Any Stephen King fans out there? Then you are going to love Alan Wake, the horror/psychological thriller/action-adventure game that blends jumps and scares with detailed and enigmatic story telling. Full of realistic visuals, breathtaking scenery, and action-packed levels that blend elements from television, books, music, and video games.
The game takes place in Bright Falls, a small town with a dark past. Bestselling writer Alan Wake travels to Bright Falls with his wife, Alice, to enjoy a peaceful vacation and rejuvenate the creative well that has suddenly gone dry in his mind. While on vacation, his wife suddenly disappears, and Alan "wakes" up to find himself in a car crash, a week having passed and no sign of his wife. Alan must go in search of his wife, and learn the terrible secrets the town and its inhabitants harbor. While investigating, he soon realizes that a new novel he has no memory of writing is suddenly becoming a reality in the town, and he must battle his way through infected citizens and dark entities that will stop at nothing to keep his wife and him separated.
The game is truly unique, using the format of the game like a television show, with each level being an episode of the TV series. Each episode explores the town and the mystery surrounding it, delving into deep mythology and rich texture. Using a third-person shooter format, the game is extremely fluid, moving at a fast pace and making the game run smoothly. The game also features amazing music, blending alternative music with hard rock music, and somehow blending it into the game's characters.
Overall, i give this game a 10 out of 10, for it is unique, rich in story and game play both, and allows for gamers to enjoy it and find something new over and over again. With new DLC's planned and a second game possible, we cannot wait to see how the mythology of Alan Wake will unfold.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Top Cinematic Scenes of the Year
One of the best developments in video games over the years has been the life-like, spectacular visual effects and stunning cut-scenes that contribute to the story. For the past year, we've seen some amazing gameplay, but the larger than life action in the gaming worlds cut-scenes is one of the best technological advances in the industry. Here are this years top Cinematic scenes in video games.
Bioshock 2 Opening Scene: The opening scene of this terrific sequel to the hit series Bioshock was breathtaking, both visually and in story. From the sweet yet creepy little girl leading you down a hallway to the amazing scenery of Rapture before it was ravaged by civil war, this opening sequence did a wonderful job of seeing into the plot of the game, while introducing the vile Sofia Lamb and her army of deluded followers.
Splinter Cell Conviction Ending: After hours of going through trecherous missions, reliving old war memories, and finding a way to get to the truth surrounding his daughters mysterious death, Sam Fisher arrives in time for a covert operation at the White House, where a rougue group is set to kill the President. After fighting through the White House, Sam must face his nemisis, and decide who is truly his ally, and who is his foe.
Fallout: New Vegas opening scene: Ever wonder what would happen if a Nuclear war nearly destroyed the world, and those left behind were to stumble upon Las Vegas? Well, Fallout: New Vegas, sure answers that question. The opening scene to this hit game shows off the wonders of Vegas, and the fight for control over the city and its surroundings, leaving players excited from the get-go. Because, "War, War never changes."
Halo: Reach ending: After hours of fighting off the Covenent, racing around the planet, finding key artifacts to help with the fight, and defending the planet as it is evacuated, the last scene of the game showcases the Spartans unwillingness to give up, and one mans struggle to keep up the fight until the end.
Mass Effect 2 Ending: By far the best ending i've seen in a game. Full of action, drama, and infinite possibilities, the epic space saga known as Mass Effect arrived at the end of its second game with a bang. Infiltrating a base controlled by an alien race serving the Reapers, sentient machines bent on galactic destruction, Commander Shepperd and his team went on a suicide mission, and this is how it ended, (at least, one way it ended, depending on your choices.) The characterization, drama, and non-stop action all the way to the end makes this the best Cinematic experience in the year in Gaming.
Bioshock 2 Opening Scene: The opening scene of this terrific sequel to the hit series Bioshock was breathtaking, both visually and in story. From the sweet yet creepy little girl leading you down a hallway to the amazing scenery of Rapture before it was ravaged by civil war, this opening sequence did a wonderful job of seeing into the plot of the game, while introducing the vile Sofia Lamb and her army of deluded followers.
Splinter Cell Conviction Ending: After hours of going through trecherous missions, reliving old war memories, and finding a way to get to the truth surrounding his daughters mysterious death, Sam Fisher arrives in time for a covert operation at the White House, where a rougue group is set to kill the President. After fighting through the White House, Sam must face his nemisis, and decide who is truly his ally, and who is his foe.
Fallout: New Vegas opening scene: Ever wonder what would happen if a Nuclear war nearly destroyed the world, and those left behind were to stumble upon Las Vegas? Well, Fallout: New Vegas, sure answers that question. The opening scene to this hit game shows off the wonders of Vegas, and the fight for control over the city and its surroundings, leaving players excited from the get-go. Because, "War, War never changes."
Halo: Reach ending: After hours of fighting off the Covenent, racing around the planet, finding key artifacts to help with the fight, and defending the planet as it is evacuated, the last scene of the game showcases the Spartans unwillingness to give up, and one mans struggle to keep up the fight until the end.
Mass Effect 2 Ending: By far the best ending i've seen in a game. Full of action, drama, and infinite possibilities, the epic space saga known as Mass Effect arrived at the end of its second game with a bang. Infiltrating a base controlled by an alien race serving the Reapers, sentient machines bent on galactic destruction, Commander Shepperd and his team went on a suicide mission, and this is how it ended, (at least, one way it ended, depending on your choices.) The characterization, drama, and non-stop action all the way to the end makes this the best Cinematic experience in the year in Gaming.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Top Games of the Year
The end of another fun filled year in gaming is coming to an end. With no other major game releases due out until the beginning of the year, we sit back and reflect on the year in gaming. For those looking for games to get for loved ones or themselves during this holiday season, this is a must read.
