Top Ten Tuesday - Ten Series That Need A New Game

Written By: Tyler

I haven't done a Top Ten Tuesday in a while, but I was sitting around discussing Smash Brothers with my own little brother (yes my very own!). We were talking about what characters, from any console/company, we'd like to see in the new one. This got me thinking about old games that I miss, so here we are at the newest Top Ten Tuesday.

Games like Metroid aren't included here because it's not like it's been that long since a new Metroid, and Nintendo has already mentioned new ones. To qualify for this list, you have to be a series that has remained dormant for an extended period of time (with some exceptions), especially despite fan outcry (or just my own), and it has to have more than one game. This list isn't for individual games that need sequels, as that's an article I will probably write at a later date.

Originality and new IPs be damned, here are the top ten video game series that need a new game entry.

10: F-Zero

Okay Nintendo, it's about time that you bring back this franchise. When you look back to the SNES F-Zero, it's mostly just a fast racer with pretty simplistic tracks. When I look at what Nintendo has done with the newest Mario Kart, it's hard not to drool all over myself when I consider what that could mean for F-Zero. Mario Kart 8 has some of the most insane tracks of any Mario Kart, and that amount of craziness could lend itself well to the speed of F-Zero. Let's get on it Nintendo.


9: Half-Life

To a lot of people, a new Half-Life would probably top this list. I like Half-Life... hell, I think that it's very deserving of its legendary status, but I'm not a Half-Life fanatic. That's why it's only number nine on my list. With that said, there's been teasing, waiting and annoying internet memes, all in the name of Half-Life 3, so Valve should really just release the damn thing and watch as the latest installment of its classic first-person shooter franchise gets 9.5s and 10s all across the board by critics.


8: Battletoads

When I was growing up we had a lot of great beat 'em ups, and Battletoads was always one of my favourites. While we've seen Double Dragons, we haven't seen a new Battletoads in a very long time. Why is that? I reckon part of it is just that this genre isn't as popular as it once was among the mainstream, but Battletoads is such a classic series with its fun fighting mechanics and its over-exaggerated moves, it's hard not to thirst for a new one.


7: Perfect Dark

The original Perfect Dark didn't innovate like Goldeneye 64 did, but it was a better game. It took the formula and upgraded it in all ways. The only criticism I have of it is the frame rate drops when things start getting hot and heavy. Still, it is a classic.

Jump ahead to 2005, and we get a new installment: Perfect Dark Zero. It didn't set the world on fire, but it was a solid game with some great multiplayer maps. I really enjoyed it. Since then, Rare had pitched the idea to Microsoft to make more, but it never flew. Instead, Rare is making Kinect games while Joanna Dark and crew are lost in the shuffle.


6: Genghis Khan

Genghis Khan 2: Glan of the Gray Wolf stands tall in a generation that had a lot of amazing history simulation/strategy games. We had Nobunaga's Ambition, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Liberty or Death, and many more, but Genghis Khan 2 is the best and is my favourite strategy game of all-time. There have been Japanese sequels, but even those were a long time ago now. I know the market isn't what it once was, but I'd love to see a new installment of this series.


5: Chrono Series

The crowning achievement of the SNES is arguably Chrono Trigger. It's one of the finest RPGs ever made. So excitement was high for the sequel Chrono Cross. When Chrono Cross came out, it sold really well and was critically acclaimed, but some fans weren't happy. It had elements of Chrono Trigger, but it wasn't seen as a true sequel to the SNES classic. I love Chrono Cross, myself, but it's not Chrono Trigger to me, despite the amazing soundtrack, the large cast, and the great story.

Then the Chrono series disappeared. There hasn't been a new game. I don't expect a direct sequel to Chrono Trigger, with the same characters, though admittedly after all this time it would be nice to see them again. I'm not picky, I just want a new game.


4: The Lost Vikings

Blizzard has incredible series like Warcraft, Starcraft and Diablo, but my favourite is The Lost Vikings. I loved the co-op puzzle/platformer, where each Viking had his own limitations and abilities and you had to go through the levels using all three. It was a great mechanic back in the day, and despite the Lost Vikings showing up in games like World of Warcraft, we have yet to see another new game in the franchise... and quite frankly it's long overdue.


