I strongly disagree with Uncharted 2 as game of the year, but that's another discussion altogether. However, I'd like to weigh in on Uncharted 2 for a bit and what the game signifies in my eyes.
I think that video games have a bit of a minority complex. TV and movies are seen as more "legitimate"-- both have storied histories, both have well-established structures and both have banal characters and arcs and shots etc. It is my perception that many people who play video games are highly conscious of all other forms of popular media, including film and television. And even though video games do have certain traditional archetypes established (go to the castle to save the princess, defeat the boss to move to the next stage and so on), I believe that storylines in video games mimic the typical structure of movies and televisions instead of burrowing out their own niches— case and point Uncharted 2.
I don’t want to take away from the game. A lot of what Danny says is correct. It is incredibly polished. It is fun and exciting and does many things well. But I think that video games need to stop relying on old standbys and stereotypes. I don't want to see a rehashed version of Indiana Jones (that's been done 4 times already). Lets see something fresh, something provocative, something excitingly exciting. In this age of sequels and mimicry, I want to see something that pushes gaming further, not something that just works off of the same formula.
- Micah -
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Game of the Year 2009 (won't come as a shock...)
Game of the Year: Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (Playstation 3)
Runner-up: Batman: Arkham Asylum (Xbox 360 / Playstation 3)
The competition for 2009’s game of the year is admittedly not much of one. There were some great titles this year (don’t get me wrong), but only one that supersedes the very idea of what the gaming industry is capable of. I don’t know that we completely understand the implications that Naughty Dog’s Uncharted 2: Among Thieves will have for gaming just yet; surely as a work of art it's subtlety advances the medium in areas of storytelling and technology. For the moment, it is a zeitgeist piece of entertainment, perfecting the elements that we already know make a video game work. In many cases, this is as important an accomplishment as innovation. While a debate rages about the primacy of gameplay over story in video games, Uncharted 2 gives each category its due and then some.
Uncharted 2 is a first-rate production; not just a great video game. The greatest entertainments are those we return to because of their potential for exploration. Uncharted 2 approaches this lofty echelon in its environments, characters, story, and, yes, its pixel count that has not been matched on any system since the release of Metroid Prime. You’ll want to play again and again.
What I admire most about Uncharted 2 is not only how it was able to best its predecessor in every way but also that it unabashedly advocates a theory about what video games should be. The idea here is that video games can approach the sort of depth, and thus replay value, because the game engulfs the player in a narrative which cannot be altered on the player’s whim. This means is that the player does not have the freedom to roam and break the narrative flow, a mechanism which modern games like World of Warcraft and Mass Effect so often flaunt. This finite focus allowed Naughty Dog to perfect nearly every element of the journey. You want to immerse yourself in the world provided, not branch out and find new ones. Placing restrictions like this is important to flesh out the potential of an idea instead of throwing notions into the wind and hoping one of them sticks.
Although it's linear structure lends itself to detailed graphics and a great story, the only place where Uncharted 2 is not linear is where it counts; in its level design. You can and will scale the environments from just about every angle. I have always preferred this mostly linear model of video game because I value the quality of ideas over the quantity of them.
Uncharted 2 put me in Nathan Drake’s world and left me there to make my way out. The best games make it so that you never want to leave. With Uncharted 2, the PS3 has undoubtedly found its killer app and a game that will take some serious time to overshadow.
A quick word about the GOTY runner-up:
Batman: Arkham Asylum redefines what comic book video games can be with an original premise, creative license of established characters, gorgeous visuals, and a control scheme that is both accessible and realistic. After the release of “The Dark Knight” in 2008 and Arkham Asylum this year, it is safe to say Batman is enjoying a renaissance like no other fictional character. There is already a trailer for a sequel to this game due out next year, and if it is able to improve on Arkham Asylum the way Uncharted 2 improved on its predecessor, perhaps Batman will not be playing second fiddle in 2010.
-DC
Runner-up: Batman: Arkham Asylum (Xbox 360 / Playstation 3)
The competition for 2009’s game of the year is admittedly not much of one. There were some great titles this year (don’t get me wrong), but only one that supersedes the very idea of what the gaming industry is capable of. I don’t know that we completely understand the implications that Naughty Dog’s Uncharted 2: Among Thieves will have for gaming just yet; surely as a work of art it's subtlety advances the medium in areas of storytelling and technology. For the moment, it is a zeitgeist piece of entertainment, perfecting the elements that we already know make a video game work. In many cases, this is as important an accomplishment as innovation. While a debate rages about the primacy of gameplay over story in video games, Uncharted 2 gives each category its due and then some.
Uncharted 2 is a first-rate production; not just a great video game. The greatest entertainments are those we return to because of their potential for exploration. Uncharted 2 approaches this lofty echelon in its environments, characters, story, and, yes, its pixel count that has not been matched on any system since the release of Metroid Prime. You’ll want to play again and again.
What I admire most about Uncharted 2 is not only how it was able to best its predecessor in every way but also that it unabashedly advocates a theory about what video games should be. The idea here is that video games can approach the sort of depth, and thus replay value, because the game engulfs the player in a narrative which cannot be altered on the player’s whim. This means is that the player does not have the freedom to roam and break the narrative flow, a mechanism which modern games like World of Warcraft and Mass Effect so often flaunt. This finite focus allowed Naughty Dog to perfect nearly every element of the journey. You want to immerse yourself in the world provided, not branch out and find new ones. Placing restrictions like this is important to flesh out the potential of an idea instead of throwing notions into the wind and hoping one of them sticks.
Although it's linear structure lends itself to detailed graphics and a great story, the only place where Uncharted 2 is not linear is where it counts; in its level design. You can and will scale the environments from just about every angle. I have always preferred this mostly linear model of video game because I value the quality of ideas over the quantity of them.
Uncharted 2 put me in Nathan Drake’s world and left me there to make my way out. The best games make it so that you never want to leave. With Uncharted 2, the PS3 has undoubtedly found its killer app and a game that will take some serious time to overshadow.