10. Dante's Inferno: You have to love a game that is adapted from an ancient epic poem. Dante's Inferno follows Dante, a soldier during the Crusades that comes home after the horrors he suffered and that he inflicted during the war, only to find his true love, Beatrice, murdered. Upon finding her naked body, her soul is taken by Lucifer into hell, and Dante's takes flight, diving into the pits of hell in order to save her soul. Fighting through the nine circles of hell, Dante faces hordes of demons and must confront his own personal demons, in hopes of either redeeming his soul or condemning it further by exacting his revenge. Full of similar game play to Assassins Creed and Prince of Persia, the game is stunning, both visually and in terms of plot, and despite the graphic violence, nudity, and sex scenes, the games story and game play far outweigh the negatives.
9. Mafia II: For those who love the Godfather and Sopranos series, Mafia II is a must have this holiday season. Following the path and career of Vito Scalletta, a soldier who returns from WWII and finds himself working for the mob in fictional Empire City. Players are able to live out the life and growth of a mobster, from shake downs and drive bys to assassinations and drug dealers, this game showcases the notorious lives of gangsters and good fellas during the 1940's and 50's. Set in a third-person shooter, the game showcases the lifestyle of the time, with classic cars, classic radio and songs, and snappy suits that scream Dean Martin.
8. Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Conviction: Theres nothing better than the espionage and action of a political, ex-soldier shoot-em-up. Players are immersed into the story of Sam Fisher, who for three years has grieved over the loss of his daughter and who has managed to stay off the radar from the shadow group Third Echelon. However, Sam finds himself brought into a hairy situation when he goes after the man he believes murdered his daughter. Going after the man leads to being caught into a political conspiracy between members of his own government and terrorists. This third-person shooter is amazing, with Jason Bourne like action and classic Tom Clancy plot that makes this game a must have.
7. Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands: Its a tale as old as time in the gaming world. Ever since the Prince of Persia showed up in his original 2-D game, fans all over have flocked to the Princes world, fighting zombies, demons, and evil Viziers. In the latest installment in the series, gamers follow the Prince before he was introduced to the Sands of Time. Arriving in his brothers kingdom in order to learn how to become a leader, the Prince finds himself trapped in a city of infected citizens. His brother, who was fighting a losing war, decided to unleash King Solomon's Sands, a power said to hold the ability to defeat all those who stand in the unleashes path. The Sands, however, transform the soldiers and citizens into mindless sand creatures, and the Princes brother becomes possessed by a horrible demon bent on world wide destruction. The game play is solid, and full of non-stop action that is classic to the Prince of Persia series.
6. Dead Rising 2: Zombies have invaded pop culture once more this year. With the Walking Dead's major success's, as well of Left 4 Dead's hit add-ons, Dead Rising 2 was a perfect game to play during the holidays. Following motocross champion Chuck Greene, players find themselves trapped in Fortune City, a Las Vegas type of city that has been invaded by a zombie outbreak. Chuck, who has been framed for starting the outbreak, must clear his name, find the real source of the outbreak, and find the medicine that is keeping his only daughter, Katey, from becoming a zombie herself. Full of dramatic plots, heartwarming character development, and bloody carnage and game play, this game is a cult-hit, and a great game for the zombie lover in all of us.
5. Bioshock 2: Welcome to Rapture! The underwater city built by Andrew Ryan. Set 10 years after the first game, Bioshock 2 places players in the shoes of the first Big Daddy, who wakes up 10 years after being shot and killed by Dr. Sophia Lamb. When you awaken, you find the once marvelous city of Rapture has begun to be claimed by the ocean, with degradation and decay setting in throughout the city. Dr. Lamb's daughter, Eleanor, your little sister, is now grown up, and has awoken you so that you can free her from her mothers captivity and escape the city. You must traverse through the broken down city, face Big Daddies, automatic defenses, and genetically altered humans called splicers, so that you can stop the evil forces from taking over the city of corruption. Also added is the multiplayer aspect, which gives players a story related aspect, taking you to the time in Rapture's history when a civil war broke out, and the city was left in chaos. This game is breathtaking, with amazing visuals, creepy characters, and fast paced action.
4. Fallout: New Vegas: "Ain't that a kick in the head?" That's what all fans asked themselves when Fallout: New Vegas was first released. Set in post-apocalyptic Vegas, players find themselves in the shoes of the Courier, who is shot and left for dead by a Casino boss named Benny. When you awaken, you go in search of your would-be killers, and try and learn what was so valuable that it was worth killing for. Also, players make companions, help citizens of the Mojave wasteland, and find themselves caught in a war between two factions who vie for control of the Hoover Dam, New Vegas main supply of power. The game is full of action, rich plot, and fully developed characters, and a must have.
3. Halo: Reach: Welcome to Reach, humanities last stand against the alien invasion force known as the Covenant. Set between the aliens and Earth, Reach hosts a group of Spartan soldiers known as Noble Team. When a settlement goes dark, Noble Team goes to investigate, and learns that the Covenant has invaded Reach. You play Noble Six, the latest addition to the team, and the one man capable of fighting the covenant to the end. Everyone knows the Halo series, and how the fight for Reach ended. This game is the story of how the end came to be, and how one team gave their lives and fought valiantly to save what they could of humanity. This game is a must have for fans of the series.
2. Mass Effect 2: I have one name for you guys, Commander Shepperd. That's right, anyone who knows the story of Mass Effect knows Commander Shepperd. In the sequel to the hit game, Mass Effect 2 finds players in Shepperd's shoes once more, having died in an alien attack on his vessel an being reborn by the Illusive Man, the leader of a human organization who wants to find a way of defeating the Reapers, sentient machines bent on galactic destruction. Humans colonies have been disappearing all over the galaxy, and it is up to Shepperd to recruit a new team, and investigate the disappearances and fight the enemy aliens. From the creative minds of Bioware, this game is rich in plot, characterization, and game play, as you use your high tech ship to fly around the galaxy, investigating new worlds and finding a way to defeat a formidable foe.
