I recently compiled a list of my top twenty games spanning the range of genres. A few choices are nostalgic, but remain superbly crafted examples of the media.
Top 20 Mixed Genre Games
1) Street Fighter II: Turbo (Arcade)
King of brawlers, only the most dedicated players could perfect its honed systems, until it became a virtual art form. Street Fighter IV may eventually steal its crown, but not yet. Preferred over Soul Calibur’s and Super Smash Bros’ button mashing.
2) Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (N64)
A majestic videogame, practically flawless, barring a semi-conventional storyline. Preferred over A Link to the Past’s devious puzzles and Okami’s calligraphic wonder.
3) Baldur’s Gate II: The Shadows of Amn (PC)
Epic in scope, with an excellent storyline and fully interactive characters. Roleplaying’s pinnacle. Preferred over the original and Planescape Torment.
4) Super Mario 64 (N64)
Nightmarishly addictive, with ingenious platforming puzzles. The first time Mario turned three-dimensional. Preferred over other incarnations such as Super Mario World and Allstars.
5) Goldeneye (N64)
Superbly crafted shooter. Solid single player story, but it excelled in multiplayer. No first person shooter has bettered it. Preferred over Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, Doom and Half Life 2.
6) Resident Evil 4 (Gamecube)
The pick of a great series with fantastic physics and a tightened control system. Arguably moved away from its survival horror roots, but managed to reignite a flaccid franchise. Preferred over the Silent Hill series.
7) Championship Manager 3 (PC)
Uber detailed and addictive simulator. Preferred over the The Sims and Theme Park.
8) Day of the Tentacle (PC)
Best point and click adventure from a fabulous stock of LucasArts games. Combined surrealist humour with a roster of charming characters. Preferred over the Monkey Island series, the Broken Sword series and Grim Fandango.
9) Mario Kart 64 (N64)
All about the multiplayer, just so much fun! Preferred over the SNES version, Wipeout, F Zero and all driving simulators.
10) Shenmue (Dreamcast)
A story driven masterpiece, with incredible character exploration and dialogue. The way games are heading. The button sensitive combat is a flaw, but why complain, when the game contains a full edition of Space Harrier. Preferred over Fable II.
11) Star Wars: Tie Fighter (PC)
Superbly atmospheric flight simulator, evoking the vast Star Wars universe. Preferred over others in series and all flight simulators.
12) The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion (Xbox 360)
Epic RPG with specific first person perspective interaction. Ingenious Guild quests and dialogue strings overshadowed a distinctly average storyline. Preferred over Ultima Underworld and Thief: the Dark Project.
13) Turtles: The Arcade Game (Arcade)
Fabulous arcade scroller, taking full advantage of the TMNT licence. Playable with four players. Preferred over X Men: The Arcade Game and Golden Axe.
14) God of War II (PlayStation 2)
Greatest action game ever created. Sublimely detailed graphical flourishes, beautifully modelled enemies and relentlessly paced. God of War III may trump it. Preferred over Tomb Raider.
15) Diablo (PC)
Amazing hack and slash fantasy establishing the foundations of World of Warcraft. Brilliant design and perfectly balanced difficulty curve. Preferred over all imitators.
16) Streets of Rage II (Megadrive)
Side-scrolling heaven. Typified the Sega Megadrive, with catchy music, a steep difficulty curve and excessive violence. Preferred over Double Dragon and Final Fight.
17) Command & Conquer: Red Alert (PC)
Pinnacle of strategy games. Great units to command and varied missions. Preferred over Cannon Fodder, Age of Empires and Starcraft.
18) Final Fantasy X (PlayStation 2)
The complete J-RPG package. Random map battles are a sore point. Preferred over Phantasy Star and Final Fantasy VII (yes, I know! Blasphemy).
19) Wonder Boy (Arcade)
Nostalgic masterpiece, simplistic, but packed with charm and imagination. Appeared childish, but disguised a devilishly tough game. Preferred over Shinobi and the Alex Kid series.
20) Deus Ex (PC)
Deep first person shooter/RPG, paved the way for augmenting characters and the later success of Bioshock.