A quick word about the GOTY runner-up:
Batman: Arkham Asylum redefines what comic book video games can be with an original premise, creative license of established characters, gorgeous visuals, and a control scheme that is both accessible and realistic. After the release of “The Dark Knight” in 2008 and Arkham Asylum this year, it is safe to say Batman is enjoying a renaissance like no other fictional character. There is already a trailer for a sequel to this game due out next year, and if it is able to improve on Arkham Asylum the way Uncharted 2 improved on its predecessor, perhaps Batman will not be playing second fiddle in 2010.
-DC
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Retro Reflecticus: DuckTales
Movie and TV Games Were Good Once- Take My Word for It
With the release of the digital epic Avatar from successful director/ writer/ all-around beast machine James Cameron , we at The Birdo’s Nest expected the Avatar game to show up around the film release, slowly waddling in the wake of its movie counterpart. For a film that bathes it’s viewers in digital brilliance and utilizes many techniques exemplified in video game cut scenes (for example, the shaky zoom-in style the Gears of War series or Resident Evil 4), an unlearned individual might assume that the Avatar game would be quite the delightful romp. Clearly, they are unaware of the Movie to Game Principle.
The Movie to Game Principle states that movies or televisions shows converted to video games must suck and they must suck hard. I know. If it were up to me, I’d change a thing or two about a thing or two, but the Movie to Game Principle is fact. But it got me to thinking. Was there ever an outlier to this rule? Not only a good game based on television or movie content, but a great game. For me, Aladdin and The Lion King games both come to mind, but none can really touch the DuckTales game for THE Nintendo Entertainment System.
For those who have never seen or heard of DuckTales, that’s oka—….Nope, I thought I could stay away from being condescending for a second but it just didn’t feel right. What is wrong with you? Watch the show or watch DuckTales: The Movie – Treasure of the Lost Lamp immediately. But the DuckTales game is an extraordinary feat of gaming spawned by the 90’s gaming juggernaut Capcom.
Right when the game opens, you have the choice as to which level to traverse. This presentation of the game allows for more control and a convenient replay ability through the game. If you feel like playing a certain level, you don’t have to wade through other parts of the game first. Amazingly enough, this level menu fits perfectly into the structure of the game.
The story follows Scrooge McDuck throughout the globe (and in one case, off the globe) collecting treasures on his journey to be the richest duck in the world. Recognizable characters like Launchpad, Webby and the Beagle Boys are interspersed throughout the game. Although the creative content was there, the writers of the game developed a completely different plot, which is interesting and different from the typical DuckTales episode but simultaneously enthralling. In most cases, the rigidity implied in the story of a movie or television show overwhelms the general gameplay of the game, but not in this case.
The gameplay of DuckTales feels incredibly original throughout the entire game. You play as Uncle Scrooge himself, wielding only an ever-useful cane to bludgeon your foes. You can bash object with it or bounce on it like a pogo stick to travel across a level or send an enemy flying. Certain deadly areas are untraversable without expert wielding of the pogo-ing ability. This interesting control scheme makes DuckTales that much more interesting. Scrooge’s unique skillset within the game, as opposed to the standard jump and throw combination, really makes DuckTales stand out above the rest of the movie and television games of the time period.
Even though the constant stream of enemies might appear repetitive, Capcom diversified the gaming experience by making each enemy move differently. For example, in Transylvania, mummy’s move slowly from left to right and periodically stop. However, on the Moon, aliens move up and down in varying rapid movements, making them difficult in their own right. Plus, with all of the diverse environments to choose from, DuckTales is always interesting to play.
Although the Avatar game is decent, it could learn a lot from a seasoned veteran movie game. The DuckTales game is the archetype for all creators to follow. It is original while utilizing the reticent creative content. It establishes its own niche, neither trying to break out of its borders by being recklessly original nor shrinking down to an evaporated version of the original content.
You would think that movie games and tv games would be great—characters are pre-established, actors are already in place and there is a buttload of content to build off of. Sure, you can see the pre-ordained aspects of creative content as restrictive if you want to, but they can also birth some incredible content. Classic poetic structure like villanelles and sonnets hone the creative process by forcing restriction and pushing limits onto the writer. The safety pin was invented under a restriction that the inventor could only use a single piece of wire. I can only be on the toilet for 30 minutes at a time, according to my doctor. Picture the Sistine Chapel, except more brown.
Restriction has always been a source of some of the greatest feats of creativity. Movie games need to be seen by creators as an opportunity to do edify as opposed to oppressive parameters. The DuckTales game accomplished exactly that.
-Micah
With the release of the digital epic Avatar from successful director/ writer/ all-around beast machine James Cameron , we at The Birdo’s Nest expected the Avatar game to show up around the film release, slowly waddling in the wake of its movie counterpart. For a film that bathes it’s viewers in digital brilliance and utilizes many techniques exemplified in video game cut scenes (for example, the shaky zoom-in style the Gears of War series or Resident Evil 4), an unlearned individual might assume that the Avatar game would be quite the delightful romp. Clearly, they are unaware of the Movie to Game Principle.
The Movie to Game Principle states that movies or televisions shows converted to video games must suck and they must suck hard. I know. If it were up to me, I’d change a thing or two about a thing or two, but the Movie to Game Principle is fact. But it got me to thinking. Was there ever an outlier to this rule? Not only a good game based on television or movie content, but a great game. For me, Aladdin and The Lion King games both come to mind, but none can really touch the DuckTales game for THE Nintendo Entertainment System.
For those who have never seen or heard of DuckTales, that’s oka—….Nope, I thought I could stay away from being condescending for a second but it just didn’t feel right. What is wrong with you? Watch the show or watch DuckTales: The Movie – Treasure of the Lost Lamp immediately. But the DuckTales game is an extraordinary feat of gaming spawned by the 90’s gaming juggernaut Capcom.
Right when the game opens, you have the choice as to which level to traverse. This presentation of the game allows for more control and a convenient replay ability through the game. If you feel like playing a certain level, you don’t have to wade through other parts of the game first. Amazingly enough, this level menu fits perfectly into the structure of the game.
