Flufflist: The Seven Greatest Original Game Soundtracks of the Past Ten Years

...The sound of music.

I love music. It is essentially tied with video games as my favourite hobby. I love playing and listening to it. So I thought it would be kind of interesting to dig through all the video game soundtracks I've listened to or own. I was about halfway through the Elder Scrolls III soundtrack when I realized I've never actually professed my love of game soundtracks on Marshmallow Fluff!. Oh the horror. So I thought this would be a good way to fix that. However, for a couple different reasons I decided it would be better to narrow my choices to the past ten years or so. I'll probably do a 'best of all time' list at some point, but this is a good jumping off point.

So without further adieu, here are the seven best video game soundtracks of the past ten years.

(Note: I take into account all the songs I can find from each game, not just their physical soundtrack releases. Some of the games don't even have one after all)

Honorable Mention - Fable

It was very hard for me to leave this off the top seven because it's just so good at giving a great musical context for the world your in. Few games soundtracks support their world as strongly as Fables did, though it lacks a true standout piece of music, unlike most of the other soundtracks that made it into the list. The thing the soundtrack does reallywell is distinguish the different areas of Albion that you visit. Oakvale has a very natural sound to it's associated music, while the music in Bowerstone sounds much more city-like. It won't ever win an award for being exceptional, but the Fable soundtrack is a great example of how music can add to the experience of exploring a new world.

Check Out: Summer Fields - A relaxing song that really puts on display the ability Fable's soundtrack has to really set a great backdrop for your journey around the world of Albion

#7. Advent Rising

Advent Rising is one of those games that had a lot of potential, but will likely never be able to show it. Originally supposed to be the first part of a trilogy, Advent Rising has built up quite the cult following. However, the one thing that Advent Rising should never be forgotten for is it's soundtrack. It's not original, it's not without obvious influences, but it makes up for that with impact. The opening track 'Muse' is one of the most hauntingly beautiful pieces of music in a game ever, and the rest of the soundtrack does an incredible job of keeping you immersed in gameplay. There are a lot of big budget movies and games that could learn from what Advent Rising does with it's musical score.

Check Out: Muse - Few games boast the kind of standout musical opening that Muse gives Advent Rising.

#6. Halo 3: ODST

It may not be the best Halo game, and it may not be your favourite, but ODST's soundtrack finally gave the complete package for a Halo soundtrack. The Halo series has always had some standout pieces of music, but they've always felt  a bit lacking, it never really delivered a whole games worth of epic music. Marty O'Donnell did a masterful job of changing up the soundtrack for the new campaign but also still finding a way to make it sound distinctly like it came from the Halo universe. The thing that places this soundtrack above all the other Halo games is how the whole thing stays with you. Everyone remembers the classic theme from Halo, but not many tracks are memorable outside of that. ODST's entire soundtrack will follow you around long after you've completed the game, something the main series of Halo games has never really done. The soundtrack itself does a masterful job of reflecting the mood of the setting. Walking around New Mumbassa City at night with that music will send shivers up your spine. It reaches out to you in a way none of the other Halo soundtracks have. In fact, this is the soundtrack all the other Halo games wish they had.

Check Out: Deference For Darkness - It might not be the Halo Theme, but it is defiantly on that level.

#5. Radiant Historia

Radiant Historia itself is one of those rare games that snuck under the radar. Once people realized how good it was though, the copies disappeared. Literally almost. They actually had to re-release the game because there are so few copies to be had right now. Among the the many things that Radiant Historia does right is it's soundtrack. Yoko Shimomura absolutely knocked the soundtrack to this game out of the park. While it doesn't quite reach the level of Nobou Uematsu and Yasunori Matsuda's work, it is certainly within reach of it. The various locations are brought to life with the music, and the combat scores are tense and pulse raising.  Each track brings something else to the table, and it is really something to hear what Simomura was able to create despite the Nintendo DS' very weak sound system. It puts to shame just about every other DS' game soundtrack. Radiant Historia will likely go down as one of the better JRPG's of all time, and the games incredible soundtrack will be right there with it. 

Check Out: An Earnest Desire Of Grey - This track really captures the ability this soundtrack has to raise your pulse a bit and make you feel like your in an epic struggle. 

#4. Mass Effect 3

The most recent release to grace this list, Mass Effect 3's soundtrack is one amazing piece of work. It takes the sci-fi elements from the first two Mass Effect titles, but also introduces a more orchestral arrangement to some of the more important tracks. While a few tracks are more ambient or background noise than anything, there are several standout tracks that really drive the emotion level through the roof. There are plenty of moments in Mass Effect 3 that will make feel a gamut of emotions and the soundtrack does a beautiful job at supporting the really big scenes. The final scenes of the game have one of the most incredible musical scores I have heard in a long time. Most missions still have the sci-fi style that Mass Effect usually brings to the table, and they do a great job of setting up combat sections and making you feel like your in the Mass Effect universe. This maybe the most recent Mass Effect game, but it also brings a detailed and strong soundtrack. A few tracks are forgettable, but the number of outstanding pieces of music far outweighs the ones that you'll forget. Also Faunts song "Das Maelfitz" as the end credits track is just a wonderful thing.

