Now before we get to the Top 10, everyone likes a runner-up list right? So here's where we start with 5 honorable mentions. I suppose I could have just included these if I called it a top 15 list, but that just doesn't flow you know?
Honorable Mention #1. Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Breath of the Wild was the past, present and future of the Legend of Zelda series all wrapped into one game. It took the basic ideas of the original NES Zelda, with nods to all the additions popped up along the way, and brought them into a new era that will be the series’ direction for at least a while. And best of all….So. Much. Freedom.
Sure Hyrule was kind of leveled by Calamity Ganon, but there’s plenty left to do and see. Mountains, towns, deserts, lakes, pastures, secret ninja assassins, and there are secrets and things to do and find everywhere. Explore and you’ll find it all. And you really should because Hyrule and arguably no open world has ever been more full of life and more fun to explore. To top it off, Nintendo did an amazing job of giving Link as few limitations as possible. If you have the tools to do something, and you think it can be done… it can probably be done. And let’s not forget about the score. The subtle way piano music flows in and out. Outstanding.
Sure the bite sized dungeons were a bit underwhelming, and the main dungeons were kind of crappy (seriously that tilt feature that all of the Devine Beasts utilized can feel free to never return). But when the overworld was as amazing as Hyrule was, who the hell wants to spend time in a labyrinth?
I'm here for Journey.
No, no, no... number 1 is going to be Castlevania: Lords of Shadow!
Don't ask me how I remember these things, I just do! 
Who could forget that!
Assholes to the left of me..... assholes to the right of me...
Damnit! Leo beat me to it with Lords of Shadow. 
robio said:Assholes to the left of me..... assholes to the right of me...
Here I am! Stuck in the middle with you
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Tell me to get back to rewriting this site so it's not horrible on mobile
A potentially unlimited number of honourable mentions...I see you've been inspired by Vader!
Foolz said:A potentially unlimited number of honourable mentions...I see you've been inspired by Vader!
Speaking of Vader, I haven't seen him lately. I hear he's working on the top 27 as we speak.
Foolz said:A potentially unlimited number of honourable mentions...I see you've been inspired by Vader!
No no. Don't paint me with that brush. I said five. Just five. No more than five.
Honorable Mention #2. The Evil Within
This is some fucked up shit y’all. The Evil Within might not be the most polished game ever, but what it lacked in smooth gameplay, it makes up for in weird bizarre moments. One minute you’re being chased through a sewer of blood with a guy that has a safe for a head and then next you’ll be in a burning barn fighting with a spider girl who looks like a reject from The Grudge. And your safe spot?? Well that’s in an asylum ward with an emotionless nurse who hooks straps you into something that looks like an electric chair so you can power up your stats. Weird ass shit I tell you. It’s the video game equivalent to the underrated horror movie, The Cell.
It’s also one of the few horror games to scare me with something other than just simple jump scares, though there’s plenty of those too. But between all the unpredictable moments, the not knowing what’s going on, and a feeling of just being weak the player is most of the time in a state somewhere between utterly confused and unnerved. It makes a strong argument for being the top horror game of its generation (in a time where there were plenty of good ones).
Getting back to the gameplay, while it is a bit clunky, it does a lot of unique things. Enemies are TOUGH to kill (early on anyway), ammo is very limited, and if you don’t try to play it smart and quiet you will get overwhelmed quickly. The feature weapon is a funky crossbow with a variety of ammo and it lets the player use it in some fairly creative ways when a regular gun just won’t do the trick. Also worth mentioning is some great DLC, that allows the player to go through sections of the game as a secondary character who throughout the game helps the player but doesn’t quite feel like an ally (why yes the creator also made Resident Evil 4).
robio said:Foolz said:A potentially unlimited number of honourable mentions...I see you've been inspired by Vader!
No no. Don't paint me with that brush. I said five. Just five. No more than five.
That sounds like a sneaky way of saying 15.
How does the sequel compare? I think I've got it on GOG...
robio said:Okay, no more honorable mentions then. There is no honor now. Their ancestors will live in shame.
Ok, a clue. The next game is Dishonored?
Foolz said:How does the sequel compare? I think I've got it on GOG...
I liked it a lot, but they are actually very different games. The gameplay in 2 is much better. Controls are much tighter, and for most of the game you operate out of a town that act as a hub. Everything is a much more polished feel.
On the other hand, I don't think the plot was quite as good. Though, it is a little bit difficult to compare. You know what's going on for the most part in The Evil Within 2 or you at least understand why strange things are happening when they do. You are familiar with STEM this time around, and for various reasons, things are more stable in the virtual world (or whatever you want to call it). So while there are certainly plenty of weird moments and visuals, it's never anywhere to the level of the original.
The way I look at it is the original Evil Within was a horror game with some sci-fi elements. The sequel is a sci-fi game with some horror elements. If you've got it though, I highly recommend playing it. It's still a great game.
Eh just make a top 10 with 20 games.
TEW is better than the sequel, it feels like RE4 in the pacing and sheer creativity of its encounters but with a load of jank. TEW2 removes the jank but feels like just another game.
For the past several months I've been kicking this around and decide whether or not I should bother with this list. I don't play quite as much as I used to, and in particular the last few years I've played less than ever. Writing, even inconsequential stuff, doesn't come quite as easy as it once did for some reason so that's made things even harder. Then this ridiculous pandemic happened and suddenly I've had more free time and started playing a lot more than I had in years, and it's jump started my interest in gaming again in a big way.
Still, the writing part hasn't quite clicked, but after a few false starts I decided to say 'fuck it' and just force it. If it sucks, so be it. Hell, 5 people at most are going to read it so really cares?
So what will the top games be? What will be number one? Will I finish my list before Vader finishes his Top 100? To find out the answers to these questions and more STAY TUNED!!!!