Top 7 Games of 2011

So here we are then. 2011 has come and gone quicker than a greased up Usain Bolt. This time last year we were discussing the awesome amount of games coming out this year, and now we are a whole year ahead, we can look back and bask in the all the amazing games that were released this year. Nearly every game lived up to expectations with many easily surpassing them, but we also had a few let downs, mainly Homefront and Duke Nukem, but overall I think I can say that 2011 has been one of the best ever years for video games. What set 2011 apart though was that every genre received a new king, meaning that every gamer has their own Game of the Year. If you like RPG's, you had Skyrim and Dark Souls easily seizing victory whilst if you enjoy the bang-bang-shooty games, there were many to satisfy you. So, with that in mind, here are my top 7 games of 2011........


7. Battlefield 3
I chose Battlefield this year. There was no way I could avoid the huge battle of FPS' this year, so after much deliberation, I settled for EA's new big shooter, and boy was I impressed. The graphics are as good as they say and the sound is terrifying as every bullet fly's past your head with a hissing tone. Whilst it is not the perfect game EA big it up to be, Battlefield 3 is an explosive, heart pounding experience that, in my opinion, has the greatest multiplayer ever created. Simply expanding on the previous entries, the online component is ridiculously huge and unlike the lone wolf Call of Duty, heavily relies on strong teamwork to succeed. Having never played a Battlefield game before, I was a little intimidated by the whole team aspect, but due to impeccable design, I was working as a team in a squad of four by my first match. With a whole array of unlocks, vehicles and maps the size of Russia, Battlefield 3 is the main reason why my PS3 is plugged up to the internet this year!

6. Rayman Origins
As time went on and gamers required a constant supply of originality and excitement, poor old Rayman lost his ways, but in 2011 he popped back up from no where with this years most feel good, and beautiful game. 
Returning to his roots with his best friend Globox, Rayman showed the gaming world that in a time of grey and beige military men, a classic 2D platforming adventure can still provide many hours of fun and excitement. With slick controls and incredibly inventive and original ideas, the whole Rayman universe was shaken up and reinvigorated. The actual platforming was nothing special, with the classic hidden areas and such, but the art style is simply gorgeous in every way shape and form. The bold cartoony colours feel like a game on acid whilst the comical character animations are simply hilarious. Rayman Origins is a very underrated game this year, it shows people that a game doesn't have to be serious or realistic, instead, a game can be inventive and try something new. Gaming is a platform for originality, and Rayman is the perfect example of a risk well received. 

5. InFamous 2
There is something about superhero's, I don't really know what, but they just get me all excited and make me grin stupidly with childlike glee. Luckily, there were two actually good, if not amazing, super hero games this year, and the first was the wonderful InFamous 2. I loved the original, the story, the setting, the gameplay and the atmosphere was fantastic and created an incredibly involving and believable world. However, it was held back by a few little niggles such as scrappy graphics and awful voice acting. In 2011 though with the ten tonne pressure from Sony, Sucker Punch delivered a much more complete experience that felt as it was ripped straight from a comic. Cole was bigger and better with a huge arsenal of epic powers whilst the story was cheesy but cheery. InFamous 2 was not popular with everyone though, but for me, a super hero lover, there was no other game this year that made me feel like my favourite heroes and put power in my hands. (Except another game, which I will come to later!)

4. NBA 2K12
NBA I hear you ask? That is not a proper game! Oh but wait, unlike the classic FIFA criticism of the same game only slightly better re-release we hear each year, the team at 2K constantly make huge improvements with every yearly instalment, and as a result have created the greatest sport game ever. Last years model focused around all time legend Michael Jordan with a series of classic match challenges, but this year, not only is Air Jordan present, a whole host of legends ranging from Larry Bird to Wilt Chamberlin are present, and each has the same love and attention. The My Player mode was streamlined this year resulting in a much more lively experience and the Association mode is once again the pinnacle of sport campaigns. But, the main reason why I am placing NBA 2K12 so high in my list is this: the media always claim how games make people lazy, keep them indoors and brain wash them, but, after playing NBA 2K12, I have discovered a new sport that I love and adore. Before I played the game I had little to do with basketball, but now I play weekly and watch the NBA live nearly everyday. Isn't that good then? If a game can introduce someone to something which they grow to love? If a virtual game can do that, then it must be something special.

