FT 8/16: Name 5 Games That You'd Rate "10"

[Lýfelíëk Heroblãde]

Alright, so let's face it- traffic around here has slowed to a crawl and it's pretty tough to get posts here anymore. With the recent activity as of late, I was discussing with Breathern my idea to make a "Featured Thread" once every week or two. This is what I hope to be the first of many that will give all of us something to read, really think about, and then respond to. You've read the topic, so what games that you've played(to completion or not) in retrospect deserve the coveted "10"? A game that is a perfect "10" almost always does one or more things better than similar software in it's genre. You'll hear me talking much about attention to detail, because that's usually what does it. Remember, the titles can be from any era or platform, but please be prepared to give a short synopsis about why you feel they earned the rating. OK, lemme get this party started:

• Quake(PC, id Software, 1996)- Quake revolutionized the FPS genre in 1996. I remember controlling a character in the first true 3D envionment for an FPS and it feeling oh-so fresh. Gone was the "auto-leveling" attack system from Doom- now you could kill(or be killed) from any angle. Online multiplayer was insane all of the improvements made from its predecessor. How could any of us have known this game would spawn(or be the inspiration for) so many games of it's type in the future?
  
  
• Super Mario 64(N64, Nintendo, 1996)- One of two launch games for the N64(the other was Pilotwings64), SM64 was revolutionary for it's time. Nintendo had basically taken the formula that worked so well in 2D sidescrollers and translated it perfectly into 3D. The worlds were vast and it almost seemed at times that there was TOO much to do. In 11 years, the game has appeared on the N64, Nintendo DS, plus the Wii's Virtual Console and has sold extremely well. I can't help but be reminded of Shawn and I trying to get the damned bunny outside the castle for hours on end...
  
  
• Final Fantasy VII(PlayStation, SquareSoft, 1997)- With a fully 3D battle system and beautiful pre-rendered backgrounds, FFVII hit PS's across North America in 1997. Gone were the unrealistic killing of various 2D sprites whilst dungeon-crawling. Aided by a great story(for the most part) and an unforgettable art style and characters, FFVII managed to suck in a grand total of over 9.5 people on the PS and PC to make it the best selling installment of the Final Fantasy series. The struggle between Cloud and Sephiroth is one that has definately lasted the test of time so far to this point(and quite well I might add). Personally, I think Square has never created a better upgrade system than Materia.
  
  
• The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time(N64, Nintendo, 1998)- Arguably the greatest game of all time, LoZ:OoT finally brought the franchise in the third dimension- and damned well I might add. Somehow, it retained all of the classic charm that the original posessed, but added a narrative that would be cherished for years to come on three consecutive systems. Ocarina introduced "Z-Targeting" which has been copied or variated by many companies in the industry. One of my fondest memories was holding the first gold cartridge in my hands in 10 years...
  
  
• Resident Evil 4(Gamecube, Capcom, 2005)- With the Resident Evil franchise slowly becoming a bit mundane and formulaic, Capcom decided to take it in a whole new direction with the release of RE4 on the GCN(which was an exclusive for most of that year). No more third person view with fixed camera angles and prerendered backgrounds- it was time for full 3D and an over-the-shoulder cam that limited the player's view in such a way to scare the living crap out of you when you'd turn and have one of the 'Ganados' in your face. Complete with weapon upgrading and more fleshed out story mechanics, RE4 was poised to be THE best game in the series.
  

I hope you guys have fun with this- hopefully we can keep the chatter going around here and remember the friendship and why we game with each other. I can't wait to hear your nominees!

[Rabid Scotsman]

I...
well I think...
uhm...
with the...
...
FUCK!

That's hard man. lol.

---A Warning First---

You'll have to forgive me here.
I tend to type like I talk a lot. heh.
And... I tend to ramble.
At least I think I do.

-----------------------------

That is actually a ridiculously hard thing for me to do.
Rate games as a "favorite," that is...
Not to mention that I have played almost every game worth playing
since the NES, including PC. heh.

Wow. Sheesh. Here goes.

