What is a "Game Worth Remembering"? [Soon to be updated!]

[Terryracoon]

Terranigma (Plays like zelda, has a story like nothing else)

[row1992]

I_Dont_want_to_flood_your_vide­o,_with_reviews..Though_you_ha­ve_inspired_me_to_create_my_ow­n_list._Here's_the_rest_of_my_­games_worth_remembering._point­-form_:)

3.Tas times in Tonetown-(Absolutely_Absurd)

4.Star_Control_2-(Space_Explor­ation_w\_a_unique_twist)

5.I_Have_No_Mouth_And_I_must_s­cream-(The_best_book_to_game_c­onversion_imo)

6.Stonekeep-(Artistically_Outs­tanding_for_a_dungeon_crawler)

7.Dragon_Wars-(One_of_the_last­_turn/party_based_rpgs_for_the­_dos)_something_really_special

Check_them_out

[row1992]

-Another_World/Out_of_this_wor­ld-

In_terms_of_surreal_adventure_­games,_This_cant_be_passed._I_­have_never_played_a_game_that_­says_so_much_with_no_words._Th­e_main_character_gets_sucked_i­nto_another_dimension_after_li­ghtning_strikes_while_experime­nting_with_particle_accelerati­on.The_world_he_finds_himself_­in_is_unforgiving,_absurdly_wo­nderful,_and_full_of_immersive­_alien_backdrops.

Without_spoiling_any_story_I_c­an_say_that_this_game_is_worth­_remembering_because_of_how_we­ll_its_artistically_executed

[row1992]

-Wasteland-The_game_that_would­_have_been_wasteland_2_became_­the_first_fallout_due_to_royal­ties.

Unlike_Fallout_this_game_is_an­_experience_that_hits_on_a_muc­h_more_personal_level.-Though_­fallout_was_gritty_it_was_exec­uted_with_an_almost_parody_fee­l._Wasteland_in_all_of_its_gri­ttiness_seems_freakishly_possi­ble_serious_and_focused_more_o­n_story_and_choices_than_explo­sions_and_gore._A_truly_unique­_experience_a_of_post_apocalyp­tic_earth._The_moral_decisions­_will_make_you_question_your_o­wn_ethics.

[row1992]

However_even_more_than_ps2_I_e­njoy_dos_pc_games_and_personal­ly_think_some_of_the_most_imme­rsive_and_unique_game_experien­ces_to_date_are_sadly_being_fo­rgotten._You_composed_a_great_­list_of_console_games._Though_­I_feel_it_is_worth_mentioning_­some_of_these_simply_i-replica­table_gaming_expereiences_from­s_the_days_of_dos..._Here_Is_m­y_list_of_ps_dos_games_worth_r­emembering.._and_why_:P

[row1992]

Hey,_just_wanted_to_say_that_I­_am_Really_Happy_with_what_you­_have_done_here.

Rez_is_one_of_my_favourite_"Ga­me"_Experiences_out_there,_and­_I_am_fond_of_the_emphasis_you­_put_on_experience_over_simply­_mindless_entertainment.

Shadow_of_the_Collosus_was_uni­quely_exquisite_as_well.

And_after_watching_your_videos­_I_really_can't_wait_to_try_fl­ower_once_i_get_a_next_gen

system.___haha_I_am_still_runn­ing_ps2_and_it_will_never_be_b­eet_in_terms_of_consoles

imo.

[ninjafrogs97]

Flower , Sotc, and ICO were amazing. And for Flower...I only played the demo.

[raiden5874]

im preaty sure you know the series,but you should realy look into the metal gear solid series.

[sean9149493]

you are an intelligent reviewer . you have shown the artistic side of one of my favorite games and have enlightened me of the creators thought of game play instead of cut scenes please make more reviews of old games for PS 2 and 1 you have a great audience that loves your opinion

[nitturo]

good games are really rare - recently i became fan of Kenta Cho's games

[stubb122]

You might consider some of the other stuff Tim Schafer was involved with, such as Grim Fandango, Day of the Tentacle, Full Throttle or the first two Monkey Island games. Nobody uses humor like Tim does.

