{"id":17334,"date":"2021-12-20T01:04:23","date_gmt":"2021-12-20T06:04:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?p=17334"},"modified":"2024-11-01T05:15:51","modified_gmt":"2024-11-01T09:15:51","slug":"keepin-it-%f0%9f%92%af-ep-10-the-grand-finale","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?p=17334","title":{"rendered":"Keepin It \ud83d\udcaf Ep 10: The Grand Finale"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Welcome to the final propper episode of Keepin It \ud83d\udcaf, the podcast in which I, <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Ejsponge61\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Emmett Watkins Jr<\/a> go through my top 100 games of all time to sort them in proper order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br>Over the last few months, we\u2019ve had:<br>10 Episodes (+Ep 0 and 9.5)<br>534 Matchups<br>100 Rejected Games<br>100 Properly Sorted Games<br>1,273 minutes of audio recorded (over 21 hours!)<br>And one live finale that is 11 hours long over two streams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br>As for that live stream, it\u2019s embedded into this article, so if you are averse to reading, check it out! I&#8217;ll edit the stream into an audio podcast and a proper video on our channel as well in the coming days, so feel free to stay tuned for that as well!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-sortabrilliant-stream-share wp-block-embed-twitch wp-block-embed is-type-video\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/player.twitch.tv\/?video=v1236991282&amp;parent=vgu.tv&amp;autoplay=false\" title=\"Embedded content from twitch.tv\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-sortabrilliant-stream-share wp-block-embed-twitch wp-block-embed is-type-video\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/player.twitch.tv\/?video=v1238088959&amp;parent=vgu.tv&amp;autoplay=false\" title=\"Embedded content from twitch.tv\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>As for the rest of you, here\u2019s the official list of my favorite games of all time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-100-beats\">100) Beats<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"520\" height=\"295\" data-attachment-id=\"17343\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=17343\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Beats_PSP.gif?fit=520%2C295&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"520,295\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Beats_PSP\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Beats_PSP.gif?fit=520%2C295&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Beats_PSP.gif?resize=520%2C295&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17343\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Remember when music games took over the industry for most of the late 2000s to the early 2010s? Many look back upon the Rock Band and Guitar Hero parties with fond memories, but I had none of those memories. As a fan of hip-hop, rap, and R&amp;B, and someone who didn\u2019t have money for extra peripherals, the best music game fix I could find was on the PSP, for only $5. Beats was a PSP launch title that was exclusively available on the PlayStation Store to download. It was a fairly generic rhythm game, but it\u2019s biggest selling point was that you could import MP3 files saved on your PSP\u2019s memory card into the game to play. This was a miracle for me, as I finally had a way to make gameplay out of my favorite songs. I can\u2019t tell you how many MP3s I downloaded from YouTube just to play in Beats: Throw Some Ds by Rich Boy, Wipe Me Down (Remix) by Foxx, Digital Girl Remix by Jamie Foxx, Deja Vu by Beyonce, Bitch Please II by Eminem; I could continue, but I shouldn\u2019t. Thanks to this feature, I played Beats all the time when I first got my PSP, and thanks to that, and the fact that its color scheme used my favorite color, I will always have a spot in my heart for Beats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-99-comet-crash\">99) Comet Crash<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"520\" height=\"293\" data-attachment-id=\"18589\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18589\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Comet-Crash.gif?fit=520%2C293&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"520,293\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Comet-Crash\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Comet-Crash.gif?fit=520%2C293&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Comet-Crash.gif?resize=520%2C293&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18589\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>As you\u2019ll probably gauge from the lack of genre diversity on this list, I very rarely travel out of my comfort zone. However, thanks to a childhood spent on flash game sites like Kongregate and CandyStand, I was introduced to many fun strategy games like Vector TD and Bloons TD. And I was able to bring that love over to consoles once I claimed Comet Crash on PlayStation Plus. I had no clue what this game was, only that it was a sci-fi game, but I was pleasantly surprised to discover this addictive tower defense title. By this point, I knew the language of TD games, but Comet Crash went a step further by allowing the player to set the path of units by placing their towers in any pattern of their choosing. This allowed for multiple ways to complete a mission, and that flexibility really appealed to me. Plus, the fact that the traditional cursor was an actual ship that flew over the battlefield, which allowed you to collect asteroids to destroy for cash, made the gameplay more engaging on a more consistent basis than other TD titles. Comet Crash made my love of tower defense most evident to me and, while there are certain genres I love more, its gameplay hook is still super engaging to this day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-98-the-jackbox-party-pack-5\">98) The Jackbox Party Pack 5<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"400\" data-attachment-id=\"18429\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18429\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Mad-Verse-City-2.gif?fit=800%2C400&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"800,400\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Mad-Verse-City-2\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Mad-Verse-City-2.gif?fit=800%2C400&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Mad-Verse-City-2.gif?resize=800%2C400&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18429\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The Jackbox series of games, in my opinion, is the greatest series of local multiplayer games ever created. The balance of instantly understandable, accessible gameplay with utter hilarity and fun in each game makes this series more of a hit at parties and gatherings than anything else, especially with non-gamers. However, every Party Pack can only be as great as its worst game, and The Jackbox Party Pack 5 is a perfect example of this flaw. Mad Verse City is one of my favorite party games of all time, and it effectively gamified the fun and competitiveness of freestyle cyphering in a way that\u2019s accessible to those who don\u2019t even rap. Patently Stupid is equally brilliant, as it gamifies the fun of a PowerPoint presentation. The only issue with it is that it requires a group of friends who aren\u2019t afraid of public speaking to really shine, so most of the time I&#8217;m one of the only ones willing to perform said presentations. But after these two, things begin to trail off. Split the Room is a fun Would-You-Rather-like, but it\u2019s not as outrageously hilarious as the latter two games. You Don\u2019t Know Jack is entirely trivia-based, which I just don\u2019t find too engaging and Zeeple Dome is completely shallow as it has none of the humor the series is known for. But despite the few duds, Mad Verse City and Patently Stupid alone easily place this game in my favorites of all-time list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-97-nidhogg\">97) Nidhogg<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"856\" height=\"400\" data-attachment-id=\"18430\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18430\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Nidhogg.gif?fit=856%2C400&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"856,400\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Nidhogg\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Nidhogg.gif?fit=856%2C400&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Nidhogg.gif?resize=856%2C400&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18430\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Generations before the first gamer ever uttered \u201cone v one me bro\u201d, we\u2019ve had dozens and dozens of ways to answer that request. In the digital age we live in now, we no longer use katanas or pistols, now we use video games, and, in my opinion, one of the purest, and most fun, ways to settle a 1v1 is with a round of Nidhogg. It is such an excellent game due to its simplicity. It\u2019s super easy to learn, only requiring 2 button inputs and an analog stick for movement, but it takes hours and hours to master. But at any skill level, Nidhogg proves to be a blast, and I\u2019ve learned that first hand when bringing it to many parties and get-togethers. Getting past your opponent and nearly making it to the end screen only to get a sword thrown into your back is just as exhilarating to experience as it is to watch. But while its simplicity is its strongest trait, it\u2019s also the thing that keeps it from getting a higher ranking, as other games just simply offer more options. But that doesn\u2019t take away from the masterclass of party game design that is Nidhogg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-96-bastion\">96) Bastion<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"520\" height=\"293\" data-attachment-id=\"18591\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18591\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Bastion-1.gif?fit=520%2C293&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"520,293\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Bastion-1\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Bastion-1.gif?fit=520%2C293&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Bastion-1.gif?resize=520%2C293&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18591\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Bastion is a game that eluded me for many years on Xbox Live before I finally gave it a shot on PlayStation Vita, and God am I glad I did. Both the vibrant art style and near-constant narration struck me first when playing, the latter of which I feared would become annoying in the few hours I expected the game to take to complete. But I was wrong, not just because the narration was smooth enough to pleasantly contrast the fast, frantic combat, but I also was wrong about the game\u2019s length, as it ended up having much more depth than I expected. The combat was already great as each level forced different playstyles, but upgrading my abilities and changing my weapon loadouts made it even more satisfying. My biggest regret is that, to no fault of the game, I waited so many years to finally beat it. Maybe if I experienced its final hours closer to when I started it, then I would have thought more highly of its story. But even without an impactful narrative, the fantastic gameplay, gorgeous aesthetics, and chill narration made it not only one of my favorite Vita games, but one of my favorite games overall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-95-costume-quest\">95) Costume Quest<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"518\" data-attachment-id=\"18433\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18433\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Costume-Quest.gif?fit=1024%2C518&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1024,518\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Costume-Quest\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Costume-Quest.gif?fit=1024%2C518&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Costume-Quest.gif?resize=1024%2C518&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18433\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Bright and vibrant art styles, endearing characters, and whimsical worlds all easily get me to fall in love with a game. However, I was hesitant to let those aspects sway me at first when playing Costume Quest, as turn-based games are usually not my cup of tea. But everything surrounding that core mechanic got me hooked despite that. While the game is turn-based, the battles use mini-games and quick-time events to not only keep me engaged but also allow me to add extra damage and defense to my moves. But what really kept me engaged long-term is the fact that there was a great deal to do outside of combat, like explore levels for candy, which was made even more fun once I unlocked the rollerskates, and using that candy to buy new costumes and mods. For such a small-scale game, there was a surprising amount of depth and variety to the experience. So that, paired with the charming humor and cute visuals, made Costume Quest and an instant classic for me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-94-torchlight-ii\">94) Torchlight II<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"224\" data-attachment-id=\"18434\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18434\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/torchlight-2.gif?fit=400%2C224&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"400,224\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"torchlight-2\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/torchlight-2.gif?fit=400%2C224&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/torchlight-2.gif?resize=400%2C224&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18434\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The appearance of Torchlight II on this list is admittedly out of place. I have little affinity for action RPGs like Diabo, so to have such reverence for the most prominent Diablo-clone out there seems crazy. But the game came to me at a time where I was feeling more lonely and isolated than I had ever been (at least until COVID-19 happened). I was in my first semester of college at a school, hours from home, and if not for Skype calls from friends and video games, I don\u2019t know if I would have kept my sanity during those months. Torchlight II was one of those games that I came back to almost daily thanks to its gameplay loop. Getting new and more powerful loot to make my Embermage even more badass was always compelling. Sure, the actual combat consisted of little more than clicking enemies and spamming abilities, but the rewards from those actions were always worth it. Plus, the vibrancy of the art always made the world feel welcoming upon my return. It\u2019s a game that is fairly shallow compared to more recent titles I enjoy, but I had more than enough fun with it to justify a spot on this list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-93-battlefield-4\">93) Battlefield 4<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"278\" data-attachment-id=\"18436\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18436\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Battlefield-4.gif?fit=500%2C278&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"500,278\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Battlefield-4\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Battlefield-4.gif?fit=500%2C278&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Battlefield-4.gif?resize=500%2C278&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18436\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s get my biggest criticism of Battlefield 4 out of the way right now: I do not like its campaign. It actually does feel quite a bit more polished than its predecessor, but ultimately, the game still feels like a helplessly generic militaristic romp whose characters aren\u2019t strong enough to inject life into any of the set pieces and plot points. But the reason this game remains on this list is for the mode the Battlefield series is known for: it\u2019s multiplayer. At first glance, its 64 player game modes and modern military backdrop doesn\u2019t seem so unique, and it isn\u2019t, but the gameplay is satisfying as hell. Every weapon and vehicle feel viable, but you\u2019re rewarded when using certain weapons in the scenarios they&#8217;re designed for. But what kept me hooked most is the progression system. Yes, it was one of the first EA games to use the monetization system the publisher is so infamous for: loot boxes. But thanks to the disastrous initial launch of the game, DICE supported the title more aggressively than I had ever seen. I didn\u2019t own a PS4 until the game\u2019s second year of content, so I started the game in the midst of DICE giving free Battlepacks DLC and XP multipliers to its community constantly. This made progression way faster than other shooters, and therefore more rewarding. So, its satisfying gameplay, along with receiving a lot of extra content for free, made the game one of my favorites of all time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-92-borderlands-2\">92) Borderlands 2<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"520\" height=\"293\" data-attachment-id=\"18593\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18593\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/borderlands-2-1.gif?fit=520%2C293&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"520,293\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"borderlands-2-1\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/borderlands-2-1.gif?fit=520%2C293&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/borderlands-2-1.gif?resize=520%2C293&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18593\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Borderlands is one of my favorite franchises, as you\u2019ll probably discover when this series reappears on this list two more times. But Borderlands 2, the game widely considered the best in the series, is the title I\u2019ve rated the lowest. Well, I simply came back to it recently and discovered that its humor doesn\u2019t sit with me as well as it did when it initially released, despite me being a fan of absurdist humor normally. The excessive variation in loot was also a bit annoying, as the rarest guns with the best stats wouldn\u2019t necessarily be the most fun to use, which lead to way more trial and error than I care for. Plus when playing the DLC content specifically, the game felt lonely and empty when playing solo. But despite those issues, I don\u2019t want that to take too much away from my initial time with it, which was overwhelmingly positive. Playing the game originally was everything 17-year-old Emmett could ever want: a vibrant and colorful world, hilarious characters with great personalities, an engaging plot with plenty of surprises, a rewarding progression system, and loads of unique weapons to use. And in my character\u2019s earlier levels, damage output wasn\u2019t as much of a priority, which meant switching up my weapons and equipment on the fly was much more viable and fun. I still have great memories of Borderlands 2, and I\u2019m hoping to one day be in the mood to return to the rest of its DLC, but for now, It\u2019ll have to settle for the 92nd spot on the list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-91-darksiders\">91) Darksiders<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"444\" height=\"250\" data-attachment-id=\"18438\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18438\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Darksiders.gif?fit=444%2C250&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"444,250\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Darksiders\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Darksiders.gif?fit=444%2C250&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Darksiders.gif?resize=444%2C250&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18438\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Darksiders is a game that I had little to no expectation of enjoying. It\u2019s one of many games I tried out solely because I had access to it through PlayStation Plus, and the comparisons to God of War had me interested. What I ended up experiencing was a game that had more in common with a series I had never played, The Legend of Zelda, and this introduction to these new gameplay aspects had me hooked. Every time I was taken to a new level, I was just as excited to see what secrets it held as I was to see what enemies I could fight. As someone who grew up playing games almost solely built around combat, Darksiders helped open my eyes to the satisfaction of puzzle-solving and exploration. But that isn\u2019t to say the combat is bad, as it holds up just as well as the striking art style. The sole flaw is a forgettable story, but it\u2019s a small price to pay for one of the most underrated action-adventure games I\u2019ve ever played.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-90-dante-s-inferno\">90) Dante\u2019s Inferno<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"480\" height=\"270\" data-attachment-id=\"18440\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18440\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Dantes-Inferno.gif?fit=480%2C270&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"480,270\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Dantes-Inferno\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Dantes-Inferno.gif?fit=480%2C270&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Dantes-Inferno.gif?resize=480%2C270&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18440\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Remember the time that the publisher known most for multiplayer and sports games, Electronic Arts, released a linear single-player game based on the first part of Dante Alighieri\u2019s The Divine Comedy? No? Well, you should, as Dante\u2019s Inferno was a surprisingly great video game made by the excellent Dead Space developer, Visceral Games. Yes, it had some flaws, but there was plenty to love about it. Combat and setpieces not only aped the God of War series but didn\u2019t a pretty great job of doing so. While its narrative isn\u2019t engaging much, the designs of each circle of hell manage to impress, especially as it\u2019s one of the few games in the genre to run at 60 FPS on such old hardware. It\u2019s difficult to give a reason why this game sticks out when so many elements are borrowed from Devil May Cry and God of War. But the elements they copied were still done well and combined with the unique design of hell, it\u2019s a fun game that leaves a lasting impression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--nextpage-->\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-89-virginia\">89) Virginia<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"359\" height=\"150\" data-attachment-id=\"21492\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=21492\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/virginia.gif?fit=359%2C150&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"359,150\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"virginia\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/virginia.gif?fit=359%2C150&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/virginia.gif?resize=359%2C150&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21492\" style=\"width:720px;height:301px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Virginia is a difficult game to talk about without spoiling it. In fact, it&#8217;s just a hard game to talk about in general, because there&#8217;s not much to it. It&#8217;s a walking simulator, and there&#8217;s really not much else mechanically that it asks of you, but so much more than that is minimalistic about the game. Graphically, there isn&#8217;t much in the way of textures, and models are comprised of simple shapes and silhouettes. The plot is literally wordless and purposely surreal so there isn&#8217;t any dialogue to quote or a timeline of events to make out. But none of those aspects are as important as a good vibe. It rejects any attempts to be fully figured out, as it throws many strange sights and scenarios at you over its brief two hour runtime. Despite the lack of details, some of the sights and sounds presented are as transfixing as they are beautiful. It even uses a few aspects of film, like jump cuts in the middle of gameplay, to enhance the pacing and presentation. And on top of all that, it has a very easily obtainable platinum trophy. This all makes for a game that I&#8217;ve only grown fonder of over the years after playing it. It&#8217;s novel not because it&#8217;s the only game to have Lynchian vibes and a wordless narrative, but it has an immaculate vibe that I find hard to ignore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-88-wolfenstein-the-new-order\">88) Wolfenstein: The New Order<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" data-attachment-id=\"18442\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18442\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Wolfenstien-1.gif?fit=500%2C281&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"500,281\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Wolfenstien-1\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Wolfenstien-1.gif?fit=500%2C281&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Wolfenstien-1.gif?resize=500%2C281&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18442\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>What started as a mildly interesting shooter in a long stale franchise quickly turned into the start of one of the most underrated FPS trilogies of all time. Wolfenstein: The New Order is a fun shooter, and thanks to its perk system, it rewards you for playing through its campaign, no matter your playstyle. But this game really sticks out once you become invested in its story. Sure, its sequel blows the narrative of this game out of the water, and you\u2019ll hear more about it soon I\u2019m sure. But this game introduced the wonderful characters and the grounded, yet wacky tone that the second game would run with. The relationship between Anya and BJ alone is worth seeing, and since many of the characters in this game don\u2019t return in the sequel, I implore everyone to give this game a shot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-87-the-surge-2\">87) The Surge 2<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"720\" height=\"404\" data-attachment-id=\"21495\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=21495\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/The_Surge_2.gif?fit=720%2C404&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"720,404\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"The_Surge_2\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/The_Surge_2.gif?fit=720%2C404&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/The_Surge_2.gif?resize=720%2C404&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21495\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Certain genres have unfortunately passed me by over the years. As this list continues, you&#8217;ll be fully acquainted with the kinds of games I like, and not included often in that list are Souls-likes. They often tend to be too slow-paced and too punishing for my tastes so, with exception to a few hours of Bloodborne, I&#8217;ve never had the patience to get into one. But The Surge 2 is the one massive exception to this fact. It&#8217;s not because it has a great story, because its convoluted, over-the-top sci-fi story doesn&#8217;t leave a lasting impression, nor is even easily comprehensible. It&#8217;s not even because it has incredible polish, as its interesting sci-fi world and characters have it&#8217;s a fair bit of jank. But it gets my love based purely on its gameplay and progression. Imagine if a Souls-like had a Devil May Cry-inspired style meter, and what if that style meter was there not to grade your skills, but to give you more abilities? Well, in The Surge 2, you build up a meter with consecutive hits that allow you to cash in for mid-combat abilities. Wanna finish off an enemy with a stylish takedown? Cash in your meter. Want to heal yourself up a bit before the next hit? Cash in your meter. Want to give yourself a boost to combat speed or damage? Cash in your meter. It leads to my timidness in most Souls-likes being washed away, because my aggression is always rewarded. Plus, on top of all of that, the upgrades to your character and armor, the varied classes of weapons, and the multitude of equipable perks make the game a joy to progress through even if the narrative largely falls flat. It is easily one of the most surprisingly satisfying games I&#8217;ve ever played, and despite just a bit of jank, it is easily my favorite Souls-like of all time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-86-kane-and-lynch-2-dog-days\">86) Kane and Lynch 2: Dog Days<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"444\" height=\"250\" data-attachment-id=\"17345\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=17345\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Kane-and-Lynch-2.gif?fit=444%2C250&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"444,250\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Kane-and-Lynch-2\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Kane-and-Lynch-2.gif?fit=444%2C250&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Kane-and-Lynch-2.gif?resize=444%2C250&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17345\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Now, I can admit that the 3rd person, cover-based, gunplay of Kane and Lynch 2: Dog Days is certainly generic thanks to its lack of variety in combat options and set pieces. But, I\u2019m the same guy who looks at movies like Bad Boys II and Sleepover as top-tier cinema. So, despite its flaws, I love Kane and Lynch 2 \u2018s remarkable style and tone. The game in motion looks like a seedy LiveLeak video that you dug up on the dark web. Even its narrative and characters are equally disgusting and off-putting, and while that is understandably a detriment to anyone else, I found it fascinating. Much like one of my favorite movies of all time, Cloverfield, it feels like a piece of art that was never meant to be seen by the public. But Kane and Lynch 2 takes it further and seems to actively try to repel those who look in its direction, and for some reason, I\u2019m intoxicated by such a vibe. So, yes, the gameplay isn\u2019t much to write home about, but it remains a favorite of mine thanks to its style, which I\u2019ve yet to see matched by any other game before and since.