Gaming Made Me (Part 2)

On the weekend I listed three games that I believe were significant influences in how I play, approach and appreciate videogames today. I briefly explained how each title left their mark on me and now I present to you the other three games that I believe have also influenced my gaming habits in one way or another.

Final Fantasy VIII

It is said that the Final Fantasy game that introduces someone to the series will likely end up being that person's favourite, and as far as I am concerned, this is entirely true. While everyone was citing Final Fantasy VII as their favourite, and rightly so I might add, I was the odd one out with my nomination of Final Fantasy VIII. It was my introduction to the series but more importantly, it demonstrated to me just how immersive, involving and even emotional a videogame story could be. From the musical score to the more realistic aesthetic to the range of characters; I resonated with Final Fantasy VIII and its tale of orphaned children and it will forever remain in my memories as one of the most enjoyable, engaging and compelling stories I have ever had the pleasure of participating in. No matter what installment you choose to look at, you can always expect a level of polish and commitment in a Final Fantasy that you just don't get anywhere else, but it was Squall's adventures that grabbed hold of my attention and never let go, and it is something I will never, ever forget.

Perfect Dark

I may have dabbled in multiplayer gaming before Perfect Dark (see Super Mario Kart from my last post), but it was Rare's magnum opus that showed me the joys of multiplayer -- both competitive and co-operative -- and the importance of what it is like to share such experiences with your friends. From co-operatively finishing the game's campaign, to killing each other time and time again in the various modes of Deathmatch, there was always something my friends and I could do in Perfect Dark and as a result, it did not leave my Nintendo 64 for years. Throw in a fantastically made first person shooter with an interesting story and compelling characters; great levels; awesome, futuristic weapons and gadgets; a rocking soundtrack; and a campaign that changed depending on difficulty, or indeed a friend trying to stop your progression, and what you end up with is a game that was well and truly ahead of its time. The fact it worked (albeit, not smoothly) is a miracle and because of this, in my mind, it is one of the best first person shooters I have ever played.

Metroid Prime

Last we have Retro Studios' first foray into Nintendo's often forgotten yet popular franchise, and a game that is, without a doubt, my favourite gaming experience ever. Introducing me to Metroid for the first time, Metroid Prime delivered something so unique, so incredible, that still to this day it sits at the very peak of my list. While I did go on to become a fan(boy) of every other Metroid game, it is Retro's title that will forever stick with me, and the reason for that is due to the level of immersion it delivers while playing it. Gorgeous art direction, a beautiful soundtrack and a sense of isolation and mystery all combine to provide a very atmospheric title, leading to an extremely enjoyable experience. Come back in a few weeks for more on how I feel about Metroid Prime, as I will be revisiting it (and the two sequels: Echoes and Corruption) once I get my hands on the Metroid Prime Trilogy.
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So there you have it, the six games I believe have made a significant impact on my gaming career and the ones which continue to influence my gaming habits today. Looking back, it's interesting to see the omission of a Legend Of Zelda title or a traditional Mario game; most people would have at least one of these titles, if not more, in their own lists and for good reason too as both franchises have delivered titles that are easily some of the best games of all time. They are however, not as important to my own experiences as the six games I have mentioned and that is why they aren't included. I hope you enjoyed this brief insight into the games that have defined my tastes in videogames over the years.

Gaming Made Me (Part 1)

I missed the boat with this series, originally found at Rock, Paper, Shotgun, then in various other places of the blogosphere. It is better to be late than never, I suppose. The great thing about doing this series is that it provides insight into an author's background, revealing how they may have come to hold a certain opinion, or where their influences have come from. The result is, or should be, a better comprehension of the author's gaming history for the readers (and indeed the author as well). With this in mind, here is part one of my own Gaming Made Me series.

Donkey Kong Country (series)

While none of the three games in Rareware's (now known as just Rare) series were my introduction to playing games, they were my introduction into just how damn fun, addictive and incredible they could be. The colourful graphics delivered by the Mode 7 technique combined with things like interesting levels, a wide range of collectibles, and characters and animals that were filled with personality to create a series of games that I was happy to play at any time. They were simple enough to play for a few quick levels, but were also challenging and compelling enough to play for hours and hours over the course of a weekend or during school holidays. The series also inspired something that has stuck with me ever since, that of my desire to complete everything. The games' collectible bananas, DK tokens, lives and secret bonus levels led me to a compulsion where I would not be content until each game was fully completed. It's trivial now, but seeing the percentage counter go beyond 100% in the two sequels was a very rewarding experience back in the day, and I will never forget the feelings that came over me when I achieved it for the first time. Over the years I've returned to and finished all three games countless times and I still enjoy them today, despite their dated design and my realisation that really, they weren't that special. I would still like to see a Donkey Kong Country 4 some day, perhaps on the DS, but unfortunately I don't see Nintendo revisiting the franchise any time soon. Still, I can dream, can't I?

Super Mario Kart

Regular readers of this blog would be well aware of my love of the racing game genre and now they know where it came from. While it's easy to assume I would have fallen for the genre anyway due to my passion for Motorsport in real life, Super Mario Kart's delivery of a familiar set of characters, locations and items into a unique perspective on racing gave birth to a game that was played almost daily by yours truly for a whole year. Time and time again I would go for golds in the game's various cups or verse the ghosts in time trials in an attempt to improve my times, and the entire time I was having an absolute blast. It definitely paved the way for my love of the genre now and looking back, it brings a smile to my face to know that everything I enjoy within the genre was not only prevalent back then, but in a package that set the benchmark for years to come. In true Nintendo fashion Super Mario Kart was an accessible, easy to play game that took the familiarity of Mario, the Mushroom Kingdom and a variety of friends and foes and unleashed them on a race track in a fun, yet strongly competitive environment that is still thoroughly entertaining to play today. Good times, good times.

Gran Turismo

If Super Mario Kart paved the way for my love of the genre, then Gran Turismo was when I arrived at the destination. Finally there was a game that was seemingly made for me, one that emphasised the importance of patience, careful control (in throttle application, braking and steering) and one which allowed me to get a feel for what it would be like to drive on an actual race track. While future installments or competitors may have refined or reinvigorated the simulation racing genre by adding more cars, tracks and more types of racing (rally, drift), it was the original Gran Turismo that started it all in my eyes and for that reason alone it will always be close to my heart.

Stay tuned for part two in the coming days.