Panda with issues...
Well-Known Member
Was bored this morning, and have been thinking about this yesterday, sure to cause some debate. I'm sure there are some I've missed, and I'm sure I'll take some flak for some choices, but overall, this is a list of games that made me the twisted heartless cynical, intolerant bastard I am today, shaping my childhood:
Best games: My list
Best flight sim type game: Freespace 2, close runner up is the original x wing, and tie fighter. Ace combat, squadron leader is also fantastic, though a different sort of game
Best FPS: In no particular order: Half life, Alien vs Predator gold edition, System Shock 2, Thief 2: the metal age. Quake. For console: Goldeneye 64.
Best team based multiplayer FPS: Battlefield 2.
Best point and click: Day of the tentacle, sorry monkey island fans, close runner up, the simon the sorcerer series.
Best RPG: Planescape torment, (goddamn I need a copy, used to borrow it off a mate). Runners up: System Shock 2, Knights of the Old Republic, Pokemon: Blue (we all know blue was better than red)
Best stealth 'em up: Thief 2: the metal age, I love metal gear solid, but seriously, thief shits on it from an unbearable height.
Best beat em ups: In order: Bloody Roar 3, Street fighter 2, soul calibre 2, virtua fighter 4, streets of rage 2, Super smash bros.
Best coop gaming: In order: Streets of rage 2, Diablo 2, Battlefield 2. notable newer games: left 4 dead, Gears of War.
Best Adventure/platforming: Tomb Raider (the original)
Best puzzler: Tetris, with a valiant effort from aqua aqua: wetrex 2, bejewelled, pong, Portal, Bookworm adventures.
Best Survival horror: 3 way tie: Resident evil 4, wii edition for gameplay, silent hill 2, for you know, actually being scary, Eternal darkness: sanities requiem for generally messing with your mind.
Best RTS: For gameplay: World in Conflict, for story, Homeworld. Runners up: Advanced Wars Dual Strike, the original C&C, Starcraft Broodwar, Company of Heroes series. For scope, but didn't really take off: Sins of a Solar empire.
Best multiplayer RTS: WiC.
Best competitive multiplayer: Worms, Counter Strike: Source, Mario Kart 64.
Best Racing Game: Mario kart 64.
Best game that they sell to you over and over and over and over again and you all keep lapping up: Any of the Zelda games
Best film with some gaming moments: Metal Gear Solid 2
Best sports game: Depends on the sport really, overall though, probably SSX tricky. Wii sports is awesome though.
Best music/rhythm game: Guitar hero 2. Close runner up: Rock Band 2
Best sandbox game: GTA3 San Andreas, honourable mention, animal crossing
Most ridiculously addictive minigame: The count the pokemon game from pokemon stadium 2.
Best multiplayer community support from any game (and works flawlessly): World in Conflict.
Now, in ascending order:
The Top 5:
The 2 'I can't believe I have to leave them off's:
Half Life and Mario Kart 64.
Half Life stormed in from left field, putting a story into FPS games, paving the way for Valve to become the powerhouse it is today, revolutionising multiplayer community modding (Counter Strike, Day of Defeat etc...). It's successor introduced physics to the gaming world, spawning such might as Portal, and kicked everyone into action by forcing the widespread introduction of digital distribution mediums (steam).
Mario Kart Could be the best multiplayer game of all time. Along with goldeneye, the reason to still own a 64. Lets be honest people, if you had an hour to kill, and someone pressed that classic controller in your hands, and suggested: 'Kart?' WOULD YOU PHYSICALLY BE ABLE TO SAY NO?
At 5:
Resident Evil 4: Wiimake
Though by this time this game had already been released separately on 2 other consoles (Gamecube and PS2), this is the definitive edition.
A decent storyline (by Resi standards) was combined by the (much needed) decision to break away from the fixed camera angle of the previous games, and boy did it pay off. However, when combined with the 'point and shoot' ability of the wiimote, well, this was simply sublime. It also included the supremely addictive 'Mercenaries' mode for competitive tantrums among groups of friends. I'll never forget the day we heard that giant chainsaw rev up. It was the first time we'd played that particular level, and ghostwolf was arseing around on top of a tower. The giant chainsaw zombie jumped up behind him, and tore him into two gore covered pieces. The shocked delight reverberated around our student living room as he sat in silence, shaking slightly, his mind slightly undone.
This game SHOULD have paved the way for the Wii to become a legitimate gaming system, rather than the shovelware infested whore it is now. I doubt nintendo care, but I lament the loss of what could have been.
Other things to remember about this game were that it was released for the Wii at £29.99 nobly noting that it WAS a rerelease, and therefore shouldn't cost as much as a new game.
Also notable is the introduction of 'quick time events'. These now infest games everywhere (much to most gamer's chagrin) but at the time they were fresh and novel.
At 4:
Thief 2: The Metal Age.