3: Earthbound/Mother

Even if I wasn't a huge fan of Earthbound and Mother 3, I would include this on the list because there have been very few franchises with this kind of fan demand. There is technically a Mother 4 coming, but it's fan-made. Each game has been a unique take on certain things, and I think it's about time that they give into what the fans want and just release another one. That's right, I'm telling them what to do.

 
2: Ogre Battle

Ogre Battle: March of the Black Queen is one of the best games ever. The excellent blend of strategy and RPG was really appealing at the time and I spent hours and hours playing it because there is a lot of replay value and secrets to find. I still don't think I know where everything is. I really liked Ogre Battle 64 too and think it's one of the best games on the N64. There have been spin-offs like Tactics Ogre, but I would lose it if they announced a new game in the series like the SNES one.


1: Timesplitters

There are games I like more than Timesplitters, like Earthbound and Ogre Battle, but I adore Timesplitters as it's one of my favourite shooters ever. So why is it number one if there are games I like more? Because they keep throwing it in our face. First it was in development, then it stopped. Then it got cancelled. Then Crytek said they wanted to make it. They're still saying it's something they want to make. I wish they would because in this world of grim shooters, it'd be nice to have a light-hearted, fast shooter with a sense of humour... and monkeys.


Honourable Mentions:
Commander Keen
Loaded
Power Stone
Shenmue


So what did you think? Did I miss a series that you really like? Let me know in the comments below or feel free to make friends with me on Twitter @ArtBathednCrime. Until next time, Happy Tuesday.

Video Game History Month AND Top Ten Tuesday - Top 10 Best 16-Bit Video Game Songs (For Me Of Course)

 Written By: Tyler

I haven't done a Top Ten Tuesday in a while, but I decided that since it's Video Game History Month, I'll do a Top 10 Best 16-Bit Video Game Songs. This is a collection of tunes -- mostly for the SNES -- that I can still listen to today and enjoy them as much as I did back then. These are top of their class-type songs.


10: Ogre Battle - Thunder (Revolt)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDAMxLKY2EY 

This song almost didn't make the list, but then I listened to it again. It's not a song that I listen to a lot, but when I hear it a lot of great Ogre Battle memories come flooding back to me. This is the song that often plays as you lay siege to everything, and it's such a great song for a war... watching your troops proceed and attack. Ogre Battle was special, and this song -- along with the battle theme -- help make it that way.


9:  General Chaos - General Chaos Theme
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tO63dZic1l8

There's a lot of war going on in my list. This song pumps me up for battle.


8: The Lost Vikings Theme (SNES)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAd9x5fTSVo 

I'm not entirely sure why they picked a song like this to be the theme music for a game about Vikings, but dammit it worked because I get excited every time I hear it. It's cool, and when you pair it with the images of the Lost Vikings posing, you have quite a team. The whole soundtrack is great, but this really sets the tone.


7: Secret of Evermore - Dog Maze
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSQszBHMHHc

Secret of Evermore is a bit of an underrated game I think, and Dog Maze is one of the best SNES tracks of all time. The beginning especially is extremely haunting and it conjures up sad images in my head. After all this time, honestly, I can't even remember where the song is actually from but despite that the music fits the title. Dog Maze, indeed.


6: Final Fantasy 2/4 - Sorrow In Loss
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfT4X-Sr6Bc

I could make an entire list of great Final Fantasy tracks. Hell, I could probably make a Top Ten of just Final Fantasy 4 tracks, but since I said I'd only pick one song from each game, I'm choosing to represent Final Fantasy 4 with one of the most depressing video game songs I've ever heard. It perfectly captures the mood and adds a lot to any scene it's in.


5: Super Metroid Theme
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vYsVk23oxA

When you're flying through space as a bounty hunter, seeing things that a normal person could only dream of, you need a fitting song to represent the simultaneous badassdom and isolation. Cue the Super Metroid theme. It plays at the beginning when Samus is recapping what's been going on in her boring life, and as a kid it creeped me out. Now it just makes me go "hell yeah!"


4: Chrono Trigger - The Day The World Revived
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwi9cjQkteA 

There's a lot of good music in Chrono Trigger -- hell, despite placing this particular song at number 4 as opposed to 1, it's actually one of the best soundtracks of all time -- but I'm a miserable young man and sad, pretty music is what gets me. I considered the Magus theme because of how kick-ass it is for a theme of someone, but I went with this song that manages to install hope but be incredibly tragic at the same time.