The story follows Scrooge McDuck throughout the globe (and in one case, off the globe) collecting treasures on his journey to be the richest duck in the world. Recognizable characters like Launchpad, Webby and the Beagle Boys are interspersed throughout the game. Although the creative content was there, the writers of the game developed a completely different plot, which is interesting and different from the typical DuckTales episode but simultaneously enthralling. In most cases, the rigidity implied in the story of a movie or television show overwhelms the general gameplay of the game, but not in this case.
The gameplay of DuckTales feels incredibly original throughout the entire game. You play as Uncle Scrooge himself, wielding only an ever-useful cane to bludgeon your foes. You can bash object with it or bounce on it like a pogo stick to travel across a level or send an enemy flying. Certain deadly areas are untraversable without expert wielding of the pogo-ing ability. This interesting control scheme makes DuckTales that much more interesting. Scrooge’s unique skillset within the game, as opposed to the standard jump and throw combination, really makes DuckTales stand out above the rest of the movie and television games of the time period.
Even though the constant stream of enemies might appear repetitive, Capcom diversified the gaming experience by making each enemy move differently. For example, in Transylvania, mummy’s move slowly from left to right and periodically stop. However, on the Moon, aliens move up and down in varying rapid movements, making them difficult in their own right. Plus, with all of the diverse environments to choose from, DuckTales is always interesting to play.
Although the Avatar game is decent, it could learn a lot from a seasoned veteran movie game. The DuckTales game is the archetype for all creators to follow. It is original while utilizing the reticent creative content. It establishes its own niche, neither trying to break out of its borders by being recklessly original nor shrinking down to an evaporated version of the original content.
You would think that movie games and tv games would be great—characters are pre-established, actors are already in place and there is a buttload of content to build off of. Sure, you can see the pre-ordained aspects of creative content as restrictive if you want to, but they can also birth some incredible content. Classic poetic structure like villanelles and sonnets hone the creative process by forcing restriction and pushing limits onto the writer. The safety pin was invented under a restriction that the inventor could only use a single piece of wire. I can only be on the toilet for 30 minutes at a time, according to my doctor. Picture the Sistine Chapel, except more brown.
Restriction has always been a source of some of the greatest feats of creativity. Movie games need to be seen by creators as an opportunity to do edify as opposed to oppressive parameters. The DuckTales game accomplished exactly that.
-Micah
Monday, November 30, 2009
REVIEW: New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Nintendo Wii)
New Super Mario Bros. Wii is a FUN game and the first must-buy Wii title since Super Smash Bros. Brawl hit the system in early 2008. That's a problem in and of itself, but let’s save the critiques of the Wii for another day, shall we. Unfortunately, even given its "must buy" status, New Super Mario Bros. Wii exhibits many of the same flaws that have come to characterize Nintendo's current console.
First and foremost, the lack of online play is absolutely criminal. This game begs for it. Why does Nintendo keep doing this to its fans? The four player mode in this game is so insanely fun (it really is the only way to play) and is the game's core feature. There is no excuse and no reason why it should not have been broadened to include online support. I'm sorry, but the game loses major points for its lack of online play. Missed potential has been Nintendo's slogan for the past three years. Glad to see them continuing the tradition.
Another, albeit minor, criticism I have of this game is that, when playing with four players, you have the option of Mario, Luigi, and two toads (one blue and one yellow). Ok, that's fine. I can see where Nintendo was going here; they couldn't include Peach (as they did in Super Mario Bros. 2 back when she went by a different royal title) as a playable character because she’s too busy being kidnapped again. I can also see why they included two toads to go along with the "brother" theme (Mario is to Luigi, as Blue Toad is to Yellow Toad, I suppose). HOWEVER, I cannot accept that while this game was being tested that someone didn't say, "hey, things get a little confusing with two toads since they look so similar, ESPECIALLY when you get power ups like the ice or fire flowers." Ignorance, negligence, whatever it was, it sucks, Nintendo. You have the greatest roster of characters in ANY medium EVER and you refuse to use them. For shame, for shame.
Gripes aside, this game is a helluva ride. It is a love letter to Mario fans from Nintendo. It is a multiplayer blast, guaranteeing that you need four wii-motes to play. Also, you've probably heard, but this game can be hard. The difficulty is a refreshing change of pace for Nintendo games as of late. The worlds are more diverse and clever than you would expect from a Mario game and it is a true improvement over the DS New Super Mario Bros.
Really though, my affection for this game is hard to quantify or express. It comes from the fact that, like all Mario platformers, it is just so purely fun. There are missed opportunities here, maybe too many, but what is included is an absolute blast to play. When faced with such a drought of good hardcore games on the Wii, New Super Mario Bros. Wii demands your attention. It should get credit for appealing to both a hardcore and casual fan base like no other game can. It is a perfect fusion of these bases that Nintendo is simultaneously and mostly unsuccessfully trying to cater to. Again, above its shortcomings and successes, it remains some of the most fun you can have with a video game this year. It is also, without question, the Wii's game of the year and a great placeholder between Galaxy 1 and Galaxy 2.
Final Score: 9.0
-DC
First and foremost, the lack of online play is absolutely criminal. This game begs for it. Why does Nintendo keep doing this to its fans? The four player mode in this game is so insanely fun (it really is the only way to play) and is the game's core feature. There is no excuse and no reason why it should not have been broadened to include online support. I'm sorry, but the game loses major points for its lack of online play. Missed potential has been Nintendo's slogan for the past three years. Glad to see them continuing the tradition.
Another, albeit minor, criticism I have of this game is that, when playing with four players, you have the option of Mario, Luigi, and two toads (one blue and one yellow). Ok, that's fine. I can see where Nintendo was going here; they couldn't include Peach (as they did in Super Mario Bros. 2 back when she went by a different royal title) as a playable character because she’s too busy being kidnapped again. I can also see why they included two toads to go along with the "brother" theme (Mario is to Luigi, as Blue Toad is to Yellow Toad, I suppose). HOWEVER, I cannot accept that while this game was being tested that someone didn't say, "hey, things get a little confusing with two toads since they look so similar, ESPECIALLY when you get power ups like the ice or fire flowers." Ignorance, negligence, whatever it was, it sucks, Nintendo. You have the greatest roster of characters in ANY medium EVER and you refuse to use them. For shame, for shame.
