(version française ici)
Hi everyone,
Having received a few weeks ago the challenge #whygamesaregoodchallenge from @ixindamix, I finally take the time to answer the question by offering you four video games that have marked my life as a player. As there are many more that come back to me, I had to make a choice and I was satisfied for the moment with "non-independent" games (with the project to present you in another post the independent games that really inspired me !).
But before I reveal my selection, I tell you how I became a gamer at heart ! I must have been seven years old (in 1999) when I first saw a console in my life. It was hypnotic, I didn't have one yet but I spent a lot of my free time with a neighbour to play nintendo 64 and others. My parents gave me my first console, the PS One at Christmas 2000.
It is via this platform that I discovered the first game that really marked me :
Spyro: year of the dragon is the third opus of the first Spyro trilogy. The dragon eggs have been stolen by a vile witch who reserves a fatal fate for them and Spyro is sent to the rescue to bring them home safe and sound. I've never played the first two opuses but I'll soon catch up since they recently announced a remastered PS4 version of this first trilogy.
From the top of my 8 years, this game was a pure wonder (and I still take great pleasure to play it today) : colorful graphics and atmosphere, many funny, full-bodied and interesting challenges (skate forever !), various playable characters with various and varied gameplay, a good dose of humour well found, repetitive but pleasant music, consistent lifespan (several large areas and many portals in each of them). In short if I had to keep only one game among my ps1 games (namely that I never had the opportunity to play great classics like the Final Fantasy) it would be that one !
Later my father let me use the family computer to discover new games. After hours spent on the Sims and Zoo Tycoon, I discovered my second favorite of this selection by chance in a supermarket (in 2004 if my memories are good) :
The Elders Scrolls: Morrowind is the third part of a great saga that has not finished revealing its secrets and its universe. I never played the first two opuses (Arena and Daggerfall) and hardly touched his successor, Oblivion. But since then I've loved the fifth volume, Skyrim, and The Elder Scrolls Online.
To put it in context, Morrowind is a game released in 2002, and I have to say that for that time, the graphics were really amazing ! For me, it's one of the most visually beautiful games of his generation. It is also my first role-playing game in the open world (worthy of the name). It was so new to me that a game didn't take us by the hand that I never finished the game. I spent my time wandering around and doing quests according to my desires. If I had to give a big black point to this game (which for me has even become unplayable over the years, these are the phases of fighting really atrocious to the possible (hitting the enemy "in the void" at least 10 times before the game takes into account a key, it goes well five minutes). But apart from that detail and the Cliff Braillards, this game is really great !
After that, my arrival in high school and my three years in boarding school turned me away from video games, I always liked it when I went to visit friends, but I wasn't as passionate as before. It was during my entrance to college in 2010 that I met a video game enthusiast who became my best friend. And it was by playing this game that my passion came back to life :
I was never really attracted to the GTA branch, so I found "my dope" with Red Dead Redemption ! And I'm really looking forward to the end of the year to discover the prequel with Red Dead Redemption 2. Whether it's the story, the music, the gameplay or the graphics, everything is sublime! The story takes place in 1911 in America. We are immersed in the last years of the western universe and we don't want to leave it. We are immersed in the harsh daily life of the pioneers of the American West. We alternate between intense action quests and lighter but pleasant ones. We spend a lot of time walking on horseback in the middle of this wild and beautiful expanse. In short for me this game is a very good memory and a must have!
Since then, I haven't stopped enjoying video games. I had the opportunity to enjoy a lot of them, and that's why the last game is not as representative as the three previous ones but remains for me a very good RPG :
the Dragon Age trilogy has a big place in my heart. I discovered the first part, D.A. Origin shortly after its release in 2009 and I discovered a rich world and relationships with characters very worked and interesting. The fact of being able to influence the different protagonists to love us or on the contrary to hate us was very appreciable. The second opus has been heavily criticized by players especially because of its ultra-repetitive and interest-free dungeons. But the story was interesting to me and I got caught up in the game. As for the third part, Dragon age inquisition which we are talking about here is for me the most successful. The relationship with the characters is even more interesting and we get impatient to return to talk with our favorite companions. The history is also fascinating and the various explorable zones abound with interesting places.
I realize that I find it very difficult to make constructive criticism of the games I have just presented to you. I can't describe these games as I would like to describe them as wonderful video games. So I hope you still enjoyed the presentation.
My turn, I come to designate some gamers to perpetuate the chain :
(already do in french version)
As a reminder, this is an original post (no plagiarism) where you present four games that mean a lot to you, trying to explain why these games have marked you. Use the #whygamesaregoodchallenge tag among your different tags and choose some people to make the challenge last.
Have a nice day !
I was unlucky to not know about Morrowind back in the day. I played Elder Scrolls: Arena but I didn't really understand what I was it that I got myself into lol.
And I loved DA:I as well, despite some of its 'tiring' design choices. Always enjoyed the party members for their banter, not for their classes or combat skills haha.
I've been waiting for your English version of this because pretty sure it would be a great read. Aaaaaand it really was a great read! I mention it in my weekly posts, hope you don't mind.
A big thank you for your message, it makes me very happy :) and thanks for sharing my publication :)
I have exactly same feelings about Dragon Age Inquisition. The companions just got into my heart, and I really enjoyed going back to them and develop our relationship. I'm glad that I finally found my Dragon Age soulmate! :D
Unfortunately, I didn't play the previous games. I'll have to fix it.
I'm glad to know you share my love for Dragon Age :) ! Yes I strongly encourage you to do the others, especially the first one :) !