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-85-burnout-3-takedown\">85) Burnout 3: Takedown<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"435\" height=\"250\" data-attachment-id=\"18446\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18446\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/burnout-3.gif?fit=435%2C250&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"435,250\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"burnout-3\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/burnout-3.gif?fit=435%2C250&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/burnout-3.gif?resize=435%2C250&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18446\" style=\"width:651px;height:374px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>As one of the few PlayStation 2 games on the list, I shouldn\u2019t really be able to praise this game for its impressive graphical power. But honestly, it keeps the scope low enough to hit a consistent 60 frames per second on such old hardware, and the detail of the vehicular destruction is still novel to this day. But I don\u2019t love Burnout 3 Takedown for its visuals, I love it for its incredibly unique racing gameplay. I\u2019ve played dozens of racing games, but to this day, I\u2019ve never played a game that understands so well why cars are cool. Burnout is not about the detail of the upholstery, or the feelings synonymous with car brands, or even the handling of individual vehicles. No, Burnout is about the utter joy in controlling the chaos of high-speed combat just long enough to stay alive. Burnout 3 finally fully realized that core concept, and I\u2019m glad to say it was my introduction to the franchise. Hell, it even appealed to folks who liked their chaos less constant with the crash mode. But for as much as I love this game, it\u2019s ranked so low because there is one other title in the series that resonated with me even more. But Burnout 3 is well worthy of the praise and it&#8217;s spot as my 85th favorite game of all time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-84-prototype-2\">84) Prototype 2<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"480\" height=\"270\" data-attachment-id=\"18448\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18448\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Prototype-2-1.gif?fit=480%2C270&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"480,270\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Prototype-2-1\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Prototype-2-1.gif?fit=480%2C270&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Prototype-2-1.gif?resize=480%2C270&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18448\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>I\u2019m a sucker for superhero games that put you in an open world, as it\u2019s a power fantasy that not only encourages expressions of strength but also expressions of freedom. Usually, these games keep me engaged with something other than great gameplay, but Prototype 2 is the only exception to that as I love it solely due to its gameplay. Its story is not only forgettable, but outright annoying thanks to a frustratingly angry protagonist, but the gameplay makes it all worth it. From the start of the game, you pretty much have the entire suite of traversal abilities, and from there, they only increase in power, versatility, and utility. Meanwhile, your combat abilities go from one note to a weapon wheel worth of different combat styles, from close-range claws to long-range tentacles and firearms. And from there, you\u2019re given free rein over an entire city to find upgrades, discover collectibles, finish side missions, or just wreak havoc on the populace; all of which give you more experience points that go directly into making you more agile and lethal. It makes for an experience that, while outclassed by other similar games, still delivers an exhilarating power fantasy, and with an incredibly fun platinum trophy experience as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-83-warhawk\">83) Warhawk<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"520\" height=\"293\" data-attachment-id=\"18597\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18597\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/warhawk-3.gif?fit=520%2C293&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"520,293\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"warhawk-3\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/warhawk-3.gif?fit=520%2C293&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/warhawk-3.gif?resize=520%2C293&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18597\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>There are a bunch of multiplayer shooters in this list, but Warhawk, the PS1 game remade as a PS3 launch title, has one thing that none of the other games here have: scale. Yes, other games here have higher player counts and also have a bunch of vehicles to pilot, but Warhawk also has a tone similar to that of Burnout, actually. Much like that series, so many of Warkawk\u2019s contemporaries prioritize realism into the game mechanics, but Warhawk throws that out the window and it leads to a game that is less of a military sim and more of a \u201cplaying with toy soldiers as a kid\u201d sim. Arcady mechanics both reward mastery and raise the skill floor to a manageable level. Tanks, planes, and jeeps all control naturally, which allows the driver to focus more on where to go. And thanks to fantastic DLC support, vehicles that totally jump the shark, like 7 player Dropships and individual jetpacks, make the lighthearted tone hit even harder. If only the multiplayer servers weren&#8217;t relegated to convoluted workarounds, then I\u2019d easily recommend digging out your PlayStation 3 to try out this multiplayer classic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-82-borderlands\">82) Borderlands<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" data-attachment-id=\"18453\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18453\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/borderlands-1.gif?fit=640%2C360&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"640,360\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"borderlands-1\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/borderlands-1.gif?fit=640%2C360&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/borderlands-1.gif?resize=640%2C360&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18453\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>As I hinted earlier, my history with the Borderlands series has been strange thanks to the second game aging incredibly poorly upon revisiting. But upon revisiting the original Borderlands, I discovered that it holds up much better. The fact that the pool of lootable weapons is significantly smaller means that guns feel more consistent and therefore makes changes to my arsenal throughout the game less jarring. The grating humor from the sequel is replaced by dialogue and characters that are much easier to suppress into the background, especially when listening to a podcast while playing. And I progressed through levels so much faster than the sequel that the relative lack of dynamic enemies didn\u2019t even affect me much. Overall, objectively, Borderlands 2 is probably a better game. But, if you haven\u2019t figured by now, this list is anything but objective, and since I have a better memory of the original Borderlands, it goes above the second game by a decent margin. And if that makes you mad, then you might despise the fact that my favorite game in the series is actually the only one without its traditional shooter gameplay\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"81-battlefield-1\">81) Battlefield 1<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"351\" data-attachment-id=\"18456\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18456\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Battlefield-1.gif?fit=650%2C351&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"650,351\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Battlefield-1\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Battlefield-1.gif?fit=650%2C351&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Battlefield-1.gif?resize=650%2C351&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18456\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Saving Private Ryan is as much of a cliche war film as any other, but when I originally saw it in grade school I was captivated by it. The way it portrayed these totally ordinary characters in a preposterously massive and grandiose conflict really left me an appreciation for those who existed in a time long before my existence. Now, in the years since, I\u2019ve seen that glorification of the military as problematic at the very least, but come the release of Battlefield 1, I discovered that the personal stories told during the war can still resonate with me. The little-known tales of WWI presented in the single-player campaign aren\u2019t particularly moving on their own, but the Spielbergian presentation makes the character-driven stories hit way harder. Even the multiplayer is brought up by the presentation and theming, and that helps the minimal upgrade systems and relatively flat gameplay of the mode substantially. My biggest flaw is that the tone and emotion are rarely felt through gameplay, with a lot of the core combat playing out very generically. There\u2019s even a handful of times where elements of the multiplayer, like capturing control points, sneak in and almost completely break the immersion. But overall, I really have a soft spot for Battlefield 1, and its focus on lesser-heard stores of World War I, especially those of the Black Harlem Hellfighters and female Bedouin rebels, made it stick with me long after finishing the fight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"80-f-e-a-r-2-project-origin\">80) F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"490\" height=\"240\" data-attachment-id=\"18459\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18459\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/FEAR-2.gif?fit=490%2C240&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"490,240\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"FEAR-2\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/FEAR-2.gif?fit=490%2C240&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/FEAR-2.gif?resize=490%2C240&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18459\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin is a game that, on paper, I shouldn\u2019t like at all. It\u2019s the sequel to one of the most notable horror games of all time, it promises to raise the scale of those scares in many ways, and its ending is not only utterly depressing but taps into one of my deepest and relatively irrational fears. Yet, it\u2019s a shooter that I still have a large soft spot for. While I\u2019m typically too much of a coward for horror games, I found the supernatural ways in which the horror elements of the game are expressed visually and auditorily arresting, with the ghost near the start of the game being a big highlight. While the scale is bigger than the original F.E.A.R., or I assume so as I\u2019ve yet to play the first game, that change in scale affects the combat more than the horror, and considering it\u2019s the reason I was attracted to the game, I was happy to see it. The arsenal was as varied as it was satisfying to use, and the addition of slow-motion made the satisfyingly visceral feel of combat even more pronounced. And yes, while the plot is nothing to write home about, its ending is a truly twisted choice to me, and not in a pleasant way. I straight up don\u2019t like the ending, it brings me no joy to think of it as it plays off a personal fear of mine. But I do respect how it runs parallel to the incredibly dark tone of the world and series, and the supernatural context in which it takes place makes it more palatable to me. So, while F.E.A.R. 2 is a game I love primarily for the gameplay, there is a lot more here to love for those who love horror more than I, and I\u2019d recommend the title to anyone looking for a game where the fights are just as strong as the frights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--nextpage-->\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"79-singularity\">79) Singularity<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" data-attachment-id=\"18461\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18461\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/singularity.gif?fit=500%2C260&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"500,260\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"singularity\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/singularity.gif?fit=500%2C260&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/singularity.gif?resize=500%2C260&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18461\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Singularity is one of the purest examples of a AA game. It doesn\u2019t have a massive budget that can be felt in every overly detailed inch of its game world, as that\u2019s a feature of AAA games. It doesn\u2019t have the scrappy ingenuity and innovation of a single A indie title either. No, this game is totally derivative of a whole host of other games, with a great deal less polish of most of them. But why do I love Singularity then? Well, in taking from so many different games, Raven Software has made a title that feels unique all on its own. Other games have the combat and upgrades of Bioshock, other games have the gimmicky weapons of Half-Life, and other games have the pulpy time-travel plot of Timeshift, but only Singularity has it all in one game, and it\u2019s a blast. Yes, I could turn elsewhere to have all of these individual scratches scratched deeper, but only this game scratches them all well enough for me to leave satisfied. The only tragedy is that I wish Raven studios got another shot at perfecting this formula before being consumed by the Call of Duty machine because they really were onto something with this game. The combat was satisfying. The weapons were unique between one another. The enemy variety kept combat encounters engaging. And the time travel plot, while not strong, was fun, with multiple endings, all interesting in different ways. But I guess it seems fitting for the series to be stuck in 2010, as that generation was one of the last in which the middle-of-the-road game by a massive publisher could ever exist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"78-gears-of-war-2\">78) Gears of War 2<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" data-attachment-id=\"18464\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18464\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Gears-2.gif?fit=500%2C282&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"500,282\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Gears-2\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Gears-2.gif?fit=500%2C282&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Gears-2.gif?resize=500%2C282&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18464\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>As someone who played the entirety of the Gears of War series in 2019, I expected the earlier titles to age the worst and not stick with me much. But I\u2019m surprised to say that wasn\u2019t the case. As someone familiar with cover-based shooting thanks to Naughty Dog, Gears\u2019 more tactical combat and cover mechanics were appealing to me from the first game, but I don\u2019t think I truly loved the series until the second title. Gears of War 2\u2019s core plot doesn\u2019t actually mean that much to me, and the fact I can\u2019t tell you much of what happened outside of a few specific moments is proof of that. But what did resonate with me is the feel of combat. Gears of War 2\u2019s combat just feels right, in a way that\u2019s almost primal. I\u2019m no gorehound, but the way blood spews upon contact of every round makes the hit of your trigger pull feel all the more impactful. One of the core tenants of satisfying combat in a game is for your attacks to feel like they are substantial, and thanks to enemies exploding with an up-close Gnasher shot, losing their entire head upon a headshot with the Longshot, or flailing in pain upon being hit by the flamethrower, you <strong><em>definitely <\/em><\/strong>feel like your attacks are impactful. Yes, thanks to recently completing the first game, the Maria scene left a noticeable emotional impact on me, but I came primarily for the Locus murder, and boy is it glorious. In fact, some of the game\u2019s biggest setpieces just make that aspect even more entertaining or engaging. So, yes, there are plenty of deep reasons to love Gears 2, but I love it for the most shallow of reasons: the aliens blow up real good. And for a medium predicated on gameplay, I don\u2019t feel so bad about that fact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"77-rise-of-the-tomb-raider\"><strong>77) Rise of the Tomb Raider<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"394\" data-attachment-id=\"18467\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18467\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/rise-of-the-tomb-raider.gif?fit=700%2C394&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"700,394\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"rise-of-the-tomb-raider\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/rise-of-the-tomb-raider.gif?fit=700%2C394&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/rise-of-the-tomb-raider.gif?resize=700%2C394&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18467\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>While I was too young to play the original PS1 games back when they were released, I became a Tomb Raider fan back on the PSP. It provided an experience where bombastic action set pieces played second fiddle to long stretches of quiet, slower-paced platforming. I enjoyed this formula up until Underworld on the PS3, but when the series came back in 2013 looking more like Uncharted than Ico, I wasn\u2019t too upset. Rise of the Tomb Raider took that reboot and built upon it to the point where it\u2019s combat, environmental, and set-piece variety blew me away much like the contemporaries it borrowed so much from. Sure, its individual pillars of 3rd person shooting, exploration, stealth, setpieces, and incredible graphical fidelity have each been done better in other titles, and some of those appear later in this list. But seeing all of those done so competently in one title is what makes it notable, especially when all of the extra content and features, like PSVR support, high frame rate mode, and survival modes are taken into account. Sure, the story is nonsensical and fairly weak, but I find the characters so endearing that I wanted to see it\u2019s ending anyway. In fact, the quality of this game makes me really want to get around to Shadow of the Tomb Raider, which seems like it\u2019d have the increased focus on quiet platforming that I crave from earlier titles. But until then, Rise of the Tomb Raider is the best I\u2019ve ever seen the franchise be, and I\u2019d recommend it to anyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"76-assassin-s-creed-ii\"><strong>76) Assassin\u2019s Creed II<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"444\" height=\"250\" data-attachment-id=\"18470\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18470\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Assassins-Creed-2.gif?fit=444%2C250&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"444,250\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Assassins-Creed-2\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Assassins-Creed-2.gif?fit=444%2C250&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Assassins-Creed-2.gif?resize=444%2C250&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18470\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Like many others who skipped the flawed original, Assassin\u2019s Creed II was my first taste of the series. As you\u2019ll see later in the list, I really liked what I tried, because AC II was a fantastic open-world action game that felt very fresh at the time. Its combat was fun and its emphasis on counter-attacks really tapped into one of my favorite aspects of melee combat in games. Its parkour system, while not as fast as games like inFAMOUS, was uniquely fluid and made finding the most efficient lines through Italy very engaging. Much like the earlier Tomb Raider games, optional tombs gave me the slow-paced platforming I crave in adventure games like this. And while I found its narrative too long for me to remember the fine details, Ezio was a fantastic character, and his most dramatic moments and plot points were a joy to witness. Particularly, the 4th wall-breaking climax of the ending and the Desmond gameplay that follows it were a massive highlight, despite his fate in later games. Admittedly, while I do still love this game, I have played so many other AC games since Assassin\u2019s Creed II that some of the aspects that made it stick out now blend together with later games in the series. But I still want to pay my respects to the game that led me to be such a massive fan of Assassin\u2019s Creed that I love even its most overlooked entries over it\u2019s most widely loved ones\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"75-assassin-s-creed-syndicate\">75) Assassin\u2019s Creed: Syndicate<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"749\" height=\"422\" data-attachment-id=\"18473\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18473\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Asassins-creed-Syndicate.gif?fit=749%2C422&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"749,422\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Asassins-creed-Syndicate\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Asassins-creed-Syndicate.gif?fit=749%2C422&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Asassins-creed-Syndicate.gif?resize=749%2C422&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18473\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Assassin\u2019s Creed Syndicate is one of the many great examples on this list of comfort food gaming. With this being the 4th AC game I\u2019ve played and the 8th in the mainline series, it simultaneously keeps the core gameplay of the series while changing it in subtle ways that make it more gratifying. Instead of depending almost exclusively on defense breaking and countering, the combat puts more emphasis on combos and maintaining no-hit streaks, which makes the combat feel more like a Batman Arkham game than an Assassin\u2019s Creed game. Parkour remains fun and fluid, but the addition of the grappling hook streamlined traversal and made stealth more forgiving. And the overall tone was lighthearted enough to carry a Disney-esque spirit of adventure that isn\u2019t often found in the series. Jacob and Evie Frye were some of the only protagonists in Assassin\u2019s Creed who clearly had fun while dismantling the Templars. Evie I especially loved as her more reserved yet confident demeanor was a joy to see, especially as the first female Assassin\u2019s Creed lead since Liberation on the Vita. And the over-the-top roster of historical figures like Florence Nightingale and Charles Dickens were always nice to see. As I\u2019ve said in the past, with it\u2019s fast-paced combat, grappling hook, focus on vehicles, and over-the-top characters, it\u2019s my favorite Batman Arkham game, and its inclusion on this list hopefully stands to prove that even more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"74-playstation-all-stars-battle-royale\">74) PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"225\" data-attachment-id=\"18476\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18476\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Playstation-All-Stars.gif?fit=400%2C225&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"400,225\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Playstation-All-Stars\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Playstation-All-Stars.gif?fit=400%2C225&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Playstation-All-Stars.gif?resize=400%2C225&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18476\" style=\"width:620px;height:349px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>For as much as I sincerely adore PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale, I do so less because of the content within the game itself and more so for the promise of its premise. Much like Super Smash Bros. on Nintendo platforms, All-Stars was touted to be the mascot platform fighter that would finally bring together the most beloved characters of PlayStation&#8217;s long, rich history. The only issue is, with this game coming out when Sony was second place in the console war, and before many of its classic franchises were mainstream enough to be selling points or old enough to trigger nostalgia, this game was doomed to be seen as inferior to its main contemporary. Yes, I adored seeing Emmett Graves, Fat Princess, Cole McGrath, and Sly Cooper duke it out on stages that had absurd combinations of franchises, like PaRappa the Rapper and Killzone. But for every drop of absurd fan service, there was a misstep like the addition of the less beloved new Dante of the recent Devil May Cry reboot, or the absence of Crash Bandicoot and Spyro, both of which were both owned by Activision. What hurts is that flaws like these were likely due to business reasons, reasons that could easily be hurtled over now that Sony is the market leader in the console market and can much more effectively negotiate with 3rd parties about the use and inclusion of their iconic characters. But sadly, this fully realized version of All-Stars has yet to materialize. So, I sit slightly less than content with PS3 and Vita platinums in the current All-Stars we have now, flawed roster, unpolished polished UI, and all. Because it&#8217;s the best celebration of PlayStation&#8217;s rich history, a history I&#8217;ve followed for most of my life, that I may ever get&#8230;until recently&#8230;but we&#8217;ll get to that later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"73-saints-row-2\"><strong>73) Saints Row 2<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"520\" height=\"293\" data-attachment-id=\"18632\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18632\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/saints-row-2-1.gif?fit=520%2C293&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"520,293\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"saints-row-2-1\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/saints-row-2-1.gif?fit=520%2C293&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/saints-row-2-1.gif?resize=520%2C293&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18632\" style=\"width:680px;height:383px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>This isn&#8217;t the last you&#8217;ll hear from this series on this list, but I felt that the addition of Saints Row 2, over other more popular entries in the series, was important for me as it did a lot to mold my tastes in open-world games. I had gotten it through PlayStation Plus, and though I had no familiarity with the series since its original game is an Xbox 360 exclusive, I was interested in it deeply. I was hoping to get a serious, gangsta infused crime game reminiscent of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, which I had never played, and while I did get that, it was riddled with bits of intense goofiness that would make the game stick out more for me. Sure, any open-world game could have interesting characters, satisfying gunplay, deep character and car customization, and dozens of activities to complete. But very few had that content alongside missions where you&#8217;d spew sewage all over a fictional Times Square or throw yourself into traffic in order to rack up medical damage in an insurance fraud scheme. It made for a game with a fascinating contrast in tone between its main narrative and its larger world and side content. It was a serious tale told in a world of absolute lunacy. Sure, it introduced me to the kind of map clearing, money earning, empire-building gameplay I&#8217;d come to love in franchises like Assassin&#8217;s Creed and other Saints Row games, but it sticks with mainly because it has one toe in contemporary gangsta drama and another toe in zany open-world antics. And that made for a fascinating blend I was glad to consume in its entirety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"72-statik\">72) Statik<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"520\" height=\"293\" data-attachment-id=\"18665\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18665\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/statik-2.gif?fit=520%2C293&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"520,293\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"statik-2\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/statik-2.gif?fit=520%2C293&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/statik-2.gif?resize=520%2C293&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18665\" style=\"width:690px;height:389px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Statik is a game that is difficult to talk about, not just because I don&#8217;t want to spoil much of it, but because it&#8217;s minimalist nature prevents me from having much to talk about in the first place. It&#8217;s a game exclusively about puzzle-solving, but unlike Portal, the mystique of this game wasn&#8217;t spoiled or overhyped, thanks partially to its less popular platform of PlayStation VR and to the lower profile of its developer, Tarsier Studios. This meant that its world, to me, was just as puzzling as the puzzles themselves. But this wasn&#8217;t the case due to the game asking many questions, but just by way of the game being devoid of many answers at all. However, the mystery sits in the background to make room for some incredibly clever puzzle designs that use the VR medium in clever ways. Some of the first &#8220;wow&#8221; moments I had in VR were when solving puzzles in this game, and those &#8220;ah-hah!&#8221; moments felt more satisfying here than in other games because it always felt like I had solved these problems rather than an avatar. Additionally, it&#8217;s one of an increasingly rare set of VR games that asks you to stay seated and keep your body at rest the entire time, which I appreciated especially for its more cognitive challenges. Statik is the definition of a hidden gem: it&#8217;s short, relatively cheap, rarely brought up in gaming, or even just VR discourse, and takes advantage of all of those disadvantages to deliver an experience that&#8217;s set up to surpass your expectations. I just wish more people would play it so a sequel could be more likely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"71-steamworld-dig-2\"><strong>71) Steamworld Dig 2<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"480\" height=\"270\" data-attachment-id=\"18560\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18560\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/steamworld-dig-2.gif?fit=480%2C270&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"480,270\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"steamworld-dig-2\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/steamworld-dig-2.gif?fit=480%2C270&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/steamworld-dig-2.gif?resize=480%2C270&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18560\" style=\"width:549px;height:308px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Steamworld Dig 2 is one of my favorite comfort food games, but unlike other games on this list with similar descriptors, it&#8217;s not some paint-by-numbers open-world game with comfortable, yet familiar, combat and missions. Instead of sending you out into the great expanse, this game sends you down into the unknown depths of a mysterious mine to find your friend, the protagonist of the original title. This journey will require you to gather massive amounts of minerals and ore while also managing your available light, which depletes as you explore the dark underground, and water, which depletes as you use different combat and traversal abilities that make both actions easier, faster, &amp; often more fun. Sure, there is a main quest, but the moments in which you make substantial progress in that narrative are few and far between, and that leaves room for a ton of exploration of my own volition. Solving platforming puzzles, digging specific paths that set traps for nearby enemies, going out of my way to mine rare ore just so I can upgrade my jetpack, and other tasks I often found myself doing not because the narrative compelled me to, but because each action was satisfying in and of itself. Even the baseline tension of returning your collected resources to the surface without dying made for a fun back and forth, a struggle that never completely went away even with the later addition of grappling hooks, explosives, and other satisfying-to-wield tech. It all made for a game that consistently invited me to just travel one more meter down every time to see what new secrets and treasure I could find, and, especially when experienced on a mobile platform like the Vita, that invitation ends up being harder to decline the more I discovered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"70-call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3\">70) Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"520\" height=\"293\" data-attachment-id=\"18601\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18601\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Modern-Warfare-3-2.gif?fit=520%2C293&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"520,293\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Modern-Warfare-3-2\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Modern-Warfare-3-2.gif?fit=520%2C293&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Modern-Warfare-3-2.gif?resize=520%2C293&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18601\" style=\"width:768px;height:432px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>I&#8217;ve played every Call of Duty game since the original Modern Warfare, and Modern Warfare 3 might be one of the most shamelessly over-the-top shooters I&#8217;ve ever played in a series that once prided itself on how authentic it was. The set pieces, the plot, even the very premise of the game, World War 3 being fought on the streets of places like New York City and Paris, France, is outrageously absurd. But I didn&#8217;t even think to look at any of it with much of a critical eye, because it was exactly what I not only wanted from the game but expected. The Call of Duty series, in my youth, was the most dependable place to find tight controls, bombastic moments, and gratifying power fantasies on a consistent basis, and it&#8217;s precisely the reason my target demographic flocked to the series so completely. MW3 was no exception, as I gleefully consumed its entire campaign within the Christmas day I received it, and I was a few matches into the multiplayer by that night. It&#8217;s fun, not because it&#8217;s subversive or unique, but because it nails the fundamentals of grounded first-person combat damn near flawlessly. And turns out, a game simply being fun counts for a lot. Sometimes all I want is a bombastic campaign and some simple yet addictive multiplayer, and Modern Warfare 3 was one of the most consistently fun sources of both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--nextpage-->\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"69-metro-last-light\">69) Metro: Last Light<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"480\" height=\"270\" data-attachment-id=\"18564\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18564\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Metro-Last-Light.gif?fit=480%2C270&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"480,270\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Metro-Last-Light\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Metro-Last-Light.gif?fit=480%2C270&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Metro-Last-Light.gif?resize=480%2C270&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18564\" style=\"width:728px;height:409px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Thanks, again, to PlayStation Plus, this was my introduction to a first-person shooter that was vastly different from the Call of Duties I was used to. Instead of prioritizing high octane combat, it submerges the player in a dark and oppressive atmosphere that I found incredibly compelling. No longer was gunning my way through all conflicts the only, or even the best, way to progress. The subtle way in which the game reacted to bloodthirsty and carless play vs. methodical and compassionate play gave its unforgiving world even more texture. In fact, that might be the aspect of the game I love most, just how much texture everything in this game has. Its graphical fidelity makes everything from the dirt on your gas mask to the skin of a mutant feel real. Its dedication to a minimal hud also helps with this, although even with me keeping some UI elements on screen, the immersion wasn\u2019t lost much at all. Each of its characters, though featured too rarely in the grand scheme of the entire adventure, gives different perspectives of life in the underground tunnels of a post-apocalyptic Moscow. And even the choice to keep Artyom, the player character, alone through most of the game hammers home just how oppressive its environment truly is. But most of all, the design and unique mechanics of its weaponry is what left the biggest impression on me. Its machine guns always either have magazines that are too small or overheat after prolonged fire. Shotguns chamber each round from awkwardly placed chambers that are even more awkward to reload manually in the heat of battle. Even silenced pistols and rifles chamber and fire in ways that made it feel like the gun may very well shatter in your hands mid-combat. It\u2019s a world in which nearly all of its comforts are built by the skin of the teeth of its inhabitants, and it makes normally boring tools like knives and lighters comfortably reliable in contrast to the constant instability of everything else the player relies on for survival. It\u2019s a very interesting world to traverse, and while later titles in the series would explore that aspect deeper and with more variety, Metro: Last Light was a wonderful introduction to this aesthetic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"68-astro-s-playroom\">68) Astro&#8217;s Playroom<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"720\" height=\"405\" data-attachment-id=\"21501\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=21501\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/astros-playroom-2.gif?fit=720%2C405&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"720,405\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"astros-playroom-2\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/astros-playroom-2.gif?fit=720%2C405&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/astros-playroom-2.gif?resize=720%2C405&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21501\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Nostalgia is a powerful thing, and with a new game or movie remake or remaster coming out every few months, I&#8217;m sure we are all aware of this fact. I talked earlier about my love for PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale and how it might be the best celebration of PlayStation&#8217;s history that we may ever get. I still think that is true in a sense, but even if it tries less to celebrate the characters of PlayStation, Astro&#8217;s Playroom is at least a much better game. Astrobot is no stranger to incredible platformers, as we&#8217;ll discuss later. So this pack-in game for the PS5 would be just as fun to play even if it didn&#8217;t serve as the best demonstration for its many new controller and hardware features. But aside from being a fun game that is also respectfully brief, it celebrates a different corner of PlayStation&#8217;s legacy. You get several references to the many IPs that have had roots on PlayStation, with a healthy number of third-party characters appearing. But the game celebrates the legacy of the brand itself more than the games that have come from it. And to be clear, I still find immense value in that, as its digital recreations of Vitas and NAvigation Controllers put a