Gripes aside, this game is a helluva ride. It is a love letter to Mario fans from Nintendo. It is a multiplayer blast, guaranteeing that you need four wii-motes to play. Also, you've probably heard, but this game can be hard. The difficulty is a refreshing change of pace for Nintendo games as of late. The worlds are more diverse and clever than you would expect from a Mario game and it is a true improvement over the DS New Super Mario Bros.
Really though, my affection for this game is hard to quantify or express. It comes from the fact that, like all Mario platformers, it is just so purely fun. There are missed opportunities here, maybe too many, but what is included is an absolute blast to play. When faced with such a drought of good hardcore games on the Wii, New Super Mario Bros. Wii demands your attention. It should get credit for appealing to both a hardcore and casual fan base like no other game can. It is a perfect fusion of these bases that Nintendo is simultaneously and mostly unsuccessfully trying to cater to. Again, above its shortcomings and successes, it remains some of the most fun you can have with a video game this year. It is also, without question, the Wii's game of the year and a great placeholder between Galaxy 1 and Galaxy 2.
Final Score: 9.0
-DC
Micah's Favorite (not best) Video Games of All Time
Let's do this.
10. WWF WrestleMania 2000 (Nintendo 64, 1999)
Still the best wrestling video game every made, WrestleMania 2000 is an addictive beat down fest. Sure, the diversity in story modes of its successors is more in depth and varied, but this is the archetype for the future of all wrestling games and rightly so. The controls, extensive roster and presentation are excellent. It isn’t the first game to do anything groundbreaking or extra snazzy, but like “The Dark Knight”, it does everything incredibly well and that’s all that matters in the end.
9. Twisted Metal 2 (PlayStation, 1996)
To all who question the content of the Twisted Metal series, who think that the story is stupid and lacking substance, I say Calypso’s tournament is coming to your town and about to wreak havoc on you and everything you care about. Including your mom! This installment spawned from David Jaffe’s failed film directing career backs up any and all trash talk he has to offer. You don’t need any internet to enjoy this addictive and engrossing multiplayer, just a friend and two thumbs. Chasing and shooting and screaming. It’s plain old-fashioned, pixilated fun. It’s really in a genre all its own and that’s okay when it’s this fun. Two Words: REPLAY VALUE.
8. Virtua Tennis (Sega Dreamcast, 2000)
It really doesn’t matter if you like tennis or not; what matters is if you would rather have a strong backhand, power serve or all-around player. The simple arcade classic gone console is almost untouchable when it comes to the sports gaming genre. A simple control scheme allows for a complicated chess match of mental stratagem and precise button timing. It’s a perfect example of a game that just has some inexplicable flare of excellence that makes it fun. Far and away one of the hardest games to justify loving—until you play it.
7. Shadow of the Collossus (PlayStation 2, 2005)
You think you know what makes a good game? No my friend. No. You have no idea. Let me introduce you to Shadow of the Collossus. As a writer, it pains me to say it, but this game proves that story is nothing compared to gameplay. The story can be a steaming pile of giant monster poop or, in the case of Shadow of the Collosus, completely nonexistent as long as the gameplay is great. Who needs a repetitive story with a bunch of banal mini fights when you can just storm into battle in magnificent boss fights back to back to back? By ignoring all of the “filler” that modern games push onto their audiences, Shadow of the Collossus makes you reconsider the definition of a good game. The parameters have been changed forever by a horse, a boy and his sword (and I’m not talking about that Robin Hood poser with his bitchy little wood fairy either…Tingle). Plus, I learned that bigger is better.
6. Pokemon Blue/Red (Game Boy, 1996)
Who doesn’t enjoy their old pocket monster? The best turn based game ever, Pokemon is still one of the most engrossing and addicting games that money can buy. Fight. Collect. Improve. The journey takes you all around the Pokemon universe but it is these three staples that make this game great. Deceptively complicated strategies will prompt you to hop on the internet to discover what attack works best against Gyrados and whether or not nuggets are really what you think they are. And with so many pokemon and pokemon classes to choose from, the replay value is bigger than Snorlax himself. I’m still waiting for Nintendo to make a full length console version…COME ONNNN.
5. Resident Evil 4 (GameCube, 2005)
No doubt the greatest opus that the horror genre has to offer, Resident Evil 4 will probably cause you to have an ulcer for a variety of reasons. The action, the fear, the anxiety, the complicated puzzles, the interactive cut scenes, the creative character design, the mercenary mode and the third person perspective all contribute in making this edition of the storied Resident Evil franchise amazing. Not only is the gameplay great, but the graphics (especially for Nintendo’s typical graphic ineptness as of the past two gaming generations) are spectacular. I don’t want to give away any of the story for those of you who have yet to play this game but let me put it this way: this game is decapitatingly fantastic. I’ve never had so much fun being scared in all my life.
4. Grand Theft Auto 3 (PlayStation 2, 2001)
I can’t find my way around my home town for shit. I’ve lived here for 23 years and I still forget the fastest way to get to I-95 South or the best route to the hardware store. However, I still remember the fastest “path” to find a Banshee in Liberty City, the only place to find a tank on the entire map and where to find the best jumps in the city. In all of the turmoil and violence and chaos in modern gaming, many forget the reckless ambition of GTA 3, a game which on paper seems the most sadistic creation since Canada’s spawning of Celine Deon. Anything and everything your sick little heart desires can be done. It’s brilliant and disturbingly entertaining. Violence, my friends, is one thing that will never die. And lone behold, with this masterpiece, a Rockstar was born. The best car in the game is the Barracks OL. Trust me.
3. Bioshock (XBOX 360, 2007)
Would you kindly recognize how epic this game really is? I know critics recognized its original storyline, engrossing dialogue and fantastic design but lets be honest with ourselves here. This is the greatest single-player story mode experience for a first person shooter ever. Period. There is no doubt in my mind. Yes, Half-Life 2 is awesome (don’t even try to support Halo, you silly fool, lest you be joking) but it does not exhibit the creativity or lasting appeal that Bioshock demonstrates consistently throughout the game. It makes you think. It makes you scared. It makes you want to try new things and play over and over again. There is nothing that this game can’t do. Here’s to hoping the new one doesn’t suck.