1) Street Fighter II: Turbo (Arcade)
King of brawlers, only the most dedicated players could perfect its honed systems, until it became a virtual art form. Street Fighter IV may eventually steal its crown, but not yet. Preferred over Soul Calibur’s and Super Smash Bros’ button mashing.
2) Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (N64)
A majestic videogame, practically flawless, barring a semi-conventional storyline. Preferred over A Link to the Past’s devious puzzles and Okami’s calligraphic wonder.
3) Baldur’s Gate II: The Shadows of Amn (PC)
Epic in scope, with an excellent storyline and fully interactive characters. Roleplaying’s pinnacle. Preferred over the original and Planescape Torment.
4) Super Mario 64 (N64)
Nightmarishly addictive, with ingenious platforming puzzles. The first time Mario turned three-dimensional. Preferred over other incarnations such as Super Mario World and Allstars.
5) Goldeneye (N64)
Superbly crafted shooter. Solid single player story, but it excelled in multiplayer. No first person shooter has bettered it. Preferred over Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, Doom and Half Life 2.
6) Resident Evil 4 (Gamecube)
The pick of a great series with fantastic physics and a tightened control system. Arguably moved away from its survival horror roots, but managed to reignite a flaccid franchise. Preferred over the Silent Hill series.
7) Championship Manager 3 (PC)
Uber detailed and addictive simulator. Preferred over the The Sims and Theme Park.
8) Day of the Tentacle (PC)
Best point and click adventure from a fabulous stock of LucasArts games. Combined surrealist humour with a roster of charming characters. Preferred over the Monkey Island series, the Broken Sword series and Grim Fandango.
9) Mario Kart 64 (N64)
All about the multiplayer, just so much fun! Preferred over the SNES version, Wipeout, F Zero and all driving simulators.
10) Shenmue (Dreamcast)
A story driven masterpiece, with incredible character exploration and dialogue. The way games are heading. The button sensitive combat is a flaw, but why complain, when the game contains a full edition of Space Harrier. Preferred over Fable II.
11) Star Wars: Tie Fighter (PC)
Superbly atmospheric flight simulator, evoking the vast Star Wars universe. Preferred over others in series and all flight simulators.
12) The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion (Xbox 360)
Epic RPG with specific first person perspective interaction. Ingenious Guild quests and dialogue strings overshadowed a distinctly average storyline. Preferred over Ultima Underworld and Thief: the Dark Project.
13) Turtles: The Arcade Game (Arcade)
Fabulous arcade scroller, taking full advantage of the TMNT licence. Playable with four players. Preferred over X Men: The Arcade Game and Golden Axe.
14) God of War II (PlayStation 2)
Greatest action game ever created. Sublimely detailed graphical flourishes, beautifully modelled enemies and relentlessly paced. God of War III may trump it. Preferred over Tomb Raider.
15) Diablo (PC)
Amazing hack and slash fantasy establishing the foundations of World of Warcraft. Brilliant design and perfectly balanced difficulty curve. Preferred over all imitators.
16) Streets of Rage II (Megadrive)
Side-scrolling heaven. Typified the Sega Megadrive, with catchy music, a steep difficulty curve and excessive violence. Preferred over Double Dragon and Final Fight.
17) Command & Conquer: Red Alert (PC)
Pinnacle of strategy games. Great units to command and varied missions. Preferred over Cannon Fodder, Age of Empires and Starcraft.
18) Final Fantasy X (PlayStation 2)
The complete J-RPG package. Random map battles are a sore point. Preferred over Phantasy Star and Final Fantasy VII (yes, I know! Blasphemy).
19) Wonder Boy (Arcade)
Nostalgic masterpiece, simplistic, but packed with charm and imagination. Appeared childish, but disguised a devilishly tough game. Preferred over Shinobi and the Alex Kid series.
20) Deus Ex (PC)
Deep first person shooter/RPG, paved the way for augmenting characters and the later success of Bioshock.
1 comment:
Deus Ex - what a game! Me tink "deep" is a superb way of summing this one up dude. The drone of the alarm cameras still give me nightmares. Plus, the soundtrack on one of levels reminds me of a tune from Solesides Greatest Bumps.
Post a Comment