So I've Been Thinking... : Best Games P1

Let's get this clear at the start: I play video games like I get paid to play them; I easily put in 20+ hours a week into the vast library of games that I own. With years of experience in the gaming world, you (YES, YOU!) would think I would have a well thought-out list of, according to me, the best games I've played.

But I don't.

"Well why don't you have such a list, Michael?" The answer is simple: I just haven't thought about it that much... until now (kinda)!

I asked myself the very same question 10 minutes ago before I sat down and started typing away at this piece. What I'm going to do is scribble down some of the best games I have ever played, throw some reasons behind them, and then add what could have been better.

Ready?

1) Pokemon Gold/Silver

I could easily put any of the Pokemon games here (up to Gen 3). I loved each and every game as a kid. Even today, I'll load up some old save files and enjoy reliving some of the fun that I had as a kid.

This particular version stood out the most to me, because it did so many things right without detracting from the Pokemon experience. 

Firstly, the social aspect of playing alongside my brother, but at our own paces, was so key to not only my enjoyment of the game but my relationship with my brother. The game promoted playful rivalries through battling and cooperation through trading for version-exclusive (Matthew, if you're reading this, I will never forget that Alakazam you had in Ruby/Sapphire. To this day, I regret making that trade with you required for the evolution into that Pokemon.).

Secondly, the designers at Game Freak did a fantastic job of improving on their original concept. They made the right choice of keeping the original Pokemon around while managing to add a good number of new, unique Pokemon to the new game. On top of this, they made a few quality of life changes that made the game play much better. Namely, they adjusted some stat types (ie: Bug became "not very effective" against Poison) and made the inventory much easier to use. On top of adjusting current content, the brand-new content was done well. Of the many additions to the series, my favorite few features were the addition of time, the breeding system, Bug-catching contest, and the ability for Pokemon to hold items.

Finally, the communication of these new features were communicated perfectly to the players. Let's take breeding, for example. At the very beginning of the game, Game Freak introduces the concept but it is unknown to the players at the time. The tree-named Professor (Elm) gives you your first Pokemon and sends you on your way to retrieve this egg. He then encourages you to hold onto the egg in your party. Sure, this sounds like a neat little plot point, but what are the designers actually doing? They are teaching you, very subtly, how to properly breed your Pokemon. They tell you that it came from the Daycare center and that it is VERY IMPORTANT. Not only this, but you receive the egg at a time where you'll only have around three Pokemon. This fact makes it so you'll hold onto the egg without sacrificing a party slot. All in all, breeding was communicated perfectly.

Now, what could have been done better?

I honestly cannot think of anything other than I dislike how the designers effectively made Poison type worthless by only making it super effective against Grass type and including the new type Steel that it could not harm.

So there it is, my first look back at one of my favorite games! I'll be sure to add to this blog more often with my thoughts.

It has been awhile

Hello again, Internet!

I'm taking some time out of my normal sleep schedule to bring a little update on my life endeavors.

Firstly, I am leaving Santa Clara University after this quarter. Many of you will ask, "why?" but I must assure you that it is completely your fault! In all seriousness, though, it is just time for me to move on. Up until very recently, SCU was the place for me. This is just not the case anymore. For the sake of my happiness and personal sanity, I must move on.

So what's next? I have a couple of plans. Right now, I am looking into jobs in the video game industry. There is one in particular that has really caught my eye. Carbine Studios, an NCSoft Studio, is hiring QA Testers for their upcoming game "Wildstar."

But why this studio?

Firstly, I have been playing NCSoft games since I was 11. Yes, that means I have been investing my time and money into MMORPGs for close to 10 years now. To work at Carbine Studios would be an absolute dream of mine. Not only would I be working with video games (my one, true love) but I would also be contributing to a company that has held a special part in my life.

If this opportunity of a life time were to not play out, I would most likely continue to work on my degree at community college and then finish it at UCI or Cal State Fullerton.

Either way I go, I will certainly be indulging into my hobby of game-making and furthering my skills as a game designer. I will also be better on updating this blog with more design-related topics!

Also, feel free to leave some love in the comments or just email me. I love to hear feedback from those who partake in my little section of the Internet.

~Michael