Not your average recommendation thread.

[Veldt Falsetto]

Right, me and my friend have been having long discussions about the current state of gaming. My friend believes that there isn't even one game in the last console generation that can be called great or amazing. I disagree but he won't take my games into account because the only games I can name that I think are amazing are either Ps3 or DS exclusive.

What I'm asking is I want to know as many amazing and technically interesting or mindblowing story games as possible. My rules are they have to be first released on either the Xbox 360 or the PsP, (They're all he owns this gen). Any genre is fine, please don't mention Catherine because that's not been released where I am yet.

So help me please?

UPDATE: I was at a formal function last night and couldn't keep track.

I have a list my friends favourite games so, enjoy. Secret of Mana, Suikoden, Chrono Trigger, Breath of Fire 3, Metal Gear Solid, Metal Gear Solid 3, Final Fantasy IV, Final Fantasy VII, SaGa Frontier 2, Jade Cocoon, Flashback, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past.

Put it this way, not much of what's been mentioned in this thread is anything special by his standards.

 

[drednoahl]

If you are talking about the last two generations of consoles, does that not include PS2, Xbox and Gamecube? If it does, than I can't see your friend having a leg to stand on.

For 360 - Bioshock and Crackdown

 

[Elementary - Dear Watson]

Loco Roco! Innovative, refreshing and very very good. PSP exclusive!

 

[The Funslinger]

the original Halo trilogy, and Halo: ODST.

As it was mass released, could I say Skyrim?

 

[Lilani]

The last two generations? That includes the PS2. Has your friend been living under a fucking rock? The PS2 has the broadest library of any modern console, and has what are considered to be some of the best games ever made. Shadow of the Colossus, Ico, Silent Hill 2...then my personal favorites, Kingdom Hearts, Psychonauts, and Final Fantasy XI (though that's an MMORPG).

As far as those, I'd most highly recommend the first 3 and Psycnonauts. Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts games come down to taste a lot of the time, and I know nothing about your friends tastes.

If PC games are in the running, I'd recommend showing your friend to Steam and having them play HL2, Bastion, and Portal. Those have all come out in the last 2 generations as well.

 

[Mojo]

Portal 1&2 ???
Bastion
Super Meat Boy

There are many more, just cant think of much right now.

EDIT:
Ninjad by 1 sec....

As far as those, I'd most highly recommend the first 3 and Psycnonauts.

Ditto on Psyconauts (its also on PC and Steam btw.)
That game is so damm perfect.....

 

[D Moness]

for the 360 Lost Odyssey. One of the better rpg's of this generation

 

[Veldt Falsetto]

The last two generations? That includes the PS2. Has your friend been living under a fucking rock? The PS2 has the broadest library of any modern console, and has what are considered to be some of the best games ever made. Shadow of the Colossus, Ico, Silent Hill 2...then my personal favorites, Kingdom Hearts, Psychonauts, and Final Fantasy XI (though that's an MMORPG).

As far as those, I'd most highly recommend the first 3 and Psycnonauts. Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts games come down to taste a lot of the time, and I know nothing about your friends tastes.

If PC games are in the running, I'd recommend showing your friend to Steam and having them play HL2, Bastion, and Portal. Those have all come out in the last 2 generations as well.

My friend...is an odd one. Imagine Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory only not as intelligent and with a punk (bring down the man) attitude.

His opinion on each and everyone of those games for Ps2 is:

SotC: Lacks depth, is boring to play
Ico: Good but not for me
Silent Hill: ...actually I dunno but he doesn't like the hype over it
Kingdom Hearts: Good game
Psychonauts: I'll forward that, he's not played it
FFXI: It's an MMO and is therefore evil, and it's too expensive for him anyway

He does have a PC but not a decent one so it's only for Emulations for now.

He like Half Life 2, hasn't played Bastion but he thinks it'll strain his eyes and hates Portal with a passion for being popular but lacking depth and not being funny (his words)

 

[BlindedHunter]

Didn't the Portal games come out on the 360 at least?

EDIT: A weaker computer will play most indie games and Valve releases, since they don't work the graphics like a taskmaster.
Also, pardon my French, but he sounds like a jerk.

 

[Lilani]

and hates Portal with a passion for being popular but lacking depth and not being funny (his words)

I...what? Lack of depth? Not funny? Was he playing with the game muted and his eyes closed? Have him play Portal 2, then. Since it's actually a full game it has a lot more of what I guess you'd call "depth" and the humor is a lot less subtle (and I'm having a lot of trouble not writing "so it can even get through his thick head" here).

Tell your friend he need to get over his hipster-itis and accept that yes, sometimes crappy games are overhyped but other times hype happens for a reason. Portal was essentially unknown when it was released. All of the hype it's gotten is based on what it is, not what it could have been (Skyrim, I'm looking at you).

