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I was born
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Super Nintendo
My first ever gaming memory was playing Batman Forever (a notoriously terrible SNES game) on my mums SNES with my uncle. I was awful at the game and couldn't get past the first level and I still can't. Other notible games were Mortal Kombat II and Super Mario All Stars. https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61ETCD0fORL._AC_SX679_.jpg -
PlayStation 1
I was bought a Playstation 1 when I was 5-6 y/o. It was the first device that really gripped me and got me interested in playing games but it took a while with the games that will be mentioned later on the timeline. Notable games I had while younger were Future Cop: LAPD, Gex and Ready 2 Rumble Boxing. https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/414xcV8%2BenL.jpg -
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Crash Team Racing
CTR was just damn fun. I played this game every chance I could and could only dream of having a PS1 multitap for 4 player races. Same with Spyro, I love the remake but nothing can beat the old retro PS1 style and it is an aesthetic I would love to experiment with in the future. Naughty Dog 1999, Crash Team Racing, video game, PlayStation 1, Sony Computer Entertainment.
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Spyro 2: Gateway to Glimmer
Spyro on the PS1 gives me the feel good vibes. The world design and music is so much fun to be around. Gameplay is simple but fun. Same with Crash, I love the remake but nothing can beat the old retro PS1 style and it is an aesthetic I would love to experiment with in the future. Insomniac Games 1999, Spyro 2: Gateway to Glimmer, video game, PS1, Sony Computer Entertainment.
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PlayStation 2 and Ratchet & Clank
For my birthday my Dad bought me my very own PS2. It was the fat platinum version bundled with the original Ratchet & Clank. It was always to hard for me to beat and took about a decade for me to come back to the original and actually beat it, becoming one of my all time favorite games made. Other notable games include Devil May Cry, Jak & Daxter, I-Ninja and Simpsons Hit & Run. The GOAT console. https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/418KN4PZE9L._AC_.jpg -
Ratchet & Clank 3 release
R&C3 is one of the quintessential video games of my childhood and was the first R&C game I had beaten. Due to its replay-ability with NG+ I had a save file with 67 clears. This is the most I have beaten any game. Insomniac Games 2004, Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal, video game, PlayStation 2, Sony Computer Entertainment.
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Game Boy Advance
Was given a GameBoy Advanced by my Mum and Dad for Christmas. I loved this handheld despite only ever getting one GBA game (Spiderman). Instead this was my GBC Pokemon and Wario console as I was given my uncles old Gen 1 & 2 Pokemon games + Wario. https://scale.coolshop-cdn.com/product-media.coolshop-cdn.com/AC5SJ3/511c0c70a928440fab2a1d60df07b721.jpg/f/nintendo-gameboy-advance-silver.jpg -
Pokemon Crystal
Crystal was the entry that hooked me. It was mind blowing when you beat the game and then you can play an entirely new region - a whole game in itself. In the end I had 460+ hours on my save before the battery failed. Totodile/Feraligatr was my starter and still my favourite, I even have a tattoo of them on my leg. Game Freak 2001, Pokemon Crystal, video game, GameBoy Color, Nintendo.
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Samurai Warriors 2
I believe this is the best Musou style game. So many characters all with their own storylines and cutscenes along with so much extra content. This game is what got me interested in Japanese culture and has made me a bit of a nerd regarding the samurai/sengoku period of Japan. Omega Force 2006, Samurai Warriors 2, video game, PlayStation 2, Koei.
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Rogue Galaxy
It is my opinion that Level-5 created one of the best PS2 games and one of the best examples of an RPG/ARPG to date with Rogue Galaxy. While the CG is a bit dated, the gameplay, narrative, graphics and sound design are amazing. I will never not sing the praises of this underrated gem. Level-5 2007, Rogue Galaxy, video game, PlayStation 2, Sony Computer Entertainment.
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Resident Evil 4
RE4 is a game that needs no introduction. It was so terrifying yet so enrapturing with its mechanics and style. This is the game that made me a hardcore RE fan and introduced me to my favourite genre of games - survival-horror (SH being horror with resource management). Capcom Production Studio 4 2005, Resident Evil 4, video game, PlayStation 2, Capcom.
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Yakuza 2
The premise is great, a Japanese crime drama where the heart of gold, fists of steel main character gets dragged into family wars he doesn't want to be apart of. It was refreshing as a young Josh. But then it has this crazy brawling/fighting system that was ahead of its time that made every fight feel like a Tony Ja movie. Sega 2008, Yakuza 2, video game, PlayStation 2, Sega.
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PlayStation 3
Despite the PS2 being my all time favourite console, the PS3 was such a huge and important step up for me. For a year prior, I spent an obscene amount of time watching Metal Gear Solid 4 cutscene movies and Fallout 3 playthroughs as I was fascinated by the technical advances as well as the merits on the game. The hype was real. Other notable games include Assassin's Creed and Uncharted. https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mana/images/f/fc/PlayStation_3.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20180404015751 -
Call of Duty: Black Ops
Before I had internet, I'd go to my mates houses with ADSL and wait days to download new zombie maps. It was a good compromise since they didn't have a PS3 and I had no internet so we could do some co-op. So much offline co-op. Once I eventually got net, I made some life long friends playing zombies. RIP Couch co-op. Treyarch 2010, Call of Duty: Black Ops, video game, PlayStation 3, Activision.