[TheVCBaller]

jet set radio future

[tclem99]

and Tekken

[tclem99]

rachet and clank

[000coolfreak]

Also Pikmin was pretty great

[000coolfreak]

Limbo

[cHorgz42]

First I would like to say great job on these videos! I'm really looking forward to the conclusion of the Ico/Shadow of the Colossus analysis.

Second, have you played Killer7? That is definitely one of my games worth remembering, but it is a difficult game to get into.

[TheGameLocker]

@cHorgz42 I DID in fact try it. I think it deserves to be tried just because it's so weird. I ditched it after about 1.5 hours though. It's confusing and inaccessible. If I don't get hooked early with a game like that, I usually don't play it for long. Thanks for the mention though, it's certainly one of the most unique games of the last generation.

[Reklawniks]

Metal Gear Solid 2 (not 3 or 4)... Maybe E.V.O., a really cool old SNES game... There's a lot of old games to fit really :)

[tvducky]

fahrenheit / indigo prophecy

[fighting1fefnir]

I'm holding out hope that Metal Gear Solid 3 will find its way onto this list. That game is what took me from the mindset of 'video games as a hobby' to 'video games as a narrative'. It was a story that had the greatest of pacing and gave me the wondrous feeling of attachment to the characters and conflicts they faced. I felt Snake's pain as he fought through man after man, his conflicting emotions at facing one of the only people he respected as an enemy. It was simply beautiful, art in motion.

[GrizzlerBorno]

This will probably be contested since it's such a high profile title; but Mass Effect (1).

yeah, it was a "standard" action RPG third person shooter. but that's NOT what i want and hope it will be remembered for. it should be remembered for taking a used but not saturated setting and just blowing it up with incredible Detail, introducing interesting characters and some incredible Sci-fi concepts and weaving all of it into a wonderful story that left me in awe.

[TheGameLocker]

@GrizzlerBorno I'm probably going to get ME2 when it arrives on PS3. Daniel Floyd also mentions some of the great moral dilemmas it presents, I'm intrigued :). Plus, I just love action RPGs.

[GrizzlerBorno]

@TheGameLocker Ahhh, a fellow Escapist? definitely check out ME2 when it launches, but if you have a decent PC please try out ME1 as well (it IS 3 years old, so I'm sure it will run on non-gaming rigs by now) I thought it was MUCH better than ME2 which, imo, lost the point of the story, and wandered off a bit. the original introduced SO many Incredible concepts. up until now it has converted 3 of my friends into hardcore "story" gamers. I'm absolutely sure you will appreciate it as well.

[jthecableguy]

Well a great job and i like how you put those passages. I say Mario Bros. should be remembered

[ObviouslyRyan]

yu shud check out call of duty.... SIKE! hihihi xD can't wait for last guardian 11 =[

[salidan1]

Im so glad that you put Okami on that list, it's deffenetly one of the most artistic and beautiful games ever made; if not THE best. I would put Metal Gear Solid and Chrono Trigger on that list. And maby Radiata Storys, look it up it's a really good game.

[NentendoLover3000]

> - < You are so damn poetic.

- games worth remembering -

and thank you for not endorsing call of duty. you have my utmost grattitude.

-you should play Fragile Dreams: farewell ruins of the moon if you haven't already. You'd understand taht game, I think."

[TheGameLocker]

@NentendoLover3000 I just looked up the game, and I think it looks great, I'd definitely check it out if I owned a Wii

[NentendoLover3000]

@TheGameLocker

Everyone bags on it for poor fighting systems, but its great over all. The actual meaning of the game shines through no matter what~

[NentendoLover3000]

@TheGameLocker >o<

YOU DON'T HAVE A WII!?!?!?!?

Some of the BEST games in decades came out on it!

^^ Well~ Thankfully, because 70% of the games in it's library are from unknown, random, shady game developers, the price of the wii is plummeting~

Seriously though, get one! Not many people care for them, but i think they are a vital part of the gaming history chronology. Some VERY revolutional games came out on it.