3. Batman Arkham City
As previously stated, I love super heroes in every way and whilst InFamous did satisfy my nerdy needs, Batman smothered me with so much pure comic love that I actually became the Caped Crusader for a beautiful but brief 35 hours. Oozing with atmosphere, the world of Arkham City was outstanding in every way and possibly the most believable world since Rapture. The distinctive style of Rocksteady's masterpiece creates the ultimate Batman game, and one that will be held as the benchmark for all things 'comicy'. With a plethora of Batman villains ranging from the Joker to the Riddler, every aspect of Batman's history was covered. Add in a wider range of weapons and gadgets and you have yourself the ultimate super hero experience. Whilst the story was a little short the huge array of side missions was simply staggering and even after 35 hours of gaming, I'm still only around 70% complete. Arkham City blew everyone out of the water and made everyone the Worlds Greatest Detective, a feat that is near unreachable, yet was somehow achieved by the brilliant RockSteady.

2. Uncharted 3: Drakes Deception
Sequel to my favourite game of all time, Uncharted 3 finished the PS3's flagship franchise with not only a bang, but a nuclear sized explosion. Known for its huge set pieces and sharp writing, the Uncharted franchise has reached its full potential at last with the third instalment. In Uncharted 2 the biggest set piece was the wonderful train level, but in Uncharted 3, the train level is made to look like a simple tutorial. Nathan Drake (who once returns as loveable as ever), is thrown around the globe once again and somehow finds himself stumbling through the desert, sneaking around a ship graveyard and flying out of a plane, as the once again intriguing story follows many twists and turns. Naughty Dog understood that the gun play became slightly stale towards the end of Uncharted 2, so have shaken up the formula in the forms of vertical gun play and even a fire fight in the water. Uncharted 3 is simply incredible in every way and is the reason to buy a PlayStation if there ever was one. Nolan North and the team pull out great performances again with the bets cut scenes ever to come out of a game. It is also the most beautiful game ever, everyone looks amazing and the attention to detail is simply staggering. Overall, Uncharted 3 is the biggest and boldest game to come out on the PS3 since, well Uncharted 2, and that's saying something!

1. Portal 2
Here it is then, my favourite game of 2011. I could write many pages about how I love this game, but as you would become bored ever so quickly, I will refrain. No longer is Valve's Portal a side project, it has transformed into the greatest gaming franchise this generation, bar Bioshock. Valve stepped up every gear for the sequel and by doing so, have created a modern day masterpiece that will surely be remembered for many years to come. Plunging the player into the deeper, darker areas of Aperture, the story and writing for Portal 2 was outstanding, with the vicious black humour acting as a  constant supply of laughs. Introducing new characters such as Wheatley and Cave Johnson, the Portal universe has expanded exponentially, becoming more fleshed out and richer in every sense of the word. Not only was the atmosphere and story improved upon though, oh no, the main aspect, the puzzles, were once again back in their mind bending form. By including new gels, lasers and excursion tunnels, the puzzles could take on many new forms which required long thought sessions, many of which hurt. Portal 2 is simple gaming bliss. There's no huge explosions, there's no evil Nazi space Orks and no annoying 'human' team mate painfully explaining what to do. Portal 2 returns to being a game, one that has a story, gameplay and most of all, is fun to play. Portal 2 is my Game of the Year for 2011

Honourable Mentions
I understand that there are many games that didn't make the list which are much loved and incredible, so, here are a few that I didn't add but I know were loved:

Skyrim
LA Noire
Gears of War 3
Bastion
Killzone 3
Dead Space 2
LittleBigPlanet 2
Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword





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EuroGamer 2011 Report

Ever since I bought my EuroGamer Expo tickets in April, I have been shaken and sweating at the exciting prospect of witnessing and playing 2011's most anticipated games. So, as I stepped out of Earl's Court station yesterday, a huge smile spread across my face. This grin wasn't wiped off until I plonked my self down on my sofa at home! EuroGamer 2011 was amazing. The atmosphere was incredible, the people were friendly and the range of stalls went from American sweets to the PS Vita. So, after spending a whole day up in London, I thought it would be nice to recall some key events for those people who couldn't make it :(


As we wandered around gaining our bearings, we stumbled across a little game called Rage. With around 50 TV screens, id Software had one of the largest stalls at EuroGamer this year. The level I played was in an abandoned and destroyed hotel which was crawling with charging orc type enemies. The first thing that struck me was that the much applauded graphics didn't seem to be all they are hyped up to be. Yes it runs smoothly and even in the more chaotic scenes there was not one shudder, but the textures seemed slightly flat and the particle effects average. However, you cant judge a game by its graphics! The gameplay was smooth and the weapons were great fun, likewise, the driving sections fitted in well and vehicles handled realistically. Whilst it was only a short 10 minute experience, Rage, for some reason, didn't impress me. I think it may have been the disappointing visuals, but we can decide the final game when it is released on October 7th.


