions with astounding perfection. The repetition of themes never gets old. In conclusion, Final Fantasy X is not just a work of art, it is a masterpiece in its purest form.
- DirectorHideo KojimaStarsDavid HayterJosh KeatonPeter LurieWhen the nations of the world rely upon private military companies to fight their battles for them, renegade Liquid Ocelot emerges as the head of a potent coalition of mercenary powers. Solid Snake returns to save the world once again.It was very difficult for me to decide the next three entries. Placing any one of them below another almost seems like an injustice to them, but here we are with the last of the Metal Gear Solid series as have yet to come out. This game has so many of my favorites that it seems again strange to have it at #3. First, it is overall my favorite series, though I'll admit it is in danger of losing its throne to Mass Effect. The series that can mix the military realism with the supernatural so effortlessly and so well is fully concluded in its' tale of Solid Snake when we see the culmination of all he has been fighting for. It is because he keeps fighting that Solid Snake is my favorite gaming character of all time. While he is our greatest hope, he never loses sight of the fact that our greatest hope is also a killer who is dying and in a bizarre and ironic twist, may just be our greatest threat. All of these elements added, however, to the already insurmountable pressure added on by the state of things, does not keep him from fighting the good fight. He constantly tells Otacon, I still have a job to do, which is Snake's sort of humble way of saying that he has a destiny to fulfill and he isn't going to waste time questioning it. In the face of all odds, Old Snake continues to inspire as he perserveres through the last of his trials. One of these trials also happens to be my favorite moment in gaming history: Snake must reach his final destination, but to do so he must walk through a long hallway of microwave emitters. As the player, we have a simple task: mash down on the triangle button as fast and hard as we can in order to see Snake through to the other side. The moment is so dramatic and telling of who Snake is, that by the bitter end, when he is literally crawling while he is being roasted alive, we feel the strongest connection to the hero on the screen than ever before. Guns of The Patriots is a brazen work of art in this aspect and I will always hail the timeless Metal Gear series amongst my absolute favorites.
- DirectorAmy HennigBruce StraleyStarsNolan NorthEmily RoseClaudia BlackAfter being tracked down by Harry Flynn, Nathan Drake goes on a quest for Marco Polo's lost fleet. However when things take an unexpected turn for the worst, Drake must rely on those closest to him in order to find the Cintomani Stone.The great gets greater. Uncharted 2 has so much going for it it isn't even prudent to think about writing all that is great about it in a review... but here it goes. First, with his authentic charm, excellent sense of humor, and believable reactions to the situations he's placed in, Nathan Drake is probably the most relatable hero in gaming. Nolan North has done a phenomenal job voice acting (and acting) this character. Nathan Drake could easily be called the Han Solo of gaming. And not far behind him is his expertly crafted heroine Elena Fiscer. She blows just about all other female leads out of the water with all that she does to compliment the scenes, and she does it without being a busty, brainless bimbo. (Try saying that five times... without thinking about it.) The music offered up by Greg Edmondson is also pitch perfect for the modern Indiana Jones styled adventure. In terms of cinematics, it doesn't get any better than this. This game feels more like a blockbuster than some of the blockbusters out there. It is simply extraordinary what Naughty Dog has been able to accomplish, and the fact that Uncharted 3 is slated for 2011 only serves to prove that next year is going to be a very good year for gaming.
- DirectorCasey HudsonStarsSteven BarrKimberly BrooksKeith DavidIn a technologically advanced future, an elite human soldier takes command of a prototype star ship and works to defend the galaxy from danger.Down to the last five, and what better to break us in than an introduction to what has potential to be the greatest gaming series ever. There are various sorts of space sagas (Star Wars, Star Trek... what else is there...?) but Mass Effect for some including myself, has a tale and a universe that stands above even what the film industry would call our 'greatest'. Think I'm kidding? No, I'm not. I'd honestly rather sit for hours at a time building the absolutely astounding tale of Commander Shepard and the Normandy crew than watch any of the Star Wars movies and yes, that includes the original series. I'll grant you this; that this game is enhanced by its sequel, and had it come out and been terrible I probably would not feel this way, but the point is that Mass Effect 2 did come out and it was spectacular and it made playing through this one all the better. Something that I believe is critically understated in the gaming community by GameInformer and the like is that this game sports what was, to me, the most intimidating villain I have EVER been presented with. Saren was a good villain, but in the scene where Shepard meets Sovereign for the first time, face to face, I felt more dread and more hopelessly outmatched than any final boss has ever made me feel. When hearing a description of just what Shepard is up against, it honestly had me wondering how this could possibly end well. The ending satisfies, but the only thing I regret is that the experience with Sovereign is so short lived. Still, the overall story does not end and I have great hopes for what Bioware will dish out next.
