I am, always have been, and shall continue to be a pop culture junkie. I love to absorb different types artistic mediums, such as film, theatre, novels, animation - even comic books and video games. There are, however, some examples of these mediums that have impacted me more than others. That being said, I am always seeing lists being published of what is supposed to be the best of the different mediums.
Written below is my list Top Five Video Games, in chronological order. I am not saying that these are the best of all time; just my favorite and the ones I feel represent who I am, and what inspires me.
Balance is important for me in video games. Although graphics and story can add allot to the gaming experience what it all boils down to is that the game play has to be fun.
Tetris (1985) (GB)
The fact that is still one of the most popular games every created after 22 years stands as a testament to the awesomeness of this title. For me this isn't so much of a game for me as it is an obsession. I dream of falling blocks... enough said.
Vectorman (1995) (GEN)
Not many people remember Vectorman. It is one of those games that is just fun. It's a shame this game has been virtually forgotten. It could easily be updated and turned into a successful franchisee. It just needs some love.
Riven: The Sequel to Myst (1997) (PC)
This is the title that got me addicted to video games. It's the first time I realized the depth of art and storytelling that a video game actually has to ability to accomplish. Plus I love difficult problem solving; I can't get enough of it.
Okami (2006) (PS2)
It is sad so many people missed out on this title. Truly visionary and original, the style of cell shading they used for their graphics adds a layer of depth to their storytelling process, as well as helping with some of the most original game play I have seen in years. I wish they would find a way to port this game to the DS or Wii.
Final Fantasy XII (2006) (PS2)
This game took me by surprise. It went from a game that I was mildly interested in, to my favorite game of all time. It even bumped Final Fantasy VII off my list. The artistic style is gorgeous and visionary, the game play is fun and engrossing, the story is engaging, and the characters are the most realistic out of the series.
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I got this pre-recorded call informing me that it was being released, and that my local EB games was going to re-open at 11:00 pm to have a pre-release “party” for FF12 which they would begin selling at midnight. Originally I was going to wait until after work later in the day to pick up my copy, however it sounded like a good fun nerdy time. My friend was mad because he is a big square-enix fan, but spent all his money on his Halloween costume. I felt kind of bad buying it, because he had been waiting for longer than myself.
I was the first one there. They were trying to set up the bonus features DVD without a remote control, so I tried to give them a hand. The red bull girls came and handed out a few drinks and then left. One of them kept staring at me funny. My guess would be because I don’t look like a stereotypical gamer, and it helped that I wasn’t drooling over them. I like to think that she had the hotts for me because it boosts my ego, but I realize that probably isn’t the case.
So people started showing up slowly and eventually the place filled up. I talked to a few of the other people, who were all excited to talk to people who knew what they were talking about. I am consider myself more of a casual gamer, so allot of what they were talking about went right over my head. Nobody showed up in costume, which kinda’ disappointed me because ad midnight it would be Halloween.
Eventually people began to form a bastardized hybrid of a mob and a line. I merged my way within it, and there was a big scary fat guy giving me the evil eye the entire time. He reminded me of the comic book guy from The Simpsons. He got his game and then walked out.
There were a few people in front of me, then when it was my turn I got the collectors version of the game as well as the guide. I traded in a few games that I wasn’t a big fan of as well as some crappy movies so I could get a discount. Then I was all happy about my purchase, and left the store.
I went out to my car, and the comic book guy was parked near me. “So, do you feel guilty?” he snarled at me.
“What?”
“Do you feel guilty?”
“For what?”
“You cut in line.”
“There wasn’t really a line for me to cut in.” I stated, slightly confused.
“You cut in front of a bunch of people.”
“Are you kidding me? Is this the third grade? You got your game before me, whey are you complaining?”
“Listen Dick, just because you think you’re cooler than us doesn’t give you the right to treat us like **** This statement truly bothered me, because he didn’t know me and he had no right no make accusations to anyone at this point.
“Okay,” I started angrily “let’s ignore the fact that I was the very first one to get there, and had no problem when people started pushing their way in front of me. You seem to be the only one who had a problem with the whole keeping people in line thing. We were all guaranteed a copy of the game, so it’s not like someone wasn’t getting one.”
“Whatever, I know your type!” He countered, his face turning red with anger.
“What? Can you hear yourself talk? Who is the one bulling complete strangers in the parking lot. I don’t know what issues you may have, but I am just fortunate I don’t have to sink down to such rudimentary levels to improve my testosterone level because I am secure with the size of my… self worth.”
At which point I sat in my car, revved the engine loudly, and drove home.
People who know me, know I was picked on and beat up on regular basis in school. I don’t know what his issue was, perhaps I reminded him of someone who he didn’t like, but I didn’t wrong anyone. The thing I like about being nerdy is that the people are WAY nice and actually fun to hang out with. He reminded me of this kid in high school named Billy Hall. I tried to befriend him because he didn’t have anyone else to hang out with, but I quickly learned that the reason nobody hung out with him wasn’t because he was nerdy but because he wasn’t a nice person.
If comic book guy had said something to me while in the store, I would have moved back further in the mob/line, because I didn’t mind taking a back seat. That’s why I was there: to have fun and talk to other people. If I didn’t want to social interaction I would order everything online.
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