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The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
While Skyrim is the superior game, it doesn't hold the same mysticism as Oblivion IMO. Oblivion felt like a real living fantasy world that I could get lost in despite some of its technical limitations. It felt like a DnD campaign in the sense it could be tonely mature then silly without it being jarring. Bethesda Game Studios 2006, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, video game, PS3 3, Bethesda Softworks.
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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
I bought MW3 and for the first time, got heavily involved with the community, hosting and theory crafting custom gamemodes for private lobbies. Extremely fun experience. Infinity Ward 2011, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, video game, PlayStation 3, Activision.
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Metal Gear Solid HD Collection
Theres some top contenders on this timeline but Metal Gear Solid has got to be, IMO, the greatest video game franchise. All the entries have their pros and cons but I just adore the innovative gameplay with the hours of cinematic cutscenes. MGS3 in particular is my GOAT game. Its a fan service love letter to MGS itself. Kojima Productions 2012, Metal Gear Solid HD Collection, video game, PS3, Konami.
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Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege
I hated this game at launch. It was clunky and I sucked at it. It took a lot of time and persistence until it clicked. I played this game competitively with friends even to this date and really solidified at the time new friendships. We used to be high plat until life got in the way and we suck again. Monty is my man. Ubisoft Montreal 2015, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege, video game, PlayStation 4, Ubisoft.
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Dark Souls III
I really tried to get into DS1 and Bloodborne, but the series never clicked until DS3. It took me days to get past the first boss Gundyr but when I did I got the stereotypical DS high. It has it all for me, I fulfilling single player that is fun with friends with great combat and setting. IMO the peak of the series. FormSoftware 2016, Dark Souls 3, video game, PS4, Bandai Namco Entertainment.
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Persona 5
This game somehow makes traditional turn-based RPG fun. It has so much personality and sass. The music is top notch, the characters and writing are great and visually its so stylised and fun. P-Studio 2016, Persona 5, video game, PlayStation 4, Atlus.
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Yakuza 0
Yakuza was one of my favourite game series yet I only ever played #2. it was just difficult to source copies back then. But Yakuza 0 came out and woah was it an upgrade. It's essentially a Japanese melodrama with tattoo'd gangsters punching each other mixed with arcade machines, fishing and property management. If you have the time dont miss this one. Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio 2017, Yakuza 0, video game, PS4, Sega.
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Kingdom Hearts II
I adored the KH series as a kid but I could never beat them due to being young. I decided with the PS4 HD release I would master the game and I did. 100% the game on critical mode and got the gold crown. I believe this game still has one of the strongest combat systems made. Square Enix 1st Production Department 2017, Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 Remix, video game, PlayStation 4, Square Enix.
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Completed Academy of Interactive Entertainment Cert III
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Super Mario Odyssey
This game is so good it warrants it's own separate entry on the timeline. If you know you know. It's an amazing game and a console seller. The diversity this game allows is second-to-none. My little cousin started reception this year and he is so good. He was researching speed strats & skips while he was still a toddler. Nintendo EPD 2017, Super Mario Odyssey, video game, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo. https://s3.gaming-cdn.com/images/products/2618/orig/super-mario-odyssey-switch-cover.jpg -
Girls' Frontline EN
Mobile gacha game GFL releases its global server. Being introduced by a friend during the beta I was excited for the release. This is a game I play in short bursts daily when able since release. I am extremely fond of the game due to the music and being a gun nerd. MICA Team 2018, Girls' Frontline, video game, Android, Sunborn.
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Resident Evil 2 REmaster
Resident Evil VII was great. But this was the revival of the series. RE2 Remake is almost a perfect game and the pinnacle of the survival horror genre. Capcom 2019, Resident Evil 2, video game, PC, Capcom. https://www.koru-cottage.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/RE2-Feature.jpg -
VA11HallA: Cyberpunk Bartender Action
I would consider Valhalla to be my favourite indie game of all time. It's a type of Visual Novel (not a genre I usually enjoy), with a twist. The bartending elements add some much needed gameplay and diversity to essentially a book while still being laidback. The music, characters, writing and artstyle are unique, effective and beautiful. Sukeban Games 2016, VA-11 Hall-A, video game, PC, Ysbryd Games.
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Metro Exodus
4A Games 2019, Metro Exodus, video game, PC, Deep Silver. https://cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steam/apps/412020/capsule_616x353.jpg?t=1600359844> -
Paper Mario: The Origami King
I always heard good things about the Mario RPG's but i never played one. Admittedly the gameplay isn't strong but it tried. The real heart of the game is the story and presentation. So much love was put into this game and it shows. Shout out to my homie Bobby the Bob-omb. Intelligent Systems 2020, Paper Mario: The Origami King, video game, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/59/Paper_Mario_The_Origami_King.jpg/220px-Paper_Mario_The_Origami_King.jpg -
Cyberpunk 2077
:( CD Projekt Red 2020, Cyberpunk 2077, video game, PC, CD Projekt. https://static-cdn.jtvnw.net/ttv-boxart/Cyberpunk%202077.jpg