[TheSevenCamels]

@TheGameLocker Limbo, for the Xbox 360. It's unique, and mysterious. The ending is also superb.

[changenothing]

I don't play and video games...I don't even own a console but i love your voice :) so I watch your videos haha

[Dorgenark1]

A game I found to be like none other is Deep Labyrinth on the Nintendo DS, released in late 2004, early 2005. It has two games, an Anime style story, following the typical Anime cliche's. But the other game, represented in the cover art, is totally different. Although similar gameplay styles, its story is really moving, and its about a man searching for a girl who he cant even remember. All he knows is that she looks familiar, and that shes special to him. You might want to look into it.

[mjvg1]

I really like your videos... its nice to see people who still understand what a good game is...My suggestions for yo to play are Prince of Persia which is kind of like Shadow of the colossus trying to sacrifice something to save someone or something, another great game is Bioshock 1 and 2 I know its an action first person shooter buts story is really great in the first one splicers can somehow be related to us humans trying to be physically good looking and in the end we become monsters...

[mjvg1]

@mjvg1 and also at bioshock 2 you get to be in the position of a father that tries to give its best to his son or doughter trying to build a relationship to escape a city full of danger... By the way I hate modernwarfare 2 it is just ridiculous the small amount of hours of gameplay and its multiplayer is just filled with stupid things that get you killed and encourage other player to camp... well that is just my opinion and thank you for reading my really long comment/testament

[Mattaboogum]

Imo Halo is not just a game but a series to remember. Its story is rich and the way they created the halo universe is just pure genius to me.

[NentendoLover3000]

@Mattaboogum it's story is rich? How so?

I'm not really a Halo fan, but from what i've gathered, it's story is a little "underdeveloped".

Care to summarize it for me?

[Mattaboogum]

@NentendoLover3000 Its underdeveloped cause theres no real lore in the game such as world of warcraft or those kinds of games. The games usually focus more on a 1 year span in the Halo Universe. However, im talking about the 500 years before that 1 year span. While it is not detailed, it provides some insight and mystery on the whole Halo universe. I cant really explain it cause itll take up liek 5 comments. xD

[NentendoLover3000]

@Mattaboogum Thats fine - u - "

Thank chu for clearing that up.

[cuniculusinsanus]

one that is not a main stream game not based off of graphics (allbeit controversial) but i consider one worth remembering super columbine massacre RPG i consider that to be one of the first "documentary games" it is about wanting to learn the state of mind of the shooters on that fateful day and it achieves it

[TheGameLocker]

@cuniculusinsanus VERY controversial. I read all about it, I'm intrigued by its concept. Thanks for the suggestion!

[isakelo]

@Thegamelocker

If you are going to do a video on machinarium sometime, there is one thing i want you to mension: that sad, old man who is sitting in the same cell as you. He sort of told a tragic story just with his appearance.

He has probably been sitting in that cell for many years and he has only one eye left, he is a broken old man and everything he want out of life before he dies is a cigarette. Even if you open the door for him he doesn't go out. He has no hopes left. Thats where first ma

[isakelo]

A few games i think you should take a look at: machinarium, braid, limbo, knytt/knytt stories, portal.

Keep up the good work man :D

[TheGameLocker]

@isakelo I absolutely LOVE Machinarium!! Braid was awesome, Portal is an all-time fave. I'll play Limbo if it gets on PS3, and Knytt when it gets on mac :).

[dnch]

are the bible quotes necessary?

[TheGameLocker]

@dnch These are passages that inspired me to start making these videos in the first place.

[dnch]

@TheGameLocker ok, anyways, great videos, looking forward to next one

[Asurnasurpal]

I'd like to se some of Valve's work in these. I know Valve makes FPS mainly, but art is not nessicarily purely straight-faced. Half-Life 2 feels like 1984 would if the proles faught back, and Team Fortress 2 is somewhere between a comedy series and a lithograph.

[TheGameLocker]

@Asurnasurpal While Portal is high on my list of games to feature, I can tell you that it will take me a long time to get to Half-Life 2 (If I ever did). I'm more interested in its storytelling, much like Bioshock. I might feature the two games together...hmm.