3: Final fantasy 3/6 - Atma Weapon Theme
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KH40gYZhwWI

Atma gets its own battle theme, and it's awesome. It's such an intense song, and manages to make Atma feel like the biggest boss battle ever. 


2: Lufia & The Fortress of Doom - Fortress of Doom (Last Duel)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzBsFGh6zoc

I won't say a lot about the scene, but this plays at the beginning and this song will always benefit from the marriage of it with that scene. But even by itself, it's still one of the best "dungeon" songs of all-time. I hear it and I can't help but feel hyped to explore the fortress.


1: Secret of Mana - Opening Theme
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6YAiLHXw_c

You don't have to wait long until you hear one of the best video game tracks ever. Turn on Secret of Mana, and just let it do its thing for a while. This gorgeous tune will play that will sweep you away to another world, and if you're like me, you will be in awe of how pretty and emotional it is -- and at this point you haven't even done anything yet! I can't quit this song.

Top Ten Tuesday - 10 Best Action RPGs (Hack n' Slash Yo) Of All Time

Written By: Tyler

Because the Diablo 3 expansion Reaper of Souls has been released today, I figured it was fitting (and topical, go me!) to share my Top Ten ARPGs with the entire world. If you are unsure of what I mean, I am talking a sub-genre of the RPG that focuses a lot on demolishing hordes upon hordes of enemies while getting copious amounts of loot.

One last thing... I tend to only pick one game from a series when doing these lists so I don't take up a bunch of spots if there's a few good games in a series. The only time I pick multiple games from the same series is if I feel they are different enough from one another to warrant being their own separate entity.

So let's do this.



10: Torchlight 2

There's a lot of wonkiness on this list, even though I feel I include a lot of the choices other people would. Torchlight 2 should be higher in a lot of people's mind, as many feel it is the true Diablo 2 successor (not Diablo 3). Some people were more excited for this sequel than Diablo 3.

I enjoy Torchlight 2, and I like that the character classes break away from what we expect. I wasn't a huge fan of the artstyle, but the main reason it isn't higher is simply because I didn't play it enough to put it higher. Had I sunk a bunch of hours in to truly experience it, it may have gotten higher.


9: Realm of the Mad God

Which is why a game like Realm of The Mad God is probably a contentious choice. Some would say it's not even in the genre, but with its focus on loot and fast-paced combat, I would say that it has enough in common with the genre to be included here. I don't care. It's my list. I do what I want.

Realm of the Mad God has a great name, but it's on here because underneath the simple graphics, it is an intense ARPG/MMO Shooter. There's usually a lot going on and when you raid the castle of the Mad God it's thrilling. Okay, so it's probably more MMORPG than ARPG, kind of the reverse of Marvel Heroes which is more ARPG than MMORPG. But still.


8: Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2

It's just an action RPG with superheroes. It doesn't do anything special with the genre but it's a solid experience that gets more points with me because playing as Deadpool makes me happy.


7: Champions: Return To Arms

Champions: Return To Arms is just another solid Fantasy ARPG. The leveling up system is fine, the classes are interesting but not altogether different from other games within the genre... but what matters most is that the game is designed and balanced well on all fronts.

6: Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance 2

It's very probable that Champions is better than this, but I spent so much time with this one and have so many memories that I have to put it higher. Much like Champions, it's not that it does anything incredibly different, but this was also on PS2 and was top of its class.


5: Borderlands 2

Of course, there's always going to be some argument when it comes to genres, but I think Borderlands is more acceptable than Realm of The Mad God. Hear me out: Borderlands is basically Diablo with guns. Copious amounts of loot (weapons in this case)? Check. A bunch of enemies to fight? Sure, though not as many as in Diablo. Spiritually I think the game is similar. Okay, so maybe I stretch it a bit to include it, but I stand by Borderlands being on this list.


4: Titan Quest

Described as a Diablo clone, it also does it incredibly well. It had some of the problems that Diablo 2 had (yes, there are problems with that game... look below), but it also did some really interesting things with the genre in the sense that you can actually choose a main class and a sub-class. That was really great to me. Outside of that, it's just solid hack n' slash RPG action.



3: Diablo 2/3

I took the easy way out on this one, because I'm constantly conflicted. This will be the longest entry, but I have a lot to say about it.

I think Diablo 2 is a better game... I think. In case you didn't realize it, I think.

I actually only came to Diablo with Diablo 3, which is blasphemy in some circles. I didn't have the loyalty to the second one so I just played it as it is. I also played it with my brother which makes games significantly better and makes me think highly of the game. I put over a hundred hours into Diablo 3.