smile right on my face. The game overall has a level of passion and attention to detail all throughout it that makes the corporate and bare-bones feel of PlayStation All-Stars sting even more. But hopefully, the widely positive response to the game will clue Sony into the untapped potential to future capitalize on nostalgia. But for now, I can at least appreciate this small delight from Asobi Studio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"67-fat-princess\">67) Fat Princess<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"520\" height=\"293\" data-attachment-id=\"18567\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18567\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Fat-Princess-1.gif?fit=520%2C293&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"520,293\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Fat-Princess-1\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Fat-Princess-1.gif?fit=520%2C293&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Fat-Princess-1.gif?resize=520%2C293&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18567\" style=\"width:718px;height:404px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Fat Princess is a perfect example of a game whose final form does not resemble it\u2019s core features on paper. It\u2019s a class-based, multiplayer title that incorporates resource gathering, fortress fortification, and per-match upgrade systems. From that description, you might imagine anything from a Rainbow Six Siege style shooter to a hardcore MOBA like League of Legends or DOTA. But the aesthetics are what make this game both interesting and one of my favorites. It\u2019s a vibrantly colorful title with mechanics that are played for laughs, yet still remain viable strategies of play. The goal is to steal the enemy team\u2019s princess out of her castle, and you do so by storming that castle and running through enemies, or gathering resources to fortify your own castle. But there are so many goofy and bizarre ways to go about these tasks. You can feed the princess cake to make them heavier, and therefore slower to walk while carrying. You can use a potion to turn enemies into fragile chickens, potentially wiping out an entire team if timed right. You can even build a slingshot in your own castle to launch yourself directly into the enemy castle, which is a strategy just as hilariously chaotic as it is viably if you&#8217;re skilled enough. Any game can be packed with jokes, and in the case of the game\u2019s main titular one, even problematic ones. Any game can have a compelling multiplayer strategy. But very few games intertwine both concepts to make a game that is worth remembering. Even if there wasn\u2019t much of a long term progression system and the single-player campaign was little more than multiplayer matches with bots, Fat Princess is still a game with enough charm and gameplay quirks to make it\u2019s multiplayer chaos and strategy leave an impact on me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"66-apex-legends\">66) Apex Legends<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"480\" height=\"270\" data-attachment-id=\"29725\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=29725\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/cc45ab741e7363abb3bf9c42380c11b1.gif?fit=480%2C270&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"480,270\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"cc45ab741e7363abb3bf9c42380c11b1\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/cc45ab741e7363abb3bf9c42380c11b1.gif?fit=480%2C270&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/cc45ab741e7363abb3bf9c42380c11b1.gif?resize=480%2C270&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-29725\" style=\"width:882px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The placement of this game might surprise those familiar with my tastes in multiplayer shooters specifically. It took me a long time to come around on Apex Legends, as I still harbored a bit of resentment towards it as a Titanfall fan that has only grown more passionate over the years. But once I let go of the past, I was delighted to see just how compelling the future would be. Apex is easily my favorite battle royale and I owe that fact to its movement, progression, combat, and characters. While you can\u2019t wall run, the ability to slide down slopes, and the speed and verticality of different legend abilities make the game dynamic to play from match to match. The gunplay carries over from Titanfall, but time to kill is a bit increased to allow movement to blossom. Progression is fairly satisfying as well, with it\u2019s regular special events and fairly generous battle pass rewards enticing me to keep playing often. And it\u2019s characters resonate with me stronger than nearly any other multiplayer only game. I love Lifeline so much that I have a statue of her on my shelf. I love Octante\u2019s hyperactive personality with all my heart. And I love Loba\u2019s confident demeanor so much that I love playing as her for reasons that have nothing to do with her gameplay abilities. It\u2019s a game that is just fun to be a part of without even winning regular matches, so it easily has cemented a spot in this list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"65-spec-ops-the-line\"><strong>65) Spec Ops: The Line&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"598\" height=\"304\" data-attachment-id=\"18571\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18571\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Spec-Ops-The-Line.gif?fit=598%2C304&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"598,304\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Spec-Ops-The-Line\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Spec-Ops-The-Line.gif?fit=598%2C304&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Spec-Ops-The-Line.gif?resize=598%2C304&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18571\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Spec Ops: The Line is one of those games that gets talked about all the time in gaming circles. So, if you\u2019ve been a part of one of those circles, you likely have heard everything I\u2019m about to say before. But the things this game does are still worth appreciating, even for the 73rd time. As someone who\u2019s played every single Call of Duty game since its fourth entry (sorry if I bring that up too often in this list), the way this game provides a rare critique of war and American militaristic idealism is fascinating. Near the end of the tale, the game almost feels like a horror game, as the things you\u2019re asked to do and the things you see, get progressively more disturbing. Now, despite all of this, the game is actually really fun to play. It\u2019s your standard cover-based shooting, but the addition of challenges for racking up kills with certain weapons and a touch of slow motion when getting a headshot makes it more satisfying to play. But despite that, the game is actively hostile to the idea that murder is fun, even in a purely digital context, as enemies can be heard talking about their normal hobbies and the families they\u2019re hoping to get back to seconds before you gun them down. It\u2019s both a critique of pro-military media that glorifies the horrors of war, while often also being that very same kind of pro-military media that glorifies the horrors of war, and that contradiction makes Spec Ops: The Line so noteworthy all these years later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"64-enslaved-odyssey-to-the-west\">64) Enslaved: Odyssey to the West<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"520\" height=\"293\" data-attachment-id=\"18574\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18574\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Enslaved-Odessey-to-the-West-1.gif?fit=520%2C293&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"520,293\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Enslaved-Odessey-to-the-West-1\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Enslaved-Odessey-to-the-West-1.gif?fit=520%2C293&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Enslaved-Odessey-to-the-West-1.gif?resize=520%2C293&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18574\" style=\"width:662px;height:373px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>One of the greatest examples of a hidden gem is Ninja Theory\u2019s Enslaved: Odyssey to the West. It released to decent critical acclaim, but this original IP didn\u2019t attract a great deal of players to pick it up. But that hasn\u2019t stopped the game from leaving a deep and profound impression on many, including me. The thing I love most about the game is the art design. It\u2019s a post-apocalyptic game, but it forgoes the oppressive browns and greys usually found in the genre to fill its world with the luscious greens of wildlife reclaiming the bright blues and yellows of the high tech that once filled the world. But that technology isn\u2019t all lost, as Money, the player character, and Trip, your companion, both employ it to tear through robots and climb obstacles. It\u2019s the kind of game that has a whimsy and creativity to its world that is honestly shocking to see in a game on the PS3, as it feels more in place with PS2 games like Beyond Good and Evil. But it holds its own gameplay-wise, as the combat challenges, platforming set pieces, puzzles, and disc surfing segments all add variety while being satisfying each in their own way. Even if the ending of it\u2019s story was too bizarre to be satisfying, it\u2019s overall journey was one worth taking and certainly deserves revisiting from a new generation of game players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"63-binary-domain\">63) Binary Domain<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" data-attachment-id=\"18577\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18577\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Binary-Domain.gif?fit=640%2C360&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"640,360\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Binary-Domain\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Binary-Domain.gif?fit=640%2C360&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Binary-Domain.gif?resize=640%2C360&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18577\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>I had yet to play Gears of War when I originally played Binary Domain, which takes heavily from its rigid movement, bulky character design, and reliance on cover-based shooting. Many wrote the game off as yet another Gears clone, but I didn\u2019t have the context to do so, which ended up being a blessing as this game differs from that series in so many ways. Instead of relying on excessive gore, you get to shoot the limbs off of its robots one by one until they crawl around barely clinging onto the technological equivalent of life. You have squad mates in nearly every mission, but you get to command them in combat and their banter does a lot more to characterize them outside of cutscenes. Plus, the action set pieces blow much of the set pieces in the Gears series out of the water in terms of scale and insanity. But more than any of that, Binary Domain is just way goofier than Gears of War, and that\u2019s the main reason I love it. The characters are over the top to the point of almost being pure stereotypes and the plot is aggressively cliche, but both are so extreme that it comes back around to being more endearing than annoying. This all makes for yet another hidden gem on this list, but one that\u2019s notable less for its originality and more for its big heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"62-bioshock\">62) Bioshock<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"444\" height=\"250\" data-attachment-id=\"18580\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18580\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Bioshock.gif?fit=444%2C250&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"444,250\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Bioshock\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Bioshock.gif?fit=444%2C250&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Bioshock.gif?resize=444%2C250&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18580\" style=\"width:600px;height:337px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>What is there to say about Bioshock that hasn\u2019t already been said to death? It\u2019s setting, the underwater world of Rapture, is a fascinating den of chaos that was brilliantly realized. The main twist of the narrative was a brilliant metta commentary on the medium of games itself, and, like everyone else, I was totally taken aback by it on my first playthrough. And it\u2019s plenty of supernatural abilities, ballistic weaponry, and light RPG elements made the game satisfying to play throughout. But, I might be in the minority in having the opinion that Bioshock is not my favorite in the series. My favorite comes up later in this list, but I actually have enough criticisms about this first game to put it in the back half of this list. Combat is fun, but having to choose between wielding plasmids and weapons make combat more clunky and less fluid. The story is revolutionary, but for me personally, much of it pales in comparison to not only the big twist but also the Fort Frolic section. And the biggest issue is the final boss fight, which clashes with the tone of the rest of the game and also further highlights the flaws with the combat. I still like the game a lot, it is on this list after all. But I personally think of it as a fantastic foundation to build upon for sequels rather than a classic on its own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"61-sleeping-dogs\">61) Sleeping Dogs<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" data-attachment-id=\"18582\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18582\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Sleeping-Dogs.gif?fit=500%2C281&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"500,281\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Sleeping-Dogs\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Sleeping-Dogs.gif?fit=500%2C281&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Sleeping-Dogs.gif?resize=500%2C281&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18582\" style=\"width:630px;height:354px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Video games really do love Asian culture, huh? There are countless games out there about kung fu, samurai, and ninjas, but why are there so few games that visit the East in the modern-day? Sure, there are plenty that visit Japan, but China gets little love outside of Rise to Honor and the aforementioned Kane and Lynch 2. Well, Sleeping Dogs finally comes through with it\u2019s Hong Kong setting, and instead of using the setting in an exploitative or over-the-top way, its compellingly grounded in reality. Wei Shen\u2019s tale of playing both cop and criminal in Hong Kong\u2019s underground crime circles was compelling enough, but the gameplay is what really sealed the deal for me. Melee combat was satisfying on its own, but the numerous environmental hazards to use on enemies made every fight exciting. Gunplay was not as fleshed out as I would have liked, but considering the use of guns was downplayed in the narrative, I can forgive it, especially when nailing slow-motion headshots already felt so great. And even the driving, one of the biggest chores in open-world games, felt great, alongside an even more fluid parkour system. Overall, the game stood toe to toe with other contemporary open-world games of last-gen, I just wish it made a big enough impact to get a sequel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"60-a-short-hike\">60) A Short Hike<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"347\" height=\"195\" data-attachment-id=\"18611\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18611\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/A-Short-Hike-1.gif?fit=347%2C195&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"347,195\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"A-Short-Hike-1\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/A-Short-Hike-1.gif?fit=347%2C195&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/A-Short-Hike-1.gif?resize=347%2C195&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18611\" style=\"width:722px;height:406px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>This is another game that I walked into with no set expectations. Seeing screenshots and videos of it led me to look into it thanks to its gorgeous blend of pixelated art and isometric 3d models. But I didn\u2019t feel compelled to pick it up until I was pushed by loads of praise for the game online. I\u2019m happy I finally picked it up, as it has a lot more to it than a great art style. Mechanically, A Short Hike is a joy to play as it revolves almost exclusively around movement abilities. Climbing and gliding are the main ways you interact with the world, and as you progress, you collect golden feathers that allow you to do both for longer periods of time. That would have been enough for me to enjoy the game, but it goes one step further by having cute characters and an endearing, although minimal, narrative. It\u2019s no Gone Home or Red Dead Redemption 2, but it did manage to hit me emotionally a bit. And the best part is that I was able to absorb all of this in roughly 90 minutes. To get a game that is this good and unique, but also respects my time is pretty much unheard of, and it makes for a game that easily lands itself in my top 100 list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--nextpage-->\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"59-metro-exodus\"><strong>59) Metro Exodus<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"480\" height=\"270\" data-attachment-id=\"18613\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18613\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Metro-Exodus.gif?fit=480%2C270&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"480,270\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Metro-Exodus\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Metro-Exodus.gif?fit=480%2C270&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Metro-Exodus.gif?resize=480%2C270&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18613\" style=\"width:748px;height:420px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Earlier I\u2019ve talked about how much I loved Metro: Last Light and a lot of those compliments also apply to its sequel, Metro Exodus. Its array of off-kilter weapons, oppressive atmosphere, and immersive world give a sense of place in its post-apocalyptic Russia. But Metro Exodus does all of that while expanding it\u2019s playspace tenfold. It\u2019s not quite an open-world game necessarily, as for every level that is incredibly expansive with dozens of nooks and crannies to search through, there\u2019s another strictly linear level that\u2019s reminiscent of the prior two games in the series. It leads to the allusion of a massive world being felt while also making sure the world does feel so overwhelming to explore. Plus, the consequences of your playstyle are felt even more effectively than the multiple endings of Last Light. Depending on how you play through each section, viciously violent or with intention to spare as many as possible, you\u2019ll be given an ending to that segment that reflects how you played. It even goes beyond how you dispatch enemies because even putting away your weapon could lead to conversations with NPCs rather than another bout of combat. It\u2019s a cool game, and as I play it (I know, I need to beat this game) it only gets more interesting with the introduction of new environments and characters. For those looking for a post-apocalypse with as much texture as it has content, then Metro Exodus is up there with the best of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"58-resistance-3\">58) Resistance 3<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"520\" height=\"293\" data-attachment-id=\"18616\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18616\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Resistance-3-1.gif?fit=520%2C293&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"520,293\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Resistance-3-1\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Resistance-3-1.gif?fit=520%2C293&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Resistance-3-1.gif?resize=520%2C293&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18616\" style=\"width:709px;height:399px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>There are so many shooters on this list, I just got done talking about one right before this segment. But when it comes to the most important fundamental of a shooter, the weaponry, there is no outdoing the talented folks at Insomniac Games. And one of their best titles is the often forgotten Resistance 3. It was the third in a franchise that was known for pushing the boundaries of the PS3, as it often touted it\u2019s massive 60 player online battles of Resistance 2. But Resistance 3 was intentionally more reserved, as it not only lowered its multiplayer player count to 16 but also has a much less bombastic and more grounded narrative campaign. And it\u2019s that reservedness that is a big reason why the third game is the most praised in the series. The tale of Joseph Capelli\u2019s journey to an alien-infested New York City was engaging throughout, and everything from the characters to the environmental design left an impression on me. And the weaponry was not only unique but just felt excellent to wield. From the satisfying wall piercing rounds of the Auger Mk. II to the fiery shells of the Rossmore shotgun, every weapon filled a niche in combat while also leveling up as you used them. Overall, Resistance 3 was a game that more people deserved to play, because not only was it\u2019s gameplay solid, but its world of a pre-WWII world struck by an alien plague was worth existing in. The time to give it its flowers is sadly gone, but here\u2019s hoping the franchise can come back someday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"57-gone-home\">57) Gone Home<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"498\" height=\"280\" data-attachment-id=\"18617\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18617\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Gone-Home.gif?fit=498%2C280&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"498,280\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Gone-Home\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Gone-Home.gif?fit=498%2C280&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Gone-Home.gif?resize=498%2C280&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18617\" style=\"width:724px;height:407px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>I remember the mystique around this game upon launch in 2013. I was happy and content with my PS3 and I had been a part of the PlayStation family almost exclusively for my entire gaming lifetime. I was never attracted enough to other franchises to feel a strong enough desire to pick up other platforms, but PC was the one exception. I\u2019d often watch gameplay videos of titles that were not only more graphically demanding than those found on console, but also more creative. Even in my teens, I could recognize that my tastes were a bit one-note, even with the few exceptions I\u2019ll get to later in this list. So, when this mysterious game popped up, about which so few would talk about as to avoid spoilers, I was instantly transfixed. That shouldn&#8217;t have been the case, as the initially dark and creepy atmosphere should have deterred my horror adverse self. I had gotten a laptop for my first year of college as a Christmas gift, but I returned the printer it came with just to get enough Steam credit to buy the game. I knew nothing about what would greet me in that empty home on that stormy night, other than the fact that it would subvert my expectations and likely move me emotionally. And even if my laptop was too weak to run the game at over 20 FPS, the game still managed to do exactly that. Never had I played a game that dropped more conventional aspects of game design in favor of a much more tender and small scale narrative of bittersweet love. I also remember it being one of the first gay narratives that felt so intimate and personal that I, as a straight man, could also relate to it. It\u2019s a game that, despite its short playtime, has occupied space in my head for many years. Perhaps I should one day do the game justice and replay it now that I own it on multiple platforms that can run it as it was meant to be played. But honestly, at any fidelity, the atmosphere, performances, writing, and environmental design will be just as strong as it was on that old laptop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"56-red-faction-guerrilla\"><strong>56) Red Faction: Guerrilla<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"375\" data-attachment-id=\"18619\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18619\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Red-Faction-Guerrilla.gif?fit=600%2C375&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"600,375\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Red-Faction-Guerrilla\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Red-Faction-Guerrilla.gif?fit=600%2C375&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Red-Faction-Guerrilla.gif?resize=600%2C375&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18619\" style=\"width:799px;height:496px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>It should be no surprise that gaming has historically been seen as a predominantly male pastime. And as part of the Hot Wheelin, Transformin, Beybladin gender we&#8217;re often stereotyped as, I\u2019ve seen more explosions in my life than anyone would care to count. Especially in games, as you can also probably tell from earlier entries in this list. I\u2019ve seen so many explosions that they really don\u2019t have much of an impact anymore. You\u2019ve seen one bright flash of fire and force, you\u2019ve likely seen them all. But Red Faction: Guerrilla genuinely has not only the most impressive explosions I\u2019ve ever seen, but also just the most outright impressive destructive systems found in any title. I\u2019ve mentioned games like Battlefield 4 and Battlefield 1 earlier, but there isn\u2019t a single game in that series that matches just how precise you can get with building destruction in Guerrilla. And it seems that Volition, the developers of the game, knew that themselves, as much of the side content is built around destruction. They give you tons of creative weapons to tear apart structures, but I spent about half my time tearing towers down the old fashioned way: with a sledgehammer. Slowly chipping away at a building only to watch the whole thing collapse after destroying its final support beam never stopped being satisfying, even between the PS3, PC, and PS4 versions. So, yea, I could blow shit up in most games, but the incredibly detailed and dynamic destruction system makes explosions on the surface of Mars endlessly entertaining.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"55-ape-out\"><strong>55) Ape Out<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"588\" height=\"328\" data-attachment-id=\"18624\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18624\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Ape-Out-1.gif?fit=588%2C328&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"588,328\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Ape-Out-1\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Ape-Out-1.gif?fit=588%2C328&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Ape-Out-1.gif?resize=588%2C328&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18624\" style=\"width:796px;height:443px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Now let me come clean, I haven\u2019t beaten Ape Out. In fact, I\u2019ve only beat the first album in the game. It\u2019s honestly an incredibly stressful and exhausting game, and thanks to the game\u2019s unforgiving difficulty, I just don\u2019t have the stamina to give it the hundreds of attempts it\u2019d take to complete. But I\u2019ve seen more than enough to fall in love with the game. The abstract art style is truly unlike anything I\u2019ve ever seen, and its jazz soundtrack is unlike any other music I\u2019ve heard in a game. I\u2019ve always felt that black music is rarely represented in this medium, and besides the DJ Hero and Def Jam franchises, there are very few bones thrown to our genres. But the music of Ape Out hits so much harder than just a random hip hop song on a tracklist. Jazz is a musical genre created by black folk, and to see it as such a core part of a video game is really dope. Plus, the fact the music is created dynamically through your inputs speaks to the genre&#8217;s improvisational roots even more directly. As for the gameplay, as stressful as it is, it\u2019s always exhilarating. Trying to make it out of impossible situations by using enemies in defensive and offensive ways always made for a satisfying dance of violence. Perhaps one of these days I\u2019ll finally get around to beating the game, but for now, I\u2019ll simply sit back and admire its artistry until I muster up the strength to hop back into it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"54-littlebigplanet-2\"><strong>54) LittleBigPlanet 2<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"520\" height=\"293\" data-attachment-id=\"18630\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18630\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/LittleBigPlanet-2-1.gif?fit=520%2C293&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"520,293\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"LittleBigPlanet-2-1\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/LittleBigPlanet-2-1.gif?fit=520%2C293&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/LittleBigPlanet-2-1.gif?resize=520%2C293&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18630\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>As the first of many games from Media Molecule on this list, I credit LittleBigPlanet 2 as the game that first made me a fan of the developer. But before the sequel even existed, I first asked my parents for a PlayStation 3 primarily to play the original LittleBigPlanet. I really only ever received new games for my birthday and Christmas, both of which fell in December, so I had to make the games I did get last for as long as possible. Because of this, the promise of endless user-generated content in LittleBigPlanet greatly appealed to me. The first game did indeed deliver on that promise, but its toolset was clearly limited, which meant its included single-player campaign felt prototypical, especially when compared to the other game I got that Holiday, Warhawk. But LittleBigPlanet 2 finally fully realized the promise of the first game, with new and more varied gameplay, much-increased production value, and a massively overhauled creation suite that made all kinds of new content possible. The single-player story I adorned especially as it was the first narrative that had that patented charm and heart of every Media Molecule game from that point on. But the thing is, for as much as I love LittleBigPlanet 2, I barely ever made anything in it. Other than one level I made intending to show my mom on her birthday, I never had the patience to make anything of substance. But I kept the disk in for months as there were always new levels, racers, shooters, minigames, and short films to check out online each day. This, combined with the aggressively lovable Sackboy, made for one of my favorite experiences on the PS3, and one that would easily be topped by Media Molecule twice over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"53-god-of-war-2018\"><strong>53) God of War (2018)<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"375\" data-attachment-id=\"18644\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18644\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/God-of-War-1.gif?fit=800%2C375&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"800,375\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"God-of-War-1\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/God-of-War-1.gif?fit=800%2C375&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/God-of-War-1.gif?resize=800%2C375&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18644\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>God of War is, unquestionably, one of the greatest games of this generation, and maybe of all time. Its immaculate graphics, satisfying combat, emotional story, and rewarding exploration have been praised by every other game critic out there. For the most part, I agree with those critics and see the game as an incredible achievement. But I&#8217;ve been vocal about my <a href=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/2019\/01\/03\/emmetts-games-of-the-year-2018-and-some-other-years-too\/\">disdain<\/a> for certain elements of God of War, with many of my issues stemming from the fact I wasn\u2019t tired of the original God of War formula as much as many others were. However, I don\u2019t want that to put too much of a damper on the game because, at the end of the day, I still had a wonderful time with the franchise reboot. The more emotional story was compelling, even if some of the grand scale of the original games was lost. The expanded open world was as beautiful as it was full of interesting side content, even if some of that content often overstayed its welcome. The combat made the game feel more skill-based than ever before, even if some of it\u2019s hardest fights made me pull my hair out. And the game looked beautiful, especially in the high frame rate mode, even if much of traversal was incredibly slow to give the game time to load in those gorgeous environments. So, yes, I had a mostly great time with God of War, and if not for my few issues with the game, I could have easily seen it being in my top 10. But for now, I suppose we\u2019ll just have to wait for the eventual sequel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"52-the-club\"><strong>52) The Club<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"520\" height=\"293\" data-attachment-id=\"18645\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18645\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/The-Club.gif?fit=520%2C293&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"520,293\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"The-Club\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/The-Club.gif?fit=520%2C293&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/The-Club.gif?resize=520%2C293&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18645\" style=\"width:651px;height:367px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>I know what you might be thinking: \u201cWhat in God\u2019s name does this fugly lookin last-gen shooter do better than the masterpiece that is God of War?