by "wiffleballtony" (wiffleballtony)
Published 02/27/2017 at 09:41
by "wiffleballtony" (wiffleballtony)
Published 02/27/2017 at 09:41
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STARS: 2
It’s time for me to share with you the real top ten gaming franchises of all time. I am doing this frankly because I saw some pretty terrifying and downright awful choices nominated (The Sims, which is a torture/relationship simulator played by ten year old girls, and Sports games, which are the very definition of shovelware) by some Opponauts. Sorry, not sorry continue below.
The methodology is that in order for a series to be the best it has to be almost completely devoid of games that are either garbage or purposefully go against what the series was originally envisioned as. Also there are no cut offs as to when the franchise can start or end. Also you’ll probably notice a distinct lack of Ubisoft games and console-only games. Ubisoft games violate the garbage rule and console games are purposefully worse than they could have otherwise been.
1) Lucasart’s Xwing/TIE Fighter series
Ringing in with a solid first place is the X-wing/TIE fighter series. The franchise went DOA after the space simulator genre went by the wayside. Extra DOA now that LucasArt’s also doesn’t really exist anymore. This franchise never had a dud, and in many cases continued to improve as it went along. The stories were always excellent (except Xwing vs TIE fighter which didn’t have a story). The missions were great. Mod support continues to give X-Wing Alliance legs well past a decade of its release. I can’t remember how many hours I sunk into this franchise.
2. Bethesda’s Elder Scrolls
No amount of Cliff Racers can hold this series back. Undoubtedly the pioneer in open world time-sinks, the series continues to improve upon itself and refine new levels of video game crack. For the most part this game separated itself from the pressures of MMO games to allow the player to play as they want, regardless of how garbage their character build actually was. Endless levels of time could be wasted with zero regrets.
3. Electronic Art’s Battlefield
Much in the same way Elder Scrolls created the large scale world, Battlefield did the same with first person shooters with large amounts of players and huge maps. With the exception of Hardline they have all been great.
4. Bethesda’s Fallout
It’s basically Elder Scrolls with laser beams. No complaints.
5. Electronic Art’s Mass Effect
Despite the schizophrenic attitude to the actual gameplay, there really hasn’t been a recent franchise that really attempted to tell an engaging story to the level of which Mass Effect attempted to do. Maybe they over-reached themselves in ambition, but I want more of that universe.
6. LucasArt’s Dark Forces/Jedi Knight
From its humble beginnings at the very origins of first person shooters to the pinnacle of light saber combat, Dark Forces/Jedi Knight had it all. Live action cutscenes included.
7. LucasArt’s Monkey Island
This franchise did what no other actually could, be legitimately funny.
8. Blizzard’s Star Craft
Pretty much the origins of professional video gaming starts here. As well as the bedrock for the South Korean economy, which runs on Vespene Gas.
9. Electronic Art’s Need For Speed
There are probably more Need For Speed sequels than American presidents at this point. For the most part however the series has stayed pretty true to its roots. Not too much depth but always a lot of fun (except ProStreet).
10. Valve’s Portal
Yes there are only two in this franchise and there may never be anymore. However its probably one of the most original ideas in the area of platforming and puzzle jumping ever.
"superhead" (superhead)
02/27/2017 at 09:48, STARS: 0
Good list, although Mass Effect should be #1, and Dark Souls should be on here somewhere, also KotOR.
"Mercedes Streeter" (smart)
02/27/2017 at 09:49, STARS: 2
It’s basically Elder Scrolls with laser beams. No complaints.
Workbench Mirelurk agrees! :)
(Somehow he was glitched out and was doing the “using the workbench” animations.)
"wiffleballtony" (wiffleballtony)
02/27/2017 at 09:50, STARS: 0
Dark Souls isn’t on the list mainly because I haven’t played it. However it’s shere F YOU factor is awe inspiring. KoTOR is an amazing game on its own, however it is let down by KOTOR2 and TOR. Keep in mind these are franchises not individual games.
"wiffleballtony" (wiffleballtony)
02/27/2017 at 09:52, STARS: 2
The best part of Bethesda game bugs is that they improve the game as opposed to make it worse.
"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
02/27/2017 at 10:12, STARS: 2
Borderlands should at the very least receive honorable mention. But I would personally put it above elder scrolls.
"wiffleballtony" (wiffleballtony)
02/27/2017 at 10:15, STARS: 0
I straight up forgot Borderlands. Although I thought The PreSequel was pretty lame.
"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
02/27/2017 at 10:19, STARS: 1
Hmm, maybe you just need to try a different character? While not as good as one if the main games I definitely still enjoyed it and will play through it again. Even Tales, which doesn’t have the same level of replayability I found fun.
"citizennick" (citizennick)
02/27/2017 at 10:21, STARS: 1
This list is a good list. Can’t wait for the new Mass Effect.
