The PS3 was, and still is a good run in gaming. Remembering how the PS2 worked out, I can't help but feel like this really is the successor and can see it following a similar path... its got a lot of classics and great features and power behind it that it might be a while before it truly dies. I got in on it a little late in 2009 around the time uncharted 2 was hitting it big, and I've really enjoyed it since. I don't quite get why people act like the consoles in this cycle lived on too long, we had a really long line to work with here because its been good hardware and let us do pretty much anything if the team was smart enough to accomplish it. Sadly the market struggled to even keep up with its own diversity of what we've had before, and in many ways went backwards or just in one direction for a while leaving real innovation and diversity a bit scarce. So many creative routes weren't bothered with and still likely wont be as the budget continues to balloon in insane ways while publishers bully developers. Yet I'm still grateful as we got plenty of fantastic games and some edgy releases that went a bit carelessly and provided a blast with new or unpopular idea anyways. I really feel like it would have been ok if the PS3 had 3 more years without a PS4 especially now that developers were really starting to get creative again, but oh well there's a time to move on and there have been plenty of games out anyways... and more coming out. I really did enjoy my time with the PS3 as it was a time I was kind of maturing into a more analytical and social phase, while my PS2 and pre-PS2 self barely paid attention or care to what I did and just played things handed over. I do this blog now full of opinions and editorials, I check reviews, I talk with other gamers, I look for mechanics and think over their risks and rewards, most of my games owned are of my own choice and purchases, I care about the market and where my money goes to, etc. As for PlayStation, it has more meaning to me than the other platforms or brands. Its always just been more for me with games and exclusives that appeal to me, and a publisher that actually isn't a jerk about everything it does to companies and consumers and actually does a lot of good. It is where a lot of the serious fun and impact really hits and its what has always been there (except the PSP) for me giving me the majority of my fun and values in gaming. Its the platforms and brand name that I found my first favorite shooters on, it gave me a reason to choose gaming over television and the best game trilogy ever made with spyro, and its the brand with a company that decided to hand out free money (which I rebought spyro 1 with for support's sake) because it knows its purpose is for the fun and consumers. It really is my gaming platform of choice, and the PS3 really upgraded that within the last generation.
So it would be a shame to not have a favorites game list while the PS3 is still relevant, though I may do that with older platforms some other time to. This is a pretty difficult thing to do, as I'm still leaving out some fantastic games (Unreal Tournament 3, COD Black ops 1, Naughty bear, Bad company 2, All-stars, Crysis series, LittleBigPlanet2) and cutting it close with some others. I'm also going to drop in rules that I cannot take more than one in a series, and remakes and re-releases do not count. Honestly I cannot promise the accuracy of this list as a result of just so many good games out there and ones I haven't bothered with, and I've gotta say it was tough putting numbers on the good ones I was trying to figure out. I also admit I'm on the fence with some of my own picks as its hard to number them and wonder how much memories override quality, but I'm trying my best to make it clear where the real value shines. Due to the difficulty of trying to cram in so many good games it feels like its appropriate to do it by 15 slots instead of 10, and I'll probably do this again if I bring up a PC or PS2 list as those have it too tough to leave it at 10 as well. Also as a reminder, this is a personal favorites list and is not here to tell you these games are 100% more quality efficient or fun than whatever your favorite games are. Anyways here's the top list.
15) Lost Planet 2
The insanity... oh the sheer insane and crazy fun of it all. This is a game that just fills you with so much delight based on just how crazy everything is, and its a lot of fun because of that. Grapple hook anywhere, giant vehicles and insane weapons everywhere, and there is no such thing as a minor boss with giant freakin' monsters coming up to battle you. Its mechanics are solid enough to just follow through on a fun experience even if the core gunplay is about as interesting as an onion. Oh and the graphics reminded me of something as sleek and brilliant as killzone 2... not quite as good, but it had that layered effect to it that was quite impressive and made things shine well. What is impressively taken from killzone is the fact that you can actually be a helghast soldier or sniper in multiplayer or campaign. Speaking of which the multiplayer was good clumsy fun as well, and there is a bot function to back it up now. Overall this game captured a lot of what just having fun was all about, and it did so in a crazy alien filled creative sci-fi world complimented with wonderful graphics. This is one of those games to get all hyped up on and run in guns blazing, cheering on the adrenaline rush and just laughing all about it when you either make it to the end stage with points or get spit back up at the last checkpoint from being mangled to death out of your carelessness. Its a lot of fun and deserves a small spot as one of the better PS3 games I've played.
