GIPL 3.0

Sup B-holes! It's been about 10 months since I've done one of these, which is nuts. Here's some of the games I've played lately, and when I say lately I mean throughout most of 2016.

Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow (GBA)

S/o to Mickey for hooking me up with the Vania side of Metroidvania with this one. This is an incredibly fun entry in the genre. The progression through the interconnecting map is natural, but not hand-holding. The RPG aspects of leveling up and equipping weapons and armor separates it from the Metroid side of the genre. But there are three things that really make this game stand out. First, the heavy metal gothic horror rocks (applies to most games in this series I think). Second, the random ability drops from enemies make for tons of interesting strategies to get through the game. Finally, this game showcases some of the best pixel art and animation. Like, ever. 

My GIPL Rating: A

140 (PC)

I went through this thing where I wanted to play "rhythm platformers". Many sources cited this minimalistic game as one of the best. Basically, the game required you to identify the rhythmic patterns of the various obstacles in order to successfully navigate them. Turns out that's actually already a genre...platformers. Normal platformers, from Mario to Sonic to Crash Bandicoot, have used this concept for years. This game is forgettable at best.
My GIPL Rating: C

Super Mario Land 3: Wario Land (GB)

I've talked about both Wario Land 2 and 3 at length on this blog. This is simply the predecessor of those amazing games. This game is fine in its own right. With focus more on combat and exploration as opposed to platforming, this game clearly is the point where Wario-style platforming found its roots. For that, the game deserves credit. However, the over-the-top wackiness and mechanical/design ingenuity found in later games in the series isn't quite here, which makes it somewhat less enjoyable to play through for the first time with the later titles already under my belt.
My GIPL Rating: B-

Bastion (PC)

I expected this game to be fun based on recommendations from friends (again, Mickey's da real MVP here), but never expected to love it as much as I did. What's honestly a pretty simple action game elevates itself to greatness through several outstandingly unique weapons and a sneakingly catchy narrative delivered by the suave yet gravelly tones of the old man Rucks. I couldn't stop playing this game once I started it, and I'm sure I'll revisit it on multiple occasions. 

My GIPL Rating: A+

Fire Emblem: Fates (Birthright, Conquest, & Revelation) (3DS)

Like many Americans, I was unfortunately ignorant of this series for most of my life, until the high-profile release of Awakening. Also like many Americans, I loved it immediately. Awakening made my top 25 fav games list mostly on the basic Fire Emblem pillars alone. But I had nothing to compare it to. Enter Fates, which released at a great time for me. There have barely been any releases of major Nintendo IPs in 2016, so FE Fates had little competition for my money or time. What I found were three games that built on everything I loved about Awakening. Playing roughly the same story from three different perspectives allows a level of immersion not usually found in gaming narratives, and it really makes the player feel attached to the characters as both friends and foes. Conquest stood out among the three titles for having the most creative scenarios and likable characters, but it was balls hard. After playing Awakening, I felt like I had experienced this franchise and thoroughly enjoyed a solid title. After playing Fates, I felt a compulsive need to now play every internationally released game in this series. More on that later.

My GIPL Rating: A+

Nihilumbra (PC)

Another platformer that popped up on my Steam recommendations. The aesthetic is interesting, and this is another one of those games that is narrated as you play it. Nihilumbra has kind of a story book quality to it, and it carries a simple enough message. Unlike most PC platformers, this game was optimized for keyboard-and-mouse inputs, using the keyboard to move and jump and the mouse to paint the environment with different colors, each that gives the main character various abilities. This game was just innovative enough in story, style, and gameplay to be memorable, but didn't knock it out of the park to really rise to greatness. 

My GIPL Rating: B-

Super Mario Bros (3DS Virtual Console)

Yep. This one. Turned out I have never finished it, so I decided to. It's Super Mario Bros, so

My GIPL Rating: B-

Sonic CD (PC)

One of the only classic 2D Sonic games I've never played. Like the above entry, I decided to change that. The game itself felt a bit too clustered compared to the previous 4 Sonic games in the series. The levels could be as easy as you wanted them to be. The busy visuals just made everything look trippy (not in a good way) and therefore I had no desire to explore the deeper secrets of the game. I got through it, and don't really have a desire to play it again. 

My GIPL Rating: C- Eh, we'll give it a normal C for that bomb animated intro

AM2R (PC)

I'm not gonna belabor this game, since I already wrote a whole thing on it. TL;DR This game was incredibly necessary, this game was incredibly good, and I have a copy of this game if anybody missed it.

