History Gush / VideoGamesAToF

** ''Cave Story Plus'' is one of the greatest purchases I've ever made on Steam. I loved it from beginning to end. The throwback to 8-bit platformers (with a little inspiration from Metroid as well), the story, the characters, the music, the fact that it was really hard even on ''the easiest difficulty'', there's so many great things about it.

* ''VideoGame/CallOfDuty: Finest Hour'' is a masterpiece in my eyes. Sure, the graphics are mediocre, but the animations, especially the death animations, are awesome and well thought out. The game is probably the most challenging of the series, as even though previous games still used a Heath bar, in this game it is the most limited ( a single burst of MG42 fire can kill you). Levels are not very linear, there is a lot of room for flexibility, and most importantly, no stupid "story elements". Sure, you may be given a cutscene at the beginning to establish the setting, but there are few times where you are interrupted during a mission.
There are no QuickTimeEvents or anything of that sort. The game immerses you not by cramming the story down your throat until you gag, it immerses you by actually letting you PLAY the game instead of watching an interactive movie.
A lot of people ragged on it for having inferior graphics in the Xbox, but if you ask me that's just petty. Judging games on graphics and not gameplay is something I hate with a passion and unfortunately seems to be in the rise nowadays.
What I am trying to say is that this game got too much flak for no good reasons.

** ''VideoGame/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 SelfDemonstrating/TheJoker. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awf2DgSt1qQ Just check it out!]] (Spoilers)
*** ''VideoGame/BatmanArkhamCity'' actually manages to outdo its predecessor in almost every way and take the throne as the greatest superhero game of all time. It's got a complex and really enjoyable story (sometimes a little overly crowded but it works), spectacular design, loads of side missions and Riddler puzzles, brilliant gameplay that expands on the original in every aspect, great music, and incredible voice acting across the board. I expected a great game. [[SugarWiki/SoCoolItsAwesome What I did not expect was one of the finest action/adventure games ever made.]]

* The ''Franchise/{{Danganronpa}}'' series is one of the most amazing visual novels this trope has ever come across. The plot is, admittedly, rather shallow, but it's still enjoyable (especially with the [[WhamEpisode twists that come later on.]]). The trials are no doubt the most engaging thing of the entire game. When you find a fault in someone's testimony and literally shoot it down with a truth-bullet, it is so ''so'' satisfying.

* ''VideoGame/BattlefieldHeroes'' is great fun. What other game lets you snipe people from a plane, run people over with a jeep and wear a King Cobra on your shoulder, all in the same game? It deserves more popularity. The battles are perfectly-paced, lasting reasonably long without dragging on forever. Having a customizable hero is always great, too. And the theme is [[EarWorm incredibly catchy]] without being annoying!

* The [[http://www.aksysgames.com/bittripbeat Bit]] [[http://www.commandervideo.com Trip]] [[http://www.explorethevoid.com Series]] for UsefulNotes/WiiWare. These gems combine wonderful retro-styled visuals, EarWorm 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 NintendoHard, but the feeling of pure accomplishment you get when you master them is the pinnacle of gaming for me.

** ''VideoGame/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 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!

* Hear now the tale of ''Franchise/{{Atelier}}'', a video game series focusing solely on the art of item crafting. Americans didn't get the series until the Atelier Iris games came out, but those who have played any game in the series can find something to like about it. It's unfortunately a rather niche game series that seriously SugarWiki/NeedsMoreLove, as the gameplay is fun and addictive, the characters are all amazing and well-rounded--save for a select few in each game--the artwork is beautiful, the stories are charming and fun. Special mention goes to my two personal favorites, ''VideoGame/AtelierEschaAndLogyAlchemistsOfTheDuskSky'' and ''VideoGame/ManaKhemiaAlchemistsOfAlRevis'', the former for having a likeable cast and a fun battle system, the latter for its addictive gameplay, fun use of alchemy, and the amazing story that gradually gets deeper and more layered with each chapter. Seriously, if you want to play a game series that's fun and light-hearted and is just plain sweet, take a chance on an Atelier game!

* Do you like SuperSentai and PowerRangers? Then you will love ''VideoGame/ChromaSquad'', a tactical RPG and business sim where you can form your own team of colorfully costumed superheroes, customize them, and have them film episodes/square off against the forces of evil in tense turn-based battles.

* ''VideoGame/{{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 [[ShootEmUp 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 HumongousMecha, with a distinct ''Franchise/{{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 {{UsefulNotes/SNES}} shmup glory. Words cannot describe how great this game is.

* There's a damn good reason [[@/FreezairForALimitedTime I]] EntryPimp ''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.

* I will likely be killed for saying it, but VideoGame/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.

** Indeed. In fact, allow me to elaborate: Cave Story has the ''best'' stage design in a {{Metroidvania}} game ever, bar none. The feeling is not that you progress in the game, but that the game flows around you when you move. The music is about the pinnacle of 8-bit tunes - as was said in the CrowningMusicOfAwesome article, if you don't like the Outer Walls tune (Moonsong is its title), you should visit your local priest, because you're suffering from a serious lack of soul. And the characters are just awesome. HUZZAH!