Check Out: The Fleets Arrive - This song takes the Mass Effect theme that has evolved through all three titles and turns into the track that you ride into the final battle on.

#3. Kingdom Hearts

From the opening menu theme, Kingdom Hearts soundtrack is a beautiful, mystical, and lighthearted set of music that paints the world of Kingdom Hearts perfectly. In fact, it might be a little too lighthearted. Very few of the tracks ever sound particularly dark, which kind of holds the soundtrack back from realizing it's full potential. That doesn't mean this Kingdom Hearts music is without sad or pulse raising moments. A few of the battle tracks have great power and force behind them. Kingdom Hearts also does a great job of mixing in Disney elements with it's soundtrack when the situation calls for it, something that could have been just as easily ignored or done halfheartedly. Instead it stays true to the source material, and every song that is affected by it benefits from the extra effort, especially Kingdom Hearts take on the Little Mermaid Song "Under The Sea." Ultimately this is one of those soundtracks that fans will remember for a long time, and although it doesn't have quite the variety of some of the other soundtracks on this list, it's superior quality more than  makes up for it. 

Check Out: Dearly Beloved - One of the most magical and mystical opening themes of all time. It sets the mood well for the entire game.

#2. Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind

The Elder Scrolls has become known for incredible soundtracks, and Morrowind is a big part of the reason for that. It's incredible what Jeremy Soul has done with Morrowind's soundtrack. Using the usual orchestral instruments, Soul creates a mystical and otherworldly musical experience. Though much of the music is on the ambient side, the opening title music has earned a place as one of gaming histories most iconic themes. Really that might be the only thing holding Morrowind's soundtrack back from true greatness. Sometimes the music is just so perfectly blended into the game, you don't even notice it. It almost becomes a part of Morrowind itself. Although that could also be praise, given that Morrowind is a bit different than the standard fantasy setting. Thats not to say the music is boring though. Prior to Morrowind I had never heard a game with this kind of a soundtrack. Both Oblivion and Skyrim have also provided excellent soundtracks for their games, but Morrowind still holds out as the best in the series because of how different it is from anything before it. Even today, few games have a soundtrack as original as Morrowinds.

Check Out: Morrowind Main Theme - Few games will ever have as epic a piece of theme music as this. Just listing to this will make you want to play the game.

#1. Bastion

Bastion isn't even a year old yet, but it will be a very long time before we get a soundtrack as strong and unique as Bastion's. Darren Korb really knocked it out of the park with this one. A very unique mix of western, electronica, and even some eastern Arabian themes may not sound appealing to the ears, but Korb found a way to blend all three elements into a soundtrack that paints the world of Bastion so masterfully that it's hard to imagine this soundtrack being part of any other game. It is rare for a soundtrack to actually make a game better, but Bastions does exactly that. From the simpler walking around tracks to the driving beats of the battle music, every track pulls you into the game world and keeps you immersed in the experience. Each of the theme tracks is also very well crafted, offering slower and quieter moments that will blow you away. The ending theme blending two of the main characters themes together into one of the most magically entrancing songs I have heard in a game. Not many soundtracks have the ability to be loved even without having played the game, but if there were ever a case for it, this is it. Make no mistake, Bastion may not be the greatest game ever, but the soundtrack will go down as one of the most unique and memorable of all time.

Check Out: Apart from the whole thing, Setting Sail, Coming Home is an amazing mash-up of two of the themes from earlier in the game. The result is otherworldly.


That was a nice update I think. Still working with some graphical things here, you'll notice the background for posts is white now. Thought it was easier on the eyes.

As always, comment, share, critique. I like hearing from people, even if I know you already (and I usually do.)

Until next time then!

Image Sources:
#1.
#2. http://media.giantbomb.com/uploads/6/62830/1633300-fable_ost_super.jpg
#3. http://wallpapers.latestscreens.com/1024x768/adventrising/adventrising-01.jpg
#4. http://media.giantbomb.com/uploads/2/23286/1148403-halo_3_odst_super.jpg
#5. http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/radianthistoria/backcover.jpg
#6. http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m0uozuXJrF1r8fltpo1_1331688021_cover.jpg
#7. http://rpgfan.com/soundtracks/k-hearts/cover_l.jpg
#8. http://morrowindon.ru/uploads/posts/2010-06/1277866519_1871972.png
#9. http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/bastion/cover_l.jpg

The Top Games of 2011: Best Game of 2011

And finally we reach the end. Hmm....what did I not cover yet. I know I missed something.

Oh right....

