Genre: FPS (First Person Shooter)
Grade: 2 - This is one of the very first and certainly the most addicting multiplayer games of all times. Although based on a simple concept of Terrorists vs Counter-Terrorist, it's fast-paced multiplayer teamplay action was soon to make it one of the iconic games of the 21 century. Even though version 1.6 was launched in 2003 (almost 4 years after the first version) the game is still very popular today, with over 14.000 servers at one time active every day on Steam, and the game still being played by clans (5 man teams) in important international competitions like CAL, ESL and others.
Game concept: The game is basically the war between Terrorists and Counter-Terrorist. The terrorists have the objective to plant the bomb in one of the bombsites. Counter-Terrorists must prevent the Terrorist from planting the bomb or defuse it if planted. Either team can also win by eliminating the entire opposing team.
What about it: The driving force of the game is the unique game dynamics. Although you need to rely on your team, and win through teamplay, personal skill is also crucial in this tactical shooter. A single man can make the difference between victory and defeat. Clans rely on strategies to dominate the round, having people with specific roles in the team. The graphics are heavily outdated today, which clearly shows that the main part of the game is it's addictive gameplay; the game could might as well be black and white.
The 3D sound also plays a major role in the gameplay experience. If you are wearing headphones you can accurately detect the position of an enemy player from his footsteps. However, more experienced players can walk (makes no sound), so most of the times just a single shot or sound can trigger the clash between the two teams. Each weapons has it's specific sound (so for example if you hear a sniper shot at long range, you know you have to hide).
The negative side, however, of the game is that it's played on rounds, and it tends to get repetitive and some point. Even though the outcome of every round is different, it's played mainly the same way, and the game introduces no new content.
This game is still good today because it's main focus was putting the player in front of the decision, playability, skill, and more importantly fun; rather than eye candy.
Warcraft III: Frozen Throne
Genre: RTS (Real Time Strategy)
Grade: 1 - The long awaited sequel to the Warcraft saga has risen to overcome it's expectations. Introducing ground breaking concepts like Unkeep, Hero Units, Unique spells, items, and abilities, along with breath taking cinematic and 3D graphics, Hollywood worthy storyline with twists and turns and a vast array of character voices, races and personalities, Warcraft creates a highly immersive world that just keeps you trapped in front of your computer screen.
Grade: 1 - The long awaited sequel to the Warcraft saga has risen to overcome it's expectations. Introducing ground breaking concepts like Unkeep, Hero Units, Unique spells, items, and abilities, along with breath taking cinematic and 3D graphics, Hollywood worthy storyline with twists and turns and a vast array of character voices, races and personalities, Warcraft creates a highly immersive world that just keeps you trapped in front of your computer screen.
Rappelz Epic V: Draconic Age
Genre: MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer On-line Role Playing Game)
Grade 3 - Rappelz is one of the first games to implement the idea of the pet as a important part of the gameplay. Your pet is independent from your character and gains skills and experience on his own. Other than that Rappelz is just a typical Lineage inspired game.
Final Fantasy 7
Genre: TBS/RPG (Turn Based Strategy / Role Playing Game)
Grade 1 - Everywhere you search for it, this game will surely be in the top 5 best games of all time. It's that good. Period.
Game concept: You play the role of Cloud Strife, and ex member of the SOLDIER organistaion, now joined up with the rebels in order to fight the ShinRa corporation who wants to destroy the planet.
What about it: The story line is certainly the game's strongest point; it is incredibly complex and diverse. The idea behind the game is presenting the main protagonist as a group of people rather than a single person, thus promoting teamwork. Each of the characters has it's own unique skills, however these are not sufficient to progress through the game, making the player have to make good use of each character's weakness and strengths. Each character plays a crucial role in the puzzle, which you discover as the story unfolds. The graphics are primitive today, with a isometric pre-rendered backgrounds and 3D characters on top for the world map, and low-poly characters and world for the battle mode. Although the game is an RPG, the battle is turn based. The game is so immersive that you feel like you are told a story, but the difference is you take part of it.
The battle system is the main part of the game, and complements the story very good. Although it tends to get repetitive, the game constantly rewards you with new content such as items, spells, abilities and even characters. The music is just classic midi, but melds with the rest of the components to create a laid-back relaxing atmosphere. This game may seem harmless at first glance , but it's very easy to spend 7-8 hours playing it straight.
Heroes of Might and Magic III: Restoration of Erathia
Genre: TBS (Turn Based Strategy)
Grade 2 - Very thought through and balanced. The successor of a popular and prestigious series. Definitely a must-have in your game collection.
Painkiller
Genre: FPS (First Person Shooter)
Grade 3: Really a lot of fun to play.
Game concepts: As the tag line "Heaven's got a hit man" suggest, through some unfavourable circumstances you are send by Heavens to cleanse the world from Lucifer and his demonic minions.
What about it: The game is simply crazy. All you have to do is run around killing all sort of creatures with a vast array of weapons of mass destruction. The game has good graphics and features (new at that time) Havok physics engine that boosts the gameplay experience to a whole new level. All you do the whole game is see how ragdolls react when you blow them up, pin or impale them, that's one of the reasons why the stake launcher is one of the most fun to play with weapons.
The game really helps you relax and get rid of stress by allowing you to safely target your anger.
Spoiler: Once in a while you get a buff that allows you to kill everything in one touch (now how cool is that?)
Max Payne
Genre: FPS (First Person Shooter)
Grade 2: A noir story about how fast the American Dream can turn into a nightmare. (You actually get to play the nightmares as well in the game)
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