1: Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
How could this NOT be in your list if you grew up playing 2D scrollers?
I loved this game, it absolutely destroyed all the other games in
the series with one wild blow. Even though all the other games were
great as well. It was basically Konami realizing that CV2 for the NES
was WAY ahead of it's time and really took the time and had fun
making a great game with a classic storyline that didn't even come
back in to play, character-wise, or play-wise, again until 2000.
With the release of Castlevania: Circle of the Moon, for the DS.
(Another awesome game that didn't make it in this list due to the
similarities to CV:SotN as well as all the awesome memories
latched on to the first one.)
Every thinig was new and awesome, but you knew where it came
from. It still "felt" like a castlevania game. All of the original music
was there, but re-orchestrated with "new" technology.
Oooh midi. The good stuff. heheh. Stuff like, "The Clocktower"
theme, but with an orchestra and some guitar. It was great hearing
all the old music re-done.

2: Super Mario RPG
I can barely even remember this game, but the fond memories are
still there. It was a great story, (basically the classic one, but had
a "new" feel to it) and they really did a great job of doing the genre
mixing thing. It had a totally different feel from the other games, of
course. It wasn't *too* RPG-ish. It was still fluid and you didn't
have to learn stats or any thing like that. Just neat moves.
Definitly going to have to DL it to my Wii.

3: Devil May Cry (Series)
Wow. Just...wow.
It was a great feeling game. (given the camera problems in the first)
But the best part was actualy learning the "true" feel of the game.
If you could figure out the "true fighting style" in the game,
you could master every room, baddie, and boss in the game
and beat it flawlessly on the hardest difficulty. It was an amazing
feel to figure out and master that style. You were untouchable
after all that hard work.
There was a lot of content to unlock as well as great replay value.
It was one of the few games to actually make a difficulty level
that felt different from just being "harder." There was a reason they
were harder and you could learn how to fight them in a new way.
The combos were fluid and looked great.
DMC2 was essentially "cool stuff we wanted in the first game and
didn't have time to fit. So it felt a little off. But if you were playing it
as if it were an extension of the first game, it felt great.
DMC3 was essentially DMC2 in terms of story and was actually
back tracking in storyline. It was the first time Dante (main character)
was "open for buisness." This also attended a "style change"
in terms of mastering and fighting flawlessly in the game.
Which, at first, I hated. I actually put the game down for a good year,
came back to it and had a BLAST. I just wasn't ready to be patient
with it the first time I played it. And I knew it.
Again, awesome story. Has a lot of "back story" stuff in it and really
defined the frst two games character better. Which is rare to see in a
series. I looked at Dante in a whole new light after playing DMC3.
This game, just had to be rated as a series. Although, if you pick and
of them up. It's a *great* play seperatly.

4: Command and Conquer: Red Alert 2
I generally HATE RTS'. I don't know why, I just always have.
I guess they just seem too be "build a million of these and a million
of these = win," to me. heh.
But I have always loved the C&C games. The world is enticing,
as well as, well though out. When it came to RA2, it was just genius.
The idea was basically, "what would happen if..." we took our current
C&C world and some where down the line Einstien managed to invent a
time machine and go back in time before Hitler was an ass, and whack 'im?
How friggin' wierd is that!? Despite the obvious cheese, I loved the concept.
Due to what Einstien had done Stalin was now the big man and Einstien was
alive during the cold war, as well as Tesla. Made for a great place to roam
around. Multiplayer was flawless and always a blast with friends. Inventive
things, like, trying to get your "spy" in to the other teams tech center so that
you could steal a piece of thier technology. If you were Russia, you could steal
the "chrono" technology and make "Chrono Crazy Ivans" they were basically
just mad bombers they carried around abouta ton of TNT and would place a
stack on any thing you told them to and just laugh meniacally. (lol)
Even if you were stealing tech from you own side you got a new unit. The
game just felt like there were no holes in it.
On top of all that they had real actors/actresses and not just any joe, people
you'd seen on TV and in movies. Great game.

