Top 25 of this Decade: #15 – 11

In the coming weeks, there will be an announcement involving myself and a huge project I will be working on. It will be something that I have been, and will be dedicating a TON of time to work on, something I have not had these days, but have been making for this. The foundation is laid down and the structure is built and just about finished. I can’t stress enough ho huge this project will be, in terms of how labor intensive and time consuming it will be, not to mention how much dedication will be needed. I am hard at work on it as we speak, while finishing up my Top 25 of this Decade list. I hope to share this news with you all sometime between the middle of December. This will be kicking off on New Years Day! If you love video games, both new and old, and if you follow my work in general, this is something you will want to check out and something you definitely want to tell your friends to follow. But enough about this for the time being, lets see what games made it to #15 – 11 on my Top 25 of the Decade!

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Mass Effect
Microsoft XBox 360
US Release Date: November 20, 2007

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What is it?
Follow Commander Shepard through an intergalactic quest, filled with treachery, deceit and more twists and turns than all six Star Wars movies combined. Deal with moral decisions that adversely affect how you are perceived by others, trying to uncover the truth behind deceitful, and stop an evil of mass proportions.

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Why did it make my list?
It was one of the most well crafted RPG’s in a long time. Mass Effect oozed personality out of every pour, from its intergalactic settings, to a voiced over main character. Running combat off of mostly ballistic weaponry was a great idea, as combat felt extremely fresh for the genre. The story is layered in depth and detail, which feels like a space soap opera sometimes. Choose from different classes, some focusing mostly on ballistics, some focusing mostly on biotics, and the others focusing on a mixture. With a fully voiced main character, you finally have a stronger bond with him (or her) as he or she voices out whatever decisions you make for them. With well developed teammates that you will actually care for, a gripping and twisting story, a combat system that’s not only unique but enjoyable, and so much more, Mass Effect is a breakout hit that will forced other developers to try to match Bioware’s masterpiece or seem inferior.

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RPG milestone
This was the first RPG since Suikoden that I beat, and immediately started once again. The story, the world, the characters, everything about Mass Effect was so engrossing and so engaging that I immediately had to play the game a second time. I made different decisions, had a different playthrough somewhat, but it was just as enjoyable the second go around as it was the first. Without a shadow of a doubt, I cannot wait for Mass Effect 2 next year!

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New Super Mario Bros.
Nintendo DS
US Release Date: May 15, 2006

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What is it?
It’s Mario, back doing what made him so famous and beloved – rescuing that helpless Princess Peach in a 2D side scrolling world. Take a trip through 8 worlds, chasing after Peach while using new power ups and moves seen in previous 3D titles, like the triple jump and wall jumps. Fight your way through typical ice stages, newb stages, sand stages, and other staples of the genre.

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Why did it make my list?
What better way to remind us how much of an impact Mario has had in the 2D world than to release a brand new Super Mario Bros. game in 2D. Every little thing you loved and remembered about how a Mario game played is faithfully replicated, and added upon. Flawless controls, increasing challenge, thought provocation, its all here. Not only that, but it didn’t force you to use the touch screen on your DS  in an over excessive, and all around unnecessary matter. This is just straight up, classic 2D mastery that’s tweaked the formula just so slightly, created a much prettier world and kept everything you love and admired about 2D Mario games intact.

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New Super Mario Bros. Wii – What’s the verdict?
It’s pretty much an amazing game. It feels like a combination of Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario World, Yoshi’s Island and New Super Mario Bros. on DS. While the tacked on motion controls are not hampering the experience, I just want to play a Mario game without having to shake the stupid controller around. Definitely give New Super Mario Bros. Wii a try if you can. It’s the same blast from the past as the DS version, just as beautiful, just as fun. For more on what I think about New Super Mario Bros. Wii, click here for my Quickie Review of the single player experience.

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Indigo Prophecy
Microsoft XBox
US Release Date: September 20, 2005

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What is it?
One of the best story driven titles out there, Indigo Prophecy (aka Fahrenheit overseas) is best described as a true interactive movie. You change perspectives between several characters, trying to unravel and understand these recent paranormal activities, strange happenings, and murders you apparently committed. Controlling each situation will change, depending on the situation. During questioning, you will have controller inputs to select what question you want to ask, during certain fights, QTE will be your way out, other situations will have you running around trying to get through the situations.