2. Super Smash Bros Melee (GameCube, 2001)
This is by far the game I have logged the most hours on in my life. I never even considered the concept of dragging a bunch of characters from all different venues into one game before. And lets be real— who could actually pull this off besides Nintendo? Sony? Ya right. The simple control scheme provides an exciting experience for newcomers but the extensive eccentricities and limitless possibilities in the mayhem of combat make the game a favorite to come back to for intermediate players. Smash is the greatest fighting franchise there ever was and Melee is an amazing improvement of its predecessor. WORD.
1. Super Mario World (Super Nintendo Entertainment System, 1990)
A triumph in platforming, in game design, in gaming in general and creativity on a whole, Super Mario World solidified Nintendo’s dominance and revealed to the world an epic masterpiece. The design of the game is brilliant—a simple map structure which brings players from level to level with increasing difficulty and varying diversity. More so than any other Nintendo game, Super Mario World rewards exploration, providing players with new levels, different routes and intriguing enemies. And with so many different atmospheres and unlockable content, Super Mario World provides an endless amount of entertainment for any video game fan seeking a fun experience. Simply put: this game is perfect.
Honorable Mention in no particular order:
Super Mario Bros. (Nintendo Entertainment System, 1985)
Soul Calibur (Sega Dreamcast, 1999)
Tetris & Dr. Mario (Super Nintendo Entertainment System, 1994)
Disney’s Aladdin (Super Nintendo Entertainment System, 1993)
Donkey Kong Country (Super Nintendo Entertainment System, 1994)
Driver (PlayStation, 1999)
10. WWF WrestleMania 2000 (Nintendo 64, 1999)
Still the best wrestling video game every made, WrestleMania 2000 is an addictive beat down fest. Sure, the diversity in story modes of its successors is more in depth and varied, but this is the archetype for the future of all wrestling games and rightly so. The controls, extensive roster and presentation are excellent. It isn’t the first game to do anything groundbreaking or extra snazzy, but like “The Dark Knight”, it does everything incredibly well and that’s all that matters in the end.
9. Twisted Metal 2 (PlayStation, 1996)
To all who question the content of the Twisted Metal series, who think that the story is stupid and lacking substance, I say Calypso’s tournament is coming to your town and about to wreak havoc on you and everything you care about. Including your mom! This installment spawned from David Jaffe’s failed film directing career backs up any and all trash talk he has to offer. You don’t need any internet to enjoy this addictive and engrossing multiplayer, just a friend and two thumbs. Chasing and shooting and screaming. It’s plain old-fashioned, pixilated fun. It’s really in a genre all its own and that’s okay when it’s this fun. Two Words: REPLAY VALUE.
8. Virtua Tennis (Sega Dreamcast, 2000)
It really doesn’t matter if you like tennis or not; what matters is if you would rather have a strong backhand, power serve or all-around player. The simple arcade classic gone console is almost untouchable when it comes to the sports gaming genre. A simple control scheme allows for a complicated chess match of mental stratagem and precise button timing. It’s a perfect example of a game that just has some inexplicable flare of excellence that makes it fun. Far and away one of the hardest games to justify loving—until you play it.
7. Shadow of the Collossus (PlayStation 2, 2005)
You think you know what makes a good game? No my friend. No. You have no idea. Let me introduce you to Shadow of the Collossus. As a writer, it pains me to say it, but this game proves that story is nothing compared to gameplay. The story can be a steaming pile of giant monster poop or, in the case of Shadow of the Collosus, completely nonexistent as long as the gameplay is great. Who needs a repetitive story with a bunch of banal mini fights when you can just storm into battle in magnificent boss fights back to back to back? By ignoring all of the “filler” that modern games push onto their audiences, Shadow of the Collossus makes you reconsider the definition of a good game. The parameters have been changed forever by a horse, a boy and his sword (and I’m not talking about that Robin Hood poser with his bitchy little wood fairy either…Tingle). Plus, I learned that bigger is better.
6. Pokemon Blue/Red (Game Boy, 1996)
Who doesn’t enjoy their old pocket monster? The best turn based game ever, Pokemon is still one of the most engrossing and addicting games that money can buy. Fight. Collect. Improve. The journey takes you all around the Pokemon universe but it is these three staples that make this game great. Deceptively complicated strategies will prompt you to hop on the internet to discover what attack works best against Gyrados and whether or not nuggets are really what you think they are. And with so many pokemon and pokemon classes to choose from, the replay value is bigger than Snorlax himself. I’m still waiting for Nintendo to make a full length console version…COME ONNNN.
5. Resident Evil 4 (GameCube, 2005)
No doubt the greatest opus that the horror genre has to offer, Resident Evil 4 will probably cause you to have an ulcer for a variety of reasons. The action, the fear, the anxiety, the complicated puzzles, the interactive cut scenes, the creative character design, the mercenary mode and the third person perspective all contribute in making this edition of the storied Resident Evil franchise amazing. Not only is the gameplay great, but the graphics (especially for Nintendo’s typical graphic ineptness as of the past two gaming generations) are spectacular. I don’t want to give away any of the story for those of you who have yet to play this game but let me put it this way: this game is decapitatingly fantastic. I’ve never had so much fun being scared in all my life.
4. Grand Theft Auto 3 (PlayStation 2, 2001)
I can’t find my way around my home town for shit. I’ve lived here for 23 years and I still forget the fastest way to get to I-95 South or the best route to the hardware store. However, I still remember the fastest “path” to find a Banshee in Liberty City, the only place to find a tank on the entire map and where to find the best jumps in the city. In all of the turmoil and violence and chaos in modern gaming, many forget the reckless ambition of GTA 3, a game which on paper seems the most sadistic creation since Canada’s spawning of Celine Deon. Anything and everything your sick little heart desires can be done. It’s brilliant and disturbingly entertaining. Violence, my friends, is one thing that will never die. And lone behold, with this masterpiece, a Rockstar was born. The best car in the game is the Barracks OL. Trust me.