So I went back to Diablo 2 and tried it out since it's cheap. I also played it with my brother, who has been playing Diablo for a long time. The game has not aged as well as it could have, and I know, I know, that's not overly fair to the game since it is influential and old. Obviously some things will improve. In a bunch of ways, Diablo 2 is better than the third. I am also aware of mods that will improve the issues that I don't like about the second, and I guess the ability to mod should be considered when choosing a game. But the problems in the original, unmodded D2 still exist.

Diablo 3 isn't a perfect game, but I do really enjoy it. It was a little bit different than some of the other games in the genre, in regards to how it handles leveling up, but some of the criticisms (like the visuals) are just dumb in my eyes.

But still, I'll give Diablo 2 the nod over 3.


2: Path of Exile

Path of Exile has a good argument for being the greatest game in this genre, and I would give it that distinction had I spent more time with it. Whether people want to admit it or not, the time spent with a game can get you more emotionally invested and make you think the game is better than it may actually be. But I love Path of Exile. It just ended up getting lost in the shuffle.

Why do I love it? The leveling up system is basically the Sphere Grid from Final Fantasy X, which is one of my favourite leveling systems of all time. It also breaks from the norm and instead of having money it operates on a barter system. The way you get skills is by putting gems into your weapons and armor. It just does a bunch of things different and it's really refreshing.

Best of all, it's free.

1: Sacred 2: Fallen Angel

I give Sacred 2 the slight nod over Path of Exile for now, even if it is a little more normal than PoE. I do really enjoy the leveling up system though, and for a while it was my favourite in the genre. I like the sense of humour the game has and how massive it is. There are lots of enemies to kill, lots of loot to gather, and even has a dog with a cannon on his arm. After all, isn't that what we want from the genre?

Top Ten Tuesday -- Top 10 WTF/Silly Metal Gear Moments

Written By: Tyler

This is a big day for me. I'm an unabashed and unashamed Metal Gear fanatic and we're getting Ground Zeroes today (review coming).

I'm sure when Phantom Pain comes out I'll do another Top Ten... maybe something a little more serious like my favourite scenes or something. But since Metal Gear can go from serious to silly in a matter of moments, I feel like it's fitting to do a Top Ten WTF/Silly Metal Gear Moments.

Unfortunately I know there are going to be things I missed because the series is quite large at this point and I've forgotten a bunch, but that's what the comments below are for. Or message me on Twitter @ArtBathednCrime.


10: Nanomachines
While the concept of Nanomachines isn't silly by default, how far Metal Gear takes it is. Nanomachines are the cause for a large percentage of, well, everything that goes on it seems. I think the Metal Gear universe has a Nanomachine problem.

9: The Translation In Metal Gear -- You Know What I'm Talking About
While this isn't so much silly as it was just a product of its time, there's a special place in my heart for the poor translation of the first Metal Gear. You don't even have to go far to find the more memorable stuff, as it's right there at the beginning.

"Uh-oh, the truck have started to move," and "I feel asleep." Two lines that will forever be in my heart.


8: The Opening Commercials In Metal Gear Solid 4

When you first start a new game in MGS4, you are treated to a bunch of commercials that you can flip through. Just putting commercials in a game is strange enough, but some of these are weird. They tie into the themes in the game but it was so unexpected I have to put it here. And don't lie, when you first played you thought there was something wrong with the game too.

Up above is one of the commercials.

7: The Pain

You can't talk Metal Gear without talking the bosses, and so there had to be a strange one in here. I didn't pick Psycho Mantis because he is just more "cool" to me than silly or WTF. I chose The Pain over Fatman because he uses bees. Bees are hard as fuck, but this is a world with people who can read your mind, immortal vampires, people that can't die, giant walking death tanks... you get the picture. So The Pain, you are the silliest.


6: Naked Raiden
It's not even that this is illogical, it's just silly to actually play as a naked person. Think about it, you've been tortured, locked up, embarassed -- whatever -- so now you're naked. Instead of beating around the bush, they let you play as naked Raiden -- a feat that is especially awesome because so many people hated Raiden. Meanwhile, while you run around naked, the entire game is spazzing out and giving you a hard time.

Also, doing cartwheels is great.