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Why did it make my list?
There’s a lot of games that flew under most peoples radars (Rez, Beyond Good & Evil, Yakuza, Stubbs the Zombie, Psychonauts, just to name a few). Indigo Prophecy is a very different take on gaming. We’ve all played FMV titles where you time a button press towards a certain direction (Dragon’s Lair) or a FMV title where the action stops and you are given choices on how to progress next (Plumbers Don’t Wear Ties….poor Angry Video Game Nerd). Basically, interactivity was limited. Indigo Prophecy shook up this way of thinking. You are able to move your characters around most stages, with different QTE that pop up at different times, all while being engrossed in a whacked out story. Throughout the game, viewpoints shift through several characters, all culminating as the gameplay progresses. There’s a few issues with the game, especially with the controls, but the experience and fresh feeling of the title really solidified a high spot in my list. Its low sales numbers are an absolute travesty, and this game should be tried at least once by every gamer that likes a story dominant experience.

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The Ultimate Sleeper Hit
Poor sales didn’t help this one get noticed. Those that did notice the game however, can probably agree that this was a unique experience and one worth experiencing. Indigo Prophecy is the reason why I’m waiting for Heavy Rain with baited breath. Quantic Dream, the ones behind Indigo Prophecy, are the ones working on Heavy Rain. From the previews I’ve seen, and from the example left by IP, it looks like we might be in for a huge treat.

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Metroid Prime
Nintendo Gamecube
US Release Date: November 17, 2002

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What is it?
The first 3D Metroid title ever to be released, Metroid Prime took the 2D formula from Metroid’s past, and faithfully imported it into a 3D world. Travel to different worlds, each with a rich, lush look that pushed console gaming graphics over the edge back in 2002. Metroid Prime went on to win numerous awards, acclamations and high praise from nearly everyone that played the game.
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Why did it make my list?
Metroid was a series that many thought would never make a successful leap to the 3D plane. Mario made the successful leap. The Legend of Zelda has proven that its adventure was more than suited for a 3D plane. To the shock of many, Metroid Prime more than succeeded in its transition. Even today, the game is drop dead gorgeous, arguably more beautiful than even Twilight Princess. The controls were unique, and with enough practice, worked well with the action on screen. The game wasn’t too long, but was lengthy enough to provide a good amount of entertainment. The visual drama, surprises and action all around made Metroid Prime an award winner, and is definitely a title that deserves a spot on my list.
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Sad But True….

I have had Metroid Prime 2: Echoes sealed up for the lasts four years. From what I’ve been told and what I’ve read, it’s a great game, but hard as all hell. I’m thinking about keeping it sealed and splurging on a Metroid Prime Trilogy purchase to go with my 26.5″ monitor. Time will tell.

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Half Life: The Orange Box
Microsoft XBox 360
US Release Date: October 9, 2007

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What is it?
What isn’t it? You have five games here – Half Life 2, with Episodes 1 and 2, as well as a unique puzzle game in the form of Portal, and team based FPS in Team Fortress 2. Play through the newest adventures of Gordon Freeman in one of the only FPS adventures with a gripping story to match its amazing gameplay. Create portals to transport yourself out of situations in the fresh concept known as Portal. Play one of many different classes with different looks, abilities and perks in this awesome team based FPS Team Fortress 2.

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Why did it make my list?

The Orange Box is an unbelievable collection of five of the best games you will ever have a chance to play. Half Life 2 and the two episodes accompanying it are some of gaming’s finest masterpieces in story, looks, controls and so on. I’m still eagerly awaiting Episode 3. Portal is a unique take of the puzzle genre, that feels a bit short, but so very satisfying to complete. The package is rounded out with one of the best multiplayer FPS experiences out there in the form of Team Fortress 2. Although the number of maps available were a bit lacking, the gameplay and diversity between characters were the real star. You can be a scout who lacks hardcore weaponry but is fast on his feet, or a medic that has a putrid offense, but can heal others and give a temporary invulnerability between himself and whomever he is in a heal link with. Create teleporters and turrets with an engineer, or pick a sniper if you have good head shot accuracy. There’s so much offensively and defensively that is available to you through the diversity of characters that it makes playing TF2 fresh with each character and stage you play in.

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Oh TF2….
If only your net code on the 360 wasn’t written on a piece of toilet paper for 70% of the time spent on it. When the game ran smoothly it was bliss. When it didn’t, my God was it painful. Try playing a Medic when the action is lagged 25 seconds behind. I did give it a go recently and the few games I played were quite smooth, with enough of a dedicated population still playing. Maybe it’s time to give it another go!

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We are winding down to the Top 10 selections! From here on out, I guarantee you will all be shocked as to what games I felt deserved to be ranked in the top ten. You will see a couple of games you would probably never seen on the ‘mainstream’ gaming sites. You will see a game that you probably forgot came out this decade, but made a massive splash in the hearts and consoles of millions of gamers.  You will see a title that could be replaced and interchanged with a couple of other titles. You will see a number one choice that will have you talking. Come on back this time next week for the Top 25 of this Decade: #10 – 6 and see which games you knew would be in the top 10, and which games you never thought you’d ever see!

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Top 25 of this Decade: #16 – 20

Top 25 of this Decade: #21 – 25