GGR's Best Video Games (Andy's List)
Mike and I did a podcast not too long ago and we mentioned we would have our video game picks up as an article, too. So, here it is, in all it's glory!
Metal Gear Solid (1998 PS1)
Like many gamers in North America, I had never heard of the Metal Gear games until my buddy got his hands on a Playstation demo disk (remember those??!?) and played it at my house. I don’t remember the other games on the disk, but the one that really stood out was a game called Metal Gear Solid, where instead of knocking out a ton of random henchmen, you were supposed to remain hidden. But if you WERE discovered, you had all kinds of amazing tools, weapons and skills to get you out a jam. It was mindblowing! The interesting characters, the dynamic story, the inventive gameplay! This game got the player really involved with the action, especially when it came to fighting the master of mind-reading and hypnosis, Psycho Mantis. The voice acting was off the charts, and the actors took the game very seriously and didn’t half-ass it (however, a lot of them used pseudonyms). Solid Snake (yeah, I laughed at the name when I first heard it too) became a gaming icon and was eventually featured as a playable character in Super Smash Bros Brawl.
"Hmmmm.... Well, good luck Meryl. I'm takin' the day off."
Resident Evil 2 (1998 PS1)
The first game I ever played on the Sony Playstation. Not knowing much about it’s prequel, I really got into this game and it changed how I viewed games. This was the first game I ever played that didn’t have “levels”, which shocked the hell out of me at the time. The idea of a “horror” video game was completely new to me, and I felt the immense dread throughout the entire game. You never knew when a Licker or Mr. X was going to pop out of a corner or jump through a window and make you jump out of your skin. Eat your heart out Five Nights At Freddy’s.
"My dying wish... If they make a movie about us... don't let it be directed by the guy who made 'Soldier'!"
Spider-man (2000 PS1)
Despite the occasional good game in Spidey’s history, he has not had a great resume of games, particularly with their controls. But Spider-man for the Playstation really make you feel like you could do, well to quote the theme song, anything a spider can. It’s still an very fun game that I play every once and a while to this very day.
Black Cat: "Is your spider-sense tingling, Spider?"
Spider-man: "Well... SOMETHING is tingling..."
Red Dead Redemption (2010 XBox 360, PS3)
Rockstar Games really hit a home run with this open world western game. The millions of dollars they put into it really shows. From the graphics, to the gameplay, the acting, the scope and scale, RDR is a massive win.
DMC:Devil May Cry (2013 XBox 360, PS3, XBox One, PS4)
I was a Devil May Cry fan from day one when the first Devil May Cry was released on the PS2 in 2001. Like many fans, I was off put by this skinny emo kid claiming to be Dante. But with a lot of good writing (including a more concrete backstory for Dante), an insanely fun combo system, and the most breath taking level design ever, this reboot won me over. I’m waiting for a followup, Capcom.
"I'm gonna teach you demons a lesson... IN DANCING!!!"
Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude (2004 XBox, PS2)
This is guilty pleasure for me. It’s not a terrible game by any means but it is very juvenile. The long running series of PC games about a little guy in a squeaky plastic suit trying to get his jive situation on has finally moved to consoles. It is seriously one of the funniest games I’ve ever played, mainly thanks to the “choose the dialog” games. Choose the wrong lines intentionally and you get some hilarious lines of dialog.
Toe Jam and Earl (1991 Genesis)
Never have I ever played a game that was so frustratingly challenging and fun. The two jammin’ aliens from the planet Funkatron search for pieces of their crashed rocketship while trying to avoid those crazy humans. The sound design is what really does it for me. The soundtrack and sound effects really make this game memorable. And who doesn’t enjoy opening presents?!
Mega Man X (1993 SNES)
Taking everything that was great about Mega Man and taking it to the next level! Mega Man (ahem) excuse me, X now has more of an edge in his search for upgrades in order to defeat the evil Sigma.
Yeah! Yeah, lemons!!!
Last of Us (2013 PS3, PS4)
Quite possibly the best opening prologue to a video game ever! This game does what the Walking Dead tries to by making the center of the story not the monsters, but the people trying to survive and the connections they make. The ending will have you in tears.
Joel: "You remind of..."
Ellie: "Of your daughter?"
Joel: "Of Ellen Page."
Ellie: "WHY DOES EVERYONE KEEP SAYING THAT?"
LA Noire (2011 XBox 360, PS3)
Another hit from Rockstar Games. This time you’re a detective rising through the ranks of the LAPD in the 1940s. The game has a very creative “face reading” mechanic, where actor’s faces are scanned in order to get realistic reactions, and you tell if the character is lying or telling the truth based their facial features. There has never been a gaming experience like it before or since.
"Hmmm... My detective skills are telling me... This man is dead..."
And there you have it. My list of favorite video games. What did you think? Did we miss some? Mike mentioned we'll have an article about all of our reader's favorite games as well, make sure you put your 2 cents in as well.
Andy Bartsch is a key contributor at GGR: The Great Geek Refuge
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