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"Games you simply must own!"

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Sat 09/11/02 at 11:15
Regular
Posts: 787
There are thousands maybe millions of games in the world now, but which deserve your hard earned cash? Fret no more, from my experience here are the games you simply must own for maybe their originality, their gameplay or their “Woah” factor. If you haven’t played all these games, you simply haven’t lived.

Remove spaces in all the links if you want to check the games out.

1) Grand Theft Auto 3 (and Vice City)
GTA3 (PC): http://special.reserve.co.uk/ listings/extrainfo.php?co=JL4700
GTA 3 (PS2): http://special.reserve.co.uk/ listings/extrainfo.php?co=WV8077
Vice City (PS2): http://special.reserve.co.uk/listings/ extrainfo.php?co=WV3665

GTA3 - when it came out on the PS2 it stunned most people. It’s predecessors had been nothing more than top down crime sims, which despite being good fun, were not up to the quality of other gaming greats console and PC. GTA3 however was very different, with it’s 3d environment, it’s massive environments, and it’s immense attention to detail. It was the top seller on the PS2 for yonks when it came out, and not one person I know who has played it has not been mesmerised by it’s ability to draw you in for days on end. Never has crime been so good.

With loads of compelling missions, sub-missions, weapons you could use almost anywhere it made the Grand Theft Auto series come to life.

I can’t comment on the PC version but I hear it’s just as good but with extra features such as the ability to play MP3s through the game. Lovely jubbly.

Grand Theft Auto Vice City, I have only just got. With motorcycles, more missions, the ability to go into buildings, proper music from the 80s such as Michael Jackson (Billie Jean!!) and “Video killed the radio star” (pretty much all the songs on the “Wedding Singer” soundtrack), the ability to fly helicopters and a wide range of cars including some GTA3 ones like the BF Injection, Cheetah, Infernus, Sentinel and Banshee – slightly different models of course this is the 80s. The game is brilliant! Police chase gangs, instead of giving the impression you are the only person they punish in the entire city! And you can smash up cars. Motorcyles are amazing though – drive into the back of one, hurl the rider off and then get on it and do a massive wheely until you fall off. He he he! It’s like an extended version of GTA3. Hence you must also own this game too!


2) Medal of Honor: Allied Assault
PC: http://special.reserve.co.uk/listings/ extrainfo.php?co=JL5070
PS2 version:

If believing that the Yanks landed on the Omaha beaches in Operation Overload and saved the world from the Germans single-handedly is the price we have to pay to experience a wonderful representation of war on our butts in front of a computer. So be it. Medal of Honor was glorious, with it’s incorporation of movie like qualities. It was like playing through Saving Private Ryan. The most memorable mission from the game has to be that famous beach landing. Was this truly one of the most engaging levels ever made? The atmosphere for this level is current unbeatable with it’s portrayal of war’s horrors. As you run through bullets to the nearest cover it all feels real as it sucks you in. You don’t know whether your time is up or whether you will fight on to the shingle. When you see fellow soldiers reduced to tears you feel sad for them. Then you realise it’s not a game…

3) Max Payne
PC: http://special.reserve.co.uk/listings/ extrainfo.php?co=JL4134
PS2: http://special.reserve.co.uk/listings/ extrainfo.php?co=WV3980

Max Payne on the PC surely is the best representation EVER of an action movie. This was one of the first movies like games I played, with its typical action movie storyline. The innovation of bullet time into the game, the ability to go out of real time into a much slower paced environment where you can think before your shots, was an amazingly addictive piece of game play. For the first time you could be an action hero and kill people the ways you wanted. You were the director in a set storyline. Truly mesmerising gameplay.