As for number five... wow. That's hard to choose. There are definitly more than
five games I gave a "10" to, but not that many more. Enough that it makes
choosing a certain fifth very hard. But if I had to choose... it wouldn't be a game,
per-say, it'd be a mod.

Action! - Quake 2.
Last and definitly not least.
I played this game to death for God knows how long.
Despite loving the engine itself (Q2) and not to mention the entire series,
this mod blew it all away and shoved a nuke right up your ass.
It was a "semi-realism, john woo mod" to attempt to put a title on it. heh.
You chose your weapon, and your item at start. You could choose some great
stuff too. Sawed off + Stealth Slippers... I don't think I have to explain that one,
muahahaha. M4 + Kevlar vest, or Sniper Rifle + Laser Sight, it was endless fun.
On top of great game play and options you had the "semi-realism" part.
If you fell three stories... you broke your effin' leg. And you would limp around
like a colledge girl on downers. If you got shot in the gut, you bled, and your
health would come puring out of you. Literally. You actually had to put your gun
*away* (holf-crap-scary-omg in a FPS) and bandage your self to make it stop.
So it had some stradegy in there too. Now I say *semi* realistic for a reason...
I haven't seen birds fly as well as crouching, aiming up, and putting a sawed
off to the back of some unsuspecting bastards skull and pulling both triggers.
But that was the "john woo" part. heh. You could make bindings to mess with
people and say random crap in chat too. Like if I fell a rediculous hieght and died,
i'd press "k" and i'd say. "I fell on my keys. " It was great!
Despite all that, I went on to take AQ2 championships the year it came out
and had a blast doing it. It was realistic enough that it felt real. And it was
"woo" enough that it felt like non-stop action.

Well, I guess that's it. I left FF VII out because... well, no need to re-enstate
the already wisely entered.
Same with Resident Evil. heh. So many great one's out there!
(So many *more* crappy ones.)

Sorry it was long. As always. And it's late, so it's un-edited or spell checked.
As always. Great idea Life-Like, and great post.

[Zeiram Wing]

Had to sleep on this one... but i really wanted to pick the ones i think stand out from the rest, and that keep me coming back. I mean, there are a ton of games i consider 10s, but not all of them I feel an urge to go back and play again on a regular basis. so i wanted the ones that are so good, your hooked... oh, and their numbered, but i tend to think of them all as equally good...

1. Castlevania: SotN -[/color] alot of people always place this in their top games list (as you can see above)but i HAVE to put this one in here again, but with good reason. This game is simply amazing on every level. A great 2d game in the middle of the whole 3d frenzy. And it came out right at that time when i started to pine for a nice, classic 2d game. There is just so much stuff in this game, and hidden items/places, it took me years to find everything(i hope!) And it was the last castlevania game to take place in a classic time that fits. all the newer gba and ds games take place in this weird alternate future because drac's castle doesn't comes back too often. Its a game so good, Every year i have to start a new save and play it again (good thing i got a dexdrive, i got a TON of saves.) If they would give me 3 games a year that are like this, i'd be the happiest man alive...

2. Duke Nukem 3D -[/color] There are alot of FPS's that i enjoy, but none i come back to more than Duke. The fact that it doesn't take itself seriously just adds to the fun. But to me the best thing about duke is the level design. Every map has a nice layout to it, that makes them incredibly balanced and fun. While everyone has their favorites, there really is no level that you can't stand to play. Me and some friends STILL have regular dukematches to this day, and have a blast!

3. Final Fantasy 3/ VI -[/color] Before this game, i was more of a casual RPGer. I'd play one here or there, some not beating. But FF6 really opened my eyes and got me hooked to the genre. This game dealt with issues that, for the time, you would NEVER see in a game, like teen pregnancy, and suicide. And there were a ton of characters, each having a nice, full storyline. My favorite part is everything pre world destruction. After that, the game gets very open, and while the the characters stories still stay strong, and the game remains fun, its that first half that is just like a friggin roller-coaster ride! You really jump from place to place and the pacing is so fast, the story starts to unfold more and theres very little need to grind levels. And the story just twists and turns. some you expect, some you don't....