\u201d Well, I\u2019m not gonna really answer that, but I can at least explain why I like it more than God of War. The Club is an arcadey third-person shooter where you\u2019re tasked with racing through environments as fast as you can. You see, as you\u2019ve seen elsewhere in this list, I love games with speedy and fluid movement. But The Club is so fascinating to me because it asks you to be speedy despite the fact that its movement isn&#8217;t all that fluid. The game isn\u2019t clunky per say, but it definitely has more in common with Gears of War and Resident Evil 4 than Sunset Overdrive and Uncharted. But to make up for the imperfect traversal, you are rewarded for your combat prowess. Killing enemies and shooting targets along the way not only scores you extra points, but also extra time on a ticking clock. It makes for a very addictive feedback loop where getting a better time on a stage always feels within grasp, because if you didn\u2019t run fast enough, you could always be faster on the draw. It\u2019s a combination that brings more aggressive gameplay into racing, a genre that usually rewards pacifism, and it ends up scratching the same itch that games like Burnout do. But what makes this game even more special to me is just how obscure it is now. It\u2019s developer, Bizarre Creations, has long since shuttered. The game is trapped on last-gen consoles and requires fiddling with Games for Windows Live to get it working on PC. And since it\u2019s release, few shooters have been able to match it\u2019s gameplay style, with slight exception to Resident Evil\u2019s various Mercenary modes. So, yea, I get how this flawed gem might seem out of place over the hyper polished masterpiece that is God of War, but I\u2019ll honestly take a Bizarre Creation over a fairly derivative dad simulator any day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"51-uncharted-4-a-thief-s-end\"><strong>51) Uncharted 4: A Thief\u2019s End<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"520\" height=\"293\" data-attachment-id=\"18646\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18646\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Uncharted-4.gif?fit=520%2C293&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"520,293\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Uncharted-4\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Uncharted-4.gif?fit=520%2C293&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Uncharted-4.gif?resize=520%2C293&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18646\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Considering the hype that I and many others had leading up to the release of Uncharted 4: A Thief\u2019s End, it might be surprising to see this be the first Uncharted title in the list. Well, the hype might factor into that decision, but ultimately Uncharted 4 fell a bit short of my expectations. Now, that\u2019s not to say that I dislike the game at all, it is on this list after all. The focus on exploration and wider environments was a welcome evolution of the traditional Uncharted formula, but it was done much better in the follow-up,  Lost Legacy. Its narrative is probably the most engaging in the series, and also has the most closure in its final hours. But it\u2019s set pieces didn\u2019t quite reach the heights of those found in other Uncharted games. And while this, potentially, final adventure with the Drake family took its time due to the gravitas of this context, the final few chapters felt like it dragged on a bit in comparison to others in the series. And that\u2019s just the issue: for everything I adore about Uncharted 4, another game in the series does it better. It stays on the list, because it\u2019s still in the higher tiers of my ranking, and once again, that ending is endlessly satisfying. But, as you\u2019ll see later in this list, Uncharted 4 still doesn\u2019t hold a candle to other globetrotting adventures in the series.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"50-fallout-3\">50) Fallout 3<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"520\" height=\"293\" data-attachment-id=\"18674\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18674\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Fallout-3.gif?fit=520%2C293&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"520,293\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Fallout-3\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Fallout-3.gif?fit=520%2C293&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Fallout-3.gif?resize=520%2C293&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18674\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>As a massive Fallout fan, one who couldn\u2019t contain his excitement in the lead up to Fallout 4, it might come as a shock to see Fallout 3 as the sole representative of the series on the list. But ultimately, no matter what directions later sequels and spin-offs went, I just could never forget my introduction to the franchise. Fallout 3 wasn\u2019t the first open-world game I ever played, but it was the first time I truly felt like I was visiting a living, breathing world that existed long before I stepped into it. It forced me to consider so much about how I played the game, not just through narrative dialogue choices, but through inventory management and knowing which battles to run from and which to embrace. I still think it might be the first RPG I ever got into. There might be some that I tired, but Fallout 3 was the first of this genre that I sank over 100 hours in. It wasn&#8217;t necessarily a world I loved existing in, like some games I\u2019m mentioning later, but it proved to be endlessly fascinating. The bizarre clashing of 1950\u2019s culture and cutting edge high technology was such a massive contrast that I was fascinated in every way that this dichotomy could distort the world. And so many of the characters and towns in The Capital Wasteland were so unique that I still remember many of them to this day. It\u2019s fatal flaw, however, it that combat never felt fluid or really all that fun, even after dumping many skill points and perks into gunplay and melee related categories. So, while I can easily get games with both sprawling, lively worlds and satisfying combat, I don\u2019t think I\u2019ve yet to play anything with a world aesthetic and density of unique things to see and do as much as Fallout 3, and I will always appreciate it for introducing me to a deeper kind of open-world game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--nextpage-->\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"49-darksiders-ii\">49) Darksiders II<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"637\" height=\"269\" data-attachment-id=\"18675\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18675\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Darksiders-2.gif?fit=637%2C269&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"637,269\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Darksiders-2\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Darksiders-2.gif?fit=637%2C269&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Darksiders-2.gif?resize=637%2C269&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18675\" style=\"width:772px;height:326px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>As I talked about with Fallout 3 just moments ago, that game has a wonderfully deep fiction that I was glad to submerge myself in but woefully outdated gameplay that makes it difficult to return to. Darksiders II is the complete opposite. Darksidders II does actually have a deep and enriching lore and it\u2019s mainline story does actually have plenty of satisfying character development. But, as I\u2019ve said before, I do not care about fantasy worlds and stories. Whether it\u2019s the lack of technologies that are so integrated to modern society or, historically, the lack of black characters in these spaces, there\u2019s something about that setting that refuses to click with me. But despite that flaw, I was absolutely addicted to this game when playing it. It\u2019s combat system is one of the strongest in any slash-em-up I\u2019ve played. It\u2019s focus on quick and powerful strikes and swift dodges and animation canceling makes you feel like a nimble glass cannon, but with a wide array of the biggest cannonballs imaginable. That arsenal is acquired through a Borderlands like loot system, but it avoids the excessiveness of that system by making every weapon in a given category feel the same. All hammers swing slow and hit hard, with only the damage numbers and status effects differing between them. That is the case for scythes, maces, claws, and every other weapon in the game, and this system makes for more combat consistency at the cost of loot variety. But outside of combat, the design of the dungeons in Darksiders II is consistently fantastic, thanks to it\u2019s heavy influence from Zelda. So good, in fact, that much of the main quest funnels you through them. But the unique puzzles and satisfying platforming challenges made those moments highlights for me. Take all that and gorgeous art design throughout and you have a game that takes elements of its contemporaries and often outdoes them at their own game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"48-infamous\">48) inFAMOUS<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"520\" height=\"293\" data-attachment-id=\"18678\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18678\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/inFAMOUS-1.gif?fit=520%2C293&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"520,293\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"inFAMOUS-1\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/inFAMOUS-1.gif?fit=520%2C293&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/inFAMOUS-1.gif?resize=520%2C293&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18678\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>We\u2019ve gone through a lot of firsts in this list up to this point, and inFamous is yet another one of those firsts. This game marks the first time that I felt compelled to check every box there was to check in a game. I played through both the evil and good endings of it\u2019s campaign. I did every single stunt, collected every dead drop, and even snagged every agonizing blast shard. Why? Because this was also one of the first games I ever played in the open world, superhero genre. These games are a dime-a-dozen now, but back in 2010, these games were way more novel, especially outside of licenced titles. The story of message currier, Cole McGrath, going from zero to hero was full of tropes looking back, but was just the kind of stuff I\u2019d eat up at 15 years old. But most importantly, the traversal is what made this game for me. I couldn\u2019t just hop in a car or run endlessly to a location. Instead I had to plot a course of electric wires to zip on and rooftops to glide between as I went. It was not only a way more dynamic way of getting around, but it also enhanced the combat a great deal. Striking lightning from your hands in various forms was already fun, but doing so while flipping and jumping from cover to cover made it all the more fun. And the ability to absorb health from any nearby electronics made the difficulty easier to manage. Overall, inFAMOUS is the game that established my love for this genre and began my tradition of platinuming my favorite games, even if it took hours to find the last goddamn blast shard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"47-watch-dogs-2\">47) Watch Dogs 2<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"520\" height=\"293\" data-attachment-id=\"18697\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18697\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Watch-Dogs-2-1.gif?fit=520%2C293&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"520,293\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Watch-Dogs-2-1\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Watch-Dogs-2-1.gif?fit=520%2C293&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Watch-Dogs-2-1.gif?resize=520%2C293&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18697\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Games have been around for a very long time, so inevitably, certain types of stories and characters get tired in this medium. The original Watch Dogs is the poster child for this, because Aiden Perce\u2019s story of revenge for the death of his niece was considered boring and derivative by many players and critics. But thanks to this criticism, Ubisoft finally decided to take the franchise in a new direction with Watch Dogs 2. As someone who fell off of the original title, I adore the sequel for a number of reasons. The stealth focus was refreshing to a guy who plays action games primarily, and it really rewarded my patience in it\u2019s scenarios with a faster stream of upgrades than I would have gotten if I simply shot my way through the game. With the game taking place in San Francisco, the world is much more positive, vibrant and colorful in every way. And, the characters exhibit this newly jubilant tone more than any rainbow crosswalk or back alley dance cypher could. Marcus Halloway instantly became one of my favorite characters in any game, not just because his upbeat demeanor was infectious and relatable, but also because his blackness wasn\u2019t just skin. His character is informed by his blackness, be it through his interactions with other blacks in the cast, his tastes in music, or his distinct reactions to events in the story. Sure, it helps for him to have a diverse and entertaining gang of friends to bounce off of, but Marcus really is the heart of the experience. I can\u2019t thank Watch Dogs 2 enough for giving me the closest thing games have gotten to the human embodiment of black boy joy, because it was something I was sorely missing in this medium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"46-ratchet-and-clank-2016\">46) Ratchet and Clank (2016)<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"636\" height=\"253\" data-attachment-id=\"18680\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18680\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Ratchet-and-Clank.gif?fit=636%2C253&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"636,253\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Ratchet-and-Clank\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Ratchet-and-Clank.gif?fit=636%2C253&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Ratchet-and-Clank.gif?resize=636%2C253&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18680\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Ratchet and Clank, much like Call of Duty and Far Cry, is a series I have depended on for consistent thrills and fun for over a decade, since all the way back on the PSP with Size Matters. Since I played nearly a dozen of these games, I\u2019m fairly intimate with all of their levels, weapons, and mechanical variations over the years. So, when Insomniac announced they\u2019d be releasing a remake of the original game, I was excited. But it wasn\u2019t until I actually played it that I realized just how big of a deal that was. They brought back so many of my favorite aspects of the series in one title. The open world collect-a-thon segment from Into the Nexus was back in a new form. The hoverboard races from the original game were back, just in a new form. Mr Zurkon returns from The Future trilogy, the Agents of Doom return from Size Matters, and so many other gameplay aspects return from earlier in the series. It makes for a game that, for longtime fans, feels like a highlight reel of all the reasons you fell in love with the franchise in the first place, and I was happy to receive that reminder. Still, despite how excellent this game is, there is another Ratchet and Clank game that managed to mesmerize me even more than this one, but we have a couple dozen games before we get there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"45-deep-rock-galactic\">45) Deep Rock Galactic<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"520\" height=\"293\" data-attachment-id=\"18683\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18683\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Deep-Rock-Galactic-1.gif?fit=520%2C293&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"520,293\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Deep-Rock-Galactic-1\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Deep-Rock-Galactic-1.gif?fit=520%2C293&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Deep-Rock-Galactic-1.gif?resize=520%2C293&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18683\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>A lot of the games on this list are these massive open-world titles or endless multiplayer grinds that I\u2019ve put hundreds of hours into. Deep Rock Galactic falls into that latter category, but unlike other titles here, I\u2019ve put just under a dozen hours into it. But that\u2019s all I needed to play just to know how great this game is. It\u2019s like someone put the cooperative gameplay of Left4Dead, the bug swarms of Starship Troopers, and the chill mining of Minecraft all in a blender, and sprinkled a heavy dose of vibrant art design and atmospheric lighting. Every match of this game feels unique as well thanks to its randomly generated levels, and those space caverns never become a chore to traverse thanks to the fact that it\u2019s all destructible. Its varied classes make sure the game is best played with others, but the folks at Coffee Stain Studios have fostered such a wonderful community that just playing with randoms never got toxic or frustrating. Yes, you can play alone, but between mining for minerals to earn supply drops for armor and health, collecting certain items to accomplish mission objectives, building zip lines and platforms to make a safe path through the caves, placing lamps throughout to light the way, and wiping out hordes of bugs, it might be hard to juggle it all alone. But this balancing act, along with the algorithmic level design, makes every match just as unique, and as fun, as the last. It\u2019s a shame I haven\u2019t put more time into it, especially since it has gotten even better since its release from early access. But I can still easily recommend this game to anyone looking for their next co-op obsession with a welcoming community ready to show you the ropes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"44-control\">44) Control<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"520\" height=\"293\" data-attachment-id=\"18686\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18686\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Control-1.gif?fit=520%2C293&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"520,293\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Control-1\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Control-1.gif?fit=520%2C293&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Control-1.gif?resize=520%2C293&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18686\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s really easy to put some weird shit in a game. From the over-the-top tone of something like Binary Domain to the completely fantastical world of Steamworld Dig 2, the restrictions of reality are often disregarded in games if you know where to look. But it\u2019s much more difficult to establish a tone that is just\u2026off. Not overly fantastical, not aggressively grounded, just off. To create a world that is equally familiar as it is alien is a difficult balancing act, but Control is notable because it successfully pulls this off. It\u2019s a universe where levitation, shape-shifting firearms, sentient mold monsters, and fridges that deal psychic damage are all the norm, but these bizarre things are presented in such a matter-a-fact way that they don\u2019t seem out of place with the otherwise oppressive tone. In fact, it\u2019s that oppressive tone that brings out some of the humor inherent with this clashing of tones, a humor often found in the game\u2019s numerous collectible logs and videos. But even without that unique tone, the game is still incredibly fun to play and beautiful to look at. Its gameplay is reminiscent of my favorite superpowered romps like inFAMOUS, and the use of colored lighting, brutalist architecture, and imposing UI design makes the game look as gorgeous as possible. In fact, Control is so great that I got the platinum in it, despite it being my first Remedy game. I can\u2019t wait to see where this franchise goes next and to finally make time to check out their older titles, many of which will likely hit the spot in similar ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"43-uncharted-2-among-thieves\">43) Uncharted 2: Among Thieves<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"520\" height=\"293\" data-attachment-id=\"18689\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18689\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Uncharted-2-1.gif?fit=520%2C293&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"520,293\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Uncharted-2-1\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Uncharted-2-1.gif?fit=520%2C293&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Uncharted-2-1.gif?resize=520%2C293&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18689\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Y\u2019all knew this one was coming, though maybe it showed up sooner than expected? But in any case, Uncharted 2 is a game worth all of the praise given to it, even if time hasn\u2019t been as kind to it. I mean yes, its gameplay, art design, and narrative all still hold up pretty well years later, but it\u2019s still a game full of tropes. Most of its characters could be found in any number of adventure movies over the last few decades, and the same goes for its locations and set pieces. But that\u2019s part of the reason they\u2019re all so iconic. Nathan Drake is the lovable rogue we love to root for, Elena is the smart badass we all love to see outclass him, and Chloe is the fem fatale we all love to see make him sweat. Nepal had dozens of war-torn streets that were a joy to fight through, the Tibetan village was a wonderful change of pace from all of the preceding gunplay, and Shambala was a hidden world that mesmerized all of us upon first visit. And the set pieces are still talked about to this day, from jumping from the collapsing Hotel Shangri La to shooting your way through the speeding train. Add to all of that a wonderful multiplayer mode that sucked up many hours of my adolescence and you have easily one of my favorite games in the series. But, in a move that might be controversial, this isn\u2019t even my favorite Uncharted game. That title goes to the most recent release\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"42-uncharted-lost-legacy\">42) Uncharted: Lost Legacy<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"375\" data-attachment-id=\"18691\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18691\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Uncharted-Lost-Legacy.gif?fit=800%2C375&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"800,375\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Uncharted-Lost-Legacy\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Uncharted-Lost-Legacy.gif?fit=800%2C375&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Uncharted-Lost-Legacy.gif?resize=800%2C375&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18691\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s right, Uncharted: Lost Legacy is my favorite Uncharted game. Now before you cancel me, let me explain. Uncharted: Golden Abyss, Drake Fortune, and Drake&#8217;s Deception are not even on the list, but considering how much I just glowed up Uncharted 4 and 2, this might come as a surprise. Well, the Achilles heel of both Uncharted 2 and Uncharted 4 is their length. Despite the quality of both games, their third acts come with a deep urge to wanna be done with them already. That feeling is less intense in Uncharted 2, but I still feel that game is a few hours too long. Lost Legacy, being a smaller-scale experience intentionally, completely avoids that issue, and also uses its more experimental nature to do some new things for the series. The non-linear structure of its second act, the way it handles and rewards collectible hunting with useful new mechanics, and the focus exclusively on characters who don\u2019t have a deep relationship with each other are all unique to this entry in the franchise. In fact, Chloe and Nadine are my favorite pairing in the series, even more than the dynamic duos of Drake and Tenzin and Drake and Sully.  Even the final set piece is better than any of the other ones in the franchise, yes, including the train sequence from Uncharted 2. But the thing that seals this as my favorite in the series is the fact that all of these new twists and improvements on the series all happen withing a campaign that is way shorter than the other games, with possible exception to Golden Abyss. As I often mention in this list, brevity is a valuable quality and leaving me wanting more can often leave me with more positive feelings than trying to deliver an epic that overstays its welcome. Uncharted: Lost Legacy desire to hit all the highs of the series while also switching up the formula in subtle ways is what makes it top all of the others, and I really hope my explanation here has gotten you to delete your angry tweets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"41-inside\">41) Inside<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"400\" data-attachment-id=\"18694\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18694\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Inside-1.gif?fit=800%2C400&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"800,400\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Inside-1\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Inside-1.gif?fit=800%2C400&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Inside-1.gif?resize=800%2C400&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18694\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Inside is a difficult game to talk about because you don\u2019t really understand why it\u2019s so great until you experience it yourself. This is because it\u2019s individual pieces are so difficult to talk about separate from the whole. Like, it does have characters, but they never have dialogue and most of them barely are established enough to have much of a personality. There are set pieces, but they\u2019re often way smaller in scale than other games, and can be bizarre beyond comprehension. It\u2019s art design is incredibly atmospheric, but also dark and brooding almost to the point of being repulsive. Considering you play though the whole game as a child, it really paints the world of Inside as so much more threatening than normal, because even the most mundane threats are lethal. Yes, despite the layer of dread and discomfort that persists throughout the game, it lived in my mind rent free for weeks after completing it. Sometimes, a piece of art can resonate with you on a deep level without any connection to conventional aspects of life. Like, there are no Marcus Halloways to fall in love with here, or even combat and upgrades to enjoy, just pure art direction, excellent sound design, and clever puzzle platforming. And, good God, that ending was on some other shit entirely, in the best way possible. But I\u2019ll leave it there, because I truly think this is a game that needs to be played to be understood, and even then you might not understand it all, which is honestly part of the magic of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"40-doki-doki-literature-club\">40) Doki Doki Literature Club<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"365\" data-attachment-id=\"22394\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=22394\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Doki-Doki.gif?fit=650%2C365&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"650,365\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Doki-Doki\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Doki-Doki.gif?fit=650%2C365&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Doki-Doki.gif?resize=650%2C365&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22394\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Ok ok, if you\u2019ve heard of Doki Doki Literature Club already, then you might be appalled that it outclasses classics like Uncharted 2 and Inside. But my reasons for this are incredibly personal. As I\u2019ve mentioned before, Japanese games usually don\u2019t pull my interest much, so I have played very few of them in my lifetime. This means the visual novel genre is something I had never experienced until playing this game. So, because of that, the incredibly generic and trope filled opening hours were novel to me. I genuinely began to care about the characters and looked forward to seeing them every day at this fictional school. And because I was already sold on that foundation, it hit me so much harder when the game inevitably took it\u2019s turn to insanity. And here is where I get vague, because I\u2019m certain that I wouldn&#8217;t have touched this game if I knew what awaited me in its second half. But I was so glad to have been ignorant of it, because it might be the most satisfying narrative twist I\u2019ve ever experienced in a game. I\u2019m a sucker for having my expectations subverted, and I genuinely can&#8217;t think of a game that subverted them as effectively as Doki Doki Literature Club. So, even if visual novels normally turn you off, and even if you rarely play games on PC, I urge you to download it, for free off of Steam. Because I also fell into all of those categories, and now it\u2019s an instant classic in my eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--nextpage-->\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"39-assassin-s-creed-origins\">39) Assassin\u2019s Creed: Origins<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"343\" data-attachment-id=\"22395\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=22395\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/AC-Origins.gif?fit=500%2C343&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"500,343\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"AC-Origins\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/AC-Origins.gif?fit=500%2C343&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/AC-Origins.gif?resize=500%2C343&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22395\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Oh wow, been a while since I brought up this series, huh? Well, despite having played about half the series, the first entry to radically change it\u2019s formula in the modern era is still my favorite. I\u2019ve talked previously about how much I love the combat and stealth of the prior games, and despite changes, I still enjoy those aspects in Origins. The combat doesn\u2019t lean into the same combo-chaining flow of Syndicate, but it\u2019s reliance on weapons and brutal finishers make it more visceral and satisfying to finish a fight. There might not be the same variety of stealth options as Assassin\u2019s Creed II, but it\u2019s streamlining here means that it more quickly gets you to what this game really shines at: exploration. Despite being an open world series, there never really was much to explore in the ancient metropolises of the series. The rooftops of Italy and the back alleys of London were wonderful visually, but served as little more than a backdrop for the main missions of the game and some collectibles. Origins finally takes the series from a small sandbox to an actual open world, with over half of the entire country of Egypt to explore. And good God is it beautiful. This game easily could have been as brown as every cover shooter of 2007, but it\u2019s use of gold, black, and bronze always complemented the art design rather than held it back. And now that exploration is a main pillar, Ubisoft made sure the world was full of things to do, from platforming challenges, combat arenas, loot to scavenge, animals to fight, and side quests to tackle. It all comes together with the added RPG mechanics that reward you for every kill, every discovery, and every mission you complete. And all of that doesn\u2019t even mention how much I love characters like the stoic, yet lovable Bayek and the fiery, yet caring, Aya. All of these elements make for a game that was a joy to submerge myself in for nearly 100 hours, and even still I can\u2019t wait to head back to Africa to clear the rest of the DLC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"38-call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2019\">38) Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"480\" height=\"270\" data-attachment-id=\"22397\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=22397\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Modern-Warfare-2019.gif?fit=480%2C270&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"480,270\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Modern-Warfare-2019\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Modern-Warfare-2019.gif?fit=480%2C270&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Modern-Warfare-2019.gif?resize=480%2C270&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22397\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The most recent Modern Warfare is easily one of my favorite in the series, but not for the reason I initially thought when I first played it at launch. See, the first thing I did was play through it\u2019s campaign, which I enjoyed at the time. It didn\u2019t do much gameplay wise, but Infinity Ward built off the great narrative of it\u2019s prior title (which I\u2019ll get to soon) and implemented many of the same elements here to great effect. Characters were strong and endearing and there were plenty of story beats that tugged on the heart strings. But over time, and after hearing plenty of other opinions on the game, I began to see it\u2019s flaws. The game is a work of fiction, but the way it portrays real life war crimes committed by the US, and how they portrayed the cruel actions done by US forces as always necessary, left a bad taste in my mouth. And the reliance on traumatic imagery and emotional torture to heighten emotional connections didn\u2019t sit right with me over many months. But all of that took a back seat to what ended up being my favorite part of Modern Warfare, the multiplayer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, this is the premier mode of the series, but they usually all blend together so much that I differentiate each title based solely on their single player offerings. But as someone who\u2019s played every game in the series since CoD 4, the new additions really made this offering stick out to me. Core gunplay had been tweaked to make recoil much more visceral and combat overall feel less arcadey. This made guns feel so much more powerful when trying to get them to shoot straight, kinda like taming a bull as a bull rider. This added an extra layer of skill to combat besides simply just staying on target. The addition of wall mounting and super sprinting, alongside the expected shorter time to kill and knee sliding, make for an incredibly fast paced game. But on top of that, the new monetization systems have done a lot to keep me playing way longer than any other Call of Duty game. $50 season passes have been replaced by battle passes, and while the new weapons in those battle passes were already free, paying the $10 for the other cosmetics and currencies that I already unlocked proved to be much more tantalizing. And that\u2019s all without mentioning the solid free-to-play Warzone mode and the largely forgettable co-op missions, both of which I\u2019ve put much less time into in comparison. But despite that, the overall package that is Modern Warfare has yet again set the standard that all other multiplayer FPS games will be measured going forward, and I can\u2019t wait to see it\u2019s best aspects spread out throughout the genre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"37-tales-from-the-borderlands\">37) Tales from the