JON GOD'S TOP 80 GAMES LIST
People often ask me, what is my favorite game. I don't think, after all the games I've played, I could choose a favorite, so I think, what are my favorite GAMES... And even then it's hard, so I came up with a list of 80 of my favorite games, which I will now present you with, in 10 parts.
Part 1
To start this list off, I chose random games from a larger list, and this is in no particular order, so here we go:
Name: Myth II: Soulblighter
System/s: Mac/PC
Developer: Bungie
Release Date: 11/30/1998
Ah Myth II, one game I always refer to when asked my favorite games. Myth II was a one of kind apart from it's own series, in the RTS genre. It sacrificed unit building, researching, and resource managing for a much deeper combat experience.
The game took place in a Lord of the Rings like world, albeit much darker. The game was violent, gritty and just overall much darker then most stories set in this time period. The story stands as one of the best game stories I've seen to date, still. It has top notch story telling, and music to go along with it.
The gameplay gave control over moving individual units, and give them unique powers, making them feel worthwhile, while in most RTSes, your units are just cannon fodder to throw at each other.
The game was amazing online, and may be one of the best games I've ever played online. The online is so good, people still play it today, more then ten years after release, thanks in part to the incredible modding tools released with the game that allow for almost anything, and the dedicated community.
Really, there's not much I can say wrong about the game, it even featured online Co-Op up to 16 player. Just amazing stuff, completely worth finding a copy, since there are patches to allow it to run on today's systems.
Name: Shadow of the Colossus
System/s: PS2
Developers: Team ICO
Release Date: 10/18/2005
This game is interesting, I first played the demo of it on a demo disk, and didn't like it. However my older brother rented it with a few other games while working at a video rental shop. I gave it a second try and loved it.
The game is unique in a number of ways, with a huge free roaming environment, very light but touching story, beautiful graphics, and epic boss fights. Also this is the only adventure game that I know of that only has boss fights, and no smaller enemies.
Walking around the huge wilderness, the place really comes to life, with pretty much no copy/pasting of level pieces, which makes the whole map different everywhere you go. I could go on about the little details, like your in game horse's AI being really lifelike, the fact that the hero isn't perfect, and stumbles and such, but I think it's better to just try it yourself.
The bosses in this game are beyond any other game, after you play this, no future bosses will seem that special. Each boss is well done, and a lot of fun to fight, they all require different strategies and fighting them always feels exciting, which is really amazing.
The music and story telling in this game are also quite amazing, and I couldn't talk about the game without bringing them up.
Again, it's hard to find anything wrong with this game, it's just amazing, and a complete classic, I request you go find yourself a copy now.
Name: DRIV3R (Or Driver 3)
System/s: PS2, Xbox, and PC. (There is a GBA version but it's different)
Developers: Reflections
Release Date: 6/21/2004
Okay, stop rubbing your eyes, I really put this here. I know a lot of people hated this game, gamers and critics alike, with it's glitchy gameplay, boring plot, and it's similarities with GTA.
I however loved this game, sure there were problems with it, but it didn't stop me from playing it for hundreds of hours.
The story was a lot more 'Hollywood' then the preview games, but it didn't matter because that's what the games were going for. A Hollywood chase movie.
The gameplay in this game was glitchy, but most of the glitches occurred when you were on foot, where the controls, and AI was terrible, however while you were in the car, the handling and gameplay was unparalleled. The driving physics were so good it made it hard to play any other driving games for quite some time.
Even though the game was glitchy, it was still fun, in fact the glitches made it fun in it's own way. I often looked for ways of glitching out of the map due to complex tactics. I spent many hours walking around looking for such glitches.
The game had really miserable in game music, but the music used for cut scenes was really good, and I listen to the soundtrack to this day, lots of good choices for songs.
The graphics to this game were also quite good, with a great lighting engine and good models for cars, with astoundingly good damage modeling. Made GTA look like a mid range Dreamcast game.
Overall, sure it had it's problems, but I had fun with it, and still consider it to be one of my favorite games, so it can't have been *too* bad...
Name: The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
System/s: SNES (Later, GBA/Wii)
Developers: Nintendo
Release Date: 4/13/1992
Jeez, I love this game so much, I played through it many times, and I don't think any Zelda game will be as good ever again. This game had charming graphics, nice music, absolutely wonderful level design, and a great map and concept.
This game was long, but in a good way, with each dungeon being unique and interesting, due to the wonderful level design. Some of the gimmicks and tricks used in this game are so wonderful, it's sad that any time they have been used since they just don't seem as good.
The game changed a lot depending on how far through it you were, being able to access new areas with the items you obtain along the way. There are some really clever secrets as well, which add a lot to replay value.
As adventure games go this is near, or on the top, just amazing all the way through.
Name: Star Wars: Droid Works
System/s: Mac, PC
Developers: Lucas Learning
Release Date: 1998
Ah Droid Works, another game I didn't initially like. I avoided playing it for a while, but when I finally did play it, I fell in love with the game. It has great graphics for it's time, a interesting story, fun gameplay, and lots of customizability.