Best Game of 2011

Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim 

This is the kind of game we have always wanted. the three previous Elder Scrolls games all laid the foundation that Skyrim is built upon. But for the first time ever in the series, it actually feel 100% as if your in a whole other world than the one your sitting in when you play the game. The visuals of the are gorgeous, and they display a landscape that is land cold and often inhospitable, but it's so much more than just a great looking game. Butterfly's can be found around flowers, dragonflies coast along the surface of rivers and streams, elk and deer roam the countryside waiting to be hunted, and salmon swim upstream near small waterfalls. Meanwhile the townsfolk go about their day, some of them run their stalls, others head to the nearest inn for some music, and children can be found running playfully around, you can even join in their game of tag if you want. Meanwhile as you adventure you'll run into guards from different towns on patrol, you might run into some soldiers from the Imperial Legion transporting a Stormcloak prisoner. You can free him if you want to try, you can even give him some of your gear to improve his odds of successfully escaping. This game world truly feels as if it is alive. It's very easy to get sucked into the game world and not want to leave.

But there is so much more to the game than it's world though. The leveling system has been improved, removing some of the more questionable skills, and adding in a progressive perk tree for every single skill in the game. A lot of these perks help you in nay number of ways and it can sometimes be difficult deciding exactly what perks you want sometimes. The combat is also a lot of fun, now allowing you to dual wield weapons and spells in any number of ways. Archery is also a decent combat skill for the first time in the series, and you'll find plenty of arrows lying around that you won't have an empty quiver too often. The voices and characters are better than they were in Oblivion but still aren't quite at the level of some other RPG's, and the dialogue gets recycled quickly among guards and commoners. The story is also not especially a knockout, but it's an interesting ride and is worth your time no matter what your doing. There's also several guilds and factions you can go work for, although the College of Winterhold is much too short of a quest series. You'll find plenty of random quests to go on though, some very simple, others long.

In the end though Skyrim is an Elder Scrolls game and that means that you can go wherever you want, do whatever you want, whenever you want. I have never played a game where I felt more compelled to just go and explore the world. The game does feel a bit simpler than it's predecessors, especially in the magic department. There's much fewer spells, and you can no longer create your own, in part due to the fact that your spells get more powerful as you level each spell schools respective school. However, overall this is the ultimate game to just go march around in. There is plenty of fun to be had, there are some amazing stories you can find, and there is more than enough to see and do that you could be playing this game well into next year before your ready to put it down. This is the kind of game we've wanted for awhile now. A game that takes you away to another world and makes you feel like your actually there.

Image Sources: #1. Mixdl.com/ #2. Totalvideogames.com /#3. Amazon

Best Genre Specific Games
Best Console Specific Games
Best Sound and Art
Marshmallow Fluff! Present: The Top Games of 2011

The Top Games of 2011: The Best Genre Specific Games

This year was a banner year for games but RPG's had it especially well seeing the release of several premier titles that have been both critically and publicly acclaimed. Several big shooter franchises also released new games, and have raked in the dough. There were was also some cake and some big, tough, manly men getting emotional. So what were the best games of each genre? 

Best Shooter: Gears of War 3

Gears of War 3 is the kind of shooter I wish I had growing up. The campaign solidly wraps up the Gears trilogy, along with plenty of emotional moments and chainsawing fun. The multiplayer is solid and has plenty of modes and features to keep you playing. Horde mode is back and better than ever, and coupled with the new Beast mode there is more than enough to keep you playing for hours upon hours. The gameplay is just as good as it's always been in the Gears series, and the visuals are stunning. Apart from a few bugs here and there this is the kind of shooter you can find yourself playing for a long time. 

Image Source: G4TV

Best Action Game: Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

I felt that I should let a real big Zelda fan cover this one, so my good friend Bryan will be covering this one. Take it away!

Legend of Zelda, is one of the most respected game franchises around. Many of the games titles are beloved classics. So when I say that Skyward Sword is the greatest Legend of Zelda game ever, you know it is one incredible experience. The storyline is intense and refreshingly different, giving players a new take on the relationships between key characters. The really impressive part of the story though, is how it links the past games together and how it sets some of the really interesting parts of the franchise up. The gameplay is extremely solid as well, utilizing the Wii’s motion controls in a way that hasn't really been seen before and provides a whole new spin on the combat. The games graphics are also gorgeous and different, using a watercolor style that sets Skyward Sword apart from most other games in the graphics department. All of the new ideas and features that Nintendo created for Skyward Sword were implemented with incredible execution, and the end result is perhaps the greatest Legend of Zelda experience ever.

Image Source: Digital Trends

Best Puzzle Game: Portal 2

Portal 2 is a prime example of a sequel that rises above the original. Every last part of this game improves one the already incredible foundation that Portal built. The voice acting is absolutely incredible and the visuals are awesome. The levels are much more impressive this time around. Part of that has to do with the game no longer being set only in a sterile lab environment now that plant life has invaded the Enrichment Center. But it's the puzzles that, once again. really make this game a lot of fun. The new elements are added in wonderfully, and don't feel forced and the scale of some of the levels is just insane. The co-op mode is brilliant as well, and really utilizes having an extra person around for puzzle solving. If you liked the first one at all, there is no reason to avoid Portal 2.

