Inspired by similar threads on other forums, I thought I'd start something like this here. I'm making this thread purely for fun and knowledge. I'm aware of the "Games that make you a GAMER" thread, but I love reading other people's opinions on WHY they feel the way they do about a certain game. Hopefully, we can all also find some gems we've missed out on.
Before I begin, I'd like to ask everyone to follow a few ground rules to keep the thread clean, informative and exciting.
a. Explanations - Please write at least one line expressing why you love the game so much. Try to be descriptive and evocative with your words, but it doesn't have to be multiple paragraphs (although welcome).
"Mass Effect was an amazing game from start to finish" doesn't tell us much, but "Mass Effect had an engrossing storyline, excellently developed characters, immersive locations, and the icing on the cake - it made me feel like every little choice really mattered." does.
Remember, in this thread, the "Why" is just as important as the "What".
b. Ranking ties and Comparisons - If you love two games equally and can't decide between either, that's okay! Feel free to put more than one in a particular spot. Just remember to explain why, for both of them.
Please treat each game from a franchise separately. For example, you might want to place the Half-Life series at the number one spot since you love both HL and HL2 equally, but cite specific reasons for each instead of common merits. This is about your personal top 3, so don't add a rank 4 and 5
c. Single player only - Ideally this thread should double up as a recommendation thread as well. Therefore, let's stick to single player games since they don't require other people to play with or an internet connection, for the most part. Games like Warcraft, Starcraft, Battlefield 3 and so on, should be rated according to their single player components and not as a whole.
d. "Of all time" means just that - Super Mario. Bros on the NES is a valid candidate. The platform doesn't matter. Please do mention it though since it could come in handy, especially in the case of games from a bygone era or from a mobile platform like iOS / Android.
e. Keep it clean and have fun - I don't really need to point this out here on TE but for what it's worth, please refrain from questioning another person's choices, even if his list places the worst game you've ever played above a favourite of yours.
Here's my list:
1. BIOSHOCK INFINITE - Yes, Columbia is breathtaking, Elizabeth is lovely, the Lutece twins are charming and the ending blew my mind, but these barely scratch the surface of my appreciation for this game. Infinite felt like the game I waited my entire life for. A game that challenged the medium, the industry, and potentially revolutionized the future of video-game storytelling, all while making plenty of bold statements of its own.
It's been over ten days since I first completed the game, and computer problems have kept me from playing it since, but I think about the things it said every single day. It's an uncannily accurate portrayal of society and human behaviour in general. It's not flawless, but I find that this very attribute makes the game all the more organic.
2. PORTAL 2 / BIOSHOCK - Unlike Bioshock Infinite, Portal 2 is flawless. It is quite simply... a perfect game. Portal 2 doesn't even face the risk of poor pacing at any point during the game, because you are in complete control of moving the story forward the moment you're freed from your room.
The characters are among the best I've ever come across. Valve made memorable characters out of simple spheres and cubes. Wheatley is a lovable moron, even through the later half of the game. GLaDOS was amazing in Portal; far better in Portal 2 when you get to see her character fleshed out. Hell, Valve even made me want to do everything in my power to save a mute cube with a little heart print on its surface. The highlight of Portal 2 for me however, was the ruins of the old Aperture facility and Cave Johnson, a character you never actually see, but still manages to seem alive and kicking, long after his passing.
Tied for second place is the first Bioshock, another Ken Levine masterpiece. It was one of those games which blurred the lines between entertainment and art. It kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end, and one of the few games which made me sweat - it was intense! Bioshock had beauty, ugliness, madness, and poignancy strung together and thrown in to the remarkable world of Rapture. Incredible art direction, incredible writing, and most importantly, incredible sound design. Sadly, I experienced Bioshock years after its release, and had been spoiled by the internet somewhat.
3. WORLD OF WARCRAFT - Now I know I specifically said single player, but I'm referring to the single player component of WoW - the leveling process. There were a few other players who helped me along the way, but 95% of the time, I was on my own. This was back in 2006. Unfortunately, the leveling process has changed a lot now. However, I still remember Blizzard's magic as clear as day. A long time fan of their Warcraft games and the lore, my first steps in the World of Warcraft were exhilarating. Seeing a massive, living and breathing world like that was one of my best experiences in video games. I remember playing a measly low level Night Elf rogue, running all the way to Stormwind on foot and the epic music that played when I stepped inside. I felt like a small fish in a large ocean. It was Blizzard at their finest.
