Note: This list consists of my personal favorite games I've ever played. This list is not necessarily based on the quality of the game, but how much I enjoyed them. It's also important to remember there are many games I have never played.
The "Metal Gear" series might be the most praised franchise in all of video game history. The original "Metal Gear" launched in 1987, and was met with positive reviews; but in 1998 the franchise hit its prime with "Metal Gear Solid." MGS was moved the franchise in a new direction, with the primary element revolving around stealth. Upon its release the title was lauded by critics and audiences, and has since been called one of the greatest games of all time. Since then, every major installment in the series has been met with critical acclaim; but several of the spin-offs have been met with mixed reception. But the one spin-off that has been met with wide acclaim would be "Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker." "Peace Walker" was initially released for the PSP to critical acclaim, with many calling it the best game ever released on the system. Many praised the game for just how big the title was on Sony's smallest system. Of any game released on the PSP, I played this one the most. The combat, story, and freedom made this worth the many hours I spent on it. While "Peace Walker" never got a true sequel on a handheld system, its successor is a game that I enjoy even more.
If you've never played "Saints Row: The Third," let me summarize the series for you. The first game was nothing more than a GTA clone that was met with lukewarm reviews, the second was much more enjoyable and pretty silly, and with the third I'm pretty sure the developers said "f*ck it" let's make it crazy." SRTT is one of the silliest and most over-the-top games I've ever played. You're cast as the boss of the Third Street Saints, a gang that has become international icons for one reason or another. But after a bank heist gone wrong, you come in contact with a gang syndicate whose goal is to destroy you. This game didn't take itself seriously in any way; it's ridiculous scenario after ridiculous scenario. That being said, it's still incredibly fun and one of the most enjoyable games of the previous console generation. A fourth installment in the series was released a few years later, which was also very enjoyable but lacked that special something that made "The Third" so great. While the future of the franchise is up in the air, fans will at least get to look back and fondly remember this title.
Despite taking place on some of the smallest consoles available, "Grand Theft auto: Chinatown Wars" is one of the franchise's most ambitious games. "Chinatown Wars" launched on the Nintendo DS in 2009 to critical acclaim, and it would come to the PSP a few months later. You're placed in the position of a young man born into a Yakuza family, as he makes a name for himself in Liberty City. Despite the acclaim, the game would receive much criticism and media attention for its drug dealing mini-game, as well for the traditional criticism directed at GTA. But even with the negative press, it doesn't change the fact that this is one of the most impressive games we've ever seen on a handheld system. The engaging story, old school gameplay, and the tons of side content available, "Chinatown Wars" is my favorite handheld game of all time, and my favorite game in one of the best franchises ever made.
When "Bioshock" came out in 2007, it shook the way the world looked at first person shooters. "Bioshock" was one of a few FPS at the time that chose style and story over actual gameplay; while the shooting mechanics of the game were solid and got the job done, the game's subject matter was universally praised. You play as a faceless character named Jack, the sole survivor of a plane accident in the middle of the ocean. Desperate, you swim to a nearby lighthouse; but once you enter, you find a pod on a track that takes you to the underwater city Rapture. Built by businessman Andrew Ryan, you arrive to find the place in utter chaos. Fighting for your life, you must traverse the city with the help from the man on the radio to find Ryan and free yourself. The story, characters, lore, and world building were universally praised, with many say the game had one of the best single-player campaigns of all time. The game would go on to spawn two praised sequels, and became the standards for the FPS for years to come.
When it comes to which game on this list was most lauded by critics, "Half-Life 2" might be the most acclaimed of the bunch. Towards the end of the 2000s, I believe the game received more "Game of the Decade" awards than any other title. HL2 is the sequel to the original "Half-Life," where an accident at research site Black Mesa ripped a whole into another universe throwing our world into chaos and establishing a new world order. In HL2 you play as Gordon Freeman, a scientist that was at Black Mesa, as he joins a resistance group trying to overthrow the tyrannical government. Much like its predecessor, HL2 was praised for its gameplay, story, setting, and characters; but with new technologies and a new engine at the developer's disposal, HL2 was given a major graphical update and a more responsive and clever physics engine. While the future of the series is up in the air, many hold out hope that "Half-Life 3" is on its way.