Image Source: Squidoo.com

Best RPG: Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

The Elder Scrolls Series has always been about huge, detailed worlds, where you can do pretty much whatever you want. With the Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim though, Bethesda may have created one of the finest open world RPG's ever. From the second you step foot out of the games tutorial section the land of Skyrim is your playground. If you want to go do the main story, go so it. If you want to join the Mages College, you can make your way the frozen town of Winterhold, or maybe the Dark Brotherhood is more your speed. And if none of that really appeals to you, you could just go roam the wilderness, looting every last tomb, cave, and residence you find.You can essentially play the game how you want too, with no real restrictions on styles of combat. You want to go into a battle wearing heavy armor but blasting spells left and right, you can. Want to dual wield an axe and a sword? You can do that too. The game is downright gorgeous as well, and the soundtrack always sets the mood just right when trekking through the mountains. And of course...you know....dragons. Really, apart from a somewhat disappointing main quest line, the only big flaw Skyrim has is being a bit too big. 

Image Source: Videogamer.com

Best Fighting Game: Mortal Kombat

Mortal Kombat returned this year, and it's just as ridiculously fun and bloody as always. The game is largely the dame it has always been but tweaks the combat mechanics and controls and you have a pretty solid fighting game. Add in all of the unlockable features, costumes, fatalities and you have a game that you can get sucked into for quite a bit of time. The number of modes is fairly impressive as well including the Challenge mode, a tower of 300 objective oriented levels, as well as the classic tournament mode. Online play is fun too, including with it a new King of the Hill mode where groups of players wait turns to take on each other, while those not fighting take in the show. The story mode is a bit cheesy and unimpressive, and the sounds aren't particularly impressive but every single fighter has different movesets and fatalities. This is the best version of Mortal Kombat so far, and is defiantly the best fighter of this year. 

Image Source: Mortal Kombat Wiki

Best Sports Game: FIFA 12

FIFA 12 doesn't do anything particularly new and interesting, but it further refines the gameplay, modes, and presentation. The real big change in this years version is the new tactical defense system. No longer is it just a button press or two for you to essentially shut down defense. Now you have to actually time your tackles and sometimes the decision to simply hold back an opposing player is a smarter decision. The animations are also much smoother and more realistic now, making the game not just play realistically, but look the part as well. The online modes are compelling and football fans will love the way that matches are arranged when playing on versus one matches. You now pick your team before you start matchmaking, the servers then take into account your team, division, your personal ranking, did not finish percentage, and location which makes matches much, much fairer and fun. Ultimate Team is now included right out of the box, instead of being offered up as DLC which is really nice as well. All in all, this is the kind of football game you can not miss if you enjoy the sport. There is plenty to do, both online and off, and the presentation is slick and intuitive, even if the game doesn't take many chances. 

Image Source: Soccergaming.com

Best Racing Game: Forza 4

If you like cars, racing, or racing cars, Forza 4 has everything you can ask for. Over 450 cars, including everything from a Suzuki SX4 to a 1993 Mclaren F1. And with 25 tracks, many with multiple stages and layouts, there are plenty of different places to enjoy your vehicles on. There's a bevy of tuning and customizing options for every car, meaning that gearheads who link fine tuning every aspect of their ride can get lost for hours. Then you've also got the paint shop Then there's the online racing that now allows 16 players to race at once, not to mention Rival mode where you and your friends can try to outdo each other on various challenges and trials. There are also Car Clubs, where you and some friends can put cars that become available for everyone in the club to drive. The visuals are very impressive, especially the landscapes, and the sounds (except the music) are exceptional. The only real problem with Forza 4 is it offers virtually no tutorials or guides, so beginners can become somewhat overwhelmed, but there are enough driving aids that novice racers can get comfortable before too long. The Kinect features aren't really worth the trouble, headtracking was a particularly large let down, but it never takes anything away from the experience to be found here. 

Image Source: Gamereactor.eu

The Best Console Specific Games
The Best Game of 2011
The Best Sound and Art
Marshmallow Fluff! Presents: The Top Games of 2011

Flufflist: The Top Five Western RPG's Of All Time

...No there is no Zelda here.

With the release of Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, western RPG's made a bold statement. Despite having no multiplayer whatsoever, it has been one of the best selling games this year. It is also one of the best reviewed, with over 50 perfect scores from critics, and the player reception has been just as good. It actually has me thinking about where it might end up in the all time RPG's list a few years from now. It also made me think about all the other western RPG's I've played, and their legacies too. So here, from me to you, is a list of the top five western RPG's of All Time (from my point of view)

Oh and spoilers and stuff....you've been warned.

