#49

YoY: -5

Platforms: PS3, PS4   My Rating: 8.9/10

Uncharted 2 was the game that fulfilled the potential the first game had shown, but had failed to properly execute on. Everything here is better, the gameplay is more varied and better balanced, the story is better written, the characters have more depth to them, and the visuals were absolutely breathtaking at the time. Later games would continue to improve on the gameplay aspects of the franchise, but it would take until Uncharted 4 that a game in the series outdid this one on other elements.

I can still go back and play Among Thieves without any issues, and it feels like going back to meet old friends. Perhaps more than anything, the thing that truly carries these games is the interaction between the characters and the relationships that develop and evolve between them over the course of the series. One of the PS3's best games to this day.

Some extra clues for some of my games

#50 The bonus stages are for earning continues in this game my friend. If you want those precious jewels, you’ll have to scour the levels themselves.
The game doesn't really get to show off the attribute its star is known for. You'd need to play its namesake on more powerful hardware to get that fix.

#49 Story-heavy handheld sequel that unfolds over a number of days, rather than one day like the previous game.
It's a much more personal story for the protagonist.

#47 Destroying speakers will stop music playing in that particular part of the level
Due to a bug, it's impossible to collect everything in the original version of the game. To access the secret level, you have to use a cheat code or an Action Replay

The Dreamcast was a great console. It's a shame that its life was cut short due to the onslaught of a certain behemoth of a console that I personally never ended up getting. Dynamite Cop is a beat-'em up game that has its roots in the arcade. Its predecessor was a Japanese arcade game that was licensed to be a Die Hard game in the west. The game is completely ridiculous, from its story to the weapons you use to beat up your enemies, but that is what's so much fun about it. There were a couple good games on Dreamcast of this type, and this included something like Jedi Power Battles, which is part of one of my favourite franchises in general. but Dynamite Cop was the most memorable one to me, and the one I usually returned to.

Unguessed

Similarly, the first PlayStation was a great console. It however, very much succeeded and enjoyed a fruitful life with tons of games in any genre one could dream of. Out of the blue, the system became home to a series of three excellent platformers, of which I'd say the third game, Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped (for some reason officially known in the Americas without the number '3' in the title), was the pinnacle. It's quite rare actually, for a sequel to be better than an original. Let alone a third game. But in this game, everything came together and the developer perfected their art. This was the era of easy pirating. Just let your computer download a game for a couple of days with your 56k modem, burn it to a disc, and play it on your modded PlayStation. We had stacks of games as far as the eye could see at some point, but every now and then, there was a game that was worth it, and we bought it, just to have the best quality disc and case and have cool manuals. Crash Bandicoot 3, was one of those games.

Guessed by Veknoid_Outcast

A few changes around in my list this year, mostly due to it becoming more full of Yakuza/RGG Studio - played Ishin for the first time this year and it quickly became one of my favourite games ever. Fist of the North Star: Lost Judgement as well, never had any interaction with the franchise before but it was essentially a post-apocalyptic Yakuza game which was just fantastic.

Pokemon Legends Arceus was the Pokemon game I'd envisioned for 20 years, and easily made its way near the top of my list as well, even overtaking the incredible Pokemon Black 2/White 2 - I really need to give them another playthrough, but Arceus was so joyful it's at #4.

A couple of shuffles around the lower end too this year, with Little Nightmares pushed out in favour of Dr Mario 64 and Yakuza 4/Lost Judgement coming in too.

I've just dropped my whole list at once due to lack of time :)

Alright 2 more entries cuz Im late again lol

#48

(NEW)

A new one! Actually the only 2022 entry on my list (was rooting for LEGO Skywalker Saga but it didn't quite live up to my expectations tbh) and this was a fun little adventure. It tires out a bit as you progress through it but it was a refreshing and beautiful experience. Probably won't make it next year but had a great time with this regardless

#47

(-4)

Another childhood classic and one that unfortunately probably won't last much longer on my list as new entries surpass it in almost every aspect. Still, this was a blast to play and a core part of my younger life. Also, this still probably has my favorite collection of maps in the series

My hints up to 46 were figured out so here are some more hints for other games:

45 - Spiritual successor to a zombie game

44 - This game had a crossover DLC with another game from the same developer.

I'll take a shot in the dark with Dino Crisis

Nope, but that game does fit the hint. 2nd hint: The game is an FPS. 

Back 4 Blood and Control.

Correct with both.