History Gush / VideoGamesAToF

* ''VideoGame/DarkSouls'' stands as a favorite for me. It's harder than hell, sure, but that's perfectly fine because the game still remains ''fair.'' Whenever you die, it's not because the developers were being sadistic (They are, but that's not the point), it's probably because ''you'' made a mistake, and it's ''your'' job to figure out how you screwed up and how to avoid doing it again. The game forces you to learn and ''adapt,'' providing a real challenge, unlike most games nowadays. It's definitely DifficultButAwesome in video game form, and it is fucking ''amazing.''
* '''DeadRising2;''' Imagine the 3-day system of TheLegendOfZeldaMajorasMask, combined with a ton of [[CrowningMomentOfAwesome bad-ass]] and [[CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming touching]] moments all during a CrazyAwesome ZombieApocalypse in a Vegas rip-off with tons of materials to make some amazing combo weapons! '''I LOVE THIS GAME!'''

** Someone else knows about this game? I'm in love. I got this game as a birthday gift instead of {{Diablo 2}}. I did not regret it at all. Amazing characters, an interesting story and a character building system that let you play how you wanted. Ridiculously under-rated.

* {{Diablo 2}} is the greatest hack'n'slash rpg ever made. I played, replayed and re-replayed it so many times with every character cheating the hell out of it because it awesome. When i gotten to fifth act, the game was so heated that not one but TWO different [=CDs=] broke inside of my CD-rom. One of them killed said CD-rom. I just hope that third game will take it beyond the impossible and be even more awesome.

** ''BatmanArkhamAsylum'' will forever be remembered as the game that broke the notion that [[TheProblemWithLicensedGames licensed games have to suck]] (it's been confirmed by Guinness World Records, really!): it's an incredibly well-made, atmospheric dive into the world of Batman; it boasts a fun-and-easy-to-execute-yet-still-awesomely-flashy combat system that flows extremely well; you've got tons of Batman's infamous gadgets and techniques at your disposal, and they make you exercise your mind and study the scene the way Batman does; and that's not even ''mentioning'' all the fanservice and [[AndTheFandomRejoiced Fandom Rejoicing Triggers]] they whipped out, like Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill as Batman and the Joker, plus all the bonus material that delves into the characters and history of Batman. I wasn't even a major Batman fan, I just liked Film/TheDarkKnightSaga along with everyone else - but this game has converted me!

** Someone else knows about this game? I'm in love. I got this game as a birthday gift instead of "Diablo2". I did not regret it at all. Amazing characters, an interesting story and a character building system that let you play how you wanted. Ridiculously under-rated.

* ''EndlessOcean'' is a wonderful game, especially the sequel. In a world where VideoGames are largely made up of guns, explosions and gore, it's refreshing to see a game that you can play at your own pace, devoid of any negativity or blood. This game makes you appreciate the simple, sublime beauties of nature that you'd normally ignore in your everyday life. You'll lose yourself in the serene, visually-stunning environment as you go around finding treasure, discovering new fish and searching for the ever-elusive Legendary creatures. It's a great way to relieve stress, especially if you don't like the CatharsisFactor. And finally, the game has a lovely soundtrack of Celtic folk music!

** You said it! Cave Story really stands alone as one of the most memorable and polished indie games. Unfortunately, its 'indie' status means not nearly enough people will get to experience it (unless Nicalis hurries up with that port...).

* ''AlanWake'' is one of the most original games I have played in a while. One of the really good things about it is that the well-written story is ''always happening''. Thanks to its TV series setup, each level has its own little mini-story, ensuring that something is always going on. The landscapes are breathtaking ''and'' accurate, and you frequently see your goal in the distance, and think, "I've got to go ''there''? This is going to take forever!" and then you suddenly realize, "Wow, I'm there." without any loading screens. It's fun to have a ThirdPersonShooter that doesn't rely on cover, and while you do the same thing over and over, it never feels repetitive. It'll occasionally throw you a gameplay change, such as fleeing from cops without weapons. The atmosphere is solid, giving decent scares without blood and guts. And finally, what other game (besides ''Left4Dead2'') has you defending a concert stage, with pyrotechnics being viable weapons, in a setpiece that's so awesome that even the ''characters'' have to comment on its awesomeness? And "Children of the Elder God" is an ''amazing'' song.