Honorable Mention: Neverwinter Nights

Neverwinter Nights is a rare game in my mind, and it holds a special place with me personally because this was the game that really got me into RPGs. I had always been a somewhat casual gamer kid before I found my dad's copy of Neverwinter Nights, but I was hooked forever afterwards. At the time of it's release, Neverwinter Nights had some pretty decent graphics, but it was the turn-based gameplay based on Dungeons and Dragons 3rd edition rules that had people interested. The solid gameplay is every D&D fans dream when it comes to taking the pen and paper experience to the digital world. The story was solid, though it did slow at times. However, these all took a backseat to the multiplayer and mod community. The robust multiplayer allowed players to pick from a multitude of severs to play consistent campaign's, as well as the campaign that shipped with the game. But for me, the thing that sets this game apart is the mod community. Neverwinter Nights shipped with the Aurora Toolset, which allowed players to create their own campaigns to play in the game. Couple that with the people who made new items, hakpacks to use with the toolset, and custom audio, and some of these campaigns actually beat out the one that came with the game. There is practically YEARS worth of excellent gaming to be found on the internet thanks to the community that loves the game so much. And that's really what sets this game apart from the others on this list (except Morrowind perhaps) is that the community actively made improvements to the game. While the game shows some serious age now, it is still worth picking up, because there is still so much to discover through the community.

#5. Planescape: Torment

If you like to be evil, and you don't want any morality conflicting your decisions, then Planescape: Torment are right up your alley. The dark and emotional story are unlike anything else I've played in an RPG. The story isn't about happy endings or saving the world from evil. It's about a man simply named...uhh...The Nameless One, who he is unable to remember who he is when he wakes up in a morgue at the start of the game. As you play you learn that The Nameless One is immortal but every time he "dies" he forgets his past. Your free to discover the truth how you see fit, and the games dark setting and premise feel refreshingly different from usual RPG's. Really this is one of the stronger stories in a game, because it's more personal. Your choices in the game often times have unpredictable consequences and makes playing the game fun and engaging, You also have the ability to learn new abilities by "remembering" one of The Nameless One's past lives, which is a genius idea. The game had some incredible music and voice acting as well, and a lot of it still holds up today. The interface is also intuitive, even today, keeping menus and screens limited so you can focus on playing the game. The gameplay is also very solid, if a bit easy. While Planescape: Torment earned a great critical reception at release, people avoided it for some odd reason. Perhaps the dark story and setting were a little too different at the time. Whatever the case, Planescape: Torment is a cult classic that has never earned the attention it deserves, but that doesn't diminish how incredibly brilliant it really was and still is.

#4. Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind

Morrowind is the ultimate game for exploration. The story starts with you on a prison ship, as you are transported to a small port. The guards call you up from below the decks. They check you out in a ever so brief tutorial of how the game works, which doubles as your character creation process. They politely suggest you visit a man named Caius Cosades and then send you on your merry way. From that point on the island of Vvardenfell is your oyster. You can go anywhere, do anything, be anything. Join a guild, help one of the three big houses that run the province, go side questing, or just go run around the island until your bored. For me, I never was even able to finish the story until about two years after I got the game. I got so involved with the world and the various quests and people and places that I never felt a serious desire to wrap the main story up. This game is unlike the others on this list because the story and characters take a backseat in this one entirely. Storytelling has never been Bethesda's strong suit, and they wouldn't argue that. That's because The Elder Scrolls games have always been about doing whatever you feel like doing. But Morrowind made you just feel like doing something, even if you didn't know what. The world is incredibly detailed as far as aesthetics and content are concerned. And all you have to do is see the sheer number of readable books to know that there is a pretty detailed history to go through if you feel like it as well. Morrowind also has a fairly dedicated mod community that has made numerous improvements to the game that have kept the game fresh even after Elder Scrolls IV came out. Morrowind doesn't need a super detailed story to make it enjoyable. Sometimes, just firing up the game and knowing you can do whatever comes to mind on a given day makes it incredibly addictive.

#3. Mass Effect

Mass Effect is a prime example of excellent storytelling and world building in an RPG. While the gameplay is solid, and the graphics are certainly breathtaking, Mass Effect took a leap forward for games with it's story and characters. The story's premise is as follows: The Reapers, a sentient race of machine-like beings who sweep through the galaxy every 50,000 years or so and wipe all sentient life out of the galaxy. They've repeated this process for millions of years. Now it;s up to Commander Shepard and his crew to stop them once and for all. I have never played anything even close to what I get with Mass Effect when it comes to story. It's like playing a Sci-Fi movie, except your in the drivers seat. The world itself is spectacularly well put together. All the alien races have their own histories, the technology has interesting concepts, and the codex that builds as you explore the game world shows just how much effort Bioware took in building the galaxy you wander through. Really some of the history of the galaxy is so interesting it almost demands some games of their own. The characters are extremely memorable, and they all have different personalities, motives, and views on the universe and how things work. Wrex, a Krogan Battlemaster, enjoys fighting like most of his species, but is also one of the few who cares about his dying races future. Meanwhile you have Garrus, a Turian who hates to let the bad guys win. So much so that he is an "ends justify the means" type. He's also an extremely talented soldier, he's like Dirty Harry and Batman mixed into one package. Mass Effect's universe is so deeply detailed, it seems almost certain that we'll be playing in it long after Commander Shepard's story is finished this March. Just so long as we stay away from the elevators...