[Asurnasurpal]

@TheGameLocker Yeah, I always concider alot of Valve's stuff sorta like the Mona Lisa. It's hardly creative on paper, but the actual thing is so polished that it nearly blinds you. I'm glad that you're far more focused on the hidden, diamonds in the rough. The stuff not everyone knows about.

[Calaxus]

If you could look into Ecco the dolphin, then that would be great. It may sound gay but I cried quite a bit during this. You play as a young dolphin destined to save the world and unite with the humans to bring down an enemy called "The Foe." please reply of what you think of this. Also the last guardian, but that isn't out yet.

[Crackpot25]

Your do great work with these videos, and you should be proud. There are only a few game that are more then just fun and offer something you cant get any where else: Planescape: Torment, I real dont remember what I was doing in my life when I played this game, but I never been able to find anything that makes me feel the same as this game made me feel. Syberia, a game both sad and hopeful at the same time.

[jacopoli55]

Halo 1

[Epscylon]

Your list so far is superb. I haven't had the good fortune to play a couple of them, but to the ones I have(which is most of them), I've created mental shrines to; Braid, Portal, and Team Ico's games in particular(though I have played Okami, as well).

I'm going to suggest something that might seem like a non sequitur: SIlent Hill 2. The trepidatious atmosphere and dreamlike quality of the plot has never been reproduced, from what I can find.

[TheGameLocker]

@Epscylon You're not the first to mention Silent Hill 2, I think it would be fun to revisit it now that I have a better grasp of what it was about. There's a lot of symbolism in the game, particularly related to Pyramid Head. I may get around to it eventually, I just have too many projects I'd like to do first.

[LordMigit]

ahh and 2 more mentions, Diablo 1&2 as coining the RPG hacknslash with an amazing story! which is deep and intricate that forums today are still filled with the diablo story addicts trying to piece it together.

also while the Baldurs gate and Icewind dale games were awsome, there has never been such a good adaptation of the D&D rules as Neverwinter Nights. It also came with an editor that allows people to make their own adventures and it still has a thriving community today. :)

[LordMigit]

also one that always sticks in my mind as being rather unique, although im a bit weird and dont really like it. Was Abe's Odyssey. One of the fist times we saw 2d backdrops being used in different Z dimentins to create the illusion of depth and an amzing little story to go with it.

[LordMigit]

The origonal dungeon keeper has amazing gameplay and not ever been a game like it since, the smaller type of RTS mixed with micro managed creatures reminisant of an RPG its amazing! The origonal fallout with its amazing sandbox world that was pretty much the first of its kind, is always a keeper for me, its story was awsome, and the world was truley open, where you could visit the very last areas at the start of the game or just wander round doing missions.

[o0Yuuichi0o]

@LordMigit

Seconding the recommendation of Dungeon Keeper.

[BenevolentMuffinKing]

I can't wait to see some more of your videos. Games that provide not only an enjoyable experience, but an immersive and emotional one are the games that need to be remembered.

I submit the Pikmin games as perfect examples. The music and atmosphere is relaxing, but the gameplay is frantic and demanding. The kid-friendly art style hides a surprisingly complex world, where you form a symbiotic bond with fragile creatures for your own survival and personal gain.

[BenevolentMuffinKing]

@BenevolentMuffinKing I also suggest my favorite game ever, Metroid Prime. The intricate alien environments are staggering, the creatures are imaginative, and the level of detail in everything astounds me even today. Information on the creatures and story are gained through "scanning," so the gameplay and story feel totally connected. Even more immersive, the HUD is the inside of an advanced armor suit visor, and it can even be affected by the environment! And the music? Ambient and beautiful.

[TheGameLocker]

@BenevolentMuffinKing I agree 100%. Prime is indeed a masterpiece. Have you heard of Metroid Metal? Metal covers of the Metroid soundtrack :), awesome.

