Tweet
I think it's safe to say that the current generation of videogames has been one of the best, if not the best. With the release of the PLAYSTATION 3 on November 11th, 2006, however, the PlayStation 2 era finally comes to an end. Not only that, but with the launch of the Nintendo Wii on November 19th, the current console generation begun by the SEGA Dreamcast in 1999 comes to a close.
While the PS2 itself still has a few hits on its way (FINAL FANTASY XII and God of War II, namely), I think now's a pretty fitting time for us to look back at the last 7 years and figure out just what the heck our absolute favourite games of the current generation were. Let's have a top 5 going.
#5: HALF LIFE 2
Platform: Windows, Xbox, Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3
Developer: VALVE
Director: Gabe Newell
Quite possibly the most highly anticipated and controversial videogame releases of all time, HALF LIFE 2 more than delivered on over 5 years of hype. Arguably single-handedly ushering in a new era of technology for games, HALF LIFE 2 is full of memorable characters and weapons, and the development team continues to push the envelope of game development, bringing advanced physics with HALF LIFE 2 and HDR with Lost Coast, and soon the unique concept of Portal. The SOURCE Engine was revolutionary upon its release, and will be used for new titles of many genres for years to come.
#4: Shadow of the Colossus
Platform: PlayStation 2
Developer: Sony Computer Entertainment Japan
Director: Fumito Ueda
Remarkably beautiful in its design, engaging and unforgettable in its gameplay, and absolutely fantastic in its storytelling, Shadow of the Colossus had a lot to live up to, being the spiritual successor to Ico, an overlooked but beloved PS2 launch window title. I remember being one of the many to be awestruck by the game's first screenshots, remarking that it looked completely next-gen. While that may have not been the case in the end, there's no doubt that despite the obviously aging PS2, art direction wins over technological capabilities in this title. Everything comes together perfectly for a beautifully artistic and engaging adventure, which I don't think anyone will forget any time soon.
#3: SUPER SMASH BROS. Melee
Platform: GameCube
Developer: HAL Laboratory/Nintendo
Director: Masahiro Sakurai
So, I have a confession to make. Since its release in 2001, my friends and I have played over 4,000 matches of SUPER SMASH BROS. Melee (and that's just on my console). With more fans than Halo, it's hard to overlook why this game is considered one of the most enjoyable multiplayer experiences ever. Not only is it friendly to the casual, the hardcore, and everyone inbetween, it just somehow never manages to get old. I wouldn't be surprised if plenty of people still played this game after Brawl is released next year. Completely addictive, nonstop fun makes Melee my favourite GameCube title, and to many people, it's the best reason to buy a GameCube.
#2: FINAL FANTASY XI Online
Platform: PlayStation 2, Windows, Xbox 360
Developer: Square ENIX
Producer: Hiromichi Tanaka
So, I might be a little biased. Seeing as how I am still absolutely addicted to FFXI after four years, it'd probably be nuts to not include it in my list of favourite titles of the current generation. For me, FFXI marks a historic moment in videogame history. Just like FINAL FANTASY IV gave me a completely new way to look at videogames when I was a kid, FINAL FANTASY XI Online gave me a completely different way to look at the Massively Multiplayer Online RPG genre. I'd played 'em before plenty, but none of them had the sheer charm and personality that FFXI does, and I still can't seem to find a more complete and satisfying experience in an MMORPG. Although it may be toppled by FFXII come November 1st, and while Tanaka's busy at work on his new PS3/Vista MMORPG, I can safely say I can see myself living in the world of Vana'diel for another 4 years.
#1: Metal Gear Solid 3: SUBSISTENCE
Platform: PlayStation 2
Developer: Kojima Productions/KONAMI
Director: Hideo Kojima
The best videogame on the PlayStation 2, the best game of the current generation, and quite possibly the best videogame ever made. While some may argue about that last one, it's pretty hard to deny that the tragedy of Big Boss is one of the best stories ever told in a videogame. Not only did Metal Gear Solid 3: SNAKE EATER bring completely new ideas to an outstanding franchise, Subsistence refined it into a far more enjoyable gameplay experience and added so much more to the gameplay beyond camera tweaks. And while that was the focus of Subsistence, it's just hard to put anything above the story. While it may have lacked some of the better villains seen in the MGS saga ("I'M MADE OF BEEEES!"), nearly every character had an incredible story to tell, and both Jack and The Boss are regarded as some of the most unforgettable, respectable and important characters in videogame history.
Honourable Mention: FINAL FANTASY XII
While it hasn't been released in North America just yet (9 days to go!), my time with the Japanese version of FINAL FANTASY XII has told me one thing: it's, in my opinion, the best FINAL FANTASY game so far. While it's still pretty hard for me to understand all the dialogue, the gameplay, development, graphics and emotion are all there and all perfected. While I would have loved to stick it on my top-5 list, it was hard to considering the English version of the game isn't even out yet. If I had to choose between FFXI and FFXII it'd be a really tough choice, but in the end, it's hard to deny that FINAL FANTASY XII is pretty much flawless.
