10) Beyond Two Souls
I enjoyed this one a lot and still play it often. You play as Jodie, who has a connection to a supernatural entity named Aiden. The player gets to play as both characters, and as Aiden you get to scare the poop out of people, possess them, etc. You can also make Jodie's life a living hell. It's a lot of fun.
This game was similar in a lot of ways to Heavy Rain. There are just two things that somewhat bother me - one is that too much is jammed into one story. At different points, Jodie is kicking ass for the FBI, then she's homeless, then she's living with isolated Mexicans haunted by demons, then there's another flashback to her being a child, etc. These were all great ideas - they just feel forced. It kinda makes the story feel all over the place. Even worse is that you can't play the game in chronological order either. Maybe they knew a sequel wasn't possible so they decided to jam all of their storylines into one game.
The other thing I didn't really like is that unlike other RPGs like Heavy Rain, The Walking Dead, etc, your choices in Beyond Two Souls do not matter as much as you hope. Some choices do matter as you'll find out later in the game, but overall many of the choices you make only create minor differences in the story at the time you make them. However, I was surprised when I played it a second and third time that I got different scenes and outcomes when I made different decisions than the previous times I played it. Your choices do matter; but only a limited amount of them are crucial to the story in big ways.
This game was similar in a lot of ways to Heavy Rain. There are just two things that somewhat bother me - one is that too much is jammed into one story. At different points, Jodie is kicking ass for the FBI, then she's homeless, then she's living with isolated Mexicans haunted by demons, then there's another flashback to her being a child, etc. These were all great ideas - they just feel forced. It kinda makes the story feel all over the place. Even worse is that you can't play the game in chronological order either. Maybe they knew a sequel wasn't possible so they decided to jam all of their storylines into one game.
The other thing I didn't really like is that unlike other RPGs like Heavy Rain, The Walking Dead, etc, your choices in Beyond Two Souls do not matter as much as you hope. Some choices do matter as you'll find out later in the game, but overall many of the choices you make only create minor differences in the story at the time you make them. However, I was surprised when I played it a second and third time that I got different scenes and outcomes when I made different decisions than the previous times I played it. Your choices do matter; but only a limited amount of them are crucial to the story in big ways.
9) WWE '13
During my early teen years I was a huge WWE fan. If you're familiar with wrestling, you'll know that the WWE Attitude era was one of the best times to be a fan. The soap-opera storylines had me hooked, and the wrestlers were real characters you had to watch each week. This game is a throwback to that very period, which is the exact reason why I bought it. There's a story mode where you play the first three years of the Attitude era. There are chapters that focus on the period's biggest stars - Stone Cold, The Undertaker and Kane, Mankind, The Rock, DX, etc. You can relive plenty of iconic moments, like Kane appearing for the first time and attacking his brother The Undertaker, Stone Cold's first WWE title win (with help from MIKE TYSON), The Rock's transition from The Nation of Domination into The Corporate Champ, the Montreal Screwjob, the beginnings of D-Generation X, etc. Awesome stuff!
Val Venis, Mike Tyson, Gangrel, Rikishi and others are available as DLC. But where is Chyna? It bothers me to not see her aiding Triple H during the story mode. She played a big part in Triple H's rise, but was written out of existence in this game. And as a result, the Triple H storylines aren't the same.
Chyna's not the only one missing in action. Where is Owen Hart? D'lo Brown? The Hardy Boyz? Several key wrestlers are missing and their absence is noticed. This doesn't hurt the gameplay or anything - there are I Quit Matches, Last Man Standing matches, Empty Arena matches, etc. Even Hell In The Cell, Elimination Chamber and Inferno matches are here! So it's hard to get bored with this one. Just know that downloading CAWs isn't going to happen if you bought the game after 2K Sports took over the servers.
Val Venis, Mike Tyson, Gangrel, Rikishi and others are available as DLC. But where is Chyna? It bothers me to not see her aiding Triple H during the story mode. She played a big part in Triple H's rise, but was written out of existence in this game. And as a result, the Triple H storylines aren't the same.