[TheGameLocker]

@BenevolentMuffinKing I LOVE Pikmin 2. As childish as it sounds, I love the charm of the game. It reminds me a lot of World of Goo, it just has an infectious light-heartedness to its presentation. I especially love Loui's in-depth description of the proper way to cook every monster in the game, and the ship computer's "Sales Pitch" for every single treasure, and simply seeing the earth and its common objects through the eyes of an alien. Thanks for the suggestion!

[rike1175]

dark cloud 2 is my game worth remembering

[totlyepic]

WRPGs are similar, but obviously more oriented on taking placing yourself in the game world rather than just watching a plot unfold from someone's point of view. I'm curious to know how you'll approach games like this, especially considering that they're numerous and that which are notable hasn't been exactly clear through popular opinion (everyone has a different Final Fantasy game, people constantly argue whether Fallout 2 or Fallout 3 is better, et cetera).

[TheGameLocker]

@totlyepic When I redo this preface video I'll hopefully be able to explain that I'm not necessarily talking about "Art games". I have a loose relationship with RPGs, I'm definitely not the right person to talk about them. I DO want to talk about Final Fantasy 6 though :)

[totlyepic]

I'm curious why you chose We <3 Katamari instead of Katamari Damacy. Any particular reason?

Also, I'm curious where you're going to go concerning both JRPGs and WRPGs. JRPGs are pretty much entirely plot, so in some respect they're very artistically-aimed, but in another respect, they're not really utilizing the medium fully in most cases. Is this series going to be aimed at the more general notability or on the video game as an art medium?

[TheGameLocker]

@totlyepic Well I'm pretty sure there will still be Katamari games coming out in the future. I picked We <3 Katamari has an AWESOME soundtrack and a much improved camera from the first game. But really, think of it as an endorsement of the whole Katamari series for its crazy originality that simply works.

[algammond]

i think chrono cross, thief, or digimon world 1 would be good ones

[luvtehcomix]

i dunno if mario galaxy would count, since it is mostly a just-for-fun game, but i personally got an experience of truly feeling like a kid my first time playing through it, however short-lived it was. ah well, galaxy 2's coming out soon. :)

[TheGameLocker]

@luvtehcomix Yea, Galaxy 1&2 will definitely be the first games I'll buy once I get a Wii. And I'm expecting it will be the best good old-fashioned, child-like fun I've had in a long time :).

[luvtehcomix]

@TheGameLocker yeah. heck, i was sick and i still had a blast. and for galaxy 2 i'm not watching any gameplay videos, so it'll be spoiler-free, all new to me.

[Knight7sk]

I almost started crying when he said that we will never see another Psychonauts :(

[NeoShadow1994]

Mirror's Edge

[skedaddleMLS]

Okami.

[dogmagernav]

vagrant story

[TheGameLocker]

@dogmagernav Haven't played it yet, but I heard it's awesome. I'm interested in hearing what you think is worth remembering about it!

[Harpreet06]

surely the monkey island games, braid, world of goo, portal and half-life 2 will be on here??

[TheGameLocker]

@Harpreet06 Braid and Portal are already on there. I think I'll mention World of Goo with Braid and others as a multi-part "indie games" episode. Half-Life 2 I'll probably mention with Portal. Monkey Island I will definitely mention when I do Psychonauts (Tim Scharffer is awesome!)

[Harpreet06]

@TheGameLocker yeh soz about that, saw it afterwards. ur not gonna give away any spoilers r u??? u gonna mention the mario or zelda games??? i also think chrono trigger is pretty memorable.

[AdamBadadem]

I agree with all of your choices and am glad to see that you made it clear how you would define 'games to be remembered'. While it is extremely hard not to talk about the games that are dear to my heart, and the ones that kept my passion for gaming alive and well ( i.e. Oblivion, the original Pokemon games, Kingdom Hearts 1 and 2, many Final Fantasies etc.), I will offer you one game that I think deserves to make your list. Echochrome is my choice. I hope you consider it. Keep up the great work

[TheGameLocker]

@AdamBadadem I just bought Echochrome a few weeks ago! I REALLY like it, the visual style and music make for the perfect relaxing combination. Perfect if you just want to chill with a game, kind of like Flower or flOw.