After Rage we continued to wander where I found a spare seat for Uncharted 3 online but this time in 3D. The 3D worked well as a novelty but I cant really see it working as a main gimmick, especially in multiplayer which requires less admiring and more action. Behind Uncharted (which Sony was pushing extremely hard) was a little indie game by thatgamecompany, the creators of PSN classics like Flower and Flo. It was called Journey and followed a little mysterious figure wandering through a large, shape shifting desert. The experience was pristine and you were taken away from the crowds as you wandered carelessly as a cloud. One to keep an eye on I'm sure.

Whilst we considered whether to queue for Skyrim or Batman which were. by far, the most popular games at EuroGamer (both had a queue over an hour long), we popped into the indie section. If you could fight of the pungent smell of sweat and energy drinks, you could find a couple of real gems within the barrage of little downloadable games. There were a few hit and miss such as a Minecraft copy but with dots to make up the graphics and a tedious puzzle game involving hearts, but overall the quality was outstanding. The inclusion of the front facing camera from an Ipad 2 meant that one game had you tilting your hands to guide sand into a box. These beautiful, intuitive, new ways of playing made the future look bright for indie developers. On a similar note, Hello Games were there with their amazing Joe Danger 2. I don't really know what else I can say about that apart from, its another Joe Danger game!


So, after an hour and a half of chilling and relaxing, we decided to step up ante. Although the queue for the PS Vita was an hour long, we dived in and stood there patiently, drooling at the sight of Sony's new handheld. Compared to the other demo's at EuroGamer, PS Vita gave you a 10 minute session with a helper who guided and explained the device in great depth. They were really friendly and made you feel at ease with the new device. The first thing that struck me was how light the device is. it must have weighed around 20 grams, without the 40 gram battery that is. Much like the iPhone 4 though, it is light but feels sturdy in your hands and sits well, resulting in a natural holding position which, after the arm bending 3DS, is a miracle. I got to play WipeOut which beautifully showcased the 5 inch OLED screen which produced strong and vibrant colours that could stand tall next to Apple's retina display. The back touchpad works really well as your fingers fall there naturally, I hope developers use the touchapd as it really could add some true innovations to handheld gaming. Whilst the Vita blew my mind, the one little niggle i had was its shoulder buttons which felt a bit clunky and didn't really 'click'. I'm sure you can get used to this, but for a console which utilises the shoulder buttons a lot, it was a bit of a shame. Overall, the Vita is a gorgeous bit of kit that is sure to succeed, I know for certain that my pre-order is going down as soon as Sony sniff at Europe! 

To help us recover from a melted face we decided to check out some of the other AAA titles, but not the really really busy ones! The first game I spotted was the rock hard Dark Souls, spiritual successor to 2010's monstrous Demon Souls. As you may know, I am not the biggest RPG fan of all time, I struggle to enjoy them and get properly involved. Because of this, I wasn't really expecting anything from Dark Souls, apart from it to be ridiculously hard. The demo lasted fro around 15 minutes but I couldn't defeat the first 'boss', a giant warthog. You may laugh, but then my friend Toran played it and, regarding that he has Platinumed Fallout 3, he couldn't beat the damn warthog either. So, to conclude then, Dark Souls looks really nice, but is so darn hard that I cant say anything else about it! To recover from the post-traumatic experience that was Dark Souls I then jumped into a quick Team Deathmatch on Assassins Creed Revelations which was pleasantly surprising with bold visuals and the most tense online component that I have ever played. 

After delving in Dark Souls and Assassins Creed I decided to take the risk and queue for Skyrim, but as I was waiting patiently I spotted a stall with SSX in. I did a cartoony blink at the sight of this, SSX is one of my favourite franchises ever and the latest installment is one of my most anticipated. I used over and got ready for the avalanche on my senses. All I can say is just wow. Gamers feared that SSX would be taking a new sensible route and we all went mental about it, but I can safely say that SSX is returning to its roots and, at the moment, has a classic on its hands. The crazy tricks are still there, the insane sense of speed is even more prevalent, the tracks are over the top and the soundtrack booms away, quickening your pulse. The experience simply made me grin with pure nostalgia and, surprise surprise, adrenaline. With a much deeper character selection which includes ice hooks and squirrel suits, the new SSX is looking to be shaking things up, but keeping it safe at the same time, its a risky move, but one that seems to be working exquisitely.  .

