Once more I have fallen behind on my list, here goes;
Number 32: GTA: San Andreas (Rockstar, PS2).
I remember waiting for this to arrive in the mail, I had it pre-ordered and the GTA series seems to be the only long-running series that I have craved on day one for each installment, all the way from the very first one published by BMG/Take-Two.
Not knowing what to expect after the 90's New York setting in GTA 3 and the fantastic 80's Miami vibe from Vice City; I was in for a shock when I played this title. It managed to become the best GTA game of them all, the sheer size, variety and scope of it all was beyond anything else in the series and the charactes and voice-acting were amazing.
The writing is sharp and the gameplay is fantastic and holds so many different concepts and possibilities out to you, it is damn near impossible to get tired of this game and its cast.
Easily the best GTA for me, and easily deserving of a spot on my top 50 list.
Number 31: Far Cry (Crytek, PC).
This was a real sleeper hit from a small name in the industry at the time; who would have thought that they could present such a fresh and exciting concept to the somewhat stale FPS genre? Far Cry properly introduced an open world setting paired with open-ended gameplay and was notoriously difficult at some points, actually causing the player to reconsider going into combat to begin with, the story was a non-factor, but the gameplay was the star of the show. The weapons were heavy and cumbersome like they should be, ammo was scarce (mission where you're dropped out of a helicopter with only a revolver and a few bullets, in the middle of a jungle infested with deadly enemies is unforgetable) and the enemies were tough.
The visuals were amazing and it was very ambitious of Crytek to choose a setting with so much brush, trees and detailed nature, this was highly daring in an FPS title but the game ran smoothly as Barry White on a buttered mirror across slick ice in heavy backwinds, which makes it a comical display (literally) to see Crytek's later efforts which were widely (and factually) regarded as some of the most poorly optimized bullsit ever released.
This game reminds me of what Crytek once was, and that makes me thankful for the game itself but sad when seeing what they have become.
Number 30: Vampire The Masquerade: Bloodlines (Troika Games, PC).
Another hallmark title made with the versatile Source engine and a fantastic and thoroughbred RPG which remains true and on-point with the source material. Based off of Anne Rice's hugely involving vampire universe, this game lets you create and control a denizen of the nigth; a true vampire, no glittering in the sun, no sulking high-school crushes and no spending more time with a comb and hairgel than actual rampaging and skulking.
The game features several fantastic NPC's and the interaction is intense and grounded, the dialogue is sharp and to the point and the visual undertones and detail to eyes, faces and contrasts in light and shadow creates an oppressing but simultaneously inviting atmosphere; you almost don't want to know what lurks behind the corner as much as you want to.
The werewolf encounter still sits in my memory as one of the biggest "OF FUCK!" moments in my long and broad gaming experience.
Troika games, sadly, had to shut down shortly after this release but a helpful modding community has helped keep the title alive and well and if you can get past the unorthodox gameplay and interfaces and a couple of quirks, as well as a somewhat unstable difficulty curve; there's a real gem to be enjoyed here!
Hint for number 29:
The developers behind this are already featured on my list, this title was a spiritual successor to a much lesser known title by the same studios and is considered a highlight in the 7th gen, in particular noted for its grit and emotional story.
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