** ''BatmanArkhamCity'' isn't even out yet, but looks to be an amazing game from the gameplay trailers and viral stuff. Specifically, the game also seems to be shaping up to be one of Hamill's best performances as TheJoker. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awf2DgSt1qQ Just check it out!]] (Spoilers)

* I find CallOfDuty: World At War underrated... some sections aren't that great but there are some scenes in that game that are just awe-inspiring. The others are good, too - but WAW is my favorite. (Keep in mind that I'm talking about the campaigns, as online games with constant battling bore me - not that I'm knocking those, I just don't enjoy them - but that's neither here or there.)

* ''CommandAndConquer'' is my SugarWiki/MostTriumphantExample of RTS, with a [[CrowningMusicOfAwesome kick-ass soundtrack]] to boot. And ''Red Alert'' is even better, taking everything good about the original, turning it UpToEleven and adding magnificent amounts of LargeHam-osity. [[GushingAboutCharactersYouLike And don't even get me started on]] [[MagnificentBastard Kane]]...

* ElderScrolls, guys, ''Elder Scrolls''! Especially Oblivion, which, just...wow, I don't know where to start. They really nailed the wide open fantasy world setting with that one. My brother and I spent hours, literally hours coming up with characters and exploring and doing quests when we got that game, and they are all implemented fantastically.
** ''TheElderScrolls: Oblivion'' expansion ''Shivering Isles''. This seemed like a complete turnaround for Bethesda's game quality. Morrowind and Oblivion weren't bad, but also not above critique. But the Shivering Isles were a beauty in visuals, sound, storytelling, voice acting, sheer insane fun. A lot of heart went into this, and the voice actors had great fun with it, ''and it showed''! For the price, it added a great amount of game hours, and had a satisfactory ending (though it ended on an ill-advised ContinuitySnarl that Bethesda will have to painfully swallow later.) The excellent work here leaves them even less excuse for their handling of ''VideoGame/{{Fallout 3}}'', though...

* AssassinsCreed was both one of the most frustrating and one of the most mindblowing games I've ever played. Even with the repetitive combat and the stupid flaghunt minigame and the non-ending, the story (including the framing story) and the core gameplay mechanics were so well-thought-out, so clever, and so much fun that they made up for it -- and that's without mentioning the sheer beauty of the game, or the innovative setting. Not many games are set in the real world's past, and AssassinsCreed made me wonder why -- climbing a building to get a proper view of the gorgeous scenery surrounding you gives you an extra kick when you realise that the building you're climbing is ''the al-Aqsa Mosque''.

* The quality can vary from AWESOME to DarthWiki/SoBadItsHorrible, but I have to raise my glass and cheer the fans who make {{Fan Sequel}}s and {{Fan Remake}}s of {{Sierra}} games. They do this on their own time, their own money, and face everything from [[StopHavingFunGuys lawsuits]] to people flaking on the project to real-life getting in the way. In particular, I have to toast VideoGame/TheSilverLining team for their perseverance and Tierra / AGDInteractive for taking what is possibly the most frustrating, non-sensical, SolveTheSoupCans entry of the KingsQuest series and making it into something that is awesome on every level - voice acting (including Josh Mandel reprising Graham!), music, puzzles, and STORY.

** Thirded to the ultimate power. Even though I had to stop at some points, and at times even went to TheDarkSide (i.e., WorldOfWarcraft), I've always come back to this game. The recent sale of the IP to NCSoft seems to have made the game even ''better,'' in that the devs are finally focusing on making a game that is just plain ''[[RuleOfFun fun]]''!

* ''DwarfFortress'' is amazing. It's hard to believe it was basically made by one guy!

** ''BatmanArkhamAsylum'' will forever be remembered as the game that broke the notion that [[TheProblemWithLicensedGames licensed games have to suck]] (it's been confirmed by Guinness World Records, really!): it's an incredibly well-made, atmospheric dive into the world of Batman; it boasts a fun-and-easy-to-execute-yet-still-awesomely-flashy combat system that flows extremely well; you've got tons of Batman's infamous gadgets and techniques at your disposal, and they make you exercise your mind and study the scene the way Batman does; and that's not even ''mentioning'' all the fanservice and [[AndTheFandomRejoiced Fandom Rejoicing Triggers]] they whipped out, like Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill as Batman and the Joker, plus all the bonus material that delves into the characters and history of Batman. I wasn't even a major Batman fan, I just liked the DarkKnightTrilogy along with everyone else - but this game has converted me!