With queues dropping and time running out, the whole group decided to take a plunge and dive into Skyrim. Luckily, we only had to wait a mere 15 mins for our glorious turn of the years most anticipated game. Surround sound headphones? Check. 50 Inch TV? Check. Endless world? Check. Not only was the demo for Skyrim the full game world, but it also gave you the chance to customize your character down to his eye depth. You can probably work it out, but Skyrim blew me away. I was expecting it to be huge, but not that huge! Gone are the empty lifeless forests of Oblivion, instead, you have the most lively and pulsating atmosphere in a game that I can remember. The vista's are amazing and the range of settings is huge. A 20 minute demo saw me explore caves, climb a mountain and invade a walled city. The combat is, well, perfect, with a range of weapons and the ability to dual wield spells. Akimbo fire? Check! There are many games people claim need to be played once in a lifetime, and even 2 months before its release date, I am labelling Skyrim as one of these games. The world is so beautiful and it breaths, you an feel it breath. OK, I am lathering the game, but really, it was incredible and well worth the £5 entry fee and train journey alone!

Thats it. These are the highlights that I hope you enjoy. EuroGamer was awesome and, although I tried a trifle of epic games, there were still loads that I didn't. Battlefield 3, Modern Warfare 3, Anarchy Reigns, Mass Effect 3, Bioshock  Infinite, I missed out on all these awesome games, but, to be honest, I really couldn't care less. For the price of a McDonald's I got to wander Skyrim, feel the future of handhelds and bask in the best atmosphere ever. Us gamers get a lot of slack through the media, but if they could only see the pure passion and excitement that everyone feels, then they would surely change their mind. Until next year,


James :)

Best Soundtracks ever

The world would be a very boring place without music. Imagine waking up in the morning to the horrible sound of silence, no birds singing, no wind rustling the trees, no bin men shouting at each other. Everything needs music, fact. No more so than games, surprisingly! Much like movies, games benefit hugely with a impeccably crafted soundtrack as the rhythm sways and beats alongside the experience. What would the Psycho shower scene be without the screeching violins? Music adds to the experience and without it, it is not the same. So, to celebrate the beauty of sound, here are my favourite game soundtracks of all time......


God of War series - Gerard K Marino
Not only does the God of War franchise bring epic battles and twisting narratives into the mix, it utilises a grand and majestic soundtrack composed by Gerard K Marino. The sweeping orchestra transcends faultlessly from highs to lows as the player effortlessly controls crazy man Kratos as he rips open someone's skull. The pairing of sight and sound combine to create a truly epic piece of gaming bliss. Whether it is making love to a sexaayyy Greek God or constantly punching your dads face, Mr Marino's soundtrack is always there, intensifying the scenes. A wonderful piece of composing.



SSX On Tour - Various Artist's
A 'soundtrack' doesn't have to consist of layered orchestral monsters, instead, some games simply rely on everyday bands and artists with everyday tunes. Whilst the SSX franchise is normally considered to have one of the best soundtracks of all time, I personally feel that the sub par sequel On Tour is by far the best. The range of artists goes from gangster Jurassic Park to rock gods Iron Maiden, but somehow each song fits perfectly alongside each other. One of my defining memories of gaming would be riding down the mountain listening to Banquet by Bloc Party, the many tunes have stuck with me and are still permanently booming out of my headphones! Bar a later entry, SSX On Tour is my favourite soundtrack of all time, OF ALL TIME!


Mario - Various Artists 
C'mon, seriously? How could I not do a list without the beautifully iconic Mario theme tune? Ding ding ding dinga ding dinga ding. Thats my attempted impression using text, but not even that can do the various songs justice.There are many arguments regarding which Mario them tune is the best, Super Mario 64, Super Mario Galaxy, Super Mario Kart? All of them are fantastic, but in my eyes, only one stands victorious, that is of course, Super Mario Bro's. The manic Japanese tinks and tanks just simply make you smile with their cheery tunes. So, to conclude, not only is Mario the pinnacle of pure gameplay, but he also houses the greatest collection of theme songs? Truly an iconic tune.


Legend Of Zelda Ocarina of Time - Koji Kondo
What is it with Ninetendo and their tunes? Whether its just the catchy style of exquisite execution, the whole Nintendo library seems to have a pile of great sound tracks, but if I had to pick another one, it would no doubt be Ocarina. As many of you know a full orchestrated recreation of the classic songs were performed at Nintendo's E3 conference. As the only good thing about that conference, the performance is going to go down in history as millions of nerds sat at their computers and cried their eyes out. The songs are pure gaming nostalgia, but don't forgret that they are a major component for arguably the greatest game of all time!



Portal - Kelly Bailey and Mike Morasky
The little darling of gaming stands as having one of the greatest soundtracks of all time and dare I say it, the greatest ending sequence ever. I am struggling to choose between the original or the sequel but I have decided to choose the first. What at first seems like a friendly science lab evolves into a seamlessly evil headquarters for a deranged robot, and as we take this journey, so does the music. Starting off electronic and smooth the sounds change into darker themes, utilising reverb and other crazy synth-y terms, resulting in a haunting experience with tunes that will not get out of your head. But, I hear you ask, what about Still Alive? The best song ever? Well, all I can say about Still Alive is just......... nothing, it is too perfect.


