Slow day. I can’t really recommend dark souls to anyone as the game is not accessible to a fault. Plus the computer port is nowhere near the quality of the console game. Riptide is fun, but vanilla Dead Island is better and cheaper. And although it has 20 or so game of the year awards from sites that forgot what games are the Walking Dead, despite having a fantastic story, is hardly a game. Just because it’s the most hyped point and click adventure of all time doesn't stop it from being a point and click adventure and if that’s your thing check out Resonance or Gemini Rue, both much better IMHO. Well, with that out of the way ...
Number 3 – Tropico 4
A self aware SIMCITY clone where you play as a ruthless dictator trying to explore an island paradise for all it’s worth. This game is worth playing for the satire alone, but pulls off very competent game play and city building. It’s a much smaller scale the SIMCITY, you deal with inhabitants on a individual level instead of zoning law, but this doesn’t distract from the awesome feeling of seeing your island grow out of nothing.
Number 2 – Batman
It’s hard to explain what “rhythmic combat” is to a non-gamer or why it’s a big deal, but Batman is the game that refined it. Instead of focusing on complex input chains (hit a, a, back, forward, small circle left, x, x, right trigger to do an ultra combo!) it strips the inputs down to the bare basics and rewards timing. Hit block right as a kick is incoming to grab a foot. Hit punch again right as your punch animation is completing to string an attack. It’s immensely satisfying and easy to pick up. Add on to that what can only be described as nerd porn in that pretty much every bad guy in that universe shows up and you have a winner. You FEEL like the batman; you can beat the crap out of everyone who doesn't have superpowers, but when you fight bane you need to outsmart him and use your gadgets. You're just a rich boy in a suit after all.
Number 3 – Deus Ex. “DAY-us ex”. Not freaking DUSE ex. It’s Latin. It means “from god”.
What a joy this game was. I had the freedom to not only build my character’s skills, but his personality. I played the whole game without killing a single person (outside the scripted boss battles where you have no choice) and the game was very aware of this. People brought it up in conversation. Bad guys were more willing to surrender to me, knowing I would treat them fairly. Dialog options were different. The world changed based on my actions and that is the ultimate in empowerment which is why we play games like this! The game has a perfect blend of stealth exploration and action, and is surprising accessible (compared to splinter cell, this games stealth seems like child’s play but feels just as rewarding). A must have for anyone.
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