Borderlands<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"540\" height=\"305\" data-attachment-id=\"22398\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=22398\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/tales-from-the-borderlands.gif?fit=540%2C305&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"540,305\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"tales-from-the-borderlands\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/tales-from-the-borderlands.gif?fit=540%2C305&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/tales-from-the-borderlands.gif?resize=540%2C305&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22398\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Remember when I said my favorite Borderlands game is the only one without its traditional shooter gameplay? Well, here I am, ready to simp for Telltale\u2019s most underrated game. But why is it so great? Well, I love it because it balances it\u2019s outlandish humor with a lot more heart, style, and creativity than any of the narratives of the first two Borderlands games. The classic opening sequences of the main games are recreated here for each of the five episodes, and each one sets the tone perfectly for the story that\u2019s about to unfold. The characters here feel so much more three dimensional than the main cast of the prior games, and even when those characters appear here, they are further fleshed out to an impressive degree. This is also the part where I wanna shout out Loader Bot and Gortys, which are my favorite characters in the entire series. And while the gunplay of the series is nowhere to be found, Telltale\u2019s classic gameplay formula fits so well with this world. Every choice has major consequences, and the way those choices culminate in the final act is probably the most impressive video game writing feat I\u2019ve seen in a game like this. So, yea, I know this game is such a weird departure from what the series is known for, but it works better than anyone would have expected, including me. It makes for what some consider to be Telltale\u2019s best game, and while you\u2019ll eventually see how much I disagree with that statement, I clearly love the game enough to almost agree with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"36-wolfenstien-the-new-colossus\">36) Wolfenstien: The New Colossus<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"480\" height=\"270\" data-attachment-id=\"22400\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=22400\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Wolfenstien-2.gif?fit=480%2C270&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"480,270\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Wolfenstien-2\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Wolfenstien-2.gif?fit=480%2C270&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Wolfenstien-2.gif?resize=480%2C270&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22400\" style=\"width:654px;height:368px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Huh, guess this is the part of the list where I revisit a bunch of franchises that were mentioned at the beginning of the countdown. Well, this is a hell of an entry, because The New Colossus almost single-handedly made the modern Wolfenstein series one of my favorite FPS franchises of all time. Now that\u2019s high praise, especially since we&#8217;re not even in the top 25% yet, but I stand by both of those facts. Now despite me loving first-person shooters, and being quite good at many of them, The New Colossus is not a game I love for its combat. No, the characters, narrative, and world do all of the heavy lifting here. Take the protagonist as an example. BJ Blazkowicz could have easily been another bland white dude shooting the most widely used bad guy in gaming, Nazis. But Machine Games made him a kind-hearted, melancholy, blindly optimistic man whose assertive belief that the only good Nazi is a dead one is just as strong of a personality trait as his love for his wife, Anya. But he\u2019s not the only strong character, as the deviant and sinister Irene Engel, the bumbling, yet brilliant, Set Roth, the passionate and headstrong Grace Walker, and many others all get to steal a scene or two. And it is this ensemble cast that gives the game its signature tone. For a world in which Nazi rule has lead to the revival of slavery, among other atrocities, the game is often light-hearted and goofy. It treats the horrors of a world run by fascists with unflinching seriousness, but it makes sure to have its fun as well, often at the expense of said fascists. It makes for a story that should have immense tonal whiplash, but it doesn\u2019t somehow. And they way it incorporates so many different ideologies and perspectives on and about the American experience makes it feel like one of the only games ever made to truy portray the diversity found here. So, yea, I absolutely adore this game\u2019s campaign, but it\u2019s gameplay is the only reason it\u2019s not higher on my list. Gunplay is as visceral as you\u2019d hope for a game that simulates Nazi murder, and it\u2019s upgrade systems have thankfully been more streamlined than the original game. But the difficulty is scaled way out of favor of the player to the point where combat encounters often feel unfair. There are narrative justifications for this, and they\u2019re admittedly pretty smart, but that doesn\u2019t make the game any less frustrating to get through. So, if you have the will to make it through one of the most difficult first person shooting gauntlets I\u2019ve ever encountered, then you\u2019ll be rewarded with one of the most endearing, subversive, hilarious, and painfully honest games I\u2019ve ever played.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"35-doom-eternal\">35) Doom Eternal<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" data-attachment-id=\"22402\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=22402\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/doom-eternal.gif?fit=600%2C338&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"600,338\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"doom-eternal\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/doom-eternal.gif?fit=600%2C338&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/doom-eternal.gif?resize=600%2C338&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22402\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>I was one of Doom 2016&#8217;s biggest fans. I loved how it modernized the simple yet compelling gameplay of the original Doom and Doom 2. I loved it\u2019s hilariously destructive and nonchalant protagonist. And I was even one of the few people who loved it\u2019s multiplayer offering, and I played it way longer than most. But in comparison to its sequel, Doom Eternal, the original game feels like a prototype to build on top of, because Eternal almost feels like a brand new subgenre in the FPS space. It\u2019s focus on resource management, on top of platforming and precise aiming, makes every single battle in the game a nail biting affair and makes the impact of every incremental upgrade all the more important. The combat keeps you on the edge of death at any given moment, but it gives you the tools to dig yourself out of the grave every time, you just have to be skilled enough oti use them. The cost of this more challenging pace of combat makes the game less casual and satisfyingly mindless, but I think it\u2019s worth the trade, as combat is so much more active as a result. Plus, this game succeeded not only thanks to it\u2019s combat, as hunting for secrets and platforming gauntlets are even more satisfying in this entry. Now, the replacement of PvP multiplayer with Battle Mode is a tad disappointing, and the story exchanging most of its moments of cheeky humor with an ocean of lore is also not ideal. But all of that is a small price to pay for what is easily the most mentally stimulating shooter of all time. Much like the feeling right after running a race or lifint weights, the high from the challenge leaves you not only relieved, but also satisfied that you had the whits to push through it at all, and it\u2019s a loop that almost no other game, let alone shooter, has been able to give me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"34-far-cry-3\">34) Far Cry 3<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"227\" data-attachment-id=\"22403\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=22403\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/far-cry-3.gif?fit=500%2C227&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"500,227\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"far-cry-3\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/far-cry-3.gif?fit=500%2C227&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/far-cry-3.gif?resize=500%2C227&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22403\" style=\"width:606px;height:275px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Many of the games on this list are open-world affairs, and almost all of them I adore for the sense of place they emit. Just being in these worlds and absorbing these stories are rewarding enough before gameplay even starts. That is not the case for Far Cry 3. I have no strong feelings towards most of its characters, especially in the case of the most generic protagonist of all time: Jason Brody. Its narrative thinks way too highly of itself for a game that asks you to set fire to marijuana fields with Skrillex playing. And the way it leans into the trope of a white savior in a foreign land makes me increasingly uncomfortable as the years pass. But, as a recent replay has proven to me, the parts of this game that make it a game are way too strong for me to ignore. Far Cry 3 doesn\u2019t really have an open world, just a nonlinear space full of content, all of which is engaging. Taking out outposts, wingsuit-ing across coastal skylines, and fighting wild animals for minor inventory upgrades is a blast, and that\u2019s thanks to light RPG elements that not only reward you for every interaction outside of murder, but also reward you for doing murder stylishly. Exercising a power fantasy in an exotic locale is one of the most common scenarios that games give to us, but Far Cry 3 is a damn good one, which makes it troubling when they comment on the fun you&#8217;re having with disdain. The commentary it tries to have about Jason being \u201cthe real bad guy\u201d and how you are being consumed by your violent side rings pretty hollow when the game itself not only invites aggression but rewards you handsomely for it. It\u2019s a dichotomy that makes Far Cry 3 fun in the moment, but less satisfying to look back on more critically. But strictly due to it\u2019s gameplay, this game is one of the best open-world shooters out there and has helped set a long standing template for the genre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"33-tearaway\"><strong>33) Tearaway<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" data-attachment-id=\"22405\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=22405\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/tearaway.gif?fit=500%2C281&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"500,281\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"tearaway\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/tearaway.gif?fit=500%2C281&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/tearaway.gif?resize=500%2C281&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22405\" style=\"width:596px;height:335px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>By now you\u2019ve likely been inundated with so much digital violence that I can imagine even the non-gamers watching and listening are likely desensitized. But this title has no guns, no gore, hell you can\u2019t even make a headshot. In fact, Tearaway is much more about the joy of creativity rather than the joy of destruction. In this Vita exclusive turned PS4 Remaster, you play as Iota or Atoi as they journey to deliver a message to a very important person: you, the player. That\u2019s not where the meta ends, because the core gimmick of Tearaway is that you get to have very physical interactions with the gameworld, from using your finger to move around platforms, to tapping the touchpad to bounce Atoi over long gaps. You even can use the Vita camera and microphone to further personalize the game world with the sights and sounds of your own. It plays wonderfully into the games papercraft artstyle, which makes everything look like everything in the art room of a local elementary school came to life. But those gimmicks aren\u2019t what makes this one of my favorite games of all time; it\u2019s the heart that Media Molecule brings to all of their titles that makes this truly special. Atoi is the paper equivalent of a ray of sunshine, and seeing how they brighten up the lives of these vibrant characters is always a treat. But the game goes through it\u2019s campaign with this earnest sincerity rarely found in other titles, especially AAA ones. The combination of its eye-popping artstyle, wonderful soundtrack, and endearing tone just makes for an experience that melts away even the thickest layers of emotional armor. It\u2019s one of the only games to make me shed tears of joy, and despite it\u2019s PS4 port, it is still one of the best excuses to break out the PlayStation Vita.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"32-god-of-war-iii\">32) God of War III<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"720\" height=\"405\" data-attachment-id=\"22406\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=22406\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/god-of-war-3.gif?fit=720%2C405&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"720,405\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"god-of-war-3\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/god-of-war-3.gif?fit=720%2C405&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/god-of-war-3.gif?resize=720%2C405&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22406\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>SAY WHAT?! HE LIKES GOD OF WAR III MORE THAN THE REBOOT?!?! Why yes, yes I do. Now, I know plenty of people love God of War (2018), but I\u2019ve shared the reasons why that game didn\u2019t resonate as strongly with me. But, especially after a recent playthrough, God of War III hits the spot much more effectively for me because it is everything that the reboot wasn\u2019t, for better or worse. Now, this does mean that the most dated and embarrassing aspects of the franchise appear, like its distasteful treatment of women and it\u2019s near-pornographic level and presentation of gore. Even when playing the game originally years ago, those moments still left a bad taste in my mouth, so to speak, and I have no desire to defend them. But, this also means that the more linear nature and more epic scale of the earlier games is here in full force. My biggest issue with the reboot is how overwhelming it\u2019s amount of content was, as it\u2019s sea of side missions, collectibles, and sheer square mileage to traverse felt bloated. But in GoW III, it\u2019s a straightforward marathon of combat encounters and set pieces, and as the game went on, the scale and creativity of them impressed more and more. And speaking of impressive, another thing the reboot didn\u2019t have was one of the identifying traits of the series, epic scale. Now while I understand it did have a massive open world to explore, and there were huge creatures to battle, none of the encounters in the reboot held a candle to the most famous set pieces of GoW III. Think about how wild it was to rip off Chronos&#8217; finger nail, or how awe-inspiring it was to climb up Gaia\u2019s back in the introduction, or the anime-ass boss fight against Zeus? The series was already dripping in this adolescent-male energy, but the inconceivable ridiculous scale of God of War III takes that vibe to its most extreme extent. That energy is just so much more novel in a generation where the Dadification of games and the proliferation of RPG systems and loot grinds was already getting old before the God of War reboot. Plus, character action games of this style are much more rare nowadays as well, and the combat on display here is the most satisfying I\u2019ve ever played in the genre, with one big exception I\u2019ll soon mention. So, yea, I understand why folks love the reboot so much, but personally, God of War III will always be the pinnacle of that franchise, though that itch will likely never be scratched by this series ever again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"31-bioshock-2\">31) Bioshock 2<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"224\" data-attachment-id=\"22408\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=22408\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/bioshock-2.gif?fit=400%2C224&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"400,224\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"bioshock-2\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/bioshock-2.gif?fit=400%2C224&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/bioshock-2.gif?resize=400%2C224&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22408\" style=\"width:586px;height:328px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Ah, yes, another one of my, what do the kids call it, hot takes? No but seriously, I\u2019m very outspoken about how Bioshock 2 is my favorite game in the series, even though it\u2019s widely looked at as the red-headed step child of the series. Well, folks with that opinion are wrong, and here\u2019s why. First off, Bioshock 2 has the best combat in the entire series. We all love the Big Daddy fights in the original games, but it became difficult to set yourself up for them when they\u2019d roam the map freely until you engaged. Those battles are still here in the sequel, but now they are accompanied by Little Sister protection missions, and these are where the full arsenal is allowed to really shine. Like, think about it, how many times did you use the defensive plasmids in Bioshock 1? Maybe a few times when a Big Daddy was lined up to charge you, and then never again. But setting up the area with various traps, both of the lead and plasmid variety, finally adds the tactical second half that completes the combat loop of the game. It sometimes plays like a tower defense game more than an FPS, and the fact you&#8217;re given enough tools to even do that effectively makes this game special to me. Then the story your playing through is much more engaging than both the original and the spiritual sequel Infinite. Where those games make a commentary on player choice by making the player\u2019s choices not matter, Bioshock 2 does the same by giving the player direct consequences for their actions. Every primary character and little sister you kill or save affects how Elanore, your little sister, sees you, and you can easily sawadee her towards cruelty or kindness. It might not have the crazy twist you might expect, but overall the story is way more consistent, especially since it doesn\u2019t have a terrible boss fight to wrap it all up. And none of that is including my thoughts on Minerva\u2019s Den, a separate DLC chapter that many consider to be the best piece of DLC released for any game, which is exactly the quality you should expect from the team that would go on to make Gone Home. So, yea, Bioshock 2 fuckin rules and everyone should put way more respect on it\u2019s name, and I\u2019m sick of pretending we shouldn\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"30-call-of-duty-infinite-warfare\">30) Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"480\" height=\"270\" data-attachment-id=\"22410\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=22410\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/CoD-Infinite-Warfare.gif?fit=480%2C270&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"480,270\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"CoD-Infinite-Warfare\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/CoD-Infinite-Warfare.gif?fit=480%2C270&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/CoD-Infinite-Warfare.gif?resize=480%2C270&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22410\" style=\"width:722px;height:406px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>I don\u2019t think I\u2019ll ever get over just how dirty everyone did Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare. It was the third game in a row to bring \u201cadvanced movement\u201d to the series, and considering it\u2019s fanbase was already tired of wall running and boost jumping, I can understand why it was so hated on leading up to release. But the fact that it\u2019s still considered the black sheep of the franchise is proof that many of those who hated on the game never actually played it, because the game is legitimately outstanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As I alluded to with Modern Warfare, this is the game that set the template for Infinity Ward\u2019s modern, and more grounded, style of storytelling, and it works wonderfully. Despite the sci-fi world everything takes place in, the groundedness of the characters and their missions make the story feel less like Star Wars and more like Saving Private Ryan. These characters feel like real people, and the subtle ways they show genuine care for one another despite the desperate circumstances are always equal parts heartwarming and eventually heartbreaking. The game even takes heavily from another series with strong characters, Mass Effect. Unlike most other Call of Duty campaigns, main and side missions this time are chosen non-linearly from your own command center aboard your own spaceship, much like the N7. Visiting that ship between every mission to talk to fellow soldiers and to see how your actions affect the world in news broadcasts just added to the atmosphere of the game even more. And missions felt so much more rewarding, as perks and new weapons were given to you for playing them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And speaking of playing, the combat is fast and fluid, like any other CoD game in the series. But the setting allows for a lot more variety in your moveset and toolset that really helps the pace of the game. Like, sure, shooting a robot is fun, but hacking into it to kill a few of it\u2019s mates before detonating it to kill even more is even more fun. And of course, the ship combat, while sparingly used, was way more fun that I expected it to be. Speaking of that, the multiplayer was also nowhere near the garbage fire folks were expecting. Now, much like other Infinity Ward entries, the time to kill is incredibly low, but they once again use the sci-fi setting to add so many new mehancis to both movement and gunplay. Despite how frustrating the time to kill can be on the receiving end, switching up my tactics from match to match was some of the most fun I had with a CoD multiplayer title. But don\u2019t get it twisted, this game gets such a high ranking due to the excellence of it\u2019s singleplayer, and I hope Infinity Ward isn\u2019t completely scared off from the sci-fi setting, because I know they&#8217;d deliver another classic if they took another shot at it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--nextpage-->\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"29-sunset-overdrive\">29) Sunset Overdrive<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"225\" data-attachment-id=\"22412\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=22412\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/sunset-overdrive.gif?fit=400%2C225&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"400,225\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"sunset-overdrive\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/sunset-overdrive.gif?fit=400%2C225&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/sunset-overdrive.gif?resize=400%2C225&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22412\" style=\"width:525px;height:294px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Plenty of the games on this list have lighthearted, comedic tones with vibrant cartoon art styles. Sunset Overdrive has both of those, but its vibe is decidedly way different from anything else I\u2019ve talked about. For example, it definitely dabbles in the random and adult humor of the Borderlands series, but in Sunset it comes off as more endearing than annoying. Overall, this game reminds me much more of Animaniacs and Looney Tunes than anything else tonally, and it makes the wacky, 4th wall breaking, humor hit so much harder for me personally. Add that to the aggressively vibrant artstyle, complete with physically written out onomatopoeia, and you have a game with a style all its own. But this game has so much more going for it than its style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As an Insomniac Games joint, this game has dozens of excellent and unique weapons. Having them all level up to reveal new bonuses rewards you for using them, but the relatively low-level cap for each weapon encouraged me to swap between them more often. And the faux perk system of the amps further rewarded my mastery of the movement system with even more destructive and chaotic power.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And that movement system, the main reason I wanted to play the game in the first place, is&#8230;interesting. I will say, once you get the hang of it, it\u2019s incredibly fluid and fast enough to get you across it\u2019s open world in just a few short minutes. But it isn\u2019t as automatic as Prototype 2 and even other Insomniac titles I\u2019ll soon mention. This means that wall running, grinding, and pole swinging is just slightly more manual than my liking, which isn\u2019t bad on it\u2019s own. But considering that most of the time you\u2019ll be facing hordes of soda infused zombies, having that slight layer of mandatory interactivity often distracts from focusing on the combat. But don\u2019t let that discourage you from giving this game a shot. As an early Xbox One exclusive, it was sadly overlooked by many. But this is easily one of Insomniac\u2019s best games, and if you have an Xbox or PC, it\u2019s easily some of the most fun you can have on either platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"28-shadow-warrior-2\">28) Shadow Warrior 2<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"480\" height=\"262\" data-attachment-id=\"22413\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=22413\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Shadow-Warrior-2.gif?fit=480%2C262&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"480,262\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Shadow-Warrior-2\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Shadow-Warrior-2.gif?fit=480%2C262&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Shadow-Warrior-2.gif?resize=480%2C262&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22413\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Shadow Warrior 2 is not a jack of all trades, or at least I don\u2019t see it as such. Its narrative, which can be played with 3 others or solo, is full of idiotic humor that only lands half the time, and a bunch of prosperous personalities to push forward its fairly convoluted narrative. But what earns it such a high spot on this list is the game\u2019s combat and RPG systems, because it basically does what Borderlands does but better in damn near every way. Combat is already excellent thanks to a healthy amount of gore, responsive animations, hitmarkers, and excellent sound design. And the dance of combat is always engaging thanks to the dashes, double jumps, and high movement speed at your disposal. But once you finish an encounter, you get to pick over the loot and reward dropped from enemies, and then the real fun begins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The biggest issue I had with Borderlands\u2019 loot system is that having millions of weapons makes each weapon feel less special. Finding a great weapon early on and getting used to its fire rate, recoil, and other aspects is pointless because moments later you\u2019ll swap it for a completely different, better weapon just because it has better stats. In Shadow Warrior 2, the much more modest arsenal of only a few dozen weapons are modified by way of socketable gems you can attach to every weapon. This way, that Uzi you got used to over the opening hours can still be viable later in the game if you add the right augments to it. And, like Borderlands, the number of those augments is immense in both number and variety. You can use them to make your weapons set enemies on fire, or increase fire rate, or turn them into a burst weapon, or give them hundreds of other abilities. This system means I can keep the weapons I\u2019m comfortable with for way longer, and it made the game feel way better in moment to moment combat. So good in fact that it jumped right over the entire Borderlands series and nearly made the top quarter of my list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"27-guacamelee\">27) Guacamelee!<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"567\" height=\"319\" data-attachment-id=\"22414\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=22414\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/guacamelee.gif?fit=567%2C319&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"567,319\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"guacamelee\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/guacamelee.gif?fit=567%2C319&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/guacamelee.gif?resize=567%2C319&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22414\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Okay, everyone knows me as the biggest PlayStation Vita fan in the tristate area. But I can\u2019t just put a whole ass platform on this list, so how about the game that I feel encapsulates everything I love about the system? Well, Guacamelee is that game, and I don\u2019t know if I would have loved that game as much as I did if not for the platform in which I played most of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As someone who missed out on the Symphony of the Night\u2019s and Shadow Complexes, Guacamelee is the first Metroidvania title I really got into. Its vibrant art-style, humorous tone and steady stream of new abilities kept me coming back until I found every secret and collected every item. The vibrancy of its art really popped on my original Vita\u2019s OLED screen. The simplicity of its controls mapped perfectly to Vita\u2019s concise set of inputs. And the structure of the game itself made it perfect for bite-sized sessions of play that work so well with handhelds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But, it\u2019s the fact that the Vita was the first next-generation handheld is that made Guacamelee so special to me. On PS3, it would have been a fun title that certainly would have made this list regardless. But the fact that I was able to download my save to my Vita 2000, after accidentally dropping my original Vita in a cooler years prior, made it way easier to finally get through the title. Guacamelee is actually a game that had eluded me for years, as those few years I was Vitaless meant that I didn\u2019t touch the game until I could play it on the platform where it felt like it belonged. And then, once I finally did complete it, I was able to push my save over to the PS3 version, which was included at no additional cost, where I cleaned up some of the final trophies for the platinum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Overall, Guacamelee is still my favorite game I\u2019ve played from Drinkbox, at least until I play the sequel. And it\u2019s a modern independent classic on the level of the Braids and Bastions of the world. But I attach it so heavily to its lead platform that my fondness for it is intrinsically linked to it. But hey, the Vita did eventually get a predecessor, sort of, so perhaps I\u2019ll have just as much fun playing Guacamelee 2 on Switch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"26-resident-evil-4\">26) Resident Evil 4<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"460\" height=\"259\" data-attachment-id=\"22416\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=22416\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/resident-evil-4.gif?fit=460%2C259&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"460,259\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"resident-evil-4\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/resident-evil-4.gif?fit=460%2C259&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/resident-evil-4.gif?resize=460%2C259&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22416\" style=\"width:636px;height:357px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>I\u2019ve been long overdue for some Capcom classics on this list, and it\u2019s only appropriate we start with a game many consider to be perfect: Resident Evil 4. But honestly, this game was close to not appearing on this list. After running into issues running the PC port, and losing interest when playing the PS3 port, I finally decided to dedicate my time fully to its PS4 port, and I was rewarded with my favorite horror game of all time, which is wild for me to say. I mean, the only other horror game I have on this list is F.E.A.R. 2, and that was over 50 games ago. So, what makes this game so special? Well, you could find that answer literally anywhere else on the internet, but I\u2019ll be glad to answer that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The mish-mash of gothic and body horror isn\u2019t particularly appealing to me, nor is the incredibly campy plot or over-the-top characters. The gameplay, over all else, is what kept me hooked. Despite this being the template to which all other 3rd person shooters would follow, the gunplay in this game feels incredible. Every bullet feels like it makes a real impact thanks to great sound design and animation. And combat encounters sometimes became puzzles, as figuring out the best place to shoot a zombie to trigger a context-sensitive melee move would often be the difference between life and death. And good God, every single one of those moves felt like a satisfying break from the chaos, like the Glory Kills of the Doom reboot, but 11 years prior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On top of great combat, unlike most of the other shooters I\u2019ve played to this point, the game didn\u2019t depend solely on its combat. My hours spent puzzle-solving, note reading, collectible hunting, money scavenging, and weapon upgrading were just as substantial, and often rewarding, as the combat. And some of the set pieces I played through really provided an exhilarating change of pace to the slow pace of positioning and aiming in place. Despite the fact I played Resident Evil 5 before it, RE 4 felt like a wholly original game in so many ways that I couldn\u2019t help but finally see how great it is. Too bad it took 3 tried, and a doubled framerate, to finally make me see the light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"25-devil-may-cry-v\">25) Devil May Cry V<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"480\" height=\"270\" data-attachment-id=\"22419\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=22419\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/devil-may-cry-5.gif?fit=480%2C270&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"480,270\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"devil may cry 5\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/devil-may-cry-5.gif?fit=480%2C270&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/devil-may-cry-5.gif?resize=480%2C270&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22419\" style=\"width:645px;height:360px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Never in my life would I have expected a Devil May Cry game to be on this list, let alone the 5th one in the series. In fact, this isn\u2019t even my first time playing these