Top Ten Favourite Video Games – David

Hello readers, it’s David. Remember me? Probably not, because I’ve been too busy spending my time procrastinating and playing Street Fighter and Dark Souls 3 (expect a review soon!) I did a mediocre Street Fighter 5 review ages ago and haven’t done much since. And now seeing that this website is now 1 year old, I thought it would be a good idea to get off my lazy butt and write something; a top 10 favourite games list! Low effort, I know, but it’s something at least!

Before we get started, I’d like to put down a rule of one game per franchise. This is to prevent 5 slots being taken up by Soulsborne games and to add a bit more variety to the mix. Anyway, let’s begin!

10. Hotline Miami

This absolute gem of a game took me by surprise with its beautiful 80’s LSD trip aesthetic, wonderful electronic soundtrack and satisfying ultra-violent gameplay. Released in 2012 by Dennaton Games, it gained acclaim as one of the best indie games of all time. With its bloody carnage, excellent level design which goes hand in hand with the games multiplier system, extremely memorable soundtrack, underlying yet intriguing plot and its questioning of your morality for enjoying the violence makes it a game you’re never likely going to forget.

9. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

As a big Metal Gear Solid fan, when I heard of this game I expected it to not be so great. Call me old fashioned or whatever, but I didn’t think a hack n’ slash type game to work well with the MGS franchise. Boy, I was wrong. Released in 2013 by one of my favourite game devs Platinum Games, I completely fell in love with its angst-ridden, edgy fun. It’s satisfying combat, cheesy yet suitable metalcore soundtrack and dynamic slicing mechanic make it an absolute treat to play. A short treat, but one you will savour for years to come.

8. Jet Set Radio

This may be a controversial one, as some people do not look back too fondly on Jet Set Radio, at least compared to Jet Set Radio Future. And maybe someday I will feel the same, because unfortunately, I haven’t had the chance to play Future at any decent extent. But screw the haters, I love Jet Set Radio. The game absolutely bursts with character, with its charming cast of characters, beautiful art style that holds up to this day, stunning levels in both design and graphics wise and excellent soundtrack which hosts a variety of different genres. Play it if you haven’t had the chance to.

7. Jak And Daxter: The Precursor Legacy

Naughty Dog had a tough job making a game that could match the greatness of Crash Bandicoot, but I believe they nailed it. I’m deeply nostalgic for Jak and Daxter, as it is one of the first video games I ever played, but even playing it now is an absolute treat. Jak and Daxter is pure collectathon bliss, which is brought together with tight controls, a bright and beautiful art style and a memorable cast.

6. System Shock 2

System Shock 2 is in my opinion the best first person RPG to ever to be released. Co-developed by Irrational Games, the people who would go on to make Bioshock and the unfortunately long disbanded Looking Glass Studios. Released in 1999, this has to be one of the most innovative games ever made. The game has a cold and unnerving atmosphere, a maze-like level design which makes you rely on your map and your wits alone, a variety of different play styles to suit how you would like to play, haunting enemy designs and the best antagonist in video game history. Play it.

5. Fallout 2

While many people tout about Bethesda’s take on the series with Fallout 3 and 4 being fantastic, I feel like a lot of people skip over and don’t talk about the isometric Fallout games made by Interplay which started the whole series off. And in my humble opinion, they were much better than the watered down first person “RPGs” Fallout 3 and 4 are. While it was hard to pick between 1 and 2, I think 2 has the edge. This game stands up today both graphically and gameplay wise, with stats that actually matter and affect how you play the game, freedom to tackle quests with many different options and outcomes and a compelling main story which makes you want to keep playing. If you love old school RPGs but haven’t played it yet, play it right now.

4. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

Yes, I am kind of breaking my rule of one game per franchise here, but MGR and MGS are much different gameplay wise and… whatever, deal with it. Anyway, this game is simply fantastic and the best game the legend Hideo Kojima ever made. I can’t put into text how much of a stealth masterpiece this game is. Fantastic characters, fantastic gameplay, a fantastic James Bond-eqsue plot, and the best video game ending. If you’re interested in playing this, make sure to pick up the HD collection version.

3. Red Dead Redemption

If a Clint Eastwood western was made into a video game, Red Dead Redemption would be the result. Red Dead Redemption is Rockstar Games’ best video game. This game gives you the full Wild West experience, from being able to do bounties, rob trains, drink in saloons and even lasso women and tie them to train tracks. And without wanting to give anything away, this is easily Rockstar’s best story. Play it!

2. Dark Souls

If you know me, you know I absolutely adore the Dark Souls series. I think every single one of them is fantastic in their own way and truly believe that they are some of the best games to come out period. Dark Souls is my favourite out of the masterpieces From Software have developed. Dark Souls is a game that remembers what makes video games fun. It uses difficulty to make you feel huge accomplishment for overcoming an obstacle, whether it’s getting past an enemy ambush or defeating a boss. It never holds your hand one step of the game. It’s just you and your mastery over the combat. The level design is unparalleled, the art style is bleak yet beautiful, and the restraint to only use music when fighting a boss makes them even more memorable than they already are. Play. This. Game.

1. Shadow Of The Colossus

Shadow of the Colossus is the most unique and powerful video game I have ever played. I believe it is a must-play experience. Shadow of the Colossus is you, the beautiful landscape, and the colossus. There are no normal enemies, only 16 bosses. Your goal is to slay them. As you can see from the photo above, the scale of the colossus is breath-taking. The contrast of going across the barren, yet stunning landscapes with your horse Aggro and scaling a thrashing colossus as you hold on for dear life makes those moments even more powerful than they already are. This game is a technological masterpiece and damn well pushes the PS2 to its absolute limit. You owe it to yourself to play it.

And that’s a wrap! I hope you readers enjoyed my extremely rushed and terrible list of my favourite games! I encourage you to check out every game listed and see what you think of them. Oh, and happy birthday Stuff n’ That! May we go on for years to come!

David