14) Assassins Creed: Brotherhood
I got in late into the series with this one, ever since its release Assassins creed was apparently a big deal to a lot of guys. People were talking about how awesome it was, but I never paid attention to the real conversation or what made it so special, so I just sort of skipped around it and paid little attention to what people actually said. So finally when I got some extra money to burn and came across this in the mall, I leaped for it. One of the best blind buys I've made in the PS3's cycle. Huge open world game with a stealth focus, interesting collectibles and mission types, great world and exploration, fun tools, great mechanics, and the main campaign was all brilliant. I also adored the merchant system to almost an addictive point, and just had to see myself unlock all the shops and free them from tyranny so I could add them to some banked collection. The story again was especially exceptional with charismatic characters, amazing dialogue that made me want to learn Italian, and while the plot wasn't something I made a big deal of, the moments that lead you through it were quite interesting. I really enjoyed this game, and in a time where my gaming ADD was high and I was hopping around game to game and playing things I really wasn't even all that into, yet I managed to find this game sucking me in and halting everything else for a good while because it was just so fun to explore and tackle so much stuff. Oh yeah and La Voulpe needs his own spin off, that guy is awesome. Sadly ever since this game, I just can't find that same charm in the series. AC revelations felt too bland and dull to take me in awe the same way this did, and ever since AC3 they've dumbed down a lot of the basics, and now AC4 remains as an amazing metagame experience... but not fun on its own merits and mechanics like brotherhood was. Maybe if I went back and played brotherhood I would find it lacking a bit as well, and maybe I only rode off this one as an introduction to something different... but last I checked some of the moments, characters, and fun I had was pretty genuine. So I'm calling this a ton of fun and one of the lesser best PS3 games I've played.
13) Starhawk
Multiplayer bliss. I have some regret and some resentment at putting this on the list because I'll admit my play time on this game is kind of weak (well for a "favorite" game at least), but I've had a lot of fun and understanding with it to love it regardless. Oddly this game was familiar, but in a lot of ways that was fresh. It had basic pickups instead of loadouts or a gimmicky "collect 15 different assault rifles" thing, server lists for freedom and choice, and simple but solid modes like CTF. Don't get me wrong there's some new stuff and some of the best and most interesting vehicle to ground warfare situations and balance I've ever seen before in a multiplayer game. The premise to play is simple: You rocket down in drop pods to a friendly area on the map and then earn energy money from a "rift" reactor to then call down buildings and stations that give you supplies to go and shoot up the enemies over some objective like CTF or just deathmatch. Simple once you get past the well crafted RTS inspired bits, but then when you realize how much chaos this rolls out its not so simple. The game features heavy on substance, freedom, and just having fun with great balance and no gimmicks. XP and unlocks are mostly just to get skins and paint jobs unlocked (customization is pretty deep) rather than generic rifle #13 or overpowered perk #44. The game plays it simple in all the right ways and your weapons are very standard issue, your vehicles don't take upgrades, and what little perks are in the game give you a special advantage you've actually earned from a real accomplishment and you're allowed nothing more than 1 perk slot. This leads to a very balanced, simple, and yet very satisfying experience that falls back on just playing the core game and loving every second of its chaos and madness while also leaving you feeling like a strategic team badass if you are any good. Oh yeah and speaking of balance, I adore how vehicles work. While infantry are bullet sponges to each other, they are weak to most vehicles however vehicles are also weak to them. A simple grenade will scar any vehicle heavily, and if the team works together or equips themselves well a two man team can overwhelm the biggest vehicles. Sounds odd and silly, but it provides a great sense of edgy vulnerability while also giving people extreme power and great transportation with vehicle combat. It just feels right, and I prefer this sort of game so much more than the stronger vehicles of other games like battlefield. At the end of the day Starhawk is one of the better Chaotic team based games I've played, and deserves a good spot as a really strong PS3 exclusive. It breaks my heart that despite all the good this game did and all the love and care that went into it, it was hardly appreciated. People let this go ignored while ironically demanding more new games, and as a result of poor sales after several big attempts to push the game the developer went under to make IOS games. Its also a shame that the campaign was pretty bland despite an amazing setting and art style, and the multiplayer portion lacks bots numbering the days of this game's value.
12) Journey
You know I'm not to often agree with the masses on amazing games, especially when it comes to indie games. Usually the popular games really do feel like they're cut out for the masses and lack a certain heart or value I look for in great games, but with indie games its actually the fact that they pick games with such a strong emphasis on something very flat, obscure, and so ridiculously linear that it just isn't that fun... like Limbo. However I'm going to put that aside with this game and say that Journey does indeed deserve a solid and strong spot on this list and is one of the best games made. No that was not a typo, I mean that literally with no "PS3" mark to separate it, I'm calling it one of the best games out there on a long list and history of games that reached redefining and legendary status. As far as artsy games goes I believe this is the best and being the best of a growing trend within the media and mastering that genre is no easy or simple task and said game has got to be said as one of the best games out there if its truly worthy of such a fantastic value to that group. I believe Journey is that standard setting game that artsy games should follow through on and try to replicate. It is a benchmark in how far gaming can go in this type of direction, and will be remembered as a fantastic and amazing way to put down $15 and a way to blow your mind in such little time. To cover all that it does right for the genre would require its own article. Ok enough mushy crap, its still a very linear and short experience giving it a limited amount of fun value that has been beaten by quite a good amount of games causing it to go pretty far away from the top of this list but I'll still go into the reasoning of why its on here at all.
