For the past several months I've been kicking this around and decide whether or not I should bother with this list. I don't play quite as much as I used to, and in particular the last few years I've played less than ever. Writing, even inconsequential stuff, doesn't come quite as easy as it once did for some reason so that's made things even harder. Then this ridiculous pandemic happened and suddenly I've had more free time and started playing a lot more than I had in years, and it's jump started my interest in gaming again in a big way.
Still, the writing part hasn't quite clicked, but after a few false starts I decided to say 'fuck it' and just force it. If it sucks, so be it. Hell, 5 people at most are going to read it so really cares?
So what will the top games be? What will be number one? Will I finish my list before Vader finishes his Top 100? To find out the answers to these questions and more STAY TUNED!!!!
No no. Don't paint me with that brush. I said five. Just five. No more than five.Honorable Mention #2. The Evil Within
This is some fucked up shit y’all. The Evil Within might not be the most polished game ever, but what it lacked in smooth gameplay, it makes up for in weird bizarre moments. One minute you’re being chased through a sewer of blood with a guy that has a safe for a head and then next you’ll be in a burning barn fighting with a spider girl who looks like a reject from The Grudge. And your safe spot?? Well that’s in an asylum ward with an emotionless nurse who hooks straps you into something that looks like an electric chair so you can power up your stats. Weird ass shit I tell you. It’s the video game equivalent to the underrated horror movie, The Cell.
It’s also one of the few horror games to scare me with something other than just simple jump scares, though there’s plenty of those too. But between all the unpredictable moments, the not knowing what’s going on, and a feeling of just being weak the player is most of the time in a state somewhere between utterly confused and unnerved. It makes a strong argument for being the top horror game of its generation (in a time where there were plenty of good ones).
Getting back to the gameplay, while it is a bit clunky, it does a lot of unique things. Enemies are TOUGH to kill (early on anyway), ammo is very limited, and if you don’t try to play it smart and quiet you will get overwhelmed quickly. The feature weapon is a funky crossbow with a variety of ammo and it lets the player use it in some fairly creative ways when a regular gun just won’t do the trick. Also worth mentioning is some great DLC, that allows the player to go through sections of the game as a secondary character who throughout the game helps the player but doesn’t quite feel like an ally (why yes the creator also made Resident Evil 4).
That sounds like a sneaky way of saying 15.
How does the sequel compare? I think I've got it on GOG...
Ok, a clue. The next game is Dishonored?
I liked it a lot, but they are actually very different games. The gameplay in 2 is much better. Controls are much tighter, and for most of the game you operate out of a town that act as a hub. Everything is a much more polished feel.
On the other hand, I don't think the plot was quite as good. Though, it is a little bit difficult to compare. You know what's going on for the most part in The Evil Within 2 or you at least understand why strange things are happening when they do. You are familiar with STEM this time around, and for various reasons, things are more stable in the virtual world (or whatever you want to call it). So while there are certainly plenty of weird moments and visuals, it's never anywhere to the level of the original.
The way I look at it is the original Evil Within was a horror game with some sci-fi elements. The sequel is a sci-fi game with some horror elements. If you've got it though, I highly recommend playing it. It's still a great game.
Eh just make a top 10 with 20 games.
TEW is better than the sequel, it feels like RE4 in the pacing and sheer creativity of its encounters but with a load of jank. TEW2 removes the jank but feels like just another game.
I really enjoyed both of The Evil Within games. Not sure which one I’d put over the other as they both did some things better and worse then the other.