- DirectorJason WestStarsLance HenriksenKeith DavidBarry PepperA massacre at a Russian airport leads to a war between Russia and the United States. Meanwhile, a Task Force is sent to find the perpetrators and bring the bloodshed to an end.When Goldeneye first came out, First Person Shooters were reinvigorated and became such a premium for gamers. Now, those of us who game are faced with a terrible truth about them: they always age and are not timeless. I spent countless hours on Goldeneye, and now it is hardly playable. I think, how can these get much better than they are now, and then I remember, I thought the same thing then. Lots of FPSs were dropped from my faves list, but Modern Warfare 2 really makes me remember why I love them. Terrific graphics, flawless gameplay and incredible set pieces put this one high above the other shooters out there for me. It doesn't hurt also that my favorite composer, Hans Zimmer, is responsible for the outstanding musical score. His themes bring a spirit of urgency and raw courage to the table that make you remember why we love our actual soldiers fighting for us out there. That may sound dramatic, but just listen to the score and you'll see what I'm talking about. Obviously, I am a fan of soundtracks, and I can say that this is my personal pick for the top greatest game soundtrack out there.
In short, this game is, as of yet, the perfect FPS experience, in my opinion, and CANNOT be missed by any fan of the genre. - DirectorHideo KojimaStarsDavid HayterSuzetta MiñetJim PiddockIn 1964, a U.S. government operative codenamed "Snake" must infiltrate mountainous Soviet territory to rescue a scientist building a weapon of terrible power.The Metal Gear series come to us in a very different style in this game. We trade in the buildings for dense jungles, near future for the Cold War, crammed storyline for a more lengthy narrative, and tough military feel for James Bondlike presentation. Coming upon this, as a Metal Gear fan, one could like some aspects, but, in others, be terrified to think that their beloved series had finally succumbed to basing itself around the worst of popular vote. Thankfully, this is not the case. An origin story of Solid Snake's former nemesis, Big Boss, takes a different approach in order to give the player a different perspective on the events lining up in the grand storyline. By the end, you more than sympathize with the lead, and then you wonder what the final entry will entail. This piece is excellent, but the most compelling part of it is the character who is hands down one of the most compelling in all of gaming: The Boss. (Not to be confused with Big Boss) The Boss is an American patriot who has served her country without equal and is Big Boss's (or Snake's) master whom he has shared the most personal of experiences with. When he discovers in the beginning that she is defecting to the Soviet Union, a terrible truth slowly starts to awaken in him, as he is constantly reminded by those around him, he will have to face her and he will have to kill her. When the player is tasked with this, we begin to realize what implications this really has for Snake. Then there is the ending, where we learn about the main reason why Big Boss is turned into the rebellious villain later. Naturally, World War 3 is on the line and the appearance of the greatest (or at least most intimidating) of the giant mech machines is present. With all of this, it makes it easy to rank it so high.
- DirectorEiji AonumaStarsAkira SasanumaAkiko KômotoHironori MiyataLink, a young man from a small farming village, finds Hyrule is being consumed by an otherworldly twilight. Guided by a strange pixie named Midna, he endeavors to return light to the land and confront the usurper king Zant.When it comes to the effect and quality of the Legend of Zelda series, I believe Ocarina of Time stands at the top, but when it is MY list of personal faves, Twilight Princess reigns. This story resonated with me because of the fascinating undertones that one can dig up from the story. A young man, who appears to be a normal boy on the outside, but when the veil is dropped (or perhaps lifted) he is a beast. His nature and personality do not change, and yet both of these conflicting roles he's placed in are synchronized in this young man. Beyond these roles, at the heart of the story, he is a hero. Link comes to us anymore as the ancestral child of the previous game's hero, but his spirit, his courage and his determination never change. Likewise, the Twilight Princess herself faces opposing forms, but within she is the same. This puts her above the former Zelda roles in my book, and makes her one of, if not the most, fascinating character in the series. The control scheme is, as always, solid. Traits from the previous titles can be found here, only they are now even more refined. The romance, fantasy, and bravery of the series is all properly in its place. Long live the silent hero.