My GIPL Rating: A+

Fire Emblem (GBA)

So here began my quest at playing all the international FE games. I can't imagine a more solid game in the series. The pixel art and animation is incredible, the difficulty curve was perfect, and there were no unnecessary frills or mechanics in this entry. The story was good, and the cast of characters rivaled Conquest for the best I've experienced. And it gave us Hector. (Butt-head voice): "Yeah...Hector rules."

My GIPL Rating: A

Shovel Knight: Plague of Shadows (3DS)

So I love Shovel Knight, as I've mentioned at least twice on this blog. I finally got around to playing the outstanding free DLC campaign, and it stood up at least as well as the original. Like many people before me have said, the brilliance of this expansion is playing the same levels as the original, but having to think about tackling each screen in a completely different way. The team at Yacht Club Games also wrote a whole new story just as heartwarming as the first that took place behind the scenes of Shovel Knight's adventure. This expansion is pure gold, and I'm beyond hyped to play the next expansion as my favorite member of the Order of No Quarter: Specter Knight (\ <---a scythe i guess
My GIPL Rating: S

EarthBound (3DS Virtual Console)

My friend Chad recommended this one to me, and I finally got a chance to play an official version of this game when Nintendo released it for the New Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console. While the gameplay is pretty vanilla RPG, this game soars into S territory for just being so friggin' adorable. And also for being messed up. See, most games (or media in general) that try to blend those two and up making it look like they're trying too hard. Not EarthBound, which will have the player confront cult kidnappings and human sacrifice in one scene, and a few hours later, will have a friend help his other friend escape the gates of a boarding school by letting him climb on his back (this is way more heartwarming than it sounds). One moment will have a character volunteer to have parts of his body removed to prove his dedication to saving the world, while another has you pass time stuck in a traffic jam by reuniting two sesame seed companions that have been separated from each other in the middle of a desert. Most impressively, this game masters the difficult question of how to include the player in a video game story. Some games, mostly Western RPGs, encourage the player to project their identity into the game with extensive character customization options. JRPGs tend to suggest that a player empathize with a pre-made generic hero whom they control. EarthBound makes the player empathize with Ness, but also acknowledges the player as a separate entity. If I explain any more, I'll be venturing into spoiler territory, so I'll just leave it at that and insist you play it if you ever get the opportunity. 

My GIPL Rating: S

That's all for now. I'm gonna go join the movement of rabid Mother fans trying to convince Nintendo to officially give us an English translation of Mother 3. Deuces!

AM2R: Post-game thoughts and reflections

Samus starts her mission landing on the surface of SR388. She exits the ship and is greeted by a clear, green sky, and the player is graced with positive, upbeat music. Within a few seconds, Samus walks into a cave, where she will spend the rest of her mission in skyless darkness.

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I have already mentioned what a special place in my heart Metroid II holds. Despite technical limitations and only being the second game in the acclaimed series, the original Metroid II has a distinct feel among the entire catalog. Namely, a feel of darkness, impending dread, and moral grayness.

As a brief overview, Metroid II takes place after the events of both the original Metroid/Zero Mission and the Prime Trilogy. The Galactic Federation deems the metroid species too much of a threat to galactic civilization, and orders for their extermination. They contract the mission to the individual most qualified to do so, Samus Aran. Samus lands on the planet of SR388 and is able to get a energy scan that tells her how many Metroids exist on the planet. And so begins the mission.

AM2R is a 100% fan-made remake of Metroid II that has been in development for 6 years. The primary goals of the project are to combine the technical gameplay of Metroid: Zero Mission and the atmospheric immersion of Super Metroid. One thing no one can argue is how much they succeeded on the first goal.

One of the biggest complaints modern gamers have against Metroid II is the lack of a map system. Indeed, Metroid II's sequel, Super Metroid, pioneered in-game map systems as we currently know them, but this innovation did not make it in time for Metroid's second installment. AM2R added a Super Metroid-style map system to remedy this problem. They also added more modern features that have become staples of the franchise, such as 8 directional shooting, super missiles, power bombs, stackable beam upgrades, speed bosting/shinesparking, bomb jumping, and the list goes on and on. Everything you can do in Zero Mission, you can do better in AM2R.