Journey really has mastered its style and resonates with me in such a way that deserves to be mentioned on the list. For starters, its a great example of an artsy game leaving such a strong experience within you. It has an obscure goal shrouded in a spiritual essence, and you basically have to cross a desert, temple, caves, go under water, and through harsh snowy conditions all to reach a mountain and complete your life's goal to get to a light with other people like you. The trip there is beautiful, emotional, and captures a great scope in such quick time. The music is wonderful, the atmosphere is enchanting, and the trip alongside a friend really helps push that emotional value and attachment to the experience that simply could not be done if it settled on a more traditional gamey experience. Nah just kidding on that last bit; Part of what Journey does so well apart from its peers is capturing a bit of a gamey experience that mixes fluidly into the artsy "experience" side of things and adds far more replay and just general fun value to the whole package. For starters there are collectibles, hidden easter eggs, and the odd but wonderful multiplayer integration that has you traveling with a real living person also playing the game with you. That combined with the scarf mechanics, and surprise enemies add to a sense of tension and fun that you just don't get from some walking simulation or visual only game that other games of its type settle for, and obviously all this adds some good replay value. Even better is that once it is all complete and you have a 100% trophy unlock on the game, you get a freakin' cheat code and get to ride around with super jump and hover abilities in a white angelic costume. Brilliant! I could just stop there, but honestly Journey again is something that just stands out extra to me in a special way because it also captures an atmosphere I personally enjoy. I can really connect to the desert atmosphere because there has always been a bizarre sense of deja-vu for me and ancient desert themes, then combine that with a spiritual atmosphere (and I love spiritual and philosophical stuff) and you just have something that feels special. The story became clear quite naturally to me, and the ride through the beautiful and atmospheric world with a theme that just feels so suiting to me and it left me in tears... like every time I beat it... tears of joy and happiness at such a grand emotional and amazing experience that really stuck with me. That and the anonymous silent buddy thing... well it just hits home on the social feeling. I can't quite explain why, but that sort of unconditional anonymous buddy thing just works with me. Even in some chaotic multiplayer shooter, having some random friend just come out and support me feels good, so having that thing in an emotional atmospheric peaceful journey... its a once in a lifetime combination within a grand game. This just had to go on the list. Journey is an amazing and spectacular classic and is one of the best games ever crafted, so of course it belongs on a list of the best games on a console it was exclusive to. Its also a game I 100%'d, and I guess that's not saying a lot for its length but I took the care and time to make sure I really did everything without making it a grind. However I also talked about why it doesn't get but so far on the list, it just isn't gamey and fun valued enough to counter some of the others that have just brought more joy to me. Allow me to bring you to another interesting game on the list that demonstrates that well with better length and gameplay....
11) Resistance 3
Fuckin' A material, this is the type of shooter I wish this generation was filled with. I grew up with games like this, and its this type of shooter that I've been finding the market sorely lacking and it just disgusts me what has nearly monopolized the market in its place. Resistance 3 felt like a cure to my frustration, and it was glorious. The first game felt generic for its time because... well I took that kind of thing as the norm back then, and honestly it just wasn't special enough even now that I can stand behind it feeling so great. Then 2 came along and... well it was part of the problem and basically served as COD campaign with a better story and aliens. So to my surprise 3 came out and totally blew me away not only backtracking on what made 1 better than 2, but it remastered the core values and came in with some new ideas and a better general campaign of its own. It was a bit shorter, but honestly it was quality over quantity. Graphics were finally on par with competition, Gunplay was amazing and old school, health didn't regenerate at all... not even partial Resistance 1 style, and the campaign and enemy types just freakin' ruled. One of the amazing new things that fits so well with the old formula of this game style was the addition of weapon upgrades making them bigger, feature better fire types, and just better and more insane. There were about 3 total scripted events in the entire campaign, and they were all handled amazingly well and paced so far apart from each other that they were actually satisfying and added rather than took away from the control and experience. Between the good and creative story full of aliens (and even had a well done edgy moment where it killed a vital main character out of nowhere), enemy types, old shool guns and health that made gameplay so awesome, well paced level design, and a generally strong sense of quality and care put into it, this was the shooter I was waiting for. Still that short length with long but low level count kind of hurt the replay value on it for me, and I still can't quite say it was one of the best general shooters... I dunno it just still had that slight lacking feeling to it at the end that didn't make it out as spectacular as it should have been. If it had more competition in this FPS style, I'm certain I would have had a better game making it higher on the list.. like if turok evolution had a sequel that would just be fantastic. So it gets a high spot on my PS3 library, but not quite top 10 material.