The game's main feature is being able to build your own droid, which you send out on missions. Different parts can drastically change the way your droid performs, and it's a lot of fun to find the parts you like, and make your optimum droid.
The missions provide a nice bit of variety but it's sad you have to play a lot of them over again a few times with small tweaks. Still the way they shake things up keeps it fun.
The game is light hearted, but still has an interesting story, which is an interesting mix. For a marketed to kids game, teens can still find it fun, if a little cheesy.
Overall, it was a quite good game, especially for what it was trying to be. I know I'll always remember it.
Name: The Secret of Monkey Island
System/s: PC, Mac, (Numerous others)
Developers: Lucas Arts
Release Date: 1990
One of the earlier point and click adventure games, and darn was it original. Really it's one of those games that captivated a lot of people with it's unique story, setting, humor, and characters. It also boasted interesting puzzles and great dialogue.
On it's surface it might look like an average pirate adventure, but you look a little closer, and you'll notice that the game has it's own rules, and it plays by no one else's but it's own.
This game made me laugh aloud more then most games, which is saying something. It also made me use it's own in-jokes, and references, even on people that didn't have any idea what I was talking about.
It's classic, you can't deny it, something you go back and play now, and notice that it paved the way for quite a number of other games.
The game was just good, and I can't really put into words what I mean by that, so I will just say it again: This game is good.
Name: Star Wars: Battlefront
System/s: Xbox, PS2, PC, Mac
Developers: Pandemic
Release Date: 9/20/2004
Battlefront. This game I missed so many times before finally trying it. I kept watching it played at parties and such, but never got behind the controller myself. It's a shame, because when I finally did play it, I loved it, every second of it.
Battlefront, while not doing anything really original, does it right. It puts together a number of concepts, and does it will enough to be an immense amount of fun.
Pulling all the battles you saw in the movies, along with a handful of new ones, the game really found itself a lot of fun in chaotic battlefields, great mutliplayer, and good bots.
Again, the game is quite simple, and not very original, but it's something I have played for years, and will continue to play for years.
Name: PixelJunk Monsters
System/s: PS3, PSP (Soon)
Developers: Q Games
Release Date: 1/24/2008
You may remember what I sad about this game in my review. Still I'll recap for those who didn't see it when it went by the first time.
This game is the best Tower Defense game I've ever played, it made me notice the genre, and actually pay attention to it afterwards. This is in part due to the many things that make the game great, style, balance, Co-Op, difficulty, replay value, and updates.
The game was nearly perfect on release, but future updates have made it even better, with the expansion pack, and free patches. These releases have added hours of gameplay onto a game I already spent hours upon hours playing.
Really, just find a way to play this yourself, it's simply the best in the genre.
And that's it for this part of "Jon God's top 80 games" Hopefully I will continue with this soon
To start this list off, I chose random games from a larger list, and this is in no particular order, so here we go:
Name: Myth II: SoulblighterSystem/s: Mac/PC
Developer: Bungie
Release Date: 11/30/1998
Ah Myth II, one game I always refer to when asked my favorite games. Myth II was a one of kind apart from it's own series, in the RTS genre. It sacrificed unit building, researching, and resource managing for a much deeper combat experience.
The game took place in a Lord of the Rings like world, albeit much darker. The game was violent, gritty and just overall much darker then most stories set in this time period. The story stands as one of the best game stories I've seen to date, still. It has top notch story telling, and music to go along with it.
The gameplay gave control over moving individual units, and give them unique powers, making them feel worthwhile, while in most RTSes, your units are just cannon fodder to throw at each other.
The game was amazing online, and may be one of the best games I've ever played online. The online is so good, people still play it today, more then ten years after release, thanks in part to the incredible modding tools released with the game that allow for almost anything, and the dedicated community.
Really, there's not much I can say wrong about the game, it even featured online Co-Op up to 16 player. Just amazing stuff, completely worth finding a copy, since there are patches to allow it to run on today's systems.
Name: Shadow of the Colossus
System/s: PS2
Developers: Team ICO
Release Date: 10/18/2005
This game is interesting, I first played the demo of it on a demo disk, and didn't like it. However my older brother rented it with a few other games while working at a video rental shop. I gave it a second try and loved it.
The game is unique in a number of ways, with a huge free roaming environment, very light but touching story, beautiful graphics, and epic boss fights. Also this is the only adventure game that I know of that only has boss fights, and no smaller enemies.
Walking around the huge wilderness, the place really comes to life, with pretty much no copy/pasting of level pieces, which makes the whole map different everywhere you go. I could go on about the little details, like your in game horse's AI being really lifelike, the fact that the hero isn't perfect, and stumbles and such, but I think it's better to just try it yourself.
The bosses in this game are beyond any other game, after you play this, no future bosses will seem that special. Each boss is well done, and a lot of fun to fight, they all require different strategies and fighting them always feels exciting, which is really amazing.
The music and story telling in this game are also quite amazing, and I couldn't talk about the game without bringing them up.
Again, it's hard to find anything wrong with this game, it's just amazing, and a complete classic, I request you go find yourself a copy now.
