From the start, I've always been a gamer. These are the games that influenced me to become something more.
Created by aduroanimus on Dec 3, 2009
Last updated: 12/05/09 at 07:40 PM
The game's simple, epic story and its complex controls (among other things) made this my all-time favorite game. Turning an adventure game into a puzzle game isn't an original idea, but having the puzzle being a gigantic colossus you have to climb and kill made it the most interesting game I've ever played.
While not the first psychological horror game, Eternal Darkness caught my eye by its unique way of scaring you. Whether the screen went to a fake video input screen or if thirty flies clouded what you were doing, I was always on edge. This was not a game to play in the dark.
After strong initial sales, Sega struggles with various problems and ultimately decides to opt out of the console race and strictly produce software. BBC News. (2001). Sega Scraps the Dreamcast. Retrieved from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/1145936.stm
Sony releases the PS2, the most anticipated console of all time. Kent, S. (February 18, 2004). Playstation 2 Timeline. Gamespy.com. Retrieved from http://archive.gamespy.com/articles/february04/ps2timeline/
Pushing the original Playstation to its graphical limits, Vagrant Story (published by Squaresoft) sported a unique art style and a wild story, all the while being based in the same world as one of my favorite games of all time, Final Fantasy Tactics. Its dialogue especially kept me hooked.
Sega releases the Sega Dreamcast, the first system to fully support online multiplayer. Otto. (March 23, 2009). Why the Dreamcast Failed. Associated Content: Technology. Retrieved from http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1572800/why_the_dreamcast_failed.html
Although I was already familiar with RPGs by this time, it wasn't until Ocarina of Time that I fell in love with the Zelda series. The introduction of Ganondorf, in particular, kept me interested. I would later go back and play other Zelda classics like A Link to the Past.
Although I didn't fully understand the game initially, FFT's unbelievable dramatic storyline kept me going. This allowed me to later realize how rich and in-depth its character customization was, as well.
With its 108 unique characters to join your team and six-member turned based fighting style, I was immediately interested. It as also the first time I was introduced to politics in video games; something I've grown to love over the years.
This game combined two of my favorite genres of its time: RPGs and side-scroller adventure games (particularly the Mario series). This was also the first time I was introduced to a combo-system in a traditional turn-based roleplaying game.
Sony steps into the console war with its first home console, the Playstation (or the PSOne, PSX). Edge Staff. (April 24, 2009). The Making Of: Playstation. Edge-Online. Retrieved from http://www.edge-online.com/magazine/the-making-of-playstation?page=0%2C3
Nintendo releases another portable device that has "true 3D" graphics. The device is discontinued a year after its release. hor Unknown. (May 15, 1995). Nintendo flops machine plans. Electronic News. 41(2065). P16.
Sega releases the Sega Saturn, their first attempt at using a cd-rom instead of a cartridge. Snow, B. (July 30, 2007). The 10 Worst-Selling Consoles of All Time. GamepPro Online. Retrieved on November 29th 2009 from http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/111822/the-10-worst-selling-consoles-of-all-time/.
Before this game, I was not aware of how deep character back stories could go. To this day, Final Fantasy 3 (FF6 in Japan) sports some of the most memorable characters like Shadow, Setzer, and Terra. (Audio is attached on Power Point.)
This game was both my introduction to RPGs and turn-based strategy games. I can't remember a game before Shining Force that included a complicated experience system with leveling up and equipment.
Nintendo of America releases the Super NES (SNES) in the United States. Bornholt, R. (August 4, 2006). Purple Reign: 15 Years of the Super NES. 1up Online. Retrieved on November 29th, 2009 from http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=0&cId=3152604
Sega releases the Sega Genesis, their second attempt at capturing the home-console market.
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