#2. Knights of the Old Republic

Back in 2003 Star Wars had already had a rich history when it came to games. Rouge Squadron, Dark Forces, the Jedi Knight games. But when Bioware were given the opportunity to create an original story in the Star Wars universe, they were given a golden opportunity to put their company on the map. It was also a big risk, taking on what became the biggest Star Wars game ever, which included a huge risk by setting the game thousands years before Darth Vader was even a whiny little brat named Anakin. But Bioware not only delivered a solid game, and they also didn't just delivere the most memorable Star Wars game ever. Bioware delivered on of the greatest RPGs of all time. The game wasn't just an RPG with Star Wars sprinkled in. Every second of the game feels like Star Wars.The gameplay was solid, if a little easy at times. The soundtrack was also incredible. They didn't rip tracks out of the movies, they created an original score that gave the game it;s own feeling, while also still sounding like something straight out of A New Hope or Return of the Jedi. But it was the characters and the story that really make this game memorable. Characters like HK-47 and Carth Onasi are just as beloved by Star Wars fans as Darth Vader or Obi Wan. They also develop very well, and have interesting back stories of their own. The story though, was what really made Knights of the Old Republic memorable. In my opinion, it's not just good, it's better than even the original trilogy of Star Wars movies. It's paced so perfectly, you never feel like things are rushing along or are moving too slowly. The side quests and companion quests are just as fun and detailed as the ones in the main story. And the big twist, that you are (or at least used to be) one of the most evil forces in the entire galaxy came so far out of left field you never saw it coming. It was like "Luke I am your father" all over again. My jaw had to be screwed back into place after it happened. Perhaps the biggest compliment one can give Knights of the Old Republic, is that it holds up so well. It does show it's age when compared against today's newer RPGs, but the characters, the story, even some of the gameplay, near the top of the pack. The only question left to answer now is will The Old Republic MMO live up to the legacy of the original?

#1. Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn

The oldest game on this list also happens to be the best. Simply put, western RPG developers have been trying to top this one for more than ten years, and while many have gotten somewhat close, no one has been able to fully top what this game did. It's main story alone is almost 70 hours short. Add in the side quests, class specific quests, an companion quests and this game is nearly 200 hours in length. The story is incredible in and of itself, taking a few twists and turns en route to a hell of a final showdown. The game, for it's time, was absolutely drop dead gorgeous, and even today, while clearly dated, they aren't half bad. The characers in Baldur's Gate II are by far some of the best in gaming period. Minsc (and Boo!) alone has earned a place in gaming lore forever, but add in characters like Imonen, the childhood friend of the protagonist, Yoshimo, the mysterious swordsman, and Edwin, a rouge wizard who enjoys insulting you (and gets transformed into a girl if you play through his side quests)  and you have a great party to adventure around with. In fact, even with room for five people to take with you, I found it difficult to choose from the extensive list many times. Add to all that the gameplay and leveling systems which were nearly flawless, and you have a game that just stands at the top of the mountain. The story is thrilling, the characters interesting and detailed, and the world is vast and deep. Nothing has quite reached the level of fun, depth and storytelling that Baldur's Gate II reached.

So there it is. I imagine more than a few of you are wondering are a few different games are here. So post up what you think in the comments. Did I get it really wrong? Do you agree? Let me know!

Until next time space cowboy...

Weekly Wrap Up: A New Format

Before we get started...

Okay, so you know how this blog has been updated here and there with some in depth stories and pieces? Yeah that's changing today. I'm making some changes to make this place somewhere where you can keep coming back all the time to find new stuff to read and listen to. A lot of this will be a work in progress as I go along, and more changes will more than likely to occur. As per the usual, your guys job is to spread the word as much as you can, and mine will be to keep them (and you) coming back for more.

Don't fear though, if you enjoyed what I used to do, those kinds of things will still be here, and I will still be writing new ones. But I felt like I could make this blog somewhere people flock to for the most interesting reading material about video games period. So, let's see how this goes.

- Nolan


...Let it begin.

The reason I almost missed Thanksgiving dinner.

This past week was, for us here in America (ummm....hell yeah?) was Thanksgiving. The day after Thanksgiving is traditionally Black Friday, the single biggest shopping day in the world. Ridiculous sales are on in every shop and everyone knows it's the best chance they have to haul in huge savings while doing Christmas shopping. Nonetheless the world continued to spin, so here are some of the highlights in news and interesting accomplishments from the past seven days.

