Seeing as I haven?t done so before, I feel it is high time I make a list of my top five all-time favorite games and why I like them.
#1. Halo 3: As if those of you who know me couldn?t have guessed this. Halo 3 neatly tied up every significant loose end in the primary story arc in a satisfying and believable way. This in conjunction with some of the best multi-approach set piece battles I?ve played put the game?s single player squarely in my top 3. As for what cements the game at position 1, look no further than the multiplayer.
Halo 3?s multiplayer is very well balanced, yet still fast and fun. Yes the shotgun feels a mite anemic and yes vehicles did get out of hand at times, but not much is quite as satisfying as pulling of a perfect four shot with the BR or Lasering a scorpion from the back of a mongoose.
#2. Battlefield Bad Company 2: The story may not be much to sneeze at, but if you?re playing this game for its story, you need your head examined. Bad Company 2 is a multiplayer game through and through. Featuring a deep progression system and one of the most balanced and realistic experiences on the market, it truly boggles my mind that Call of Duty sold better.
#3. Mass Effect 2: For those of you who have not played any of the Mass Effect series, shame on you. I was once one of the unenlightened haters, but upon playing the first Mass Effect, I was hooked. Yes the combat was mediocre at best. Yes the inventory screen was cluttered and obnoxious and yes the vehicle sections were so bad that they caused brain hemorrhages, but I didn?t care. The Story and characters were simply that good.
Mass Effect 2 Took mass Effect 1 and improved just about everything. Combat was upgraded to the point that it nearly rivaled Halo?s, the inventory system was totally overhauled and the vehicle sections are far less nightmarish. The only complaint I can level at the game (other than planet scanning) is that they seemed to cut back on character development by about 15-20%. Granted, this meant they developed more characters, but I?d prefer deeper, more nuanced squaddies.
#4. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time: I really can?t put my finger on what makes this game so amazing. Between puzzles and combat, the game never outpaces itself and you can travel a huge area from the word ?go?.
#5. Age of Mythology: Much like Ocarina of Time, I have a tough time pinpointing just one thing about this game that I love. So precious little is wrong with it that I really can?t think of anything bad to say. Well, I guess the campaign is a mite lengthy, but when has that been a bad thing? The standard RTS ?rock, paper, scissors game of infantry beats cavalry beats archers beat infantry is shaken up by the additions of god powers, heroes and myth units, and each civilization is distinct from the others.
#1. Halo 3: As if those of you who know me couldn?t have guessed this. Halo 3 neatly tied up every significant loose end in the primary story arc in a satisfying and believable way. This in conjunction with some of the best multi-approach set piece battles I?ve played put the game?s single player squarely in my top 3. As for what cements the game at position 1, look no further than the multiplayer.
Halo 3?s multiplayer is very well balanced, yet still fast and fun. Yes the shotgun feels a mite anemic and yes vehicles did get out of hand at times, but not much is quite as satisfying as pulling of a perfect four shot with the BR or Lasering a scorpion from the back of a mongoose.
#2. Battlefield Bad Company 2: The story may not be much to sneeze at, but if you?re playing this game for its story, you need your head examined. Bad Company 2 is a multiplayer game through and through. Featuring a deep progression system and one of the most balanced and realistic experiences on the market, it truly boggles my mind that Call of Duty sold better.
#3. Mass Effect 2: For those of you who have not played any of the Mass Effect series, shame on you. I was once one of the unenlightened haters, but upon playing the first Mass Effect, I was hooked. Yes the combat was mediocre at best. Yes the inventory screen was cluttered and obnoxious and yes the vehicle sections were so bad that they caused brain hemorrhages, but I didn?t care. The Story and characters were simply that good.
Mass Effect 2 Took mass Effect 1 and improved just about everything. Combat was upgraded to the point that it nearly rivaled Halo?s, the inventory system was totally overhauled and the vehicle sections are far less nightmarish. The only complaint I can level at the game (other than planet scanning) is that they seemed to cut back on character development by about 15-20%. Granted, this meant they developed more characters, but I?d prefer deeper, more nuanced squaddies.
#4. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time: I really can?t put my finger on what makes this game so amazing. Between puzzles and combat, the game never outpaces itself and you can travel a huge area from the word ?go?.
#5. Age of Mythology: Much like Ocarina of Time, I have a tough time pinpointing just one thing about this game that I love. So precious little is wrong with it that I really can?t think of anything bad to say. Well, I guess the campaign is a mite lengthy, but when has that been a bad thing? The standard RTS ?rock, paper, scissors game of infantry beats cavalry beats archers beat infantry is shaken up by the additions of god powers, heroes and myth units, and each civilization is distinct from the others.
! What can I say? I'm indecisive! 