 

[Veldt Falsetto]

and hates Portal with a passion for being popular but lacking depth and not being funny (his words)

I...what? Lack of depth? Not funny? Was he playing with the game muted and his eyes closed? Have him play Portal 2, then. Since it's actually a full game it has a lot more of what I guess you'd call "depth" and the humor is a lot less subtle (and I'm having a lot of trouble not writing "so it can even get through his thick head" here).

Tell your friend he need to get over his hipster-itis and accept that yes, sometimes crappy games are overhyped but other times hype happens for a reason. Portal was essentially unknown when it was released. All of the hype it's gotten is based on what it is, not what it could have been (Skyrim, I'm looking at you).

Oh yeah I've had that conversation with him, especially about Skyrim as it's what I'm playing right now but he seems to think that he's been over exposed to the game, he thinks he knows all about Skyrim and doesn't need to play it anymore...

 

[mireko]

Your friend has no taste and is a bad person.

As for recommendations...

Bayonetta - The story isn't anything special (or anything at all, period), but the gameplay elevates it to perfection.

Dark Souls - While it's not quite as 'perfect' as Demon's Souls was, it's still amazing (and you did say it had to be released on the 360).

Catherine - A nearby game store seems to have imported it. I live in Norway, but they're selling the American PS3 version with ESRB rating on the cover and everything. Brilliant game.

Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne (PS2) (was renamed Lucifer's Call in Europe) - Don't feel the need to make a case here. Fantastic game, just like the rest of the series. For something that delivers a more straightforward story with spoken dialogue, there's Digital Devil Saga, which also rocks.

Persona 3 & 4 - P3 actually has a PSP version too, so there's no excuse not to try it. P4 is probably better overall (because you don't have to put up with Tartarus grind and the fucking chairman and fucking Fuuka all the fucking time), but P3 is still a great experience.

Rez HD - OH GOD I AM COMPUTER

Mass Effect - Well, yeah.

Tales of Vesperia - It's your avatar. This should be an obvious suggestion.

Child of Eden - HOLY SHIT I CAN TASTE COLORS

Save for Squaresoft's RPGs and the works of a few minor developers, the SNES wasn't really all it's cracked up to be. I mean I like Bomberman and Mario but seriously. - This is more of an opinion than a game.

Monster Girl Quest! - You won't know if this is a serious suggestion until it is too late.

Gears of motherfucking War 1-3 - Chainsaw bayonets.

 

[MercurySteam]

Tales of Vesperia - It's your avatar. This should be an obvious suggestion.

I still cannot get over the fact that they named the main character with the word that means 'lesbians' in Japanese.

Gears of motherfucking War 1-3 - Chainsaw bayonets.

I agree. The only trilogy where I bought and thoroughly enjoyed each game.

Your friend has no taste and is a bad person.

I concur with this statement.

 

[Veldt Falsetto]

Tales of Vesperia - It's your avatar. This should be an obvious suggestion.

He doesn't like Tales games at all, he's more of a Star Ocean fan which is fair enough

 

[4RM3D]

Tales of Vesperia - It's your avatar. This should be an obvious suggestion.

He doesn't like Tales games at all, he's more of a Star Ocean fan which is fair enough

Tales of Vesperia is this generation's Final Fantasy VII (no, it ain't as good, but there is nothing better this gen).

And regardless of whether you are a Star Ocean fan or Tales fan. Star Ocean The Last Hope was mediocre at best. The PS2 one (Till the End of Time) was much better.

Also, I really like Resonance of Fate; an underdog RPG on the Xbox360 and PS3.

 

[SovietPanda]

Project Sylpheed, starfighter/flight sim/ dogfight game, whatever thats meant to be called. The story is basic, the characters will almost completely get on your nerves. But inbetween that are long insane space battles that are tense and exciting, the weapons feel really solid (especially once you play far enough to unlock the railgun slung under the belly of your figther. Definately worth anyones time.

 

[dementis]

For Xbox 360. Bastion, that game is fantastic, I can't think of anything wrong with that game.

Story - Engaging
Gameplay - Fun
Soundtrack - Fantastic
Artwork - Beautiful

 

[Sethzard]

Deus ex: Hr, Thief series, Prince of persia, Psychonauts, Mass Efect. I also don't know how he can disagree with Skyrim/ oblivion.

 

[bobfish92]

He sounds pretty hipster, so The Saboteur.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not a hipster and I love the game but;
From a relatively unknown (underground) studio that actually died after the game was released, set in France, didn't draw that big sales wise, didn't score that well with major reviewers and is goddamn film noir. Its pretty freaking hipster.