List Your Top Favourite Games of ALL TIME!

Lists are a fuckton of boring, so I'll just come back to the topic every so often to rant about one game at a time.
First that comes to mind (that isn't something obvious or "heard it before a thousand times"):

Haunting Ground.
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In my eyes one of the most underrated, most underappreciated games in all of Capcom's grand library of classics. It started as a bit of a takeoff of the Clock Tower franchise after Capcom acquired that, with its basic setup of wandering a mansion solving puzzles while a single enemy stalks and tries to kill you, but managed to veer off into its own territory entirely. Instead of striving to be "scary" in a traditional sense, its style of horror is a little more of the edge of disturbing and uncomfortable. It's very unconventional amongst others in the same genre. Despite having the classic Capcom warning that "this game contains scenes of explicit violence and gore" (or something to that degree) there's actually very little visible blood or violence in it. It's more thematically messed up, and I like that a lot. It's about as non-cliche as Capcom have ever attempted in the horror genre.
It's also absolutely beautiful from a visual design standpoint, and in ways that are a little more subtle than games tend to be. Its colors are muted without being outright brown and grey, but it's style is very gothic without being all about black and white. It straddles a lot of lines like that, but it just makes it all the more unique and interesting to look at. This is easily one of my top three PS2 games that I genuinely feel deserves a remaster (the original game was plagued with jaggy edges; the above image is actually from a PC emulator, I think).
And to top it all off, it has one of the greatest dog characters in all of gaming. Good ol' Hewie. There's actually a system in place to "train" him as the game goes on, controlled entirely with one thumbstick (up to "go/retrieve/attack," down to "stay," and left or right to either praise or scold him) which works surprisingly well, and helps to create a bigger bond with him. And his theme music is just a damn nice tune.
Gaddamn I love this game. Makes me want to replay it for about the sixth time just talking about it.
 
Mr. OL said:
Haunting Ground.
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I bought this game on PS2 a couple years after its release. Really creepy atmosphere at times and having the dog as a helper was a great game mechanic that I wish more games would implement.

Fun fact - The main character that you play as in Haunting Ground looks nearly identical to what my wife did when I first met her.
 
Telekill said:
Fun fact - The main character that you play as in Haunting Ground looks nearly identical to what my wife did when I first met her.
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Well damn, son.
She also looks nearly identical to Jill Valentine from Resident Evil 5.
So a tip of the hat to you.
 
In recent times (will go into my classics "favourites" another time):

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Best visual novel Adventure game I've played in a good 5 years or so and next to the likes of Killer7 and Flower, Sun & Rain as my favourite game Suda51 has ever made. Such a sharp art direction and great writing, it's a sequel to The Silver Case and is much expanded on the formula of the original (follow 3 storylines instead of TSC's 2 stories). The game has so many late game twists that kinda change everything from earlier on in a real mindfuck way that the likes of MGS2 also did. The way it goes about following up on Flower, Sun & Rain (since it is set after) adds even more complexity to a lead character from that very game, same goes for a couple of the main characters in this game as well, there's so much to these characters it's really good writing all around. Definitely the best written Japanese game for me in a long time. It was a wild ride.

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Pretty much the high point of the series for me. Best story, best music, best characters, best side quests and best boss battles in the series. Loved everything about it. Never thought I'd love another Yakuza like I used to after Dead Souls and 5 sort of lowered my love for the series and things were starting to feel a bit stale. How I was wrong. Still my favourite game on the PS4.

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This is cinluding the PS4 re-release, which just reminded me of how amazing the game is. Always loved Keiichiro Toyama's games (Director of Silent Hill & Siren), Siren: Blood Curse was one of my favourite games on the PS3, so of course I was hyped for this game and to see him do something new. It blew away my expectations. I loved the fresh feeling I got from the game, the weird story, world and characters and beautiful cel-shaded visuals on the Vita (and on the PS4). Just a fantastic action packed comic book game.
 
Shenmue

Persona 3

Jet Set Radio

Silent Hill 2

Resident Evil 4

Final Fantasy X

Broken Sword: The Shadow of the Templars.

