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Nostalgia Time
The timeline of the greatest games I've ever experienced. -
Spyro the Dragon
Spyro the Dragon was my first experience with a 3D platform game. I still love the open-ended magical exploration, hidden gems and hilarious characters amongst the beautiful dragon worlds. The sound design in this game is also something I still really enjoy. This will always be one of my favourite games of all time.
Insomniac Games, Sony Computer Entertainment, Spyro the Dragon 1998, PlayStation.
Spyro the Dragon cover art, viewed 3 March 2021
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spyro_the_Dragon -
Crash Bandicoot
Crash Bandicoot is the first single player game I ever experienced for myself. Although it was so frustrating at times, the levels and characters in this game were so fun and memorable. I still love to go back and play this game (and scream at it) when I'm feeling nostalgic.
Naughty Dog, Sony Computer Entertainment, Crash Bandicoot 1996 PlayStation.
Crash Bandicoot 1996 cover art, viewed 2 March 2021. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crash_Bandicoot_(video_game) -
Crash Team Racing
CTR is the first racing game I ever owned. I fondly remember having a blast racing and battling it out with my family and friends. The unique thing about this game was the single player adventure mode. My brother and sister are a lot older than I am so I was often playing solo, so this aspect of the game was very special to me.
Naughty Dog, Sony Computer Entertainment, 1999 PlayStation.
Crash Team Racing cover art, viewed 3 March 2021. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crash_Team_Racing -
SSX Tricky
SSX Tricky is an amazingly fun snowboarding game I owned on PS2. I would play this game with my family often. The maps, tricks and music were all so fun and enjoyable. I still pull out my dusty PS2 to play this game with friends.
EA Canada, EA sports BIG, SSX 2001.
SSX Tricky cover art, viewed 3 March 2021.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SSX_Tricky -
The Sims
The first Sims game was the start of a long journey through the Sims franchise for me. This was one of the only games I played on my very boxy PC. I remember finding this game at my local video store and renting it every week. I loved creating families and playing through their lives.
Maxis, Electronic Arts, The sims 2000, Windows.
The Sims (video game) cover art, viewed 3 March 2021.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sims_(video_game) -
The Sims 2
When The Sims 2 came out I was so excited, although that excitement was short lived when I came to realise that my computer was too old to run it. I would watch the tutorial video and read the manual until I was finally able to play this amazing game. This game was so ahead of its time, in my opinion it's the best one in the Sims franchise. I still adore its charm.
Maxis, Electronic Arts, The sims 2, PC 2004.
The sims 2 cover art, viewed 3 March 2021.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sims_2 -
Spyro: Gateway to Glimmer (Ripto's Rage)
The second game in the Spyro series was just as fun and magical to me. I loved this game so much even though my disc was scratched so I could only play the first few levels. I still love to go back and experience the magic that was this game.
Insomniac Games, Sony Computer Entertainment, Spyro Ripto's Rage 1999, PlayStation
Spyro Ripto's Rage cover art, viewed 3 March 2021
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spyro_2:_Ripto%27s_Rage! -
Eye Toy Play
Eye Toy is a game that uses a mini USB camera that allows you to use your body to play the game. Whenever I played this game with family or friends I was always in for a laugh. Not only did this game provide so much fun, it also gave you a hell of a work out!
London Studio, Sony Computer Entertainment, Eye Toy: Play 2003.
Eye Toy: Play cover art, viewed 3 March 2021.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EyeToy:_Play -
Tomb Raider: Legend
Tomb Raider: Legend is the first serious action/combat game I ever experienced. This game is also filled with tons of puzzles within the levels, which made it more brain teasing than your average combat game. This definitely sparked my future interest in games that include puzzles to challenge your brain.
Crystal Dynamics, Eidos Interactive, Tomb Raider: Legend 2006.
Tomb Raider: Legend cover art, viewed 4 March 2021.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomb_Raider:_Legend -
Mario Kart Wii
Although my first enjoyment with Mario Kart Wii was when I was 9 years old, my true enjoyment with this game came much later. My friend introduced me to a game he likes to call 'Beerio Kart', a very fun game that includes beer and Mario Kart. This game has given me some of the best fun I've ever had, and allowed me to grow closer to the best friends I've ever had.