[Pipomorg43]

I agree with your choices, in spite of never played some of those I've seen videos and I agree. I think that there are games that SHOULD be remembered, today the video game world is very similiar, you can play Final Fantasy and play any other RPG and you will not tell a difference. But there is one RPG that is different.

I don't know if you know Fable, but in a way I think that is one of the games that revolutionate the RPG concept. So I think that Fable should be remembered until the end of tim

[TheGameLocker]

@Pipomorg43 For that reason, I would say that Fable is Historically Significant (if indeed it did "revolutionize" RPGs, I'm not sure). The games worth remembering I'm focused on are "Creative, Original experiences". Fable's fantasy world and morality choices are extremely common in games today, that's my impression at least. Would you agree, or is Fable really that original even today?

[chatthunder40]

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is a game worth remembering. Yes, it is one of the most recognized games but it was and is the greatest game I have ever played. It immersed you in a world that you could believe in with a plot that wasn't simple and didn't have a clear happy ending. It was fun, challenging, and made you care for the characters and what they believed. You should add it to your list.

[TheGameLocker]

@chatthunder40 I really appreciate the comment, because you've helped me clarify something. I will not argue that Zelda: OOT isn't worth remembering in the broad sense of the term. But because I'm trying to define "games worth remembering" in a specific way, I've thought about it, and now I see 4 ways a game can be worth remembering: Nostalgic (game you fondly remember); Still Fun (Tetris); Historically Significant (Doom, Zelda); Creative, Original Experience (what I'm focusing on).

[baihbalm]

I've played most of the games you mention, and yes I agree all are very good games, and most importantly -> are fun each time you play it (good gameplay)

Here's a few I enjoyed on the older consoles or PC.

Baldur's Gate 2 -> thinking & story

Starcraft - > strategy & gameplay

Knights of the Old Republic -> Fun and Story

BTW, if you can't play half life 1 then wait for a remake of the game to comeout -> it's called 'Black Mesa' (better graphics)

[MusiqueFrenetique]

I think Half-life is one of the few of the which was an advance in videogames technologies but a lot more too, in the way of interactive storytelling and so on..! You should check it out even if I'm sure you've played it.

Btw I've played most of the games you will be reviewing and I can't wait to see what you have to say about them.

[TheGameLocker]

@MusiqueFrenetique I've played a lot of Half-Life 2, and there's definitely a lot to be said about the new way of interactive storytelling that it uses. I tried to play Half-Life last year for the first time, but FPSs become outdated so quickly that I couldn't handle it.

[SatansBestBuddy1]

You forgot to put Cave Story on your list.

[TheGameLocker]

@SatansBestBuddy1 Funny you mention that, I'm currently playing through it for the first time. I don't have complete thoughts on it yet though, I'll have to get back to you :)

[Drogmir]

You should check out Baldur's Gate 2.

Even for today's standard the scope and writing of this game was simply put " Epic"

But more than that it was the character you could recruit and how they interacted with everything in the world that gave it so much more atmosphere than similar games such as Icewind Dale.

[baihbalm]

@Drogmir

[guitarpick8120]

Hi, just found your collection--love the concept! And of the games I've played on your list, I agree completely. One game that I'd like to throw out there is Ecco the Dolphin (the original for Genesis). Much like your thoughts on Flower, Ecco was different in that it was a game from the perspective of a dolphin--and not personifying it as a cartoony character.

Furthermore, the music in the original game is some of the best ever! Honestly I play it in the car start to finish all the time!

[TheGameLocker]

@guitarpick8120 Very interesting choice, I must say. I find the game very strange, maybe that translates to unique, I'm not sure. I played about an hour from a ps2 compilation, didn't finish it, but it's also difficult and a little hard to control.

[guitarpick8120]

@TheGameLocker I can see that. It's not the most intuitive control scheme. And the story itself is quite different when they start throwing the alien aspect at you (what?)... I suppose in reality, it's the music that does it for me. In the first couple levels it's relaxing--you can just chill, eat fish, and talk to your dolphin homeboys... Other levels it creates an enormous amount of tension. So, on the chance you discuss music in a future episode, give Ecco a thought...

