GameGemini – Video Gaming Heaven

5. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES)

Some consider this the best Legend of Zelda ever, but it is definitely the best 2D LOZ ever. The sense of adventure in this game is amazing, as you follow the tried and tested ‘fetch quests’ where you must enter 9
dungeons and come out with a new item each time. These items can then be used to open up new parts of the map. I used to love looking at the map and wondering what could be in certain areas. Fantastic.

4. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (PS2)

Being in the jungle and having to camouflage yourself gives this game a totally different feel from the first two. It also feels way more expansive and free. Gone are the narrow walkways that you must go down, and you’re presented with vast maps of open jungle. The story is really great, and the ending is particularly emotional. The graphics are top notch as ever, and there are some fantastic boss fights.

3. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (GEN)

This is the long awaited sequel to Sonic and Tails, and improves on it in nearly every way. Firstly, the graphics are brilliant, especially for it’s time. It also features some of the best maps, challenges and characters ever seen in a Sonic game. This game is best played with the ‘Sonic and Knuckles’ attachment. It also lends itself to being the most difficult Sonic game (at least in the 2D series) ever, as it boasts the most devilish underwater levels.

2. Grand Theft Auto 3

This game seemed to come out of nowhere and hit everyone for six. The first 2 games had been decent, 2D games, but no masterpieces. This game effectively changed and created a new genre, and took open world gaming to a new level. This game started the ultimate debate: ‘how far is too far, when it comes to video gaming?’ The fact that you can rent a hooker, take her behind a back alley, do you business, then blow her brains out says it all really…

1. Super Mario Bros. 3

This game was so far ahead of its time, that it made ever other game look weak in comparison. It’s just cram-packed full of features and secrets to find. SMB3 features 8 amazing levels, each a different theme from the rest. My personal favourite is level 4 – the giant world. There’s also a great selection of power ups that you can use, such as the frog suit, the racoon suit, the fire suit, and the magic boot. The fact that this is still played and is still a classic today says it all.

Developers strive for realism in games, as do critics expect and demand it. However, can a game ever be too realistic? What is the realism went so far, that you couldn’t tell the difference between the game and real life? Realism of this extreme nature has yet to be achieved, but you get the feeling that it’s not too far off, and may be done by the next generation of games.

People like realism in games, because it allows them to relate to it. The more they can relate and connect to something, the more effect it can have on them, and the greater the
experience is all-round. However, some people have criticised Grand Theft Auto 4 for being too realistic. The fact that you can do almost anything in the game (such as go bowling, go on dates, watch stand up comedy) almost make it an alternative to real life. It was also a big departure from the ‘cartoony’ style and graphics of previous games, and the gameplay (particularly the speed at which cars moved) was slowed down. So why would you want to do all of this stuff for fake? Why not just go outside and do it for real? Well for some people, it’s a chance to do these things in a comfort zone – where they can’t get ‘hurt’ for real. It’s ironic that in the game you can be gunned down by rival gang members, and yet it’s seen as safer. Another reason is that it’s rewarding. Modern day games in particular are built around rewarding the player for achieving/doing certain things. Just think of the trophy system on the PS3, or the experience points on XBOX Live. Getting a medal for doing something is a real mark of achievement, as it makes us feel it wasn’t all for nothing. It know people who have bought games that they otherwise wouldn’t have, just because they know there’s lots of trophies that can be collected.

To start with, here’s a few trailers from the game:

Obviously the game looks absolutely amazing, with graphics unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. The first time I saw a video of the gameplay I was blown away. Some of the screenshots of this game look so realistic you really can’t tell whether it’s a game or not.

So the game looks good – we’ve establish that, but what else is there? Is there any real substance to the game? Thankfully, the game plays just as well as it looks, and is amazingly fun. There’s no 2-player split screen, but everyone knows split screen is so 2005, so you’re given a great online mode instead (as is expected of today’s games). The developers have gotten rid of the story aspect that tainted their previous efforts, and have focused solely on the racing. The whole interface looks slick, and there’s a real feeling of anticipation and excitement as you sit behind the wheel of your car; in cockpit view – being able to see your steering wheel and gloves.

The only real major flaw in the game is a small one, but one that stops this game from being an all-time great. As you progress through the levels you’ll earn points for how you perform. Points allow you to by better and faster cars. At each level a new batch of cars becomes available to buy and use for the new set of races you unlock. However, the amount of points you earn hasn’t been calibrated very well, and by the time you reach each higher level, you’ll almost certainly have enough points already to buy the best car in the division. Compare this to a game like Gran Turismo, where you had to slog for hours winning races over and over to finally be able to afford that new car you’ve been dreaming of. While this might not sound fun, the sense of reward is fantastic. With Need For Speed you feel a bit like it’s on a plate for you, and you don’t really have to work too much.