- DirectorEiji AonumaYoichi YamadaYoshiaki KoizumiStarsNobuyuki HiyamaFujiko TakimotoJun MizusawaA young Kokiri boy discovers that his destiny is to free the Seven Sages and save the land of Hyrule from the treacherous sorcerer Ganondorf.The Legend of Zelda is at last brought to the 3D world, and who could ever forget such an astounding title. Moments like seeing Ganon appear as Ganondorf for the first time, or meeting Zelda in the castle garden as children, or retrieving the Master Sword from the Temple of Time, or waking up as a young adult seven years later-- these are all, as any gamer will tell you, like a child who remembers bedside stories, images that are not forgotten easily. Moments so perfectly crafted, that even though its graphics are aged and its gameplay out of date, one can pick up this title and, like pouring through the pages of the storybook, feel right at home. A fairy tale above all others.
- DirectorSefton HillStarsMark HamillKevin ConroyArleen SorkinBatman battles his archenemy, the Joker, who instigates an elaborate plot to seize control of Arkham Asylum, trap Batman inside with many of his incarcerated foes, and threaten Gotham City with hidden bombs.Batman is the hero that always interested me the most. At times, especially due to the a-maz-ing films that Christopher Nolan has given us, it has been easy to forget that he is indeed a superhero at all. His psychology feels real to his circumstances, and though he has a complete arsenal of gadgets at his fingertips, he is not superpowered or supernatural. Still, his character has been around for quite a while and this game is truly a celebration of everything we love about the Dark Knight. This is doubly true for those of us who have enjoyed the animated series and comics, as much of the history is explored and the voice acting is mainly harvested from the series. Mark Hamill is especially memorable in his iconic role of The Joker. The gameplay is definitely worth noting, also. This game has easily the best hand-to-hand combat system around, and with all of the Bat's detective gear at hand, you really do feel like you are walking in his steps as he solves mysteries and battles his way through loads of his worst enemies. The environment of Arkham is also something to behold. Long hallways and cells, marked with notable clues to let you in on who the Bat put there, are packed with side puzzles left to you by (who else?) The Riddler. You don't have to be a Batman fan to enjoy this game, but it just may might make you one. Can't wait for Arkham City.
- DirectorTetsuya NomuraStarsHaley Joel OsmentDavid GallagherHayden PanettiereSora and friends face mysterious new enemies as they continue their journey to save all worlds, and find Riku and King Mickey.We return to the universe crafted by Square Enix and Disney only to discover that the same people we saved are in trouble again, and the villains are back, just in newer and slightly different forms. The story is still very great, though in certain areas seems a bit rushed, though where there is certain areas that are lesser than the first, the gameplay is infinitely better. To be honest, the gameplay alone is the main reason it is here this high on the list. Maybe it's just me, but this is some of the most lightning-fast and addictive gameplay I have ever encountered. The ability selection is easy and adds much to the action, and the return of Uematsu's beautiful themes keep us believing that these worlds are truly mixed. The effect of this game was not as large as the first entry, (or, for that matter, as large as tons of others below it) but it does not change the fact that in terms of overall enjoyment, I will choose this game over those below it every time. And, yes, I know you think I'm crazy. Don't care.
- DirectorHideo KojimaStarsDavid HayterQuinton FlynnChristopher RandolphTwo years after the death of Solid Snake, a rookie FOX-HOUND agent, on his first mission, infiltrates an offshore decontamination facility to rescue the President.We return to the Metal Gear series, but only for a brief time as Solid Snake. Here the spotlight is shined on Raiden, who is more like the gamer than we are originally lead to believe, and with Kojima's way of messing with a gamers mind, this affects us quite a bit by the end. The gameplay is still awesome and the experience only heightened by its sequels.
Worst line:
Raiden: I was... overwhelmed.