South Korea's "Cinderella Law" Goes Into Effect

Fearing the problem that game addiction in a technologically focused country could have on the next generation of Koreans, South Korea has put into effect a law that bans players under the age of 16 from playing online between midnight and six in the morning. The law was drafted in April, and while it initially only covered MMORPGS, the law was extended to cover all kinds of gaming.

The law has met (obviously so) some harsh criticism from various gaming groups. The Korean Association of Game Industry, a massing of fourteen publishers and developers, has called it "excessive prohibition" of a specific group, and reportedly has plans to file a lawsuit.

The obvious reason behind this law is that teenagers should be spending the evening hours sleeping rather then gaming, but the law calls into question the civil liberties of children. And while the Korean government have made their views crystal clear, one has to wonder if this kind of law could spark similar reactions elsewhere in the world. The law also calls into question whose job it is to see that children get a decent amount of sleep, but for now this law is here to stay.

Curious Elder Scrolls Player Finds Entire Continent Beyond Skyrims Borders

One person playing Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim decided he just had to know what lay beyond the invisible boundaries of Skyrim's game world. I'm not entirely sure what he was expecting when he turned no-clip mode on to see what lay beyond Skyrims invisible borders, but I can guarantee he did not expect to find the entire continent of Tamrieal. The player took numerous screenshots as he flew around, seeing such sights as the Vvardenfell volcano and the Imperial City (well, the land area it sits upon anyhow.)

The question now is what exactly are they doing there? The most likely answer is so that when players look out over the horizon, they can see familiar landscape landmarks from past games, to help them feel like they are in the same world as the past Elder Scrolls games, but who knows? Maybe there is some sort of secret Bethesda hasn't let us in on yet.

New Xbox 360 Dashboard Launches December 6th

The title is somewhat self explanatory. Microsoft will roll out it's newest version of the Xbox Dashboard on the 6th. Aside from a sleeker look, the new dashboard will have greater integration for Kinect Voice Recognition. This is also the same day that the Microsoft will be launching some new TV and movie apps, so Xbox users should be paying special attention to this date.

All in all a quiet week overall, but the "Cinderella Law" (as it is apparently being called) that went into effect in South Korea this past week is an obviously important event. South Korea has earned a notorious reputation for how seriously they take their games, and for how long some people play them. But, as stated above, this law causes many questions to appear, and some have no clear answers. I personally find this law a bit of drastic step, and for parents it's somewhat of a slap in the face that the government has decided that they can't keep their children offline. We'll see what kind of an uproar we get from this law in the coming weeks.

News: Shepard Can Lose, Skyrim Same-Sex Marriage, and more!

...investigative reporting without the investigation.

This week was filled with interesting information reveals for games coming out over the next few months, as well as a Warthog preview in Forza. Yes, the Halo Warthog as it will appear in Halo 4 (supposedly)was show off in Forza 4. No you can not drive it. Not in Forza anyway...

Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Will Allow Same-Sex Marrige
In case you didn't hear already, Bethesda is taking a page out of Peter Molyneux's book and allowing you to marry NPC's and have relationships with them in Skyrim. Skyrim will allow men to marry men, and ladies to marry ladies, if they so choose. As far as I'm concerned, good on Bethesda for not restricting marriage to men and women only. I also like their response that it's not even that big a deal. The same-sex part not the relationship mechanic itself. That part is supposed to be very useful, partially because your partner can accompany you around the game world, offer you relationship-specific quests, and probably some other things we haven't seen yet.

You Can Lose In Mass Effect 3

As much as I didn't want to read this, I already kind of knew it should be possible. Bioware has confirmed that if you play Mass Effect 3 and have been screwing things up royally from Eden Prime to the final showdown with the reapers, you can fail to stop them. Bioware has already said there are many possible endings for Mass Effect 3 and that it all comes down to the choices you've made, so really this isn't so much a shocking reveal as it is a confirmation of our suspicions. Still, failing so bad the entire galaxy is wiped out. How many games can say you can even do that?

Turn 10 Shows Off Halo 4's Warthog in Forza 4's Showroom
Turn 10 has made on hell of a crossover with Halo at Halofest, showing off the first look at Halo 4's version of the Warthog in Forza 4's car viewing garage mode. You can check it out yourself when Forza 4 ships this fall, but the Halofest execs stressed that you can not race the vehicle in the game (they say because it's too slow, I say because it'd be too much awesome) , and even unlocking the vehicle to view will involve some dedication from players. They haven't said what it will take to unlock it, but they have said it won't be easy.