"Mercedes Streeter" (smart)
02/27/2017 at 10:27, STARS: 1
Indeed xD I don’t think I’ve truly seen any glitch that makes me hate the game, just ones that break the game that make me giggle. :)
"wiffleballtony" (wiffleballtony)
02/27/2017 at 10:27, STARS: 0
I already pre-ordered through amazon for that sweet discount.
"superhead" (superhead)
02/27/2017 at 10:28, STARS: 0
Nah, KotOR 2 was fine. The Steam version has the deleted content patch. I haven’t played ToR though.
"citizennick" (citizennick)
02/27/2017 at 10:29, STARS: 0
My excitement level went up after realizing how boring Ghost Recon Wildlands is while playing the beta over the weekend.
"wiffleballtony" (wiffleballtony)
02/27/2017 at 10:37, STARS: 0
You couldn’t be more right. I probably got about 5 hours or so into GRW in the open beta. Typical Ubisoft garbage. Dissapointing but not unexpected.
"wiffleballtony" (wiffleballtony)
02/27/2017 at 10:38, STARS: 0
My experience with KOTOR2 is the original disc release, which didn’t have the missing content. Also it was really buggy. I spent a lot of time in TOR. While TOR is fine as an MMORPG it is still an MMORPG.
"Dusty Ventures" (dustyventures)
02/27/2017 at 10:40, STARS: 1
I’m with you for everything but NFS. They lost me when they started making games without in-car as one of the driving camera angles. No, hood isn’t the same. Also I think Grim Fandango and the old Papyrus/Sierra NASCAR games deserve an honorable mention.
"superhead" (superhead)
02/27/2017 at 10:47, STARS: 0
Yeah I heard the original release of KotOR2 wasn’t very good. If you haven’t, I highly recommend getting it on Steam. I was a bit off, the Restored Content Mod is in the Steam Workshop for KotOR2, so installing it is as simple as clicking the Subscribe button. It fixes the bugs and restores all the cut content. With the mod, I think I actually prefer 2 over 1.
"itschrome" (itschrome)
02/27/2017 at 10:48, STARS: 0
NO GTA??
"wiffleballtony" (wiffleballtony)
02/27/2017 at 10:56, STARS: 0
Correct. Hot take: GTA is actually pretty bad. Its a sandbox where the core game is the worst part.
"wiffleballtony" (wiffleballtony)
02/27/2017 at 10:57, STARS: 0
I might get around to it sometime.
"wiffleballtony" (wiffleballtony)
02/27/2017 at 10:59, STARS: 0
Exactly! I love it when the physics spazzes out.
"citizennick" (citizennick)
02/27/2017 at 11:17, STARS: 0
Reminded me too much of The Division. Just a wild goose chase around the map to get XP.
"RT" (rt-p)
02/27/2017 at 12:25, STARS: 0
I like your list and you did a good job writing this up. But I’m not too sure about your criteria.
The methodology is that in order for a series to be the best it has to be almost completely devoid of games that are either garbage or purposefully go against what the series was originally envisioned as. Also there are no cut offs as to when the franchise can start or end. Also you’ll probably notice a distinct lack of Ubisoft games and console-only games. Ubisoft games violate the garbage rule and console games are purposefully worse than they could have otherwise been.
I’d say the best video games franchises are the ones which you or I personally enjoy the most - these rules about ‘garbage’ and platforms don’t really change anything imo. Video games are entertainment first and foremost, so if they are entertaining, they succeed. It’s all a matter of opinion in the end, but the overall fun-factor ranks above anything else in a game, at least for me. And when you title this to be ‘official’, it contradicts what it is - a list based on personal preferences.
"wiffleballtony" (wiffleballtony)
02/27/2017 at 13:13, STARS: 1
Thanks for your feedback, there’s one thing you should keep in mind is most of what I say is pure BS anyway. With that said, I will address your concerns. All video game reviews are subjective at their outset. Ubisoft games over the past decade have showed a distinct lack of polish and it shows with the amount of bugs that make it to production. I also have a downer on them for essentially destroying the Tom Clancy franchise. Console only games are worse than they could have otherwise been for three reasons. Closed architecture, licensing and limited control schemes. As far as it being official, that’s click bait.
"wiffleballtony" (wiffleballtony)
02/27/2017 at 13:16, STARS: 0
At least The Division had a cohesive and smooth cover system. Player character movement in GRW wad terrible. The cover system was hard to use and you lack the ability to lean. At least in The Division its an MMORPG with the expectation of loot. I don’t see why un GRW I have to scavenge gear from the enemy, aren’t we elite US Army operators?
"RT" (rt-p)
02/27/2017 at 13:47, STARS: 1
Yep, I see what you mean there, thanks the for the reply.
I don’t like Ubisoft either anyway, they have released a lot of turds.
And yes, console gaming is technically inferior to PC, I’m just a sucker for old arcade style games. ;P