Awe inspiring games [Archive]

SubSane

07-15-2007, 11:52 PM

So I'm in a rut. I have plenty of unplayed games to keep me busy, but they all fall under the "more of the same" category. The last few games I can think of that just blew my mind were Okami, Shadow of the Colossus, or MGS3. I'm playing through Twilight Princess right now but so far it's really meh, as it is simply OoT: The Next Generation.

I'm looking for recommendations. Deep story... beautiful visuals... memorable characters... if it made you stop and think or simply sit in awe then I'd like to hear about it.

H Thompson

07-16-2007, 02:09 AM

All 3 of those games are some of my favourites of all time, because as you say, they just sort of bring about feelings you don't usually get when don't playing videogames
Twilight Princess does too eventually. And of course Silent Hill 2 is one of those games.
Psychonauts and Second Sight are also ok for that sort of thing, but not quite to the same extent.

Nebuchanezzar

07-16-2007, 02:40 AM

Metroid Prime, so long as characters aren't important. And of course, the brilliant Banjo-Kazooie.

Tino

07-16-2007, 10:18 AM

Gears of War and Metroid Prime had amazing visuals and gameplay. Although they are totally different, they both are very impressive games that define the shooter genre.

General Jack D. Ripper

07-16-2007, 10:19 AM

I'm actually currently replaying BK. Anyone who doubts the awesomeness of Click Clock Wood should be burned at the stake.

BigButtSkinner

07-16-2007, 10:58 AM

Yeah, Banjo-Kazooie and Banjo-Tooie (the sequel) are facking amazing. If you have an N64 they are a must, because I doubt they will be released to the Virtual Console due to issues with Rare.

Super Paper Mario is a really good game if you own a Wii. I wouldn't call it awe-inspiring but it's very addicting, has a great variety of stages, and will keep you busy for at least 15-20 hours. One of the best Wii games so far.

Bill Cosby

07-16-2007, 11:03 AM

Eternal Darkness is quite immersive, although some people think it's wildly overrated.

Supreme Stonecutter

07-16-2007, 01:34 PM

Gears of War and Metroid Prime had amazing visuals and gameplay. Although they are totally different, they both are very impressive games that define the shooter genre.

Really? Gears helps to define the shooter genre? Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed playing, but it was the same tired gameplay over and over and over with very little environment or enemy variation (seriously, next to no enemy variation). The game was fun but it was the SAME thing over and over again. I don't quite understand why it gets such praise.

The biggest awe inspiring game for me, and one that definitely helped define the shooter genre is the original Half-Life, who's shelf life lived on for over 4 years after its initial release and spawned tons of mods. Amazing story, great gameplay, good sense of suspense, and original enemies really made that game great.

Tino

07-16-2007, 02:14 PM

Really? Gears helps to define the shooter genre? Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed playing, but it was the same tired gameplay over and over and over with very little environment or enemy variation (seriously, next to no enemy variation). The game was fun but it was the SAME thing over and over again. I don't quite understand why it gets such praise.

The biggest awe inspiring game for me, and one that definitely helped define the shooter genre is the original Half-Life, who's shelf life lived on for over 4 years after its initial release and spawned tons of mods. Amazing story, great gameplay, good sense of suspense, and original enemies really made that game great.

I agree with you on Half-Life, but the first time I played Gears, it was one of the most impressive games I ever played because of the visuals and gameplay. It gets so much praise because it wasn't another Halo knock off. I admit it can get boring, but if you want an awe inspiring game, play Gears of War and you will be bored no more.

morbot

07-16-2007, 02:30 PM

I agree with Half-Life... I don't think I've ever played a game before or after that sucked me into feeling like I was playing through a movie... not just running down corridors shooting things.

Supreme Stonecutter

07-16-2007, 02:45 PM

I agree with you on Half-Life, but the first time I played Gears, it was one of the most impressive games I ever played because of the visuals and gameplay. It gets so much praise because it wasn't another Halo knock off. I admit it can get boring, but if you want an awe inspiring game, play Gears of War and you will be bored no more.