3. Bioshock (XBOX 360, 2007)
Would you kindly recognize how epic this game really is? I know critics recognized its original storyline, engrossing dialogue and fantastic design but lets be honest with ourselves here. This is the greatest single-player story mode experience for a first person shooter ever. Period. There is no doubt in my mind. Yes, Half-Life 2 is awesome (don’t even try to support Halo, you silly fool, lest you be joking) but it does not exhibit the creativity or lasting appeal that Bioshock demonstrates consistently throughout the game. It makes you think. It makes you scared. It makes you want to try new things and play over and over again. There is nothing that this game can’t do. Here’s to hoping the new one doesn’t suck.
2. Super Smash Bros Melee (GameCube, 2001)
This is by far the game I have logged the most hours on in my life. I never even considered the concept of dragging a bunch of characters from all different venues into one game before. And lets be real— who could actually pull this off besides Nintendo? Sony? Ya right. The simple control scheme provides an exciting experience for newcomers but the extensive eccentricities and limitless possibilities in the mayhem of combat make the game a favorite to come back to for intermediate players. Smash is the greatest fighting franchise there ever was and Melee is an amazing improvement of its predecessor. WORD.
1. Super Mario World (Super Nintendo Entertainment System, 1990)
A triumph in platforming, in game design, in gaming in general and creativity on a whole, Super Mario World solidified Nintendo’s dominance and revealed to the world an epic masterpiece. The design of the game is brilliant—a simple map structure which brings players from level to level with increasing difficulty and varying diversity. More so than any other Nintendo game, Super Mario World rewards exploration, providing players with new levels, different routes and intriguing enemies. And with so many different atmospheres and unlockable content, Super Mario World provides an endless amount of entertainment for any video game fan seeking a fun experience. Simply put: this game is perfect.
Honorable Mention in no particular order:
Super Mario Bros. (Nintendo Entertainment System, 1985)
Soul Calibur (Sega Dreamcast, 1999)
Tetris & Dr. Mario (Super Nintendo Entertainment System, 1994)
Disney’s Aladdin (Super Nintendo Entertainment System, 1993)
Donkey Kong Country (Super Nintendo Entertainment System, 1994)
Driver (PlayStation, 1999)
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Top Ten Favorite Video Games of All Time
First, to preface the list; it is NOT meant to be the list of what we consider to be the BEST video games of all time (maybe we can do that later), but rather our personal favorites. My list speaks for itself, eight of the ten games I picked have been remade or re-released in some capacity attesting to their eternal appeal (Twilight Princess and Shadow of the Colossus being the exceptions). I have not yet seen my friend's list, but I look forward to the arguments that ensue.
10. Metal Gear Solid (PlayStation, 1998) - I have a harder time describing why this game is on my list than I do with all of the others. It has a convoluted plot, is short, sometimes too wordy, and the graphics don't hold up very well by today's standards BUT this game is freaking awesome (FUN above all). For me, the Metal Gear series is one the best in video games and I still stand by this as my favorite installment even with all of the improvements that Snake Eater and Guns of the Patriots add to the saga. MGS really added an important idea to the video game discourse; that games could tell a real story in cinematic terms. Its Gamecube remake is definitely worth playing through too.
09. Super Mario World (Super Nintendo, 1991) - The only 2-D game to appear on my list is one of the best from the SNES. No longer restricted by the technical limitations of the NES, Mario soars to new heights with this one. If there was ever any doubt in the early nineties if Sonic or Mario was "cooler," this game, and its superb sequel starring Yoshi which just missed this list, should have put that argument to rest in favor of the big N and its famed mascot, now and forever the face of the video game industry.
08. The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask (Nintendo 64, 2000) - I've heard this game referred to as "The Empire Strikes Back" of the Zelda series and I think that is about the most fitting description possible. Under appreciated and overshadowed by Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask does not take place in Hyrule, does not include Ganon as the main villain or incorporate him at all for that matter, and features only a fleeting cameo by the Princess herself. The lack of tradition is where this game excels however. It is as trippy a romp as you can imagine; the time travel mechanics and the masks you collect (all of them absolutely necessary if you have any hope of beating the final boss) make for the most unique Zelda adventure ever. It was released in the same week as the PlayStation 2, but if you were smart, you were playing your Nintendo 64 that week in late October 2000.
07. God of War (PlayStation 2, 2005) - A bloody beauty of a game that redefined combat using the PlayStation controller, and God of War's combat does really set it apart from the rest of the games on this list. It's fluid and dynamic, letting you perform ridiculously complex looking maneuvers effortlessly. It also has a deep story stepped in Greek mythology and spanning soon to be three titles. Kratos is one of my favorite characters to be introduced into the video game canon in recent memory. THIS GAME IS THE SHIT.
06. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (Nintendo Wii, 2006) - Some (cough, cough... Paul) might bemoan Twilight Princess's place in my heart. But, listen closely, it IS the greatest Zelda game ever. It is not the revolution that Ocarina of Time was, but it is a PERFECTION of all of the pieces of Ocarina and then some. Some say that it is too easy, I say that difficulty is not the point of Zelda games. The point is the experience, the free wheeling exploration of a world that is unmatched in size, the epic and clever bosses and dungeons, and this game actually has a meaningful story. Zelda games can be as difficult as you want to make them. Don't play it on Gamecube though, the Wii controls make all the difference. Just one way Nintendo continues to innovate an old series and make it better than ever.
05. Shadow of the Colossus (PlayStation 2, 2005) - The game most often used in favor of the "video games as art" debate, but not the beginning nor the end of the debate. Imagine a game where you only fight bosses, towering, seemingly indestructible beasts, in a sparsely populate wasteland where its just you and your horse. It doesn't even sound that much fun, right? WRONG. This game is beautiful, whimsical in a way that no one thought video games could be, and satisfying on an entirely new level. Its place in video game history might be that it distills all of the non-essential elements of gaming and gives us a stripped down experience where there are two core features: exploring and conquering. You take care of business in this game. You don't worry about ancillary bullshit. You just DO IT. If Nike's famous slogan ever applied to a game, this is the one.
