Five games you think every gamer should experience?

[Nazulu]

5 games you should at least have a go at.

1) Super Mario Brothers 3 - Any of the original Mario games you should at least try once, the plumber made a big impact in the gaming world!

2) Tetris - Most famous puzzle game, why not?

3) Counter Strike - A good medium for the FPS genre. Not a favourite game of mine but somehow it became incredibly popular and made a big impact on every gamers life when it was released.

4) Starcraft - Something about this classic RTS game is very special and everyone should experience what ever that is. Seriously! It is just that good.

5) World of Warcraft - A game that has swollen many lives with it's super addictive but easy online adventure.

Special mentions: Street Fighter, Link to the Past, Pacman, Final Fantasy and Super Metroid.

 

[mykalwane]

If it is a must play, it must be one that someone never playing games before would need to play to get into games.

Well the first one I would say Tetris or Pong as a must play game. They are both simplistic games. The main reason both are a must play if you are a gamer is because of the fact the lesson that a game doesn't need to be complex to be fun. Both have a different edge that they are skewed at. Pong for the multiplayer experience at the simplest form. One person and other fight to win. Tetris because it is both the simplest and hardest out there. Teaches that simple games can be fun and easy to play, but that doesn't mean the road won't be fun and challenging as well. Depending on what kind of person is you can go either way with this one. Though Tetris will be the safer route to go.If you have never played a version of the two you need to. The basics in which all games are built on.

Pacman or Pacwoman both are the same game in my mind. Both keep to the simple task of getting the pebbles and the big ones allow you to eat your enemy. A game of simplicity and challenge.

Rock Band or Guitar Hero simply because it builds on the same premise as tetris yet becomes more complicated as one progress threw it. I would consider both an equal here. It just depends on what kind of music the person is into to determine which one or when in the series to get the game for the player.It is a fun game where playing a tune you love makes it so great.

Now this is where opinion makes the difference. The next two being up in the air and depend on the person. These depends on system or what not. Since my grandma is trying to get in threw the wii work with what would be the two best for her in mind. The last two are ever changing because it depends on the person.

Cooking Mama fun game that fits any one that has an ounce of joy towards cooking.It is a game that tips on the hard yet fun bracket. The hard bits has the challenge that make it so much fun.

Big Brain Academy because it has the same appeal that Suduko or crosswords will. Any fan of this will have some fun while besting others at the same game.

 

[klakkat]

Farcry: If you like FPS games, this is REQUIRED. I don't give a shit what you think

Wow. Farcry 1 seriously?
Play Doom.

Yes. Farcry 1. I've never seen any other game that meshed long range and short range combat so well, before or since. Farcry is the ruler by which I use to judge any weapon existing in an FPS; if it isn't roughly as good as the ones in Farcry I start losing interest (any weapon in the game; I'm not THAT picky); I'm sick of shitty accuracy on guns and shitty damage per hit. And yes, I've played Doom, all the games in that series, in fact. 1 and 2 were sweet (if dated at this point; prepare for some eye-sores if you try them now), and 3 sucked.

4) Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 - You never said video games! Any person who calls themselves a geek should experience D&D at least once in their lifetime. Not necessarily the best RPG ever (this one personally prefers Shadowrun), but certainly genre-defining.

Fair enough, if you haven't tried tabletop you aren't a true gaming geek; just a video game geek (which is a vague distinction at best, but hey). D&D 3.5 is among the iconic tabletop settings, so it's a great introduction to the genre and is fairly easy to master provided you aren't playing a spellcaster; if you are, it takes a little more work. Anyone who plays tabletop RPGs should play D&D 3.5 at least a few times, it is a fairly genre-defining game.

 

[Cleverpun]

Psychonauts
Okami
Shadow of the Colossus
Mass Effect
Bishock

Tricky question. It's hard to recommend a game on gameplay alone, but these five have some of the best writing, plotting, and atmosphere there is.

 

[fletch_talon]

1. A successful MMOG: WoW, Runescape, one of numerous free ones that can be found online.
- not necessarily because they're good, but because I think people should experience massively online gaming. In saying that its probably best to experience it with a group of real life friends, I find its easier to adjust that way.

2. Any Zelda game but Majora's Mask, followed by Majora's Mask.
- Because its a fun and clever formula for games, I'd leave MM till last because since it is timed, it would be best to be familiar with the gameplay mechanics before playing. Also I agree withthose that dub MM the best Zelda, due to its atmosphere and added challenge of the clock.

3. Spyro 1, 2 and 3.
- Because to me this is what 3D platforming should be, the worlds and levels were beautiful and the controls were simple but effective. Oh I am a shameless Spyro fanboy, how I wish Insomniac hadn't abandoned him.

4. A quality FPS, preferably with a class system: Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory, Team Fortress etc.
- FPS games are great for relieving stress, and the cooperation between team members makes for great experiences. Especially class based FPS, because every player has a set role, making you feel significant due to having a purpose.

5. Pokemon Gold/Silver
- Great fun, especially with friends, I consider these games to be the best of the series thus far, Diamond/Pearl come close, but just need that littl bit more.

 

[mjw1988]

1. Battlefield 2
2. KOTOR
3. Mass Effect
4. Sonic 1+2
5. MGS Series (still havnt played 4 cos i cant be arsed to buy a ps3)

Only reason i put bf2 as number 1 is because it was the first real PC Game i ever played after moving away from the consoles when i was 17 =p
Best fun i've ever had in an online shooter and i cant wait for Battlefield 3!!

 

[Annoying Turd]

1. Every game made by valve, shiny software, and oddworld inhabitants.
2. Starcraft/Warcraft/Age of Mythology/DoW
3. Any game with Sid Meier on it (something like Alpha Centauri or Civilization).
4. Elder Scrolls, Ultima series, Pokemon!, Fallout 1 or 2, Arx Fatalis, Space Quest.
5. Doom, Unreal, CoD

Thanks for the welcome.

