I figured that if everyone else is doing this, I might as well, too!
Okay, #1 and #2 aren't surprising at all. But the rest should be! I've somehow become known as anti-Western gaming. Which is really far from the truth. I'm just against the new-found Western gaming focus on narrative.
Well, anyone who's read my Escapist profile, where I keep my "Top 5 Games of All Time" listed under Interests, can figure out my #1 and #2. The rest...may surprise you. Go ahead. Check my profile now.
[HEADING=2]Please read the words after the game name.[/HEADING]
And Persona 3 Portable would be on the list, but I haven't finished it, and putting a game I haven't finished on this list would feel...wrong. And Fallout: New Vegas and Red Dead Redemption just bored the living shit out of me, to the point of me not finishing them. Quit New Vegas at Novac, Red Dead at the end of the Mexico missions. But who cares?
BIIIIIIIIIIIIG IIIIIIIIIROOOOOOOON!
Fits both New Vegas AND Red Dead doesn't it?
Other games that didn't make it, but I still enjoyed immensely:
Metro 2033
Alan Wake
Just Cause 2
Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth
Final Fantasy XIII
God of War 3
Halo: Reach
Heart Gold & Soul Silver
Professor Layton & The Unwound Future
Black Ops
Super Street Fighter 4
Blazblue: Continuum Shift
Tatsunoko Vs Capcom
Heavy Rain
Mafia 2
Yeah. My interests cover a variety of game genres...I'm well aware.
Thanks to Pearl Jam, for the awesome music while I typed this up this morning! Specifically, "Vs."
[HEADING=1]Were you surprised by any of my choices?[/HEADING]
Edit: It seems not. Not even Ghost of Sparta shocked anyone.
Okay, #1 and #2 aren't surprising at all. But the rest should be! I've somehow become known as anti-Western gaming. Which is really far from the truth. I'm just against the new-found Western gaming focus on narrative.
Well, anyone who's read my Escapist profile, where I keep my "Top 5 Games of All Time" listed under Interests, can figure out my #1 and #2. The rest...may surprise you. Go ahead. Check my profile now.
[HEADING=2]Please read the words after the game name.[/HEADING]
[HEADING=1]Fable 3[/HEADING]
Like Mass Effect 2, this is another game I don't think is much of an RPG. Like Mass Effect 2, I still really enjoyed it. Absolutely all of the voice acting is good. With Ben Kingsley, Simon Pegg, JOHN MOTHERFUCKING CLEESE, and Stephen Fry on the cast, the rest had a lot to live up to. Even your hero/heroine's limited vocabulary and the random NPCs have well done VO. Unlike ManShep. (Dear Bioware, don't hire Mark Meer again for Mass Effect 3!) This game's writing is some of the best in the business, especially when it comes to humor. The first time you put on some stupid outfit and hear John Cleese's wit, you'll be trying on your entire wardrobe to see his comments. The game is/was glitchy in some spots, though. The golden trail would spawn too slowly to keep up with your pace, and John Cleese would sometimes be silent! THE HORROR! Combat is a simple affair, but gets the job done, considering that Fable appears to be targeting the "anyone can play market". Holding hands with NPCs has more of an impact than one would expect. I thought that it sounded stupid, but soon I was walking around town with my wife, enjoying the beautiful world Lionhead had created. Finally, the D&D quest was AWESOME-SAUCE.
And the economy is STILL broken as hell. But again, this game is partially meant for the casual sect, who probably wouldn't realize how utterly busted the economy can become after buying a few houses and shops.
Like Mass Effect 2, this is another game I don't think is much of an RPG. Like Mass Effect 2, I still really enjoyed it. Absolutely all of the voice acting is good. With Ben Kingsley, Simon Pegg, JOHN MOTHERFUCKING CLEESE, and Stephen Fry on the cast, the rest had a lot to live up to. Even your hero/heroine's limited vocabulary and the random NPCs have well done VO. Unlike ManShep. (Dear Bioware, don't hire Mark Meer again for Mass Effect 3!) This game's writing is some of the best in the business, especially when it comes to humor. The first time you put on some stupid outfit and hear John Cleese's wit, you'll be trying on your entire wardrobe to see his comments. The game is/was glitchy in some spots, though. The golden trail would spawn too slowly to keep up with your pace, and John Cleese would sometimes be silent! THE HORROR! Combat is a simple affair, but gets the job done, considering that Fable appears to be targeting the "anyone can play market". Holding hands with NPCs has more of an impact than one would expect. I thought that it sounded stupid, but soon I was walking around town with my wife, enjoying the beautiful world Lionhead had created. Finally, the D&D quest was AWESOME-SAUCE.
And the economy is STILL broken as hell. But again, this game is partially meant for the casual sect, who probably wouldn't realize how utterly busted the economy can become after buying a few houses and shops.