SMT: Nocturne

Grim Fandango
 
Here's my list

1. Shenmue 1 & 2
2. Metal Gear Solid
3. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
4. World of Warcraft
5. Castlevania Symphony of the Night
6. Final Fantasy 7
7. The Last of Us
8. Persona 5
9. Super Metroid
10. Resident Evil 4
11. Dragon Quest 8
12. Silent Hill 2
13. Bioshock
14. Half Life 2
15. Shadow of the Colossus

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
Mass Effect 1, 2 & 3
Final Fantasy 8, 9. 10
Silent Hill 3
ICO
Onimusha 1, 2 & 3
Super Mario Galaxy 1 & 2
Metroid Prime
Resident Evil (Remake)
Resident Evil: Code Veronica
Resident Evil 2 & 3: Nemesis
Pokemon Soul Silver
Final Fantasy 6
Half Life 2: Episode 1 & 2
Killer Instinct
Uncharted 1,2,3 & 4
Red Dead Redemption
Skies of Arcadia
The Witcher 1, 2 & 3
Halo 1, 2 & 3
Gears of War 1, 2 & 3
Monster Hunter 4: Ultimate
Persona 4
Streets of Rage 1, 2 & 3
Xenoblad Chronicles
Golden Sun & The Lost Age
Phantasy Star Online
Jak & Daxter 1, 2 & 3
Valkyria Chronicles
Elders Scroll: Oblivion & Skyrim
Batman Arkham 1, 2 & 3
Burning Rangers
God of War (All of them)
Chrono Trigger
Sonic the Hedgehog 1, 2, 3 & Knuckles
Snatcher
The Last Guardian
Panzer Dragoon Saga
Parasite Eve
Dino Crisis 1 & 2
Zone of Enders: 2nd runner
The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
Devil May Cry 1 & 3
Megaman X (up to 4)
Megaman Zero 1, 2 ,3 & 4
Bayonetta 1 & 2
No More Heroes 2
Shadow Hearts 1 & 2
Policenauts
 
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In no particular order and sticking to only one game per series:

Shenmue II (Dreamcast)

If you're reading this you probably already know why. Never before had a game world seemed so real. It transends video games, it's like I was really there in Hong Kong. I've never experienced anything like it. A transendent masterpiece.

Out Run 2 (Arcade)

All I want out of life is blue skies and good music, and Out Run 2 provides both in spades. The courses and the handling are both nigh-on perfect.

Trails in the Sky FC and SC (PC, PSP, Steam)

Technically two games, but they were developed at the same time and are two halves of the same story so I think they count. The best characters and world building in any video games ever. An adventure that will stay with me forever.

God Hand (PS2)

PUNCHING PEOPLE


Gitaroo Man (PS2)

Nothing can make me smile like Gitaroo Man can. It's just a joy to play. Everything about it makes me smile, the gameplay, the music, the characters. Everything.

Jet Set Radio (Dreamcast)

Achingly cool and effortlessly stylish, I was amazed by this in 2000 and it still enthralls me to this day. It's Dreamcast-era SEGA at their best, addictive pick up and play yet rewarding gameplay, incredible aesthetics and music, complete originality.

Lumines (PSP)

The best puzzle game of all time. The most addictive game of all time. I think I'm gonna go play it now, actually.

Skies of Arcadia (Dreamcast)

Up until I played Trails in the Sky, this was the greatest RPG I'd ever played. Oh well, there's no shame in coming second to Trails. The spirit of adventure and discovery in this game is peerless.

NiGHTS Into Dreams (Saturn)

An extremely addictive high-score arcade game at heart, but everything else about it is utterly unique, there is literally nothing else quite like it, including its sequel. A near perfectly designed game.

Killer7 (GameCube)

When people talk about story telling in video games, this is the name that should come up. A real mindfuck, it reminds me of a fever dream more than anything. Captivating hard-boiled surrealism that drags you into its world of assassins, international terrorism, mysticism, repressed memories. It'll stay with you in the way that only a true auteur masterpiece can.

Battle Garegga (Saturn)

SEGA Rally (Saturn)

Ys VIII (PS4)

Panzer Dragoon Saga (Saturn)

Sonic Mania (PS4)

Rez (Dreamcast)

Trails of Cold Steel (PS3)

Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence (PS2)

Alien Soldier (Mega Drive)

Battle Mania Daiginjou (Mega Drive)

After Burner II (Arcade)
 
Top 5 are definitely in order. The rest are off-ish.