[TheGameLocker]

@guitarpick8120 I LOVE video game music, and I definitely hope to make a video in the future about it. You should check out "OCremix", just google it. It's a truly great music community who remix and re-arrange all sorts of video game music. They've even got songs from Ecco :)

[voiceboxed]

these videos and interpretations are premium content. you really should continue them. 5/5

[sestrensaz]

Another game in recent memory which has an emotionally impacting ending is the most recent Prince of Persia game. If you have not played it then I implore you to just to experience the emotions of what the game makes you do in the final moments... it really messed with a lot of gamers heads, but it was amazing. It really draws out emotions which are not possible with a movie or even a book - playing an active role in the events touches on something not many games have dared to experiment with.

[sestrensaz]

The reason I say it is worthy of being remembered isn't simply because of the unique combat system or the freedom you feel when freely flying around locations or even really the story which is a typical jRPG tale of a boy seeking revenge but stumbling into a quest to save the world instead. No, what sticks with me about PDS is the involvement you as the player has in the game; the game involves YOU as an entity in the storyline the impact of which has stuck with me all these years later.

[sestrensaz]

It's difficult to separate nostalgia from genuinely affecting gaming experiences, but in the attempt I came up with a game that turned me from a casual gamer into a fully fledged gaming advocate.

That game is Panzer Dragoon Saga for the Sega Saturn. The music alone draws you into the desolate and mysterious atmosphere; the lonely travels of one boy and his dragon through a crumbling ancient world is a lonely but genuinely powerful experience which completely draws you in until the bitter end.

[TheGameLocker]

I've been wanting to play this game for years. I'm sure once I get a spare $250 lying around I'll be sure to try it out :). If I'm not mistaken, the team stated that they lost the original source code, making a digital download version a near impossibility. That's all I can hope for now though Thanks for the comment!

[sestrensaz]

lol yes, $250 indeed. Not so long ago I had ISOs of the discs on my webspace that I ripped for a friend so he could play it using the Saturn emulator SSF which runs the game 100% perfectly. Sadly I moved host and so the ISOs are now gone. It's definitely worth getting if you can manage it, on par with FFVII if not better in my mind.

[TheGameLocker]

Tried to get the ISOs to work on my Mac, no good. I'll probably try again when I get parallels :/

[vb4You]

Hmmm...

This is funny. I'm someone who searches and collects games that failed but had great potential, especially if they are RTS.

You are searching for games which actually managed to fulfill their potential. xD

Maybe I should start looking at your kind of games... I bet I'll find some to suggest. ;)

[PseudoKnight]

Great RTS games that failed? Check out Sacrifice and Rise of Legends. First is innovative and unique. The second has astoundingly good multiplayer that got killed by a poor matchmaking service (GameSpy of course).

[vb4You]

Yeah, I have Rise of Legends.

It didn't even really fail. It actually live up to its potential. But it just didn't get as popular as it should have. :/

I'll get Sacrifice if I see it. xD

[petrovicdejan]

Hi, nice idea and list :) i'd propose you a game considered as unfinished: shenmue :D

what do you think about it? tried it?

I would also add the videogame Myst, because of it's story which really took me trough the whole game, even though i don't like point & click much. What is you point of view about those two games?

[TheGameLocker]

I've never owned a Dreamcast, but if I ever do I'll definitely check out Shenmue (among the dozens of other games I missed). As far as it fitting on my list though...it's main praise (as far as I know) is that it created an immersive and interactive world, and the visuals were stunning. Its historical significance is evident, but it's nothing that hasn't been done today with games like Assassin's Creed 2. It's also tough for me to consider a game with a good story worth remembering...it depends.

[TheGameLocker]

I played Riven as a kid with my whole family, and loved it to pieces. But I was too young for Myst. Myst has the distinct place in history as single-handedly propelling the demand for CD-ROMs. But despite its historical impact, I ask "is it worth remembering?". Does it stand apart as a creative, original experience by TODAY's standards? If it does, I'd like to hear how. Pure adventure games like Myst are virtually dead now, and that may be for a good reason...is a compelling story enough?