A grey, cynical protagonist, never bettered in videogame history in my opinion. A novel steampunk medieval setting, arrows that decayed in flight, a great storyline, the best stealth action ever released.
The thinking man's first person shooter, where a wrong choice would lead to your inevitable death. Able to take one enemy in a one on one fight, any more than one, well, you had to hide. Never has patience and planning been more rewarded in an FPS. Also, you know, STEALING as the goal, once you had achieved your loot target, do you escape, or do you get greedy, and go for that well guarded, well lit upstairs master bedroom - Those candlesticks look like solid gold...they'd be worth a fortune in water arrows...
Best moment: Breaking into, and exfiltrating from a huge steampunk bank vault.
At 3:
Freespace 2. The best spacefighting sim ever. Depth up the whazoo, a list of controls longer than war and peace, ensuring you can tinker with weapons loadouts and energy distributions and shield arcs to your hearts content.
A storyline that pitches you into the deep end when you've picked up enough practice, literally impossible missions, medals, black ops, GIANT space ships, and at the time, excellent multiplayer community support.
I still play the single player campaign regularly.
At 2:
World in Conflict
Simply the best RTS ever made.
Graphics that still look stunning. Multiplayer which forces teamwork and requires it. The ability to call in napalm, artillery, chemical strikes, A10 Tankbusters and eventually even tactical nuclear weapons all whilst requiring enough micromanagement to keep twitch players content.
Focussing on manoeuvre and mobility, rather than basebuilding and static positions, this game rewards risks and daring.
A single player campaign with a decent storyline (voiced by Arrec Bawwwdwwiiin himself!) which takes on the task of teaching the player how to use each unit type effectively, as well as tactical aid strikes with a gentle learning curve, in order to prepare the player for his multiplayer career.
Combined with simply the best support a developer has ever given clans and a multiplayer community. If you don't have this game, you're missing out.
The Number 1:
Overall, objectively, I would say System Shock 2 is the best game ever made. Amazing storyline, decent soundtrack, fulfils a few different categories, part fps, part rpg, part horror. Just an all round quality title. I actually felt devastated and almost cried at the critical plot moment. I've never felt more alone in my entire life.
The level of emotional manipulation in this game is deep, on the level of Eternal Darkness, but without some of the gimicry.
This game kind of got slightly lost in the hype that half life was coated with, yet still won a large number of prestigious awards. Deservedly.
I'd gush about it more, but it'd ruin it for anyone who hasn't played it.
But of course, everyone has played the best game of all time haven't you? HAVEN"T YOU?
What are you waiting for?
Best games: My list
Best flight sim type game: Freespace 2, close runner up is the original x wing, and tie fighter. Ace combat, squadron leader is also fantastic, though a different sort of game
Best FPS: In no particular order: Half life, Alien vs Predator gold edition, System Shock 2, Thief 2: the metal age. Quake. For console: Goldeneye 64.
Best team based multiplayer FPS: Battlefield 2.
Best point and click: Day of the tentacle, sorry monkey island fans, close runner up, the simon the sorcerer series.
Best RPG: Planescape torment, (goddamn I need a copy, used to borrow it off a mate). Runners up: System Shock 2, Knights of the Old Republic, Pokemon: Blue (we all know blue was better than red)
Best stealth 'em up: Thief 2: the metal age, I love metal gear solid, but seriously, thief shits on it from an unbearable height.
Best beat em ups: In order: Bloody Roar 3, Street fighter 2, soul calibre 2, virtua fighter 4, streets of rage 2, Super smash bros.
Best coop gaming: In order: Streets of rage 2, Diablo 2, Battlefield 2. notable newer games: left 4 dead, Gears of War.
Best Adventure/platforming: Tomb Raider (the original)
Best puzzler: Tetris, with a valiant effort from aqua aqua: wetrex 2, bejewelled, pong, Portal, Bookworm adventures.
Best Survival horror: 3 way tie: Resident evil 4, wii edition for gameplay, silent hill 2, for you know, actually being scary, Eternal darkness: sanities requiem for generally messing with your mind.
Best RTS: For gameplay: World in Conflict, for story, Homeworld. Runners up: Advanced Wars Dual Strike, the original C&C, Starcraft Broodwar, Company of Heroes series. For scope, but didn't really take off: Sins of a Solar empire.
Best multiplayer RTS: WiC.
Best competitive multiplayer: Worms, Counter Strike: Source, Mario Kart 64.
Best Racing Game: Mario kart 64.
Best game that they sell to you over and over and over and over again and you all keep lapping up: Any of the Zelda games
Best film with some gaming moments: Metal Gear Solid 2
Best sports game: Depends on the sport really, overall though, probably SSX tricky. Wii sports is awesome though.
