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My favorite games...of all time

by ghosthouse

In mostly no particular order. One per franchise. Brief thoughts on each. Constantly evolving.

Showing 1-10 of 36 items

Half-Life 2

Half-Life 2

(Including the episodes) Timeless and near-perfect in every way. The way and pace the story is told through the player's actions is unparalleled in the medium. Unique, physics-based environmental puzzles. Masterful level design. Fantastic voice-acting. Showed me that video games can make you cry. Valve doing what they do best: everything. Truly special.

Super Mario World

Super Mario World

Easily the best Mario game and the best 2D platformer of all time. Completely timeless and wonderful. Maxed out the score-counter over a period of ten years to 9,999,990.

Mass Effect 2

Mass Effect 2

The best western RPG to date. Improved upon everything over the original with fantastic story-telling, voice-acting and shooting mechanics. An incredibly immersive and believable world with decisions that truly matter throughout the story. Or should I say galaxy?

Machinarium

Machinarium

My favorite point-and-click style adventure game of all time. Incredibly endearing and beautiful art. Fantastically unique soundtrack. Challenging puzzles and an adorable story.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

A real toss-up between this and Skyrim. Ultimately, Oblivion has superior quest design and that's what puts it just a hair ahead in my book. A beautiful, living world with an amazing soundtrack to match.

Red Dead Redemption

Red Dead Redemption

One of the best video game stories every written. A sprawling open-world that manages to feel both lonely and alive. Only muddled by a meandering second act.

Burnout 3: Takedown

Burnout 3: Takedown

The best racing game of all time. Impeccably tight controls and better crash models than almost any game to date. Burnout Paradise sucks because how am I supposed to drift around right angled streets? And where is Crash Mode? Sorry Jeff. You're wrong. This game is top-dog.

Pokémon Red/Blue

Pokémon Red/Blue

Stop making Pokemon games. You already made the best one you'll ever make.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

Brilliant writing. Accessible but deep, turn-based, active RPG mechanics. Fun story. Unique gameplay twists. Nintendo nailed it again.

RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

I have installed this game on five computers in my life. It hasn't aged a day. Also I will never get sick of drowning park attendants or green-lighting half-built roller-coasters.

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