It's been close to a year since I started making this list. I never knew that I would ever put so much time or effort into it. Personally, I am just very relieved that it is finally finished. The reason why I made this list was that I saw it as a "good bye" to being a "gaming buff" so to speak. Don't get me wrong, I still play video games a lot, but the manner of which I play them is different. I feel that this is something a lot of hardcore gamers will understand that few others will. There are many who get into the hobby always wanting to try the "must play" releases. Whether it be the latest and greatest titles or classic games. For example, if you are in gaming today you have to play Ni-Oh and be pumped to play Horizon: Zero Dawn and The Legend of Zelda; Breath of the Wild. Similar to films, there are always these "groundbreaking" releases that one has to play in order to keep "up to date". This also goes for the classics. If you are into gaming you have to play Super Metroid as well as Final Fantasy VII, like many classic films, they are pretty much mandatory in anyones list.
However, despite playing game on a regular basis, I treat it more and more as leisure time and a competitive hobby. Today I mostly play fighting games, primarily Skullgirls, to have fun and compete with others. I occasionally still play single player games but it's seldom. As a matter of fact since starting this list I have only actively played four single player video games. That averages out to around a game a season. Personally, I enjoy this way of gaming much more than previously. However, I am still glad I did this list as some sort of end to that aspect of the hobby.
Games that Would Have Made the List if I Started it Today:
- Dark Souls III - While not as memorable as the original, it is a much leaner experience with some of the best boss battles in the series. A fine end to the trilogy.
- Guilty Gear Xrd [Revelator] - A huge step up from the vanilla release. I prefer this version far more to any other entry in the series.
- Marvel vs Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes - I managed to give this game a second chance and it blew me away. "A happy accident" that resulted in lighting being struck in a bottle multiple times. I can think of another game where so many glitches and unexpected consequences managed to craft such a great competitive game. Fast and frantic, Marvel 2 is arguably the best fighting game Capcom has ever made.
- Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir - The original PS2 release was a game I fell in love with and was my first "hardcore" niche JRPG. But being that the game got so much bad mouth about it being all flash no substance and me not playing it in a decade, I decided to not include it. Revisiting the title for the PS4 made me realize that the game is just as good as I remembered it. Those who also complain about the title lacking in gameplay couldn't be more wrong. It could due to the updates for the PS4 version, but playing the game in Hard mode one sees that it has some of the deepiest combat in any action RPG. At times it even nears the territory of being a 2D hard action game like Devil May Cry.
Games that were "Missing" from the List and Why:
- Half-Life - I replayed the game, and it has not aged well. Very boring.
- Bioshock series - All style and no substance. And being honest the style isn't even good as everyone said.
- Grand Theft Auto series - While I used to love these games, they kind of come off as a jack of all trade ordeal. You are able to do a lot of things, but any of them is surpassed by many other titles.
- Uncharted series - Never really played any of these games. Don't seem to appeal to me.
- Street Fighter IV - Very milquetoast entry.
- Blizzard games - Outside of World of Warcraft, I couldnt' get into any of them. Even Overwatch doesn't interest me much.
- Resident Evil 4 - While I remember enjoying this game a lot upon release, I haven't played it in over a decade. So I can't really judge its quality.
- Shenmue - I brought this game for my Dreamcast not long before starting on this list. I popped in the CD and after the first cutscene it stopped loading. My Dreamcast died. Decided to just wait for the inevitable HD re-release
Shenmue killed your Dreamcast....that's sad and hilarious at the same time.
It was a very interesting list and I give you credit for sticking with it. I honestly thought you would stop halfway through. Always cool to see what someone likes and why they like it.