1. Assassins Creed Brotherhood: History and action combine to bring fourth the best action-adventure game not only in the Assassins Creed series, but of the year. Players follow Desmond Miles, an assassin by blood and in training, who is on the run with his allies from Abstergo Industries, the modern day Templar order. Using a machine known as the Animus 2.0, Desmond is able to access his ancestors memories embedded in his DNA. Using the machine to find information on an ancient relic known as a Piece of Eden, Desmond recalls the memories of Ezio Auditore, the Master Assassin during Renaissance Rome. Players find Ezio returning to Rome after Cesare Borgia attacks his Villa home and leaves him for dead. Ezio goes to Rome in search of Cesare and his allies, so that the corruption and evil plaguing Rome may end. The Piece of Eden is the key to saving the planet from destruction by natural means, and using Ezio's memories, players must traverse through corrupt Rome to find it. Another reason why this is our game of the year is because of the addition of multiplayer, in which players find themselves working for Abstergo Industries, using memories recorded from test subject and having you train as Assassins from the Rennassaince era. The game play, weaponry, story, and characters make this game at the top of our holiday wish list, and both this blog and its affiliate, Rock on Request magazine, the Game of the Year.
10. Dante's Inferno: You have to love a game that is adapted from an ancient epic poem. Dante's Inferno follows Dante, a soldier during the Crusades that comes home after the horrors he suffered and that he inflicted during the war, only to find his true love, Beatrice, murdered. Upon finding her naked body, her soul is taken by Lucifer into hell, and Dante's takes flight, diving into the pits of hell in order to save her soul. Fighting through the nine circles of hell, Dante faces hordes of demons and must confront his own personal demons, in hopes of either redeeming his soul or condemning it further by exacting his revenge. Full of similar game play to Assassins Creed and Prince of Persia, the game is stunning, both visually and in terms of plot, and despite the graphic violence, nudity, and sex scenes, the games story and game play far outweigh the negatives.
9. Mafia II: For those who love the Godfather and Sopranos series, Mafia II is a must have this holiday season. Following the path and career of Vito Scalletta, a soldier who returns from WWII and finds himself working for the mob in fictional Empire City. Players are able to live out the life and growth of a mobster, from shake downs and drive bys to assassinations and drug dealers, this game showcases the notorious lives of gangsters and good fellas during the 1940's and 50's. Set in a third-person shooter, the game showcases the lifestyle of the time, with classic cars, classic radio and songs, and snappy suits that scream Dean Martin.
8. Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Conviction: Theres nothing better than the espionage and action of a political, ex-soldier shoot-em-up. Players are immersed into the story of Sam Fisher, who for three years has grieved over the loss of his daughter and who has managed to stay off the radar from the shadow group Third Echelon. However, Sam finds himself brought into a hairy situation when he goes after the man he believes murdered his daughter. Going after the man leads to being caught into a political conspiracy between members of his own government and terrorists. This third-person shooter is amazing, with Jason Bourne like action and classic Tom Clancy plot that makes this game a must have.
7. Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands: Its a tale as old as time in the gaming world. Ever since the Prince of Persia showed up in his original 2-D game, fans all over have flocked to the Princes world, fighting zombies, demons, and evil Viziers. In the latest installment in the series, gamers follow the Prince before he was introduced to the Sands of Time. Arriving in his brothers kingdom in order to learn how to become a leader, the Prince finds himself trapped in a city of infected citizens. His brother, who was fighting a losing war, decided to unleash King Solomon's Sands, a power said to hold the ability to defeat all those who stand in the unleashes path. The Sands, however, transform the soldiers and citizens into mindless sand creatures, and the Princes brother becomes possessed by a horrible demon bent on world wide destruction. The game play is solid, and full of non-stop action that is classic to the Prince of Persia series.
6. Dead Rising 2: Zombies have invaded pop culture once more this year. With the Walking Dead's major success's, as well of Left 4 Dead's hit add-ons, Dead Rising 2 was a perfect game to play during the holidays. Following motocross champion Chuck Greene, players find themselves trapped in Fortune City, a Las Vegas type of city that has been invaded by a zombie outbreak. Chuck, who has been framed for starting the outbreak, must clear his name, find the real source of the outbreak, and find the medicine that is keeping his only daughter, Katey, from becoming a zombie herself. Full of dramatic plots, heartwarming character development, and bloody carnage and game play, this game is a cult-hit, and a great game for the zombie lover in all of us.
5. Bioshock 2: Welcome to Rapture! The underwater city built by Andrew Ryan. Set 10 years after the first game, Bioshock 2 places players in the shoes of the first Big Daddy, who wakes up 10 years after being shot and killed by Dr. Sophia Lamb. When you awaken, you find the once marvelous city of Rapture has begun to be claimed by the ocean, with degradation and decay setting in throughout the city. Dr. Lamb's daughter, Eleanor, your little sister, is now grown up, and has awoken you so that you can free her from her mothers captivity and escape the city. You must traverse through the broken down city, face Big Daddies, automatic defenses, and genetically altered humans called splicers, so that you can stop the evil forces from taking over the city of corruption. Also added is the multiplayer aspect, which gives players a story related aspect, taking you to the time in Rapture's history when a civil war broke out, and the city was left in chaos. This game is breathtaking, with amazing visuals, creepy characters, and fast paced action.