10) Bulletstorm
Remember when I said R3 needed better competition? Well this was close, and it did top it. Oh yes, bulletstorm not only was another fantastic shooter that was much needed, but it saved both me and my father of boredom in an important time when PSN was hacked and down and we need a long and good fun filled campaign. Created with doublefine, some of the Painkiller devs, and epic games all on the thought process it was destined to be a crazy fun FPS experience. It prided itself in creative killing, in a creative tropical sci-fi world, with creative weapons, all while your character swears creatively... no I'm dead serious on that last one, this game just loved being as creatively vulgar as possible. Between this and starhawk, this is where I point TitanFall enthusiasts to for a truly unique shooter that needed their support. It had fast paced thrilling gameplay that also made you think to make the best use of everything. You could interact the world in interesting ways, and each enemy had about 10 ways you could kill them without even counting the really special weapons, and when you do count the special weapons.... you have a bouncing bomb launcher, rope based explosive... thing, Freakin' drill launcher, quadrupedal barreled shotgun, and a remote bullet sniper rifle, all in addition to your assault rifle, pistol, giant death boot, and a gravity manipulating whip. Now the fact it went with full regenerating health was a bummer and prevented it from being that full fledged old school corridor shooter joyride like Resistance 3, but I suppose it was to keep your mind focused on points and killing than resources and staying alive, but apart from that flaw I can't complain so much. Heck this places higher than said game (R3), because at the end of the day the campaign, replay, and creative essence of it all was just so much better than just a generational leap of my favorite sub-genre. I've even got to admit the 3 weapon slot system is awesome here because it works in favor of BulletStorm's unique design and goal, because it made you think what kind of weapons you would use and gave you a focus point for your canvas of destruction, making it a smarter but mindlessly fun FPS so different from anything else. Beyond just great gameplay, I found the campaign to be a blast full of fun moments and amazing levels, and the story is one of the most underrated gripping adventures I've seen in a shooter. If that wasn't enough, online co-op is a fun distraction and echo mode is a very replayable high score mini-level mode worth some good time to. Overall BulletStorm is just an underrated stroke of genius in the FPS genre, and one that every shooter fan should try. It is a great way to kick off the top 10 on my favorite PS3 games.
9) Last of Us
Well... this is awkward. Rather than explaining why its such a good game I probably have to defend myself on why I'm placing it so far up on the list as a 9. I just don't quite match this game up to the praise it gets, but I'll get to that later or make a separate article for it. Meanwhile what does it do right? Well it really is a masterpiece, but in my perspective it is a game worth saying that it makes for an "experience" every gamer should try and go through and be a part of by playing the game. Honestly though I can't give it but so much more of a recommendation than that, however I'll explain it a bit more... The last of us is an adventure between an odd pair up trying to go across a dying and deeply troubled America after the apocalypse sort of happened with a plant based zombie-like disease. At first it sounds like a generic plot in an over-saturated market full of zombie games (a fad that I'm sick of), as your simply given the task to get a girl who has the cure to the proper doctors that can replicate the condition and stop the virus from spreading. However it becomes clear this game was given to a good team that really knows how to use their triple A status to the max. Maximized potential for graphics, cut-scenes, performances, and overall deep and big quality used to everything. I'm sorry but I have to take this time to say: screw you publishers that pretend your budgets and teams are too demanding for anything less than 5 million, if that was the case this game wouldn't be such a big deal to people and your not putting your money in the right places. Last of us just brings the heavy and full impact of what current big budget titles should look like.
However that is nothing if it weren't for the gameplay... which happens to fit fluidly with the story and tension in a way I have never seen before despite the trending apocalypse theme. Your inventory system is loaded with tools you collect, and you have to craft just about all of them with small supplies giving you a scenario where alcohol and some other gear can either be used as a heavily lethal molotov or a life saving health pack giving you a risk or reward to any choice you make. Likewise gun ammunition is really limited, to the point where the first third of the game may leave you with nothing more than one magazine for your limited weapon selection leaving you under constant stress of conservation that rewards different solutions than run and gun. However you will have to get into combat situations, and they make up for some tense fights with great AI, nice feel to your aim, limited ammo making each bullet impact your thought and gameplay, real time inventory choices, and the ability to confused and mess with enemies. Enemy types are also present, though limited, giving you some diversity and interesting moments in the game. You will despise clicker, though probably in a good way because that was an intentional high threat enemy. I could go into more details, but the general depth of the game is tough to all write down and in the end I must sum it up to say it is one of the most tense, and best way to handle a linear survival adventure and it feels catered to those that want to really dig deep and feel rewarded... its a hardcore high budget masterpiece that grips you in tightly for the duration of good quality cut-scenes and unique heavy gameplay. On top of that there are extra and goofy unlockables and a new game plus, because again: it cares for the hardcore and to deliver a really grand experience rather than tacking on crap and leaving you early for the multiplayer (which people also love). Oh and the story goes way deeper than I made it sound, but I just can't feel right to give away more details. Just trust me when I say the journey goes deep, powerful, and the ending will blow your mind when the character comes full circle in a way I have never seen before in a story of any kind. However with all that being said, I could not find myself making the adventure more than once and you know... I guess this game just didn't impact me or resonate with me in such a way that makes it hit the mark others give it. I also despised fighting zombies by the end of it, not because they were tough, but because they were designed in a way that really recked the felling of gunplay and had such stupid AI compared to the humans... it just felt like a chore to put up with them. It certainly isn't going to be my choice for "the best game ever" like some are saying. Heck I haven't even bought it yet, I just rented it and again can't find myself going back right away. Like I was saying around the start, I call it more of an "experience" because while it has heavy gameplay it works so well with the tense and deep feeling that it actually isn't all that great to jump back into... instead you experience and ride along the journey, and when that's done there's just a giant lacking draw to doing anything in it afterwards. Overall I had a lot more fun and impact from other games that make it higher on the list, but I will save that discussion for this game's issues and lack of impact on me for another day. Just don't cry when you see some "dumb" fun games get way ahead of this heavy game. Sometimes I don't want something emotionally deep or too tense to get in the way of my general enjoyment of just having a blast in a game. Regardless, it deserves a spot on this list as one of my favorite PS3 games. It was a really grand experience that wont easily be forgotten.... especially with the internet giving it a godly status.