games since I enjoyed the Ninja Theory reboot from the last generation. But for as much as I loved the combat and the creativeness of it\u2019s environmental and enemy design, but the narrative and characters just didn\u2019t stick with me much. But DMC V does everything that game did but 5 times better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019ve used over-the-top so many times when describing games on this list, but this game seems to fully embody that phrase with every moment of its single-player campaign. Think a guy with detachable robot arms is ridiculous, just wait until you meet the dude who hits demons in the face with a breakaway motorcycle. Think a breakaway motorcycle is too crazy? Wait until you see his EX mode where he dances like Micheal Jackson. And you fight so many monsters that are the size of skyscrapers that they honestly all blend together thinking back on the game. In fact, the narrative didn\u2019t do much for me overall, which is my fault for jumping in on its 5th part. But the characters were so outstanding on their own that I just loved watching them all interact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nero, while initially bland, eventually showed himself to be the young hothead itching to prove himself, a trope I enjoyed in contrast to the rest of the cast. And Good GOD, the rest of this cast man. V, who\u2019s true identity was a genuine shock, is the most Hot Topic, My Chemical Romance ass dude I\u2019ve ever seen in a game with lips way softer than necessary. Dante, the main character of the series I\u2019d say, gives off the most \u201chot dad\u201d energy of any character ever thanks to his flamboyant dance moves and goofy confidence. And Nico, don\u2019t get me STARTED on Nico, dude. How, dare they give this woman the body of a Savage X Fenty ambassador and the voice and personality of a Louisiana mechanic that browses 4Chan? It\u2019s the weirdest clash but she still manages to come off as both endearing and as easily simpable as the rest of the cast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Oh, and I\u2019d be remiss if I forgot to bring up the rest of the game! The combat, though initially unintuitive to my tastes, proved to have tons of depth and satisfying combos once I took the time to learn it. As this was one of the first titles I played on my new PC, it was a visual feast in graphical fidelity and art design. Every pore of skin impressed me just as much as the uniquely grotesque ways in which hell crept into the real world above. And the game still has more for me to do after the campaign, as the Blood Palace&#8217;s many floors of combat challenges are still begging me to return. But even if I never do, the beautiful, violent, and horny smorgasbord of stimuli that is Devil May Cry V will live in my heart for a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"24-max-payne-3\">24) Max Payne 3<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" data-attachment-id=\"22420\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=22420\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/max-payne-3.gif?fit=500%2C281&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"500,281\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"max-payne-3\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/max-payne-3.gif?fit=500%2C281&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/max-payne-3.gif?resize=500%2C281&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22420\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Near the start of this countdown, I discussed how much I love Kane and Lynch 2 for its intentionally hideous design. Everything about it, from its visual artstyle to its gritty story and audio design, is meant to put a bad taste in the mouth of anyone who played it. But the biggest casualty of that design priority is that the gameplay ultimately suffered a bit. Its gunplay isn\u2019t broken, but it\u2019s definitely bland compared to many contemporary shooters. Well, there\u2019s another game with an intentionally unpleasant visual style, seedy narrative, and angry white man in a foreign land ready to murder. But this game actually has incredible gunplay, and it\u2019s called Max Payne 3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, Max Payne 3, the least talked about Rockstar game right behind Table Tennis and State of Emergency. Despite how rarely it\u2019s remembered, the game is one of the best efforts in their entire catalog. That intentional ugliness comes through the visual distortions that appear during gameplay and cutscenes that reflect the fogginess of the protagonist\u2019s mind. Max Payne, after all the stuff he went through in the last 2 games, is a broken man trying to live with his sorrow. And in the middle of getting caught up in political intrigue and gang warfare with corrupt law enforcement, he decides to also kick his alcoholism at the same time. So, yea, he\u2019s definitely not at 100%, so these effects not only look cool but feed right back into the narrative of the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And that narrative, for as fucked up as it is, I kind of enjoy after a recent replay. It\u2019s a tragic tale for the most part, and not just for Max, but at times it\u2019s so brutally nihilistic and gruesome that it almost comes around to being kinda funny. As someone who\u2019s been turned off by the usually sinister tone of Rockstar titles like Grand Theft Auto V, I find it so incredible that a game with that similar tone actually resonated with me. And despite the horrible acts you witness, and sometimes take part in, the conclusion gives much-needed closure to all of the suffering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But when it comes to the suffering Max himself inflicts, it\u2019s immensely satisfying. Well, that is just referring to the kind done within gameplay. Max Payne 3 has the most precise aiming I\u2019ve ever seen in a 3rd person shooter and even some 1st person shooters. And the physics system makes every bullet\u2019s impact look substantial and appropriate according to the caliber of each bullet. Like, shooting a dude with a pistol will kill a guy, but it\u2019ll only slightly push their shoulder back. But hit that same shoulder with a shotgun blast or a higher-powered rifle and it\u2019ll send them flying. Rockstar even went the unnecessary extra mile by modeling every entry and exit wound, which is a detail that even carries over into multiplayer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All of these elements combine to make a game where shooting enemies feels just as good as watching them fall right afterward. And of course, with Max Payne&#8217;s patented Bullet Time, it makes both activities even easier to enjoy. So, yes, while Kane and Lynch 2 has many similarities to this game, Max Payne 3 is so polished and fun to play that its leaps and bounds over not only Kane and Lynch but most contemporaries in the genre. Even if Rockstar never remasters the title for current generation systems, it is definitely worth tracking down and playing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"23-dreams\">23) Dreams<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"480\" height=\"292\" data-attachment-id=\"22421\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=22421\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/dreams.gif?fit=480%2C292&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"480,292\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"dreams\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/dreams.gif?fit=480%2C292&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/dreams.gif?resize=480%2C292&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22421\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Oh look, another Media Molecule game! Yea, well, I swear this one is different; it does outrank both LittleBigPlanet 2 and Tearaway after all. Now, LBP 2 captured my imagination when I first played it, and Tearaway warmed my heart when I saw its conclusion. But Dreams not only did both of those, but it also truly showed me just how strong the power of creativity can be both thanks to and outside of its single-player campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Media Molecule&#8217;s handcrafted story of the, aptly named, Art and his struggle to reconnect with his friends and his passion for creation is as goofy and charming as it is heartbreakingly authentic. It taps into the real adult fears that come when following your dreams, like the fear of letting down the colleagues that you call friends. It taps into the struggle to reconnect with long-gone friends and passions. But at the same time, it indulges in off-the-wall concepts from flying digital dragons being ridden by sentient childhood toys to musical numbers from train conductors and club bodyguards. It results in a narrative that is just as sincere with its emotional beats as Tearaway but just as absurd with its fiction as LittleBigPlanet 2, and it\u2019s remarkable that they were able to pull off such a balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But all of that is small potatoes compared to the thing that truly makes Dreams a once-in-a-lifetime kind of game, it&#8217;s a creative suite. That touching tale of self-doubt and creativity I just mentioned? It was made entirely using a toolset that every owner of the game has. Every single elaborate musical number, or side-scrolling shooter, or point and click sequence, or 3D platforming segment were all made using the in-game tools. This means that the toolset, despite being designed around a Dualshock 4 or two Move controllers, is just as powerful as the PC-based tools found in game engines like Unity and Unreal, with very few caveats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This unlocks a level of creativity I\u2019ve never seen in a console game, or any game really. Sure, there are PC mods, but much of those are based on the pre-established templates of the games they are designed in. In Dreams, you can literally start from an empty void and, with a few hours of ingenuity, creativity, and maybe even some help from the crowdsourced index of community-made assets, end up with anything from the next great kart racer to a dazzling music video. While I\u2019ve done a terrible job at keeping up with the game in the months since launch, I\u2019ve still seen an incredible amount of visual, audio, and interactive experience that have all impressed me with their quality and originality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In theory, Dreams could be the only game you ever need, as it can deliver experiences that rival, or even outclass, anything you could actually pay for on the gaming market. The possibilities are endless, and in only about a year since the early access launch, the wonderful community has proven that. I can\u2019t wait to see what else they come up with, but the dozens and dozens of Dreams I\u2019ve already seen, heard, and played are more than enough to earn this game one of the highest spots on my list. Now if only I had the patience to create something myself&#8230;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"22-gotham-city-imposters\">22) Gotham City Imposters<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"435\" height=\"250\" data-attachment-id=\"22430\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=22430\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/gotham-city-impostors.gif?fit=435%2C250&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"435,250\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"gotham-city-impostors\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/gotham-city-impostors.gif?fit=435%2C250&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/gotham-city-impostors.gif?resize=435%2C250&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22430\" style=\"width:665px;height:382px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>I\u2019ve thrown some hints to this already throughout this list, but one of my favorite genres of games is what I like to call the \u201cmovement shooter\u201d. Any game where snap aiming and headshots is just as important as fast movement and airborne combat mastery is usually my jam. I just gushed about Doom, Sunset Overdrive, and Shadow Warrior 2 not too long ago, and you\u2019ll definitely see more games like this as we keep counting down. But there\u2019s one entry in this genre that gets nowhere near the love it deserves, and that\u2019s Gotham City Imposters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, I understand why it\u2019s so obscure. The idea that someone made a class-based shooter in the Batman universe, and you don\u2019t play as the caped crusader or any of his enemies or friends, is understandably bizarre. But, this is Monolith Productions, the same studio that made the excellent F.E.A.R. and it\u2019s sequel. So, they had to have done a good job on it, right? Well, you damn right they did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead of playing into the more grounded and serious tone of most Batman fiction, they hype up it\u2019s more ridiculous aspects with exaggerated character designs, cartoonish sound design, and a bright artstyle. But the aspect that feels the least grounded, literally, is it\u2019s movement abilities. Depending on your selection in it\u2019s create-a-class system, you can glide from high places with a cape, boost into the highest corners of the map with a jetpack, have a high jump to use at any time with pogo boots, or swing around maps with the grappling hook. All of these gadgets gave new and interesting ways to play what would otherwise be a fairly basic Call of Duty clone. But they take what works in the CoD formula and apply it to such a vibrant and free-flowing game that feels wholly original. Hell, even if you forgo the movement gadgets for something more traditional like Targeting Goggles or a Smoke Bomb, you can still make an impact without double jumping and flying all over the map.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On top of the fact that every single weapon felt viable and fun to use, it easily made Gotham City Imposters an instant classic in my eyes. It\u2019s the template that so many other movement shooters, like CoD: Black Ops 3 and CoD: Infinite Warfare, would soon go to follow. If only the rest of the world felt the same, because the game has long since been left behind on the PS3 and 360 consoles, and it\u2019s free to play Steam version lacks a substantial player base or controller support. But if they ever get tired of making Lord of the Rings games, I hope Monolith gives this series another look, because it certainly deserves a revival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"21-gears-5\">21) Gears 5<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" data-attachment-id=\"22432\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=22432\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Gears-5.gif?fit=640%2C360&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"640,360\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Gears-5\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Gears-5.gif?fit=640%2C360&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Gears-5.gif?resize=640%2C360&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22432\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Throughout the back half of 2019, I decided to play through the entire Gears of War series in preparation for Gears 5, which came out that fall. Despite many long pauses in between titles, I played every mainline Gears game, and discovered that I quite liked the series. Its combination of solid gunplay, gorgeous visuals, and spectacular set-pieces was appealing to me from the get-go. But none of those prior titles prepared me for how much I would end up enjoying Gears 5 once I finally got around to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Gears 5 is a masterpiece because it manages to walk the tightrope between a linear campaign and a massive open-world quest-a-thon better than any other game I\u2019ve ever played. One minute, you&#8217;re deep in an abandoned science facility being toured through corridors of sci-fi horror. The next, you&#8217;re riding a Skiff through a massive, snow-covered, open plain towards one of your multiple objectives. The next, you&#8217;re fighting a military chopper after sliding down a sand slide in a side mission. And the variety of things you do and see in the game just continues as you play it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s so remarkable to me because, having just played through the series, I knew it exclusively as a linear series. But when they expanded the game into open-world environments and added side missions and skill trees, it didn\u2019t feel overwhelming, especially when compared to another GoW title that I mentioned earlier. In that game, the glut of new mechanics and expanded environments didn\u2019t feel like they were vital to the experience, especially as movement mechanics were not properly adapted to allow for fun exploration of its bigger world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Gears 5 accommodates for all of those issues. There\u2019s no deep loot system, but the focus on a more limited arsenal allows you to get used to the weapons over time. The open world is a breeze to explore with the Skiff, and when outside of it, corridors are designed in a way that funnels you to each plot point much faster and more efficiently. And the narrative, in my opinion, is much stronger than that game as it\u2019s simply way more original of a tale. By 2018, I had seen many of Dad and Boy stories, so seeing Kait\u2019s story of inherited family trauma from her mother was captivating. Not only was it refreshing to see a story focused around a mother and daughter, but the science fiction themes in the game were way more fascinating than the aspects of Norse mythology I\u2019ve seen countless other places.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Okay okay, I think I\u2019ve made my point, but even without comparing the game to its contemporaries, Gears 5 stands on its own as one of the best games of the generation. I haven\u2019t even mentioned the excellent multiplayer offerings like Escape mode, Horde Mode, and the classic Versus. But there are just so many wonderful sights to see, crazy story revelations to discover, and aliens to explode that no matter how you play, you deserve to give Gears 5 some of your time. And with Game Pass, it really shouldn\u2019t even cost you much at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"20-red-dead-redemption\">20) Red Dead Redemption<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"356\" height=\"200\" data-attachment-id=\"22438\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=22438\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/red-dead.gif?fit=356%2C200&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"356,200\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"red dead\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/red-dead.gif?fit=356%2C200&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/red-dead.gif?resize=356%2C200&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22438\" style=\"width:609px;height:341px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>I\u2019ll go ahead and spoil this right now, there isn\u2019t a single Grand Theft Auto game on this list. While others have a fondness for other Rockstar properties like Bully and The Warriors, I never really had much of a connection to its most loved series, despite having a decent history with it. The open-world violence of the series never really tickled my fancy, because its groundedness, which is a major reason for its success, served as yet another restriction to the freedom I could experience in other games. I played a lot of Liberty City Stories on PSP, but its tone couldn\u2019t match my youthful desire for instant gratification that something like Pursuit Force provided on the system. And the same could be said for GTA IV and V, and it&#8217;s less grounded contemporaries like Saints Row. But I discovered that groundedness does indeed have an appeal to me if the world, characters, and narrative all delight me. And that combination finally came to me in the form of Red Dead Redemption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Like other Rockstar Games, I was caught up in the hype cycle of the title. But thanks to the few dollars I had thanks to my first part-time job, I bought it at launch rather than lived vicariously through reviews and podcasts. This is because the impeccable detail and presentation aren\u2019t only what got me in the door, but also the unique setting. There have been western games before this, but so few of them appealed to me due to their cartoonish presentation. Red Dead Redemption was the first time that a game looked like a genuine, live-action, tale. In everything I saw of it, its groundedness wasn\u2019t just an aesthetic, but everything from its mechanics to its narrative was built around the old west setting. And once I played the game, that quality was consistent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Red Dead Redemption is a game that I was happy to have absorbed me. It was such a uniquely serene world that I happily rode my slow little horse through its massive landscapes. And when violence inevitably broke out, the mechanics of it were finally mature enough to be genuinely fun. Through the GTA series, Rockstar struggled to craft solid 3rd person shooting mechanics, and while they had yet to perfect them in Max Payne 3, Red Dead Redemption was still a compelling prototype, aided heavily by the simpler weaponry of the era.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And its narrative was incredibly strong at the time and still has plenty to love as well. It suffers from a lot of the bloat that open-world games typically do, but the highs are absolutely incredible. Some of the most iconic scenes are still burned into my memory, and their emotions of them can still be felt when I dig deep enough into my heart. Plus, some of the twists that happen near the end of the tale were completely unfathomable to my younger mind, and I still think they are some of the most daring narrative choices I\u2019ve ever seen.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But on top of all of this, my love of this game doesn&#8217;t stop at the single-player, as it\u2019s likely my most played Rockstar title due mostly to its multiplayer. Its emphasis on maintaining the freeform nature of the single-player but just with other players added, felt like Burnout Paradise and Skate because it felt more like joining a space to just hang out. The traditional competitive modes and cooperative missions are improved tenfold by the ability to freely match up with friends and new acquaintances during and before those instances. And those same arcadey gunplay mechanics and physics-based mayhem work excellently online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Red Dead Redemption is obviously one of the all-time greats, and that&#8217;s according to many more than just me. But I\u2019m thankful for it as a fantastic introduction to a genre, westerns, that I\u2019ve never cared about and a developer, Rockstar, that I never loved on the level they maybe deserved. If only the game was made ethically, but hey, they got their act together and treated their workers better in later titles&#8230;right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--nextpage-->\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"19-the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim\">19) The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"213\" data-attachment-id=\"22439\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=22439\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/skyrim.gif?fit=500%2C213&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"500,213\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"skyrim\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/skyrim.gif?fit=500%2C213&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/skyrim.gif?resize=500%2C213&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22439\" style=\"width:675px;height:287px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>This is perhaps the most out-of-place game on this entire list. I\u2019ve mentioned a bunch of times how traditional fantasy worlds aren&#8217;t appealing to me and how long or giant games can be too intimidating for me. Then why the hell did I sink over 150 hours into a land full of elves, dragons, and magic? Well, to put it simply, Skyrim was designed in a way that naturally made me want to sink my teeth into it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I loved Fallout 3 and New Vegas, so I was looking forward to another Bethesda game to keep me exploring for hours. I never cared about the narrative, and even know I retained very little of it, but the idea of getting to fight all kinds of mythical creatures with dozens and dozens of spells and weapons was instantly appealing. And holy hell was it, but my love for Skyrim was more of a \u201cdeath by a thousand cuts\u201d kind of thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If I break down a single combat encounter, melee combat boils down to hitting R2 as fast as you can, and spell casting adds some basic depth. And as I said, that story didn\u2019t connect with me. But exploration was so effortless that I found myself binging the game for months. The map was densely packed with locations to loot, monsters to fight, and quests to take, so there was rarely a dull moment. Plus, many of these locations were filled with new things to find and do with later sidequest in the game. Even when the aspects I disliked reared their ugly head, the exploration, loot, and progression kept me coming back again and again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And there were so many ways you could customize your experience as well, even outside of its famously huge mod scene. This was the first Bethesda game that allowed me to own my own house, where I could customize the space with the items of my choosing. I could get married to my choice of dozens of different NPCs. I even went out of my way to marry the only black NPC on that list, and it was awesome to see all the side characters of my journey&#8217;s show up to the ceremony, even if a glitched caused me never to see her again. I even got to make and customize many of my weapons and clothing, which I found super engaging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019ve talked about comfort food games often in this list. I don\u2019t think that Skyrim falls neatly into that classification, as it\u2019s not a game I came back to consistently over time. But it maintained a baseline of excellence for hundreds of hours, so a feat that remarkable deserves to be this high on the list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"18-the-jackbox-party-pack-3\">18) The Jackbox Party Pack 3<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"512\" height=\"256\" data-attachment-id=\"22440\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=22440\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/jackbox-3.gif?fit=512%2C256&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"512,256\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"jackbox-3\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/jackbox-3.gif?fit=512%2C256&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/jackbox-3.gif?resize=512%2C256&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22440\" style=\"width:716px;height:358px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>I have often gushed about how excellent The Jackbox Party Packs are, and each of them is worth playing even if I haven&#8217;t mentioned most of them in this list. But the iteration that made me fall in love with the series is its third one. Every pack has some great games and some duds, but this pack has the highest average of hits when compared to all the others. Let me count the ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Trivia Murder Party isn\u2019t my favorite game at all, as my trivia skills are often lacking. But its blend of mini-games and a quirky horror theme makes it a favorite among friends and considering how tense and hilarious games get, I totally understand why. Tee K.O. is a brilliant game of competitive T-shirting, and the fact it relies on quippy slogans just as much as funny or detailed drawings really makes the game more accessible to those lacking in either. Plus, the fact that you can order physical versions of these trash shirts makes the memories made in this game potentially last forever, or at least however long that shirt takes to fade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But the two brightest stars in this bundle are Fakin\u2019 It and Quiplash 2. The latter was preceded by an already excellent game, but the sequel adds even more hilarious prompts and also adds some new twists on the formula. It\u2019s not only the most crowd-pleasing game Jackbox has ever made in my opinion, but it is also their most replayable, at least until I get my hands on Quiplash 3 in the recently released 7th Pack. But Fakin\u2019 It is a stroke of fucking genius in my eyes. I mentioned earlier how some games like Patently Stupid are only fun if friends are willing to play into their role and act out the comedy for everyone else. Fakin\u2019 It distills that into one action direction: lie your ass off. It results in the most fun implementation of dishonesty in gameplay of all time, yes even more than Among Us. And the game works perfectly as an icebreaker for new groups, as the personal questions can often reveal a lot about the players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Guesspionage is the closest thing to a dud in this bundle, as most of my friends never want to play it. But I\u2019ve been told that even it is a very fun alternative to Family Feud. So, yea, I really think Jackbox Party Pack 3 is a perfect party game, or at least as close as humanity has yet gotten to one. Using phones instead of traditional controllers makes the game open to so many more players, and the opportunities to make comedy, even when the players themselves aren\u2019t comedians, are so plentiful in this series of games that it still holds the crown as the best in the series. But hey, they release one of these packs every year, so let&#8217;s see when they are finally able to top their junior effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"17-the-last-of-us-part-ii\">17) The Last of Us Part II<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"356\" data-attachment-id=\"22441\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=22441\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/last-of-us-2.gif?fit=640%2C356&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"640,356\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"last-of-us-2\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/last-of-us-2.gif?fit=640%2C356&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/last-of-us-2.gif?resize=640%2C356&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22441\" style=\"width:805px;height:446px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>As soon as I rolled credits, I knew that The Last of Us Part II would be on this list. But it took over a year of thought to figure out where I would put it. Not to spoil later entries, but comparing and contrasting this and the original TLoU lead me to realize something: I love these games nearly equally, but for completely different reasons. The original game is a classic piece of art, but it does so by implementing several aspects of post-apocalyptic fiction that we are widely familiar with. It doesn\u2019t break ground because it does all that much new, just for how it does it. It\u2019s still a fantastic video game, as I\u2019ll discuss further later on, but the sequel is such an impressive achievement to me because of how daring it decides to be in comparison.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Part II takes the narrative formula, character archetypes, and sets expectations of the original game and shatters them all. It defies any set expectations one would have after the first game, but it doesn\u2019t subvert those expectations for the shot value alone. It frontloads its narrative with some really painful character choices but nearly all of them pay off remarkably by the end of the game. The story does a remarkable job of making you look at outright villains and our most beloved heroes in completely different lights, so it\u2019s impossible to solely hate or love any of them. The game could have easily just retreaded more of what the original did and it likely would have still gotten high reviews and would have satisfied most players, but Naughty Dog did not take the opportunity to play it safe, and for that alone, I think the game is a massive achievement. And all of that doesn\u2019t even mention the massively improved visuals, especially on PS5, the much more fluid gameplay, and the much more impressive and varied set-pieces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, if this game is so great, so daring, so fun to play, why hasn&#8217;t its prequel been brought up before this one? Well, the single-player in The Last of Us was only half of the reason why I loved it so much, so the lack of any multiplayer mode in the sequel is a sizable step back. Plus, the last few hours of the game made the experience feel like it was dragging on a bit too long. But Part II is still one of the most emotionally moving and gripping games I\u2019ve ever played and I still think about its themes and plot points daily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"16-mafia-iii\">16) Mafia III<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"848\" height=\"424\" data-attachment-id=\"22442\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=22442\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/mafia-3.gif?fit=848%2C424&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"848,424\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"mafia-3\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/mafia-3.gif?fit=848%2C424&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/mafia-3.gif?resize=848%2C424&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22442\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>I truly don&#8217;t think there&#8217;s another game out there like Mafia III especially in the AAA space. Its most high-profile missions have a wide variety of set pieces to shoot and stealth through, all of which stand toe to toe with the best missions in games like Grand Theft Auto. Stealth is satisfyingly streamlined and once guns start blazing, the chaos of combat is intoxicating. Thanks to a steady stream of post-launch DLC and support, slow-motion aiming and driving make gunplay and traversal much more accessible. And the racially charged narrative of revenge in 1968 New Bordeaux for what essentially is a hate crime is just as great as everyone says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But there are a wealth of open-world titles on this list, and from a strictly gameplay and technical standpoint, Mafia III is likely one of the most inferior of the bunch. It&#8217;s best missions are sprinkled over a sea of repetitive open-world activities, like base infiltrations and target destruction. Its lack of a fast travel system forces you to commute way too long in cars that handle in a way alien to the numbers of open-world games set in modern-day. And despite many patches after launch, it still has a handful of visual bugs that break immersion just enough to potentially ruin the game for a less fortunate player.