4. Fallout: New Vegas: "Ain't that a kick in the head?" That's what all fans asked themselves when Fallout: New Vegas was first released. Set in post-apocalyptic Vegas, players find themselves in the shoes of the Courier, who is shot and left for dead by a Casino boss named Benny. When you awaken, you go in search of your would-be killers, and try and learn what was so valuable that it was worth killing for. Also, players make companions, help citizens of the Mojave wasteland, and find themselves caught in a war between two factions who vie for control of the Hoover Dam, New Vegas main supply of power. The game is full of action, rich plot, and fully developed characters, and a must have.
3. Halo: Reach: Welcome to Reach, humanities last stand against the alien invasion force known as the Covenant. Set between the aliens and Earth, Reach hosts a group of Spartan soldiers known as Noble Team. When a settlement goes dark, Noble Team goes to investigate, and learns that the Covenant has invaded Reach. You play Noble Six, the latest addition to the team, and the one man capable of fighting the covenant to the end. Everyone knows the Halo series, and how the fight for Reach ended. This game is the story of how the end came to be, and how one team gave their lives and fought valiantly to save what they could of humanity. This game is a must have for fans of the series.
2. Mass Effect 2: I have one name for you guys, Commander Shepperd. That's right, anyone who knows the story of Mass Effect knows Commander Shepperd. In the sequel to the hit game, Mass Effect 2 finds players in Shepperd's shoes once more, having died in an alien attack on his vessel an being reborn by the Illusive Man, the leader of a human organization who wants to find a way of defeating the Reapers, sentient machines bent on galactic destruction. Humans colonies have been disappearing all over the galaxy, and it is up to Shepperd to recruit a new team, and investigate the disappearances and fight the enemy aliens. From the creative minds of Bioware, this game is rich in plot, characterization, and game play, as you use your high tech ship to fly around the galaxy, investigating new worlds and finding a way to defeat a formidable foe.
1. Assassins Creed Brotherhood: History and action combine to bring fourth the best action-adventure game not only in the Assassins Creed series, but of the year. Players follow Desmond Miles, an assassin by blood and in training, who is on the run with his allies from Abstergo Industries, the modern day Templar order. Using a machine known as the Animus 2.0, Desmond is able to access his ancestors memories embedded in his DNA. Using the machine to find information on an ancient relic known as a Piece of Eden, Desmond recalls the memories of Ezio Auditore, the Master Assassin during Renaissance Rome. Players find Ezio returning to Rome after Cesare Borgia attacks his Villa home and leaves him for dead. Ezio goes to Rome in search of Cesare and his allies, so that the corruption and evil plaguing Rome may end. The Piece of Eden is the key to saving the planet from destruction by natural means, and using Ezio's memories, players must traverse through corrupt Rome to find it. Another reason why this is our game of the year is because of the addition of multiplayer, in which players find themselves working for Abstergo Industries, using memories recorded from test subject and having you train as Assassins from the Rennassaince era. The game play, weaponry, story, and characters make this game at the top of our holiday wish list, and both this blog and its affiliate, Rock on Request magazine, the Game of the Year.
Fallout: New Vegas
Everyone loves Las Vegas. The lights, the shows, the parties, the adventure of it all, everyone wants to be there. In Bethesda studio's latest Fallout game, New Vegas, however, the Strip may not be as glamorous and fun as it is today. Full of warring factions, violence at every corner, and shady individuals who will stop at nothing to see you dead, New Vegas is full of the non-stop action and detailed plot lines that gamers have come to love of the Fallout series.
New Vegas finds players in control of The Courier, a man sent out to deliver a platinum poker chip to a mysterious figure. When a Casino boss known as Benny corners you, however, he takes the chip, and shoots you in the head, leaving you to die in the grave he forced you to dig yourself. However, upon waking up, players find themselves on a journey to find the man who left him for dead, get revenge, and learn the mystery surrounding the poker chip and the Mojave Wasteland. While on your journey, players will find themselves caught in a long-scale war between the New California Republic and Caesar's Legion, a group of slavers who have formed an army to take over the Hoover Dam, which is the NCR controlled power source for New Vegas.
The game play is very much like that of Bethesda's hit game Fallout 3. A first person shooter, role-playing game, the mechanics have improved deeply, with faster reload's for your weapons, an iron-sights that allows more accurate shooting, and a much more realistic VATS system, which allows players to systematically pick where your shots are fired and how much damage will be taken. Another great feature is the return of radio stations, which allow players to listen to old school music that takes you back to the days of Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra. And finally, the realistic scenery and amazing cast that voices the characters of the game, (Matthew Perry, Ron Perlman, Felicia Day, Michael Hogan), the plot of the game blends well with the mechanics of the game, making it one of the best games in the series, if not the best.
Overall, Fallout: New Vegas is a must have this holidays season. Full of intricate plots, amazing character development, intense action, and fluid game play, the only downfall is a series of glitches that arise at random moments in the game, which developers are in the works of fixing. I give this game a 9 out of 10, for it one of the most detailed, enriching games I've played in a long time, and will spend countless days and weeks playing in the future.
New Vegas finds players in control of The Courier, a man sent out to deliver a platinum poker chip to a mysterious figure. When a Casino boss known as Benny corners you, however, he takes the chip, and shoots you in the head, leaving you to die in the grave he forced you to dig yourself. However, upon waking up, players find themselves on a journey to find the man who left him for dead, get revenge, and learn the mystery surrounding the poker chip and the Mojave Wasteland. While on your journey, players will find themselves caught in a long-scale war between the New California Republic and Caesar's Legion, a group of slavers who have formed an army to take over the Hoover Dam, which is the NCR controlled power source for New Vegas.