However that is nothing if it weren't for the gameplay... which happens to fit fluidly with the story and tension in a way I have never seen before despite the trending apocalypse theme. Your inventory system is loaded with tools you collect, and you have to craft just about all of them with small supplies giving you a scenario where alcohol and some other gear can either be used as a heavily lethal molotov or a life saving health pack giving you a risk or reward to any choice you make. Likewise gun ammunition is really limited, to the point where the first third of the game may leave you with nothing more than one magazine for your limited weapon selection leaving you under constant stress of conservation that rewards different solutions than run and gun. However you will have to get into combat situations, and they make up for some tense fights with great AI, nice feel to your aim, limited ammo making each bullet impact your thought and gameplay, real time inventory choices, and the ability to confused and mess with enemies. Enemy types are also present, though limited, giving you some diversity and interesting moments in the game. You will despise clicker, though probably in a good way because that was an intentional high threat enemy. I could go into more details, but the general depth of the game is tough to all write down and in the end I must sum it up to say it is one of the most tense, and best way to handle a linear survival adventure and it feels catered to those that want to really dig deep and feel rewarded... its a hardcore high budget masterpiece that grips you in tightly for the duration of good quality cut-scenes and unique heavy gameplay. On top of that there are extra and goofy unlockables and a new game plus, because again: it cares for the hardcore and to deliver a really grand experience rather than tacking on crap and leaving you early for the multiplayer (which people also love). Oh and the story goes way deeper than I made it sound, but I just can't feel right to give away more details. Just trust me when I say the journey goes deep, powerful, and the ending will blow your mind when the character comes full circle in a way I have never seen before in a story of any kind. However with all that being said, I could not find myself making the adventure more than once and you know... I guess this game just didn't impact me or resonate with me in such a way that makes it hit the mark others give it. I also despised fighting zombies by the end of it, not because they were tough, but because they were designed in a way that really recked the felling of gunplay and had such stupid AI compared to the humans... it just felt like a chore to put up with them. It certainly isn't going to be my choice for "the best game ever" like some are saying. Heck I haven't even bought it yet, I just rented it and again can't find myself going back right away. Like I was saying around the start, I call it more of an "experience" because while it has heavy gameplay it works so well with the tense and deep feeling that it actually isn't all that great to jump back into... instead you experience and ride along the journey, and when that's done there's just a giant lacking draw to doing anything in it afterwards. Overall I had a lot more fun and impact from other games that make it higher on the list, but I will save that discussion for this game's issues and lack of impact on me for another day. Just don't cry when you see some "dumb" fun games get way ahead of this heavy game. Sometimes I don't want something emotionally deep or too tense to get in the way of my general enjoyment of just having a blast in a game. Regardless, it deserves a spot on this list as one of my favorite PS3 games. It was a really grand experience that wont easily be forgotten.... especially with the internet giving it a godly status.
8) Sly Cooper: Thieves in time
Sly 4 is on this list for the same reason Resistance 3 was, except this just does the job so much better and more satisfying with its adventure and just leaves me grinning big. It brings up a genre I miss and rarely see anymore, and provides it in an amazing and exciting experience that feels fresh and new despite clinging to old ways. I don't really know how well to praise it apart from just saying its one of the better 3D platformers out there, and has a lot of value and interest to it as well as a gripping adventure. Its just a fantastic game which I wrote more deeper praise as I choose it in my GOTY 2013 article, the end. I just had a ton of fun in such a way that this deserves a great spot on the list.