* ''AlanWake'' is one of the most original games I have played in a while. One of the really good things about it is that the well-written story is ''always happening''. Thanks to its TV series setup, each level has its own little mini-story, ensuring that something is always going on. The landscapes are breathtaking ''and'' accurate, and you frequently see your goal in the distance, and think, "I've got to go ''there''? This is going to take forever!" and then you suddenly realize, "Wow, I'm there." without any loading screens. It's fun to have a ThirdPersonShooter that doesn't rely on cover, and while you do the same thing over and over, it never feels repetitive. It'll occasionally throw you a gameplay change, such as fleeing from cops without weapons. The atmosphere is solid, giving decent scares without blood and guts. And finally, what other game (besides ''Left4Dead 2'') has you defending a concert stage, with pyrotechnics being viable weapons, in a setpiece that's so awesome that even the ''characters'' have to comment on its awesomeness? And "Children of the Elder God" is an ''amazing'' song.

* When I played CompanyOfHeroes, I felt like it was a completely different game from the VideoGame/AgeOfEmpires series and ''VideoGame/AgeOfMythology'' RTS games that I played (I still love em') and it completely blew my mind. It felt realistic (in retrospect it technically just ''felt'' realistic, there was much about it that wasn't - it still does remain that way in feeling to me, however), which was a big jump from the aforementioned Age of-s I played. I'd feel the same about DawnOfWar 2 with it being similar to CompanyOfHeroes RecycledInSpace (or, you know, Warhammer40K. I like Warhammer40K's setting.), aside from Games For Windows Live disconnecting my Xbox Live Silver account all the time in multiplayer and some balance problems that are being ironed out.

* ''VideoGame/DarkSouls'' stands as a favorite for me. It's harder than hell, sure, but that's perfectly fine because the game still remains ''fair.'' Whenever you die, it's not because the developers were being sadistic (They are, but that's not the point), it's probably because ''you'' made a mistake, and it's ''your'' job to figure out how you screwed up and how to avoid doing it again. The game forces you to learn and ''adapt,'' providing a real challenge, unlike most games nowadays. It's definitely DifficultButAwesome in video game form, and it is fucking ''awesome.''

* ''VideoGame/DarkSouls'' stands as a favorite for me. It's harder than hell, sure, but that's perfectly fine because the game still remains ''fair.'' Whenever you die, it's not because the developers were being sadistic (They are, but that's not the point), it's probably because ''you'' made a mistake, and it's ''your'' job to figure out how you screwed up and how to avoid doing it again. The game forces you to learn and ''adapt,'' and it provides a real challenge, unlike most games nowadays. It's definitely DifficultYetAwesome in video game form, and it is fucking ''awesome.''

** ''TheElderScrolls: Oblivion'' expansion ''Shivering Isles''. This seemed like a complete turnaround for Bethesda's game quality. Morrowind and Oblivion weren't bad, but also not above critique. But the Shivering Isles were a beauty in visuals, sound, storytelling, voice acting, sheer insane fun. A lot of heart went into this, and the voice actors had great fun with it, ''and it showed''! For the price, it added a great amount of game hours, and had a satisfactory ending (though it ended on an ill-advised ContinuitySnarl that Bethesda will have to painfully swallow later.) The excellent work here leaves them even less excuse for their handling of ''FallOut 3'', though...

* All 3 of the Fallout games are so dang awesome.
** Let me elaborate. Fallout 2 is one of the best gorram games I've ever played. If other games "engross" you, it actually SUCKS YOU INSIDE. The music is hauntingly appropriate, the gameplay is simply superb, and the humour is about as black as the event horizon of an anomaly. I used to play it so much, THE CD BROKE INSIDE THE DRIVE.