The game play is very much like that of Bethesda's hit game Fallout 3. A first person shooter, role-playing game, the mechanics have improved deeply, with faster reload's for your weapons, an iron-sights that allows more accurate shooting, and a much more realistic VATS system, which allows players to systematically pick where your shots are fired and how much damage will be taken. Another great feature is the return of radio stations, which allow players to listen to old school music that takes you back to the days of Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra. And finally, the realistic scenery and amazing cast that voices the characters of the game, (Matthew Perry, Ron Perlman, Felicia Day, Michael Hogan), the plot of the game blends well with the mechanics of the game, making it one of the best games in the series, if not the best.
Overall, Fallout: New Vegas is a must have this holidays season. Full of intricate plots, amazing character development, intense action, and fluid game play, the only downfall is a series of glitches that arise at random moments in the game, which developers are in the works of fixing. I give this game a 9 out of 10, for it one of the most detailed, enriching games I've played in a long time, and will spend countless days and weeks playing in the future.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Mafia II
Forget about it! For anyone who loves The Godfather, The Sopranoes, or Goodfellas, Mafia II is the game for you. Full of intense action, dramatic scenery, vintage music, cars, and weapons, and great character development, Mafia II was a surprise hit that left me in eager anticipation for a sequel.
Set in the 40's and 50's, players play as Vito Scalletta, a young italian man from Sicily who looks over his life as a gangster. After coming home after fighting overseas during WWII, Vito meets up with his best friend Joe, who uses his mafia connections to get Vito out of having to return to the war effort. When Vito finds out that his now dead father has left his mother and sister in debt, he goes to work for the Clemente crime family. From there, a series of powerful events lead you from simple errand boy, to made man, to family muscle, to desperate gangster.
The gameplay is much like that of the Resident Evil series, with third-person shooter action. Set in the fictional city of Empire City, based on cities like New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Detroit. Full of classic weaponry of the era, including Tommy guns and .38 caliber weapons. Also present are classic vehicles of the era, with the ability to not only listen to the radio stations of the city, but to change the stations as you see fit. The voice over work of the game is high caliber has well, with a good majority of the cast helming from those actors from the infamous show, The Sopranoes.
Overall, I'd have to give this game an 8 out of 10. It was fun, exciting, action-packed, exhilirating adventure. While not the typical game I would play, it was a great game, and had me enthralled from begining to end.
Set in the 40's and 50's, players play as Vito Scalletta, a young italian man from Sicily who looks over his life as a gangster. After coming home after fighting overseas during WWII, Vito meets up with his best friend Joe, who uses his mafia connections to get Vito out of having to return to the war effort. When Vito finds out that his now dead father has left his mother and sister in debt, he goes to work for the Clemente crime family. From there, a series of powerful events lead you from simple errand boy, to made man, to family muscle, to desperate gangster.
The gameplay is much like that of the Resident Evil series, with third-person shooter action. Set in the fictional city of Empire City, based on cities like New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Detroit. Full of classic weaponry of the era, including Tommy guns and .38 caliber weapons. Also present are classic vehicles of the era, with the ability to not only listen to the radio stations of the city, but to change the stations as you see fit. The voice over work of the game is high caliber has well, with a good majority of the cast helming from those actors from the infamous show, The Sopranoes.
Overall, I'd have to give this game an 8 out of 10. It was fun, exciting, action-packed, exhilirating adventure. While not the typical game I would play, it was a great game, and had me enthralled from begining to end.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Top 5 Video Game Series of the Decade
Next in my Video Game Awards comes the Top 5 Video Game Series of the Decade. These games are what kept fans enthralled game after game after game. Whether it was the gameplay, the characters, the story, or the action, these games are the best of the best.
5. Assassins Creed series: Ubisoft's most popular series to date, Assassins Creed began in 2007 with the release of Assassins Creed, which told the story of Desmond Miles, a young man born into the world of the Assassins and kidnapped by his family's sworn enemies, the Templar's. Using the Animus, Desmond is forced to relive the moments of his ancestors through stored memories in his DNA. Visiting famous historical time periods such as The Crusades and the Renaissance, Desmond is forced to locate the Pieces of Eden, powerful artifacts left by an ancient race of aliens that could be used for power, wealth, or to save the planet for global catastrophe. Desmond must escape with the help of another Assassin, Lucy, and help the Assassins find the Pieces of Eden before the planet is destroyed in 2012. The gameplay has been amazing, using swords, wrist blades, throwing knives, and guns to take out targets, save citizens of the era, and plus you get to visit famous cities and historical landmarks. This is the best action-adventure, historical game around, and I cannot wait to see what the series will bring next for Desmond Miles.
4. Rock Band series: Everyone wants to be a rock star. Now, thanks to Harmonix, they can. Beginning in 2007, Rock Band allowed players to become rockers, using controllers in the shape of their favorite instruments. Whether you wanted to be a guitarist, bassist, singer, or even drummer, up to four people were able to play at any given time. With millions of song available to play, players could play their favorite songs from their favorite bands, and play at famous venues. With releases that included band-centric games, including The Beatles: Rock Band, this is the most invested, fun, and wealthy music based video game franchises in the world.
3. Gears of War series: Ever since the locust invaded our consoles, Gears of Wars has been one of the bloodiest first person shooters around. Weilding anything from chainsaw guns to chained grenades, players stepped into the shoes of Gears leader Marcus Fenix, a soldier for the COG (Coalition of Gears), who was tasked by the human resistance to help the Gears fight the Locust, a monstrous race of creatures that emerged from underneath the surface and began a bloody war for domination. After two games, players fought battle after battle, hacking off limbs and enjoying commradery with Marcus's team, Dom, Baird, and Cole. Another great feature of the game was the intense multiplayer experience, with found up to sixteen guys going head to head with one another, blowing each other up and getting into blood filled battles. The non-stop action combined with the gore and horror of the monster movie madness, this game is truely unique, and one of my all time favorites.