 

[klakkat]

Unreal

How did I forget Unreal?! dammit. Yes, Unreal is required gaming for anyone interested in FPS, even if only remotely. The difficulty can be a bit harsh, but oh well, it's fun and atmospheric.

 

[GrinningManiac]

Evil Genius - IT'S AWESOME

TF2 - It's just good fun

A total war game - It ignites historical intrest

The Sims - it's just a cult game, you need to try it, if only to see what the fuss/hate is about

Portal - good game, try it out

 

[Frogman54]

1. Portal - quirky jokes, awesome story, great graphics and fun to play
2. Half-Life Series - more than just one game, but they are all part of a whole that has awesome design.
3. Zelda:Ocarina of Time - a classic that will live on forever
4. Warcraft 3 - a very well built rts that led to one of the most fun things ever, DotA
5. Diablo 2 - a fun single player and multiplayer rpg

 

[Charli]

#1: There is no excuse for a gamer not having felt the pure dispair as being stuck in a Zelda dungeon for hours, It's Character building!

#2: A valve game, any of them. No excuses.

#3: Mario or Sonic's oldschool titles, you must crawl before you walk young grasshopper. Platformer reflexes are a must.

#4: Any MMO. Experiencing the dick-age of humanitiy under the veil of annonymity, is an experience everyone should have... Over the age of 13 of course.

#5: A gimmick game, DDR, WiiSports, GH, know what makes you look retarded next to all the proper games that do what they were meant to, be pure fun, without the effort. After these have been played with anyone watching you have little shame left.


Theres more but those are the foundations of my own gamer skills, You also have to try a Simulator game, an RTS and a few adventure games to meet what I know. These are larger pillers of know how than those however.

 

[Dr Ampersand]

Half Life two, Okami, Shadow of the Colossus, Psychonauts and Team Fortress two though I'm not sure of the order it'd go in.

 

[Chipperz]

Call of Duty 4 - What FPS's could all be like, someday...
Vampire the Masquerade : Bloodlines - The best RPG of all time.
World of Warcraft - It's popular for a reason.
Dawn of War : Dark Crusade - RTS gaming at it's best.
Pong (maybe, if you're that worried about graphics, Space Invaders) - Self explanatory, really.

 

[Shepard's Shadow]

1 - Mass Effect

2 - Halo Combat Evolved

3 - Portal

4 - Goldeneye OO7

 

[.Ricks.]

Uhm only 5? Well let's see what I can do:

1 - Metal Gear Solid (pick one)
2 - Okami (simply beautiful)
3 - Psychonauts
4 - Portal
5 - Shadow of the Colossus / Wacraft 3 RoC & TfT / Beyond Good & Evil / Grim Fandango

Ok I will stop now as commanded, good thing I only posted 5....

 

[A Raging Emo]

Portal
Beyond Good And Evil
Morrowind
Pikmin
???

 

[Mordwyl]

A lot of people are confusing the question with their top 5 favourites, so I'll do it and right and make proper mentions...

I Wanna Be The Guy: This has got to be the most irritating game that was ever developed. Each level is cruelly designed to hate and kill you at every opportunity. People would dismiss this since it's a free game made by one man although this brings to mind another title called..

Cave Story: When you consider this game has been single-handedly developed it leaves you awestruck. Everything from the story, the gameplay and even the graphics stand out for what it's offering. Although this is going for the indies so I'll change that to three remarkable games that toppled their intended genres, starting with..

Metal Gear: We diss the idea now, but back then having an action game where you don't fight is completely laughable. I applaud Mr. Kojima for defying their beliefs and pioneering what is now one of the funner genres in the scene. Speaking of which, while I'm generally not a fan of shooters I actually got hooked to this..

Team Fortress 2: Following up to one of the most successful game mods ever made this team shooter actually does things right and allows for people with different gameplay styles to play their preferred kind, something not a lot of shooters are a fan of. It also encourages a heavy focus of teamwork which is something you NEVER see in any other FPS. But still, the one game that completely refreshed my hope in gaming was..

Katamari Damacy: This LSD in game form has inspired me to try and become a game designer for a full time job. There's not enough words in the english dictionary to describe how weird yet so simple the concept of this game is, and I wouldn't want it any other way. It's an awesome experience.


All of these left quite an inspirational impact on me and I believe anyone would if they gave at least one a go and then they would say "I want to do this too".

 

[The_Prophet]

#1 Half-Life 1
#2 Half-Life 2
#3 Mass Effect
#4 Halo: Combat Evolved
#5 Portal

 

[Mackinator]

1. The Legend of Zelda : Ocarina of Time - It was without a doubt, the only game I have ever played through at least 5 times. And I usually get bored easily with a game. The game is sooooooooooooooo good it is hard to describe.

Shadow of the Colossus - This is the top of the "3D character action game" heap. If you haven't played this then you probably have a wrong impression of what this sort of game can be.

Super Mario World - Too manly to try a 2D platformer starring a chubby plumber? Sorry, your attitude means you are not a very well rounded gamer.

Those 2 games are definately top of my list.

4. Halo (or trilogy, if its allowed) - Back when Halo : CE came out, no whiney fanboys were around, no anti-fans were out and it was the new FPS which many others soon came to copy (Space Marines, FPSr's). This game is definately 10/10.

5. An older Final Fantasy Game (as in not 12) - If you haven't played one of these games you might really be missing out. Hour upon hours of gameplay with stories that draw you in and make you love the game.

There are so many games that everyone who plays them instantly loves them.
Oh and a big mention to the Half Life games and Portal and TF and all those.