* ''VideoGame/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. [[SugarWiki/GushingAboutCharactersYouLike And don't even get me started on]] [[MagnificentBastard Kane]]...
* When I played VideoGame/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 ''VideoGame/DawnOfWar 2'' with it being similar to VideoGame/CompanyOfHeroes RecycledInSpace (or, you know, TabletopGame/{{Warhammer 40000}}. I like TabletopGame/{{Warhammer 40000}}'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.
* I am a huge ''Franchise/CrashBandicoot'' fan, and not only do I love all of Naughty Dog's originals, I also love Traveller's Tales' ''Videogame/CrashTwinsanity'' 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.

** Oh God, ''Videogame/CrashBandicoot3Warped''...

* 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 me, anything else can be excused solely on the merit of its [[AwesomeMusic soundtrack]]. Go play it.

** In all fairness to VideoGame/ModernWarfare, it's not nearly as realistic as the mainstream media wants you to believe. Its tactical FPS fore bearers - like the original ''VideoGame/RainbowSix'', ''VideoGame/DeltaForce'' and ''VideoGame/GhostRecon'' games; all of those series' first installments released before the [=PS2=] era - slanted much further in realism than any of the Modern Warfare games. In fact, a late 2011 issue of GameInformer brought up several realistic PC FPS games as an antithesis to VideoGame/ModernWarfare3, just to dismantle this myth. Hell, even ''VideoGame/CounterStrike'' has more realism than VideoGame/ModernWarfare, and no one mistook that game as anything beyond a more arcadey VideoGame/RainbowSix. VideoGame/ModernWarfare is more MisBlamed than anything, thanks to its [[ItsPopularNowItSucks popularity]] pigeonholing it into TropeCodifier territory for gritty, realistic FPS games, even though this clearly isn't true. Sure, the VideoGame/ModernWarfare series has plenty of legitimate faults, but being too realistic ain't one of them.

* Sixed! It was an ''amazing'' game, and the sheer ''impact'' of the game (which is literally as old as ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft''), if only [=NCsoft=] didn't have to kill it, it's a truely inspiring game, and the mere existence of CityOfTitans shows how much of a mark it left on the world.

** I wasn't sure if this counted for ''VideoGame/DynastyWarriors'' or the [[https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Gush/Nintendo Nintnedo page]], but HyruleWarriors is awesome! It's a Warriors game where you play as Zelda characters; need I say more? Sure, its 3DS ''Legends'' port may not do too well on an older model, but on a newer model it becomes one of my favorite games on the system. I'm not kidding when I tell you I spent ''months'' clearing Legend ''and'' Adventure Mode, and I'm still hungry for the DLC! That's the mark of an amazing game.

** ''Oblivion'' and ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim Skyrim]]'' are the two games this troper has sunk the most hours into since discovering them, the sheer amount of stuff to do in both games just staggers this troper and despite having played it near non-stop for near enough a year and a half, this troper still is not bored of either game -- no mean feat considering this troper's case of AttentionDeficitOohShiny. There are just so many different ways to play the elder scrolls that it literally never gets boring, from being a heavy armor-clad LawfulGood paladin to a sneaky bow-weilding ChaoticEvil vampiric assassin and literally everything in between, this game just has everything a man or woman needs for a game that will just eat time and shit fun. Bonus points go to the pc versions of both games for the insane amount of modding, where this troper has put some more immersive weapons into oblivion -- if anyone knows of any immersive armor mods for oblivion that'd be A+ because all this troper has found is chainmail bikinis and stuff that makes it look more like ''[[VideoGame/CorruptionOfChampions Corruption Of Champions]]'' than the elder srolls and that is a major pet peeve of his.
* Despite being a [[CasualGames casual]] game, ''Emerald City Confidential'' provides a great adventure. It has a great [[HardBoiledDetective protagonist]]: she is snarky, she's resourceful, she's strong, despite the fact that her life hasn't been easy, she has HiddenDepths, she is brunette - she's everything you like in a video game PC. The other characters don't disappoint, either. The game takes place in a [[{{Grimmification}} revised ''Wizard of Oz'' universe]], being sort of a seguel to Frank Baum's books. However, it's also possible to take the game as a completely separate story, because it has a good story to offer. The game also has great FilmNoir atmosphere, complete with hand-drawn Art-Deco backgrounds and jazz soundtrack. It is an entertaining, clever, funny, touching adventure - you can't go wrong with this one.

* 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 Creator/{{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/TheSilverLiining team for their perseverance and Tierra[=/=]Creator/AGDInteractive for taking what is possibly the most frustrating, non-sensical, SolveTheSoupCans entry of the VideoGame/KingsQuest series and making it into something that is awesome on every level - voice acting (including Josh Mandel reprising Graham!), music, puzzles, and STORY.

