25

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

• Sony PlayStation 3
• 2009

• Guessed by Jpcc86

This impressive game basically immortalised the PlayStation 3. It is the definitive game to own on the system that sets it apart from all other systems. It is also the greatest effort by its developer, and evidently no corners were cut judging by how polished it is.

Gameplay, tight control, level design, character design, story and the technical aspects are all top notch. Personally I was already quite impressed by the game's prologue. An escape from a derailed train that's breaking apart, and then struggling through snow until you find the important artefact.

To me, Uncharted 3 is actually not that far behind this one. Some years I'll also include that one in the list. I like the less supernatural tone of the story in that one a bit more than I do the story in this game, and it looks even better, but I think it goes without saying that when gameplay concerns, this one reigns supreme.

24

Mega Man 2

• Nintendo Entertainment System
• 1991

• Guessed by TruckOSaurus

Talking tight controls, Mega Man 2 is definitely a contender for that crown. On of my favourite NES games, I played it decades after it's prime. Still, not exactly recently, but let's say we at least already had a blue-ray or two. There was a year where I figured I'd go on a buying spree on eBay and Marktplaats (like a Dutch eBay), and buy a whole bunch of NES and SNES games. I bought the the two NES Zelda games of course, which I didn't personally have, and other complete classics. Like Mega Man 2.

This game features quite a nifty save feature. Not a battery powered one like the Zelda games, or a simple password, but a tic-tac-toe game. Because the first half of the game is not linear, the developers though up a way to create unique codes for each possible combination of the order of the levels. To continue, you have to put in set of balls in a grid of squares in a specific way. With my game, I still have a set of papers with the codes drawn on them.

23

Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast

• Windows PC
• 2002

• Guessed by The_Liquid_Laser

The best Jedi centered game ever made. Combat focused anyway. Maybe its mechanics are a bit simple, but they are immensely satisfying. Especially after you get the lightsaber, also known as the best weapon ever invented, going through the levels and fighting the enemies will put a smile on your face. Fighting with it is basically strafing left and right while pressing the attack button, but the blade slices through those Stormtroopers like butter. And it's all you ever want to do. I want to do it now.

It looks very good as well. I't astonishing to think that this game is almost 20 years old now. Even today, the Stormtroopers armour still looks neatly smooth. I don't think I've seen a game with better looking Stormtrooper armour. The hilt of the lightsaber is nicely detailed, the beam looks real and the light effects are vivid.

22

SimCity 3000

• Windows PC
• 1999

• Guessed by Jpcc86

One of my early addictions, I played this game a lot. Daily, for entire days. Who cares about school and things. Right up until it got replaced by its vastly superior successor some years later. Still, SimCity 3000 is unforgettable.

The game wasn't the first in franchise I ever played; SimTower was already included in the list and right around the time of that game, there was SimCity 2000. Also great, and I also played it a lot, but it quite limited. SimCity 3000 opened a whole new world of realising your dream cities.

The game has also contributed to my working career in real life, and it influenced what I would go on to study. Through the game, I became interested in urbanism and architecture. I became interested in visiting cities and places. Later, I went on to study architecture, which I am now. Basically, this game changed the course of my life. I wonder what I'd be doing now if I never played this, which is crazy to think.

21

The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask

• Nintendo 64, GameCube, 3DS
• 2000

• Guessed by UnderwaterFunktown

It is difficult to come up with a hint in this guessing game for Majora's Mask, because it is so unique. Still unmistakably a Zelda game, and a great follow up to its predecessor, it features so many recognisable things that can only lead to this game. I guess that's a strength.

After such a lauded first game on the Nintendo 64, Nintendo had an uphill battle with its follow-up. The story of how it came to be should be familiar by now, but it's safe to say they did a good job. The follow-up to Breath of the Wild, an equally lauded 'first game', should take notes from Majora's Mask. It's probably no use trying to one-up the predecessor. It's better to make something smaller, yet focussed and unique. I hope they do that.

The big thing is obviously the timer. There's 72 hours of in-game time, which can be slowed to half its speed later on. This was also featured in the game's commercials on tv. I remember having a debate about this with my mother. She thought it said 27 hours and we did a little wager. I won.