** A few choice exceptions aside (''[[FalloutBrotherhoodOfSteel Fallout: Brotherhood Of Steel]]'' and to some, ''{{Fallout 3}}''), the whole series is enjoyable from start to finish, being stocked to the gills with hilarity, tearjerking moments, and things that may haunt your nightmares for ages. The voice acting is incredible (including MICHAEL DORN as 2 characters: an intelligent super mutant who you can get as a companion, and a mutant cyborg schizophrenic serial killing psychotic secret service agent in powered armour), there's almost never a dull moment, I just can't do it justice...
** The expansion packs for ''FalloutNewVegas''. ''[=Dead Money=]'' is the perfect SurvivalHorror experience, in the {{Fallout}} universe with amazing characters, an interesting locale, and [[TearJerker heartbreaking events]]. ''Honest Hearts'' gives us one of the most {{Badass}} [[TheAtoner Atoners]] gaming has ever seen, and a great new area to explore. ''Old World Blues'' is the series' trademark Mad Science humour, set in a WorldOfHam with a cast of colourful characters. And ''Lonesome Road''... It's a journey through a DeathWorld with only one living character, but it manages to be an awesome, [[{{Tearjerker}} sad]], open-ended conclusion to the MythArc that was building up across the previous three add-ons. When else has DownloadableContent ever rivalled the main game like this?

* ''AlanWake'' is one of the most original games this troper has played in a while. One of the really good things about it is that the well-written story is ''always happening''. Thanks to its TV series setup, each level has its own little mini-story, ensuring that something is always going on. The landscapes are breathtaking ''and'' accurate, and you frequently see your goal in the distance, and think, "I've got to go ''there''? This is going to take forever!" and then you suddenly realize, "Wow, I'm there." without any loading screens. It's fun to have a ThirdPersonShooter that doesn't rely on cover, and while you do the same thing over and over, it never feels repetitive. It'll occasionally throw you a gameplay change, such as fleeing from cops without weapons. The atmosphere is solid, giving decent scares without blood and guts. And finally, what other game (besides ''Left4Dead 2'') has you defending a concert stage, with pyrotechnics being viable weapons, in a setpiece that's so awesome that even the ''characters'' have to comment on its awesomeness? And "Children of the Elder God" is an ''amazing'' song.
* ''VideoGame/AmnesiaTheDarkDescent''. ThisTroper, who's fairly hardened when it comes to Surv-Horror games, had to take a half-hour break after the infamous water section.

* Where the heck is ''VideoGame/ArmoredCore: Master of Arena''!? You have many Ravens to fight, all ruthless and hell bent on killing you, Customization for your mech, as with the satisifaction of winning ''every single Arena'' and Killing [[ThatOneBoss Nine-]][[BestBossEver Ball]]. It is ''the'' greatest Mech Game This Troper has played.
** Hear, hear. This Troper was a big fan of the PS1 era ''VideoGame/ArmoredCore'' games, but feel they are surpassed by ''Armored Core 3'' and Silent Line. While the series hit a bit of a roadbump with Armored Core 2 and Another Age, it more then made up for it with Armored Core 3 and Silent Line. Armored Core 3 took the best aspects of previous ''VideoGame/ArmoredCore'' games and combined them with the PS2's superior power which made it better then Armored Core 2 and Another Age by leaps and bounds. While Silent Line, besides the graphics, was even better in every respect, with a staggering number of parts, a highly diverse set of missions, and reintroduced two-on-two and custom AI arena modes. While the rest of the AC games for the PS2 didn't nearly match up (Ninebreaker probably being the weakest overall), this Troper still has a soft spot for Last Raven for it's sheer difficulty compared to the rest of the series (being that it's possible to fight an AC for every mission during the single player campaign) which makes truly becoming the "last raven" feel like a real accomplishment amidst the apocalyptic setting that brings the PS2 AC era to a conclusion.

* Personally? I'm extremely fond of an entirely-forgotten SNES game, Ardy Lightfoot. Despite the unmoving backgrounds causing some confusion at points, the title character always had a cute, scruffy charm to him, Pec was just adorable (and deadly...), and the gameplay was awesomely fun. The story didn't always make sense, but to this troper, anything else can be excused solely on the merit of its [[CrowningMusicOfAwesome soundtrack]]. Go play it.

*** Even the smaller GBA game Grunty's Revenge was decent. With a lineup like this [[@/FalconDoveowl this troper]] cant imagine Nuts and Bolts being as bad as FanDumb makes it.