Nintendo EAD, Nintendo, Mario Kart Wii 2008
Mario Kart Wii cover art viewed 4 March 2021
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_Kart_Wii -
Fable II
Fable II was the first I played in the series. I really loved the decisions between good and evil that the game gave you, it was something very new to me that I continue to appreciate in a game. I loved having the freedom to explore the world and find hidden treasures. The combat in this game is also super fun!
Lionhead Studios, Microsoft Game Studios, Fable II 2008.
Fable II cover art, Viewed 4 March 2021.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fable_II -
The Sims 3
I was long awaiting the release for The Sims 3, as I was such an avid Sims 2 player. I remember playing The Sims 3 on my first ever laptop that I had gotten for my 10th birthday. The new technology in this game was amazing to me. It had an open world, an amazing build mode and intricate personality systems. I sunk many hours into this game over the years.
Maxis Redwood Shores, Electronic Arts, The sims 3 2009
The sims 3 cover art, viewed 4 March 2021
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sims_3 -
The Sims 4
When The Sim 4 was released, I have to admit I was quite disappointed. Compared to its predecessors it lacked a lot of gameplay, excitement and charm. This led me to spending a lot of time in build mode and was the main reason I started studying architecture. I love to use my creativity to build in this game and have spent upwards of 2000 hours doing so.
Maxis, Electronic Arts, The sims 4 2014
The Sims 4, viewed 4 March 2021.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sims_4 -
Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy
It's like the creators of this game read my mind. Before the release of this remake I was still often going back to play my pixelated PS1 version of the game. When I play this remake I feel like a kid again, playing my first ever video game (but with way better graphics). It was a really special experience for me.
Vicarious Visions, Activision, Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, 2017
Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, viewed 4 March 2021
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crash_Bandicoot_N._Sane_Trilogy -
Spyro Reignited Trilogy
This was another really special and nostalgic experience for me. The way they reimagined Spyro and the dragon worlds is truly amazing, it completely blew my mind. Everything down to the way the grass burns when Spyro spits fire is perfection. This game is so magical and so full of life, I never wanted it to end.
Toys for Bob, Activision, Spyro Reignited Trilogy, 2018
Spyro Reignited Trilogy cover art, viewed 4 March 2021
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spyro_Reignited_Trilogy -
Rocket League
I used to watch my boyfriend play this game and think, what a stupid game. Then I got my hands on the remote and it was game on. Rocket League is the first and only competitive game I enjoy. It is so much fun to team up with my boyfriend and compete in tournaments. This game has provided me with so much fun for years now and I'm sure it will continue to do so.
Psyonix, Psyonix, Rocket League, 2015
Rocket League cover art, viewed 4 March 2021
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocket_League -
Portal 2
Portal is one of my favourite games I've ever played. I love the puzzles using crazy physics and the Aperture Science world building. I felt so immersed in the environments. The storyline is fantastic, plus the characters and their dialogue is all so funny and enjoyable. I love everything about this game and will always highly recommend it!
Valve, Valve, Portal 2, 2011
Portal 2 cover art, viewed 4 March 2021
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal_2 -
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
RE7 was the first RE game I ever played. This was a very different game to what I was used to and I loved every second of it. I love the creepy environments and the terrifying characters, but most of all, I love the storyline and puzzles that navigate you through the game. I will never forget my experience playing this game.
Capcom, Capcom, Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, 2017
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard cover art, viewed 4 March 2021
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resident_Evil_7:_Biohazard -
Little Misfortune
Little Misfortune is a really dark, yet delightful game. It follows main character Misfortune and her quest for eternal happiness. This game tells a very powerful story and made me fall absolutely in love with Misfortune and her antics. My experience with Little Misfortune will forever stay with me, it's a really special game!
Killmonday Games, Killmonday Games, Little Misfortune, 2019
Little Misfortune cover art, viewed 4 March 2021
https://www.eneba.com/steam-little-misfortune-steam-key-global -
Bioshock the Collection
The Bioshock series absolutely blew my mind! The story telling, lore and world building within these games is so incredible. I loved having the mixture of exploring and managing my inventory for combat, whilst learning about my character and the mysterious world surrounding me. One of my favourite games ever!
Blind Squirrel Games, 2k Games, Bioshock: The Collection, 2016
Bioshock: The Collection cover art, viewed 4 March 2021
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BioShock:_The_Collection