2. Halo series: How does the world end? That's the question that fans all over the world asked when Halo 3 was released. This series follows Master Chief, the last of the super soldiers known as Spartans, in his fight against the Covenant, an alien race with a fanatic religious agenda. Through the first three games, players fought valiantly as the Master Chief, jumping from orbit above planets, shooting down monstrous zombies, blowing bases up, and going across the galaxy in an attempt to save the remaining few people of the human race. In the face of death and extinction, Master Chief fought for survival, and won. The last three games dealt with the events leading to the previous three games, following the paths of Spartans fallen before the Master Chief, and lone Orbital Drop Shock Troopers left to defend Earth. Featuring great voice talent, amazing special effects, dramatic music, and characters and stories that not only touched our hearts, but left players on the edge of their seats. The original game that started the first person shooter craze, and allowed Xbox to create the multiplayer experience, Halo is the true pioneer of the last decade, and a must play for the gamer in all of us.
1. Left 4 Dead series: Zombies have invaded pop culture once again. Beginning in 2008, Left 4 Dead had a basic premise, survive a zombie apocalypse and search for rescue. Rather than focus on intricate plot details, the game focuses on the characters, and throws complex and life like characters into various survival situations. Utilizing what makes all zombie movies great, players got a variety of weapons, and went head to head with the zombie horde. Whether you were blowing off a zombie's head with a shotgun, or hacking limbs off with a katana, players went through memorable settings and fought against fast running zombies, as well as mutated "special" infected, like the hunter, who can leap vast distances, or the Tank, who looks like a muscle head to the 10th power. Also utilizing the multiplayer experience, this game pits players against one another, whether you're a survivor or playing as a special infected, and get to fight one another until the end. This is the most fun, action packed, and popular video game series to premiere in the past decade, and has set the bar for future games everywhere!
5. Assassins Creed series: Ubisoft's most popular series to date, Assassins Creed began in 2007 with the release of Assassins Creed, which told the story of Desmond Miles, a young man born into the world of the Assassins and kidnapped by his family's sworn enemies, the Templar's. Using the Animus, Desmond is forced to relive the moments of his ancestors through stored memories in his DNA. Visiting famous historical time periods such as The Crusades and the Renaissance, Desmond is forced to locate the Pieces of Eden, powerful artifacts left by an ancient race of aliens that could be used for power, wealth, or to save the planet for global catastrophe. Desmond must escape with the help of another Assassin, Lucy, and help the Assassins find the Pieces of Eden before the planet is destroyed in 2012. The gameplay has been amazing, using swords, wrist blades, throwing knives, and guns to take out targets, save citizens of the era, and plus you get to visit famous cities and historical landmarks. This is the best action-adventure, historical game around, and I cannot wait to see what the series will bring next for Desmond Miles.
4. Rock Band series: Everyone wants to be a rock star. Now, thanks to Harmonix, they can. Beginning in 2007, Rock Band allowed players to become rockers, using controllers in the shape of their favorite instruments. Whether you wanted to be a guitarist, bassist, singer, or even drummer, up to four people were able to play at any given time. With millions of song available to play, players could play their favorite songs from their favorite bands, and play at famous venues. With releases that included band-centric games, including The Beatles: Rock Band, this is the most invested, fun, and wealthy music based video game franchises in the world.
3. Gears of War series: Ever since the locust invaded our consoles, Gears of Wars has been one of the bloodiest first person shooters around. Weilding anything from chainsaw guns to chained grenades, players stepped into the shoes of Gears leader Marcus Fenix, a soldier for the COG (Coalition of Gears), who was tasked by the human resistance to help the Gears fight the Locust, a monstrous race of creatures that emerged from underneath the surface and began a bloody war for domination. After two games, players fought battle after battle, hacking off limbs and enjoying commradery with Marcus's team, Dom, Baird, and Cole. Another great feature of the game was the intense multiplayer experience, with found up to sixteen guys going head to head with one another, blowing each other up and getting into blood filled battles. The non-stop action combined with the gore and horror of the monster movie madness, this game is truely unique, and one of my all time favorites.
2. Halo series: How does the world end? That's the question that fans all over the world asked when Halo 3 was released. This series follows Master Chief, the last of the super soldiers known as Spartans, in his fight against the Covenant, an alien race with a fanatic religious agenda. Through the first three games, players fought valiantly as the Master Chief, jumping from orbit above planets, shooting down monstrous zombies, blowing bases up, and going across the galaxy in an attempt to save the remaining few people of the human race. In the face of death and extinction, Master Chief fought for survival, and won. The last three games dealt with the events leading to the previous three games, following the paths of Spartans fallen before the Master Chief, and lone Orbital Drop Shock Troopers left to defend Earth. Featuring great voice talent, amazing special effects, dramatic music, and characters and stories that not only touched our hearts, but left players on the edge of their seats. The original game that started the first person shooter craze, and allowed Xbox to create the multiplayer experience, Halo is the true pioneer of the last decade, and a must play for the gamer in all of us.
1. Left 4 Dead series: Zombies have invaded pop culture once again. Beginning in 2008, Left 4 Dead had a basic premise, survive a zombie apocalypse and search for rescue. Rather than focus on intricate plot details, the game focuses on the characters, and throws complex and life like characters into various survival situations. Utilizing what makes all zombie movies great, players got a variety of weapons, and went head to head with the zombie horde. Whether you were blowing off a zombie's head with a shotgun, or hacking limbs off with a katana, players went through memorable settings and fought against fast running zombies, as well as mutated "special" infected, like the hunter, who can leap vast distances, or the Tank, who looks like a muscle head to the 10th power. Also utilizing the multiplayer experience, this game pits players against one another, whether you're a survivor or playing as a special infected, and get to fight one another until the end. This is the most fun, action packed, and popular video game series to premiere in the past decade, and has set the bar for future games everywhere!
