Games that Got it Right

[Sixcess]

Doom, because it was the definitive FPS, and almost 20 years on there's still nothing in the genre to rival its gameplay.

Fear Effect and Fear Effect 2. In the PS1 era when ingame facial animation was basically unheard of it used cel shaded characters (and brilliant voice actors) to create genuinely expressive characters using the in-game engine rather than CGI.

Minecraft, because it's hugely innovative and the most incredible exploration game ever made. Despite the blocky graphics no other game comes so close to convincing you that you're in an entire other world.

 

[Mr Fatherland]

Batman AA has melee combat perfected. Now all I want is a Judge Dredd game with the same melee system, just with less flipping around and with more breaking bones. Make it an 18 too. That would be awesome. I think Assassins' Creed should adopt a more flow-ey combat system. And make some more Goddamn counters!

 

[eggy32]

Well I've recently fallen in love with The Darkness again so I'll pick that.
It's quite a flawed game, with one of the main plot points not being explained until half way through and it only lasts for 6 hours.
But there's something about it. It's so immersive, really makes you feel like you're controlling the Darkness. I got quite immersed in the story and didn't want to shoot the guy at the end because

Spoiler

I knew it would allow the Darkness to take over Jackie. I just didn't want that to happen to him.

It also handles the little details very well. Like how Jakie's skin starts to turn red near the end when the Darkness gets stronger. Or how the movie posters in the subway stations change after Jackie gets "knocked out" for a few weeks.

 

[TheNaut131]

Psychonauts.

The combat was easy to learn, utilized interesting abilities, and overall fun to use. Ranking up, buying things from the camp store, or finding hidden items and collectables never felt like an actual pain. There are multiple types of mechanics brought in for solving certain puzzles and problems. These are mainly found in the levels of the insane asylum. The story is pretty great, not taking itself too seriously but not making an ass of itself. It's funny, the characters are enjoyable, and the whole concept works well. The level design is perhaps the best thing about the game. Each level not only looks different but generally plays differently. The levels had some of the best personality in the game because...well, they're actually apart of personalities! They take into account everything above.

Psychonauts is truly a masterpiece! Somedays I don't want a sequel, simply because of how good the game was!

...then again, I wonder what the mind of a certain schizophrenic, multiple personality containing, psychonaut agent looks like?

 

[The Wykydtron]

Persona 4, for making its power of friendship stuff necessary to gameplay and genuinely moving... Rather than some games that just make it facepalmworthy.

Plus i actually enjoyed the combat sections, i usually hate turn based combat but Persona 4's combat is actually fun! Maybe it's because when it gets really tough you can go "roight then *pulls up Fusion menu* time to stare at all possible fusions and i will not leave until i have a Persona that's good against fire and/or *list of elements here*

And the soundtrack is awesome

 

[subject_87]

I think Half-Life 2 nailed the atmosphere of a crumbling, decaying hellhole of a planet ruled by a repressive police state.

Also, despite the fact that they had a handful of shifty panels and whatnot in the first Portal, the sequel really hammered home the idea that the whole facility can completely rearrange itself on a whim in some awe-inspiring ways.

 

[Mike Laserbeam]

TimeSplitters 2, Deus Ex, Fallout 2 and Persona 3.

In my mind, I just listed four completely perfect games.

 

[shenhen]

The original Fable got a lot of things right in the whole upgrading weapons and armour system, that really for me really makes a good fantasy RPG.

In some way I bought a 360 just to try and relive my experience through Fable 3 and that was probably my biggest gaming letdown ever.

If someone has a game that is more similar to the original Fable please message me (I am going to try again with Fable 2, but I am afraid it will be another disapointment)

 

[Leemaster777]

Bioshock, in my humble opinion, has perfect atmosphere.

It creates an oppressive air of tension and dread with its carefully constructed world. The blood splatters on the ground, the constant sound of splicers wailing in the distance, the leaks and cracks in the glass, it all blends together into probably the most immersive game I've ever played.

That, and as Yahtzee puts it, it has probably the best intro in any game ever. Seriously, I don't usually like most FPSs, but I played the demo of Bioshock when it came out, just for shits an giggles, and the second I finished it, I rushed to my local Gamestop to pre-order it on PS3.

 

[Total LOLige]

GRAW 2 one of the best multiplayer games for the Xbox

 

[jacobythehedgehog]

Sonic Adventure on the Dreamcast

Ninja Gaiden on the X-box(the game was remade 3 times each one getting better)

Metroid Prime on the gamecube

Shadow of the Colossus

Final Fantasy VII

BioShock

Half Life

And to my suprise Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

 

[Fidelias]

Stalker: Shadow of Chernobyl for it's awesome atmosphere. I don't think any other game can beat the creepy, oppressive atmosphere of the Zone in Stalker, and that includes Bioshock and Oblivion. Everything in the game, down to the gameplay and sound effects, makes you feel like the incredibly vulnerable fleshy meatbag that you are.

 

[Austin Howe]

Hate me, but I think FFVII plays everything pitch-perfect. Yeah, it's kinda easy, but it's fun, not boring, as a result. That works. Also, it has the best writing, setting, atmosphere, and musical score of any game in the series.

 

[ADeskofRichMahogany]

Amnesia: The Dark Descent. Nomination for Survival Horror done right. I've played through Frictional Games' Penumbra series, and those did horror well. But I managed to play through them. I started playing Amnesia, and I was scared so shitless by the first encounter that I haven't worked up the balls the continue.