4. Phantasy Star Online -[/color] I have a soft spot for action rpg's, i also have a soft spot for online gaming. so you can see why I like this game. The game has only a handful of places to see, yet you couldn't stop playing. One of the standout features for me is the mag system. I think it was a great idea, as it makes you stronger, and its rather easy to level, so in between the grinding for a character level, you could be leveling your mag and still getting that feeling of getting stronger to help keep you pushing on. And it had great customization to you characters, great art style, and great online functions. hell, i used to spend hours just making symbol chats! I still like to hop in and remember all the great online times i had.

5. The Guardian Legend -[/color] theres so many great games from the NES era, that it was hard finding that one standout game. This game merges top down shooting, with zelda like top-down exploration, and rpg elements, and it combines them all perfectly. It also has some very catchy music that just fits. And theres a ton of sub weapons in the game, but you have to choose between picking a new one, or upgrading the ones you have. Again, like all the other games, its so good it draws you back to play it every so often.

[Breathern]

Shadow Of The Colossus (PS2)

This game is easily my favorite PS2 game, and one of my favorites of all time now. The art direction and atmosphere really pulled me in. Exploring the games environment is one of the best parts of playing through the game... Just finding your way around, and getting to the next colossus. I almost wish I could give myself amnesia so I could play through the game again without knowing where to go next.. After the first play through you can finish the game in about 3 hours, which is pretty short. But I've spent probably more hours with this game than I have with most RPGs... Theres just so much exploration thats possible...


Half Life 2 (PC)

The story telling in this game is close to perfect, even without ever leaving the first person perspective. It helps make you feel like youre really in some strange fucked up world of the future. Once again, a sort of short game, with about 20-25 hours on my first playthrough, but tons of cool stuff to do once you finish the single player. Death match is great with the gravity gun. You can kill people with toilets, computer monitors, big metal desks... Theres also Garry's Mod where you can just have fun in a sandbox sort of mode, spawning NPCs and enemies, build stuff, and just plain have fun with the physics engine.


Out Of This World/Another World (Amiga/PC/SNES/Genesis)

The first time I played this game was on the Sega Channel. I barely had any clue what it was, and the story was extremely vague.. Over the years Ive played different versions, and last year they released the anniversary edition for PC, with updated graphics and niceness.. The characters were made from polygons, which was pretty unique for its time. Everything except for the music was created by one person, Eric Chahi... He rotoscoped most of the animation, giving it a realistic feel, and the whole game has a real cinematic quality. Ive been wanting to do a project with this game for a while now, sort of as a tribute or a pitch to remake the game. I hope I'll have time for it soon...


Full Throttle (PC)

I'm a huge fan of the old lucasarts adventure games, especially ones that Tim Schafer was involved with. Full throttle is one of my favorites. Mainly because of the voice acting, jokes, and storyline. It feels almost like youre playing a movie. I could almost give all the Tim Schafer games 10s, but this is my favorite of them.


Mario 64 (N64)

I also have a soft spot for the first 3d mario. I can remember seeing it for the first time in Toys R Us, but I didnt get to play it cause people were hogging the system. Eventually my sisters husband got a 64 and Mario+Pilotwings. I remember sneaking down into the basement when they were gone and playing Mario 64 for the first time. The first stage is burned into my brain. I felt like it was such a huge level to run around in, with the cannons and the pathway up to the top of the mountain... The big balls rolling down the path still dont look completely fake to me. I really should pick this up for the virtual console.. I guess I havent because Ive played so many versions of the game. Maybe once I get a nicer TV I'll get it.



Other shiznit:

Psychonauts - Tim Shafers newest game. I'd give it a 10 but I still havent finished it yet. I got stuck on the last level before school started, and since then my memory card died... I started over and got about half way through, and then I came back to PA and havent picked it up again.. Heh... Its a really funny and awesome game with great art direction.