* There's a damn good reason [[@/FreezairForALimitedTime this troper]] {{Entry Pimp}}s ''VideoGame/BeyondGoodAndEvil''--it's frickin' amazing, and, like ''VideoGame/{{Psychonauts}}'', is one of the best games never played. On a technical level, it's a really fun, heavily experimental, and really short, ActionAdventure game--but it's all the ''details'' that wowed her. [[YouALLLookFamiliar Each NPC being completely unique.]] The [[CanisLatinicus really real Latin creature names]]. [[CrowningMusicOfAwesome The epic soundtrack.]] And the ''characters!'' The three main characters are wonderfully realized, with fantastic, unique, likeable personalities. Their relationships are excellently written, too--the love between Jade and Pey'j doesn't need to be an InformedAttribute; it's undeniable and obvious yet never {{Anvilicious}}. And the growth of friendship and trust between Jade and Double H is organic and touching, culminating in the [[TearJerker tear-jerking]] TakeMyHand and "lighthouse" scenes.

* [[{{Arutoa}} This troper]] will likely be killed for saying it, but BobsGame. The game AND the forums (which count as the Third Game, which is the site) With the game's dark humor, fun minigames, and CrowningMusicOfAwesome, and the forum's lack of [[FanDumb rabid fans]] and general niceness, it's hard not to like it, unless you were fooled by the viral and STILL hate Robert for some reason.

* This troper finds CallOfDuty: World At War underrated... some sections aren't that great but there are some scenes in that game that are just awe-inspiring. The others are good, too - but WAW is my favorite. (Keep in mind that I'm talking about the campaigns, as online games with constant battling bore me - not that I'm knocking those, I just don't enjoy them - but that's neither here or there.)

** Tell this troper about it. She started playing on a Sunday morning and the next thing she knew, the sun was up and it was time to go to work!

* This Troper is a huge ''CrashBandicoot'' fan, and not only does he love all of Naughty Dog's originals, he also loves Traveller's Tales' Crash: Twinsanity and Radical Entertainment's current line of games, which, although very different in style and gameplay, are very fun to play and brought the series back to just Crash fighting evil scientists and mutants in his islands.
** This Troper would like to add that Crash Team Racing was just as good as Mario Kart, if not 500 times better.

** For this troper Shannara and Death Gate wiped out all the other competitors for my personal "best game ever" award. I can't make up my mind on which one do I like more, Shannara or Death Gate. Both are awesome.

* This Troper was shocked that ''DrawnToLife'' Wasn't on here. She likes the [[RidiculouslyCuteCritter Raposa]] [[CutenessProximity way too]] [[CutenessOverload much]]. And even though [[spoiler: All the Raposa scraficed themselves to save Mike]] in the ending, she still likes it. Of course, she has a fondness for [[spoiler: Death Tropes]], manly because [[spoiler: Raposa Angels are just cuter!]]
* With all the uncreative generic space marine or modern soldier FPS games being made these days, this troper has been fondly recalling VideoGame/DukeNukem. While being unable to recall much of a story, this troper rather fondly recalls the game's humor and the interesting weapons and power-ups. Jetpack? Freeze gun? Pipe bombs? A plasma cannon that shakes the screen while its charging? Hail to the king, baby!

* Excuse this troper for stating the obvious, but...EpicMickey is ''epic''.

* {{Axelay}}. It combines the best things about the 16-bit era into a [[CrowningMomentOfAwesome Crowning Game of Awesome]]. It's a visual showpiece, and a treat to listen to, especially if you like jazz. (Yes, jazz in a [[ShootEmUps shmup]].) Case in point: Stage 2. You start by flying into a space station from space. The whole station rotates, and at one point, you can see your home planet, poking through an opening in the walls. Then it goes away. All the while, a piece of music fit for a {{Determinator}} swells in the background, building to the point where you see the planet in the background. Finally, you reach a part of the space station that appears torn and blasted apart. Then the music changes to a panicky electronic beat. At the end of the tunnel is a {{Humongous Mecha}}, with a distinct {{Robocop}} style, and gorgeously rendered. As the fight continues, the music from the first part of the stage breaks out of the beat, and the robot starts using a big charging crush laser. Now imagine this, plus five other stages of {{SNES}} shmup glory. Words cannot describe how great this game is.

*** Even the smaller GBA game Grunty's Revenge was decent. With a lineup like this [[@/FalconDoveowl this troper]] cant imagine Nuts and Bolts being as bad as {{Fan Dumb}} makes it.