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, despite all of these faults, the game provides a power fantasy not found in another game, and one I was gleefully glad to partake in: racially-based revenge. It takes place in 1968, one of the most explosive years of the Civil Rights movement, in a fictionalized deep south, but it asks you, as a black character, to dismantle an entire criminal operation built on the backs &amp; graves of African Americans. And you don&#8217;t do so diplomatically, rather you get to be the one pulling every trigger, slicing every throat, seizing every business, and deciding what to do with the property and profits. I played the game on release, in the fall of 2016, and you can imagine just how cathartic such a racially charged revenge tale was for me. Sure, the satisfying combat and brilliantly written characters helped my enjoyment, but Lincoln Clay&#8217;s tale of revenge served more as a vessel for me to express my rage at an unjust America than anything else, and the chance to live out that fantasy effectively is more than worth any warts or jagged edges that may accompany it. And any game where I get to shoot up a Klan rally is an all-time great for me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"15-astro-bot-rescue-mission\">15) Astro Bot: Rescue Mission<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"358\" data-attachment-id=\"22443\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=22443\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Astrobot-Rescue-Mission.gif?fit=640%2C358&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"640,358\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Astrobot-Rescue-Mission\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Astrobot-Rescue-Mission.gif?fit=640%2C358&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Astrobot-Rescue-Mission.gif?resize=640%2C358&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22443\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>As someone who has only recently tried Nintendo games, one thing I\u2019ve often heard used to describe these games is a sense of awe and endearment. Well, I\u2019ve been lucky enough to get a sense of endearment from Media Molecule\u2019s games, and nearly every AAA game I\u2019ve played, from God of War to Gears of War, instill a sense of awe with impeccable polish and scale. But Astro Bot: Rescue Mission manages to do both for the first time I\u2019ve ever seen, and the impact of that achievement hits even harder thanks to its unique platform: PlayStation VR. Its narrative is skeletal, but the game takes that bare plot as an opportunity to pack it\u2019s levels and enemies with as much variety as possible. You go from tropical beaches and underwater civilizations to moonlit bamboo fields and airbound metropolises in its 9-hour campaign. None of those environments ever feel stale, the character and environmental design remain endearing throughout, and most of them even invite repeat playthroughs for secrets and collectibles. But any game could check all of those boxes. It\u2019s the perspective of PSVR that makes the game feel so much more tactile and makes it stand head-and-shoulders above any other straight platformer I\u2019ve played. Gameplay is simple, yet incredibly varied as every level has a new twist that allows for the enhanced interactivity PSVR allows for. Astro Bot doesn\u2019t just exist in another world inside your screen, they\u2019re right there next to you because you are brought into their world thanks to PSVR. It makes everything tactile in a way you can\u2019t replicate in a more traditional game, and it also makes the game feel much more intimate as well. It does follow the formula of classic 3D platformers, but the new perspective, keeps any of it from being derivative and, in fact, makes it feel revolutionary. So, Astro Bot is not only the best PSVR game I\u2019ve ever played, it\u2019s one of the best games I\u2019ve played the entire last generation, regardless of platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"14-burnout-paradise\">14) Burnout Paradise<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"226\" data-attachment-id=\"22444\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=22444\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Burnout-Paradise.gif?fit=400%2C226&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"400,226\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Burnout-Paradise\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Burnout-Paradise.gif?fit=400%2C226&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Burnout-Paradise.gif?resize=400%2C226&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22444\" style=\"width:717px;height:405px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>What&#8217;s that, another racing game on the list?!? Yes indeed, as this is the racing game I alluded to earlier as being superior, in my eyes, to Burnout 3. I understand that\u2019s a bit of a hot take in some circles, so let me back that up. Burnout Paradise is, in my view, a perfect racing game. It sits firmly in its niche of racing with a heavy slant toward vehicular mayhem, but it doesn\u2019t force that slant onto you. Want to have just a standard race, you can! But engaging in the takedown systems, driving recklessly to gain boost, and doing stunts make that core racing all the more engaging. The variety of events on offer kept gameplay fresh every single time I booted up the game, and that variety carried over online. In fact, I\u2019d argue that Freeburn was a revolution in multiplayer design overall in how seamless it made online play. No waiting in lobbies to race, you got to just stay on the open road, waiting for the host to trigger a specific task for everyone to do. It had the vibe that games like Skate would later ape completely, and this more free-form style of online play kept me on those servers for years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In fact, I think that\u2019s the reason I love Burnout Paradise so much. Yes, the fact that it had custom soundtrack support on PS3 meant I spent many hours speeding to the sound of Slaughterhouse and Minnie Ripperton. Yes, its high frame rate and vibrant color palette made the game a visual feast for me. And yes, this game made me a fan of Avril Lavigne\u2019s \u201cGirlfriend\u201d. But this game took the open world and applied it to a genre I only thought of as being confined to predetermined paths. This change trickled down to every design choice in the game, from collectible billboards to crash through to events having to be discovered at stoplights rather than being unlocked and selected in a menu. It made for a game that felt freeform as if my orange Carson GT Concept was an extension of myself rather than a car I was just controlling. This, and the overall more over-the-top tone, made the game feel less like the sterile raceways of Forza and Gran Turismo and more like the batshit twisted metal-fests of Hot Wheels. So, considering I was that kid that had the 50 car chase of those bad boys when I was a toddler and played the PS2 Hot Wheels game at Morgan\u2019s sleepover when I was a little older than that, Burnout Paradise is my childhood dream come true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"13-ratchet-and-clank-a-crack-in-time\">13) Ratchet and Clank: A Crack in Time<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" data-attachment-id=\"22445\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=22445\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/ratchet-Crack-in-Time.gif?fit=500%2C281&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"500,281\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"ratchet-Crack-in-Time\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/ratchet-Crack-in-Time.gif?fit=500%2C281&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/ratchet-Crack-in-Time.gif?resize=500%2C281&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22445\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>I\u2019ve already simped for Insomniac Games several times in this list, and I\u2019ve already alluded to my love of the Ratchet and Clank series with my mention of its PS4 reboot. While my love of the series started way back on the PSP, it wasn\u2019t until the PS3 that my relationship with Ratchet and Clank went from a fling to a marriage. And the engagement ring in this bizarre metaphor is Ratchet and Clank: A Crack in Time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By the time the game was almost out, I had played plenty of games in the series. So, while I was excited to get another entry with the same familiar gameplay I love, I was equally blown away by the new aspects it brought. The arsenal was kept fresh with new weapons like the Plasma Striker and Dynamo of Doom, but the Constructo weapons sprinkled in some much-appreciated customization into the weapon pool. The scope possible in the levels was increased tenfold with the massive and intricate spaces of levels like Molonoth Fields. And even the narrative was more engaging than ever before, as the stakes and twists in this game were the highest and most surprising ones I\u2019ve seen in the series.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But A Crack in Time doesn\u2019t stop with improving the core aspects of its gameplay, it also adds never-before-seen aspects as well. There are a bunch of levels that let you play as Clank for extended puzzle sequences. Puzzles are nothing new to the series, but these mind-bending conundrums that are reminiscent of Braid are some of the most original parts of the game, and often also the most challenging. But the part that really blew me away was that Ratchet and Clank: A Crack in Time is technically not the first open-world game, but open galaxy, game I\u2019ve ever played. There are planets you have to visit in the main story, but there are over a dozen more that are completely optional, all with their own bolts, collectibles, and other goodies to find. And the unique camera perspective you get when on them really drives home how small these planets are and gives heavy Mario Galaxy energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, yea, me loving an Insomniac game is no surprise. Their combination of rewarding progression systems, vibrant worlds, unique weapons, and jovial spirit always attracts me to their titles. But the way they gave me all the stuff I wanted with a bunch of new twists and additions that I never even asked for is what made me love this game so much more than the others in the series. I mentioned how, despite being an incredible refinement of the series, the PS4 reboot pales in comparison to A Crack in Time. Well, the sheer amount of original ideas and potentially risky home run swings make that so. It might be the most ambitious Ratchet and Clank game, and mostly because of that, it\u2019s not only the best, but also my favorite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"12-infamous-2\">12) inFAMOUS 2<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"202\" data-attachment-id=\"22446\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=22446\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/infamous-2.gif?fit=360%2C202&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"360,202\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"infamous-2\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/infamous-2.gif?fit=360%2C202&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/infamous-2.gif?resize=360%2C202&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22446\" style=\"width:716px;height:402px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Remember way back in the list when I discussed how inFAMOUS was my introduction to the open world, superhero genre? Well, that genre went on to be one of my favorites in all of gaming, to the point where even the most mediocre among the genre are still deeply enjoyed by me (see Prototype 2). But I didn\u2019t yet know the heights to which this genre could go until I salivated over, pre-ordered the collector\u2019s edition of, and feverishly consumed inFAMOUS 2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The PS3 generation was full of cinematic games thanks to the popularity of franchises like Uncharted. inFAMOUS 2 decided to make itself more cinematic as a result by adding motion-captured cutscenes, better facial animations, and a great deal of increased graphical fidelity. These additions made the admittedly tropey story of superpowered heroes and villains way more grounded, and therefore, more believable. I ended up getting super invested in Cole, Zeke, Quo, and Knix\u2019s tale, and I found myself downright sobbing at the emotionally devastating endings of my evil and good playthroughs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, a gripping narrative is enough to get you on this list. But the fact that the gameplay from its predecessor returns, and is smoother and more diverse than ever before, is the reason it gets such a high spot. I was already in love with its fast and fluid movement system, but the improved animations made traversal feel so much better. I already loved the electrical moveset of the first game, but the addition of ice and fire powers made gameplay even more varied and dynamic. Hell, even the electric power set was expanded, including a lightning tether that made traversal feel like the best Spider-Man game I played on PS3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By 2011, I had played a whole lot of games, mainly through gifts and PlayStation Plus. Up to then, I understood that all games that played like in inFAMOUS would be graphically inferior and lack a compelling narrative and that all games that looked like Uncharted would have grounded gameplay that wouldn\u2019t scratch my desire for acrobatic movement and over the top power fantasies. But upon the release of inFAMOUS 2 that year, I was proven totally wrong, I could have both in one game. A game I loved so much that I not only got its platinum trophy in it within a week, but it was my favorite game of all time for several years. But it was later knocked off of its throne by&#8230;a game I will get to soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"11-life-is-strange\">11) Life is Strange<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"250\" data-attachment-id=\"22447\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=22447\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/life-is-strange.gif?fit=500%2C250&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"500,250\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"life-is-strange\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/life-is-strange.gif?fit=500%2C250&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/life-is-strange.gif?resize=500%2C250&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22447\" style=\"width:700px;height:350px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>By now, I\u2019ve certainly set a trend of overlooking flaws with a game if its best aspects shine bright enough. Life is Strange is another example of this, because the internet is vocal about just how many issues exist in this game. Sure, its artstyle makes some items look unrealistic to the point of breaking immersion. Sure, some of the dialogue can be inauthentic to the point of being cringe-worthy. And the inconsistencies in its time-bending, supernatural plot are hard to ignore to the most hardcore of sci-fi fans. But none of that matters because Life is Strange manages to do perfectly what very few other games even try to do: nail a consistent vibe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This game takes the common tropes of high school drama found in shows all over The CW network and time travel tropes found\u2026also all over The CW network to create a weirdly comforting combination of the two. It has that familiar feeling of watching an episode of one of those numerous high school dramas and sci-fi shows that rerun on TV all the time, and that\u2019s a feeling that I can\u2019t find anywhere else in games. The music and artstyle help hammer that vibe home even more, with the soft edges of its visuals and chill tones of its soundtrack bringing me to a state of zen when playing. The characters fitting so rigidly into these classic stereotypes make the universe even more comfortable to exist in. Overall, it leads to a universe that encourages feelings of nostalgia, despite never having visited it before. This vibe made all of the traumatic twists and turns of the narrative all the more impactful, because these characters felt like people I already knew. So, yes, I\u2019ve never been a teenage girl with time controlling powers and a self-destructive best friend. But this game did such a great job of putting me in her shoes, that I truly felt like I was, if only for a few hours. Man, I should really get around to the prequel and sequel, huh?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--nextpage-->\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"10-saints-row-iv\"><strong>10) Saints Row IV&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"524\" height=\"228\" data-attachment-id=\"22449\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=22449\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/saints-row-iv.gif?fit=524%2C228&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"524,228\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"saints-row-iv\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/saints-row-iv.gif?fit=524%2C228&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/saints-row-iv.gif?resize=524%2C228&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22449\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Games have been striving to be more than just a child\u2019s plaything in the years I\u2019ve been playing them. And as we\u2019ve seen from titles like Gone Home and Inside, the perception of video games as nothing but shallow power fantasies has become more and more outdated. But, much like how not every movie can be a Schindler&#8217;s List or a Portrait of a Lady on Fire, sometimes you just need a Bad Boys II or a Sausage Party when you have the craving. And that craving comes even more frequently and aggressively in games. Saints Row IV will always satisfy that craving better than any other game because it prioritizes fun over anything else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Saints Row IV, like dozens of other games, has a colorful cast of characters and a convoluted plot about saving the world from aliens using supernatural abilities. But every single aspect of the game exists not to serve the plot, but the player themselves. Much like Far Cry 3, the game is more a large arena filled with content than an actual place. But unlike that game, getting around has been made so much easier and faster with the ability to sprint faster than any car, jump as high as any plane, and glide over and through skyscrapers as good as any helicopter. This might make traversal one note, but you&#8217;re onto the next thing so fast that you never get the chance to get tired of it. Same for the combat too.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are dozens of guns to use, but the litany of additional abilities (like gravity stomps, telekinetic throws, and flame auras) give even more options to choose from. In Saints Row IV, especially in its latter half, you have a dozen ways to kill an enemy at any given time, none of which are any less viable than others, which further put emphasis on the fun of the player.<br><br>This freedom of choice can be found everywhere in the game. Don\u2019t wanna run up buildings? Grab a car on the street, or better yet, call in a mech. Don\u2019t wanna fight all the cops that you inevitably attract when causing chaos in the city? Chase down this floating eyebot to get all the heat off your tail. Don\u2019t like how your character looks or even sounds? Head to a clothes shop to get a new look or a plastic surgeon to change your very being. The entire game is made to bend to the player\u2019s whim, and it makes the game so fun to play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But because of just how fun it is to play Saints Row IV, it makes it even harder to look at its characters and narrative with much of a critical eye. But even if you tried, you\u2019d be greeted with hostility, as even these aspects push the player to think less about the drama of a world destroyed only to be avenged by a bunch of ex-gangsters turned superheroes and more about how hilarious that premise is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Every main mission has a set-piece that throws you into some new vehicle or gives you some new power or ability that either keeps the sequence fresh or gives you a new tool to use throughout the rest of the game. The characters are always cracking jokes alongside you and are either all endearing or incredibly fun to hate. The game even doubles down on these characters with side missions focusing squarely on them, like in Mass Effect 2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Overall, Saints Row IV is purely about fun because it revels in the fact that it is fun. Who wouldn\u2019t want to save the world? Who wouldn\u2019t want to wield the power to dispatch any foe and the freedom to traverse a city at the speed of sound? Who wouldn\u2019t want to have a laugh with a group of side characters so larger than life and as welcoming as these? The only reason these questions aren\u2019t so gleefully answered by many is that the question is asked by so much of the media we consume.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Marvel, Star Wars, DC, and other incredibly successful properties have built empires on the back of these questions, and it has understandably led to some fatigue when another property tries to ask them. But in the case of Saints Row IV, that is all it asks of you. At the time when I first played this, during my first year of college, I was in a bad place. Isolated from my closest friends, living in a strange new place and trying to fit into routines that were mostly foreign to me, I wanted nothing more than a good time to distract me from real life.&nbsp; So, thank GOD this game wants nothing more from me than for me to have a good time because when real life proves to be difficult, confusing, and often full of suffering, I would always rather answer that call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"9-nier-automata\">9) Nier: Automata<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"616\" height=\"347\" data-attachment-id=\"22450\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=22450\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/nier.gif?fit=616%2C347&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"616,347\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"nier\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/nier.gif?fit=616%2C347&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/nier.gif?resize=616%2C347&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22450\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>In every medium, we all have specific genres which never really stray from. With games, since we mostly only play what we pay for outright, it is much harder for us to trust in the quality of a game enough to step out of our comfort zones. In my case, it\u2019s clear that shooters and action games are my bread and butter, but western developed games are even more so my niche. Besides a handful of examples, games made by Japanese developers, or with Japanese aesthetics, have never really been my jam. So, it was a shock for me to pay full price on this obscure JRPG that everyone wouldn\u2019t just up about back in 2017. And it\u2019s an even bigger shock that I consider the game one of my favorite games of all time, even with so many other great titles released in the 3 years since playing it. But once I look back at every aspect of Nier Automata, it makes perfect sense as to why I fuck with it so heavily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a Platinum Games joint, its combat was rock solid and instantly compelling. Prior to this, the only game from them I played for any real amount of time was Vanquish, and it was a blast. But their melee combat is what they\u2019re really known for, and good GOD does it hold up. Their patented slow-motion dodge is easily one of my favorite mechanics of all time, and the variety of weapons I could use to whack and hack androids kept combat fresh throughout multiple playthroughs. But that wasn\u2019t the only thing I could customize!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Because pretty much every playable character is an android, they are all programmed with different chips that can be changed at will, similar to Shadow Warrior 2\u2019s gem system. Want to heal automatically over time? There\u2019s a chip for that. Want to boost your movement speed by 50%? There\u2019s a chip for that. Want to increase damage with swords by 20%? There&#8217;s a chip for that. Want to increase the dodge window in which you can trigger slow motion? There\u2019s a chip for that, too, and dozens and dozens of even the most obscure attributes of your character. But keep in mind, you can only equip a finite amount of these chips, which forces you to decide just how important fundamental aspects of the game are. What I mean is, the health bar on your screen takes up chip pace, as does the map, and other on-screen UI items. If you don\u2019t NEED the mini map, you&#8217;re free to delete that chip for something more advantageous, which is just an unprecedented and wild amount of freedom. Of course, you could possibly buy back chips like these from shops, or loot them from an enemy, but the fact you can willingly screw yourself over like this is remarkable to me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But that isn\u2019t the most remarkable thing about this game. That title belongs to this game\u2019s narrative because it is sincerely the most batshit narrative I have experienced in any medium. It was a story that I couldn\u2019t believe someone had the mind to even think of conceptually, let alone think of dialogue, art, and a plot for. It\u2019s anime as hell, as the art design and some character behaviors will show, but the themes this game plays with are so grandiose that I couldn&#8217;t help be in awe with every chapter. And that\u2019s another thing! Remember how I mentioned this game got better with every playthrough, well, despite my lack of familiarity with games like this, I felt compelled to play through it 3 whole times. I rarely play through games twice, let alone trice, yet I had so many more narrative revelations to encounter with each new playthrough. And its conclusion is one that had my jaw on the floor for several hours during and after its ending. The creative way this game hammers home themes in ways exclusive to their interactive medium of video games blew me away completely. And I\u2019m talking as vaguely as I can because part of the fun is the surprise of every twist and turn this ride takes you on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Simply put, this allured me out of my comfort zone to provide me with one of the more subversive, surprising, fun, and unique experiences I\u2019ve ever played. In all my years of playing games, which were well over a decade by the time I played this in 2017, I had never even thought a game like Nier Automata could exist. And not only does it, but it\u2019s damn near flawless. Okay, that\u2019s not quite true, some sparse environmental design and some repetitive gameplay keeps that from being true. But I swear, if you have any affinity for action games or games that push the limit of what the medium can do, you owe it to yourself to play Nier: Automata. If not for yourself, do it for the glory of mankind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"8-red-dead-redemption-ii\">8) Red Dead Redemption II<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"480\" height=\"270\" data-attachment-id=\"22451\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=22451\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/red-dead-2.gif?fit=480%2C270&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"480,270\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"red-dead-2\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/red-dead-2.gif?fit=480%2C270&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/red-dead-2.gif?resize=480%2C270&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22451\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Red Dead Redemption II does a lot to earn such a high spot on the list, but it doesn\u2019t do so without fault. When I rolled credits on the game, I had put in a little less than 100 hours, double the time I spent in Horizon: Zero Dawn, Assassin&#8217;s Creed: Origins, and other games that I adored all the way up to my final hours with it. But I was left feeling exhausted, as it felt like the game had overstayed its welcome 50 hours earlier. But the longer I sat and reflected on my experiences with the game, the more I came to appreciate its gruelingly slow pace because it forced me to simply exist in the world in a way different from any other game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Every other game I\u2019ve played, even some that come after this one in this list, is about going forward at an intentioned pace. In a game as fast as Burnout or Call of Duty, it\u2019s about using reflexive and impulsive gameplay to get to the end screen where rewards and increasing numbers give the climax of dopamine that those actions were building to. In a game as slow as Life is Strange or God of War (2018), the stories themselves motivate you to not dwell on individual details and push you forward to the emotional climax found in the conclusions of the game. In Red Dead Redemption II, the game isn\u2019t pushing you forward but rather using its gorgeous vistas, intentionally paced plot, engrossing characters, and lively world to almost directly beg the player to linger in it almost indefinitely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In fact, that\u2019s what the plot, my favorite aspect of the game, is all about. It\u2019s about appreciating what you have before it\u2019s gone, lingering in the moment, but appreciating what you have isn\u2019t purely an emotional state. You also have to fight for what you have to maintain it, and doing so might require you to abandon those parts of your past that threaten what you love in your present. This struggle is what leads to a story of, well, redemption, that has shaken me emotionally more than almost any other tale in games thanks to the incredibly slow pace at which it occurred. If I didn\u2019t have nearly 9 dozen hours to endear myself with the characters and get comfortable with the rules of the world, to fully accept the request of the game to simply exist in it, then my inevitable slow and heartbreaking departure from this world wouldn\u2019t have hit as hard. As a prequel, the game\u2019s ending was known from the start, and once that tragic end comes it certainly hurts. But despite that, I was not only able to enjoy the ride, but the game managed to maybe make a positive impact on the way out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Red Dead Redemption II remains as one of my favorites because, even if I don\u2019t have the dark and complicated past that Arthur Morgan has, I truly hope to live my final days as he does: by living nobly in the face of inevitable corruption and pain and to enjoy the present in the face of an inevitable and often bleak future. And while it might be easy to fall to the lesser parts of my human nature at times, the fact I have that choice in the first place makes choosing the nobler path all the more powerful. So, yes, its shooting controls are not the most responsive. Yes, its mission design can often feel archaic after years of open-world gameplay innovations. And yes, the slow pace of the game can be annoying when most AAA games ask dozens of hours from the player just to experience the bare minimum of content. But in the case of Rockstar&#8217;s epic, all of those faults were easy to overlook in this transformative, engaging, and touching tale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"7-horizon-zero-dawn\">7) Horizon: Zero Dawn<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"340\" data-attachment-id=\"22453\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=22453\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/horizon-zero-dawn.gif?fit=500%2C340&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"500,340\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"horizon-zero-dawn\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/horizon-zero-dawn.gif?fit=500%2C340&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/horizon-zero-dawn.gif?resize=500%2C340&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22453\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>I remember when this game came out. Despite it being a graphical marvel with excellent gameplay, many greeted it with lukewarm perception as they perceived it as not unique or innovative enough to interest them. Now, that viewpoint might be due to it being the first entry in a franchise released alongside a different title that added new life to a long-running and passionately loved series. But even as a non-Zelda fan, I can understand that Horizon isn\u2019t the most original in many respects, despite how high it is on my list. But personally, its lack of innovation is precisely the reason I love the game so much. Because instead of trying to reinvent the wheel, it sticks to the same familiar treading and spokes but does it better than nearly any other game I\u2019ve played.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Aloy is one of my favorite characters, despite her generally stoic personality, because she serves as an effective straight woman. The personalities of the supporting cast are just a bit more heightened, so they are even more vibrant in comparison to her. Plus, it allows her to be a bit malleable in certain moments, as to show different aspects of her personality. Despite her initially robotic demeanor, these moments are where she gets chances to be a bit more comical, flirty, and caring than her lonely upbringing allowed her to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The gameplay, on paper, still requires 3rd person shooting and precision aiming. But the context of using these mechanics to take down massive robot dinosaurs makes it feel so much more engaging than that description. Because you&#8217;re never just shooting; you&#8217;re also sneaking up on enemies, setting draps, dodging attacks, and scrambling mid-combat to gather the supplies and herbs to craft items on the fly. And you&#8217;re never just shooting a massive glowing weak point, you\u2019re either aiming for fuel containers for an explosion of elemental damage, or aiming for armor pieces to expose softer tissue underneath, or firing off a weapon from their back for you to use against them. All these elements make the combat feel dynamic in a way different from any other game I\u2019ve played.