ICO - Almost worthy of a 10. Maybe a 9.8.. I feel that Shadow Of The Colossus is a lot better, but ICO still has a lot of great moments.

Guitar Hero 2 - Another "almost worthy" game. The guitar hero series improved on the guitar freaks games, being really easy to get into but really tough to master. I dont even give a shit about the graphics. This game could have been on the sega cd with the exact same gameplay. You could have the gameplay on the NES even, but the music wouldnt exactly be the same... Damn.. That would be cool though. I have a feeling that this series will be around for a long time...

Bushido Blade - This is one of my favorite ps1 games. The only reason why its not a 10 is that the graphics are severely dated. I didnt even think they were that great when it came out. The characters look a little goofy and the background have some popup... Its to the point that most people i try to get to play it are turned off completely by the looks. But the gameplay is extremely enjoyable for me. Being able to break legs and crawl around after theyre broken is amazing fun.. You can break legs, arms, and even backs... Once your back is broken all you can do is roll around on the ground until the other person finishes you... This is my happy multiplayer game for the ps1. I always have it with my ps2 in my little case of games and ps2 apps.

[Lýfelíëk Heroblãde]

Yeah! Now this is what I'm talkin' about! There are so many posts here that are nothing more than news stories and don't really let us connect to each other on a personal basis, so I thought this'd be fun. We have a pretty diversified bunch here when it comes to genre choices, however I think it's interesting seeing some recurring games between posts. These are all great responses by the way- some I've played, some I've just heard about, but all revered as way above average games. I knew I could count on you 'heavy hitters'- mayhaps we can get at least a few more casual responses as well...

If we do get a few more posts on the subject, I'm hoping to take the games with the most repeat votes and make a sort of 'guild recommended' gaming top 5.

[Rabid Scotsman]

First, I've got to add a quick "recently played pefect 5."

I have to admit it seems like there isn't much to the game
at first. But holy hell go out and grab ya' some "Destroy All
Humans!" 1 and 2. The games go together great and expand
on each other great.

I've been playing these games off and on recently and they
have been growing on me big time.

And the best part is, I think these are the most genre defining
"free roam" games i've ever played.The ammount of content in
both games is pretty good.

The humor in all the games is awesome.
The first one takes place in the 1950's. The second in the 1960's.
And they're planning DAH3 for the PS3. (1970's) Should be out in
about 3 - 6 months. Right now these games are easy to find cheap.
Both are for the PS2. Have fun!

Second, man-o-man, I don't know *how* I could leave this one out.

Worms!: Armageddon
You'd be pretty lucky if you could find a copy of this great game for the
PC. This game is amazingly perfect. Not to mention it's an extremely
well done 2D game. May be a little old, but it still holds up great.
Worms has a great "hot-seat " and lan/internet modes, so you can
play with friends. Honestly, I haven't played a "Worms" gaem I haven't
loved to death. heheh.
Lot's of good memories sitting around playing endless hours and
rounds of this game. Old-school props go out to "Team 17" for this
one. It's got every thing you need. Hilarious, inventive, addictive,
and awesome re-play value. Definitly worth picking up if you can
find. I know you used to be able to pick up all kinds of rare and old
games at "dragon.ca" but I dunno' if they're even round any more.
Ahhh... memories.

Peace!

[tangram]

Chrono Trigger.

this was the first game i ever played that had both multiple endings (13 or so i think) and a new game + feature in what aat the time was a very entertaining and original (back then) story that i just couldnt get enough of. team special moves and all the rest of it is why i rate this a 10 here.

mega man 2

in my opinion still one of the best old day platformers ever made. there was no slide just you and mega man explioting the flaws in dr wileys robots. i had so much fun with this game way back when and i still do when i could still fire up emulators and stuff.

legend of zelda: ocarina of time

this game has it all going for it.... free range exploring in a 3d environment in what used to be strictly 2d. all the item hunting one needs in life, well built dungeons, targeting system, i mean come on its zelda!!!

half life

how can you not give this one a 10? i mean i never played a fps with such great story and game play all wraped in one? the fact you could beat the snot outta ppl with a crowbar makes it worth it in its self i think. plus it spawned other greats like team fortress and counterstike. that deserves to be recognized imo.

blizzard online games.

i cant say enough good stuff here... and i cant in true fairnes pick just one... diablo series... starcraft.....warcraft....they cant seem to do any wrong when they make these things. they are reknowned for there addictive game play and i for one can vouch for two outt of the three listed that they are inded virtual crack.