I guess the visuals are enough to give the "awe" factor, but I thought we were looking at games as a whole entity. See I don't put Halo in there either, I think both franchises are a result of timing. Halo didn't really offer anything new (hell the character designs are almost straight from Doom) and didn't really do anything for the shooter genre that hadn't been done prior. HOWEVER, it was great as a console shooter, something very few games were able to accomplish at that point, and was key early in the XBOX life cycle. It was one of the first really strong exclusive games for that system. I feel the same way about Gears. Looks nice, sure, groundbreaking, no. Awe inspiring? Not really. I don't find it fun after one play through though online helps. For me a game needs to have more than 3 enemies to be an awe inspiring attention holding replayable shooter. The story on Gears was also really weak and told pretty poorly (cough ending blew cough). I don't mean to bash Gears, it's fun, I just wouldn't put it up on the same shelf as my Minor-B baseball trophies in terms of memorable.

Supreme Stonecutter

07-16-2007, 02:52 PM

Other games that absolutely floored me....

Metal Gear Solid (PS1) - one of the most gripping games I've ever played, groundbreaking on so many levels.

FFVII (PS1) - killer story, great character development, impressive visuals (at the time).

NFL 2K5 (PS2/XBOX) - for a sports game this had it all. An incredibly deep game with jaw dropping visuals and what remains the best presentation in sports games to date. I've never seen a sports game with a strong pre/post game report, Sportscenter highlight show for season game recaps, or a full fledged half-time video break down in any other sports title. It really captured that "i'm in a season" essence.

GoldenEye (N64) - that was the first console multiplayer game that had me in a frenzy. Everyone was attached at the hip to my N64 when I bought it.

GTA III - though i'm not a huge post GTA II fan I was incredibly impressed by the depth of this game and the open world format. Huge at the time.

Discworld (PC) - I know this one seems strange but if you've ever played it you'll know why. It had the humor of Sam and Max: Hit The Road (another fantastic game) with an art design that was just shocking at the time. It was hard as hell but the story and sense of humor made it worthwhile.

W.P.

07-16-2007, 03:00 PM

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e9/ZeldaMMbox.jpg

I didn't quite get into Majora's Mask the first time I played it (I was about 8 at the time). Another round in my teens and it struck me as probably the best video game I have ever played. The themes are so original, the characters are so bright, the visuals are dated but nonetheless amazing, and the gameplay is foolproof. The game just sucks you in and won't let go.

I could probably say the same about Donkey Kong 64 only because it is so damn big. Yeah, I'm a 64-guy.

Nebuchanezzar

07-16-2007, 06:39 PM

Might want to try replaying Doom (preferably Doom II). I did last year, and had a blast.

SubSane

07-16-2007, 07:23 PM

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e9/ZeldaMMbox.jpg

I didn't quite get into Majora's Mask the first time I played it (I was about 8 at the time). Another round in my teens and it struck me as probably the best video game I have ever played. The themes are so original, the characters are so bright, the visuals are dated but nonetheless amazing, and the gameplay is foolproof. The game just sucks you in and won't let go.

Amen, brother. I always speak praises for this game over it's much more formulaic predecessor.

But man, good stuff. I never thought much about the BK series but I may one day, when I get my N64 up here. Any more PS2/Wii/Xbox360 recommendations?

Nebuchanezzar

07-16-2007, 07:28 PM

Banjo-Kazooie?

Binky

07-16-2007, 07:40 PM

SimCity 2000 anyone? Also, the original Grand Theft Auto, Zelda: Link to the Past, and Chrono Trigger were all pretty innovative in their time and I loved playing them around the time when they first came out (or a few years later).

Nebuchanezzar

07-16-2007, 08:17 PM

Oh yeah. Play Sim City 4 as well to gain an appreciation for 2000 and 3000. It's just not as good. :(

Jims

07-16-2007, 08:49 PM

F-ZERO GX. There aren't that many games that really wow me, but this one did. The game is just ridiculously fast. In addition, the stacks are visually stunning and the controls are tight and responsive. Playing that game is a real rush.