GTA IV - Various Artists
It is rare for a game to owe a lot of its success to its soundtrack, yet alone a whole franchise. That is why the whole Grand Theft Auto series is a masterclass in song choice. So you have a rare franchise which is known for its incredible soundtrack, but much like Mario, which one is best? Although Vice City and San Andreas did have lubbly jubbly soundtracks, I personally believe that the latest instalment just tips the others to the line. The reason for this is the pure range of songs, if you like Latino music, you can listen to it, if you like Classic Rock, you are catered for, the list goes on and on. With over 10 radio stations all beaming out music goodness, whatever you preference, the team at Rockstar made sure your ear buds were satisfied. 


Tony Hawks Pro Skater 2

When EA released Skate in 2007, the Tony Hawks franchise sadly diminished into nothing. The once great franchise had turned to kiddy fun, a turn that made gamers skate away. However, the Tony Hawks series holds many legacies, one being the best sports game of all time, another being some of the most intuitive controls ever, but for me, the biggest memory is its amazing soundtrack. A magical mix of thrash metal, heavy rap, heavy rock, every hardcore music genre was included and somehow managed to be coherent and fantastic. The amount of classic songs was ridiculous; the beats of Bring the Noise and the wow wow of Tom Merrelo's guitar for Guerilla Radio all came together in a nirvana of not just music heaven, but gaming heaven. Likewise, THPS 3 and 4 both had rocking soundtracks, but I believe that number 2 holds the title. Tony Hawks Pro Skater 2, in my mind, defeats all classical artsy fartsy songs, and rises to the top. Best soundtrack ever.


Honourable Mentions
Before I leave you I would like to say that I understand that this list may not be to your preference and misses out on a few other great soundtracks, here the ones that didn't make the list........

Why Batman Arkham Asylum is Brilliant

I committed a crime. No, I didn't stab a granny or not recycle a milk carton. I didn't play Batman Arkham Asylum for 2 years since its release. TWO YEARS? I hear you shout from the roof tops of hatred (?). However, after delving into AA and completing it, I can safely admit that I was an idiot. I wasted TWO YEARS playing other crappy titles. when I could have been taking out henchman, well, like Batman. So as you can gather, I like Batman Arkham Asylum and I truly believe that it deserves more credit that it was given, here's why:

Ridiculously detail

Rarely are us gamers treated to such a highly detailed world. The world you walk around breaths and feels just like it has been ripped out of a comic. The sadistic screams, the words scratched into the wall, the remains of a body, the world is chock full of little details that make the game, as a whole, feel entirely alive. The game may be quite linear and simple in places, but the pure breadth of detail is mind blowing.

One for the Fans

Much like the meticulous attention to detail, Rocksteady have rammed Arkham Asylum with nods to Batman's other darkest villains. The references aren't forced upon you, with some requiring a surprising amount of exploration to discover, meaning that Rocksteady are adding these gems in for themselves, not just us, showing their real passion for the material. Whether it be the eerie puppet of Scarface or the dismantled soldiers of Humpty Dumpty, each reference is executed with passion and detail, resulting in a beautifully crafted comic book world.

Simple but Sweet

Much like me, Batman Arkham Asylum is not exactly the most intelligent game out there, but what it does, it does very well indeed. Whilst most comic book games copy and paste God of War's concrete gameplay style, AA is not afraid to be different. It simplify's the combat, but like all good systems, it is easy to learn, but near impossible to master. Consisting of only 3 buttons (and occasionally a fourth) the combat relies heavily on timings. Watching Batman leap around the screen, countering moves and destroying henchmen is a thing of beauty, an experience that makes you feel like you are Batman, not controlling him on screen. It goes to show, a deep combat system does not always mean enjoyment when playing.

Its dark, but funny, cheesy, but serious.

This is a point that only I seem to pick up on, but let me explain myself. The word 'gritty' is thrown about a lot in games, and normally it means that the game is slightly dark and someone dies. However, Batman is very gritty. The setting is dark but still manages to seem alive and colourful whilst Batman's enemies are actually skilled and aren't afraid to feed Bats with lead. But, look past the exterior and AA becomes quite cheesy. The storyline isn't exactly Shakespeare and there is fun to be had in places. Harley Quinn raises a few laughs and if you take you time to listen to guards conversing , some humorous lines to pop up. Once again though, with every joke or witty comment, a Scarecrow meeting or Lunatic scream whips you back into reality. 