So there we have it, my 5 favourite games of the current generation. With the Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 and Wii all offering very different but very compelling experiences, I'm surprised with how easily it may topple this current generation as what I consider the best ever.
While the PS2 itself still has a few hits on its way (FINAL FANTASY XII and God of War II, namely), I think now's a pretty fitting time for us to look back at the last 7 years and figure out just what the heck our absolute favourite games of the current generation were. Let's have a top 5 going.
#5: HALF LIFE 2
Platform: Windows, Xbox, Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3
Developer: VALVE
Director: Gabe Newell
Quite possibly the most highly anticipated and controversial videogame releases of all time, HALF LIFE 2 more than delivered on over 5 years of hype. Arguably single-handedly ushering in a new era of technology for games, HALF LIFE 2 is full of memorable characters and weapons, and the development team continues to push the envelope of game development, bringing advanced physics with HALF LIFE 2 and HDR with Lost Coast, and soon the unique concept of Portal. The SOURCE Engine was revolutionary upon its release, and will be used for new titles of many genres for years to come.
#4: Shadow of the Colossus
Platform: PlayStation 2
Developer: Sony Computer Entertainment Japan
Director: Fumito Ueda
Remarkably beautiful in its design, engaging and unforgettable in its gameplay, and absolutely fantastic in its storytelling, Shadow of the Colossus had a lot to live up to, being the spiritual successor to Ico, an overlooked but beloved PS2 launch window title. I remember being one of the many to be awestruck by the game's first screenshots, remarking that it looked completely next-gen. While that may have not been the case in the end, there's no doubt that despite the obviously aging PS2, art direction wins over technological capabilities in this title. Everything comes together perfectly for a beautifully artistic and engaging adventure, which I don't think anyone will forget any time soon.
#3: SUPER SMASH BROS. Melee
Platform: GameCube
Developer: HAL Laboratory/Nintendo
Director: Masahiro Sakurai
So, I have a confession to make. Since its release in 2001, my friends and I have played over 4,000 matches of SUPER SMASH BROS. Melee (and that's just on my console). With more fans than Halo, it's hard to overlook why this game is considered one of the most enjoyable multiplayer experiences ever. Not only is it friendly to the casual, the hardcore, and everyone inbetween, it just somehow never manages to get old. I wouldn't be surprised if plenty of people still played this game after Brawl is released next year. Completely addictive, nonstop fun makes Melee my favourite GameCube title, and to many people, it's the best reason to buy a GameCube.
#2: FINAL FANTASY XI Online
Platform: PlayStation 2, Windows, Xbox 360
Developer: Square ENIX
Producer: Hiromichi Tanaka
So, I might be a little biased. Seeing as how I am still absolutely addicted to FFXI after four years, it'd probably be nuts to not include it in my list of favourite titles of the current generation. For me, FFXI marks a historic moment in videogame history. Just like FINAL FANTASY IV gave me a completely new way to look at videogames when I was a kid, FINAL FANTASY XI Online gave me a completely different way to look at the Massively Multiplayer Online RPG genre. I'd played 'em before plenty, but none of them had the sheer charm and personality that FFXI does, and I still can't seem to find a more complete and satisfying experience in an MMORPG. Although it may be toppled by FFXII come November 1st, and while Tanaka's busy at work on his new PS3/Vista MMORPG, I can safely say I can see myself living in the world of Vana'diel for another 4 years.
#1: Metal Gear Solid 3: SUBSISTENCE
Platform: PlayStation 2
Developer: Kojima Productions/KONAMI
Director: Hideo Kojima
The best videogame on the PlayStation 2, the best game of the current generation, and quite possibly the best videogame ever made. While some may argue about that last one, it's pretty hard to deny that the tragedy of Big Boss is one of the best stories ever told in a videogame. Not only did Metal Gear Solid 3: SNAKE EATER bring completely new ideas to an outstanding franchise, Subsistence refined it into a far more enjoyable gameplay experience and added so much more to the gameplay beyond camera tweaks. And while that was the focus of Subsistence, it's just hard to put anything above the story. While it may have lacked some of the better villains seen in the MGS saga ("I'M MADE OF BEEEES!"), nearly every character had an incredible story to tell, and both Jack and The Boss are regarded as some of the most unforgettable, respectable and important characters in videogame history.
Honourable Mention: FINAL FANTASY XII
While it hasn't been released in North America just yet (9 days to go!), my time with the Japanese version of FINAL FANTASY XII has told me one thing: it's, in my opinion, the best FINAL FANTASY game so far. While it's still pretty hard for me to understand all the dialogue, the gameplay, development, graphics and emotion are all there and all perfected. While I would have loved to stick it on my top-5 list, it was hard to considering the English version of the game isn't even out yet. If I had to choose between FFXI and FFXII it'd be a really tough choice, but in the end, it's hard to deny that FINAL FANTASY XII is pretty much flawless.
So there we have it, my 5 favourite games of the current generation. With the Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 and Wii all offering very different but very compelling experiences, I'm surprised with how easily it may topple this current generation as what I consider the best ever.
Comment