This leaves us with the difficult goal of capturing Super Metroid's atmosphere, even though doing so is about as easy as bottling lightning. For those of you who haven't played it, Super Metroid combined distinct environments, eerie and moody music, cinematic gameplay that gave the player a sense of profound loneliness, and sometimes, fear. The problem is, in my humble opinion, Super Metroid and Metroid II were not meant to be tonally the same. While Super Metroid is lonely and moody, it still has a pretty positive vibe overall. There is a clear goal to rescue a biological super weapon (who may or may not share a personal attachment with the protagonist) from the clutches of a clearly evil band of pirates.

Metroid II on the other hand, is not so clear cut. As Samus moves farther down through and endless network of underground tunnels and caves, further from civilization and closer to the heart of a species she is trying to eradicate, a feeling of dread builds slowly and consistently in the player's soul. Instead of near-constant action, as in Super Metroid, Metroid II gives the player long, uninhabited tunnels to travel through between metroid executions. There's enough time for the player to think about what they are doing. Yes, the metroids are threats to the galaxy, but is the answer really going to a planet where they have already established themselves and destroying them, even though these metroids have presumably never harmed anyone?

Despite the technical limitations of the original version, Metroid II was able to communicate this tone beautifully. Instead of intricate pixel art of caves in the background, the player could only see stark blackness. Instead of beautiful colors and varied environments, the player experienced a grayscale that matched the grayness of the morality of Samus' actions. Instead of music that called back to previous, more successful games, we got creepy and choppy music in a style that was never found in a Metroid game since. One could argue that these weren't conscious decisions but rather forced decisions due to the severe limitations of GameBoy hardware, but they nonetheless accentuate the dread and gloom that makes this game unique.

Don't get me wrong, AM2R captures this feeling for the most part. There's still plenty of downtime in between major areas where one can take a breath and contemplate what's going on. Going into a metroid breeding ground or nest is still scary as #$@%. There's even a really well-executed section with a darkness mechanic (a la Rock Tunnel). I really appreciated this sequence as the "Wednesday" of the game. Let me explain. Being halfway through the week can sometimes be tough; so much time has been put into work, but still so much more time has to be put in as well. The darkness sequence happens to be right in the middle of the game. So many metroids have been killed, but the list is still huge. They are becoming more powerful the farther you get from the surface and the closer you get to darkness and insanity. This stress comes to a climax as you fall to the bottom of a near-pitch black pit and face off with a gamma metroid in claustrophobic quarters. At that moment, you would rather be anywhere but there. Perfect.

I was somewhat torn by the decision to make the 5 main areas all different, and many of them with different themes (aka water, lava...think Zelda games). While the change of scenery was nice, it did feel a bit trope-y and not in line with the tone of the game.

***MINOR SPOILERS FOLLOW ***

AM2R really nailed the end sequence of the game. I'll never forget my experience in the original Metroid II when I discovered the largest cave in  the game, with a very artificial-looking glass laboratory at the top. Inside were traditional metroid larvae (you know, the ones that suck your brains and you have to kill with ice beams and missiles). The eerie and slightly irritating music was largely unchanged (good thing) during this sequence. This all built up to the penultimate room, where the music transforms from melody to basically unpleasant guttural sound effects and you can hear a roaring creature presumably coming from the next room. Knowing what awaited me down there, I experienced the same feeling I had when I walked into Mother Brain's chamber for the first time in Super Metroid. This is a feeling I've only had a few times in gaming, and I greatly applaud the developer for being able to capture this.

The Queen Metroid fight was also a slight improvement on the original, mostly being a multi-part fight and making what was once a secret technique of beating the boss (climb into her mouth and bombing her from inside of her gut) the mandatory grand finale of the fight.

One of the best parts of the game was the post-credit line:
"The last metroid is in captivity. The galaxy is at peace." (read in the same voice as in Super Metroid)
Not only is this an apt ending to the game, but also a goosebumps-inducing hint at the events to come in the final game of the trilogy.

***END SPOILERS***

Overall, I think the tone of Metroid II was mostly maintained in AM2R. All of the technical changes were nice, but did somewhat take away from the minimalistic nihilism of the original. I still can't say that it is quite up there with Super Metroid, but I think it beats Fusion and MP2 and takes the second spot on my list of favorite Metroid games, which I don't say lightly.

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After almost committing metroid genocide, Samus climbs out of the twisted cave network of SR388 with something she has never had on her previous missions: a companion. As the metroid larva helps her escape, Samus emerges from the darkness and insanity to look up at a beautiful night sky. Within a few seconds, she climbs into her ship and into the endless sky above.    