7) Warhammer 40'000: Space Marines
6) Uncharted 2
Like I said at the start, when you start numbering your favorite games there are a few surprises along the way even on your own list. I guess you'd expect uncharted 2 around a 6th best PS3 game spot anyways, but for me it was kind of awkward to put this here over space marines, starhawk, sly, and lost planet, but yet it kind of feels right too. Uncharted 2 just does the adventure so right, and in such a way that really left an impact on me as one of my first PS3 games and it remains to feel like one of the best I've played. Sure it has pacing problems, platforming is an outright joke of button mashing and scripted events, and the story ends up repeating and conflicting with itself thanks to its odd intro, but in the end it was a fantastic game that really sticks with me. The multiplayer is a ton of fun despite a bunch of its own problems and was lovingly supported for its day (I remember starting it up on christmas with santa hats on everyone), and the campaign has some fun moments that I just kept returning to and enjoying over and over again. It also has cheat codes, a well driven story, amazing visuals that still hold up pretty nicely today despite a couple others topping it, and just a great theme to it that all make it just feel so good. I really enjoyed this game, and its currently my favorite game from this company and one of my favorite general PS3 games. Oh yeah and the sequel was good, but the story and difficulty spikes just threw it such a big step backwards, and the adventure in general just wasn't as fun. Uncharted 2 is the peak of the series, and a grande PS3 game.
5) Skyrim
Skyrim captures the very principle of what made me really get into games before I was old enough to get a good grip on mechanics and logic or skill: It was full of slow paced observation heavy environments and exploration you could just get sucked into. Skyrim basically throws you into one giant sandbox of a world, and lets you get lost in it. Exploring, fighting, discovery, atmosphere, adventure, treasure, twists, fantasy, its all here in an insane 150-300 hour world of a game called skyrim. I realized I would love this game after my first incident past the tutorial. I got out of the tutorial and didn't understand the objective tracking... or objective... or map. I was lost. I stumbled across a fisherman, and abandoned camp settlement where I stole and peeked through old logs and equipment left behind, found a mysterious ruins of an abandoned hut on the cliff of a mountian where a couple appeared to be burned to death, stumbled onto some overpowered ghost spirits that chased me away from an abandoned castle, ran into a road trap full of bandits and killed them all, watched some of the animals actually interacting with each other, and eventually found my way into a vampire tower where I fought all the way up to the very difficult boss where I gave up and left. Shortly after that tower problem I finally figured out the compass icon and realized I was just a tiny bit away from the town I was supposed to go to... I turned back around and went backwards to get lost again because it was so ridiculously fun just to go at my own pace and run free in an ever evolving interactive massive fantasy world. I haven't even begun to talk about all the other content and brilliance hiding in this masterpiece, or any of its main RPG mechanics. I'm not going to either, because that is all overkill and the game really brings an amazing experience out of itself. Now with that being said I have plenty of issues with the game as well, ranging from glitches and crashes, shallow combat, slow and frequent loading, too many dungeons, and worst of all a horrible use of an inventory system that just kills the game for me at times and bugs me on nearly every action I take. These problems get in the way of my decision to play the game at times because I'm not in the mood to put up with them, and overall I feel like at times the game may have been better if it was marketed as a sandbox and kicked most of its RPG elements and game hindering bits out in favor of just capitalizing on the amazing exploring, world building, and pacing. However its still a brilliant game, and really reminded me of what really pulled me into the hobby until I was old enough to follow more strict rules in other genres, and skyrim was just a real joy and masterpiece to play. And that music... oh god yes that music is amazing. One of my favorite soundtracks, interactive worlds, and overall PS3 games out there. Skyrim well deserves a place among my favorite PS3 games....though to be honest I don't quite know if this is too far or not. I dunno, here's my best attempt at numbering it though and I do really enjoy this game a ton.
4) Ratchet and Clank: A crack in time
Ratchet and clank a crack in time is a perfect example of an older idea and formula continuing over and over again and where it ends up if its paced right, and done right to resume putting out amazing general quality. This is especially the case if the game was so darn unique to begin with, like this series is. At the end of the day what I want is a game that is insanely fun and makes me feel happy (and no it doesn't need to be cheerful, just so much fun). That means making me think with the mechanics, making me laugh or give me an interesting world my mind or imagination can get a grip on, and/or to just provide a great and fun experience where little interferes with that control and interaction that makes a game a game. A lot of older game styles that I like do that well enough as they are, and R&C is one that doesn't need a change other than a fresh adventure, and it'll hit its best and worst moments naturally. A crack in time gives fans a new adventure continuing the future storyline of the series which actually went pretty far in this entry and goes through its share of great moments and really brings out some good gameplay. Space combat returns and is the best of its kind in the series, the humor is perfect, it has my favorite video game villain of all time doing his thing, and this game just includes a lot of fun moments and amazing battles. I found some of the fights to be on a pretty great sense of scale to, which isn't the usual expectations from this series. I got a lot of replay value, good laughs, and a lot of general fun out of this game that just left me really happy and thoroughly enjoying the experience as a grand game and it nearly challenged Up Your Arsenal as my favorite in the series. I suppose it had its issues though with a super easy first half to the game that even someone who had never played the series or anything like it found it a little too simple, and the arena battles have just seen better runs. However it was pretty much my 2nd favorite game in a series I really love and replay the heck out of, so I've got to consider it one of the best PS3 games out there. I also came so close to platinuming it.... so close. Freakin' bolts are too tough to get though.
