Your top five favorite video games

[SOC]

Okay, so this is a thread about your top five absolute favorite games of all time. I know it's a hard list to pick, but that's why it's so much fun! XD Generally, I count MMOs and video games as separate games, so I can't really compare them together in a top five list like this, but if you want, feel free~ It's your list, after all.

Also, post why they're your favorite if you want! You can include multiple titles in the same spot, but only if they're directly related, such as "Metroid Prime Series," but not necessarily "Castlevania 4 and Symphony of the Night" because those two are completely separate and don't have much to do with each other! :P

1: The Legend of Zelda: The Twilight Princess/Ocarina of Time: It took me a lot of thinking to come up with this, and before, Ocarina of Time wasn't even in my top five, until I played Twilight Princess and realized just how epic of a game it truly was. When I beat Twilight Princess, I was completely amazed at how epic video games could be. The only flaws I found were the soundtrack was more desirable, the graphics could've been better had it not been a port, and the difficulty was much too easy. Every thing else was a true masterpiece. And playing that made me realize just how much I loved Ocarina of Time in my childhood, and how it did nothing wrong. They're tied for just being the definition of video games. Epic pieces, greatest games of all man kind.

2. Chrono Trigger: This game held up as my favorite game of all time for so many years. I played it over and over and over again... It was just such a touching game to me. From listening to Memories of Green for hours, to searching out every single nook and cranny in this game's many side quests, getting that rainbow shell, taking out Robo's future... gosh... So many epic memories. Did I mention it has like 12 different endings? This game touched my childhood heart.

3. Final Fantasy 7: No, I'm not one of those lolSeph fan boys. This game is just a freaking masterpiece. It was one of those games you played when you were 7 and thought Cloud's spikey hair was the freaking bomb and you argued to your fellow classmates every day that the Buster Sword was so much cooler and better than Sephiroth's Masamune. Expert story telling, amazing music, amazing graphics of its time, you just can't go wrong with this game.

4. Final Fantasy 6: Kefka. Freaking Kefka is amazing. With so many moments that define the game... the opera, Ultros, Doma getting poisoned, the Floating Continent, Kefka destroying the world, Celes and Cid, Zozo, Magitek Armor, Mr. Thou, getting Raiden, the Phantom Train, the battle of Narshe... gosh I could go on all night about how many things make this game so amazing! Not to mention it didn't have even one main character, unless you count Terra, hehe!

5. Final Fantasy 9: Man, this game really went back to its classic roots. After FF6, FF7, and FF8, I hadn't really thought Final Fantasy would ever be that classicness again. When this one came out, and had a happy hero no less, I was just SO happy. I LOVE the system this game has, the ATB gauge is still my favorite type of battle ever, how you learn abilities is awesome, how the storyline incorporates the basic elements of Final Fantasy, like summons and magic... Man I loved it. This game as a dream come true to me as a child!

So, what's yours?

[Light]

Tried to keep it as brief as possible, since I have a love to detail.
I did include 1 MMO, simply because it deserved it.
---
1. Survival Project, Quest of the Legendary Orb [Expired MMO] - This game from my experience was absolutely outstanding, of all the online games I've played, this is the one where Level meant absolutely nothing, and your skill was all that mattered.
You could choose from a major variety of well balanced characters, and relied more on your skills then Items.
Even if you had really good items, there is always a chance you could get your ass kicked by another player.
The Korean update which showed the "Avatar" where you customize your equipment really broke the balance which later became the downfall in PvP Matches.
If I had millions, I'd buy this gem just to play it in my spare time.

2. Legend of Dragoon [PS1] - When it comes to the PS1, LoD is the first thing to come to mind, other then the FF series.
This had a very fun unique style of gameplay with quite a few minigames/quests along the way.
The Graphics were awesome at the time, 3d and flashy while not ruining the experience. It was revolutionary.
The game was also well balanced, in the sense that if you made a wrong choice, you could get badly beaten, but still have some chance to recover, this made boss battles more about strategy then just attacking full force like FF games.
The Music is awesome throughout, it's so damn good it's on my iPod today.
It's story also didn't suffer from "Don't give a shit syndrome" and had me locked into the game even more.