1. Shenmue 2
2. Shenmue 1
3. The Last of Us
4. Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
5. Metal Gear Solid 3
6. Resident Evil REmake
7. Halo 2
8. Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic
9. MLB The Show Series
10. Ni No Kuni
11. Uncharted 2
12. Halo 1
13. Red Dead Redemption
14. Resident Evil 4
15. Jet Set Radio
 
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Henry Spencer said:
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This is cinluding the PS4 re-release, which just reminded me of how amazing the game is. Always loved Keiichiro Toyama's games (Director of Silent Hill & Siren), Siren: Blood Curse was one of my favourite games on the PS3, so of course I was hyped for this game and to see him do something new. It blew away my expectations. I loved the fresh feeling I got from the game, the weird story, world and characters and beautiful cel-shaded visuals on the Vita (and on the PS4). Just a fantastic action packed comic book game.
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I adored Gravity Rush aswell, it was so charming and IMO one of the best new IP's in recent years - However, what did you think of Gravity Rush 2? I personally wasn't very engaged with it - The most infuriating parts I found were them tablet trials which the game would force you into multiple trial tasks to do in tunneled areas - I found myself getting very fed up with it. Also, A lot of what happens within the story I wasn't all that invested in. I was more eager to see about the conten post game - which was great but I would have liked that to be intergrated into the main game more.
 
First choice is correctly ordered. The rest are sort of clumped together.

1. Shenmue 1 & 2 (& 3?)
2. Panzer Dragoon Saga
3. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
4. Silent Hill 2
5. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
6. Mass Effect
7. Deus Ex
8. Star Wars: Dark Forces 2 Jedi Knight
9. Star Wars: Jedi Outcast & Academy
10. Tomb Raider
11. Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory
12. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
13. Resident Evil 4
14. Super Return of the Jedi
15. Sonic Adventure 2
 
1. Shenmue 2
Obviously. As for chosing 2 over 1, its just such a bigger game, it really feels like an adventure. And the level of detail just goes off the rails, being able to go into every building and every room, all the NPCs actually have things to say instead of telling you to "Ask me later". I love Shenmue 1 a lot but 2 just knocks it out of the park.

2. Metal Gear Solid 2
Stealth perfected. Honestly I love MGS 1-4 almost equally but if I had to pick it'd be 2. Tanker mission is an awesome start and it gets even better when you switch to Raiden. If you're still crying over not playing as Snake you need to grow the hell up honestly. The story they tell through Raiden is amazing and it wouldn't be possible any other way. The underlying themes of censorship, family, war in the modern age, and the lesson Raiden learns of finding who he really wants to be in life were all ahead of their time and very impactful. What a fantastic game in one of the best franchises around, although fuck Peace Walker and 5 those are not only bad MGS games, but some of the worst games Ive ever played period.

3. Mother 3
I love the entire Mother series but 3 just takes it above and beyond the other two. It has an actual story for one and its one of the best Ive ever experience in any game. And the music is godlike. Not only is it impressive for the GBA hardware(theres over 200 tracks and the samples are very high quality), they're genuinely great compositions. The graphics are very smoothly animated and its impresive the raw emotion they were able to convey in the games cutscenes with the GBA.

4. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Picking a favorite Zelda game is hard. Truth be told if I wasn't limiting myself to 1 game per franchise there would probably be at least one or two more Zeldas on here. But I think I like Twilight Princess the best. First of all the story is way better than it has any right to be. The cutscenes are incredibly well directed and the plot takes you to places you wont expect. This version of Hyrule is probably the most interesting to explore too. Its absolutely littered with mini games and secrets unlike, for example, OoTs world which is pretty empty in comparison. This game was a real turning point for the franchises music too. Even though it wasn't orchestrated yet, its composed like it is and it feels like it was scored at times when though its still MIDI. On top of all that I just think every dungeon in this game is the best in the series, the combat is easily the best its ever been with all the different sword techniques and the horseback combat, the final showdown with Gannon was truly epic, I could go on for hours.