Revitalising a whole genre

This is the biggy for me. Batman Arkham Asylum was highly praised for its setting, characters etc, but not many reviews picked up on how Batman made the superhero game suddenly cool again. Yes, many claimed it to be the greatest superhero game of all time, but to be honest, was there much competition? Before AA the comic book genre was abused, acting as money grabbers to screamy movie fanboys. But, now Batman has come along, the comic book game is now cool. Rocksteady showed that if you take time to research your material, make real innovations and think about the world and its place, then you can have a 10/10 hit on your hands, critics and commercial alike. Although not many recent superhero games have bucked the trend by taking full inspiration from Rocksteady, there a few games that are certainly better than before, Captain America for example. Batman Arkham Asylum won many GOTY awards and so it deserves them, but when a game can revitalise a whole genre and style of games, then that it certainly something special.

There we go. I know its late, two years in fact, but I just wanted to express my surprise and amazement at AA. It was a incredible experience and I do believe that it deserves more credit than it was given. Anyway, Batman Arkham City is tantalizing close, so lets wait and see what Rocksteady and deliver second time round, when expectations are shy high.....

Best Game Openings

First Impressions count. That phrase is widely used in every day culture, but is ever so prevalent in gaming. If you start your game with a bang then people will be engrossed and urged to continue, but a 20-hour tutorial will make people flee (Final Fantasy!). So, when an opening literally causes your face to melt, you know that you are in for something pretty special. These are the games with the best openings, like, eva:


Bioshock

Bioshock was an incredible game and is hailed as one of the greats, but it was its memorable opening that really set it apart. After a plane crash your are forced to swim towards a mysterious lighthouse. Things happen and you  plunge to the ocean depths when suddenly the wonderful sight of Rapture bestows your eyes. Partnered with the unnerving commentary from crazed-creator Andrew Ryan, Bioshocks opening scene is one of mystery, intrigue, sadness and terror. Not only did the beginning blow gamers minds, it also acted as a gateway to gamings greatest settings.


Mass Effect 2
All great sci-fi tales have a great opening. Whether it be Star Wars epic space battle or Bladerunners fiery dystopia, the sci-fi genre relies heavily on a strong setting and first impression. Not only did Mass Effect 2 match Star Wars and Bladerunner for story and action, but it beat them with its explosive beginning. Running through your flaming ships corridors attempting to outrun the foreboding flames was an adrenaline shot straight into gamers arms. The death (or is it) of pilot Joker and sudden peace and floatiness in space meant that Mass Effect 2's introduction was a masterclass in action, story and pacing. Just how we like it! 

Final Fantasy VII
The pinnacle of the Final Fantasy franchise and RPG genre was Final Fantasy VII. Whoever thought that a game could be so emotive? FFVII was one of the first games to use music and atmosphere for effectively for its humble introduction. The eerie sounds build as the camera rises over a calm sea when images flash of the future and suddenly FIGHT! No one was expecting to witness such a thing of beauty as FFVII grabbed the gamer and sucked them in, refusing to let them out.  Great game, great intro!

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

Yes, yes, yes, my little baby of a game is one this list. Although Uncharted 2 was the GREATEST GAME OF ALL TIME, Naughty Dog still found space to squeeze in every little 'thing' they could. Famed for its set pieces, the Uncharted franchise relies on its epic moments to really get the juices flowing, but straight at the beginning? WoW! Nathan Drake (swoooon) awakes on a hanging train and suddenyl falls, grabbing dramatically onto a coincidentally placed pole. The camera zooms out when suddenly BANG! The train is over hanging a pretty big drop. The size and scale of UC2 opening scene is massive and give a glimpse of what the gamer is likely to expect from this beautiful masterpiece. For the record, this was the moment I fell in love with Drake.....


Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Blah blah blah, I hate Call of Duty, you all know the drill. However, much like the gaming community, I hold my opinion the CoD4 is the best entry in the ever expanding franchise. The story was actually pretty damn good and the gameplay seemed to be less arcadey, that is why we all love it. Whilst its massive sequel Modern Warfare 2 sold millions and millions, gamers were slightly disappointed with its lacklustre story, especially after CoD4's emotionally charged narrative. The opening was universally brilliant. The first person viewpoint of being driven around an incredibly unstable country was amazing, giving insight and willing to go places that little games have done before. However, only at the end do you realise what is happening. You are the one being killed. A wonderfully hidden twist, puts Keyser Soze to shame!


God of War III
This isn't a top whatever list, but if I were to choose the greatest game opening ever, GOWIII would definitely be the top. The GOW franchise prides itself on its massive levels and its ridiculous introductions. Instead of wheening the player in with silly tutorials, the first levels of each God of War literally chuck you straight into the action. Whilst the first two were not exactly dull, numero three utilised the power of the PS3 and delivered an absolutely unforgettable experience. Riding on the back of a titan who is then being attacked by some weird horse crab water thing was only the start. With only 20 minutes of gameplay, Kratos is already destroying a god and jabbing peoples eyeballs all over the place. God of War 3 was simply a fantastic game, but the opening really made it. GOWIII held firmly onto your balls and did not let go until the stupid 'hope' scene. Oh well. It was God of War!!