Which
game in the "Fallout" series is the best is up for debate. Some claim
that the original is the best, saying that it set the standard for many western
RPGs yet to come. Some would say it was "Fallout 3," in that it
redefined and changed a series that seemed to be set in its ways. Yet many will
argue that "Fallout: New Vegas," a game made in about 18 months by a subsidiary of Bethesda Softworks, is the best in the series. Chronologically,
"New Vegas" takes place after the events of "Fallout 3."
You play a nameless courier, tasked with delivering an important package to the boss of the post apocalyptic Las Vegas. You are captured, and then shot in the
head for the package. Miraculously, you survive you injuries, and then set out
upon the Mojave Desert to track down the man that tried to kill you. Despite being
met with criticism upon its release for technical issues and the fact that
"New Vegas" didn't feel like that much different from its
predecessor, the game has grown a strong and devoted following. Many fans have
praised the game for its improved combat, as well as its story telling and
choices which lacked in its predecessor. Claiming which "Fallout"
game is the best is difficult, but my favorite is without a doubt
"Fallout: New Vegas.
"Peace
Walker" was a runner-up on this list, which says a lot considering how
much I enjoyed it; but I whole-heatedly consider this a more enjoyable game than
“Peace Walker." Chronologically in the series, "Metal Gear Solid: The
Phantom Pain" takes place after "Peace Walker." The story
follows Big Boss after he wakes up from a coma and takes the helm of the
mercenary group Diamond Dogs. Big boss then goes after the people responsible
for the coma, as well as the pain and suffering his friends endured. MGS5 is a
game I've sunk more than 100 hours into, and every time I've played through it I feel like I'm having a new experience. Upon its release the game was met with wide
acclaim, with many calling it a stand out in a year full of incredible titles.
Most praised the game for its mechanics and technical achievement, but it did receive
criticism for its story and lack of closer (with the game’s biggest problem
being that it was unfinished by the developer). Despite a variety of issues, on
a technical and gameplay level, MGS5 is one of the most impressive games I've
ever played; I even named it the second best game of 2015 behind "The
Witcher 3: Wild hunt." While the future of the "Metal Gear"
series is unsure after the departure of the series creator from the publisher
Konami, with the next installment in the series, "Metal Gear Solid:
Survive" being met with wide criticism, MGS5 still ranks among my all
time favorite games.
Of
every game on this list, I think this is the one I've played the most. I know
for a fact I've played this game for over 200 hours (which is a lot for me
since I'm the type of a person that likes to jump around from game to game).
"Bloodborne" is the spiritual successor to the "Dark Souls"
series, a series of games lauded for their combat and story. And like its
predecessors, "Bloodborne" received wide acclaim for its combat,
story, aesthetics, world design, and difficulty. You play a nameless character that
arrives at a city known for their medical science, only to learn that the city
has been overrun by beasts due to an unknown plague. You then venture forth
purging the city of these monsters as you try and discover the cause of the
illness. Every "gamer" has that game that they know like the back of
their hand, and for me that game is "Bloodborne." After playing this
game over a dozen times through, I know what lies around almost every corner.
The "Souls" franchise has become one of the most acclaimed in all of
gaming, and it's not hard to make a claim that "Bloodborne" is the
best in the franchise.
Of
every game on this list, you can make a strong case that this one is the best.
"Red Dead Redemption" follows John Marston, a former gang member.
Marston was a former gang member who was forced to work for the federal
government after they basically hold his family hostage. Marston's job is to
hunt down the key members of his former gang and either kill them or turn them
in. Developed by Rockstar Games, the people behind the "Grand Theft
Auto" franchise, many have called this the developer’s best game.