Chyna's not the only one missing in action. Where is Owen Hart? D'lo Brown? The Hardy Boyz? Several key wrestlers are missing and their absence is noticed. This doesn't hurt the gameplay or anything - there are I Quit Matches, Last Man Standing matches, Empty Arena matches, etc. Even Hell In The Cell, Elimination Chamber and Inferno matches are here! So it's hard to get bored with this one. Just know that downloading CAWs isn't going to happen if you bought the game after 2K Sports took over the servers.
8) Ghostbusters
When I was a kid, I wanted to grow up and be a Ghostbuster! Well, instead I grew up to become a journalist. But this game gave me a chance to live the "ghostbusting" experience. You play as an unnamed rookie joining the team. (Seriously, his name is never mentioned once). I must say that this was a really fun game. The story is excellent. It takes place a few years after Ghostbusters II ended, and most of the original cast lent their voices to the game. The only voices missing are those of Rick Moranis (who retired from acting) and Sigourney Weaver. Sigourney's absence, however, results in a new love interest for Peter Venkman.
This story is good enough to be a second sequel to the original franchise. We never got a film, but this comes really close. I like how the music score is recycled from the original film, and you get the chance to use all of the famous Ecto gadgets like the PKE Meter, Slime Blower, Proton Pack, etc. The other Ghostbusters really make you feel like part of the team. Well, sometimes. Watch out for Venkman.
This story is good enough to be a second sequel to the original franchise. We never got a film, but this comes really close. I like how the music score is recycled from the original film, and you get the chance to use all of the famous Ecto gadgets like the PKE Meter, Slime Blower, Proton Pack, etc. The other Ghostbusters really make you feel like part of the team. Well, sometimes. Watch out for Venkman.
7) The Last Of Us
This is going to be an unpopular ranking, but I feel that this game is highly overrated. Don't get me wrong. It was not a bad game. The story is gripping, the drama is real, the characters are full of depth and there's more than enough action.
The problem is all of the hype for the game. "AJ! Dude! This is the best video game of all time!"
I'm sorry. I just can't agree there. It is a good game, better than average. There's not much negative I can say, only other than it could be real difficult at times. Some of the situations could be real intense. I'm also getting kind of tired of the apocalyptic "monsters taking over the world" theme in games these days. I dunno. If this one wasn't so overhyped I would probably like it better.
The problem is all of the hype for the game. "AJ! Dude! This is the best video game of all time!"
I'm sorry. I just can't agree there. It is a good game, better than average. There's not much negative I can say, only other than it could be real difficult at times. Some of the situations could be real intense. I'm also getting kind of tired of the apocalyptic "monsters taking over the world" theme in games these days. I dunno. If this one wasn't so overhyped I would probably like it better.
6) The Wolf Among Us
I'm a fan of Telltale games. I knew virtually nothing about this game or the plot. Looking for a new adventure, I bought it one day and before I knew it, my wife and I were absolutely hooked. It's basically a story about fairytale characters living in the real world. You play as Sheriff Bigby, the "big bad wolf" from the story about the Three Little Pigs. Naturally other characters are a bit distrusting because of your past, but the beauty of the game (just like all recent Telltale games) is that you can play the character however you chose and play your own adventure. The story is intriguing - characters are being murdered and all other kinds of chaos is taking place. As the sheriff, it's up to you how you handle things.
5) Life Is Strange
This game was better than I anticipated. You play as Max, a high school photographer who has the power to rewind time and alter the future. Things start out cute enough, but as the five-part episode series progresses, the story gets deeper and darker.
The story and characters will keep you interested in this one, as well as the ability to alter time and change your future.
In the beginning of the game, Max's concerns are typical high school problems - popularity, boys, bullies, fitting in, etc. But she gradually finds real concerns and dangers to worry about as the episodes move forward. This game begins cute but gets really dark by the end. I'm talking darker than a Tim Burton film. I was shocked that a game that began one way could end up in such a dark place.
I highly suggest playing this one. You don't know where it's going to go, and it's a fun ride while you figure things out along the way. I'm looking forward to the sequel.
The story and characters will keep you interested in this one, as well as the ability to alter time and change your future.