Now it's your turn
Go!
Before I begin, I'd like to ask everyone to follow a few ground rules to keep the thread clean, informative and exciting.
a. Explanations - Please write at least one line expressing why you love the game so much. Try to be descriptive and evocative with your words, but it doesn't have to be multiple paragraphs (although welcome).
"Mass Effect was an amazing game from start to finish" doesn't tell us much, but "Mass Effect had an engrossing storyline, excellently developed characters, immersive locations, and the icing on the cake - it made me feel like every little choice really mattered." does.
Remember, in this thread, the "Why" is just as important as the "What".
b. Ranking ties and Comparisons - If you love two games equally and can't decide between either, that's okay! Feel free to put more than one in a particular spot. Just remember to explain why, for both of them.
Please treat each game from a franchise separately. For example, you might want to place the Half-Life series at the number one spot since you love both HL and HL2 equally, but cite specific reasons for each instead of common merits. This is about your personal top 3, so don't add a rank 4 and 5
c. Single player only - Ideally this thread should double up as a recommendation thread as well. Therefore, let's stick to single player games since they don't require other people to play with or an internet connection, for the most part. Games like Warcraft, Starcraft, Battlefield 3 and so on, should be rated according to their single player components and not as a whole.
d. "Of all time" means just that - Super Mario. Bros on the NES is a valid candidate. The platform doesn't matter. Please do mention it though since it could come in handy, especially in the case of games from a bygone era or from a mobile platform like iOS / Android.
e. Keep it clean and have fun - I don't really need to point this out here on TE but for what it's worth, please refrain from questioning another person's choices, even if his list places the worst game you've ever played above a favourite of yours.
Here's my list:
1. BIOSHOCK INFINITE - Yes, Columbia is breathtaking, Elizabeth is lovely, the Lutece twins are charming and the ending blew my mind, but these barely scratch the surface of my appreciation for this game. Infinite felt like the game I waited my entire life for. A game that challenged the medium, the industry, and potentially revolutionized the future of video-game storytelling, all while making plenty of bold statements of its own.
It's been over ten days since I first completed the game, and computer problems have kept me from playing it since, but I think about the things it said every single day. It's an uncannily accurate portrayal of society and human behaviour in general. It's not flawless, but I find that this very attribute makes the game all the more organic.
2. PORTAL 2 / BIOSHOCK - Unlike Bioshock Infinite, Portal 2 is flawless. It is quite simply... a perfect game. Portal 2 doesn't even face the risk of poor pacing at any point during the game, because you are in complete control of moving the story forward the moment you're freed from your room.
The characters are among the best I've ever come across. Valve made memorable characters out of simple spheres and cubes. Wheatley is a lovable moron, even through the later half of the game. GLaDOS was amazing in Portal; far better in Portal 2 when you get to see her character fleshed out. Hell, Valve even made me want to do everything in my power to save a mute cube with a little heart print on its surface. The highlight of Portal 2 for me however, was the ruins of the old Aperture facility and Cave Johnson, a character you never actually see, but still manages to seem alive and kicking, long after his passing.
Tied for second place is the first Bioshock, another Ken Levine masterpiece. It was one of those games which blurred the lines between entertainment and art. It kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end, and one of the few games which made me sweat - it was intense! Bioshock had beauty, ugliness, madness, and poignancy strung together and thrown in to the remarkable world of Rapture. Incredible art direction, incredible writing, and most importantly, incredible sound design. Sadly, I experienced Bioshock years after its release, and had been spoiled by the internet somewhat.
3. WORLD OF WARCRAFT - Now I know I specifically said single player, but I'm referring to the single player component of WoW - the leveling process. There were a few other players who helped me along the way, but 95% of the time, I was on my own. This was back in 2006. Unfortunately, the leveling process has changed a lot now. However, I still remember Blizzard's magic as clear as day. A long time fan of their Warcraft games and the lore, my first steps in the World of Warcraft were exhilarating. Seeing a massive, living and breathing world like that was one of my best experiences in video games. I remember playing a measly low level Night Elf rogue, running all the way to Stormwind on foot and the epic music that played when I stepped inside. I felt like a small fish in a large ocean. It was Blizzard at their finest.
Now it's your turn
Go!