Primarily developed by Rockstar San Diego, the game was praised for its story,
characters, and gameplay. The game has seen gone on to be called one of the
greatest of all time. Despite playing through the campaign several times, it has
never got old. Every play through is a new experience. You can make a strong
argument that this is a perfect game, on a technical and storytelling level.
For years now a sequel has been rumored; but if one is really in the works, I
have trouble imagining that it will be better than this one.
"Kingdom
Hearts" easily rank among the most beloved series of all time, with some
of the most dedicated fans out there. The first installment in the series,
"Kingdom Hearts," was released in 2002 to positive reviews from
critics, most praising the combat and the unique world the game built. The game
received wide attention for combining the worlds of "Final Fantasy"
as well as a number of Disney properties such as "Tarzan,"
Pinocchio," "Aladdin," and many more. The game was met with
enthusiasm from audiences, and would spawn an entire series. And in 2006,
"Kingdom Hearts 2" was released. Most consider this installment a step
up, with improvements in storytelling, world design, and combat. The game would
even go on to win a few "Game of the Year Awards." I love this
series, I've played most of the installments and sunk countless hours into them; and
of the games I've played "Kingdom Hearts 2" is easily my favorite. I
love everything about this game, the combat, the characters, the existing
properties, the original story, everything. From start to finish, this is one
of the most enjoyable games I've ever played. And I owe a debt to this series,
"Kingdom Hearts" was the reason I chose to buy a PS2 over the other
consoles at the time. And I've stuck with PlayStation ever since. The
developers have confirmed that a sequel, "Kingdom Hearts 3," is one
its way. Now I've literally waited over a decade for this game and you can bet
money I'll be first in line to pick it up opening night. But in the mean time,
I can reminisce about KH2, one of my all time favorites.
This
is one of those criminally underrated games that unfortunately sold very poorly.
In fact, upon its initial release in 2006 for the PS2, it was the worst selling
game to win a "Game of the Year Award" from a major publication.
"Okami" is based off of Japanese folklore; the game follows a sun
goddess that takes the form of a wolf after she is summoned to defeat an
ancient demon after it is reborn. "Okami" was praised for its art
style, storytelling, characters, and writing. Despite this the game sold poorly
on the PS2. A few years later the game was re-released for the Wii, but once
again sold poorly. Eventually the game would received an HD re-release on the
PS3, and for the first time the game managed to move a fair number of copies
dues to a dedicated following and the legacy of such an acclaimed game. Despite
improved sales, a true sequel is unlikely. A spiritual successor was released on the Nintendo DS a
few years back, but after the developers Clover Studios went under we will
probably not see a true sequel to the game. The remnants of Clover Studios have
since gone on to form a new studio called Platinum Games, but without publisher
support fans will likely never get another installment in the franchise.
"Okami" is a game that any true "gamer" should play. It is
a one of a kind and brilliant title that captivated me from the very begging.
And even though it's unlikely, I still hope that we one day see a sequel.
I have been alive for 22 years, and over those 22 years I've played a lot of video games. And of all of those games, "Mass Effect 2" is unquestionably my favorite. To be honest I'm not sure why I like "Mass Effect 2" so much, it has more than a few faults; but despite its issues, it is a game that I have always found incredibly entertaining and engaging. "Mass Effect 2" is the second installment in a trilogy, and is almost universally declared the best. Upon its release the RPG was lauded for its story, characters, universe, gameplay, soundtrack, and freedom of choice. It would later go on to win many "Game of the Year Awards," and would even be called one of the best games of the seventh console generation. "Mass Effect 2" is one of the most enjoyable games I've ever played. For a long time it has been my "go to" game for when there aren't any games out at the moment I want to play. Even writing this article makes me want to go back and play it again. Without a doubt in my mind I can say that "Mass Effect 2" is both the greatest Western RPG of all time, as well as one of the best games ever made.