'Press Start'........um, ok?

So, you've been waiting for a game for ages. Weeks, months, even years. It flops onto your front mat, the wrapping glistening like a newly polished diamond, You scratch away at it, shaking in anticipation. Its open. You run into your living room, slam on console and slide the disk in, revelling in the sound or computerised heaven. It appears on your homescreen and with a quick press of the X button you are indulged in gaming goodness. But wait, whats this? 'Press Start'? Oh it must be something exciting.......no, its the main menu. Barrowman!

Now we all experience this scenario and whilst it can be quite irritating, its not overly annoying. But after playing Bioshock for the first time yesterday it got me thinking, why do we have to 'Press Start'? 20 years ago when it took three weeks for a console to start up, 'Press Start' was probably a very sneaky loading screen, but now, when you can fit huge amounts of data onto a disk, do games still use 'Press Start' as a loading screen? If they do, what do they load, the main menu? Surely that cant require a lot of processing power compared to a spanning vista of the Wild West.

So much mainstream!

Of course I'm looking far to into this, but its a little thing that makes me wonder. Arcades still use 'Press Start' so the game knows when you have entered your money, but after an investment of £40, I expect my game to realise that I have paid for it! Maybe though, this whole thing is just legacy. Its something that every game has done, it has to be there I suppose.

Its just tradition. Everyone has random traditions, look at Christmas day or  that every time I enter Waterloo Station I have to claim 'there are no rotating billboards' (it was a conversation my brother and I had about the Bourne Ultimatum, long story!). Maybe 'Press Start' is a technique that all developers include because everyone else does it, MAINSTREAM URGHHHH!!!

So as games develop, letting us experience new places, new people, new abilities, we will always be haunted by the dreaded 'Press Start' screen that smiles smugly at our faces. We always push developers to change their ways, try new things, but we really should be telling them to take away the little tease of a screen. Some could say that it is a portal into the magical world of gaming, but that's an obvious lie. If you own a PS3, the bloody installing marathon is that portal, so we don't want to be faced with another barrier!
I guess I'm going to have to take a deep breath and close my eyes. It wont change. Ever. Its going to be here forever. Bit like Cheryl Cole. But hey ho, its annoying, but when you properly think about it, the bigger picture is worth it (Cheryl Cole + Teenage Boy= FUN). Lets just accept it, lets let developers continue destroying our true gaming experiences. Looking back at this whole post, I apologise for its extremely cynical view.

But seriously though, how can Matt Damon blow up a whole apartment by putting a magazine into a toaster? LIES I TELL YOU, LIES!

Even the best game ever suffers from the curse :(

EVERYONE READ PLAY MAGAZINE!!

IT IS AMAZING AND THEY ARE ALL REALLY FUNNY! 

Top 7 Game Art Styles

I don't really like art. First, I'm horrendously awful at it and second, I just find it a bit pretentious, trying to make something out of nothing, a bit like Shakespeare. However, some art does catch my eye, this can range from a cow cut in half to giant slides (HOW IS THAT ART???), but the best type of 'art' is of course our beloved gaming art. Before the countdown begins I would like to explain that by 'art style' I mean the games with the best graphical art style, you know, coloured lines 'n' shiz.

7) Borderlands

Cheeky!

If ever a game crossed 5 genres, it was Borderlands. Its an RPGFPSMMO, yeah, pretty mental. However, the thing that Gearbox really established was the beautiful art style that set Borderlands apart from other open world-y games. The vivid black lines, exaggerated characteristics and dull but lively colours, Borderlands is one of those rare games that looks better when witnessed running than in a screenshot. Whilst the game wasn't incredible and suffered from a few niggles, Borderland's unique style has already influenced many future games whether it be Brink or highly anticipated Rage.

6) Super Paper Mario

It is hard to pick one single Mario game that has the best art style. All games featuring the cheery little plumber feature a certain aesthetic, Galaxy is bright, Super Brothers is simple, but to me, the greatest Mario style has to be Paper Mario. Released in 2007, this adorable little franchise once again had innovative platforming that was perfectly paced and the amazing simplicity of Mario games, but lucky for us a new, a unique and stunning art style was lovingly included. The closest thing we have to a Mario comic, Paper Mario jumped out of our screen with its bold colours and detailed layers. However, the art style was also a large part to the actual game as it enabled the player to change perspectives to help complete tricky trips, resulting in an aesthetic, but practical implementation of the art style.