4) Zelda - Ocarina of Time
N64: No link

Surely the best role playing game ever made? Final Fantasy fans may disagree but if you’ve not played this game you really haven’t seen role playing at it’s best. This game was highly anticipated and absolutely huge when it eventually came out. However it lived up to it’s hype. Like Grand Theft Auto it’s worlds were HUGE, probably even huger. From Zoras underwater Domain, to the Goran Mountains, not to forget all those other areas – The Lost Woods, Deku Forest, the farm, the palace…. The quest was spectacularly large, with two time zones – the future and the present (or is that the past and present – lets not get confused with this time travel thing). Subquests as well as the main quest gave this game a MASSIVE lifespan. People who played this were playing it for weeks on end until they got that 100%. A truly rewarding RPG that it is so far unbeaten in my opinion.

5) Goldeneye
N64: No link

Games based on movies were bad till this baby came along. Goldeneye fulfilled the dreams of boys (sorry and girls so I’m not sexist) everywhere by letting them become Bond, James Bond! Why was Goldeneye so good? The detail in missions with objectives rather than shoot everything in your way so you get from point A to B added a new dimension to gameplay. There was a variety of different environments from snow to jungle, an amazing deathmatch mode, and loaaaaads of weapons. However, the thing that made it stand out from the crowd was it’s replay value with the ability to obtain cheats by completing missions quickly enough. The cheats didn’t ruin the game because they didn’t let you complete the missions however were great fun. The replay value meant you kept coming back for more..

6) Operation Flashpoint (PC)
PC: Search for OPERATION FLASHPOINT, no direct link

Very underrated war simulation. Slightly buggy in places, but had huge environments with a wide range of transport – helicopters, planes, tanks, jeeps, as well as fighting on foot. The campaign, as well as solo missions, the ability to make your own missions easily and a network multiplayer (you can also host games with friends over the internet) gives this such long term value – you will be playing it for blooming ages if you like war games. The game is also very realistic. You CANNOT run into a building and single-handedly wipe out an army. You can try but you probably are very unlikely to succeed. The wide range of ways of completing the missions make this even more exhilarating. For example me and a friend tried a cooperative mission where we had to kill a certain person in an enemy base. The mission required lots and lots of teamwork and stealth, and our final entrance into the base involved throwing grenades over a wall while blowing up another section of the wall with a satchel charge and storming in through the dust to make the kill. Truly fantastic.

And some others….
So many good games but I can’t forget to mention the likes of…

7) Pro Evolution Soccer 1 & 2
PS2: http://special.reserve.co.uk/reviews/ review.php?index=1034589929&key=PRO_EVOLUTION_SOCCER_2_(TAP)

The best soccer games ever made? Pro Evo 2 has much better graphics than the original Pro Evo, better controls and there’s much more to do. With lots of data for over 100,000 footballers thanks to a deal with those chaps that made Championship Manager gone are the days of playing with Bryan Briggs for Wales and David Sarmen for England. And thank goodness we live in an age now where a football match on your console doesn’t end up 22 goals to nil just because the computer is poor. The controls are a bit hard to get used to, if you’ve been a Fifa football game follower, with shot powers, the ability to long pass and short pass. There is a lot more skill needed in this game and when mastered the result: a realistic, addictive football game. Maybe even the best sports game ever?


8) Championship Manager
PC 01 / 02 season: http://special.reserve.co.uk/listings/ extrainfo.php?co=JL4745
CM4 (Coming February 2003): http://special.reserve.co.uk/ listings/extrainfo.php?co=JL1123

Championship Manager seems to have been around ever since computers were invented and it has sucked sporting fans in, ruining their lives forever with it’s addictive gameplay. My mate for example ended up snapping his CD in half because of the impact it was having on his life! With the ability to be a top manager of the team of your choice you can finally get your third division team into the premiership. Can you ever see the likes of Ronaldo playing for Brighton? Well with Championship Manager this could become reality… well in the game not in real life, that’s just damn stupid.