Best line:
Campbell: I need scissors! 61! - DirectorTetsuya NomuraStarsMiyu IrinoMamoru MiyanoRisa UchidaWhen his world is destroyed and his friends mysteriously disappear, a young boy named Sora is thrust into a quest to find his missing friends and prevent the armies of darkness from destroying many other worlds.A game that totally blew me away, and I have no regrets about putting it or its sequel in my top 20. When I first heard that Squaresoft (now Square Enix) and Disney were teaming up to make an RPG, I had serious doubts. Despite Square's excellent track record, I couldn't help but worry that this partnership with Disney would only hamper their creativity. This may be true with the later entries, but this game took me entirely by surprise as it began to tell a stirring tale of darkness, deception, and ultimately the power of friendship in a way so excellent and unforgettable that it simply cannot be ignored. Anybody who has ever been a child has someone in the famed Disney films they can relate to (and those who don't usually draw to The Nightmare Before Christmas, so it all works out) and meeting up with these characters in a game that boasts phenomenal voicework from most of the original actors is an experience that really, I think, cannot be missed. The music also from all of these various stories return with a twist fitting the story that is so purely added by the genius of Nobuo Uematsu, that one can almost feel both the old and new themes melding in their ears. (Wow! You talk funny, Mr. Roberts.) Wait, there's more! On the Square side of the story we have excellent cameo appearences with added voicework from several of the Final Fantasy titles. These characters are obviously a lot cooler than their Disney counterparts, but the addition of Donald and Goofy to your party is something that even the most hardcore of gamers can be proud of. This game in short (too late) is a masterpiece, and I only hope more fans will jump on board so that Square and Disney will finally give us an updated sequel on the consoles.
- DirectorAmy HennigStarsNolan NorthEmily RoseRichard McGonagleTreasure hunter Nathan Drake, embarks in the adventure of his life searching for the legendary treasure, El Dorado while fighting a group of mercenaries.The creators at Naughty Dog give us the most cinematic series to date in this amazing title. Here, we are introduced to Nathan Drake and Elena Fiscer who, with exceptional motion capture and even more exceptional voice acting, bring this tale to life as we follow the treasure hunter and reporter through adventures that include Nazi U-boats, lush jungles, pirates, and mutant zombies. I know, in hind sight it sounds like an Ed Wood film, but it really is one of the greats.
- DirectorShuyo MurataStarsPeter BartoCynthia MarcucciRoger JacksonTwo years after the events of Zone of the Enders (2001), Dingo Egret, a former member from Mars' military organization BAHRAM takes control of an abandoned battle robot Jehuty to destroy any plans the BAHRAM still has.Many probably wont understand this game in my top 20, and I understand why, but its my list and I immensely appreciate this title so here is where it stays. Z.O.E. is one of the most brilliant ideas I have come upon, and though it has been further explored with an anime series, I don't believe justice has been fully made for it. I wonder at times if even Hideo Kojima knows the potential he has here. The journey the player makes as Dingo Egret (I know, bad name, whatever) within the orbital frame Jehuty is so unique and has such a mythology behind it, what with the element of Metatron and the learning-to-feel back-up battle control system ADA alone, you could really take this series to unprecedented heights. But enough about where this series 'could' go. This game boasts graphics that are in true anime form that still hold up well today and a gameplay system that is still every bit as fast-paced and fun as the day I first played it, not to mention an excellent soundtrack and story that is expected with a Kojima title. Kojima himself says that he cannot promise when, but that there will be another sequel to this. Well, when that happens, I hope he lets us fans of the series build our own customizable Orbital Frames. I mean, how awesome would that be?
- DirectorNicholas S. CarpenterStarsJames HarperDave FennoyRobert ClotworthyFour years after the events of StarCraft: Brood War (1998), Jim Raynor fights against the Dominion and begins a search for artifacts when at the same time the Zerg attack once again.Blizzard knows how to craft an experience. One of the great regrets of my life is that I have never taken the time to fully engage myself in World of Warcraft so I could know what the crap everyone has been talking about. Still, I had the first Starcraft the year it came out, and like so many other fans, every year that passed I held on to the hope of the promised sequel. I would revisit the first from time to time each year while life went by, my amount of siblings grew (7 times), and I got a bit paler from never going outside so I could play more video games. (Suddenly, I am depressed...) But then, the sun shined and the news FINALLY, after an agonizing 12 years, came that the sequel was coming. I waited a bit longer and then was finally blessed with what is, to me, the single greatest PC experience to date. Customizable armies, an exceptionally engaging story, gorgeous graphics, and gameplay that is, in a word, perfect gives me more reason to ignore the rest of my life once again. Well, at least until the two other parts of series come out... which, I guess, will ultimately end in the same way, so there you go.
