Monday 26 September 2011

My top 15 games of all time! Part 2.

Part two – numbers 12 – 10.
Enjoy 


12) Silent Hill 2 (PS2)

From the days of the original Resident Evil, I’ve been gripped with Survival Horror. And the Silent Hill series is one of the finest. Whilst the first three Resident Evil series (along with Code Veronica) focused more on survival, making you constantly stretch out your ammo, Silent Hill focused more on the horror. The horror mainly comes from the unknown, and what you don’t see. Darkness is a constant theme throughout. As a result this leaves you constantly unknowing as to what horrors lay ahead. What make’s this all the more terrifying is the sound effects. There are plenty of eerie groans and screeches. It gets to the point that you’ve explored all other options, but that darkened corridor with the unsettling noises really is your only way to progress, as much as you’d rather it not be. The fear in the unknown is also in the enemies, much in the way you’re always going “What is that?!” This is epitomised in the foreboding enemy that is known simply as ‘Pyramid Head’ – an enemy so unique you can waste a few valuable seconds when you first see it merely going “What the f……?” So whilst the eeriness can sum up all the Silent Hill games I feel this one just pulls it off so well, the Series’ jump from ps1 to ps2 saw such an improvement on the 1st. From graphics and gameplay, to story and atmosphere. So if you haven’t played this, and want some old ps2 fun along with some top notch gaming scares, this a great place to start.



11) Gears of War (Xbox 360)

 Alongside the Halo series, Gears of War is the Xbox 360’s major franchise. And from the get-go, it’s easy to see why. The graphics are nice, even if they are little on the “grey” side. The story is so-so in all honesty. Much like the Halo series, you are up against a massive alien threat taking over the world. For me GoW’s gameplay is its shining factor. Running straight out and trying to shoot everything you see won’t get you very far (Something I found out when I first tried to play it). For GoW, cover is the key. More often than not, you will have to find cover, behind a wall or a burned out car. From there it’ll become a shoot-out between the alien foes and you and your allies. This can require some degree of tactics as you will need to carefully move from cover to cover find the best spots to clear the area of enemies before moving on. The makers say the need for cover rather than running and shooting, came to them during a game of paint ball. I can see the connection, and it works as it makes you really think of what you’re doing, and gives you a sense of actual battle. I also like the fact you can co-op on the story. I completed the game with a friend. I feel this improves the game as the sense of battle is heightened as you’re ‘fighting’ alongside an actual friend as opposed to just having AI controlled characters by your side. As for the online, I must say I haven’t really given it much of try. From what I have played it seems pretty good. More on what I play online later in the list.



10) Discworld II; Missing Presumed…!? (ps1/PC)

 Based on the novels by Terry Prachett, this is a brilliantly funny point and click. You play bumbling wizard Wincewind, who has to find The Grim Reaper after he decides to give up his day job. Point and clicks have always had a niche market and they’re definitely for everybody. Even as a fan, I often said there’s much annoyance in trying to figure out the most obscure puzzles that don’t make any sense whatsoever. But if you can endure some of the painstaking puzzles, then Discworld 2 is a treat. The cartoon-like graphics are good, even now. The voice acting is top notch – Eric Idol providing the lead role. Nigel Planer (‘Neil’ from the Young Ones) and Rob Brydon also appear. In many point and clicks humour plays a big role (a fine example being ‘The Secret of Monkey Island’), and this game is a fine example. It’s essentially silly British humour, which may explain having a Monty Python star voice the main character. And Nigel Planer effectively just does ‘Neil from The Young Ones’ for his character (a worker at the University), which isn’t a bad thing by no means. And then there are the puzzles. If you’ve ever played a point and click, you’ll know that they are both the best and worst part of the game! It’s the same with this. They are stupid, silly, and in some parts insanely hard. But the way I see it, if you not spending two hours shouting at the TV, wondering what to do with nothing but a catchy jingle, 10cc of mouse blood and a troll’s smell you’re not doing it right!

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