* The ''VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddys'' series is Internet famous for a good reason. Beyond the jumpscares, there's an amazingly creepy atmosphere that pervades every one of the games, and the story that gets doled out a little more each game is compelling and tragic, a classic GhostStory of the highest caliber that plays on juvenile and AdultFears at the same time, with a BittersweetEnding in [[VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddys3 5NaF3]] that is as heartwarming and tear-jerking as they come. And the entire series was designed and built by ''one person''.

* [[SuperlativeDubbing Paging Doctor Bats...]] [[Creator/MarkHamill Paging Doctor Bats...]] [[VideoGame/BatmanArkhamAsylum IS THERE A DOCTOR BATS IN THE ROOM???]]

* ''VideoGame/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]]...

* Franchise/TheElderScrolls, especially ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIVOblivion 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.
** ''Oblivion'' expansion ''Shivering Isles''. This seemed like a complete turnaround for Bethesda's game quality. ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIIIMorrowind 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...
** 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.
** ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIVOblivion Oblivion]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim Skyrim]]'' are the two games this troper has sunk the most hours into since discovering them, the sheer amount of stuff to do in both games just staggers this troper and despite having played it near non-stop for near enough a year and a half, this troper still is not bored of either game -- no mean feat considering this troper's case of AttentionDeficitOohShiny. There are just so many different ways to play the elder scrolls that it literally never gets boring, from being a heavy armor-clad LawfulGood paladin to a sneaky bow-weilding ChaoticEvil vampiric assassin and literally everything in between, this game just has everything a man or woman needs for a game that will just eat time and shit fun. Bonus points go to the pc versions of both games for the insane amount of modding, where this troper has put some more immersive weapons into oblivion -- if anyone knows of any immersive armor mods for oblivion that'd be A+ because all this troper has found is chainmail bikinis and stuff that makes it look more like ''[[VideoGame/CorruptionOfChampions Corruption Of Champions]]'' than the elder srolls and that is a major pet peeve of his.
** ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIIIMorrowind Morrowind]]'' was my first. It may show its flaws more keenly in the current age of gaming, but it was so ambitious and it got so many things ''just right''. An enormous hand-crafted world chock full of things to find and a diverse system of gameplay with huge potential for fun despite (or perhaps because of) how unbalanced it was. More than anything, though, I'll remember how it steadfastly refused to hold your hand - dropping you in the middle of a small coastal village with only a brief tutorial and the vaguest of directions, and that's it. Even Oblivion and Skyrim at least gave you a compass pointer. Where should you go? What should you do? What is this strange land and what role are you supposed to play it in? That's entirely up to you. Never have I felt so powerless, yet so empowered.

** I wasn't sure if this counted for DynastyWarriors or the [[http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Gush/Nintendo Nintnedo page]], but HyruleWarriors is awesome! It's a Warriors game where you play as Zelda characters; need I say more? Sure, its 3DS ''Legends'' port may not do too well on an older model, but on a newer model it becomes one of my favorite games on the system. I'm not kidding when I tell you I spent ''months'' clearing Legend ''and'' Adventure Mode, and I'm still hungry for the DLC! That's the mark of an amazing game.

* ''VideoGame/{{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 [[ShootEmUp 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 HumongousMecha, with a distinct ''Franchise/{{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.

* Sixed! It was an ''amazing'' game, and the sheer ''impact'' of the game (which is literally as old as ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft''), if only NCsoft didn't have to kill it, it's a truely inspiring game, and the mere existence of CityOfTitans shows how much of a mark it left on the world.

* ''VideoGame/BanjoKazooie'' took what [[SuperMarioBros Super Mario 64]] invented for 3D platforming and perfected it. I've never played a better game in my life. The worlds were beautiful and imaginative, the characters were funny, and the gameplay was easy yet magically fun.

** I would like to add that ''Videogame/CrashTeamRacing'' was just as good as Mario Kart, if not 500 times better.

* ''EuropaUniversalis Rome: Vae Victis'' is beyond amazing. How can a simple expansion pack make a game that sucks into something that's not only playable but one of the best (and most addictive) things ever released on PC?

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

* I was shocked that ''DrawnToLife'' wasn't on here. I like the [[RidiculouslyCuteCritter Raposa]] [[CutenessProximity way too]] [[CutenessOverload much]]. And even though [[spoiler:all the Raposa sacrificed themselves to save Mike]] in the ending, I still like it. Of course, I have a fondness for [[spoiler:Death Tropes]], mainly because [[spoiler:Raposa Angels are just cuter]]!

** Armored Core 4 is, and will be until the day I die, my favorite game, EVER. Armored Core: For Answer was almost as good, but it didn't have quite the same feel to it that AC4 did. Complain as much as you like about its RealIsBrown graphics, but I found that they suited the game perfectly I also spent hours upon hours just messing around on the missions, thinking quietly to myself. I personally found it to be on of the greatest, most (both graphically and setting-wise) beautiful games I've ever played.