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But the thing that really made me want to linger in the world forever is fascinating sci-fi lore and how it led to the creation of such a devastatingly beautiful world. Without spoiling it for those who have yet to play it, the origin story of both Aloy and the world itself taps into some of the most interesting science fiction concepts in the genre. It\u2019s a slightly different take on what is a somewhat familiar setup, but it takes advantage of some of the more familiar tropes to set up a fiction that skips all of the obvious stories told with this setup and goes straight to the more original parts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And that part is the fantastic open world that Guerilla has made. It incorporates that lore in clever ways, but outside of that, it\u2019s probably the most graphically impressive world I\u2019ve ever seen. I\u2019d constantly marvel at the fact that I could see the pores in everyone\u2019s skin, and the vibrancy and variety of color pallets in each of the biomes. Once I wrapped the game up, I found myself with the strongest case of post-game depression I\u2019ve ever had. It was exactly like those stories that came out about James Cameron&#8217;s Avatar, where audiences wished they could live in Pandora and were sad once they had to return to reality. The world of Horizon might be full of danger and conflict, but it was so inviting, both visually and thanks to some of its characters, that I couldn\u2019t help but wish I could visit it physically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, yea, I know that much of this game has been done before in other games and in other media. But I still crave everything this game does, and it did all of those things in a way just different enough that it resonated with me deeply. I look forward to playing through it all over again on PC, and eventually getting to Forbidden West when it comes out as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"6-telltale-s-the-walking-dead-season-1\">6) Telltale\u2019s The Walking Dead Season 1<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" data-attachment-id=\"22454\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=22454\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/The-walking-dead.gif?fit=500%2C281&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"500,281\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"The-walking-dead\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/The-walking-dead.gif?fit=500%2C281&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/The-walking-dead.gif?resize=500%2C281&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22454\" style=\"width:644px;height:362px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Remember when I said I disagree with those that claim Tales from the Borderlands is the best Telltale game? We\u2019ll, that\u2019s because my favorite Telltale game is The Walking Dead Season 1, a game so unexpectedly brilliant that, even almost a decade later, developers are still trying to capture its magic. But tales of survival in a zombie apocalypse aren\u2019t at all original. Hell, this game alone is the 3rd medium that The Walking Dead franchise has graced. But, even as someone who watched the show from the beginning, this game is my favorite slice of the universe for a reason.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;Lee was a perfect blank slate character for we players to put our own personalities onto. The fact he was a family man who was arrested for a crime of passion made him equally capable of compassion just as much as cruelty. But if you played towards his bad side, you are truly a monster, if not in your eyes, then through the eyes of Clementine. The addition of this girl not only melted all of our hours on many occasions but naturally pushed us to be the best surrogate father we could be for her. Sure, in a world this ruthless, it is easy to succumb to unjust impulses. But Clem constantly pushes you to do otherwise, because you wouldn&#8217;t just be letting Lee down, you\u2019d be letting her down too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This made all of the events that transpired, from the fun and comical, to the devastating and tense, so much more emotionally heightened that every choice was agonizing and lead to many game pauses to think out the right decision. And not every choice I made was solely to protect Clem, as my love for Carley, Katjaa, Omid, Christa, and others made me always consider them in my choices. If you played the game, you know how futile fighting for some of these characters is, but that\u2019s part of the fun, and part of the reason I love this game so much. It\u2019s a game that forces my indecisive ass to make hard choices not just a handful of times, but constantly. It\u2019s a unique kind of rush that no narrative has ever given me, in games or out. Because I\u2019ve played interactive narratives before this, like Telltale&#8217;s own Sam and Max and Back to the Future games, but the passion I had for these characters outweighed those by miles. And being forced to decide their fates in split decisions was a form of emotional trauma I never thought I would enjoy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But I didn\u2019t make these choices alone, which brings me to a major reason I rank this game so high, and it has little to do with the game itself. You see, thanks to an incredible amount of hype leading to its premiere, I was super excited to watch the premier of the TV show on AMC. And thanks in part to that excitement, and the fact it was a worldwide phenomenon that was hard to ignore, I was able to get my entire family into the show as well. Those years where we all regularly watch the show are some of the only consistent hours of bonding my family ever had. I mean, we all love each other, but we all had our different passions that meant we\u2019d often be in different rooms once at home. And with everyone else in the family being into sports, I\u2019d often be the only one opting to not watch along in favor of anything more interesting. So, for those years we watched the show, I not only cherished those times together but was proud that, for once, they came about thanks to a passion I had.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This family-wide passion for The Walking Dead carried over into the game as well&#8230;almost. While my parents and sister were turned off by its cartoonish art style, my little brother was just as excited to have yet another slice of this narrative to watch. So, we played the first season together in its entirety, waiting feverishly for every episode over the months it took for each to come out. It\u2019s a tradition that carried over into every mainline season of the Walking Dead games, all the way up to the supposed end of Clementine\u2019s story in Season 4, 8 years later. Our tradition of playing these games together lasted long after our family tradition of watching the TV show fizzled out, and our sessions playing that game have heavily contributed to the bond I have with him to this day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, yea, I know it was riddled with bugs upon its original release. And I know it helped kick off an epidemic of \u201cdad games\u201d in the years to come. But the emotional impact of this game\u2019s narrative is matched only by the stronger emotional bond to my little brother it helped give me. This is a big reason why, if I\u2019m ever blessed enough to have a daughter, I hope to name her Clementine. Not just because my favorite color is orange, but because she has been a constant in the lives of both my brother and I. And that bond was first formed in this inaugural season of Telltale\u2019s The Walking Dead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5-risk-of-rain-2\">5) Risk of Rain 2<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"643\" height=\"362\" data-attachment-id=\"22456\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=22456\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Risk-of-Rain-2.gif?fit=643%2C362&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"643,362\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Risk-of-Rain-2\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Risk-of-Rain-2.gif?fit=643%2C362&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Risk-of-Rain-2.gif?resize=643%2C362&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22456\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>I\u2019ve spent most of 2020 being as loud and proud about my love of Risk of Rain 2 as possible, even going as far as to give it a glowing <a href=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/2020\/09\/08\/risk-of-rain-2-review-the-catharsis-of-control-in-chaos\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">review<\/a> on VGU.TV. Much of what I\u2019ll say here will overlap with that review, but I\u2019ll be damned if you sat through all of this just for me to link you to an old article. So, let me reiterate that Risk of Rain 2 is one of the most consistently satisfying games of all time. No matter how many times I play it, it remains fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, as someone who heavily values the progression found in my favorite RPGs and multiplayer games, the minimal progression of this game should be a turn-off. There are only a few skins and ability variants to unlock outside of text-based lore entries, but the real sense of progression is found in learning how to play the game. This goes beyond just learning the baseline structure of runs and how to unlock new characters, but all the way down to the more minute details of advanced runs. Like, in my first few runs, using ultimate abilities to take out dozens of foes at once was fun. But once I knew what items to look for, that same ultimate attack could also heal me while also chaining lightning to damage enemies outside of the range of the initial attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Getting to that level makes the game soar. The numerous items you can collect augment your abilities in dozens of ways, and the fact that all of these items can stack infinitely can lead to impromptu builds that are delightfully overpowered. Get lucky enough with items drops, and you can have 7 jumps to get you anywhere in a map, or multiply your movement speed by 6 to sip you to and from enemies instantly, and even build enough damage modifiers to kill even the hardest bosses in one hit. Builds like this are definitely rare, but when they happen, it makes you wanna stay in that run for as long as possible, which often leads to sessions that are hours long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Then, once you understand what every item does, you can learn all of the varied abilities of each playable class so you know what items to aim for in a run. For example, the loader is a melee-based character, so collecting Focus Crystals, which increase damage in a small radius around you, is a high priority. Then once you fully grasp how these items affect all aspects of each character, the game still doesn\u2019t get stale, because the rouge-like, procedural nature of the game throws all of these, now familiar, elements at you in an order you can rarely predict.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All of this makes for an experience that constantly keeps you on your toes, even when not playing with 3 others in co-op. Every run feels like a unique test of skill, complete with clutch moments that are equally brought on by a lucky item drop and pure player skill. And it all of this is done without having to face online opponents, which can often feel unfair. In Risk of Rain 2, it can similarly feel unfair when you don\u2019t find good enough items to keep you alive long term, but you always have the potential to override that misfortune with player skill, and it makes for a game that makes you feel incredibly triumphant when things are finally going your way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I can\u2019t recommend this game enough, and me putting it this high on the list hopefully is yet another ringing endorsement. It\u2019s provided me with the best sessions of comfort food gaming I&#8217;ve ever had, and I want this game to warmingly hug all of you as much as it has to me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4-marvel-s-spider-man-miles-morales\">4) Marvel\u2019s Spider-Man: Miles Morales<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"720\" height=\"405\" data-attachment-id=\"22458\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=22458\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/miles-morales.gif?fit=720%2C405&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"720,405\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"miles-morales\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/miles-morales.gif?fit=720%2C405&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/miles-morales.gif?resize=720%2C405&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22458\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ve gotten this far in the list, so you\u2019ve probably seen that I consider most of the games on this list as my comfort food. And you\u2019ve likely also seen just how much I turn to open-world superhero games for hours and hours of enjoyment. And you definitely know by now that I have a deep adoration of Insomniac Games. All of these aspects can be found in Marvel\u2019s Spider-Man, a game that everyone knew would be good, but one I didn\u2019t expect would so effortlessly swing (heh) to the top of my list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Spider-Man is obviously gorgeous, you can tell that within seconds of seeing it. Their experience with the bright colors of Ratchet and Clank and their human character animations of Resistance combine for an art style that looks just as contemporary as it does slick and stylish. They&#8217;ve adapted the movement system of Sunset Overdrive into this game and added web-swinging to make for one of the most effortless, yet deep, traversal systems ever put in a game. Think about all the downtime you have in games like Saints Row IV or Just Cause 2 when gliding through the sky. In Spider-Man, that downtime is filled with attempting to keep momentum through the city, figuring out the best way over or around skyscrapers on the fly, and seeing just how many backflips you can do before hitting the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Combat as well benefits from the Ratchet series, as the plethora of gadgets at Peter\u2019s disposal makes combat immensely more satisfying. But that isn\u2019t to say that punching and racking up combos on foes alone isn\u2019t gratifying, because is surely is. And for that matter, stealth is also spiced up greatly by the gadgets. Sticking a Spider Mine on a guy just for it to attach to another enemy for a double takedown never ceased to be satisfying. And the suit abilities added even bigger wrenches into the normal gameplay loop, modifying everything from combat to stealth, and even traversal. Plus, each of the suits was pulled from different corners of Spider-Man\u2019s rich history, which I\u2019m very familiar with. And that brings me to another reason this game is so high on the list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ever since I was 6 years old, thanks to Sam Rami and Tobey McGuire, Spider-Man has been my favorite superhero of all time. His altruistic drive to always do the right thing and his, struggle to balance the everyday struggles of young adulthood attracted me to the character, and these aspects have continued to make me love him over 3 movie series, a few animated iterations, and a number of games. So, I was predestined to love Marvel\u2019s Spider-Man from the jump, the fact that my favorite developer was working on it was just icing on the cake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But the thing is, that\u2019s a lot of talk for the original Spider-Man, which doesn\u2019t even appear on this list. Now, all of these compliments and descriptors also apply to Miles Morales, but what is it about this game specifically that makes it outshine the original? Well, the more bit-sized experience was a bit more satisfying to run though, as there was a lack of any substantial filler content. The addition of Venom powers make combat, traversal, and stealth just a little bit more exciting and satisfying thanks to the expanded tool set. The game even looks prettier and runs better now that it\u2019s on PS5.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But more than any of that, I was blown away by the story even more so than the original. I loved the tale of Peter\u2019s struggles, but after so many iterations of the character, I can\u2019t help that following a relatively newer face was more compelling. But Insomniac has proven that they are just as proficient with narratives as they are with gameplay because they managed to move me emotionally with the campaign way more than the original and in way less time. The characters and their relationships to each other hit way closer to home for me than Parker\u2019s exploits, so I resonated with Mile\u2019s story so much more than even I expected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, yea, this one was a layup, but could you blame me? Spider-Man was easily the best game Insomniac had ever made, and they have both the overwhelmingly high sales, and my intense love, to show for it. The only thing that could have made me love it more was if it had a black protagonist, trap music infused in its score, the ability to play it at a higher framerate, and maybe heavy inspiration from one of my favorite animated films of all time: Into the SpiderVerse. And they did exactly that, and quite a bit more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-the-last-of-us\">3) The Last of Us<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"520\" height=\"293\" data-attachment-id=\"18584\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18584\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/The-Last-of-Us.gif?fit=520%2C293&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"520,293\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"The-Last-of-Us\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/The-Last-of-Us.gif?fit=520%2C293&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/The-Last-of-Us.gif?resize=520%2C293&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18584\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>At this point, I\u2019ve talked your ear off about 97 different games from over a decade of video game releases, and I truly believe all of these games are great, in some cases, despite the popular opinion on them. But very few of these games have that extra special sauce that make them widely considered a classic. Titles like Resident Evil 4, Portal 2, and Bioshock have this sauce, but despite my love for them, they all had aspects that kept me from loving them with the hyperbole shared by others. But The Last of Us not only smells like a classic and tastes like a classic, but it does so while also resonating with me deeply on a personal level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It accomplishes this by, first off, by having immaculate presentation. While the game has aged somewhat over the years, the art design alone remains strong. Characters&#8217; animations are strong, and the excellence in animation help make clickers so much more terrifying when their inhuman movements are on display. And the environmental design is so well done that many of the items you interact with are connected to their own story outside of Ellie and Joel\u2019s. The sewer level with Ish and the story you uncover by reading collectible notes is the best example of this, but the way they use things like this to make this intimate story take place in such a big world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And speaking of an intimate story, the tale of Joel and Ellie is so iconic that it feels as timeless as the countless works of post-apocalyptic fiction that inspired it. It manages to give so many different glimpses into so many aspects of a broken society that it feels like an anthology series at times. But the core narrative alone still manages to be the source of years of conversations and theory, especially with its incredibly bold ending. And now, after multiple playthroughs, I\u2019ve come to find comfort in this story, which is incredibly rare for me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Like, there are plenty of movies I watch for comfort, like Toy Story 3, Bad Boys II, Sleepover, and Spider-Man Homecoming. When watching movies like these, I find myself not only anticipating narrative beats but also feeling the emotions those moments are meant to evoke just as strongly as my first watch. The Last of Us is one of the only games to also trigger the same emotions I felt about its narrative every time I play it. It makes my relationship with this game unique from all of the others on this list. Most of these games I associate with a moment of time in my life, and my opinions on them are rooted in my life at the time. But The Last of Us remains strong no matter when I play it, which is remarkable in my eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But the main reason that this story works so well is that it adapts so perfectly to being a video game. I\u2019ve talked about how much I enjoy visceral combat, but here it not only serves great gameplay, but also helps portray the brutality of the world. Plus, this isn\u2019t like Naughty Dog\u2019s previous Uncharted series, you can\u2019t just use any weapon you want. It forces you to adapt to your surroundings, scavenge the tools you need to survive, and conserve as many resources as possible. It makes for combat that feels improvisational, never allowing you to rest on easy tactics, but always rewarding you for diligent exploration and preparedness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But not only does the combat work in single-player, it works maybe even better in multiplayer. Where the campaign forced you to outsmart enemies to continue the journey, the multiplayer forced you to outsmart enemies in order to just stay alive for as long as possible. The odds aren\u2019t permanently in your favor, and you have to fight for every inch of a fuse that will inevitably either burn out or explode. Then on top of that, the framework of the mode casts you as a scavenger looking to bring food and supplies back to a camp that can actually die out, which could cut the multiplayer campaign short. This ever-present dread made every match incredibly tense, as too many bad matches could force you to toss away hours of building up your camp. But thank God that the gunplay is precise and the audio design is sound (heh) because every shot and every footstep is life and death. And that improvisational vibe of the combat persists. While you can upgrade weapons and equipment mid-match, ammo is still scarce in multiplayer, forcing players to craft bombs, shivs, and melee weapons to compensate. This adds just enough variables on the battlefield that every match feels dynamic without being chaotic, and if you are one of the many who played through the game without trying the multiplayer, you should go back and fix that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But overall, it is really hard to overstate just how excellent I think The Last of Us is. The narrative raises fascinating questions about humanity that I love pondering over. Its characters were either super relatable or just fun to watch chew up the scenery. And its combat fit into its world perfectly while being excellent enough alone to support an entire multiplayer mode.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-shadow-of-the-colossus\"><strong>2) Shadow of the Colossus<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"224\" data-attachment-id=\"18486\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18486\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/the-shadow-of-the-colossus.gif?fit=500%2C224&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"500,224\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"the-shadow-of-the-colossus\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/the-shadow-of-the-colossus.gif?fit=500%2C224&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/the-shadow-of-the-colossus.gif?resize=500%2C224&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18486\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Something that I&#8217;ve often mentioned in this list is how much I appreciate it when a game subverts my expectations. Also, I&#8217;ve also talked about how some games, while great in their own right, simply fail to live up to the high expectations I had set for me by the heaps of praise I heard before playing. But Shadow of the Colossus is one of the very few games, maybe even the only one, that managed to subvert my expectations <em>because<\/em> it managed to surpass them so greatly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I remember getting my hands on it for the first time through the PS3 remaster that came bundled with Ico. It was the Christmas of 2011, and I had gotten Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 the same day. I mention that because I truly believe my love of Shadow of the Colossus was partially because I played&nbsp; MW3 so close to it. I loved Modern Warfare 3, but it was my 3rd straight Call of Duty game and I consumed its entire campaign by the end of the day. It was like candy, or even a baked treat: it gave me the familiar rush I craved but was gone almost as quickly as it came. Shadow of the Colossus was the polar opposite of that, and I couldn&#8217;t help but be intoxicated by that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As someone who never truly became a gamer until the PS3 generation, I had already grown accustomed to many conveniences that were standardized in that generation. So, to play something that felt definitely unintuitive in its controls felt bizarre. To play something where, the more Colossi I battled, the more hostile the beasts and the world itself became felt off-putting. To be given a world so much more massive than I had ever seen and then to only keep 17 main points of interest on it felt counter-intuitive. But this challenge of what I thought games were supposed to be is what fascinated me enough to keep me going. Well, that wasn&#8217;t the only motivator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On top of the prestige that led me to ask for the game in the first place, from early on, the sheer wonder of this world, and concept of the game itself, blew me away. I had just beaten a game in which I dispatched thousands of enemies who were effectively my equal, and less than a percent of those deaths held any weight. Shadow of the Colossus asked me to only take down 16 foes, and finding out how to defeat each was an infinitely more fascinating challenge. And the Colossi themselves were mesmerizing, with each managing to top the one before it in either scale or creativity of design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With the excessive free time of a teenage Emmett, I allowed the game to consume most of my winter vacation exclusively, and I was rewarded with a spectacular experience that I never would have encountered had I not explored outside of my gaming comfort zone. I can trace my modern attempts to try and step outside of my comfort zone in games, movies, podcasts, and music all the way back to when I was so handsomely rewarded for doing so over a decade ago, and I feel forever in debt to Team Ico for changing my life is such a profound way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-titanfall-2\">1) Titanfall 2<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"480\" height=\"270\" data-attachment-id=\"18484\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?attachment_id=18484\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/titanfall-2.gif?fit=480%2C270&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"480,270\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"titanfall-2\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/titanfall-2.gif?fit=480%2C270&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vgu.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/titanfall-2.gif?resize=480%2C270&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18484\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>What is there left to say about Titanfall 2 that others haven&#8217;t already talked about in countless articles, interviews, and video essays? Ever since naming it as my <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=sA_mUJW3mhw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">7th favorite game of 2016,<\/a> I&#8217;ve regretted that decision more and more over the years. My initial instincts were off thanks to how heavily I weighed my opinion of the fantastic single-player campaign, which is admittedly just as great as everyone claims.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Narratively, it&#8217;s not game-changing. The bond between Jack Cooper and BT is touching, especially near the end. But the rogues&#8217; gallery was varied enough, and their personalities were strong enough that the anticipation and payoff of fighting every one of them was satisfying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, it&#8217;s the levels in between those boss battles that are really the highlight. Effect and Cause alone is one of the most mind-bending and unique concepts for a level ever conceived, and the high-speed platforming of Titanfall served as a great template to apply those ideas to.  But outside of that one iconic mission, every level is a treat, from storming a compound in your Titan along dozens of others to wall-running on the floor of an assembly line-made home as it&#8217;s being built. Each level has a gimmick unique from the last, and the game switches between them so quickly that it leaves you wanting more of each one, which means none of them ever get old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But the campaign isn&#8217;t the reason I&#8217;ve put roughly 100 hours into the game over the last few years. It&#8217;s the multiplayer component that has kept me coming back so often. Sure, thanks to its streamlined leveling system, it rewards long-term play just as much as any Call of Duty game. And with a heavy slant to player earned customization items, the game deemphasizes the use of its microtransactions, which are still reasonably priced and limited in quantity. But it&#8217;s the expert pace and dynamism of its matches that keep me engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The gunplay is wonderful, and seeing as the game is developed by ex-Call of Duty devs, I&#8217;d expect nothing less. But in the Call of Duty games, the combat was all you had to look forward to every match. It meant that every moment between spawn and combat was dull. Titanfall 2 fills that gap with the most fluid and fast parkour mechanics that I&#8217;ve ever seen in a first-person shooter. It makes for a wonderful back and forth between hitting headshots on enemies in midair and sliding and flying to and from combatants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This parkour system also complements it&#8217;s map design as well. Because you can rocket boost, speed slide, or grapple hook into any obscure corner of any map, the possibility of movement feels boundless while actually being fairly constrained. I&#8217;m a big fan of these kinds of free movement systems in games, but often they feel the need to have a sprawling world full of obstacles and square footage to support it. Titanfall 2 instead makes levels claustrophobic when playing as a pilot, yet expansive when playing as a Titan. This way, you can support complex movement without the lulls of traversal, like finding a tall building to glide or swing from in Saints Row IV or Marvel&#8217;s Spider-Man, but also allow for a wide playspace for the massive Titans to brawl out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And speaking of Titans, each one plays differently from the other, and when playing to their strengths, every single one can be a blast. But in contrast to the on-foot movement, Titan combat is much slower paced and more about positioning and timing. Because you can&#8217;t double jump away from trouble a millisecond, you&#8217;re often forced to outsmart your opponents rather than outrun them. But this trade-off is welcome, because the Titan weapons are often the most powerful in the game, killing pretty much anyone and anything not in a Titan in one hit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, think about all of these mechanics in comparison to how they make Titanfall 2 stand out. Every other multiplayer shooter I&#8217;ve ever played goes a similar way. Usually, you engage with the very same mechanics the entire match, with very minimal variation such as weapon types and loadout swaps. One team takes an early lead, and the team that is less good at combating human players is forced to suffer until the match&#8217;s end. And during that end sequence, the losing team is often helpless to watch as any kind of victory is snatched from their hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Titanfall 2 understands the issues often found in typical multiplayer games and solves damn near all of them in its premier mode, Attrition. Aren&#8217;t quick enough on the sticks to face human players? There are dozens of AI combatants to shoot that contribute to your team&#8217;s score. Tired of trying to nail the parkour system? You can piggyback onto any friendly Titan so you can focus purely on shooting. Can&#8217;t rack up enough kills to get your Titan? There&#8217;s a timer on it so, no matter your performance, you can eventually get to call it in. Did you just outright lose the match, fair and square? Then you can eliminate the enemy team all before they can evacuate, which is often just as satisfying as a conventional victory. Sure, there are modes like Live Fire, Last Titan Standing, and Pilot vs Pilot that reward player skill and mastery of specific mechanics a lot more. But all of these elements make for a game that is welcoming to every type of shooter fan game sings louder than any other game I&#8217;ve played and does so consistently over hundreds of matches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So that&#8217;s why I love Titanfall 2 so much. That&#8217;s why I never shut up about it on Twitter. That&#8217;s why I bought 6 copies of the game on multiple platforms, not only for myself but as a gift to friends. That&#8217;s why I didn&#8217;t hesitate to spend the last $150 I had at the time to buy the Collector&#8217;s Edition off of a friend back when he stumbled across a copy. That&#8217;s why, despite some missteps, I will always gleefully jump into anything Respawn makes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There&#8217;s always a new Call of Duty or Battlefield, each with its own annual or tri-annual changes. There&#8217;s always a new free-to-play shooter of the month, and many of them will have me hooked if only for a few weeks, but they all inevitably evolve with updates or die due to low player base. But Titanfall 2 has been a constant in my life for nearly the entire last generation. Through subtle balance changes, population drops (and spikes), and the studios&#8217; pivot to their surprise spin-off, the brilliant core design of its gameplay remains from launch. And at the end of the day, no matter how much I might love a character, relate to a theme, get immersed in a world, or get blown away by an unexpected twist; in the realm of interactive media, the sheer joy of interactivity will overrule all. And the joy I get from interacting with Titanfall 2 has yet to be matched by any other title to date.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome to the final propper episode of Keepin It \ud83d\udcaf, the podcast in which I, Emmett Watkins Jr go through my top 100 games of all time to sort them in proper order. Over the last few months, we\u2019ve had:10 Episodes (+Ep 0 and 9.5)534 Matchups100 Rejected Games100 Properly Sorted Games1,273 minutes of audio recorded [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":139948128,"featured_media":22460,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"Keepin It \ud83d\udcaf: The Grand Finale is now live! Emmett's Top 100 games of all time have been revealed, and he's got a lot to say about them. 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