3. Final Fantasy VII Disk 1 [PS1]- Take note that I only had disk one written, and not the others, there is a good reason behind this.
When playing in the atmosphere of Midgar, it was really dark, and was more about fighting the big company of Shinra for the rights of the people.
Blowing up reactors, sabotaging Shina's shit, and even infiltrating their HQ was all the glory the game needed.
When later leaving Midgar the story strayed and it made it harder to remain interested.
However even outside of Midgar it was lots of fun fighting stronger monsters, and many bosses.
The Golden Saucer was also loads of fun to play around in, and being in Cloud's Hometown and the Makou Mountains was pretty cool too.

But once it hit Disk 2, I totally lost interest.. It was getting more about revenge and it kept getting more cliche as it went on.
I did end up completing it, but went back to play Disk 1 simply because it was that fun.
The music was good, and the characters and magic spells were pretty balanced and fun to play with.

4. Megaman Legends I and II [PS1] - I could play this for days and never get tired of it.
It's unlike the side scrolling Megaman and went into a 3d environment.
The controls are excellent, the music is addictive, and the story is also pretty solid.
You can create weapons and items with goods you find from the ruins you go into, and each creation unlocks and does something different.

The boss battles are quite fun, although can be easily cheated on if you just circle around them and attack.
Legends II combated that problem by making things attack you from all directions at times, and at many times there are "danger spots" which harm you should you run into them.

This game is one hard son of a gun if you set them to normal or hard difficulty, since money is harder to come by, you actually have to find important parts to upgrade your weapons Power, Energy, Range, and Rapid firing, and when you get hit, it really hurts hard since your HP is so little.
However if you choose easy it's pretty much like hitting the "I win button" as you get the "Uber hax" attachment which pretty much makes you kill everything in 2 seconds, because it maxes your power, range and rapid fire maxed out.

Lots of suspenseful moments, as when you are just walking by, something would just fly at you and scare the shit out of you, especially if you have low HP you have to stay on your toes, because some of the enemies are very fast and come out of no where which kill you almost instantly.

The only downside is that Legends ended on a cliff hanger which made a sequel very possible, but no Legends III was created.
It was a major let down for me, but even still I can enjoy the classic two no problem.

5. Tales of Symphonia [GameCube] - This game has a pretty solid storyline which kept me interested, but the battle style wasn't turn based which I was used too. But rather a 3d freestyle battle arena.

The characters are fun, each having features which you either love or hate, all of them having different characteristics which felt realistic.
The Visuals are fun, having 2d represented in a 3d manner was neat to see.

Mithos is also pretty badass, as he would destroy the universe to save his sister, and given the chance he would do it all over again, not feeling remorse for his actions, no pity for anyone, not even his own trusted servants get a shred of respect from him.

It's only low on the list because it's a lot newer, so there is less nostalgic value to me, and the graphics and gameplay weren't really new at the time.
But still a great game nonetheless.

[Gatts]

1. Lunia: I haven't played a game as much or as long as I have lunia. I remember now going through 1-1 History and dieing at the boss on my lvl 2 sieg T.T but I persevered and made it to 57 eventually with the help of endless genos and snow fights. 24 war levels of snow fights. When I pvp'd other 24 war lvl players they were like WTF HOW DID U GET 24 WAR LVLS, bcuz I suked so bad. It is sadly starting to lose it's luster due to technical problems and lack of interest in staging.

2. CS:S and DoD:S : Probably the other games I logged the most hours on after Lunia. Only other game that would come close is the original Rainbow Six on MSN gaming zone before it turned super lame.

3. Total War Series: Shogun and Medieval 2: I love these games, turn based campaign map with real time battles is just amazing. Shogun was fun and easy to pick up and get good at but after a while it just needed more. Medieval 2 was out by the time I had interest in Total War again so I picked up and I love it so much. I still play it occasionally. I'm in the middle of a campaign as the english and am currently raping and pillaging my way through Germany and Italy. The pope is an *******.

4. Ace Combat 5: Loved this game. I unlocked every plane there was to unlock and when I did it all and got bored I deleted my save and re-started from the beginning. Haven't played it in a few months though.

5. NHL series: When friends gather at my place or theirs NHL is a must for the group. Beers and rivalries make this game so much more than what it is.
WARNING: THIS GAME MAY CAUSE EXCITEMENT AND RAGE PUNCHING.