* BioShock. No other game so perfectly balanced gameplay and story, and the whole thing is just so well presented. The beautiful character design. The amazing twists. The wonderful dialogue. The brilliant subversion of mindlessly following orders in videogames. The most [[MagnificentBastard Magnificent Bastard]] ever, in Andrew Ryan. And the most philosophically relevant game I have ever played. All together now. A Man Chooses. A Slave Obeys.

* The [[http://www.aksysgames.com/bittripbeat Bit]] [[http://www.commandervideo.com Trip]] [[http://www.explorethevoid.com Series]] for WiiWare. These gems combine wonderful retro-styled visuals, {{Ear Worm}} music and stupidly addictive points-based rhythm-action game play. Buy any one of these games and you won't need another game for months. They may be {{Nintendo Hard}}, but the feeling of pure accomplishment you get when you master them is the pinnacle of gaming for me.

* I'm going to say this out loud. I. Love. VideoGame/{{Borderlands}}. You can say what you want about the ''plot'' but everything else is ''absolutely perfect''. Perfect controls. Perfect gameplay. Perfect [[RPGElements RPG Elements]], for christ's sake! ''Gearbox have taken everything good about an FPS and transferred it into this game''. And the thing I love most? The thing that I absolutely ''adore'' about Borderlands? ''It has a sense of what is fucking fun.'' FPS's today (I'm looking at you, ''Modern Warfare'') have gotten ''far'' too caught up in making things ''gritty'' and ''realistic'', well let me put this in ways you can understand, ''Infinity Ward''. FUCK. THAT. SHIT. When ''I'' play an FPS, I don't want it to simulate ''realistic combat''! That's just boring. I. Want. To. Have. A. Revolver. That. Shoots. Alternating. Elemental. Effects. On. Each. Bullet. Terrorist plot? FIRELIGHTNINGACIDEXPLOSION, ''MOTHERFUCKERS''! I want a reference to ''nearly every work of note in the last hundred years'', all with quests and red text! I want to have a person over my intercom, not shouting "''Ramirez! Take down that AC-130 with your knife!''", but instead informing me that "''SWEET JEESUS TITTY CINNAMON THAT IS A MAWN-STER! THIS IS GON' BE SWEET!''". I want to be informed by the ''final boss of the next DLC'' via ''Twitter'' that my player character should "Dude, ''eat something.''" I want a game that, specifically, does ''not'' feel like a chore to play. And I think that every single game developer out there can learn something from gearbox: Realism does NOT always equal fun.

* ''CommandAndConquer'' is my SugarWiki/MostTriumphantExample of RTS, with a [[CrowningMusicOfAwesome kick-ass soundtrack]] to boot. And ''Red Alert'' is even better, taking everything good about the original, turning it UpToEleven and adding magnificent amounts of {{LargeHam}}-osity. [[GushingAboutCharactersYouLike And don't even get me started on]] [[MagnificentBastard Kane]]...
* When I played CompanyOfHeroes, I felt like it was a completely different game from the VideoGame/AgeOfEmpires series and ''VideoGame/AgeOfMythology'' RTS games that I played (I still love em') and it completely blew my mind. It felt realistic (in retrospect it technically just ''felt'' realistic, there was much about it that wasn't - it still does remain that way in feeling to me, however), which was a big jump from the aforementioned Age of-s I played. I'd feel the same about DawnOfWar 2 with it being similar to CompanyOfHeroes RecycledInSpace (or, you know, {{Warhammer40K}}. I like {{Warhammer40K}}'s setting.), aside from Games For Windows Live disconnecting my Xbox Live Silver account all the time in multiplayer and some balance problems that are being ironed out.

* ''CrimzonClover'' is by far the best shmup since sliced ''{{DoDonPachi}}''. And that's saying something, considering it's '''{{doujinshi}}'''--developed for 5 years mainly by one person, with a little outside assistance and another peson doing the music. As for the game itself, it puts as much emphasis on [[StuffBlowingUp destruction]] as it does on [[BulletHell dodging]], [[SuperMode BREAK MODE]] and [[UpToEleven DOUBLE BREAK MODE]] are hilariously fun, and the stages are intense, ''especially'' starting with Original Mode Stage 4. The game in general is just so polished that you'd be forgiven for mistaking it for a commercial game (although it being a PC game kinda gives away the fact that it's a doujin game).

