Walking Wounded

I know you may see this article and pass over it without interest because you may not like video games and think you just won’t get it or be interested. However I hope you read some of it. I tried to talk about the games as a glimpse into some of my life history and stories to try and make it more interesting for those who don’t like video games. Hopefully I succeed in that. 

See Part one Here 

5. Resident Evil 4 [Gamecube]

This is the newest edition to my Top 10. The game it knocked out of the number 10 spot was probably Mario 64. I’m currently playing through this game right now and it keeps surprising me. It’s been out for more than a year but I hate paying more than $20 for a game so I had to wait a while to get it. I love a good story line in a game but to be honest I think most games story lines are crappy. Even ones that most people like I still find them pretty stupid. Resident Evil 4 however has a very interesting story line and I really feel myself in the game. I really feel the fear, the suspense and like I am actually Leon who is saving the presidents daughter from this camp full of crazy people trying to kill me. The game play is so much better than I expected and the graphics are the best you’ll see on this generations consoles. This game is a good bit gory so I don’t recommend this for everyone. I’m currently replaying through this game on Professional Mode (wow). There are some really cool unlockable modes once you beat the game which was very unexpected (usually don’t get unlocked items after 20 hours of gameplay) and awesome.

4. Legend of Zelda [NES]

I remember being a little Wii one (get the pun! sigh) and seeing this game in Wal-Mart. There it was just hanging on display in the front with its cool gold colors with that shiny gold cart visible through that little square hole. This was my first adventure game. It was awesome! There is so much to explore! I could really visualize myself going out into this uncharted land. At that age, as we all could, I could really let my imagination go. Zelda is one of the first games for the NES (as far as I know) to use a battery to save your game progress. No more trying to beat a game in one sitting. It was a good thing too because this game was LONG. It’s not long by today’s terms, but back then it sure was. Zelda always stayed interesting with unique enemies that took ever changing strategies, a wide range of items to use, and secrets all over the place. This is truly a classic.

3. Metroid Prime [Gamecube]

Metroid Prime was the biggest surprise of a game I’ve ever played. I didn’t expect to love this game like I did. I did not think they could actually pull off a FPS version of Metroid but they did so with amazing success. What I liked is this game was a lot more about exploration and strategy then about aiming. Most FPS are centered around how well you aim. While I still really like those types of games (see Goldeneye, RE4) this is a great change to that norm. The story line was interesting which I’m finding more and more of a plus. What I really liked is it was challenging. I would have to fight the bosses many times to be able to beat them. But, not so much that I got sick of trying. That’s a really hard balance for a game to find and Metroid Prime did very well at that. It’s a shame Metroid prime 2 wasn’t any better.

2. Super Smash Brothers Melee [Gamecube]

SSBM was release soon after the launch of the Nintendo Gamecube. There was a previous version made for the N64 but it’s not nearly as good and I never really played it much. I had played this game before I got my Gamecube and really liked it. It was the first game I got with my Gamecube. Little did I know how much this game would never loose its appeal. The biggest pros about this game are the multiplayer, computer AI, and the dynamics. I still play this game with Johnny and have yet to have someone play who didn’t thoroughly enjoy it. The computer does a couple stupid things but for the most part is very intelligent and very challenging. Probably my favorite part of this game is how much it changes. So much comes into play: items, who you are, who your opponent is, the level you are playing on all change the game drastically. I am continuously coming up with new strategies in this game and the unique scenarios never really cease.

1. X-com (1 and 2) [PC]

X-com 1: UFO Defense (X-com 2: Terror from the deep was basically an expansion of this one) was the first game I was really in love with and claims the number one spot without any hesitation. I got this back when we didn’t even have Windows 95 and I installed this game on our DOS computer. I LOVED this game. I just remember it being the greatest thing. A friend of mine had it and I saw it and just had to get it. I paid for it myself. What makes this game number 1 on my list is the fact that I still love this game. I found a new version that works with windows and play it on lunch breaks at work sometimes. It is still and always amazing. I don’t know if this one can ever be knocked from its position.

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