[HEADING=1]God of War: Ghost of Sparta[/HEADING]
This PSP game is BETTER than God of War 3. That's right. BETTER. The combat is visceral and controls are spot-on, but that's to be expected with ANY God of War title. The PSP game has done more. It has made Kratos likable again. Taking place between God of War 1 and 2, it invokes sympathy for Kratos by focusing the quest on Kratos' hunt for his brother, Deimos. And even a meeting with Kratos' mother that doesn't turn out like anyone would expect. The regenerating "fire meter" adds a fantastic new dynamic to the combat, and the game is gorgeous. This PSP game looks even better than God of War 2. And they brought the "Combat Arena" over from the console games, so that after beating it, you can just beat on enemies with none of those puzzles or cutscenes!
This PSP game is BETTER than God of War 3. That's right. BETTER. The combat is visceral and controls are spot-on, but that's to be expected with ANY God of War title. The PSP game has done more. It has made Kratos likable again. Taking place between God of War 1 and 2, it invokes sympathy for Kratos by focusing the quest on Kratos' hunt for his brother, Deimos. And even a meeting with Kratos' mother that doesn't turn out like anyone would expect. The regenerating "fire meter" adds a fantastic new dynamic to the combat, and the game is gorgeous. This PSP game looks even better than God of War 2. And they brought the "Combat Arena" over from the console games, so that after beating it, you can just beat on enemies with none of those puzzles or cutscenes!
[HEADING=1]The Sly Collection[/HEADING]
I missed a few games on the PS2. There was so much good shit on the PS2, that some slipped through the cracks. Sly Cooper was one of those, sadly.
This HD remake is perfect. The cel-shading really pops in HD. And the general art style made the environments fare much better than they should have. 3 utterly amazing games for one low price. The first is mostly a linear series of levels stuff with collectables. The second is an open world, with less collectables, and 3 playable characters. The third game is open world, with basically no collectables, and almost a dozen playable characters. Each of these games is utterly amazing, even in terms of plot and characters. Which is rare for a game targeted at younger children. These games are great for all ages, and any gamer-parent with a PS3 should pick this up as an effort to get their kid into gaming.
The 2 easy Platinum trophies (Sly 1 and 2) don't hurt the deal, either!
I missed a few games on the PS2. There was so much good shit on the PS2, that some slipped through the cracks. Sly Cooper was one of those, sadly.
This HD remake is perfect. The cel-shading really pops in HD. And the general art style made the environments fare much better than they should have. 3 utterly amazing games for one low price. The first is mostly a linear series of levels stuff with collectables. The second is an open world, with less collectables, and 3 playable characters. The third game is open world, with basically no collectables, and almost a dozen playable characters. Each of these games is utterly amazing, even in terms of plot and characters. Which is rare for a game targeted at younger children. These games are great for all ages, and any gamer-parent with a PS3 should pick this up as an effort to get their kid into gaming.
The 2 easy Platinum trophies (Sly 1 and 2) don't hurt the deal, either!
[HEADING=1]Mass Effect 2[/HEADING]
For all the venom I spit at Mass Effect 2 for dumbing itself down so damn much, it truly is a fantastic game. What else is there to say? I can see why this is many people's GOTY. Also, this:
For all the venom I spit at Mass Effect 2 for dumbing itself down so damn much, it truly is a fantastic game. What else is there to say? I can see why this is many people's GOTY. Also, this:
[HEADING=1]Assassin's Creed: Brofist[/HEADING]
Well, when you call the Assassins, Ezio makes a fist. GET IT?!
No, really. This game improves everything from AC2, at least in gameplay. The story is still awesome, but not as emotional, since Ezio is already bad-ass man at the start. And they still use gigantic cliffhanger ending bullshit. Poison can now actually be used as a distraction thanks to Poison Darts, though.You can kick to break an enemy's guard. You have kill-streaks for extra bad-ass factor, clearing a fight in seconds. You can customize the quick select d-pad now! YEEEEEES! No more accidental medicine usage You can replay missions from the DNA menu! The crossbow is a one-hit kill stealth death machine. The pistol can be used while the sword is equipped by holding attack to aim it. All of these new options and powers lead to a PATHETICALLY easy game, though. You don't even need the counter-attacks anymore! So, the Sync challenges for each mission are the only way you'll get any sort of challenge from the game. Things like time limits, take no damage, use only a certain weapon, etc. And your sister and mother play a greater role, no longer sitting on the sidelines forever. Which is nice, because I have a kinda video-game-crush on Claudia for some reason.
Like in Fable 3, the economy is still broken. Unlike Fable, this game has no "casual market" excuse. Hell, it's even MORE broken. You don't have to go home to get the money now. Just visit one of the 10 banks around the city!
Add the innovative, and I don't use that word loosely, multiplayer...And you've got one hell of a game!
AND I'M STILL PISSED ABOUT MY GLITCHED TROPHIES! I beat the Catacombs, I beat Sequence 3, I killed a guard with a broom, and I renovated 5 buildings in the Antico district!
Well, when you call the Assassins, Ezio makes a fist. GET IT?!