Man Sues Microsoft for $500 Billion Dollars

I really wish I was making that up. To sum the story up for those of us non-legal folk, David Stebbins found a loophole that allows Xbox consumers to amend the Terms of Service. Microsoft, by law, has to respond to the letter by either adding the changes or (as per Stebbins terms) cancel his account. If they didn't respond in ten days, Microsoft would be forced to submit to the new terms. Stebbins' added in a 'forfeit victory clause' that said Microsoft would have to pay him $500 billion dollars if they did not respond within 24 hours of the new Terms going into effect. Guess what Microsoft did not do? Now let me be upfront about this: No matter the legal implications of this, there is no chance that Microsoft will ever be forced to pay all that money to this guy. I can't even speculate what the hell is going to happen with this, but I can tell you right now, this guy has a better chance of being bit by a shark, hit by lightning, winning the lottery, and winning a Nobel Prize in the space of five minutes, then he does of getting that money.

Thats all for this weeks news. Check back next week to see if Half Life 3 has been announced! (spoiler alert: it won't be.)

Originality and the Sequel

...the follow-up post to one of the most critically acclaimed blog posts of the past month!

A heads up, your going to see Mass Effect and Elder Scrolls come up a lot in this one.

It's been a few weeks. Life, and my own struggle to find something I want to talk about have kept me away recently. Recently I played the demo of Catherine and was blown away by how different it was to anything I had played recently, perhaps even ever. It got me thinking about how many uniquely different games I had played recently, and I found myself rather stunned that pretty much every game I was playing or was looking at acquiring had a number in it somewhere.

So why is that weird?

Because I always talk about how there isn't enough originality in gaming these days and how I wish there were more varied experiences to be had.

And yet, here I am playing Elder Scrolls IV, Halo: Reach, and Fable III.

My current time sink. And what a time sink it is...

I understand the need for sequels, I also enjoy them when they are done well (See: Mass Effect 2) and not obvious attempts to capitalize on a games popularity (See: Bioshock 2). And there is room for both the unique and interesting, and for the sequel's in gaming.

The first obvious reason sequels exist is for the same reason books and movies get sequels and trilogy's. The developer is telling a story and needs to spread it out over two or three installments (or more). Mass Effect, Elder Scrolls, and Assassins Creed are all examples of this. They are also the franchise's that I would give as the best examples of how to do it right. Bioware and Ubisoft both took fan reaction and criticism into account when making future installments of their games to not only fix missteps and problems, but to keep the experience fresh, and Bethesda is always pushing the limits of how big open world RPG's can get.

The second reason they exist is because they are an easy way for a developer to get a steady stream of cash coming in. Games are a business at this scale, and the first thing a developer or publisher needs to consider is how much money they are making and how much future projects could make. A lot of people out there consistently bash gaming developers and publishers for releasing sequels of games they deem "terrible" or "garbage". Unfortunately as much as I'd like to be on their side in some cases, franchise's like Call of Duty and  Battlefield and EA's yearly sports titles rake in millions of dollars for developers. That money goes three places (and a few others but for our purpose we'll stick with three...), to the people working for these companies, to make more of the games in these franchises, and towards brand new IP's. Without these games raking in millions, developers and publishers can't take chances on anything brilliant or different because there are so many uncertainties.

Of course there is a whole other part to his sequel-original problem. A lot of people also get upset at new games that are released and seem very similar to other games they've played. There are two big reasons for this in my mind. First, there have been so many stories written in across many mediums that at this point, everyone is copying something from somewhere or someone at some point in the game (also known as inspiration most of the time). Second, developers adapt already in use game engine's and interfaces and designs for their own projects. Bethesda has a good thing going with the Elder Scrolls game design. So much so that they adapted the play style and game design for Fallout 3 when they acquired the game's rights from Interplay. People don't often realize how much work goes into a game, and to do everything from the ground up takes a lot of hard work and time. Very often a design team is given a certain amount of time to complete a game, so for many developer's it is simply a matter of how much time they want to spend in what area's of a game's development. Few games have the luxury of being lovingly crafted by a team given as much time as they need to work with it, and it isn't hard to spot games that fall into that category because they are often very detailed, very deep, and very good.

I will say though, there has to be other concept art and cover art ideas out there other than "faded background guy".

It;s very easy to play a game and say, "Oh this game isn't original, this dev team just didn't care." If you spend all your time looking only for the truly unique and interesting games, like Catherine, your going to miss a lot of really good games, just because the resemble something you already played. Of course if the game is lacking originality in the sense that it is very average, then I can understand a bit more, but to miss a games like Mass Effect or Battlefield just because you've played something similar is a shame.

Before I end this, I just want to once again mention Extra Life. My donation page as well as my team's page, are now live and ready for your spare change and dollars to go towards a great cause. Anything you can contribute will be greatly appreciated, and it will help some children who really need it. I know there's a lot of things you'd rather put money towards, or maybe the economy crunch has you saving as much as you can. But even the smallest contribution is going to make a difference. If you can only send a few dollars, then that's more than fine.

http://www.extra-life.org/participant/polaris


And so with that out of the way,  I must be on my way. I need some sleep at some point today after all.

Take it easy.