3) Dragon's Dogma: Dark arisen
I had been dreaming of a concept like this for as long as I understood and was generally disappointed with the general RPG genre. Sword fighting through deep combat that let you pick your swings, blocks, and special abilities, a leveling and management system that didn't get in the way of gameplay, and an epic quest with an emphasis on interesting monsters rather than such pathetic wastes of imagination like elves and dwarves. Years later here it is, on my PS3, and with more features than I asked for.... simply awesome. Party system with pals you can control, Massive open world, Passive multiplayer integration that adds to your characters and party as well as trivial game knowledge from other player's experiences, multiple and interesting classes giving a lot of different play styles, a romance NPC system (glitchy but still nice that it is there), a combat system that went beyond my expectations, mini-boss monsters that require learning and mastery over their pros and cons, and an amazing story line and adventure with a philosophical powerful dragon and a fantastic twist ending with the king and general lore of the world. Overall this is one of my favorite RPGs out there, and honestly I still haven't seen it all as I've barely even started the dark arisen expansion. Music is also nice, graphics are a bit dull but detailed in good spots, and at the end of the day I can feel satisfied calling this my favorite RPG of all time. However I kind of regret to say that like StarHawk I haven't spent as much time with it as I probably should. I guess while its absolutely amazing there's just always going to be that missing hook for me and RPG games, but anyways I'm still calling this a matter of amazing quality and preference over a ton of other games out there. Certainly one of my favorite PS3 games and I can now cross off "breathe taking RPG with amazing combat" off the list of things I want to see or accomplish in my life.
2) Dishonored
1) Killzone 2
Multiplayer is a work of brilliance and one of the few hardcore designed multiplayer shooters in the middle of PS3's cycle.... and possibly one of the only successful ones compared to brink's disappointment and Starhawk's flop status. It was designed to have team based tactics in mind mixed with a dynamic changing field of objectives in small portions of the map that would result in complete clusters of chaos and mayhem. The game has one of the few progressions systems I've actually looked back on fondly, because unlike others it was real progress and the point system and total design of the game was kept simple and competent rather than overfluffed and gimmicky. You actually started with nothing but an assault rifle and pistol with low ammunition, and earned the shotgun, then your first class and responsibilities, then the ability to command squads, the list goes on. Then you had to take your class abilities and earn points with them to qualify a ribbon, then take that ribbon and get a 7 more in separate matches until you leveled up and got the next class ability or the perk to mix it with another base class (meaning if you mastered your medic and engineer you could have a medic that revives and repairs stations for ultimate support). You worked for your stuff, and it felt so good to keep it. You had a good balance of classes with their own uses and abilities as well as weapon limits. The sniper deserves a special mention as the idea was one of the most brilliant and unique I've seen with a full on invisible cloak, an amazing sluggish and loud one hit kill bolt action sniper rifle, and the ability to spot and mark targets for your own tracking or to help the team's radar abilities out. Moving or killing broke the cloak requiring you to hold still and snipe then change spots as your thunderous death blow gave you away leaving some of the most risky/rewarding positions I've played in a multiplayer game. Changing objectives kept you on your toes and rolling through different classes and jobs supporting the team in interesting ways while racking up points all along with the gunplay and aesthetics I've mentioned before, as well as the ability to play it all to your own custom soundtracks. Going back in a circle I'm going to bring up again that this game really felt for the hardcore and I'll explain more on what I mean with that. Between the team based tactics, and the fact that you had to adapt between objectives and roles at the same time, you were also adapting to things as simple as your bare bones mechanics like aiming (weighty aim), recoil and accuracy, and the fact that you had a decent portion of non-regenerating health all while experiencing the deep unlock system to really earn your ranks and further gaming access. Even hipfire to ADS had a pro/con bit that some had to adapt to and it made fights even more interesting, especially since there was no way to one hit kill melee like in other games and future killzone titles. Unlike a lot of shooters, the fact is if you fire an assault rifle in controlled bursts while in a steady fixed position (like crouched, which was a hugely effective move for accuracy in killzone) with it up against your shoulders the only difference between going ADS is extending your arm out and seeing the exact sight. So hipfire was actually pretty accurate around a close range and was actually a tactical advantage in close quarters as you had more flexible movement and control than someone zoomed in on you near point blank range like an insecure flinch mistake. Take note on that Insomniac and Infinity ward, ADS does not belong in twitchy close fights. Moving on from that, there was the deep reward and freedom the game entrusted you with, the ability to get ribbons and accolades that actually helped your status and having the freedom of full server lists full of options and mode redefining choices was just a brilliant thing. The game didn't have a lot of fluffy gimmicks, but that was ok... again this was for the hardcore, substance and depth is where it mattered and delivered through genius maps, options, and mechanics all wrapped up in an outstanding engine. Who cares if there's only one shotgun or two assault rifles when that was all that was needed and the main game felt this good. What more could you ask for? Well how about the fact those modes were brilliant fresh twists on old ideas, the level design was awesome and provides me with some of my favorite general multiplayer maps, and the atmosphere was just perfect. Hearing Brian cox's voice over a propaganda radio cheering on the helghast's agenda as they attempt to drop the radio off in the ISA base with lots of explosions, chaos, and corpse mixed with solider bleeding out hoping for a medic all within a dark gothic-like stone and earthy polluted world.... its just so perfect for what killzone is. The atmosphere here is horribly underrated in this game, and I can't stand to hear critics bash on it for the lack of color when they're clearly missing out on all that it does do. All of this atmosphere goes on fluidly within 32 player based multiplayer matches. Sadly the multiplayer is pretty much dead now, as it has been a long run in a world where its type isn't so popular. However while it was there and kicking, I think Killzone 2 is possibly my favorite multiplayer games. That is why Killzone 2 belongs at number 1.... haha, no just kidding I haven't even started on the campaign yet. I would never let a game win based on multiplayer only no matter how damn good it is.