- StarsJames McCaffreyWendy HoopesJonathan DavisThe brooding cop has left the DEA and returned to the NYPD. When his latest case ends up involving the thought-dead femme fatale Mona Sax, he finds that his journey through the night is far from over.When done right, Film Noir can be one of the best genres to enjoy, and the stories of Max Payne puts most of them to shame. This second chapter into Max's dark tale is rough, gritty and stylishly beautiful. Centered around his relationship with Mona Sax, this game strikes the 'forbidden love' chord that most games (and films, for that matter) don't. Returning in the graphic novel style used in the first entry, this game sucks you in and doesn't let up for a moment. Looking forward to seeing my favorite troubled cop again when part part 3 comes out.
- DirectorMatt SamiaMark SchwarzDuane StinnettStarsGlynnis TalkenMichael GoughPaul EidingIn 2499 in the Koprulu sector, a ferocious collective race known as the Zerg arrives to massacre the exiled human colonies while a highly advanced race, the Protoss, intervenes to exterminate the Zerg.A unique RTS that is so perfectly balanced in every way, that the only thing that could knock it off of its PC throne is its sequel. The story of Jim Raynor, Sarah Kerrigan, the Zerg and the Protoss held our attention in the campaigns, but honing our skills in custom matches against our friends and our computers kept us holding on for part 2. More in that review.
- DirectorBrian AllgeierStarsJames Arnold TaylorDavid KayeJim WardClank is kidnapped by the mysterious Zoni, led by the evil mastermind Dr. Nefarious. Along with Captain Quark and Talwyn, Ratchet sets out on a quest to save Clank from Nefarious' clutches.A Crack in Time is really the pivotal point in this series. So many things added that made this already fantastic series that much greater. The humor is all still there, but the weight of the story is much greater as the players wonder if their beloved duo may finally be torn apart. The more serious tone is balanced by the crazed antics of our favorite villain Dr. Nefarious and the well timed wisecracks of Captain Qwark. We dig deeper into the fascinating backstory of Ratchet, but the one who really steals the show is Clank. Not to say that Clank has never had his own levels of awesomeness, but his levels and functions weren't quite on par with his partner. This notion is scrapped as Clank takes on the duties of The Great Clock and in so doing gives us some of the most clever gameplay this generation has seen. Nothing disappoints, and to say that I am excited about what Insomniac will come up with next for this series would be a gross understatement... ... ...but I AM excited about what Insomniac will come up with next for this series.
- StarsTim DadaboKeith DavidSteve DownesMaster Chief and the Arbiter must join together to attack the Covenant and destroy the Flood.Here, we are given the best of the series. The Chronicles of Master Chief come to a close (for the time being) and he walks out with a huge bang. Sort of an 'everything rolled into one and then some' experience with all of our favorite characters and features enhanced with updated graphics and gameplay. Throughout the finale you are cheering your beloved Spartan to victory and are only sad that you have to say goodbye. I'd also like to give props to Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori for the amazing soundtrack they gave this last entry, which like the series, got better with every new addition. I love the chronicles of the Chief, but my money says we haven't seen the last of him.
- DirectorCarey MurrayHideo KojimaStarsDavid HayterCam ClarkeDebi Mae WestA retired mercenary is called upon by the U.S. government to handle a hostile takeover of an Alaskan military base by his former special forces group. A remake of Metal Gear Solid (1998).Like Ratchet and Clank, here is a series that got better and better as it went on, and it begins here with the first entry in the story. Note: I do realize that The Twin Snakes is a remake of the original PS1 classic and call me crazy, but I like the updated graphics, scenes and voice acting more than the original. (GASP!) Still, it is best to see both this game and its original as one for the sake of this review. Now, for those of us who know the Metal Gear saga well, it is here where most of us first experienced such ingenius elements that brought us out of our comfort zone and into the sensation of wondering if we have fallen asleep and stumbled into a dream during the hours of playtime with this game. Screens randomly going black, our memory cards being read for us out loud, and the ordering to put our controller on the floor and watch it rumble across the ground, and all of this by one of the most memorable villains of all time: Psycho Mantis. Those reasons are probably what makes this the greatest boss fight ever. The story is also phenomenal and the presentaion of it in cutscenes and exceptional voice acting has forever turned the course of games, giving each new release potential to give us all the same thrills of a hollywood blockbuster.