5) Shadow of the Colossus 

Its so deep and meaningful!

La-da-da-da-da, yes yes yes, Shadow of the Colossus is an 'inspirational' game that 'shows gaming as a true art form'. I could write a whole blog post regarding this soulful masterpiece, but to avoid getting my tongue too far up gaming's arse, I will refrain from rambling. Through all the interpretations of the story and revelations of the ending, SotC's visual style is outstanding. Whilst most games on this list contain bright colours that burn your retinas, SotC relies on dank, dull colours. The muted greens and blacks at first seem a little lazy, but as the game develops the colours start to become part of the gaming, mixing with your aim, leading you places that you never need to go. Much like the premises of SotC, the visuals are simple. No fancy technical tricks. Team Ico used the art style to be the experience, not to act as a gimmick. 

4) Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker

It may not be the most loved Zelda game and maybe Link has received a better reception, but compared to Ocarina or Twilight Princess, Wind Waker had something that the latter sorely lacked, a truly distinctive style.   Similar to Paper Mario, Wind Waker utilises the bold black lines, but replaces the smooth cuddly edges with more jaggy, harsher corners. This gives the game a more grown up, childish feeling, if that makes any sense at all. The simplicity was welcoming and although it becoming incredibly tedious, travelling across the stunning sea is a wonderful experience and a beautiful moment. The vivid contrasts between the colours makes the screen pop out, but somehow, not intrusive. It is a subtle 'pop', somehow giving the whole experience another  layer under the initial picture. It succeeds in being memorable and it was a risk, but c'mon, its Zelda goddamit, you're going to love it whatever!

3) Bioshock

With our faces sufficiently melted from Bioshock: Infinite's E3 showing, it is quite mind blowing how the Bioshock series has developed. Released as the current gen consoles hit their stride, the original Bioshock shook us all. Never since Half Life 2 had we witnessed story telling so impeccably done in a FPS. One of the reasons why the Bioshock series will forever be cherished though is its incredible style and atmosphere. The first nudge of the left stick as you step out into Andrew Ryan's strange dystopia is an unforgettable experience. It is eerie, but welcoming, it is scary, but intriguing, it is mysterious, but lively. The underwater city of Rapture holds many emotions, all of which are shown through the muted colours. Greens and blues are prevalent, but the sudden shocks of colours give us glimpse of what Rapture may have been in its heyday. Dark and gorgeous, the Bioshock series is a forefront father of atmosphere through graphics, a trait which seems to be continued with the latest Infinite, another world of intrigue and mystery that us gamers can not wait to dive into (or fly).

2) Okami

Okami, sadly, joins the lists of games like Beyond Good and Evil and my beloved Enslaved: Odyssey to the West. These games are all amazing games that took away the guns and grenades, instead opting for a new, unique experience that was a risk. Sadly, in terms of sales, the risk did not pay off, will games failing to sell. Okami is a sad tale. One screenshot of this game fills your heart with joy. Following in the crazy Japanese footsteps of random 'stuff', Okami introduced the technique of painting the surroundings with, well, paint from a wolf's mouth. Pretty Japanese I know! The art style is reminiscent of ancient Chinese art, conjuring the flat, muted colours that somehow bring a simple painting to life, filling it with more noise than possible. I cant really explain why Okami is so good, just look at it. It is incredible. Every single frame is created with such love and care that it makes the game seem like an epicentre of emotions, revelling in colour and exploding out across your screen, urging you to share the experience with everyone. Sadly though, Okami may never return, instead, another dull military shooter or stupid motion based game will fill the void, a void that will always be to large to fill

1) Madworld

AAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here it is, the greatest gaming art style ever. This is my view by the way, art is wonderful in that it allows millions of interpretations, maybe Bioshock beats Madworld, or maybe Paper Mario pips the competitiors, but in my mind, 2009's Madworld is the most stunning, beautiful piece of gaming to be created. And why? Well read on, there's still a big chunk of writing to go, go on, READ! I have used the word simple on here a few times, but what is more simple than black, white and red? Well maybe, black and white, or just black, but hey, you get the idea! Platinum games are known for their mental games, look at Vanquish and Bayonetta, but Madworld makes them look like a stroll in the park. Madworld utilises a black and white palette but when you kill someone, which you will do a lot, bright red blood will explode from the screen, covering your character in the gooey fluid. The style is proper 'style', it is edgy, it has attitude, it is a big middle finger to colourful games like Uncharted or Fifa. Madworld is made to be mental, and it doesnt care what you think. The actual design is simply stunning, somehow creating a living setting with the incredibly limited use of two colours. The blood looks gory and gorgeous, whilst also being damn hilarious and disgusting. Just look at it. See, when someone puts their mind to it, art can be interesting!