 

[Dusquad]

Amnesia: The Dark Descent. Nomination for Survival Horror done right. I've played through Frictional Games' Penumbra series, and those did horror well. But I managed to play through them. I started playing Amnesia, and I was scared so shitless by the first encounter that I haven't worked up the balls the continue.

I finally beat it and let me tell you, it is absolutely terrifying but the game begins to compel you to finish it. You don't even know it is happening until it is already too late and you cannot stop. So keep going man!

OT: I will give two:

1. Metro 2033
Say whatever you like about it, that game easily beat Bioshock in atmosphere (not quite Amnesia the Dark Descent but still pretty good). The pockets of human life felt real and the struggle the people of the Metro faced was compelling. It also got the feel of post-apocalyptic society right; in Fallout (bad comparison, don't get me wrong, I love Fallout) one rarely runs out of water or food and the environment felt more like desert, mountainous, etc... Metro 2033 has you fearing almost every trip to the surface, counting every bullet, searching for as many of the very scarce supplies to get him or her through the next fight if one plays the game on Ranger Hardcore mode. Specifically that difficulty really puts the right perspective on nuclear aftermath. Scarce supplies, realistic shooting (enemies don't take a ton of bullets to kill but you don't either, it levels the playing field and makes you feel like Artyom is not some bullet sponge but an actual human who will die from around three shots), and intriguing storyline. Seriously, go check it out.

2. Amnesia the Dark Descent (for obvious reasons, I am a fanboy)

 

[Saltyk]

OK, I will not talk about the Gothic games here, because that would be like kicking a dead horse. The first two games do *everything* right, and 2 is as close to perfection as it was possible in 2003. Besides, I need to give those games a rest.

But there's another gem that seems to have been forgotten these days, and it was one of the most immersive games I've ever played: Outcast.

I take it most of you have at least heard about this game, but it seems few people here have actually played it. If that's the case, it's a real shame.

Outcast didn't do one or two things right; every little detail about it was thought out to draw the player ever deeper into the game world. Every little insignificant fetch quest was relevant to the bigger plot (after all, a big point was to win the Talans' favor to help you in the fight against Fae Rhan), every weapon or item you came across had a reason to be where it was, and even interface aspects like the savegame were explained in terms of the games universe. They even found a way for everyone in Adelpha to call you by a name that felt as alien to your character as it felt to you, the player.

TL;DR: I have never felt as immersed in a game world as I did with Outcast -- not even with Gothic 2. And if you haven't played that game, you owe it to yourself to correct that as soon as possible.

And OP: I couldn't agree more with you. You even made me want to play Legaia again, and for such a long game, that is saying something.

Didn't you say you weren't going to talk about Gothic? Lol
And, yes, Legend of Legaia is on my list of best PSOne games (seriously there's a recent thread where I state this again, so you know it's no joke). I was just thinking about the combat in it a few days ago, and it really is very well done. I really want to play it, but I seem to be missing my old copy. I bet my little cousins borrowed it a few years back, and I know how it will be returned if that's the case. Hint: They borrowed FF9 and Disc one can't even play in a PS2. I really want it to be released on PSN. Though, I'm considering just getting a emulation.

Hate me, but I think FFVII plays everything pitch-perfect. Yeah, it's kinda easy, but it's fun, not boring, as a result. That works. Also, it has the best writing, setting, atmosphere, and musical score of any game in the series.

Why would I hate you? Look at my avatar. Final Fantasy 7 was one of my all time favorite games. And, yes, the music was great. I'd fight bosses and drag out the fights just because I enjoyed the music. And then there's One Winged Angel. That was an epic song.

 

[CplDustov]

Fallout 1 for the biggst emotional punch to my stomache I ever had. I still think back on it...

Deus Ex: Gaming brilliance if there ever was one. To explain everything that's good about it would require a novel, if you haven't played it, then do yourself a favor and do so this very second, head to Steam and buy it.

Serious Sam 1 : Epic slaughter with great outdoors scenary. Simple but well delivered.

ah fallout 1... by the time I found it... I already knew that outro part... less emotional. However, I can imagine how it must have felt.

 

[Fourspaces]

Just off the top of my head, Mass effect 2 . It made me think "yes, this is what a modern game should be like". Good graphics, interesting party members, and the suicide mission music can still get me choked up.

Oh, and this is an older one, but Fire Emblem as well. It was good when I played it a while ago, and just as good when I popped it in a couple of weeks ago. Again, a good soundtrack, plot, mechanics, and I just think it captured the feel of a ragtag band of warriors really well. Probably my favourite Srpg.

 

[Ruiner87]

Halo: Combat Evolved and Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare are two of the more prominent examples from my own gaming experience, as well as Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic.

Halo just played exceptionally well, and perfected the important aspects of any shooter. it had excellent controls, great gameplay in both campaign and multiplayer, and the story, world and atmosphere were all great.

Call of Duty 4 was just a great game. It ran at 60 fps, which was a huge step above its main competitor, Halo 3 (at least no the Xbox 360). The game managed to have both excellent gameplay, as well as a good story, and to this date most fans of the series still believe that Call of Duty 4 had the best multiplayer experience.

KOTOR was also just an amazing experience. The game just had all of the things that a great RPG needs to be successful. The character customization was there, the combat was a lot of fun and the story was great.