* {{DOOM}}! Good Romero, where do I begin? The game has the most memorable enemies of all time, the best atmosphere, the most imaginative and well-designed levels, the best soundtrack (save for Nobuo Uematsu-made ones), the best fun/challenge ratio and the most awesome weapons! The only things it lacks in are bosses and plot, but nevertheless it easily claims my personal "best game ever" award.
* This Troper was shocked that ''[[{{DrawnToLife}} Drawn To Life]]'' Wasn't on here. She likes the [[RidiculouslyCuteCritter Raposa]] [[CutenessProximity way too]] [[CutenessOverload much]]. And even though [[spoiler: All the Raposa scraficed themselves to save Mike]] in the ending, she still likes it. Of course, she has a fondness for [[spoiler: Death Tropes]], manly because [[spoiler: Raposa Angels are just cuter!]]

** The expansion packs for ''FalloutNewVegas''. ''[=Dead Money=]'' is the perfect SurvivalHorror experience, in the {{Fallout}} universe with amazing characters, an interesting locale, and [[{{TearJerker}} heartbreaking events]]. ''Honest Hearts'' gives us one of the most {{Badass}} [[TheAtoner Atoners]] gaming has ever seen, and a great new area to explore. ''Old World Blues'' is the series' trademark Mad Science humour, set in a WorldOfHam with a cast of colourful characters. And ''Lonesome Road''... It's a journey through a DeathWorld with only one living character, but it manages to be an awesome, [[{{Tearjerker}} sad]], open-ended conclusion to the MythArc that was building up across the previous three add-ons. When else has DownloadableContent ever rivalled the main game like this?

* This troper finds CallOfDuty: World At War underrated... some sections aren't that great but there are some scenes in that game that are just awe-inspiring. The others are good, too - but WAW is my favorite. (Keep in mind that I'm talking about the campaigns, as ([[YourMileageMayVary YMMV]] here) online games with constant battling bore me - not that I'm knocking those, I just don't enjoy them - but that's neither here or there.)

* AssassinsCreed was both one of the most frustrating and one of the most mindblowing games I've ever played. Even with the repetitive combat and the stupid flaghunt minigame and the non-ending, the story (including the framing story) and the core gameplay mechanics were so well-thought-out, so clever, and so much fun that they made up for it -- and that's without mentioning the sheer beauty of the game, or the innovative setting. Not many games are set in the real world's past, and AssassinsCreed made me wonder why -- climbing a building to get a proper view of the gorgeous scenery surrounding you gives you an extra kick when you realise that the building you're climbing is ''the al-Aqsa Mosque''.

* {{Axelay}}. It combines the best things about the 16-bit era into a [[CrowningMomentOfAwesome Crowning Game of Awesome]]. It's a visual showpiece, and a treat to listen to, especially if you like jazz. (Yes, jazz in a [[ShootEmUps shmup]].) Case in point: Stage 2. You start by flying into a space station from space. The whole station rotates, and at one point, you can see your home planet, poking through an opening in the walls. Then it goes away. All the while, a piece of music fit for a {{Determinator}} swells in the background, building to the point where you see the planet in the background. Finally, you reach a part of the space station that appears torn and blasted apart. Then the music changes to a panicky electronic beat. At the end of the tunnel is a {{Humongous Mecha}}, with a distinct {{Robocop}} style, and gorgeously rendered. As the fight continues, the music from the first part of the stage breaks out of the beat, and the robot starts using a big charging crush laser. Now imagine this, plus five other stages of {{SNES}} shmup glory. Words cannot describe how great this game is.

* There's a damn good reason [[@/FreezairForALimitedTime this troper]] {{Entry Pimp}}s ''VideoGame/BeyondGoodAndEvil''--it's frickin' amazing, and, like ''VideoGame/{{Psychonauts}}'', is one of the best games never played. On a technical level, it's a really fun, heavily experimental, and really short, ActionAdventure game--but it's all the ''details'' that wowed her. [[YouALLLookFamiliar Each NPC being completely unique.]] The [[CanisLatinicus really real Latin creature names]]. [[CrowningMusicOfAwesome The epic soundtrack.]] And the ''characters!'' The three main characters are wonderfully realized, with fantastic, unique, likeable personalities. Their relationships are excellently written, too--the love between Jade and Pey'j doesn't need to be an InformedAttribute; it's undeniable and obvious yet never {{Anvilicious}}. And the growth of friendship and trust between Jade and Double H is organic and touching, culminating in the [[TearJerker tear-jerking]] TakeMyHand and "lighthouse" scenes.