04. Resident Evil 4 (Nintendo Gamecube, 2005) - RE 4 really turned the Resident Evil series on its head. I wasn't even a fan before this game and I still don't really consider myself one, but I am a fan of Resident Evil 4 and by fan I mean the crazy teenage girl obsessed kind. RE 4 continues in the series tradition of featuring frightening enemies and circumstances but it excels at perfecting the action game in the process. The graphics were revolutionary at the time for the GC allowing for the presence of monstrous enemies and complicated environments. The final boss is a pushover, other than that, the perfect game.
03. Super Mario 64 (Nintendo 64, 1996) - The best Mario game is his first 3-D platformer which, no matter what you say, forever changed video games. The new perspective presented games with oh wait, who the fuck cares, this was the first 3-D Mario game. It's still the best Mario game ever. If I need to explain why this game is #3 on my list, you're looking at the wrong website.
02. Metroid Prime (Nintendo Gamecube, 2002) - I am beside myself as to how to describe this game. After seven years, few games have better visuals by any standard. No game has a better control scheme or more refined gameplay mechanics. There was worry that making the first 3-D Metroid game into a "first person shooter" was a bad idea but this game defies all labels you can attach to it. It is, above all, the greatest video gaming experience of this decade, arguably of all time. It came so close to being #1 on my list, but....
01. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Nintendo 64, 1998) - ...that spot will likely forever and always be reserved for what I think is the unmatched pinnacle of the gaming industry. There is a reason that there are three Zelda games in my top ten and that is because they are simply the most polished, purely fun games out there and this one is the KING. The only reason that this game would not appear in someone's top ten list is because they haven't played it. I can remember the day I got it (my birthday back in 1998) and the day I beat it (January 23, 1999) and I assure you it would not have taken me that long had I not been a young lad restricted in the amount of time I could spend playing video games. I won't even bother gushing over this game, it says enough that the ONLY bad thing I can say about it is that Nintendo misspelled "environment" on the back of the box. Yes, I know a scary amount about this game.
-Daniel Ciszek
10. Metal Gear Solid (PlayStation, 1998) - I have a harder time describing why this game is on my list than I do with all of the others. It has a convoluted plot, is short, sometimes too wordy, and the graphics don't hold up very well by today's standards BUT this game is freaking awesome (FUN above all). For me, the Metal Gear series is one the best in video games and I still stand by this as my favorite installment even with all of the improvements that Snake Eater and Guns of the Patriots add to the saga. MGS really added an important idea to the video game discourse; that games could tell a real story in cinematic terms. Its Gamecube remake is definitely worth playing through too.
09. Super Mario World (Super Nintendo, 1991) - The only 2-D game to appear on my list is one of the best from the SNES. No longer restricted by the technical limitations of the NES, Mario soars to new heights with this one. If there was ever any doubt in the early nineties if Sonic or Mario was "cooler," this game, and its superb sequel starring Yoshi which just missed this list, should have put that argument to rest in favor of the big N and its famed mascot, now and forever the face of the video game industry.
08. The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask (Nintendo 64, 2000) - I've heard this game referred to as "The Empire Strikes Back" of the Zelda series and I think that is about the most fitting description possible. Under appreciated and overshadowed by Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask does not take place in Hyrule, does not include Ganon as the main villain or incorporate him at all for that matter, and features only a fleeting cameo by the Princess herself. The lack of tradition is where this game excels however. It is as trippy a romp as you can imagine; the time travel mechanics and the masks you collect (all of them absolutely necessary if you have any hope of beating the final boss) make for the most unique Zelda adventure ever. It was released in the same week as the PlayStation 2, but if you were smart, you were playing your Nintendo 64 that week in late October 2000.
07. God of War (PlayStation 2, 2005) - A bloody beauty of a game that redefined combat using the PlayStation controller, and God of War's combat does really set it apart from the rest of the games on this list. It's fluid and dynamic, letting you perform ridiculously complex looking maneuvers effortlessly. It also has a deep story stepped in Greek mythology and spanning soon to be three titles. Kratos is one of my favorite characters to be introduced into the video game canon in recent memory. THIS GAME IS THE SHIT.
06. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (Nintendo Wii, 2006) - Some (cough, cough... Paul) might bemoan Twilight Princess's place in my heart. But, listen closely, it IS the greatest Zelda game ever. It is not the revolution that Ocarina of Time was, but it is a PERFECTION of all of the pieces of Ocarina and then some. Some say that it is too easy, I say that difficulty is not the point of Zelda games. The point is the experience, the free wheeling exploration of a world that is unmatched in size, the epic and clever bosses and dungeons, and this game actually has a meaningful story. Zelda games can be as difficult as you want to make them. Don't play it on Gamecube though, the Wii controls make all the difference. Just one way Nintendo continues to innovate an old series and make it better than ever.
05. Shadow of the Colossus (PlayStation 2, 2005) - The game most often used in favor of the "video games as art" debate, but not the beginning nor the end of the debate. Imagine a game where you only fight bosses, towering, seemingly indestructible beasts, in a sparsely populate wasteland where its just you and your horse. It doesn't even sound that much fun, right? WRONG. This game is beautiful, whimsical in a way that no one thought video games could be, and satisfying on an entirely new level. Its place in video game history might be that it distills all of the non-essential elements of gaming and gives us a stripped down experience where there are two core features: exploring and conquering. You take care of business in this game. You don't worry about ancillary bullshit. You just DO IT. If Nike's famous slogan ever applied to a game, this is the one.
04. Resident Evil 4 (Nintendo Gamecube, 2005) - RE 4 really turned the Resident Evil series on its head. I wasn't even a fan before this game and I still don't really consider myself one, but I am a fan of Resident Evil 4 and by fan I mean the crazy teenage girl obsessed kind. RE 4 continues in the series tradition of featuring frightening enemies and circumstances but it excels at perfecting the action game in the process. The graphics were revolutionary at the time for the GC allowing for the presence of monstrous enemies and complicated environments. The final boss is a pushover, other than that, the perfect game.
03. Super Mario 64 (Nintendo 64, 1996) - The best Mario game is his first 3-D platformer which, no matter what you say, forever changed video games. The new perspective presented games with oh wait, who the fuck cares, this was the first 3-D Mario game. It's still the best Mario game ever. If I need to explain why this game is #3 on my list, you're looking at the wrong website.