Best music/rhythm game: Guitar hero 2. Close runner up: Rock Band 2
Best sandbox game: GTA3 San Andreas, honourable mention, animal crossing
Most ridiculously addictive minigame: The count the pokemon game from pokemon stadium 2.
Best multiplayer community support from any game (and works flawlessly): World in Conflict.
Now, in ascending order:
The Top 5:
The 2 'I can't believe I have to leave them off's:
Half Life and Mario Kart 64.
Half Life stormed in from left field, putting a story into FPS games, paving the way for Valve to become the powerhouse it is today, revolutionising multiplayer community modding (Counter Strike, Day of Defeat etc...). It's successor introduced physics to the gaming world, spawning such might as Portal, and kicked everyone into action by forcing the widespread introduction of digital distribution mediums (steam).
Mario Kart Could be the best multiplayer game of all time. Along with goldeneye, the reason to still own a 64. Lets be honest people, if you had an hour to kill, and someone pressed that classic controller in your hands, and suggested: 'Kart?' WOULD YOU PHYSICALLY BE ABLE TO SAY NO?
At 5:
Resident Evil 4: Wiimake
Though by this time this game had already been released separately on 2 other consoles (Gamecube and PS2), this is the definitive edition.
A decent storyline (by Resi standards) was combined by the (much needed) decision to break away from the fixed camera angle of the previous games, and boy did it pay off. However, when combined with the 'point and shoot' ability of the wiimote, well, this was simply sublime. It also included the supremely addictive 'Mercenaries' mode for competitive tantrums among groups of friends. I'll never forget the day we heard that giant chainsaw rev up. It was the first time we'd played that particular level, and ghostwolf was arseing around on top of a tower. The giant chainsaw zombie jumped up behind him, and tore him into two gore covered pieces. The shocked delight reverberated around our student living room as he sat in silence, shaking slightly, his mind slightly undone.
This game SHOULD have paved the way for the Wii to become a legitimate gaming system, rather than the shovelware infested whore it is now. I doubt nintendo care, but I lament the loss of what could have been.
Other things to remember about this game were that it was released for the Wii at £29.99 nobly noting that it WAS a rerelease, and therefore shouldn't cost as much as a new game.
Also notable is the introduction of 'quick time events'. These now infest games everywhere (much to most gamer's chagrin) but at the time they were fresh and novel.
At 4:
Thief 2: The Metal Age.
A grey, cynical protagonist, never bettered in videogame history in my opinion. A novel steampunk medieval setting, arrows that decayed in flight, a great storyline, the best stealth action ever released.
The thinking man's first person shooter, where a wrong choice would lead to your inevitable death. Able to take one enemy in a one on one fight, any more than one, well, you had to hide. Never has patience and planning been more rewarded in an FPS. Also, you know, STEALING as the goal, once you had achieved your loot target, do you escape, or do you get greedy, and go for that well guarded, well lit upstairs master bedroom - Those candlesticks look like solid gold...they'd be worth a fortune in water arrows...
Best moment: Breaking into, and exfiltrating from a huge steampunk bank vault.
At 3:
Freespace 2. The best spacefighting sim ever. Depth up the whazoo, a list of controls longer than war and peace, ensuring you can tinker with weapons loadouts and energy distributions and shield arcs to your hearts content.
A storyline that pitches you into the deep end when you've picked up enough practice, literally impossible missions, medals, black ops, GIANT space ships, and at the time, excellent multiplayer community support.
I still play the single player campaign regularly.
At 2:
World in Conflict
Simply the best RTS ever made.
Graphics that still look stunning. Multiplayer which forces teamwork and requires it. The ability to call in napalm, artillery, chemical strikes, A10 Tankbusters and eventually even tactical nuclear weapons all whilst requiring enough micromanagement to keep twitch players content.
Focussing on manoeuvre and mobility, rather than basebuilding and static positions, this game rewards risks and daring.
A single player campaign with a decent storyline (voiced by Arrec Bawwwdwwiiin himself!) which takes on the task of teaching the player how to use each unit type effectively, as well as tactical aid strikes with a gentle learning curve, in order to prepare the player for his multiplayer career.
Combined with simply the best support a developer has ever given clans and a multiplayer community. If you don't have this game, you're missing out.
The Number 1:
Overall, objectively, I would say System Shock 2 is the best game ever made. Amazing storyline, decent soundtrack, fulfils a few different categories, part fps, part rpg, part horror. Just an all round quality title. I actually felt devastated and almost cried at the critical plot moment. I've never felt more alone in my entire life.
The level of emotional manipulation in this game is deep, on the level of Eternal Darkness, but without some of the gimicry.
This game kind of got slightly lost in the hype that half life was coated with, yet still won a large number of prestigious awards. Deservedly.
I'd gush about it more, but it'd ruin it for anyone who hasn't played it.
But of course, everyone has played the best game of all time haven't you? HAVEN"T YOU?
What are you waiting for?