In the beginning of the game, Max's concerns are typical high school problems - popularity, boys, bullies, fitting in, etc. But she gradually finds real concerns and dangers to worry about as the episodes move forward. This game begins cute but gets really dark by the end. I'm talking darker than a Tim Burton film. I was shocked that a game that began one way could end up in such a dark place.
I highly suggest playing this one. You don't know where it's going to go, and it's a fun ride while you figure things out along the way. I'm looking forward to the sequel.
4) Batman: Arkham City
The Batman Arkham series as a whole is awesome. I've also played Arkham Asylum and I haven't finished Arkham Knight yet, but so far Arkham City is the best. The reason? The Villains!! They're all there, though some are just there for brief cameos and others are supporting cast. The Penguin, The Joker, Clayface, Mr. Freeze, Poison Ivy, Catwoman, Harley Quinn, Ra's al Ghul, Two-Face, etc.
Plus the DLC lets you play other storylines & adventures as Catwoman and Robin. These stories are separate adventures that are still connected to the main story.
This is just one heck of a game. Great, great story. Cool gadgets, too. You really become The Dark Knight. Swinging from the rooftops and gliding through the night sky is great fun. This is also something of a stealth game at times. It's also worth noting that the battle with Mr. Freeze is one of the most original boss fights of any game I've ever played. The one minus is that there's no Batmobile here, but Arkham Knight more than makes up for that.
Plus the DLC lets you play other storylines & adventures as Catwoman and Robin. These stories are separate adventures that are still connected to the main story.
This is just one heck of a game. Great, great story. Cool gadgets, too. You really become The Dark Knight. Swinging from the rooftops and gliding through the night sky is great fun. This is also something of a stealth game at times. It's also worth noting that the battle with Mr. Freeze is one of the most original boss fights of any game I've ever played. The one minus is that there's no Batmobile here, but Arkham Knight more than makes up for that.
3) Heavy Rain
This is easily one of the best games I've ever played. There's so many things I like about it that I don't know where to begin. You play as four different characters, each on a quest to track down the horrible, stinky Origami Killer. That, to me, is one of the charms of the game. Each character has their own perspective and agenda, plus the story differs greatly depending on the choices you make. Also, if a character dies, the story moves right along. The Origami Killer is a villain who kidnaps pre-teen boys and slowly drowns them, but leaves origami clues for their parents to find them before they die. What a bastard.
There's mystery, there's suspense, there's action, there's sex, there's drama. It's all in the story, and you find yourself caring about these people deeply. I wish there were more games like this one.
There's mystery, there's suspense, there's action, there's sex, there's drama. It's all in the story, and you find yourself caring about these people deeply. I wish there were more games like this one.
2) Fight Night Champion
Being a longtime boxing fan, this is one of the games I play the most. Most of my favorites are here - Lennox Lewis, Joe Frazier, Mike Tyson, George Foreman, Evander Holyfield, Sonny Liston, etc. Some legends have to be downloaded in a DLC pack. (Jack Dempsey, Rocky Marciano, Joe Louis, Jack Johnson and Floyd Patterson).
This is a great game. Every fighter's style is represented pretty accurately for the most part. Examples being Mike Tyson coming out full of aggression in the opening rounds but slowing later, or Muhammad Ali skipping around the ring on his toes tossing out his jab and taunting you.
If you're new to the game, I suggest playing as Joe Louis. He has fierce knockout power in both hands, fast hand speed, a solid chin and can go the distance. With Louis you could fight a defensive fight by counter-punching or fight aggressive. Plus, at 6'2 he's not too big or small for any opponent on the game. Rocky Marciano is another tough fighter who can take lots of punishment but keeps coming. Like Louis, he can end the fight at any time with a punch from either hand.
Also worth noting is the beautiful story mode. The Andre Bishop tale is amazing. It's more than worthy of being a Hollywood feature and is easily the best boxing film to never make it to the big screen. Also, some have said that the story's antagonist Isaac Frost is the hardest video game boss fight of all time. I can't argue with that. He's a big, powerful 6'8 mountain of a man and the game forces you to fight him different ways at different times during the fight.
Because I love boxing and I love a great story, I will never get sick of this game. Perfect.