5. Super Mario Sunshine
People often claim Mario 64 is the best 3D Mario and i just don't agree. Its controls and physics have aged very poorly and every world has generally the same mission list. Meanwhile, Mario Sunshine the supposed black sheep hasn't aged a day. Every single mission is completely unique with few exceptions like red coins. And the controls are the most satisfying and smooth and snappy Ive ever experienced in any game ever made. Mario is fast and responsive and his moveset is fun to use. The sliding, the hopping, the spin jump, the flood nozzels, so fun to control and mess around. People think the cutscenes are dumb, which fine I don't mind them personally but I could see that. People like to shit on the blue coins but personally I think theyre fun to collect and honestly its a little hypocritical to say they suck when Mario Odyssey's Moons are pretty similar and people praise that game to high heaven. Also the blue coins are 100% optional so... Idk. Incredibly fun and diverse missions, perfect controls, what more could you want.

6. Kingdom Hearts 2
This is actually kind of a recent love of mine and maybe it I have had more time with it, it'd be higher on my list. I got into the Kingdom Hearts series about a year ago with the PS4 collection and I'm pretty mad at myself for not finding these games sooner. When I played through the first game, I thought it had some flaws like no sense of direction and some pretty high difficulty spikes, but I came out liking it a lot in the end. But when I moved onto 2, holy shit. Not only were all the problems fixed, but the entire game was bigger, more epic, more beautiful, more fun to play, even better music, more interesting and gripping story, everything was literally perfect. One of the few time I had finished a video game and I just sat there blown away with the masterpiece I had just experienced. Ive since finished the series now and unfortunately, most of the games outside of the 2 main titles aren't really worth playing(Dream Drop Distance is actually pretty good though) but 3 is looking great and hopefully it gets here soon.

7. Elder Scorlls IV: Oblivion
Just a classic open world RPG, fun quests, memorable characters, simple, love it.

8. Chulip
A really silly, very Japanese, obscure PS2 game. You play as a kid who has a crush on this girl, but she wont go out with you unless you prove you have experience. So you must set out on a quest to kiss everyone in the city. Its not as easy as it sounds though, you must solve puzzles or go on quests to make each character happy first before you can collect their kiss. Charming muppet style graphics, unique sound design, would recommend.

9. Final Fantasy X
I know it's not everyones favorite but of all the Final Fantasys Ive tried to get into, this is one of the few that actually stuck with me. The world is absolutely beautiful, the music is fantastic, the story is pretty good for the most part but it does have some lows where not much happens for a while. The dungeons were pretty interesting and unique and overall this game nails the feeling of the journey. A little linear at times but not necessarily a bad thing.

10. Ace Attorney
Ok this time I genuinely really can't pick one so Im just gonna say any of the original 4. Yes I actually really like Apollo Justice. I'd say avoid Dual Destinies like the plague though, genuinely bad, really boring, no redeeming qualities, yuck.
 
Vivi-gamer said:
I adored Gravity Rush aswell, it was so charming and IMO one of the best new IP's in recent years - However, what did you think of Gravity Rush 2? I personally wasn't very engaged with it - The most infuriating parts I found were them tablet trials which the game would force you into multiple trial tasks to do in tunneled areas - I found myself getting very fed up with it. Also, A lot of what happens within the story I wasn't all that invested in. I was more eager to see about the conten post game - which was great but I would have liked that to be intergrated into the main game more.
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I agree with this! Picked up Gravity Rush Remastered as I heard good things and fell in love, at the time I was even considering it to be one of my favourite games ever! So was excited to get Gravity Rush 2, the sequel actually built for consoles and it looked gorgeous, but I was bored almost instantly. Not sure if it was because it was just more of the same...that intro with the mining stuff dragged on and like you said the story was really anything that was grabbing me. Also I felt like the sliding controls seemed crazy loose compared to the first game, just wasn’t enjoying myself anywhere as near as I did in the first game, not really sure why, i’ve probably put about 15 hours into it so far and i’m really not fussed to play any more.
 
