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Clinical Neuropsychologist, Researcher and Gamer.

ChronoJoe

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The 10 must play games of this generation

Alright this is a pretty simple list, in my opinion these are the top 10 games, you really 'must' play before the end of this generation. Well - if you can at least, not suggesting you buy hardware specifically to play individual titles. I'm going to be avoiding games that I feel hit there stide, within the last generation and focus on innovative, and unique experiences - so I hope you'll understand why some of your favourites may not be on here.

This list is comprised of the games that have made genuine advances, in there respective context (genres) and games which I feel will be the influential titles that other developers will be looking to, to produce there own games. They're not the best in every aspect, but each of these has at least one definitive trait which I think anyone can say has been unparalleled within it's context, within the industry, this generation. This is just my list though of course, based on my own opinion - let me know what you think of it, and what your own 'must play' games have been this generation.

Note: Listed in no particular order, and the bracketed games under each list item, are just 'honourable mentions' who offer similar to the game that was mentioned, so came close to being mentioned in that games place.

Batman Arkham Asylum

Batman Arkham Asylum, is undoutably the very best superhero game ever created. Hell, it's within the top 5 action adventure games I've ever played. This game shows how stealth-action should be done, whilst engaging you with a great story, and believable world. I felt their was very little that Arkham Asylum could have done better - but I'm sure Arkham City will prove me wrong.

Braid

Braid is kind of hot topic, specifically as generally used as the 'video games as art' example, on top of that some people consider the game pretencious, or perhaps a little too hard. However, underneath of the 'pretencious' artsy side of Braid, there's an amazing Puzzle platformer. However 'deep' you want to go into Braid, it should be an undoubtably enjoyable experience, the best of it's kind even. (Flower, Limbo)

Geometry Wars 2

Geometry Wars 2 shows how retro should evolve (another good example would be the more recent Space Invaders Infinity gene). Geometry Wars 2 abides by the typical mechanics of a dual analogue shooter, whilst amping up the intensity with absolutely beautiful, ever changing gameplay. Geometry Wars 2 is probably the most addictive, downloadable game I've played this gen. It's stunning how something so amazin can be built on mechanics so simple. Thank you Bizzare Creations. (Rif Everyday Shooter)

Demon's Souls

Demon's Souls, shows gamers how risk = reward. The harder the challenge is, the more rewarding it is to succeed. It's not neccesarily for everyone, true! If you don't have the patience, you'll only get to expeince the risk, and then in turn frustration... but if you can stick at it, there's very few games that offer a sense of forfillment like Demons Souls. Not that difficulty is all this game has on offer though, the atmosphere of this game is thick, it's definitely a 'believable' and in turn, immersive experience. (Mega Man 9, 10)

Little Big Planet

Hell, anything that let's you experess your own imagination, through a new medium is cool, but when that medium just happens to be an awesome, physics based platformer. You have a great game coupled with ridiculous amounts of depth. Creation mode itself however is kind of similar to Demon's Souls however... except less probable to result in frustration. The feeling when you create a 'good' level is really great. (Halo Reach, Modnation Racers, Garrys Mod)

Red Faction Guerilla

If you've played the game, you know what I'm talking about here. It has never been more satisfying to drive a vehicle into a house. The destruction mechanics are amazing! A great game for messing around, on top of that - the multiplayer just so happens to be one of the best this generation. (Battlefield: Bad Company)

Mass Effect

Mass Effect, the first game where I've really felt that my choices had consequence. Kill entire races, change the entire galaxy, it's amazing what you're actions can do, and how much depth the selections lend to the game. Of course, on top of that Mass Effects depth is multiplied endlessly, with it's diverse character development mechanics. Perhaps most importantly, the game manages to break away from the cookie cutter sub-real time battle systems with its real time Third person shooter mechanics, making it an absolutely amazing blend of two genres, and a truly inovative series. (Dragon Age Origins)

Heavy Rain

Another, amazing title. Often not considered a video game - considering it often presents itself as an interactive movie, over a game... but who cares what it is? really. It has a great story, and if it is a film, considering the amount of content - it's definitely one worth paying $60 for. Another game where you really feel the impact of your own ­­­_decisions - unlike Mass Effec though, in Heavy Rain almost every potential action holds consequence. A truly gripping 'game'.

Uncharted 2

Nothing needs to be said aside this game is the definitive, pinacle of technical excellence. If there is any big budget title you could truly call 'flawless', it's Uncharted. Gameplay, story, presentation, audio this game has everything. (Killzonee 2, Halo: Reach)

Halo: Reach

I was a little reluctant to put this on the list, but I've decided to anyway. So why is this on the list? is the gameplay groundbreaking? hell, is anything about this game, groundbreaking? From a technical standpoint there are definitely better around, so where do I believe Halo Reach shines? Presentation. Due to the initiative of Bungie, or the lack of initiative of other developers, Halo Reach has an unparralled feature set, campaign co-op, map editor, co-op, singleplayer split screen, online slit screen, replay and record functionality, expansive online stat tracking. I'm not saying each individual feature isn't something that is perhaps done better elsewhere - but in terms of it's presentation alone, Halo does everything right. Of course that's not to say the gameplay itself isn't decidely enjoyable. (Uncharted 2, Killzone 2)

So that it, this is my list. How does it compare to your own? Before I close, I apologize for titles I'm not knowledgable enough of, to assess and consider for the list, I don't play many PC games, for example.