Name: DRIV3R (Or Driver 3)System/s: PS2, Xbox, and PC. (There is a GBA version but it's different)
Developers: Reflections
Release Date: 6/21/2004
Okay, stop rubbing your eyes, I really put this here. I know a lot of people hated this game, gamers and critics alike, with it's glitchy gameplay, boring plot, and it's similarities with GTA.
I however loved this game, sure there were problems with it, but it didn't stop me from playing it for hundreds of hours.
The story was a lot more 'Hollywood' then the preview games, but it didn't matter because that's what the games were going for. A Hollywood chase movie.
The gameplay in this game was glitchy, but most of the glitches occurred when you were on foot, where the controls, and AI was terrible, however while you were in the car, the handling and gameplay was unparalleled. The driving physics were so good it made it hard to play any other driving games for quite some time.
Even though the game was glitchy, it was still fun, in fact the glitches made it fun in it's own way. I often looked for ways of glitching out of the map due to complex tactics. I spent many hours walking around looking for such glitches.
The game had really miserable in game music, but the music used for cut scenes was really good, and I listen to the soundtrack to this day, lots of good choices for songs.
The graphics to this game were also quite good, with a great lighting engine and good models for cars, with astoundingly good damage modeling. Made GTA look like a mid range Dreamcast game.
Overall, sure it had it's problems, but I had fun with it, and still consider it to be one of my favorite games, so it can't have been *too* bad...
Name: The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the PastSystem/s: SNES (Later, GBA/Wii)
Developers: Nintendo
Release Date: 4/13/1992
Jeez, I love this game so much, I played through it many times, and I don't think any Zelda game will be as good ever again. This game had charming graphics, nice music, absolutely wonderful level design, and a great map and concept.
This game was long, but in a good way, with each dungeon being unique and interesting, due to the wonderful level design. Some of the gimmicks and tricks used in this game are so wonderful, it's sad that any time they have been used since they just don't seem as good.
The game changed a lot depending on how far through it you were, being able to access new areas with the items you obtain along the way. There are some really clever secrets as well, which add a lot to replay value.
As adventure games go this is near, or on the top, just amazing all the way through.
Name: Star Wars: Droid WorksSystem/s: Mac, PC
Developers: Lucas Learning
Release Date: 1998
Ah Droid Works, another game I didn't initially like. I avoided playing it for a while, but when I finally did play it, I fell in love with the game. It has great graphics for it's time, a interesting story, fun gameplay, and lots of customizability.
The game's main feature is being able to build your own droid, which you send out on missions. Different parts can drastically change the way your droid performs, and it's a lot of fun to find the parts you like, and make your optimum droid.
The missions provide a nice bit of variety but it's sad you have to play a lot of them over again a few times with small tweaks. Still the way they shake things up keeps it fun.
The game is light hearted, but still has an interesting story, which is an interesting mix. For a marketed to kids game, teens can still find it fun, if a little cheesy.
Overall, it was a quite good game, especially for what it was trying to be. I know I'll always remember it.
Name: The Secret of Monkey IslandSystem/s: PC, Mac, (Numerous others)
Developers: Lucas Arts
Release Date: 1990
One of the earlier point and click adventure games, and darn was it original. Really it's one of those games that captivated a lot of people with it's unique story, setting, humor, and characters. It also boasted interesting puzzles and great dialogue.
On it's surface it might look like an average pirate adventure, but you look a little closer, and you'll notice that the game has it's own rules, and it plays by no one else's but it's own.
This game made me laugh aloud more then most games, which is saying something. It also made me use it's own in-jokes, and references, even on people that didn't have any idea what I was talking about.
It's classic, you can't deny it, something you go back and play now, and notice that it paved the way for quite a number of other games.
The game was just good, and I can't really put into words what I mean by that, so I will just say it again: This game is good.
Name: Star Wars: BattlefrontSystem/s: Xbox, PS2, PC, Mac
Developers: Pandemic
Release Date: 9/20/2004
Battlefront. This game I missed so many times before finally trying it. I kept watching it played at parties and such, but never got behind the controller myself. It's a shame, because when I finally did play it, I loved it, every second of it.
Battlefront, while not doing anything really original, does it right. It puts together a number of concepts, and does it will enough to be an immense amount of fun.
Pulling all the battles you saw in the movies, along with a handful of new ones, the game really found itself a lot of fun in chaotic battlefields, great mutliplayer, and good bots.
Again, the game is quite simple, and not very original, but it's something I have played for years, and will continue to play for years.
Name: PixelJunk MonstersSystem/s: PS3, PSP (Soon)
Developers: Q Games
Release Date: 1/24/2008
You may remember what I sad about this game in my review. Still I'll recap for those who didn't see it when it went by the first time.
This game is the best Tower Defense game I've ever played, it made me notice the genre, and actually pay attention to it afterwards. This is in part due to the many things that make the game great, style, balance, Co-Op, difficulty, replay value, and updates.
The game was nearly perfect on release, but future updates have made it even better, with the expansion pack, and free patches. These releases have added hours of gameplay onto a game I already spent hours upon hours playing.
Really, just find a way to play this yourself, it's simply the best in the genre.
And that's it for this part of "Jon God's top 80 games" Hopefully I will continue with this soon
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