Honourable mentions: Gran Turismo 3, Street Fighter Alpha 3 MAX, Xenogears (god this game needs a re-make). Brigandine (also needs a re-make with better storyline development and more maps). Baldur's Gate 2 ( I kept getting side tracked and never finished the main story, I could only ever get to chapter 3 before I had to do other stuff)

[lol]

idk

beatmania IIDX
djmax
popn music
smash bros melee
pokemon

i like rhythm games

[kuyaBaka]

Can't list 'em in any specific order, but here they are:

Chrono Cross
I'll admit, I've never played Chrono Trigger to experience that, but Chrono Cross was amazing. It's probably the only game I would ever bother to play multiple (and I mean multiple) times. With tons of different branches in gameplay, there's just a myriad of was to play it. Personally, I think the different "alternative" characters could have a more expanded plot and storyline, and possibly put in more connections to the main plot (although most did quite well), but what they had produced was just fine.

Sonic Adventure
Just the first one. Loved it so much. The different characters you could play opened different ways of playing (whether it be speeding through levels with Sonic, playing the "tag-along" as Tails, hunting for treasure with Knuckle, shooting things with Gamma, fishing with Big, smashing with Amy, etc.). Not only that, but the introduction of the "Chao" and "Chao Garden" gave the game more activities and mini-games aside from busting through stages and blazing through tracks.

Pokemon R/B/Y
Oh come on, this is self-explanatory. Everyone had these games, and it was fun bringing your Gameboy on the bus and trading Pokemon with your friends sitting next to you. Everyone loved collecting the poke-pixels, whether it be to lay down the hammer of God on your opponent or to enjoy the company of pixelated cute-ness.


(I'm about to just fall asleep on my keyboard, so I'll just continue this when I get the chance to)

[Pandiko]

1. FFX-2
2. FFXII
3. Samurai Warriors 2; Empires
4. Sonic Adventures Battle 2
5. War of the Monsters

1. FF series rule.
2. ^That.
3. Samurai Warriors is simply awesome. Latest one, I think. ~_~
4. Loved it. Mainly because of it being on Gamecube + multiplayer.
5. Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwesome k.

[Yukipyon]

Well, since I've been gaming for more than 15 years, I'll limit my list to the games released this decade (2000-2010). Also, these games are in no particular order:

1. Star Ocean: Till the end of time (PS2)

This was my very first Star Ocean game, and it was a blast. I know most people hated this game, but for some reason, I really fell in love with it. I really liked the sci-fi setting, the moves, the storyline (yes, and I thought that SO:TTEOT's plot twist was unique and unpredictable, and that's why I loved it), the characters (Fate was an awesome whiner IMO, and Welch was just hilarious), boss fights, etc. Heck, I loved this game so much, that I spent 300+ hours ON A SINGLE SAVE FILE. So far, I have not spent that much time on any other JRPG.

2. Wild Arms 3 (PS2)

Wild wild west! That was my first impression of the game. However, as the story progressed, it started introducing fantasy AND science fiction elements, and I thought that it was awesome. This game masterfully mixes fantasy, wild west, and science fiction together, and the end result is a very unique setting that I have yet to see in any other RPG. Also, the characters are very memorable, and even though there was no voice acting, the characters still felt very alive and entertaining. I loved Virginia Maxwell's upbeat personality, and Jet's mysterious backstory. Oh, and the music's incredible as well.

3. The Idolm@ster & The Idolm@ster SP (Xbox 360, PSP)

These two are basically the same game; the only difference is that Idolm@ster SP has a brand-new story mode. Anyways, for this decade, this is DEFINITELY the most unique game I've played. Basically, in this game, you play as a producer for 765 Productions, and on your first day, the president asks you to choose a girl to work with. Basically, the goal of the game is to turn that girl into a very successful idol, and you do that by doing promotions, going to auditions, holding live concerts, making TV appearances, etc. However, there are many different factors you must consider if you want her to become as successful as possible, such as vocal, visual, and dance training, fulfilling appointments with interviewers, and of course, the girl's happiness. Basically, if you work your idol too hard, she'll become upset and you won't gain "memory points" needed to succeed auditions. However, if you're too soft on her, she won't develop her singing and dancing skills, and thus, she'll never gain any fans. This game may look like your typical visual novel, but don't let looks deceive you; this is NOT a visual novel NOR an eroge. Rather, it is a simulation game, and a very unique one. I hate repeating myself, but really, this is one of the most unique games I've played this decade! Also, ALL the songs used in this game are original songs, and each idol has her own version of the song! And since there are more than 10 idols to choose from, that means that there are more than 10 different versions of the same song! Awesome!