AusWarrior5705d ago

Great list mate! I totally agree with every game you put on that list, they should all be played at some stage this gen.

danmachine5693d ago

altough i would take of halo reachand replcae it with GTA:4

coolbeans5704d ago

Still need to play a few of them. Not exactly sure how Uncharted 2 falls under "flawless" when considering the gameplay and story.

SnuggleBandit5704d ago

You aren't sure because you never played the game...

OT: I agree with EVERY game on that list, and am glad you put ME1 instead of ME2.

However, I also think that Oblivion, Fable, Metal Gear Solid 4, and God of War III should be on that list.

coolbeans5704d ago

I've played/have Uncharted 1-2, MGSIV, Valkyria Chronicles, LBP, KZ2, and Heavy Rain all part of my PS3 exclusive collection. Would you like me to message the entire plotline of it to you? ;)

I've seen the praise, played the game, and find that the word "flawless" and Uncharted 2 should not be synonomous with each other. Not trying to hurt feelings here; just let me know which games I can/ can not give negatives about next time.

ChronoJoe5704d ago

I said, if there's any big budget title, you could call flawless.

I didn't say that it was flawless!

I also said big budget title, because I believe there are lots of games built on small budgets that are flawless! by the way, by flawless I mean in the sense that the developer successfully conveys his intentions to the end user. Most games are 'flawed' in the sense that they have hickups here and there that slightly... distort, what the devs intended to convey with the game. Either that or, blatant technical issues.

Aside the devs success in conveying what they intend, and technical issues, a games prowess is subjective. So some may not consider it flawless, and some may.

Also, SnuggleBandit I actually pretty much meant the Mass Effect series as a whole. They are both fantastic titles although a little different from eachother. Some prefer one, some prefer the other, that's cool.

Glad my blog got approved. =) thanks for feedback!

coolbeans5703d ago (Edited 5703d ago )

Doesn't the word "flawless" being given to any title (big budget or not) still give hints to the original message anyway? It seems a bit more fair to actually explain your meaning of the term instead of just stating a word that has nearly a polar opposite of what you intended it to mean. But that's just me

And........waits for disagrees for obvious reasons. :P

ChronoJoe5703d ago

Fable 2 and Oblivion were excluded for not 'innovating' since there last generation iterations, although I should have listed them as honourable mentions.

Metal Gear Solid 4, I'm not sure about. Again it's kind of a game that established itself last generation (and the generation before that) and hasn't changed too much since. Not that what it is isn't excellent.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 5703d ago
ChronoJoe5703d ago

Well I assumed it was obvious from any individuals perspective, no piece of art could be called 'flawless'.

Don't look too much into that part anyway, haha but thanks for the feedback man.

coolbeans5703d ago (Edited 5703d ago )

Not to say there's anything wrong with that. But to put those sorts of words into anything is sometimes the reason clashes over terminology ensues. Some people still try to point out that 10/10 in their view means perfect, Anything lower than a 9 can be considered bad, etc etc.

In my eyes, making these sorts of terms only adds fuel to the fire when more subjective words that can portay what you felt more about the game are available; instead, stating objective terms like "flawless", "perfect", etc. about games doesn't portray the elements you found engrossing. Not to say those words can't be used for certain aspects though.

70°

Microsoft Gaming Revenue Drops 7% Year-on-Year, Content and Services Down 5%, Xbox Hardware Down 33%

Microsoft announced its financial results for Q3 of fiscal year 2026, including an update on its gaming Xbox business and more.

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simulationdaily.com
Jin_Sakai4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

Not looking good. Hopefully Asha Sharma is able to turn Phil’s disaster around.

dveio4d ago

To me it's still quite remarkable how they can cash-in 5.3bn in revenue in a single quarter, since their hardware is basically dead.

Jingsing4d ago

The stock mark is what makes Microsoft remarkable, They have convinced every institutional and retail investor to just keep piling money into them. Like many big tech giants they are just a big growing pyramid scheme. As long as people keep dropping money into ETF's that cover the market Microsoft will always be liquid. At the same time it is completely stifling innovation and competition. People need to start being more discreet in how they invest their money as it's killing the system.

Tanktopmaster924d ago

Once they re-evaluate exclusive all will be fine….

S2Killinit4d ago

Riiiiight because people will just flock back to them for one or two games per year.

Jingsing4d ago

15+ years of bad performance is what they call irreparable in business. It is time for them to sell off the assets and get out of entertainment.

Tanktopmaster924d ago

These declines are on the back of extra revenue received from releasing games like Forza horizon 5 on PlayStation. So I’m being sarcastic here when I said they should go back to exclusives. Killing off a revenue stream from Ps5 sales will only make things worse

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40°

Games Done Quick is coming to Europe for the first time with 3 days of Gamescom speedruns

The charity event will be streamed live from Gamescom in August.

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Report: Injustice 3 in Development at NetherRealm Studios

Thanks to the slip-up of an artist working on the title, we now have more evidence that a new Injustice game is in the works.