- StarsRob WiethoffJosh BlaylockSophia MarzocchiA former outlaw is forced by the federal government to hunt down the members of his old gang.I know, I know, what business do I have placing this, the greatest western video game ever, here at #22 instead of in the top 10. I understand, and while I was compiling this list, I was experiencing for the first time the quest of John Marston and very quickley had it placed there amongst Arkham Asylum and the other greats. Then I reached the end, and was left with a sour taste in my mouth. John Marston, first, is easily one of my favorite characters in modern gaming history. How he lost to Black Ops' Woods at the VGA awards for Best Gaming Character I'll never know, but it is because of the way he was treated at the end of the game that this title rests here. SPOILER ALERT! DO NOT READ UNLESS YOU WANT THE ENDING SPOILED! EVEN THOUGH IT IS TOO LATE BECAUSE THE ENDING IS ALREADY SPOILED IN A SENSE! DON'T GET MAD AT ME BECAUSE I SPOILED IT! EVEN THOUGH I'M ABOUT TO... SORT OF.
Such themes about redemption that, I don't know, appear to be slightly important to the game, seem to run hollow when you give the title character no chance from saving his son, whom he's tried so hard to keep safe from the evil in the world, from a future of simple vengeance against the man who kills his father. In the end, what redemption is there when the sacrifice of John Marston does nothing to teach his son about living life without anger or bitterness, which is the way it seemed like he was trying to lead his son in the first place. It would have been better for the player to go into Deadeye mode in the end, like they already did, and let them take out Edgar Ross for themselves, thus saving their long-fought-for son from a life of revenge. The ending may fit the spirit of old western films, but it doesn't fit the spirit of the game from where I'm sitting. - DirectorMakoto ShibataStarsAkemi KandaAyako KawasumiTsukiko AmanoTwin sisters try to escape a haunted village with the help of the Camera Obscura, a camera with the power to see the impossible.Psychologically speaking, this is the most frightening game I have ever played. The very Japanese feel of being spirited away to a haunted village is ever present, and in ways that don't have to be fully described to appreciate, the main characters Mio and Mayu are tied to the heart of it. The trouble of it all is that from the beginning there is a growing dread that one of you will die, and worse yet, one of you will be the other's demise. Such a concept, that is so fully burned into your mind by the end, gives you an intense understanding of the events that have led you to this point and leaves you with a cold pit in your chest. The game is not meant to be enjoyed, but I did enjoy it. It is a brilliant and beautiful picture of the things that frighten us the most.
- DirectorFumito UedaStarsKenji NojimaKazuhiro NakataKyôko HikamiA young man brings a deceased woman to a forbidden land inhabited by colossal beings said to house the power to revive the dead.What words come to mind when I think of Shadow of The Colossus? Beauty, romance, courage, darkness, sorrow, tragedy, deceit-- and I know that I am not the only one who would agree. This game was less about playing for fun (though fun it was) and more about making me feel honored to dig into the simple yet gorgeous storytelling. The only thing that keeps this game barricaded from the slots above it is really the ending, which starts off very well and then ends with a very odd perception of the things that had happened. It just didn't do justice for me.
- DirectorDavid CageStarsPascal LangdaleJacqui AinsleyJudi BeecherAs a child goes missing, his father tirelessly works to rescue him, while a journalist, an FBI agent, and a private detective try to identify his kidnapper known only as the "Origami Killer".When it comes to the arguement of whether or not games are an artform, it is hard for Heavy Rain (or the entry above it) not to be mentioned. Heavy Rain is, I think, the greatest new step the world of gaming has made. Quantum Dream has brought us a fascinating criminal story that allows players to experience every perspective of the drama. 'Drama' is really the key word here, because with the use of unique mechanics, captivating situations, excellent graphics and beautifully composed music, the characters come to life as much as if you were watching it in the theatres. An impressive amount of story arcs also gives the players a sense of ownership of whatever the outcome may be. Your choices are what bring you to the end. Truly a gripping experience.