5: Otacon Sleeping With Step Mom
http://www.gametrailers.com/videos/0xmyj1/metal-gear-solid-2--substance-metal-gear-s-top-5-awkward-moments

There's a lot of stuff going on in this game, and you could you know, die, at any second... but Otacon straight-up weirds us out by telling us that he slept with his step-mom. Not expected at all. But then again, Otacon has a knack for throwing in unnecessary questions or comments at inappropriate times.


4: Slipping On Bird Poo In Metal Gear Solid 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8h40vzqiKQ


In the video above, that for some reason I can't embed, it shows a player slipping on bird poo in Metal Gear Solid 2. This happened to me more than I'd like to admit, which means obviously I'm awesome at stealth. Just the fact that they made this possible is one of the many reasons I love this series.


3: Johnny Sasaki Always Has Toilet Problems

There's a reoccurring character in the Metal Gear franchise and his name is Johnny. He always has bowel problems. What this shows is that Kojima knows the value of a good poop/fart joke.


2: The Cardboard Box

The cardboard box is a miracle of science, and nothing respects that fact more than the Metal Gear universe. Watch this video and see them "oh" and "ah" over why the cardboard box is the best thing ever. 


1: The Crotch Grabs

There is nothing like some homo-eroticism to end this list. The crotch grabs are plenty in this series, and while this isn't the greatest video of them, they are there and they are awesome.

Top Ten Tuesday - Top 10 First-Person Shooter Games/Series That Don't Get Enough Respect For Various Reasons

Written By: Tyler

TITANFALL releases today, and if you don't understand why I capitalize the title then you haven't been reading the Weekly News Round-Up. That's okay, I forgive you because this isn't about that. Since it's Tuesday and TITANFALL is a first-person shooter, I figured it would be a good time to give a shout out to some of the shooters that are not given enough respect for various reasons, in my humble opinion. This means that the only games that will appear on here are either underrated, overlooked or just treated unfairly in general.

What constitutes overlooked? Is it when the general population doesn't know what a game is? Is it when hardcore gamers aren't familiar with it? Is it when a game doesn't sell well?

When is a game underrated? Is it when critics don't like it? Is it when the gamers don't like it?

How do you judge this stuff? It's tricky business, and I won't pretend to be the authority on what these things are, but this is just how I see it. Some games I feel are overlooked in my experiences, same with underrated. Some games have just gotten a bad reputation for whatever reason.

No, you will not see Call of Duty on this list, though due to the backlash towards it at this point I considered it for a brief second. No, this list belongs to other series or individual games and I intend to justify, whether I'm right or not, why I think these games don't get enough respect either way. You also won't see much in the way of indie games because I reckon most indie games are overlooked to some extent.

Look, I'm almost at the list... I just have one more thing to say. Admittedly maybe a pick or two are less "shooter" than others, because I was torn on whether something like Mirror's Edge qualifies -- ended up deciding that no it doesn't because it basically penalizes you for shooting -- but still picked a couple wonky choices.

Okay, let's do this.


10: Duke Nukem Forever 

Hear me out before you hit the X on the top right hand corner of the screen. Oh screw it, just hit it anyway because I probably deserve it for even defending this game. But damn it, I will defend it.. sorta.

You see, Duke Nukem Forever is not an amazing game. It's not even a worthy successor to the classic Duke 3D. How could it be? It was destined to be the way it ended up. It went through so many developer changes that I imagine new developers coming in would have a hard time even following the code. It took years and years to complete. All the changes it went through made it extremely difficult for it to be a good game. But you know what? It's not a bad game and it's because of the outrageous backlash that I included it on here. There are legitimately great games on this list, and while I admit I wouldn't rate this higher than a 7 (on a good day), I also wouldn't rate it lower than a 5. Probably a 6 or 6.5.

It's a decent old-schoolish shooter, with the Duke charm and comedy. If you don't find Duke (who is a satire/homage to action heroes) funny, then that's more on you than it is Duke. While the load times for the PS3 version were godawful, I still had fun with the game.


9: The Killzone Series

Some people may scoff this pick as well, and I say bring it on because lists are fun when they're unpredictable or controversial. The Killzone games have been rated pretty well for the most part and it's a Playstation exclusive... so why do I pick it?