I didn't quite get into Majora's Mask the first time I played it (I was about 8 at the time). Another round in my teens and it struck me as probably the best video game I have ever played. The themes are so original, the characters are so bright, the visuals are dated but nonetheless amazing, and the gameplay is foolproof. The game just sucks you in and won't let go.

I agree. Majora's Mask was a masterpiece. A thought-provoking and difficult game. In my opinion, the game has aged really well, even better than Ocarina of Time.

gangman

07-16-2007, 10:19 PM

N64 RULES!!!!

now that ive cleared that up i think some of the most awe inspiring ones that have hit me would be
FF7-12 (along with the FF7 movie. the graphics were FUCKING AWESOME!!! :-)... )
.hack//GU 2-3 (1 wasnt as good)
part of KH 1 and 2
some of the zelda series

Nebuchanezzar

07-16-2007, 11:29 PM

If you want epic, I suppose you could try Twilight Princess on the Wii. It's epic, hence awe-inspiring (although truth be told, I'm finding parts of it highly frustrating and dull).

SubSane

07-17-2007, 12:16 AM

I'm playing through Twilight Princess right now but so far it's really meh, as it is simply OoT: The Next Generation.

I concur.

Nebuchanezzar

07-17-2007, 01:14 AM

Oops. I got caught up in the naming of awe inspiring games that I forgot to refer back to the original post. :ashamed:

Well uh, have you ever played Donkey Kong Country? That thing addicted me first time I played it.

Channel Surfer

07-17-2007, 02:35 AM

I haven't gone next-gen yet, so I'm reluctant to recommend anything for the 360 or Wii.

Two slightly less discussed cult games you might want to consider for the PS2 are Siren and God Hand. Siren is in some ways the spiritual successor to the Silent Hill series, created and directed by the same person who created and directed the original Silent Hill game and designed with a similar purpose of shaking up what he felt was stagnation in the survival horror genre. The game is divisive for a number of reasons, the notably higher than average challenge with near instant failure stealth and impossible to truly kill enemies, the questionable voice acting (in particular it kept the British voices for the dub in the US), the complicated storyline (it makes the original Silent Hill seem easy to follow), the deep entrenchment in old school adventure games conventions with the triangle select screen, and the necessity of replaying old levels multiple times. That said, it's the only horror game I know that can out Silent Hill Silent Hill in regards to story depth, emotional power, atmosphere, and psychological horror. There's a lot of merit here to the game, certainly worth at least a look.

God Hand is unfortunately under noticed, perhaps due to its IMO purposefully retro-look and infamously unfair review from IGN. That said, its my favorite of the Clover Studio games ever made (yes, that includes Okami), with its goofy, deliberate parody storyline that's actually well localized enough to be genuinely funny, a ridiculous amount of character customization, and a gamer's game challenge. It helps also that Shinji Mikami supervised it, ripping some of his best ideas from his past games, most notably Resident Evil 4. Highly recommended.

H Thompson

07-17-2007, 02:45 AM

Forbidden Siren 2 isn't the same series as Siren is it? It's just I'd seen it compared to SH and it's supposed to be very difficult.

kupomog

07-17-2007, 02:48 AM

Yes Forbidden Siren is the same as Siren in localization. I would totally recommend it as well. It is a little hard to get into at first however you will find yourself being haunted by the atmosphere and the fact that you're kind of extremely helpless throughout the entire game. <3 Harumi's levels.

Channel Surfer

07-17-2007, 02:59 AM

Forbidden Siren 2 isn't the same series as Siren is it? It's just I'd seen it compared to SH and it's supposed to be very difficult.

Actually, that's the sequel to Siren/Forbidden Siren (series name depending on where you live, like kupo said).