Rush's YYZ- A small nod to fans comes full circle

Rush is my favorite band, for reasons that are irrelevant to this post and therefore I won't delve into them. My first experience with Rush's music was the instrumental YYZ, which I heard on Guitar Hero 2. I dug the song, so I downloaded the first version I found on iTunes, which just so happened to be a live version. I found a similar version here:
I noticed this version of the song had an additional part that was added to the end (4:25 above), that wasn't in other versions I was familiar with. I wrote this off as live embellishment, and never thought much of it after that.

Several years down the road, I really dove into the music of Rush, buying their first 9 studio albums and becoming intimately familiar with every track. My favorite Rush album is their 1977 work, A Farewell to Kings. One of the weirdest songs on this album is the closer, called Cygnus X-1. This song takes place in media res of a sidelong epic that would be on the following album. The track features heavily rhythmic and technical instrumental sections throughout the song. (The sequence of interest begins at 2:24)

I also eventually acquired the original studio version of YYZ when I bought Moving Pictures, Rush's bestselling 1981 masterpiece. From here on, every time I would listen to this particular song, I would listen to this studio version instead of my isolated live version I had previously downloaded.

Several years later and a few days ago, I was simply listening to music on my phone on shuffle, and the live version came on. I enjoyed the slight variations to the studio version of the song, but my mind was blown when it came to the extra, added bit at the end. It was actually a sequence from Cygnus X-1! For whatever reason, Rush had decided to end a particular live rendition of one of their most famous instrumental works with a brief, obscure section from an obscure song from an obscure album. It was one of those moments where I felt like part of my life had come full circle, and that particular chapter had come to a clean end.

Top 30 POKEMON

Well Pokemon is bigger than it's been since the late 90's, so I've had it on the brain. Because I'm the worst kind of blogger, I'm doing another top something. They're fun. Deal with it. I'll keep my commentary brief. 

30. Ampharos

Pretty much the only viable Electric type in Gen II, and a pretty high-concept design.

29. Hypno

One of my mains in my very first playthrough, and has provided inspiration for some great CreepyPasta. This kind of fan treatment is what makes Pokemon so fun. And he helps me troll for days. 

28. Beedrill

Cool looking design, but falls quite a bit in the rankings for not really being much more than a bee.

27. Spiritomb

One of the only decent original Pokemon to come from Gen IV. I call him Spirit Bomb.

26. Charmeleon

IMO looks cooler than Charizard. I had a few childhood playthroughs of Blue where I never let him evolve. 

25. Accelgor and 24. Escavalier

I promise that these two didn't end up next to each other by design...this is just really where they naturally landed on my list. Both really cool high-concept bugs from a gen filled with really cool high-concept bugs. Escavalier barely wins out due to me having a bit more experience with him in the games. 

23. Pinsir

One of two Gen I version exclusive superbugs. Although as a Bug Catcher I really appreciate a giant beetle, Pinsir's design just doesn't hold up as well to some of the other bugs on this list for me. 

22. Vaporeon

The superior Gen I Eeveelution. 'Nuff said. 

21. Flygon

What type is this thing? Well his name is Flygon, so probably Flying. Oh wait, Thunderbolt just did nothing to it. Hmm. Well he looks like a bug, and he's green, so maybe Bug or Grass. Welp, Flamethrower was barely effective. That's it, I'm looking it up....Dragon/Ground? Well alrighty then. Points to Nintendo/Game Freak/Creatures for having at least one Pokemon whose type is not obvious due to it's color/presence or absence of wings.

20. Absol

So emo.

19. Heracross

Heraboss, the better beetle. Love the Fighting secondary type. 

18. Krookodile

Unique type combo? Check. Cool design? Check. It's amazing how rare it is to find a Pokemon who meets those two simple criteria. 

17. Ariados

Kudos to this guy for being my favorite animal. Unfortunately, he's not much more than that. Ariados:Spider::Beedrill:Bee.

16. Porygon

A computer program Pokemon that makes fun of how stereotypical oriental folk say their English L's. 10/10.

15. Rhydon

"Wow they're really running out of ideas." -one of the most common criticisms of newer Pokemon. You know what Pokemon could never have that said about him? Rhydon. Because he was literally the first idea for a Pokemon. And it's a really cool one. Ground types are so gnarly. 

14. Durant

The best Bug/Steel Pokemon. Fight me. 

13. Espeon

My personal favorite Eeveelution. Very graceful looking, really cool eye color scheme, and super functional stats. I would love to have an Espeon as an actual pet/bodyguard combo.

