I wont do a top 10 simply because for a lot of these it is hard to rate one better than another.
Mass Effect: Ending aside this was some great world building with some hugely memorable characters, just all around outstanding writing. Except for the ending. Did I mention we aren't going to mention the ending. Just thought Id mention that.
Planescape Torment: Even if you haven't played it, I'm pretty sure you have heard of it. It's on peoples top game lists for a reason. Not only is the protagonist "The Nameless One" completely unique, the gameworld he lives in, the city of Sigil, is one of the little explored D'n'D settings. The game not only brings the character to life, it brings the world to life.
The Elder Scrolls: Ok so my relationship with this series is troubled. I bought Arena when it came out and to be honest, it was shit. HUGE world, I mean really huge. But so empty and devoid of life that anything you actually found was a cardboard cutout of worthlessness. So not even worthless, just a drab version of worthless. Hell, I returned it to the store and they gave me a refund. Even people selling it acknowledged it was shit. I kind of liked Daggerfall, bugs aside. It succeeded in making me feel I was actually wandering a world rather than a massive empty series of screens. Oblivion finally got it, especially the Shivering Isles. While I do accept the criticisms that can be levelled at Skyrim....wow have I killed some hours on this game. 200 hours plus so far. Some of it catching butterflies and standing near rivers going "ooh, fish"
Baldur's Gate: I did like the first game but it was Baldur's Gate 2 that knocked it out of the ball park. Funny and enjoyable party members who comment on your adventures, epic scale and satisfying tactical combat. Is it any wonder that people are having successful kickstarters for this kind of game?
Capcom's Tales Series: While I never really find the overarching stories of these games particularly memorable, the characters they create are pretty good. The exchanges they have are generally either hilarious or touching, or a combination of both. I tend to come out of these games with more fond memories of who the characters are than anything about the big bad they are fighting. I once had a friend tell me he skipped all the cutscenes and never watched the skits which kind of had me wondering why he even bothered, considering they are pretty much why you sign up for a Tales game.
Mass Effect: Ending aside this was some great world building with some hugely memorable characters, just all around outstanding writing. Except for the ending. Did I mention we aren't going to mention the ending. Just thought Id mention that.
Planescape Torment: Even if you haven't played it, I'm pretty sure you have heard of it. It's on peoples top game lists for a reason. Not only is the protagonist "The Nameless One" completely unique, the gameworld he lives in, the city of Sigil, is one of the little explored D'n'D settings. The game not only brings the character to life, it brings the world to life.
The Elder Scrolls: Ok so my relationship with this series is troubled. I bought Arena when it came out and to be honest, it was shit. HUGE world, I mean really huge. But so empty and devoid of life that anything you actually found was a cardboard cutout of worthlessness. So not even worthless, just a drab version of worthless. Hell, I returned it to the store and they gave me a refund. Even people selling it acknowledged it was shit. I kind of liked Daggerfall, bugs aside. It succeeded in making me feel I was actually wandering a world rather than a massive empty series of screens. Oblivion finally got it, especially the Shivering Isles. While I do accept the criticisms that can be levelled at Skyrim....wow have I killed some hours on this game. 200 hours plus so far. Some of it catching butterflies and standing near rivers going "ooh, fish"
Baldur's Gate: I did like the first game but it was Baldur's Gate 2 that knocked it out of the ball park. Funny and enjoyable party members who comment on your adventures, epic scale and satisfying tactical combat. Is it any wonder that people are having successful kickstarters for this kind of game?
Capcom's Tales Series: While I never really find the overarching stories of these games particularly memorable, the characters they create are pretty good. The exchanges they have are generally either hilarious or touching, or a combination of both. I tend to come out of these games with more fond memories of who the characters are than anything about the big bad they are fighting. I once had a friend tell me he skipped all the cutscenes and never watched the skits which kind of had me wondering why he even bothered, considering they are pretty much why you sign up for a Tales game.