Top 10 Video Game Characters of the Decade
When the world first played video games, the games were just 8-bit 2-D models with basic objects, save the princess, defeat the bad guy. Now, however, video games have become brand new narrative's for heartwarming, intense, horrific, and action packed story's that span galaxies and other dimensions. With the weight of the world on their shoulders, the characters of the past decade have grown so much, becoming heroes that had only been seen previously in movies or television. This is my list of the top 10 video game characters of the past decade, part of my video game awards. Warning, spoilers may be present in the following paragraphs. Be Warned, if you do not wish to see a spoiler or have not played the games mentioned before, do not read any further. Enjoy!
10. Andrew Ryan (Bioshock): "A Man Chooses, A Slave Obeys". The infamous words spoken by Bioshock's main antagonist, or one of them, depending on your view. Andrew Ryan is the creator of Rapture, the underwater utopia created in the Atlantic Ocean. Having built it away from the laws of the Government in hopes of creating a civilization run by the hardworking people, rather than government, Andrew Ryan's dream city soon turned to chaos, sporting genetically altered people known as splicers and creepy little sisters who are guarded by metal beasts known as Big Daddies. With the chaos, however, Ryan still tries to maintain control, using the splicers to prevent the game's protagonist from taking control of the city. While his methods and goals may be flawed, or possibly evil, he has a major impact on the entire series, and spouts the words that will define the meaning of the entire game. Whether good or bad, Andrew Ryan is Bioshock.
9. Alyx Vance (Half-Life 2): Also known as Gordon Freeman's better half, Alyx Vance is the reason why fans have come to love the series. While everyone knows Freeman and his heroism, no one would no Gordon without Alyx and her brave, strong character that has helped both her and Gordon survive every attack the alien menace has thrown at them. Living in an apocalyptic world where an alien race from another dimension known as the Combine have taken over, Alyx and Gordon fight with the human resistance to liberate their world from the alien's and take back what's rightfully theirs. While sporting an unspoken romance between them, Alyx has shown great growth in the short time we've known her, taking care of her father, the leader of the resistance, making runs across an alien occupied city to free prisoner's and human citizens, and transporting stolen alien data to prevent another portal from destroying the world. Even sacrificing herself for the mission, we see her nearly die and come back again, defying death itself to save the day. Without Alyx Vance, there would be no Gordon Freeman.
8. GLaDOS (Portal): One of the decades most surprising hit games was Portal, a puzzle solving game that took place in the same universe as Half-Life. While the puzzles and gravity defying objectives were amazing, what made the game so lovable was the birth of a truly evil yet hilarious new villain, GLaDOS, (Genetic Lifeform and Disk Operating System). GLaDOS is a artificial intelligence running a science facility known as Apeture Science. Waking the main character up as a test subject, GLaDOS puts you through death defying missions while promising you "cake". After being destroyed by the main character at the end of the first portal, GLaDOS is set to reappear in the sequel coming out next year, Portal 2. Dead set on getting revenge on you for killing her, GLaDOS is sure to set new deadly courses and clever witticisms by this time next year.
7. Alma Wade (F.E.A.R. series): Sporting one of the bloodiest, most deadly pasts in gaming history, Alma is the definition of evil, made by society. The daughter of a powerful scientists and head of a major company, she is taken by her father after it is discovered she harbors a disturbed personality and kinetic powers. Put into stasis and used as a means of birthing prototype soldiers that would theoretically be able to use telepathy to control soldiers in the battlefield, she is impregnated using genetic material from her father, and only brought out of sleep in order to give birth. This happens two times before finally her body fails, and she dies. When her body dies, she makes contact with her second son, Paxton Fettel, another great villain, and forces him to go on a killing spree in order to release her. Once released, her spirit, or psychic energy, unleashing a wave of terror and rage on the city of Auburn. Players control Point Man, the agent of the special paranormal government team F.E.A.R. (First Encounter Assault Recon), who must hunt down Paxton Fettel, stop Alma, and learn the secrets of this disturbed girl's past. While the game is one of the horror genre's best, Alma is one of the most terrifying little girls in history, giving girls like Samara from the Ring and that Grudge girl a run for their money.
6. Sora (Kingdom Hearts): A young boy who dreams of adventure and finding love with his best friend Kairi, Sora finds his world turned upside down when a sinister force known as the Darkness infects his world, separating him from Kairi and his other best friend, Riku. He learns he is the keyblade master, a warrior destined to repel the Darkness. Joining forces with Disney favorites Goofy and Donald Duck, Sora must save the worlds from the Darkness, stop a group of Disney and Final Fantasy villains, and find his friends before the universe is engulfed in Darkness. We see this boy grow into the role of hero, shunning the boyhood dreams in hopes of becoming the salvation of the universe. Making new allies, finding love, fighting evil, and risking his life and soul in order to save everyone, this boy does not become a man, but rather keeps that boyhood wonder and innocence in order to see the good in people, and recognize the evil where it lies. Sora is the definition of a hero.
5. Commander Shepard (Mass Effect 2): The leader of a human manned ship, Commander Shepard is the hero in the hit series Mass Effect. After saving the Citadel, a capitol planet in which all alien leaders convene, from the evil Saren from using the Reapers, an ancient alien race that destroys all sentient life in the galaxy every million years or so. In Mass Effect 2, players get to know Shepard a little better, seeing the natural leader that he is. After being killed in the opening scenes, he is resurrected by The Illusive Man, the head of a human controlled corporation who is seeking Shepard's help in stopping the Collectors, an alien group working for the Reaper's by taking human colonies across the galaxy. Players get to see Shepard become the leader of his ship once more, making allies with other aliens of all classes and positions, from scientists and soldiers to warriors and psychotic killers. He develops friendships with his crew, saves planets from various disasters, investigates crimes, and develops romantic relationships with members of his crew. With the fate of the galaxy in his hands, Shepard does a great job of being a balanced character, not perfect, but heroic nonetheless.