Idolm@ster SP introduces a story mode, where your idol not only has to become as successful as possible, but also compete with idols from the rival production company, 961 Productions. This mode is much harder than the original mode, because the rival idols have incredible stats, which means that you'll have to train your idol even harder than before if you hope to beat your rivals. Also, this mode puts a time limit on your production career, where you have to increase your idol's rank in a limited number of weeks so that she can participate in the grand idol competition, the Idol Ultimate Competition (often referred to in-game as the I.U.). IMO, story mode is so much better (yet much more challenging) than free mode.

4. Monster Hunter Series (the PSP ones)

There isn't much to say that hasn't been said before. This series is just so addicting and fun, yet VERY challenging. I love it!

5. Resident Evil Code Veronica (Dreamcast, PS2)

Well, what can I say? This is, IMO, the greatest Resident Evil game ever. I love the storyline, the puzzles, the bosses, the scary atmosphere, and most of all, the music. The music fits so well with the environment and situation, especially when you fight the Bandersnatch for the first time. Alexia's battle theme is also great, and is one of my most favorite boss battle themes of all time!

[Dread]

Fav SNES games...
Chrono Trigger
Tales of Phantasia
Super Mario RPG
FF3(6)
Zelda: Link to the Past

ps:
FF8
FF7
Xenogears
The Legend of Dragoon
Metal Gear Solid

[Kotarou]

In no particular order:

1. Tales of Eternia - My first Tales game, and still my favorite till today.
2. Chrono Cross - I really liked this RPG thanks to its MASSIVE roster and also, Serge and Glenn's broken X-Strike (1hko boss anyone)
3. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night - This game? I saw someone playing it, and I got hooked. This game was the FIRST game I got with my Playstation Phat. Played this Vania to DEATH.
4. Yggdra Union: You'll Never Fight Alone - Epic scale war on Epic Portable Machine.
5. Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4 - Definitely one of my favorite RPGs - combining dating sim stuff with school and dungeon crawling and freaky monsters and stuff. Epic.

[Skiegh]

This is an immensely difficult thing to ask of me. I've played too many games to catalog them into my most liked and disliked but I'll try anyways.

1. U.N. Squadron (SNES)
Easily the best shoot em' up game ever made and a game that I have played countless times throughout the years. The power ups, the levels, the music, the difficulty, all absolutely perfect. Hard enough to not be ridiculous but easy enough to allow anyone new to shmups to play. This is also a game that I pledge my competency at. If anyone ever asked me what game I think I'm best at it would be this one. I was this close to uploading a video of my crusader only run but alas, everything was going fine until the good ol' ceiling boss. I can beat him but just not while recording I guess. One day I'll do it all on film just fine.

2. Grandia II (Dreamcast)
It has it's faults but no linear RPG has had me coming back to beat it quite as much as Grandia II. It is also the game where I learned to love all of Cam Clarke's voice overs. The game wouldn't have been as awesome without his voice, Ryudo's witty banter would just not have come through as well. The name "Skiegh" also came from this game as a unintentional spin off of the character "Skye."

3. Final Fantasy Tactics (Playstation) & Final Fantasy 4 (SNES)
I couldn't choose between them so I picked both. 4 is the first FF game I played as it was the second released in the US. It's what a Final Fantasy should be and has the best FF soundtrack taboot.

Tactics on the other hand just has so much to it. There are so many secrets, so much story, characters and changes. The game also has arguably the most in-depth turn based strategy, so much so there are people who play FFT on forums. I can't imagine being smart enough to do all the calculations while keeping track of the board and locations in my head.

4. Starcraft (PC)
I hate this game, I really do. You want to know what my old account's B.net record was back when I was Chrono415? 7 wins / 2557 loses. That is only one account too, believe me there are a lot more losses to go along with that. Who can blame me though as my oldest brother was and is so far superior to me at this game. The same group of online players that we played with all had similar records.