When I turn on Shadow Fall, I see very few people playing the game. I understand that the PS4 is new and it probably wasn't a good time to release a multiplayer shooter, but the player base is small. It's not just Shadow Fall, though, because the other games have players but nothing to the extent of a Call of Duty. It's a shame because the Killzone series offers different gameplay but perhaps the heavy feel is what keeps it from reaching those heights in popularity. It's for this reason I think they're a little overlooked, even though they're a "big" Playstation exclusive.


8: ZombieU

The launch line-up was criticized for the Wii U, but there was an underrated gem buried in there from the beginning. While ZombieU might technically be more of a first-person brawler than a shooter, I wanted to include it because yes, it does have guns.

It's a hard survival horror game, and the multiplayer is fantastic (would be even better if it were online). I never spent as much time with the game as I would have liked, but it deserves more recognition than it got, especially since I saw a bunch of bad reviews when it first game out.


7: Star Wars: Republic Commando

There has been a million Star Wars games, and more are coming... but I think Republic Commando is one of the more underrated/overlooked ones. You see, it was actually a pretty solid shooter that felt a little like Halo, but you don't play as a Jedi or anything so nobody was interested. If you give it a chance, you'll agree (because I'll make you) that this is a Star Wars game that should get more recognition.


6: Singularity

A game that plays with science in neat ways, Singularity isn't the most amazing shooter I've ever played... but it's a damn good one. I feel like it got lost in the shuffle when it was released and that's a shame because it was a little bit different than the shooters that normally get popular. You'll see this included in a lot of these types of lists and there's a reason why.
darkwatch


5: Zeno Clash

While technically a first-person brawler more than a shooter (much like ZombieU and a pick that is coming up), Zeno Clash got some respect but didn't get enough. The story is weird and probably doesn't make a lot of sense, but it's interesting and the visual flair is something to behold. Zeno Clash takes place in one of the weirder worlds we've seen in the genre, and the art design is a large part of that.

I don't think first-person games are ideal for fighting mechanics, but Zeno Clash does it remarkably well given what I perceive is the limitations of the genre.


4: Dead Island

Dead Island is a flawed game. Seriously, it's one of the least polished big games I've played.

It also had an incredible, misleading trailer that made it look like it was going to be an emotional ride. Unfortunately, it ended up just being a fun first-person shooter/brawler with zombies. But despite the false promises and the bugs, it was a surprisingly entertaining game. Riptide could be better, but I was so annoyed that they didn't fix any of the problems that I ended up enjoying it less.

Still, Dead Island is a lot of fun with the right kind of people.


3: Darkwatch

Darkwatch is a game I rarely see talked about, but it was one of the best shooters on the PS2. It had a Gothic Western feel, and while it may seem silly, I really enjoyed how high you can jump in it. Yes, that matters to me because I liked being able to just jump through the air and blast everything around me.

It's one of those FPS games that are different than what we were getting, and I don't think people should sleep on it because it does everything right.


2: The Timesplitters Series

Timesplitters is one of the reasons I have a hard time making lists like this. At this point I don't know if Timesplitters is underrated or overlooked, but I just don't see enough people talking about the series.

It's a silly series about time traveling with memorable characters and more fast-paced multiplayer. Each game got better than the last and there was a lot of content in each of them.

We've been trying to get Timesplitters 4 for a long time, but at least there is a free-to-play multiplayer game being made by the fans who have gotten permission to use the character skins and whatnot. So we can look forward to that anyway.


1: The Darkness

This is kind of like the Timesplitters pick, where I don't know if it's truly underrated/overlooked or not. However, again, I feel like people sleep on this one as well. With The Darkness it's all about the story, and both games have a memorable, emotional story, which is weird considering how dark it is.

Seriously, give it a try and get invested in it... the first one has one of my favourite video game scenes of all time and the second is thrilling and strange, but with a lot of heart underneath it all.

Top Ten Tuesday -- Top 10 Playable Final Fantasy Characters From "The Greatest Generation" (FF6 through FF9)

Written by: Justin

Yooooooo! It's my first contribution to "On The Gamely", son!

Just to self-promote, here's who I am: I'm Justin, BridgewatersFinest on YouTube, BlockBuster_Guy on Twitter, and I run the world-famous "Resident Movie-(Love)er" blog -- yet another blog to which Tyler, your beloved blogmaster, contributes to.

Tyler has been up my butt for months about writing for On The Gamely (and up my butt for years prior, dating back to our carefree youth... but I digress), so I finally took the opportunity presented to me to toss out a top ten list -- which both Tyler and I will tell you, are one of our favorite things to do.