12. Haxorus

When people complain about newer Pokemon looking stupid, I typically point them to this guy. Haxorus' design holds up with the most popular and classic of Pokemon, and I have fond memories of using him in competitive Gen V. Tell your Latios to go and hide. 

11. Scyther

Scyther has been called my spirit Pokemon due to his probable origin as the lovechild of a mantis and a knife. Can't say I disagree. 

10. Reuniclus

Is it a cell? A homunculus? Nobody knows. It's a truly unique cytoplasmic blob, and that's good enough for it to crack my top 10. 

9. Clawitzer

It's based on one of the most insane animals on the planet. Add an incredibly cool design and unique Ability, and we've got ourselves a Gen VI homerun.

8. Chandelure

I hated this thing when I first saw it. Then I realized that it's really stupid to hate Pokemon based on inanimate objects, especially ghost Pokemon where it is completely reasonable to believe that they just possessed said object. If possessing a chandelier gave me wicked fire powers, I would do it too. Plus it's the clearly the fanciest Pokemon. Pinky out! 

7. Volcarona

Fun activity: Sing the song "My Sharona" by The Knack and just substitute "Volcarona" for every time he says "My Sharona." It's great. Having one of the highest base stat totals of all non-legendary Pokemon, Volcarona finally buried the stereotype of Bug Pokemon being the weakest type. 

6. Hydreigon

All Pseudo-Legendaries are stupid except Hydreigon. He's a three-headed demon dragon that will eat you purely out of spite. Also I have a shiny one and it's one of my absolute favorites. 

5. Espurr

This bloodshot, thousand-yard stare set the internet aflame, and I've been a huge fan of this little guy ever since.

4. Starmie

Potentially one of the most unique Pokemon ever designed. Part starfish, part extraterrestrial, and part actual propeller. Although Water/Psychic isn't a completely unique type, it's a darn good combo. 

3. Galvantula

Electric tarantula. Boom. In Gen V competitive, I had one of these that was my good luck charm, with a hot streak of one-shotting Pokemon it had no business one-shotting. Absolutely love this guy to death. 

2. Porygon-Z

What started out as "Wow, Porygon-Z is the coolest in his evolutionary line" has gradually become my penultimate favorite Pokemon. The concept of all of the Porygons are really cool. Computer program, upgraded computer program, and illegal third-party mod of upgraded computer program. Then you tack on the wonderful erratic attack animations added in Gen VI, the memories of raging at Brandon for downvoting it on Adam's Pokemon Rater, and Hyper Beam-ing the Sh*t (R) out of Ted's entire team, and suddenly this guy has become my signature Pokemon. Strategy.  

1. Raichu

Yeah, as boring as it gets sometimes, Raichu will probably always be my favorite. A perfect combo of adorable and powerful, and incredibly underappreciated due to the shadow of it's iconic pre-evolution. An old friend who I don't really see anymore crocheted me a Raichu stuffed animal, and it holds the prestigious place of sitting next to my wife's beloved stuffed Winnie the Pooh on our bed. I also take it to competitions for good luck (it doesn't work). So as much as I've had great memories and experiences with newer, fresher designs, Raichu will always be #1. 

Thank you for continuing to indulge me as I talk about myself. Buh-bye! 

ACTUAL Favorite Video Games (25 of them!)

Honesty moment: I'm not really happy with how my previous Top 15 Favorite Video games post turned out. My self-imposed rules, particularly the one that only allows one game per series, really ended up making a bad list. It was really just a list of my top series, with my favorite game in each series representing. So I'm redoing this list, but without any rules. Technically, it could consist of only Pokemon and Metroid games (I thought about it, but turns out I do like some other games). I think that this list does a much better job of representing my actual top games. Let's get into it.

Note: Parentheticals are platforms that I have played the games on...not necessarily a comprehensive list of platforms on which the games are available.

25. Fire Emblem Awakening (3DS)

Like many westerners, I'm a newbie to the Fire Emblem series, and this game was my starting point. Lots of customization options make this Tactical RPG approachable for new players, and has been a gateway for me into other Fire Emblem games. The story is so-so, but this game (like many Fire Emblem games) really shines with it's great cast of memorable characters.

24. Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (3DS)

I didn't grow up on Nintendo consoles (which explains my current obsession, but I digress), so I don't really have any nostalgia for 2D Zelda games. Honestly, I think they're fun, but I don't consider any of them to be the best games ever. A Link Between Worlds caused me to reconsider this fact. Providing more freedom than any other Zelda game I've played, and introducing a seamless new mechanic that really changes the way you look at the in-game world (a la Portal), A Link Between Worlds was instantly one of my favorite 3DS & Zelda games.