I hated 1v1s in SC and we almost always played with 4 or more people. However, once and not even that long ago I did a 1v1 with my brother and actually tried to think for a change. Easily the closest match ever, I actually felt like I pressured him and made him panic but alas, he beat me regardless. This game gets added to this list for both being the best RTS game now and most likely forever (Only SC2 can de-crown it but that won't be released for another 50 years.) and being such a staple of my childhood.

5. Doom/Doom 2/Final Doom/Doom 2 Plutonia project ext...
The granddaddy of FPS games and also one of the most unique of the genre. I still don't group Doom as a standard FPS game, it's such a vastly different experience than any other FPS. If you have not played doom and don't know what I mean, you must play it.

So many games I feel terrible for not listing...

[Johnnywup]

The World Ends with You
Classic, very fun, love the music, gameplay, everything.
Pokemon mystery dungeon (any)
It's fun, you can't deny it, whether you hate pokemon or love it.
Guitar Hero (Any)
I'm good, so playing Expert=Funnn
Dance Dance Revolution
I love beat games, I'm not so good at DDR, but its fun as hell
Random Flash Games
Flash games need recognition too! Theyre also fun.

[Momijii]

1. Final Fantasy Tactics A2 (<3 126 hours on my main save file)
2. Pokémon G/S/C (But all others are fine too; that includes the Mystery Dungeons too)
3. The World Ends With You (No comment on the epicness of this game)
4. Final Fantasy III (DS version, I actually like it more than IV)
5. Dissidia: Final Fantasy~

[kuyaBaka]

Originally Posted by Yukipyon

1. Star Ocean: Till the end of time (PS2)

This was my very first Star Ocean game, and it was a blast. I know most people hated this game, but for some reason, I really fell in love with it. I really liked the sci-fi setting, the moves, the storyline (yes, and I thought that SO:TTEOT's plot twist was unique and unpredictable, and that's why I loved it), the characters (Fate was an awesome whiner IMO, and Welch was just hilarious), boss fights, etc. Heck, I loved this game so much, that I spent 300+ hours ON A SINGLE SAVE FILE. So far, I have not spent that much time on any other JRPG.

Question: have you played Star Ocean 2?
SO2 trumps SO3, by far. <3

[Vindicta™]

In no order of preference.

1. Pokémon RPG series [GB, GBA, DS]
- Nostalgia strikes every time, since I've played all generations up till now.

2. Rayman Raving Rabbids series [Wii]
- What else would one expect from Rabbids...

3. Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune series [ARC]
- Love the gameplay, love the environment.

4. Monster Hunter Portable series [PSP]
- Requires multiplayer in order to maximize excitement factor. Multiplayer is good for health~

5. Pangya Portable [PSP]
- Better than the online versions. Paps shop, great physics, tournaments. Best of all, no need to worry about servers closing down.

[Accent]

- Zone of the Enders 2
- Super Robot Wars Alpha Gaiden
- Persona 2: Innocent Sin
- Metal Gear Solid 3
- Contra 3: Alien Wars

Too lazy to explain why.

[Yukipyon]

Originally Posted by kuyaBaka

Question: have you played Star Ocean 2?
SO2 trumps SO3, by far. <3

Yes, I have played all of the Star Ocean games (including Blue Sphere). All the other games just didn't stick to me as much as SO3 did. XD

[k0n]

No particular order with no explanation :

GTA series
Starcraft
Legend of Dragoon
MGS series

[Dook]

No particular order and no explanation for optimum laziness:

Final Fantasy Tactics
Suikoden 2
Final Fantasy 9
Legend of Dragoon
Chocobo Racing

The peak PS1's riegn (1999~2001) is truly a golden era of gaming for me o_O
Chrono Cross would've been in the top 5 but its notoriously crap battle music knocked it off the list.
One of these days I'll find the time to bask myself in LoD nostalgia.

[Momijii]

Originally Posted by Vindicta™

5. Pangya Portable [PSP]
- Better than the online versions. Paps shop, great physics, tournaments. Best of all, no need to worry about servers closing down.

Arin in the intro... Pretty much my favorite part about the game.

[Cornflake]

Aladdin (genesis)
Sonic 2
Cave Story
Legend of Mana
Parasite Eve 2

They're all fairly easy games but they always keep me entertained when I play.