Defining Games of a Generation 2000-2006
By Mike Brandon
In every console generation there are certain games that wow us, games that set
the standard for the future and break all new ground. They aren’t always the biggest
sellers, and they don’t always attract the greatest amount of hype, but the following list
compiles our opinion
*
as to which games were the most influential, ground breaking and
all together amazing games of this generation.
1 – Grand Theft Auto 3 – Rockstar Games (2001) Playstation 2, PC & X Box
The biggest selling and most ground breaking franchise of this generation,
Grand Theft Auto 3 gave players the biggest and most free gaming world ever.
The subsequent releases, Vice City and San Andreas expanded on this
combining multiple genres and doing it well, San Andreas itself is possible the
largest game of the entire generation, huge maps with uncountable things to do,
it truly set an all new standard, meeting controversy and praise in due measure.
The Playstation 3’s GTA is the most eagerly anticipated game for the future.
2 – Resident Evil 4 – Capcom (2005) Gamecube & Playstation 2
Resident Evil was a benchmark title on the Playstation back in 1996,
however nothing in Capcom’s horror series has been anything like this.
Rebuilt from the ground up, Resident Evil 4 is unlike any other game,
every second has you focused on the action, the entire experience was
simply pure game. Add to that stunning visuals and innovative set
pieces, Resident Evil 4 was one of the greatest gaming experiences
ever conceived, and the best looking game of the generation.
*
You may well disagree with this list! Discuss on OGChat!
3 – Ico – Sony (2002) Playstation 2
Ico, still untouched by time, this is the finest example of gaming ‘art’.
Beautiful graphics, met with no plot, only you and a girl who must escape a
castle. Nothing can match the experience of the bond that comes between
you and the characters, along with the awe inspiring settings and
undeniable terror that Yorda can be taken away from you at any moment. It
was a strange game to experience, but once you had you knew you’d
touched upon something special. The same team returned in 2006 with a
repeat of their stunning efforts with Shadow of the Colossus, another game,
utterly incomparable with its scale and magic.
4
–
Metal Gear Solid 3 – Konami (2005) Playstation 2
The original wowed us back in 1998 buts 2002 follow-up was a major
disappointment, offering little new other than awesome visuals. Finally
however Hideo Kojima, taking all the credit of his hard working team, has
produced another ground breaking and stunning title. Big, bold and with so
many secrets and ways to approach it, MGS 3 provided a stunning gaming
experience and is one of the most satisfying and innovative games in years.
However a lengthy and ludicrous script marred it somewhat, but that aside,
few games match the set pieces and general roaming fun of MGS 3.
5 – Burnout – Criterion (2002) Playstation 2, Gamecube, X Box
For all the wonders of Gran Tursimo 4, it was essentially a bigger and
prettier version of the original. However, as far as new and ground breaking
racers went, Burnout offered a slice of fast paced blistering action that was
nothing short of unbelievably fun. Whilst it took a few titles to get its
gameplay tweaked, by the third instalment it was unmatchable. Fast, fun and
awesome with some mates, a fine example of gaming as it should be, and
proof that there are still plenty of ways to innovate the racing genre.
6 – Battlefield – Digital Illusions (2002) PC
Whilst FPS’s are one of the only genres that has changed little since its
conception (FPS’s today play much like Wolfenstein with a nod at a Half Life
scale plot), Battlefield represents a new direction for games, whereby you
don’t play the hero, you are simply a foot soldier, and if you die you come
back as another piece of ‘fodder’. This style was reiterated in Star Wars
battlefront and created a new way to approach games, and created a mix where
your efforts where not the only factor in beating the game. The marker for a
new age in large scale gaming with a small scale role?
7 – Kingdom Hearts – Squaresoft (2002) Playstation 2
There was some debate between this and Zelda: Wind Waker, however
Kingdom hearts, though following the same hack and slash style offered
something pretty original to the live action RPG slot. Although more linear
that its Zelda equivalent, it was much more magical, drawing from the Final
Fantasy universe in terms of mechanics and including Disney settings,
perhaps a disgusting combination but it worked so well it became one of the
greatest games ever conceived, giving square the full off-line RPG dominion.
Kingdom Hearts also represented a new form of cross corporate gaming
development, allowing for bigger budgets.
8 – Star Wars Rogue Squadron 2 – Lucas Arts (2002) Gamecube
The Playstaion 2’s poor launch line-up and struggle to gather
momentum, turned the spotlight to the Gamecube’s flagship title
Rogue Leader. Stunning ‘movie-like’ visuals were the real beginning
of this generation and although many of the PS2’s benchmarks came
soon after, Nintendo wasted no time in making its intentions clear.
It’s a shame the Gamecube has fallen, as at the beginning of this
generation it looked very much like it could hold its own. To date
nothing has really matched Rogue Leader for shooting action.
9 – Jak & Daxter – Naughty Dog (2001) Playstation 2
For all the wonderment of action platformers such as Devil May Cry,
nothing pushed the boundaries like Jak & Daxter. Perhaps in game temrs it
was familiar ground, bit the scope was something else, the huge world of
the original, through the vast cities of the later titles, Jak & Daxter
delivered great gameplay, an all new scale to visuals and gaming worlds,
and is one of the best examples of gaming acting to date. Being such an
early title, the initial impact of the massive world were stunning, you could
literally ‘see for miles’ and few games have had such a wow factor since.
A real showcase of what was to later come in this generation.
10 – Final Fantasy X – Squaresoft (2002) Playstation 2
The big leap for the RPG, Square brought its massive franchise to the next
generation with most of the biggest gaming projects ever. Featuring a
massive 3D world, mass amounts of voice dialogue, a strong plot and a
stunning soundtrack, this quickly became one of the fastest ever selling
games. Whilst in truth it seems a little familiar, this is the RPG to which
every other game in the genre had to follow.
Other titles
A selection of other unforgettable titles that were either pretty awesome or made a big impact
during this generation….
This list was put together by Mike Brandon, with the help of other OGC members