23.  Sonic & Knuckles (Sega Genesis)

This one was on my last list, so I won't belabor the point too much on this one. As a Sega kid, I grew up on the good Sonic games, and this one is the pinnacle of that era IMO. 

22. Halo REACH (Xbox 360)

Also on the old list. Halo reach was probably the last pure Halo game, before Halo and Call of Duty began converging on one another in terms of gameplay. This game is synonymous with my awesome dorm life in undergrad. #halonight

21. Star Wars: Battlefront II (Xbox, PC)

REACH is to my college life as Battlefront II was to high school. I spent countless hours with friends or my brother with this classic third-person shooter. The best part about this game was that it stuck with the formula provided in the first game, but made little improvements on each feature. So it still FELT like a Battlefront game...unlike a certain other sequel that was disappointing, to say the least. 

20. Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)

It's hard to keep a franchise like Mario fresh. At the time of this game, it had been over 10 years since Mario had made the transition to 3D. How could they do something different? ADD SPACE. And as Brandon always hashtags, #spaceisbetterthannotspace

19. Wario Land 3 (Gameboy Color)

I've written about this game at length in my post "The Best 2D Platformer Ever?" I don't think that this is the best 2D platformer ever, but I think it's up there, and I was mostly trying to debunk the belief that Yoshi's Island is indeed the best. Basically, this game is a progressive and experimental platformer with non-linear, open ended levels and puzzles that are solved by letting enemies attack and subsequently transform you. There's really no other game like it. And Wario is in it, which is always a plus. WAA WAA! *fart*

18. Shovel Knight (3DS)

I was very skeptical of Shovel Knight due to the seemingly obscene amount of praise the game has received. Even starting this game with all of this skepticism, I was in love with it before I completed the first level. This game is easily the pinnacle of 8-bit 2D platforming. It has all of the things we want out of retro games, such as secrets and difficulty, with the benefit of many modern features, such as incredible pixel art and unlimited lives. As a final note, the music is probably the best chip tune soundtrack in any game ever. I'll fight you if you disagree. 

17. Metroid Fusion (Gameboy Advance)

Ah....the first Metroid game on the list! On the last list, Fusion had to be arbitrarily limited to an honorable mention. Well that's crap, because this game is really great. Easily the most narrative-heavy game in the series, Fusion sets up a story where Samus is being hunted by a more powerful version of herself. Running into the so-called SA-X is terrifying, and the whole game builds up to the encounter with it at the end, which is one of the most difficult boss fights in the series (see my post on the top Metroid bosses). Bonus points to Fusion for giving us one of Samus' best suits. 

16. Spider-Man 2 (Xbox)

Like I mentioned last time, this game is amazing (ha!) because it makes you feel like Spider-Man. It's as simple as that. Who doesn't want to feel like Spider-Man? Probably a lot of people, but let me tell you: I'm not one of them. Real talk, it is straight-up CRIMINAL that We the People have not been treated to a newer Spider-Man game that builds on the greatness of this gem. 

15. Pokemon X/Y (3DS)

I didn't even throw Pokemon's 6th generation an honorable mention during my last list. I was probably only thinking about the main playthrough, which admittedly is sub-par, even for a Pokemon game. The truth is, not only does this game render all 718 (at the time of release) Pokemon in fantastic 3D models, but it also simplifies almost every mechanic that Pokemaniacs like myself like to use, such as Super Training, breeding, shiny hunting, etc. These small improvements that have slowly evolved Pokemon over time aren't always obvious, but when you think about them they really make you appreciate the newer games. 

14. Portal 2 (PC)

This game is so good, it's at this point on the list and I haven't even finished it yet. But I have experienced enough of the game to know how much I love it. The original Portal was a revolutionary puzzle game that got me so excited when I first heard about it. Playing it for the first time did nothing to disappoint that excitement. But Valve really pulled one over on us, because Portal was basically a tech demo with a little bit of spice at the end. Portal 2, in my opinion, feels more like a full game, with more characters, more mechanics, and a more fleshed-out narrative. Can't wait to finish this one.

EDIT: In the time between when I first drafted this post and when I published it, I actually finished this game. I think I'm still happy with it here in the 14 spot for now. 

13. Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (GameCube)

Wind Waker was my Zelda representative in my last list, but (spoiler alert!) it won't actually be the highest Zelda game on this updated list. Wind Waker doesn't have the best dungeons or necessarily the best story, but it is flooded (!) with atmosphere. The combination of the music, distinctive art direction, and quirky NPCs give the player an emotional experience that is unparalleled.