This is as lean as I'm willing to go
Series (alphabetical):
Grand Theft Auto
Machinarium/Samorost/Botanicula (OK, not technically a series)
Metal Gear Solid
Shenmue
SOS Final Escape/Raw Danger
The Legend of Zelda
Yakuza

Single games (alphabetical):
Clock Tower (PSX)
Deadly Premonition (PS3)
Rez (DC)
Shadow of the Colossus (PS2)
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 (PC)
Virtua Tennis 2 (DC, ARC)

Insight: This "list" seems to be very different from the one I had a few years ago, while actually not including very recent games. Unsurprisingly they seem to have been released around a time of youth but not childhood (I only played the older mentioned series, TLOZ, much later as I hadn't Nintendos as a child). What was surprising to me is the relative lack of some favourite genres, like point n clicks (except the Amanita ones [and Clock Tower, I guess?], but no room for The Last Express, Gadget Past as Future, The Neverhood or Lucas Arts games) or shmups (except Rez, no room for Ikaruga, Last Resort, Metal Black, various Invaders, Darius, R-Types or Tempest), even though I'd probably say those are the sort of games I enjoy playing the most. This might mean that while on average I enjoy them well, none raised itself to that upper echelon. The same can be said for games of older generations (apart from Zeldas), which was a surprise. Seems like I'm not the retrogaming fan I thought I was! :unsure:

The series obviously have their ups and downs, and even a few duds. I haven't played all Metal Gear or Zelda games either (nor Yakuza for that matter) but all of them have consistently delivered great games, some of which I would consider the very best games ever made (irrespective of being favorites).
As for the ones I listed as singles they represent a crop of many game hours and complete immersion, which is for me a measure of their success as games, and why they're favourites of mine. These, along with a few of the ones from the series' list would definitely be my desert island games.
 
Wonder Boy in Monster World
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Maybe the first "favorite game" I ever had. I'd played plenty of games prior, but I never gave much thought to favorites. But playing this for the first time somewhere around 1992 or 1993, it was the first time I found myself traversing an interconnected world that I just kind of enjoyed "living" in. I'd played games like the original Zelda, sure, but I was never very attracted to their worlds or personality. But then Monster World came along, with its colorful, cartoony graphics, a population of unique characters, and a legitimate variety of environments all connected from one screen to the next, and I was in love.
I don't think I ever actually beat it back then; I'd get all the way up until the point where you can visit the final boss, but I could never defeat him (it wasn't until a few years ago that I finally managed that). Instead, I'd just continue running around the game's world, defeating monsters, acting like I was still adventuring. I didn't even need to be making any progress necessarily; I just loved being there.
Even after all these years and all these playthroughs, I still get the feels when I start a new game in it.
When I'm old and senile, I hope I just sit around playing this. Sounds like an enjoyable way to while away the time until I die.

...That sounded really dark, but it seemed nice in my head. :sweatsmile:
 
1 Shenmue
2 Chrono Trigger
3 Dance Dance Revolution 3rd Mix
4 Street Fighter Zero 3
5 Virtua Fighter 3
6 Fire Pro Wrestling 6 Man Scramble
7 Hajime no Ippo 2 Victorious Road
8 Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure
9 Ryu Ga Gotoku 0
10 Final Fantasy VI
11 Turtles in Time
12 Marvel Vs Capcom 2
13 Punchmania
14 Dragon Ball Z Ultimate Battle 22
15 King of Fighter Dream Match 99
 
1. Shenmue
2. Metal Gear Solid
3. Braid
4. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
5. Broken Sword: The Shadow of the Templars
6. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
7. Bloodborne
8. The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth
9. BioShock
10. Axel & Pixel
 
The order changes from time to time, but basically this

1- Super Mario Bros 3.
2- Shernmue (II is a better game, but I prefer I since is a better experience)
3- Castlevania Aria of Sorrow
4- Metal Gear Solid 3
5- Super Mario Galaxy (I think that 3D Mario is a different series than 2D Mario)
6- Yakuza 6
7- Red Dead Redemption
8- Virtua Fighter 3 (Model 3 version)
9- The Curse of Monkey Island
10- Garou Mark of The Wolves
11- Street Fighter Alpha 2
12- Tecmo Cup Soccer Game (yes, the unlicensed Captain Tsubasa one)
13- Bayonetta 2
14- Soul Calibur
15- Golden Axe II (Mega Drive)
 
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