02. Metroid Prime (Nintendo Gamecube, 2002) - I am beside myself as to how to describe this game. After seven years, few games have better visuals by any standard. No game has a better control scheme or more refined gameplay mechanics. There was worry that making the first 3-D Metroid game into a "first person shooter" was a bad idea but this game defies all labels you can attach to it. It is, above all, the greatest video gaming experience of this decade, arguably of all time. It came so close to being #1 on my list, but....
01. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Nintendo 64, 1998) - ...that spot will likely forever and always be reserved for what I think is the unmatched pinnacle of the gaming industry. There is a reason that there are three Zelda games in my top ten and that is because they are simply the most polished, purely fun games out there and this one is the KING. The only reason that this game would not appear in someone's top ten list is because they haven't played it. I can remember the day I got it (my birthday back in 1998) and the day I beat it (January 23, 1999) and I assure you it would not have taken me that long had I not been a young lad restricted in the amount of time I could spend playing video games. I won't even bother gushing over this game, it says enough that the ONLY bad thing I can say about it is that Nintendo misspelled "environment" on the back of the box. Yes, I know a scary amount about this game.
-Daniel Ciszek
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Video Game Obsession -- Man Marries Video Game, Neglects Prenup
Man Marries Video Game, Forgets to Sign Prenup
By now, some of you have no doubt heard the news that a man in Japan married a character in the Japanese release Nintendo DS game “Love Plus". It seems to me to be a headline shock value article, in the vein of, “Colorado Boy Floats across State in Weather Balloon” or “Escalating Argument between Bert and Ernie Devastates Downtown San Francisco: 1 Dead, 2 Wounded”. Aren’t we all too familiar with these headlines.
And after watching footage of the actual wedding ceremony, it’s relatively obvious that the wedding is a publicity stunt. Let’s be real here for a moment: if I could’ve married Princess Peach in real life, let’s just say she would have settled down a long time ago.
The interesting issue at work in this article is its implication. It’s implying that this man is over-obsessed with the game. I think that all gamers recognize that gaming obsession will sequester a large portion of time. Personally, I believe a major contributing factor to the modern stigma against video games is how much time they take up. In experiencing other popular art forms, none really takes as much time from the viewer as a video game. Even the early arcade games, like Donkey Kong or Centipede or Pac-Man, are not designed to take up a lot of time for the average player. When you are obsessed with a game nowadays, when a game is good and you truly enjoy its story and gameplay, it should/ will take a lot of your time.
For gamers, that obsession is a good thing. We want a game to suck us in, to push us to obsession and to flood our brains while at work with images of force-choking Imperial Soldiers or using an airfoil from long distance in order not to disturb the other guards or finally reaching star road. The invention and popularity of the Massive Multiplayer Online (MMO) genre is an homage to this fact, which provides players with a unique experience every time they hop on their computers. Look at sites like IGN.com and Gamespot.com and others, who rank World of Warcraft, a game notorious for its addictiveness, as one of the best PC games of all time.
In the end, what can you say about a glorified and induced obsession? Recognize this beast (paleontologists refer to him as Obsessiodauntus), understand that it is an essential element of the gaming world today. The crux is to remember that video games are an induced obsession. We choose to become obsessed, although obsession is kind of like a barbed hook. Once it gets ahold, you goin’ son. Just try to limit yourself to two hours a day…I am such a hypocrite.
By now, some of you have no doubt heard the news that a man in Japan married a character in the Japanese release Nintendo DS game “Love Plus". It seems to me to be a headline shock value article, in the vein of, “Colorado Boy Floats across State in Weather Balloon” or “Escalating Argument between Bert and Ernie Devastates Downtown San Francisco: 1 Dead, 2 Wounded”. Aren’t we all too familiar with these headlines.
And after watching footage of the actual wedding ceremony, it’s relatively obvious that the wedding is a publicity stunt. Let’s be real here for a moment: if I could’ve married Princess Peach in real life, let’s just say she would have settled down a long time ago.
The interesting issue at work in this article is its implication. It’s implying that this man is over-obsessed with the game. I think that all gamers recognize that gaming obsession will sequester a large portion of time. Personally, I believe a major contributing factor to the modern stigma against video games is how much time they take up. In experiencing other popular art forms, none really takes as much time from the viewer as a video game. Even the early arcade games, like Donkey Kong or Centipede or Pac-Man, are not designed to take up a lot of time for the average player. When you are obsessed with a game nowadays, when a game is good and you truly enjoy its story and gameplay, it should/ will take a lot of your time.
For gamers, that obsession is a good thing. We want a game to suck us in, to push us to obsession and to flood our brains while at work with images of force-choking Imperial Soldiers or using an airfoil from long distance in order not to disturb the other guards or finally reaching star road. The invention and popularity of the Massive Multiplayer Online (MMO) genre is an homage to this fact, which provides players with a unique experience every time they hop on their computers. Look at sites like IGN.com and Gamespot.com and others, who rank World of Warcraft, a game notorious for its addictiveness, as one of the best PC games of all time.
In the end, what can you say about a glorified and induced obsession? Recognize this beast (paleontologists refer to him as Obsessiodauntus), understand that it is an essential element of the gaming world today. The crux is to remember that video games are an induced obsession. We choose to become obsessed, although obsession is kind of like a barbed hook. Once it gets ahold, you goin’ son. Just try to limit yourself to two hours a day…I am such a hypocrite.
Monday, November 23, 2009
In The Beginning
Hello,
We started this blog to discuss video game related news/ information and to express our opinions on the video game industry. We invite you to check the blog regularly for any news or opinion articles and please proffer us feed back of any kind. We're always hungry for healthy arguments. Mmmmmm. See what I did there? Nice.
Thanks,
Micah
We started this blog to discuss video game related news/ information and to express our opinions on the video game industry. We invite you to check the blog regularly for any news or opinion articles and please proffer us feed back of any kind. We're always hungry for healthy arguments. Mmmmmm. See what I did there? Nice.
Thanks,
Micah
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