12. Metroid Prime (Wii)

The standard 3D Metroid experience. This game deservedly receives a lot of credit for pioneering this dimensional transition. The world in this game is sort of cliche, having desert/ruins, lava, water, and ice regions. It is also a bit short on narrative, which is experienced through scanning the environment. The gameplay is solid and immersive and there are many memorable boss fights, but it's not quite the best Prime game in this guy's opinion.

11. Smash 4 (3DS/Wii U)

Most games are experienced in a binge. You spend several hours a week playing a game until you finish it, at which point you usually go several years before replaying it. Smash isn't so much a binge but rather a snack. You play it for a few hours every once in a while, usually with friends. Then you do the same thing a few weeks later. You're never done playing Smash. And you never will be. 

10. Burnout: Revenge (Xbox)

Burnout: Revenge was 4th on my last list, which I knew even at the time was way too high. Don't get me wrong, though, Burnout Revenge is the best racing game ever made. Emphasizing destruction and car-to-car combat with your racing rivals, Burnout is high speed chaos at its finest. The game's effects always make you feel like you're going way too fast and about to crash...and you inevitably will every few seconds. But even when you crash, you can manipulate and even explode your car to take your rivals down with you. The soundtrack is also amazing, and is great racin' music. Boogity boogity boogity! (NASCAR reference)

9. Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver (DS):

The Gen II Pokemon games are generally regarded as the most fun to play, and you'll hear no disagreement from me. The first region you start in, Johto, is a really unique region, and has a great balance of new and old Pokemon. Once you get all 8 badges, you get to go to Gen I's region, Kanto, and relive your old adventures. At the end of this grand journey, you get to face off against your previous avatar: Red. It's the most epic moment at the end of the most epic playthrough of Pokemon. How could this possibly be improved? Updated graphics, Pokemon, and mechanics. And a Pokemon pedometer that I may or may not have accidentally put in my washing machine. RIP.

8. Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy (Xbox, PC)

The perfect Star Wars action/adventure game. This game is actually a distant sequal to a Doom-style FPS, and some of the elements from that genre still remain, such as hordes of scrub enemies and several interesting and varied guns. But the heart of this game is what the series has evolved into: a game about using lightsabers and the force. Jedi Academy allows the player to create a custom avatar who is a new student at the Jedi Academy on Yavin IV (now no longer canon, maybe). This game has you doing all sorts of things: riding on a runaway train, commandeering a chicken walker, and learning about ancient Sith history. I went through a phase where I just never stopped playing this game. As soon as I would finish a playthrough, I would immediately start another one. This went on for at least 10 playthroughs. Never got bored.

7. Metroid Prime 2: Echoes (Wii)

So all of my squabbles about Metroid Prime have been fixed in MP2. The environments are way more interesting and horror-based. Samus' motivation is much clearer than it was in MP, where it seemed like she was just following Ridley on a wild goose chase. On top of that, it was a much more difficult game with tougher bosses and puzzles that involve a light world/dark world mechanic. I've talked about this game probably more than any other game on my blog, and for good reason. It rocks. #lightsuit

6. Guacamelee! (PC)

Hoooo this game is fun. I will admit, the Availability heuristic is probably strongly influencing how high this game is on the list, considering it is one of the most recent ones I've completed. Nevertheless, it has everything I want out of a game. The level design is unashamedly influenced by early Metroid games (complete with Chozo statues housing powerups). The art style is completely unique, and the Mexican/Luchador theme may be the most high-concept on this list. The combat is easy to learn and satisfying to master, and you will find yourself developing your own fighting style out of the simple moveset a la Smash Bros. The bosses are memorable, the platforming is challenging, and there are all sorts of secrets to find. Guacamelee! is my favorite indie game right now, and anyone who enjoys Metroidvania should play it yesterday.

Top 5. Enter the Big Guns.

5. Jet Set Radio Future (Xbox)

Here's the deal. Despite what you may have heard, JSRF is not an extreme sports game like Tony Hawk's Pro Skater. It's one of the most unique 3D platformers in existence. An open-world game where you skate and graffiti (verb) the caricatured streets of Japan while sticking it to corrupt big business and jamming out to underground radio. One of the big popularizers of cell shading and filled to the brim with colorful characters (see above) this game gets better every time I play it. I hate how this game is virtually absent from the digital market, considering how easy its inferior predecessor is found and how unlikely it is for most people to have original Xboxes lying around to on which to play hard copies of this game. Speaking of original, JSRF puts the "O" back in "OST", as I guarantee you've never heard any of the wonderful electronic jams that will be pumping while you skate. It truly is the cherry on top of this interactive masterpiece. 

4. Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask (N64, 3DS)

For a long time, I avoided Majora's Mask due to the time mechanic. I typically don't like when games limit the amount of time I have to check things out. When the remastered 3DS version was released, I finally decided to give this game a try. And I can confidently say this game changed my life. The time mechanic doesn't limit the gameplay in any way; if anything, it adds to it. Each time you reset the 72 hour cycle, you live those famous three days in a different way each time. With the exception of the Stone Tower Temple, the dungeons aren't incredible, but the side quests are really what make this game great. Lots of incredibly weird and eerie things happen with this game, giving it a twisted feel without seeming like it's trying to be a trendy "dark". The strongest example of this occurs at the end of the game, where you are asked obscure philosophical questions by mysterious children that may or may not be the game's main antagonists. The beauty of this game is how many questions go unanswered. What's up with Majora? Is Termina a real place? Is all the good Link does for the citizens of Clock Town erased when you reset the time? Does any of it matter? I poop you not, I read a dissertation written by a  Harvard philosophy student on this game. It's that deep. I've probably spent more time thinking about this game than any other individual game I've ever played. And parts of this game are always in the back of my mind as I go throughout my day-to-day life.

3. Super Metroid (Wii Virtual Console)

I'm slightly disappointed that this game only made it to number three, but I just couldn't put it above the other two if I'm being completely honest. That being said, everything about this game is pure joy. Every pixel, every sound effect, literally everything. A moody solo adventure with memorable environments and boss fights, Super Metroid is universally acclaimed as both the pioneer and the champion of the Metroidvania genre. Sure, Samus is a little sluggish and floaty, and the weapon select system is a bit cumbersome, but the sheer expanse of this game, especially for its time, more than makes up for these minor shortcomings. Not to mention it has one of the best final bosses in gaming history.

2. Pokemon Black/White (DS)

So honesty time...the order of the next two games are one of my main reasons for making this list. It's a really tough decision to choose between my top 3, but the top two in particular are neck in neck. Alas, Pokemon Black gets my number 2. To understand why, here's my Pokemon story. Pokemon was at the height of it's popularity when I was in early elementary school. I had Blue and Yellow and played the heck out of them. Then Gold & Silver came out, which I loved just as much. But then I got a bit older and lost interest in the franchise, largely absent from Pokemon during its 3rd and 4th generations. Late in my freshman year in college, I heard about HeartGold/SoulSilver and was excited to revisit those games that would tickle my nostalgia. I finished SoulSilver in a month or two, but still had an appetite for the monster-collecting franchise from my childhood. At this point I was a pretty stout genwunner (with reasonable tolerance for gen II), but I had some extra money and reluctantly picked up the newly-released Black version. I was immediately struck by the impressive presentation of the game, The game forces you to use all new Pokemon before you beat the game, which I think was brilliant. Instead of allowing me to default to Pokemon that are familiar, I had to use the new (and frequently improved) designs. This quickly opened my mind to the newer monsters, and started the modern obsession I have with the series. I still revisit it if I want a casual playthrough of Pokemon, as the story presented in this game is the most derivative of the so-called "Pokemon formula".

1. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (Xbox, PC)

I have several vested interests in nerd culture. But my first and still greatest love is for Star Wars. Knights of the Old Republic (Kotor) is overwhelmingly the most immersive and brilliant way to experience Star Wars, period. Setting the game approximately 4,000 years before A New Hope was a genius move for a number of reasons. The storytellers could set up a scenario as grand and far-reaching as they wanted with minimal effect on the Star Wars movies we all love. It also establishes really interesting history for an already fleshed-out universe. Many of us nerds recognize the appeal of studying history, and BioWare bottled that appeal and sold it to us with a Star Wars label. The turn-based combat was deep and never got boring. There are multiple ways to build your avatar and party in general, making for a different gameplay experience every time. Of course, the area where this game really shines is the dialogue, with multiple, consequential conversations available with hundreds of characters throughout the game. In short, Kotor drops you in the Star Wars universe, and allows you to go through their scenario however you want. And that's all I want from a Star Wars game. 

As you can see, this list has some major differences from the previous, but I think this post more accurately reflects my favorite games. Yeah!