Never played the sequel because it hasn't been released in the US (and probably never will due to poor US sales) so I can't assess its challenge. The original however is very demanding, though I think people overstate its enemy challenge a bit. It never gets much worse than in the early levels truthfully. In the absolute worst-case scenario, try and die thinking should get you through most levels (since it is a stealth/horror game, so randomness is rare and ultra-quick reflexes aren't needed). I actually think a few of the puzzles are more unfair than the enemies, to be honest.

kupomog

07-17-2007, 03:09 AM

Siren was difficult in the sense that you tend to have no idea what to do. And there are many storyline threads that are hard to figure out the first time around. And you also can have second objectives in certain levels that need a requirement from another level (and sometimes from another character). The requirements made no goddamn sense to me and you never really get any hints as to what to do for them so I missed a ton of them. It would be stuff like...like...well I can remember but uh..."wet a towel and put it in a freezer!", something like that. "Hide in the locker and find a candle!" It's been so long since I've played...I really should have another go.

H Thompson

07-17-2007, 03:37 AM

Well I know 2 has got better reviews in the UK games media, and it is available, so I might just be getting it then.

jim

07-17-2007, 12:27 PM

The only game I have played in years that I would call "awe inspiring" is Oblivion. Its got to be the most beautiful game ever made. What other games have you running up a mountain for no reason just to admire the view? Or have you admiring the architecture of a castle? Just an incredible game.

H Thompson

07-17-2007, 12:33 PM

Quite a few actually

jim

07-17-2007, 12:57 PM

Quite a few actually
Like? Name a single game with a gameworld on par with Oblivion, in terms of size, design, realism and beauty.

SubSane

07-19-2007, 12:25 AM

Yea, Oblivion's one on my to-buy list. What's always put me off is that it seems too RPGish and cliche. Brave knight battles evil warlords and all that boring jazz.

What do y'alls hear about a game called Odin Sphere? I'm told if I liked Symphony of the Night (quite epic), then I'll dig that game.

kupomog

07-19-2007, 12:37 AM

Odin Sphere is love. Amazing visuals and the gameplay is tops. Pick it up.

It's obvious to go here but anyone who is remotely interested in awesome 2D RPG should check this out, watch the trailer in the archives:

http://www.atlus.com/odinsphere/

Odin Sphere and Ar Tonelico make me go squeeeeee.

http://www.nisamerica.com/games/artonelico/

SubSane

07-19-2007, 12:55 AM

I'm big on modern 2D in general. I'll pick 'er up on the next Gamestop run.

H Thompson

07-19-2007, 03:12 AM

Like? Name a single game with a gameworld on par with Oblivion, in terms of size, design, realism and beauty.

I just meant that in a lot of games, I enjoy just pausing to look around at the view - SOTC, Tomb Raider, Okami, even something like Jak & Daxter.

Anyway I'm playing through Killer 7, and it really wants to be an arty awe inspiring game, but it's just not as effective as it wants to be, although it is sort of starting suck me in.

SubSane

07-19-2007, 08:59 AM

Anyway I'm playing through Killer 7, and it really wants to be an arty awe inspiring game, but it's just not as effective as it wants to be, although it is sort of starting suck me in.

That game has such a slow, boring start. But as you said the weirdness begins to suck you in and it gets much better.

kwikemart1234

07-19-2007, 10:22 AM

sonic the hedgehog
gta: san andreas
super mario bros.

DAntae

07-19-2007, 10:25 AM

a lot of really good ones have been mentioned.

this is going to be kind of an odd choice, but the first myst game. espeically the first time I played it, it was pretty much like nothing else. at the time it was incredible to see, the puzzles were well thought out, the game was just awesome in every way. had me hooked for months, replay after replay. then the series continued and well, it has dropped a lot.

thecapecoddah

07-19-2007, 10:43 AM

dan you bastard..... I also came here to say myst

that and donkey kong country, those graphics were something else back in the early 90's

DAntae

07-19-2007, 10:51 AM

just delete mine and put your name on it. its what those with power in most industries do.

glad to see someone else really really recognized how awesome it was.

General Jack D. Ripper

07-19-2007, 10:55 AM

Well, for the Wii, so far Super Paper Mario is one of its best games, up there with Twilight Princess. It really tells an epic story especially for a mario game and the graphics are simple for today's standards but very effective. The gameplay is also very addictive and fun. Plus, it's packed with plenty of humor as well.