[Lýfelíëk Heroblãde]

So, if we had to consolodate this list into the "Guild Recommended Perfect 10's" based on things that have shown up multiple times, the would be as follows:

• Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
  
• Super Mario 64
  
• The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
  
• Quake(series)
  
• 
  

Are we agreed here or a bit out of kilter? If it seems in line, what should the 5th game be? I'm hoping to do a little more with this in future FT's and consolidate the answers into a recommendation thread under 'Guild Goodies'.

[Zeiram Wing]

hrmm... a great game that was already mentioned for me would be chrono trigger and mega man 2. they are two amazing games that i agree are perfect 10s.

[Rabid Scotsman]

Same here.
Chrono Cross was good too though.
Maybe, Chrono Trigger (Series)?
I actually thought of a game last week and was pissed I forgot to
add it to my list...worst thing is... *draws a blank* ... what was I talking about again?

[Rabid Scotsman]

Gah!
FALLOUT! (series)
... Duh.

heheh.

[dragonarse]

1) Myst - This one started it all for me. I played from beginning to end without any outside help. It took me a whole year to complete and I don't think I've equalled that feeling of satisfaction since. Engrossing artwork, hypnotic soundtrack and mind-numbing puzzles and mazes; add all that to the "myst"erious storyline and it tops my list as a perfect game. I remember keeping notes and charts and maps and alphabets in a gigantic art folder. That folder is currently MIA; out in the garage somewhere... I'm sure when I find it, I'll get a little myst-y.

2) System Shock- Don't laugh. This was my first FPS type and one I thought was way ahead of its time. I played this on an old Mac computer system and instantly fell in love with using a keyboard because I could control more stuff with more buttons. I could go on and on about the great storyline, but I'm listing this one because I think it set some kind of standard for me as far as how you progress through stages in a really good game. Did I mention the unique storyline?

3) TombRaider- (actually, loved 'em all) Once again, no cheating from start to finish made it very self-gratifying. The action combined with some really interesting puzzles put me in my glory.

Rest of my best >>>NeverWinterNights, Champions of Norath, Lord of the Rings: Two Towers, Driver, Monster Hunter, Myth

[tangram]

i can vouch for neverwinter nights. it was made by bioware which imo is one of the greatest game companys out there. right up there with blizzard and a few others imo. nwn was the first and currently only game in which an intervention was staged for me.... a fairly in depth character creation. tons of class diversity. a terrific story mode inwhich you did true role playing. and best of all you had the editor built into and come with the game. dude you didnt like something you could make your own. it had its learning curb but it still was a great tool. as i remember steve had a fairly interesting mod in the works for us jss peeps. was pretty sweet. cant say enough good things... i think we who played it all know this should make our list.

[Rabid Scotsman]

*Seconds Motion*

I can't say enough good things about NWN.
Okay, so the original NWN campaign sucked. (Moved too slow for me atleast.)
But the story was awesome, and the entire concept of the game was ingenious.
Not to mention they blew away all the "slowness" of the game with the second
expansion, which ruled. And the third expansion? "fo'getaboutit." It was great too!

Hell, there were hardcore D&D fans every where willing to forget the PnP version
forever because Bioware did such a good job. Three cheers!

[Lýfelíëk Heroblãde]

So, just to mop this thread up, here's where I think we are:

• Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
  
• Super Mario 64
  
• The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
  
• Quake(series)
  
• Neverwinter Nights
  

Remember, even if a game you liked isn't in the list, I'm planning to include all of Breatherns Mini FT's in with it as one big "recommended game" thread.