Bam's All-Stars
Listing my fav games. This is an eternally ongoing list. There is no limit on the number of games I will put here, but I will be extra selective in choosing the games, so not every 4.5 stars and below will get in. If I give a game 5 stars, then it is definitely in this list.
63 Games
Now THIS is how you make a 4th game in a franchise, and also the game that ends the main character's journey. It is the most mature and complete version of the Uncharted formula, as it is no longer shackled by its influences. The story, characters, and environments are allowed to breathe more. The combat is less frequent, and combined with improved game and level design, makes for the most engaging overall combat encounters in the series. The intimacy in the story is taken to a whole new level. Uncharted 4 is the culmination of ND's long journey.
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The most beautiful and immersive open world game ever made, full stop. The combat on lethal difficulty is the closest thing we'll get to a Bushido Blade game. The soundtrack is constantly makes me cry because of how amazing it is. The quality of life mechanics like the birds and the gust of wind makes it possible to not waste your time looking at the map in order to encounter new things, while also respecting your autonomy and heightening the immersion. It's a very elegant game through and through.
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The most risky and interesting story in an AAA game yet, combined with masterful presentation, high attention to detail, and fluid third person gameplay. This is Naughty Dog's cinematic action adventure formula being pushed to its absolute limits. There is no other game that is as successful at manipulating the emotions of its players.
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Less is more. Easily the best out of the three Ueda games.
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I never felt so much love and care to a setting as I did with Shenmue's Yokosuka. Waking up every morning, picking up allowance from Ine-san, going down the hill everyday to reach the inner city parts, it felt so life-like. No game has captured that realistic feeling of being in a place as well as this game does.
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It took me 100 hours to beat this game, and by the end I still wanted to play more. That's just how invested I am into these characters, the story, the music, everything.
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Probably the quickest I ever got to actual tears in a video game. This is only a one hour game and I was bawling in my bedsheets when I finished it. Incredibly effective and beautiful game.
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The game that shows the AAA gaming scene how to slow down and tone down the violence without losing any impact and excitement. It is perhaps Naughty Dog's most important game.
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Peak of Melee
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A game that collects the best parts of western RPGs up until that point, and condensed them into one tightly paced package. The 3 week period I spent playing this game for my first playthrough will forever be etched into my psyche.
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The pinaccle of arcade flight combat games. Being the key pawn in a worldwide epic war has never felt so badass. This game doubled down on the variety of levels and scenarios, which helped it so much. Also, the soundtrack is my 2nd favorite game OST ever.
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My first Uncharted game. For me, it represents the best of the original trilogy, with the best mythology depiction and supernatural presence, as well giving all the best characters a lot of screen time. It might not be the most tightly paced story or the most groundbreaking entry, but I legit think it improved on most things compared to Uncharted 2.
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Gravity Rush 2 successfully capitalizes on all the potential that the original game set up. It's a bigger and better sequel that keeps surprising me as I progress through the main story. By the end, the world of Gravity Rush has fully shown how great and expansive it is, and it's all because how well this game fleshed everything out.
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This game is the peak of multiplayer games for me. Up until that point I have never cared much about multiplayer shooters, and to this day it remains to be one of my most played games ever. The base game is great, all the expansions are awesome overall.
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MGS 1 is a absurdly solid debut, but MGS 2 is the game that truly surprised and shocked me. It may not be the all around improvement compared to the predecessor, but the best parts of MGS 2 leaves a mark on me like no other game. It's a mindfuck that goes on and on, and I was fully glued to the screen from start to finish.
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This is one of those games that I derive so much fun out of the gameplay mechanics, and every flaw is rendered meaningless because of it. The smoothness and fluidity of the gunplay felt years ahead of its time.
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While it can be too stubborn and traditional at times, RDR II is still a magnificent video game. The Old West has never been portrayed in this level of detail, scale and liveliness. It is a honor to play as somebody as well characterized as Arthur Morgan.
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Another case of a messier, but ultimately more impactful and memorable sequel. BJ's melancholic inner monologues and dreams/flashbacks in the first half of the game made such a strong impression on me, that I can't help but cry for this poor big guy. And then the crazy second half started and it's all turned upside down, for better and worse.
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IV is perhaps the most unique mainline GTA entry yet. No other GTA has even tried to replicate this game's strong "the American dream is dead" vibes. Liberty City can both feel like a hellhole and the best place on Earth, but above all, it immediately feels like home. Also, Niko's story is easily the best GTA story yet.
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The first Mass Effect might not be as tightly packed or polished as its sequel, but the larger sense of scale and freedom made a better impression on me, even if it can get a bit too repetitive.
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While in almost all aspects it's simply the worst Souls game, I can't help but enjoy how experimental the game can feel at many parts, especially the boss fights. Do these ideas make for a great game? Not necessarily, but it's fun and interesting all the same. Also, Bluepoint has made the remake to be one of the best looking games of all time imo, easily ahead of any From Soft game by lightyears in terms of the technical aspect.
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The epic streamlined sci-fi RPG that everyone loves. Can't say people are wrong with this one. The more linear structure compared to its predecessor has made it felt much more focused and accessible.
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My first and favorite visual novel. All the date-able girls are interesting and likeable, and each route is impactful and memorable in their own unique ways. Definitely the best free game I've ever played. Lilly best girl.
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One of the best examples of a bigger and better sequel. From the first few minutes the game shows how much improved the combat is compared to its predecessor, and it only keeps getting better. Story-wise its a much more epic tour de force with a bigger cast of characters, and yet it never forgets the intimate study of characters that made GoW 2018 so great.
26
MGS4 still stands tall as one of the best stealth games around, even if the gameplay sections are not as prevalent as I would like. Hiding in plain sight with the Octocamo is a must play gaming experience. Also, the last few hours of this game is incredible.
27
Some would say that this game Saved Video Games, and I understand that. It's a game that looks back to the very roots of video games in general, and brings back the best parts of it to the modern era. No handholding, self discovery-focused progression, pushing people across the world to work together and share information, and so on. It may started with Demon's Souls, but Dark Souls is the true catalyst.
28
GTA V is still the current standard for open world games set in modern cities, as not many other games have stepped up to fight for its place. It's a big game that's very easy to get yourself lost into. Also, the main missions here are easily the best in the series overall, there's a lot of variety and bombastic set pieces.
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This is a wild, wild game. Can't get the Honeybee section out of my mind. In the words of Tim Rogers, I would absolutely let Aerith and Tifa kill me.
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It's just so fun to go through the story of this game, exploring the world, meeting new characters. Every time I think about this game, a deluge of memorable story and side content moments just pour back in. It's a very big game that somehow remaina top quality in almost every hour.
34
It's the game that made me fall in love in car culture again, after being so frustrated at real life cars and overpopulated traffic for years. Also, Gran Turismo's sense of style and vibe is so antiquated, in a endearingly unique way.
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It's a messy, overambitious game that does just enough things right to make it a charming, memorable game. A prime example of something being more than the sum of its parts. Also, Prompto's photography mechanic is a wonderful one-of-a-kind video game feature.
59
I remember distinctly after beating this game in one sitting, having processed the last hour of the game, I immediately went to vent my feelings about the story on the Firewatch subreddit. I felt so overwhelmed by emotions at the time, and somebody commented that it's okay, and this is a common thing on the subreddit. Such an interesting story to see in a video game.
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