VGChartz's Issa Maki: "For me, the Half-Life series will always be best remembered through the legacy of its descendants: Opposing Force, Counter-Strike, Portal, Team Fortress 2 (which, like the Half-Life engine originally comes from Quake stock) – and there's nothing wrong with that. Though I still believe that Half-Life² is overpraised by those who look past its shortcomings, the fact that I retroactively declare it in my own mind as GotY 2004 proves that innovation comes in more forms of a game's production than mere gameplay; the dedication to audio and visual fidelity, the details of the overworld, and especially adherence to story and lore (Half-Life is surprisingly lore-heavy, despite having few characters).
The growing pains Valve experienced almost 20 years ago still resonate in lieu of companies that refuse to undergo the trial; and while I'll always have beef with the underwhelming gameplay, its place in video game history - and the future it has ushered in – teaches all of us the most important lesson:
The right game in the right place can make all the difference."
Video games are no longer just a simple past time. Today's games are evolving into true works of art. Offering intriguing narratives, cinematic setpieces, and profound messages, games can entertain us for hundreds of hours.
I never got around to mass effect - I’m skeptical that it would hold up if I were to try it now
Given the medium's wild diversity, this primer of the essential video games everyone should try is a good place to start.
I can't fk with this list. They missed on alot of games probably before the writers times. Also I know people loved some portal but I was never a fan.
Tomb Raider 1
Driver 1
Abe’s Odyssey
FF6
King of Fighters 94
Mortal Kombat OG
LINK 2 the past
Street Fighter 2
Resident Evil 1
Infinite but not the first two games? Witcher 3 but not the first two games?? GTA V but not literally any of the games before it??? Portal 2 but not the first? Also if you're going to play Shadow of The Colossus play the remaster and not the remake. Can't say I disagree with the list but my man it's all over the place.
Awesome list! Hot take on Fear (and it's hard af expansion Persaus Mandate!) Bioshock Infinite is stellar, so is the Witcher 3 and you nailed it by having Ocarina of Time. So many fantastic games! Gotta play 'em all! Next one on my list is Prey after I beat Dead Space 2 and Splinter Cell Conviction.
The 2024 Game Anniversaries include some major titles including Half-Life 2, Uncharted 2, and Minecraft.