What video games are important to you, and how?
- My list, in order I first encountered them, spoiler'd because I couldn't keep it short: [+] Show
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Super Solvers: Treasure Mountain - One of the very first games I was allowed to play on my own, found on my grandmother's DOS computer. She had most of the other Super Solver games along with Oregon Trail, Ships, and a few others. The Super Solver games always made me laugh, so I played them nearly to death. They weren't too challenging, even at an early age, so I burned through them pretty quickly. Which made Welltris my favorite quickly after! I didn't get to play it for too long, however, as my grandmother lost the booklet with the password.
Jump Start 3rd Grade - While I remember a lot more about Jump Start 6th Grade, after watching Jump Start 3rd Grade videos I realized that I was absolutely enchanted with it. The memories came rushing back. This, along with Reading Blaster 9-12, Odell Down Under, and a few others, made a huge bulk of my early gaming time thanks to somewhat strict rules on computer time and accessible games once I was allowed to use the computer at home. I didn't mind, though. For educational games, they were pretty dang fun!
Myst - I had no idea what was going on when I first touched it, but I was instantly enchanted. I wanted to know everything. Sadly, I didn't have the patience, the logic, or the deductive power to handle it. However, I surprised my father and brother when I solved a puzzle they had no idea how to solve. It wasn't until long after the Time Warp of Doctor Brain and Alien Crossfire that I returned to experience the game in full and, subsequently, played its sequels as well. But solving that puzzle convinced my parents to buy me more games, most especially one based around sound.
Juliard Music Adventure - This obscure gem is one of my favorites. While the rest of my family played the logic-intensive Jewels of the Oracle, I quickly proved my musical proficiency through this. It was because of this game that a lot of things changed in my life. For one, my parents realized how quickly I learned through multimedia and auditory methods. Secondly, they learned how I drew inspiration from games just as I did books, filtering them and then repackaging them in my pretend-play and imaginary games. So...they began allowing me to play different types of games and more often.
Captain Bible and the Dome of Darkness - I'm not religious now. I wasn't overly religious as a kid either. Hell, I didn't and don't even agree with some of the content of the game. But this was not only the first game I was allowed to play with more than slapstick violence (and it was surprisingly dark and violent, complete with inhuman transformations, drugs, flamethrowers...) but also the first game that was truly a hybrid game. It was just as much logic as it was Bible knowledge, just as much general morality as it was arbitrary religious doctrine, and just as much combat simulator as it was puzzle game.
Super Mario Bros. 3 - You'd think this would be higher on the list, but I didn't get to really enjoy the NES we had until I was older. I'd accidentally deleted my brother's save on Dragon Warrior and quickly earned a ban from it. I began to play this, though, and quickly adapted to console games while learning the gaming skills I'd need to expand beyond puzzle and educational games. I didn't mind getting stuck as Luigi, it was a small price to pay. It was also one of the first purely for-fun games I played, the other being Sierra's 3-D Ultra Pinball.
Star Tropics II: Zoda's Revenge - One of the first console games I got heavily into. It was tacky and cheesey and all sorts of lame. But the gameplay was fun and challenging and I loved every second of it. ...well, except for the gold rush stage. And the monkey maze. Stupid psychic monkey. Anyway, I did eventually beat it even if it took me years later to beat the first game and finally understand what the heck the second game was about.
The Time Warp of Dr. Brain - I wouldn't exactly call it educational, but it was great for logic puzzles. The logic puzzle brains quickly caught me up to speed with the rest of my family in terms of traditional logic and allowed me to keep my own in conversations, puzzle games, and abstract thinking. Gridlock was great too, and so were a few others, but...okay, I'm weird for having liked logic puzzles as a kid, I get it! There was also a few other games, some more obscure than others. Castles II, Isaac Asimov's Science Adventure II, for instance. And this one trivia game with a bunch of anthropomorphic monkeys in a tree house? Please, someone tell me if they can find that.
Final Fantasy V - It's often hard choosing between this and Final Fantasy VI, but I felt that Final Fantasy V had one of the best game-play systems of any Final Fantasy. Elegant yet intricate, it allowed me countless options in how to proceed. Plus, it had a huge number of items, abilities, and secrets to collect. While VI had my favorite characters and plot of the series and Final Fantasy VIII was the most enjoyable for me to break and fool around with mini-games in, it's only Final Fantasy V I've replayed so often I cannot count how many times I have.
Sid Meier's Alien Crossfire - I was not a patient child. Despite how much I knew I could love games like Civilization II, Warlords Battlecry II, and Lords of Magic, I couldn't stand to pace myself and strategize as they really wanted me to do. It wasn't until Sid Meier's Alien Crossfire that I began to learn patience in games. The game is without a doubt one of the most lore-heavy and unique 4X games ever made, becoming a personal plot as much as it was a city expansion and war game. I still to this day do not skip over any of the technology or secret project speeches and videos.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time - One of the first games I completed completely under my own power without prior help or experience. While one of my favorite characters may be from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess and The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask grows on me more and more as time passes, Ocarina of Time was complicated enough to explore and feel proud conquering while simple enough to not dwarf me and feel like I would miss out without using a walkthrough or online guide.
Donkey Kong 64 - I do not enjoy the Donkey Kong series. I've never found the games particularly fun or appealing, nor have I found the characters compelling or likable. Except for Donkey Kong 64. Donkey Kong 64 was my Banjo Kazooie/Ratchet & Clank/Jak & Daxter/collectable-focused 3D platformer and I loved it. It was especially great because it had one of the first combaty multi-player mode I'd seen in a game, and prior to Super Smash Bros it was one of the go-to games for having people over.