No, really. This game improves everything from AC2, at least in gameplay. The story is still awesome, but not as emotional, since Ezio is already bad-ass man at the start. And they still use gigantic cliffhanger ending bullshit. Poison can now actually be used as a distraction thanks to Poison Darts, though.You can kick to break an enemy's guard. You have kill-streaks for extra bad-ass factor, clearing a fight in seconds. You can customize the quick select d-pad now! YEEEEEES! No more accidental medicine usage You can replay missions from the DNA menu! The crossbow is a one-hit kill stealth death machine. The pistol can be used while the sword is equipped by holding attack to aim it. All of these new options and powers lead to a PATHETICALLY easy game, though. You don't even need the counter-attacks anymore! So, the Sync challenges for each mission are the only way you'll get any sort of challenge from the game. Things like time limits, take no damage, use only a certain weapon, etc. And your sister and mother play a greater role, no longer sitting on the sidelines forever. Which is nice, because I have a kinda video-game-crush on Claudia for some reason.
Like in Fable 3, the economy is still broken. Unlike Fable, this game has no "casual market" excuse. Hell, it's even MORE broken. You don't have to go home to get the money now. Just visit one of the 10 banks around the city!
Add the innovative, and I don't use that word loosely, multiplayer...And you've got one hell of a game!
AND I'M STILL PISSED ABOUT MY GLITCHED TROPHIES! I beat the Catacombs, I beat Sequence 3, I killed a guard with a broom, and I renovated 5 buildings in the Antico district!
[HEADING=1]Vanquish[/HEADING]
Poor, poor Vanquish. Launching on THE SAME DAY as New Vegas. I loved you, baby. I beat you 3 times is 2 days. Normal, then Casual Auto for the "Beat the Game with No Deaths" trophy. And then Hard mode. You had me wrapped around your fast-paced little finger. You would have been my first Platinum trophy if you weren't so evil with the Challenge Mode missions. That weekend, I beat you a fourth time, going for all of your collectibles.
Vanquish is short. But this is the kind of game you can play again and again. It's cutscenes are entertaining, but skipabble, full of crazy shit and witty one-liners. The plot is batshit, and Russia is the bad guy. So, those looking for narrative are going to be disappointed until the end. When the game pulls a huge twist and makes you question who the real villains are.
If you like an adreneline rush from your action games, don't let this pass you by! This is as intense and action-packed as shooters get. It makes Call of Duty look tame by comparison. And I love CoD.
Look at this sniping mission, the only slow part in the entire game, as Sam compliments himself!
NICE SHOT, SAM!
Poor, poor Vanquish. Launching on THE SAME DAY as New Vegas. I loved you, baby. I beat you 3 times is 2 days. Normal, then Casual Auto for the "Beat the Game with No Deaths" trophy. And then Hard mode. You had me wrapped around your fast-paced little finger. You would have been my first Platinum trophy if you weren't so evil with the Challenge Mode missions. That weekend, I beat you a fourth time, going for all of your collectibles.
Vanquish is short. But this is the kind of game you can play again and again. It's cutscenes are entertaining, but skipabble, full of crazy shit and witty one-liners. The plot is batshit, and Russia is the bad guy. So, those looking for narrative are going to be disappointed until the end. When the game pulls a huge twist and makes you question who the real villains are.
If you like an adreneline rush from your action games, don't let this pass you by! This is as intense and action-packed as shooters get. It makes Call of Duty look tame by comparison. And I love CoD.
Look at this sniping mission, the only slow part in the entire game, as Sam compliments himself!
NICE SHOT, SAM!
[HEADING=1]Bayonetta[/HEADING]
Just read this. [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.169199-Onyx-Oblivions-Hypnotic-Review-of-Sarah-Pal-errr-Bayonetta]
DON'T POST IN IT, THOUGH! Keep it dead and buried.
It turns out that I was right. I had found my GOTY already back way then in early/mid January 2010.
Just read this. [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.169199-Onyx-Oblivions-Hypnotic-Review-of-Sarah-Pal-errr-Bayonetta]
DON'T POST IN IT, THOUGH! Keep it dead and buried.
It turns out that I was right. I had found my GOTY already back way then in early/mid January 2010.
And Persona 3 Portable would be on the list, but I haven't finished it, and putting a game I haven't finished on this list would feel...wrong. And Fallout: New Vegas and Red Dead Redemption just bored the living shit out of me, to the point of me not finishing them. Quit New Vegas at Novac, Red Dead at the end of the Mexico missions. But who cares?
BIIIIIIIIIIIIG IIIIIIIIIROOOOOOOON!
Fits both New Vegas AND Red Dead doesn't it?
Other games that didn't make it, but I still enjoyed immensely:
Metro 2033
Alan Wake
Just Cause 2
Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth
Final Fantasy XIII
God of War 3
Halo: Reach
Heart Gold & Soul Silver
Professor Layton & The Unwound Future
Black Ops
Super Street Fighter 4
Blazblue: Continuum Shift
Tatsunoko Vs Capcom
Heavy Rain
Mafia 2
Yeah. My interests cover a variety of game genres...I'm well aware.
Thanks to Pearl Jam, for the awesome music while I typed this up this morning! Specifically, "Vs."
[HEADING=1]Were you surprised by any of my choices?[/HEADING]
Edit: It seems not. Not even Ghost of Sparta shocked anyone.