9) Half Life Generation
PC: http://special.reserve.co.uk/listings/ extrainfo.php?co=JL1236

Voted game of the year, Half Life surely is the best first person shooter ever made. Great engine, great storyline and highly addictive it ranks high in many PC gamers all time great games. The generation pack also features the hugely popular online game Counter-strike that seems to have sparked off the online gaming craze and along with it the hideous language of the geek. Half Life 0wns you llamas and all your bases belong to us! Don’t understand? Good you’re not a geek.

And some others…

10) MAFIA – a combination of GTA3 and Max Payne with beautiful graphics and cutscenes - http://special.reserve.co.uk/ listings/extrainfo.php?co=JL4079

11) SOLDIER OF FORTUNE 1&2 – Gave us more reason to kill people in shooting games with the ability to shoot off limbs!
SOF (PC): http://special.reserve.co.uk/ listings/extrainfo.php?co=JL9340
SOF (PS2): http://special.reserve.co.uk/ listings/extrainfo.php?co=WV8095
SOF2 (PC): http://special.reserve.co.uk/ listings/extrainfo.php?co=JL5241

12) CASTLE WOLFENSTEIN – Introduced us to the 3D environment. Without it where would we be? We have so much to be thankful for!
(Probably available on Shareware now)

13) PERFECT DARK – Took Goldeneye one stage further with everything it had plus originality, a better storyline (Elvis hahah), nicer graphics, better multiplayer and a better engine.
(Discontinued – some places will still sell it)

14) RED ALERT 2 – Commanding an army to take out another army to save the world. Very interesting style of gameplay that has won many fans.

15) GRAN TURISMO – many would say this series has given racing fans the best racing experience ever. I’m not a racing fan so I can’t really comment..
GT3 (PS2): http://special.reserve.co.uk/ listings/extrainfo.php?co=WV3702

16) METAL GEAR SOLID 2 – I hear it’s rather good. I think it’s overrated. The demo was pants. But if you like stealth a lot you will probably love it from what I hear.
MGS2 (PS2): http://special.reserve.co.uk/ listings/extrainfo.php?co=WV3643

17) POKEMON RED, BLUE, GOLD, SILVER… did I miss one?- No matter how much we may want to disagree, Pokemon was bloody addictive for kids in the playground. The ability to play it on a portable console meant it easily replaced the likes of those milkcap things “Pogs”, marbles and all those other crazes. However with Pokemon Gold, Silver, Red and Blue being completed and discarded it looks like it’s passed like all the other ones. Still damn good fun collecting all those monsters through trading and fighting. However, this game was really best enjoyed when everyone else was playing it. The ability to transfer it to N64 in full 3d through a gameboy transfer pack also added it to its quality. Revolutionary maybe?
GOLD EDITION (GBC) http://special.reserve.co.uk/ listings/extrainfo.php?co=HC3854