Chrono Cross - Vastly underrated, partly due to its insanely complicated lore that lost most players of Chrono Trigger, I adored the countless characters and the creative play between alternate realities it provided. When I later encountered Radical Dreamers and the other missing links, I was engrossed by the story as well. I can still map the entire game out in my head. Although, I'm always disappointed that Pip was bugged as he was. I wanted so badly to have Pip be a mainstay in my party.
Pokemon Sapphire - I played both Pokemon Blue and Pokemon Gold before this, and I played Pokemon Fire Red, Pokemon Diamond, and Pokemon X after this. But Pokemon Sapphire will always be my sweet-spot. The contests, intricate breeding, lively world, and massive yet manageable number of Pokemon never once set me off. I was impressed with everything but Fire Red and Diamond in one way or another, but Sapphire engrossed me. I doubt I'll ever have a Pokemon-style experience the same way ever again. Well, until the make the goddamned sequel to Pokemon Snap that we all want. Seriously, Nintendo, do you hate money?
Metroid Prime - FPS Metroid that keeps the quiet, lonely feel of the original, emphasizes exploration, and feels exactly like Metroid should? I am all about that. I don't care about the lock-on targeting or floaty movement, it's all great. Of course, I'm extra biased now that my brother works for Retro Studios, but it always was and always will be an excellent game. Especially seeing as this is one of the first games I actually went out of my way to try and one-hundred percent.
Phantom Brave - I tried to get into Disgaea. I really did. But...it was far too grindy for my tastes. And I know, plenty of people have told me it's possible to beat without grinding, but it certainly didn't feel like it when I tried time and time again! Phantom Brave, however, was enchanting and exciting for me. The summoning and item systems made the game a treasure trove of experimenting and fooling around. I was happy to grind in it! To be honest, I've never beaten the game. But I love returning to it every so often.
PlanetSide - An FPS MMO. I joined PlanetSide when the Reserves program began. Even limited to BR6 and CR2, I found the possibilities endless. It was unlike any FPS I had played before, and despite my utter incompotence in other similar games I quickly grew adept. Stealthing around and placing mines around enemy bases and ramparts, sneaking into bases and hacking areas when no one was looking, sniping from long range, dropping in a MAX, or rounding the corner with a Lasher, nothing wasn't fun in it. I was so sad when the program ended. By the time they opened it up free to play in 2014, the magic and server populations both weren't there anymore. And no, PlanetSide 2 is not the same. I tried to love it the same, but...it wasn't.
We <3 Katamari - Simple joy. Everything about this game is simple fun and absurdity. Even when you're trying for a record or wanting to find one specific thing, Katamari does its best to simply encourage you to roll about, relax, and enjoy yourself. As if that weren't enough, my first real best friend in my life and I grew even closer over a few things, and this game was one of those things. We were incredible for a co-op Katamari team! Not Games Done Quick good, but pretty dang good nonetheless.
World of Warcraft - I actually have a ton of MMO memories. Started with Maple Story, flitted about from free game to free game, played some Final Fantasy XI, and I eventually ended up here. Played this from the end of Burning Crusade to the beginning of Cataclysm. You'd think it'd have made a bigger impression on me since I was a high-end raider and huge achievement seeker for a period, but I failed to find the friend-base needed to justify the game. Especially as it began to simplify and simplify... So I guess, despite taking years of my life, that's why I forgot to put it on here! I'd play more MMOs after, including Tera, Final Fantasy XIV, and Wildstar, but none ever really stuck with me. Mostly due to lack of true friends. I will admit, however, I am really enjoying The Secret World. Plus, the lack of monthly subscription fee helps!
Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning - One of the first modern Western games I loved, and extra important to me as it was the first game my brother helped create. The blending of action and RPG never satisfied me before this. While the plot and world were somewhat unimpressive in hindsight, the combat and feel of the game was something special. Perhaps it was that sweet-spot in timing, too, since I'd only recently accumulated experience with fighting games, role-playing games, and action RPGs to fully appreciate what it was. I like to believe it was at this point I started becoming a more well-rounded gamer.
DotA 2 - I adore theory-crafting and macro-level strategy. Did it for Starcraft 2 as well. DotA 2 is fun even when I'm just watching because of this. I began playing during the early beta stages after only having played two games of Defense of the Ancients in my life and quickly found its intricacies addictive. Sadly, I couldn't find reliable people to party with and quickly grew frustrated. My micro-level skills were lacking, placing me in matchmaking with people with high-level micro skills but no concept of overall strategy or coordination...and also no willingness to listen to me regarding either. Still, I continue to spectate the pro-scene and love following the patches and talking theory.
Fallout: New Vegas - One of my newest favorite games. I followed the Fallout series through YouTube videos and wiki browsing, as I thoroughly enjoyed the lore and concepts. Similarly, I watched games like the Elder Scrolls series with awe at the true flexibility of play-styles available (excepting Skyrim, which I played and was disappointed with how limited I was). But when I got Fallout: New Vegas (far later than most people did), it was the combination of both. I sincerely felt I wasn't being coddled or steered in specific directions, had choices matter in the world, and could replay the same game over and over countless times without being bored. It's now one of the only modern games I have one-hundred percented. Now I just need to get around to playing Fallout 3, especially since I now intimately know the area it takes place in.
And [dot]TV, which was like it's grown-up cousin.
Many many good memories with this game.