I also love RPG's. More specifically, I love Final Fantasy. And as a lover of Final Fantasy, it pains me somewhat to see what Final Fantasy has become versus what it USED to be. God, that makes me sound/feel old. To me, Final Fantasy has been subject to multiple generations -- the early years, up to entry 5, where it found its legs; these past few years and entries have arguably been the post-grad years, where it struggles to keep its identity in an ever-changing world; but the era in which I choose to address are those rebellious late-teenage-to-early-twenties years, the "Attitude Era" of Final Fantasy (for all you wrestling fans out there), which encompass Final Fantasy VI (1994) through Final Fantasy IX (2000). I prefer to dub this generation, "The Greatest Generation", in which I feel you find the best games, the best stories, and the best characters the series has to offer.

It is with this timeline in mind that I present to you...

JUSTIN'S TOP TEN (PLAYABLE) FINAL FANTASY CHARACTERS FROM “THE GREATEST GENERATION”

Let's start by first acknowledging three characters that did not quite make the list: FF8's Quistis Trepe, FF9's Garnet Til Alexandros XVII, and FF7's Nanaki. All characters that I love, but not quite enough to put them on the list. Aight, let's get started!

#10 ::: Seifer Almsay (FF8) – Seifer is a classmate & rival of Squall Leonhart, and later on in the game, a multi-meeting boss character. Short-tempered and attention-seeking, Seifer’s storyline is that of “being second-best” to Squall (in multiple ways), eventually becoming brainwashed as Edea/Ultimicia’s “knight”. Seifer plays almost identically to Squall, wielding a similar gunblade. Where I think Seifer sets himself apart from Squall (and every other playable in FF8) is the passion he displays in his character and story. Like Vegeta in “DragonBall Z”, he always considers himself the elite, willing to go anywhere and do anything to prove it, and his interesting point of view (that being, Squall and the others being the evil villains, and himself being the hero) pushes him past the rest of the game’s cast.

#9 ::: Aerith Gainsborough (FF7) – Everybody knows Aerith’s story: a flower merchant in Midgar, later revealed to be the last surviving Ancient (Cetra) and the supposed key to the discovery of “The Promised Land”, has a chance meeting with Cloud and forces him to be her “bodyguard” as protection against Shinra and the Turks. She plays as a support character, specializing in healing and buffing rather than offense. Aerith has arguably the most memorable death in video game history, and the mystery surrounding her character, her relationship with Cloud, and her own personal journey of self-discovery make her a fan favorite. Ultimately, she ends up directly playing a key role in Gaia’s fate, but in my opinion, she lacks the in-game longevity and playability to be considered the game’s best character.

#8 ::: Vincent Valentine (FF7) – Vincent is the only optional character to make the list. A former Turk member, he seeks vengeance on Professor Hojo for the genetic experimentation that was forced upon him and the love of his life. Vincent’s playability is hindered by a functionally-frustrating Limit Break, transforming him into various creatures due to the Jenova cells in his body. While the creatures can be helpful, they can also hamper the team during crucial battles. Much of Vincent’s story is shrouded in mystery in the game itself, but is fleshed out in subsequent games, and the story of love, loss, guilt, agelessness and revenge is some of the best storytelling Final Fantasy has to offer, overcoming the functional shortcomings of the character.

#7 ::: Celes Chere (FF6) – Celes is a former Empire general, genetically infused with magic to become a Magitek Knight, and is rescued by Locke after she is imprisoned for protesting the water poisoning at Doma. Celes is a popular Genji Glove choice with me, giving her the ability to dual-wield weapons in addition to her strong magic abilities. Aside from a personal theory about whether Celes was raped during her incarceration (hint: we believe she was), where she becomes most interesting is in the game’s second half, the World of Ruin. She is the first playable character after the party is separated, is constantly being pulled in two directions between party loyalty and her past with the Empire, and her attempt to save Cid’s life and subsequent suicide attempt make for compelling storytelling.

#6 ::: Terra Branford (FF6) – Terra is the daughter of a human and an Esper, enslaved by the Empire and exploited for her inherent magical abilities. She is the first character to be introduced in the game, and is liberated from the Empire by rebels in Narshe.  Terra’s story is integral to the game’s first half, as she helps facilitate the Returners’ alliance with the Espers to decimate the Empire. What I love about Terra’s story is how it transforms from a fairly-straightforward revenge mantra after learning of her past, to the more noble quest of making the world safe for children during the World of Ruin. Terra is constantly cited as a critical and fan favorite.