So that’s 20 games you need to buy (no I can add up: Vice City + GTA3, SOF1 and 2, Pro Evo 1 and 2 are all contained as one game in the 17). So raid your piggy bank, get out there and buy them because if you’ve never played them, you should be ashamed!!
Sun 10/11/02 at 17:00
Regular
Posts: 10,489
No Halo? Where are the Virtua Tennis Games and the Shenmue games? What about Skies of Arcadia the greatest RPG ever made in my opinion? Where is Deus EX? Good post though but I think you have missed quite a few classic games of your list and added Pokemon by accident ;)
Sun 10/11/02 at 16:34
Regular
"twothousandandtits"
Posts: 11,024
Sorry, I don't agree with most of your choices. And Pro Evo 1 AND 2? Surely one would be enough? They're not that dissimilar.
Sat 09/11/02 at 21:58
Regular
Posts: 11,038
> Grand Theft Auto 3 (and Vice City) - Alright, getsd boring quickly
> Medal of Honor: Allied Assault - So over-rated
> Max Payne - Awesome game.
> Zelda - Ocarina of Time - Spectacular. Have it.
> Goldeneye - Great Game - Overrated though
> Operation Flashpoint (PC) - Never Played
> Pro Evolution Soccer 1 & 2 - Football Games Smell
> Championship Manager - Tosh
> Half Life Generation - Pants
> Mafia - Never Played
> S.O.F 1&2 - Never Played
> Return to Castle Wolefenstein - Never Played
> Perfect Dark - Goldeneye's Equal
> Red alert 2 - Best Of The Lot
> Gran Turismo - Alright
> Metal Gear Solid 2 - Rubbish
> Pokemon's - Addictive, then boring
Sat 09/11/02 at 20:44
Regular
"allardini's tagline"
Posts: 3,396
Grand Theft Auto 3 (and Vice City) - Not that into GTA
Medal of Honor: Allied Assault - So over-rated
Max Payne - Awesome game. Have it.
Zelda - Ocarina of Time - Fantastic. Have it.
Goldeneye - My favourite multi-player of all time.
Operation Flashpoint (PC) - Good
Pro Evolution Soccer 1 & 2 - Poo.
Championship Manager - Meh
Half Life Generation - Good
Mafia - Not that good, but temporarily enjoyable
S.O.F 1&2 - Ditto
Return to Castle Wolefenstein - Mate's got it, but I haven't played it yet
Perfect Dark - Good, but not even close to Goldeneye
Red alert 2 - Not into the c & c's
Gran Turismo - Eurgh
Metal Gear Solid 2 - Not bad
Pokemon's - Brilliant games, silly franchise
Sat 09/11/02 at 19:46
Regular
"Fear my wrath..."
Posts: 2,044
Sad isn't it. Although I probably don't post as much as you on the forums. When my posts come they are huge. I've been writing this one over the last week.
Sat 09/11/02 at 18:37
"Uzi Lover"
Posts: 7,403
GasMask wrote:
> You have way too much spare time :o)

I know! :-D
Sat 09/11/02 at 17:26
Regular
"That's right!"
Posts: 10,645
> 1) Grand Theft Auto 3 (and Vice City) - Got it on PC, waiting for the eventual release of VC on the PC
> 2) Medal of Honor: Allied Assault - Got it. It rules
> 3) Max Payne - Ditto
> 4) Zelda - Ocarina of Time - My mate had it. Poop
> 5) Goldeneye - Of course, I, along with everything else, own this
> 6) Operation Flashpoint (PC) - Yep, got it
> 7) Pro Evolution Soccer 1 & 2 - Nope
> 8) Championship Manager - Got 2000/01 I believe
> 9) Half Life Generation - Got HL and the two add ons
> 10) MAFIA - Got it
> 11) SOLDIER OF FORTUNE 1&2 - Got both. #2 is pants
> 12) CASTLE WOLFENSTEIN - Probably got it somewhere
> 13) PERFECT DARK - Got it, cost me £50. Barely played it
> 14) RED ALERT 2 - Not as good as original
> 15) GRAN TURISMO - Terrible
> 16) METAL GEAR SOLID 2 - Waste of my £20
> 17) POKEMON RED, BLUE, GOLD, SILVER - Never played a Pokemon game
Sat 09/11/02 at 17:20
Regular
"Want a cd key.."
Posts: 3,443
You have way too much spare time :o)
Sat 09/11/02 at 16:53
"Uzi Lover"
Posts: 7,403
Grand Theft Auto 3 (and Vice City) - Check, Check
Medal of Honor: Allied Assault - Demo Check
Zelda - Ocarina of Time - Check
Goldeneye - Check
Operation Flashpoint - Demo Check.
Pro Evolution Soccer 1 & 2 - No Check
Championship Manager - Check
Half Life Generation - Check

And I got the last three.

Erm...bye :-)
Sat 09/11/02 at 15:41
Regular
"sweats salad dressi"
Posts: 4,599
Yea where's my beloved Mario huh?


"kicks Rakuga in the shins then runs away skipping"

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