This is a great game. Every fighter's style is represented pretty accurately for the most part. Examples being Mike Tyson coming out full of aggression in the opening rounds but slowing later, or Muhammad Ali skipping around the ring on his toes tossing out his jab and taunting you.
If you're new to the game, I suggest playing as Joe Louis. He has fierce knockout power in both hands, fast hand speed, a solid chin and can go the distance. With Louis you could fight a defensive fight by counter-punching or fight aggressive. Plus, at 6'2 he's not too big or small for any opponent on the game. Rocky Marciano is another tough fighter who can take lots of punishment but keeps coming. Like Louis, he can end the fight at any time with a punch from either hand.
Also worth noting is the beautiful story mode. The Andre Bishop tale is amazing. It's more than worthy of being a Hollywood feature and is easily the best boxing film to never make it to the big screen. Also, some have said that the story's antagonist Isaac Frost is the hardest video game boss fight of all time. I can't argue with that. He's a big, powerful 6'8 mountain of a man and the game forces you to fight him different ways at different times during the fight.
Because I love boxing and I love a great story, I will never get sick of this game. Perfect.
1) The Walking Dead
I've already done a full length blog article on the first game, so I'll keep this one short and sweet. This game to me is perfect and is what got me into playing video games again as an adult. You play as Lee Everett, who finds himself being a father figure to 8 year-old Clementine. The characters in this game will definitely get passionate reactions from you. They will warm their way into your heart, or make you despise them. Also, the game's story is created by the decisions you make, and there will be plenty of tough decisions!
Like The Walking Dead TV series and graphic novels, the story here is not really about the flesh-eating zombies, but about the people and their desperation for survival. It's a brilliant game, easily my favorite of all time. The second season was nearly just as good as the first, and the recent third season wasn't awful but not in the league of the first two. If I had to recommend just one game from this list, it would be this one. The Walking Dead is a game you must play!
That's my top ten list folks! But I have two honorable mentions, and here they are.
The Dugmasta's Honorable Mentions
L.A. Noire
This one grabbed my attention immediately, from the smooth jazz ensemble menu music to the Michael Jackson Smooth Criminal attire everyone wore. Speaking of which, some criminals could be smooth here, but it depends on how you play the game.
The highlight of the game for me and other gamers are the interrogation scenes. You have to judge whether or not a suspect is lying or withholding information from you. If you have information that proves them to be liars, you can get a lot more information out of them. L.A. Noire makes you feel more like a real cop than a gamer.
In addition to the role-playing aspect of the interrogation sequences, you also get lots of action scenes including car chases, shoot-outs, etc. You investigate all kinds of crimes, and you're partnered up with different people throughout your journey. Some of your allies are great; others are crooked cops. You get the whole police experience. I also enjoyed how you work 21 or so different cases instead of working one long endless case. Each case is different and that's part of what kept things from getting boring.
The story and gameplay are pretty smooth until the ridiculous ending. Other than that, this was a fun ride. Far from the best video game of all time, but original and innovative enough to be included here.
The highlight of the game for me and other gamers are the interrogation scenes. You have to judge whether or not a suspect is lying or withholding information from you. If you have information that proves them to be liars, you can get a lot more information out of them. L.A. Noire makes you feel more like a real cop than a gamer.
In addition to the role-playing aspect of the interrogation sequences, you also get lots of action scenes including car chases, shoot-outs, etc. You investigate all kinds of crimes, and you're partnered up with different people throughout your journey. Some of your allies are great; others are crooked cops. You get the whole police experience. I also enjoyed how you work 21 or so different cases instead of working one long endless case. Each case is different and that's part of what kept things from getting boring.
The story and gameplay are pretty smooth until the ridiculous ending. Other than that, this was a fun ride. Far from the best video game of all time, but original and innovative enough to be included here.
The Amazing Spiderman
This game really surprised me. I was never a huge Spiderman fan, but I decided to pick the game up because I needed some type of adventure after I'd beaten most of my other games.
What I liked about this one was that it closely resembled the Batman Arkham games. This gave it a brighter but familiar feel to me. The story was great and overall I had a great time playing as Spidey.
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