Finally, the list HAS COME BACK to VMVT.com! Okay, lets not get too dramatic. I said I was going to finish and I will. Besides, I need something to pick me up after my complete failure to jinx the New Orleans Saints last week.
39. Final Fantasy X (Square, PS2)
Perhaps one of the greatest stories ever told in a video game, Final Fantasy X was the first in the series released for the PS2. It told the story of Tidus, a young man who has been sucked into a mysterious world. There, he meets the love of his life Yuna. He also learns that the people of that world are terrorized by Sin, the ultimate force of evil. In their 40 plus hour quest, Tidus and Yuna learn the true nature of Sin, and why their plans to live happily ever after may not work out in the end...
photo courtesy of listal.com
38. Grand Theft Auto 3: Vice City (Rockstar, PS2)
The sequel to one of the most revolutionary and controversial games of all time, GTA: Vice City follows the story of crook for hire Tommy Vercetti. You do odd jobs for criminals throughout a huge and expansive landscape. Of course, it is the sheer amount of stuff one can do outside the missions. Steal a car, run down pedestrians, or create a huge incident in town. It is all part of the best open world adventure ever released.
photo courtesy of wired.com
37. Final Fantasy Tactics (Square, PS1)
FFT is quite possibly one of the most addictive games ever released. It combines the job system (more on this in the overrated games sidebar) with an outstanding battle system. The strategy gameplay may seem simple at first, but the later maps will eat players alive who go in without a plan. Really the only problem in this game is the translation. I am pretty sure the story is good. Unfortunately, the translation from Japanese is so terrible I have no idea what it is about.
photo courtesy of vgtribune.com
36. Maniac Mansion (Jaleco, NES)
Maniac Mansion was way ahead of its time when it came out for the NES. Players select from a cast of kids who each have a unique ability. Your job is to guide your team through the mansion of a mad doctor and stop his evil plan. However, you must avoid traps, in addition to the doctor and his wife. The mansion is huge and expansive and there are plenty of false clues and trick items. This game was a stepping stone towards today's survival/horror games and is still fun to play.
photo courtesy of sirchumpsalot.com
35. Chameleon Twist (Sunsoft, N64)
Yet another game that got absolutely no press when it was first released. Maybe it was the trippy pastel visuals and colorful, kid friendly environments that put critics off. Regardless of what they say (whoever "they" are) Chameleon Twist was an awesome platformer. Use your tongue to defeat enemies, gather items, and swing from platform to platform. Sure the camera was trouble at times, but that doesn't stop this underrated gem from being an awesome game.
photo courtesy of IGN.com
34. Azure Dreams (Konami, PS1)
Azure dreams put players in the shoes of Koh, a young monster hunter determined to reach the top of the legendary monster tower. Along with your monster Kewnwe, you must work your way through randomly generated levels filled with evil monsters. Of course, you must also collect treasure to help build your family's house, your hometown, and your reputation. There is also the matter of your social life, as there are tons of eligible bachelorettes in town. This game is awesome, addictive, and can consume your life if you let it. I have a file with over 70 hours and still have not finished the game.
photo courtesy of rpgdreamers.com
33. Pac-Man (Namco, Arcade)
A true classic in every sense of the word, pac-man has been a relevant name in gaming since the 70's. The game is simple. Eat dots. Avoid ghosts. However, it is easier said than done. Without strategy and skill it will be impossible to last on the higher levels. And to think the game was initially going to be called puck-man. Too much vandalism on arcade cabinets forced the name change. (if you can't see why, well...) It is amazing how things like that happen.
photo courtesy of consoleclassics.com
32. Goldeneye:007 (Rare, N64)
Goldeneye changed the way console gamers viewed first person shooters. The N64's control stick made it easier for players to control James Bond as he did battle with the treacherous Trevelyan. Levels were based on the environments in the movie and were well adapted to suite the game. Players could blow enemies away with little trouble on the lower difficulty levels, but the game requires the use of 007's stealth skills on the higher levels. The multiplayer was also a huge revelation for console gamers. Up to four players could choose from a bevy of weapons and take each other on. Really, the multiplayer puts this game over the top.
photo courtesy of ohgizmo.com
31. Civilization 2 (Sid Meier’s Studios, PC)
Perhaps the single most addictive game of all time. You start with one settler. You must build cities, improve them, build improvments and manage your society. You can choose to make friends with your neighbors or take them over. The game ends when you have either reached the moon or conquered the world. The A.I. is excellent, but the game is more than fair on all but the highest difficulty levels. Really simple at some levels, extremely complex on others civ 2 is an awesome game.
photo courtesy of intelligames.com
30. Half-Life 2 (Valve, PC, XBox)
Half-Life was awesome. Half-Life 2 was even better. The story picks up with right where it left off, with players taking control of Gordon Freeman after the Black Mesa incident. HL2 has even better environments, better graphics, and better gameplay. The story is excellent too. I won't spoil it though, because this is a game that must be played.
photo courtesy of interactive.edu
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