The campaign takes place after killzone 1, possibly one of my favorite PS2 shooters, and it feels pretty good at first being about a frontal assault on the enemy territory. They underestimated the Helghast threat as they put the fierce leader that trained the main military school in charge of leading the helghast to destroy the ISA assault. Actually ok I wont go much further other than to say the ending level and cut-scene wrapped this up fantastically, because the story in general wasn't all the big of a deal and could be looked at as a generically bad FPS story just used as an excuse to move you along the gameplay's path. Now the gameplay has its problems and I'll start off by naming at first that I despised the pistol locked inventory system, the lack of importance behind going for sign shoot collectibles, and then there's just the bummer that campaign went for full health regen even though the multiplayer was smart enough to know better. Actually when I think about what good the campaign did I feel like it came up a bit short until I realized it only sounds that way. Basically the strength of the campaign was its simple nature and that it was basically a testing grounds of all those wonderful things mentioned before about good aesthetics, gunplay, and engine and the only thing campaign adds to that other than a generic FPS story is: Amazing enemy AI, a couple tiny boss events, and a full on cover system as well as a couple exclusive weapons and tiny vehicle set pieces. For the most part the campaign is barebones for an FPS corridor shooter. However considering how amazing Killzone 2 was with its core set up, this was fantastic and lead it to being such a fun and thrilling experience that I found myself replaying again and again and again especially thanks to the fantastic level design system where you could just jump into your favorite battles in the middle of any level. According to stat tracking I have over 30 hours in playing a 6 hour linear game. Oh yeah and I did bring up the AI, and I'll bring them up again to say they were awesome and a lot of fun to fight. The set pieces were few and far between and really felt special when they needed to and the feeling of going from gun to tank or gun to turret rubbed off smoothly as the heavy aesthetics stayed while feeling fresh in a new little campaign toy. The cover system was awesome with a heavy snap-like function that went with the duck command giving you a feeling of control and precision that also matched the weight. To bring up what I said at the very start, the general game felt like it was supposed to cater to me. It had a special level select system dropping you into any battle, boss, or set piece you wanted to, amazing AI for maximum replayability, fantastic dark war atmosphere with a deeper story underlying the plain and short main plot, small little jokes in and out of dialogue that interested me, the best feeling and physics to any FPS ever, the weight and lack of indicator to throwing grenades, and even the way you went iron sights with toggle R3 and the way the game refilled your ammo and automatically fixed your magazine felt like a perfect thing over the usual trait of shooters. I guess the inventory limit and health were a step back away from what I wanted, but everything else down to the tiny details was so perfect I didn't care. The multiplayer was of my favorite style and brought innovations where it was welcomed while staying old in ways that I loved. Overall to sum it all up Killzone 2 is a masterpiece in the field of first person corridor shooters and its one of my favorite games out there as well as the best PS3 game I can think of when it comes to naming the best to my personal list. I know it wont be thought much of outside of it cult fanbase. Critics (apart from Jim Sterling) confuse it with the lesser sequel entry, and gamers that play it continue to argue over its love or hate status, and generally it fades behind such gigantic cinematic progressions as Last of Us or gets swept under by fads and mainstream success, but in the end I know it has served me well as one of my favorite shooters out there and I am very grateful for every piece of brilliance this game brought me when I got it that Christmas day with my PS3. I don't even think it'll have a sequel that will beat it. It deserves my personal favorite spot in the PS3 category.
 |
| Target hit! |
No comments:
Post a Comment