* ''{{Civilization}} IV''. Only three words are needed: ONE MORE TURN!

** The sheer fact that you get a fully customizable RobotBuddy (even giving you the ability to give the robot a voicebox) is all sorts of awesome. Not to mention that the custom parts range from water gun CANNONS to samurai sword arms to having the body being an OLD REFRIGERATOR. ''Ridepod Drive-Bys'' people!

** Tell me where else in game you must contract a fatal decease and then turn it into a blessing and a weapon? Morrowind made me shiver when i saw what can ''Corpurus'' do to an ordinary human.

* When I played CompanyOfHeroes, I felt like it was a completely different game from the AgeOfEmpires series and ''VideoGame/AgeOfMythology'' RTS games that I played (I still love em') and it completely blew my mind. It felt realistic (in retrospect it technically just ''felt'' realistic, there was much about it that wasn't - it still does remain that way in feeling to me, however), which was a big jump from the aforementioned Age of-s I played. I'd feel the same about DawnOfWar 2 with it being similar to CompanyOfHeroes RecycledInSpace (or, you know, {{Warhammer40K}}. I like {{Warhammer40K}}'s setting.), aside from Games For Windows Live disconnecting my Xbox Live Silver account all the time in multiplayer and some balance problems that are being ironed out.

* VideoGame/EtrianOdyssey. This game made me realize something. What a game seeks to achieve is immersion. Its ultimate goal is to suck you into the world. And while a lot of games can do it with engrossing, sprawling plots with a healthy dose of gorgeous cutscenes, and it does work, this game manages to do it with just one thing: the feeling of exploration, of adventure. It's all about the experience and not the destination with this game. You don't feel compelled to grind and hurry through everything to advance the plot, but you are absolutely captivated and motivated to explore each and every cranny, just from the sense of adventure it gives you. And it's a lot of people's complaint about the game, about it having no plot, but firstly, that's not true. It comes in late in the game, when you don't even expect a story. It's simple, but very effective. It heigtens the sense of mystery and exploration in the labyrinth, and that is what the experience is all about, not a Let's Save the World kind of plotline. One last thing, it has made me notice the importance of difficulty regulation. Although it slips up towards the end, the merciless difficulty in the first and second strata is so carefully and deliberately callibrated. It is a CrowningMomentOfAwesome when you meet the [[FanNickname Rapelope]] and get your ass handed to you so hard. You sit there shell-shocked, before slowly realizing: this is going to be AWESOME.
** Seconded. This troper bought the game for the very fact she could spend time simply exploring without the plot determining a specific path. For her, the necessity of accurate map-making (not even kidding) was only more of a bonus for the sense of exploration and satisfaction Has yet to finish the final levels (and the main game took months), but will do so no matter how many times her party falls through the floor of [=B27F=]....

* ''DarkCloud 2'' is one of the most fun and adorable games ever. Though the storyline can get cheesy at times, the breathtaking visuals (that look ''hand-drawn''), the easy but entertaining gameplay, and expansive world more than make up for it.

** Holy crap. I thought I was the only person who played this game. One of my favorite [=RPG=]s of all times, despite its flaws. Also that boss battle music is killer.

*** It's not. It's different, sure. But the game has an absolutely ''brilliant'' sense of humor, poking fun at just about every single videogame trope ever, and the vehicle-creation system truly encourages you to think out of the box. The game asks a lot of its audience, and because of that audacity, too many people dismissed it out of hand, which is a bloody shame. If you approach the game with a creative mind, if you're willing to break the rules, and if you're willing to ''stomp on the competition with a {{
Dakka}}-loaded HumongousMecha'', ''Nuts & Bolts'' is a bloody fantastic game.

** Its sequel Banjo-Tooie is just about as much fun with bigger levels, better moves and more transformations. Plus you can turn Kazooie [[WhatDoYouMeanItsNotAwesome into a dragon!]]