[PseudoKnight]

Adventure games just don't get the "AAA" attention or funding. TellTale is publishing tons of them right now. They're less "game" than most other genres, but to answer your question, YES! That's why movies are successful. I'm currently playing Indigo Prophecy and Ben There, Dan That! -- both adventure games. You're currently playing Dreamfall, another great adventure game. I'd also suggest looking at Grim Fandango and maybe Syberia 1 & 2.

[TheGameLocker]

I'm not hating on Adventure games, I'm just speaking specifically about my compilation of "games worth remembering". If a game ONLY provides a creative and original story, but crap for gameplay, then I might not consider it worth remembering according to my criteria. Once I make a few more videos, you might see what I'm looking for by example.

I'm with you though, I wish there were MORE creative visionaries like Tim Schafer making gems like Monkey Island and Psychonauts (Which IS on my list).

[PseudoKnight]

Yes, your criteria; I actually addressed that better in my last comment, but I had to cut it short due to character count limitations. Heh. But that's why I haven't come up with a perfect suggestion yet -- that you already haven't thought of.

[TheGameLocker]

Thanks for your input though! Indigo Prophecy had its own interesting way of being like a movie. I mean, most AAA titles today are "cinematic", but IP was unique. I dunno, I didn't finish it, but I thought it was interesting. And now theres Heavy Rain :).

And hey, while we're on Adventure games, have you ever tried Machinarium? Acclaimed as one of 2009's best indie games. I loved the demo, has some really fun and fresh puzzles. Your thoughts?

[PseudoKnight]

I played Samorost 2, made by the same guy. I also watched someone play through a bit of Machinarium. I love the style. There's more puzzle in this than, say a Sam and Max game, but it still has a bit of item-combo-quest.. I mostly just love to see where it goes next and to see the clever, cute, and hilarious results in a refreshing art style.

[lsdgod]

doom belongs on this list for sure!

[TheGameLocker]

Haha, while I understand its cultural influence, the impact it had on the First-Person Shooter genre as the first game with online-enabled "Deathmatches", and how it started the first wide-spread modding community, I fail to see how it offers a unique experience. You could pick from hundreds of games to shoot demons in dark corridors. Unless I'm missing something?

[lsdgod]

I only say it belongs up there because of what it spawned, games like quake 3 and unreal tournament, pain killer... granted their all alike in many ways, as far as the "super fast shooters" go I'm pretty sure doom 2 was the first of its kind for the online fast deathmatch kind of game. Sure you can say there are lots of games like them but the fast shooters are so different from those like camper snipe source and the like.

[Mageta101]

I am curious why you put Shadow of the Collosus on your short list and not Ico. I'm not hammering you for it, just curious.

[TheGameLocker]

No, that's actually a great question. Ico is cited a lot because of its subtlety, simplicity, atmosphere, and the relationship between Ico and Yorda. And Ico creates an emotional experience. That said, I didn't finish the game. What I DIDN'T like were the combat and puzzles. I was stuck many times during the first 2 hours because I couldn't figure out what I was and wasn't ABLE to do (like move a certain "box").

[TheGameLocker]

Games like Portal and World of Goo have stellar in-game tutorials that teach the player through only visual cues. Ico's subtractive design NEEDS this kind of "wordless tutorial", but I didn't see it. The combat was very weak & frustrating because it's simple (mash one button) and it's difficult. What I'll hopefully be able to do is highlight both games in the same video and talk about each experience. But in the end, I think that SotC offers a much stronger emotional experience than Ico.

[orprado]

I liked your list, how you explained it and if I understood your concept of games worth remembering, I would really add

Dreamfall the Longest Journey to your list.

If you haven't played it, I hope you will and that you enjoy it =)

[TheGameLocker]

Hey orprado, thanks for the suggestion! I just looked into it, from what I read it seems like it's one of the best narratives in games since 2006, maybe something like Beyond Good and Evil. I'll definitely look into it and get back to you when I play it!

[TheGameLocker]

Hey orprado, I just found the game, and I'm playing through it right now :)