#5 ::: Sabin Figaro (FF6) – Sabin is a rogue warrior, the younger brother of the king of Figaro, Edgar. Sabin wins a rigged coin toss against his brother for the right to refuse their father’s throne, and instead seeks the man thought to be the killer of his trainer, Duncan. While his story may not be of the same quality as some other characters, his high abilities land him highly on the list. Sabin is another popular Genji Glove choice for me, due to his physical attack power, but Sabin is an all-around beast and that’s why I really like him. He is always on my team whenever available, and boasts the versatility to be either your top warrior or top magic user.

#4 ::: Vivi Ornitier (FF9) – Vivi is a black mage, who meets Zidane in Alexandria upon travelling there to take in a performance of “I Want To Be Your Canary”, joining Zidane to save Princess Garnet from being trapped in the Evil Forest. As he grows more comfortable with his magical abilities, he learns the dark truth behind his origins, and the true purpose of the Black Mages. Vivi is one of the most sympathetic characters in Final Fantasy’s storied history. His story and character have immense depth, while bringing to the table a child-like demeanor that has endeared him to fans for years. Vivi’s story is a wonderful story of redemption and of rising above the pain of the past to find a higher purpose, and Vivi’s very existence as a black mage is a wonderful compliment to the throwback nature of the game itself.

#3 ::: Tifa Lockhart (FF7) – Tifa is the owner of the 7^th Heaven bar in the Sector 7 slums in Midgar, and is a primary member of the eco-terrorist resistance group AVALANCHE. A childhood friend of Cloud’s from Nibelheim, they reunite when AVALANCHE recruits Cloud to assist in the attacks on several Shinra Mako reactors, eventually accompanying him in his desperate search for Sephiroth. Tifa can be described as a female version of Sabin, fighting primarily with her fists, having been trained in martial arts by Zangan in her hometown. In my opinion, Tifa is not only the greatest female Final Fantasy character, she ranks among the greatest female video game characters period, both in terms of playability within the game and of storyline. She struggles with her clear and present affections for Cloud and her duty to him as a friend, while at the same time acting as a mother figure to Barrett’s daughter Marlene, and an emotional and structural support for the AVALANCHE group in the wake of Sector 7’s destruction, and the death of Aerith. She displays strength, caring, beauty and determination, and represents everything that a Final Fantasy character should be.

#2 ::: Shadow (FF6) – Shadow is a mysterious assassin and mercenary-for-hire, who bounces back and forth between his allegiances during the first half of the game. Shadow is always accompanied by Interceptor, his attack dog. He attacks from a distance, and does damage by any means necessary, often throwing unused inventory weapons at enemies for big damage. Shadow has arguably the most interesting story in FF6. You never know when or where he might show up (often just when you’ve forgotten about him), and your skill level as a player literally decides whether Shadow lives into the World of Ruin, or dies on the Floating Continent. You only ever learn about him by USING him in the game, and only then through dream sequences, learning about his past as a train robber, his inability to grant his partner’s death wish, his fathering of Relm in Thamasa, living with the guilt of his past and ultimately allowing himself to die in Kefka’s tower at the game’s end. Based on story and player experience, Shadow is the perfect character.

#1 ::: Cloud Strife (FF7) – Cloud begins his story as a mercenary and an EX-Soldier First Class, who joins the AVALANCHE group to counteract Shinra’s use of Mako energy. His primary motivation, however, soon becomes his rivalry with former comrade Sephiroth, being drawn to find him, to gain revenge for the destruction of his hometown, and to learn more about the moments in his past that he either cannot remember, or which differ from the accounts of Tifa and others. Despite the possibility of FF6’s Shadow being an objectively “better” character, Cloud has an iconic status that sits him atop this list. Ignoring for a moment that he is arguably the best character in the game from a playability standpoint, Cloud’s story is highly-charged and emotional. Cloud’s is a story of a man so confident in his own abilities and history, being fractured and broken apart through a series of lies, false memories, and personal tragedies. In the end, Cloud survives on nothing but personal strength and the love of those closest to him, accepting and overcoming his past and standing up to a foe who claims himself a God. FF7 is admittedly my favorite game of all-time, so this ranking is subject to claims of bias; however, I genuinely feel as though Cloud is the greatest character in the history of the franchise.