4. Paxton Fettel (F.E.A.R.): The son of F.E.A.R. villain Alma, Paxton Fettel is the cannibal leader of mindless soldiers he controlls using his natural psychic abilities. When first encountered, we find him hunched over the body of a security officer, where his mouth is covered in blood and he continues to eat pieces of the officers body. Besides a cannibal, however, Fettel is the complete opposite of the main character, Point Man. The Yin to his Yang. He is always appearing out of nowhere, killing key characters or helping his mother kill hundreds of people. Leaving a bloody path behind him, Fettel always appears to Point Man, spouting words of wisdom and trying to confuse Point Man as to who he really is. When it is learned later on that Point Man is the first son of Alma, and Fettel's brother, fans all around gasped, and it made Point Man shooting Fettel that much more ironic. In the upcoming F.E.A.R. 3, fans will once again be reunited with Fettel, as he has to work with Point Man in his spectral form in order to stop his mother, who is once again pregnant and on a warpath. Yes, he is the quintessential villain, and we wouldn't have it any other way.
3. Ezio Auditore (Assassins Creed 2, AC: Brotherhood): One of the best series of the past decade, Assassins Creed follows Desmond Miles, a born Assassin kidnapped by the Assassin Guild's enemies, the Templars. Although he himself has never been an Assassin, he holds genetic memories in his DNA, and knowing this, the Templars use a machine known as the Animus to put Desmond into the shoes of his ancestors, reliving key moments in his various ancestors lives to locate ancient artifacts known as Pieces of Eden. In the second and third games, the ancestor in question is Ezio Auditore, the face of Assassins Creed. The son of an Assassin, he is introduced to his destiny only because his father and two brothers are taken into custody by the Borgia, leaders of the Templars in Renaissance Italy, and are executed for false crimes. In hopes of taking revenge, we see Ezio go from vengeful son to natural leader and hero, killing all Templars who support the Borgia, and rebuilding the Assassin Guild so that their work can continue once more. As Ezio, players are able to travel across Italy, visiting famous cities such as Rome, Venice, and Florence, and meeting famous figures such as Leonardo Da Vinci and the Pope. Ezio is the best example of growth in a character, going from an arrogant boy to a grown man and hero of the people of Italy. Through him, we see the hardships and trials a hero must go through, and the corruption seen in Italy in the early 16th century. Ezio Auditore gives Assassins a good name.
2. Marcus Fenix (Gears of War series): In a world overrun by monsters and torn apart by war, humanity needed one man to become the face of hope, and give humanity something to believe in. That man is Marcus Fenix. A former prisoner of war during a planetary civil war, he is released during the Emergence of the Locust horde by his best friend Dom, and joins the Gears, soldiers of humanity set against the Locust. Putting their differences aside, all of humanity pulls together in hopes of stopping the monsters, and rebuilding their civilization. While fighting these creatures, Fenix must also be the best friend who helps Dom find his missing wife, while trying to learn who his father really was, after learning of experiments done by his father within in the Locust hive. With only his teammates and a gun in his hands, Marcus looks death in the eyes, and then punches it in the face, risking life and limb to stop the Locust. After losing so much and facing deadly odds, Marcus has again and again dealt crippling blows to the Locust. With the third game in the Gears trilogy due out next year, we will get to see Marcus's last stand, and the end of his long journey. Will he stop the Locust, and the mysterious knew creatures attacking both sides? If anyone can, Marcus will.
1. Master Chief (Halo series): If there were ever one man who was defined as the hero of all video games, Master Chief is that man. The last of a super soldier program known as the Spartans, Master Chief is humanities last hope of survival against an alien coalition known as the Covenant, religious nutcases who want to use the Halo rings to purge humanity and go on a religious journey. Master Chief knows from experience that the Halo rings are mass sentient purges that wipe all life from the universe so that a deadly alien lifeform known as The Flood cannot feed, kinda like zombies. Over the course of three games, Master Chief is seen jumping in outer space out of an alien ship, blowing said ship up behind him, and falling to earth and surviving in one piece. He takes an impossible situation and flips it around, defeating enemy onslaughts at every turn. Even after losing great allies and friends, Master Chief still manages to sacrifice all in order to defeat the Covenant, and even though he saves the galaxy, he and his AI companion Cortana are left behind, presumed dead, and is forced into stasis. While little is known about the man behind the mask, we know he is a hero by definition, and without him, Xbox itself would not have gotten the name it has over the past decade. He is the face of Halo, of Xbox, and of all heroes after him.
10. Andrew Ryan (Bioshock): "A Man Chooses, A Slave Obeys". The infamous words spoken by Bioshock's main antagonist, or one of them, depending on your view. Andrew Ryan is the creator of Rapture, the underwater utopia created in the Atlantic Ocean. Having built it away from the laws of the Government in hopes of creating a civilization run by the hardworking people, rather than government, Andrew Ryan's dream city soon turned to chaos, sporting genetically altered people known as splicers and creepy little sisters who are guarded by metal beasts known as Big Daddies. With the chaos, however, Ryan still tries to maintain control, using the splicers to prevent the game's protagonist from taking control of the city. While his methods and goals may be flawed, or possibly evil, he has a major impact on the entire series, and spouts the words that will define the meaning of the entire game. Whether good or bad, Andrew Ryan is Bioshock.
9. Alyx Vance (Half-Life 2): Also known as Gordon Freeman's better half, Alyx Vance is the reason why fans have come to love the series. While everyone knows Freeman and his heroism, no one would no Gordon without Alyx and her brave, strong character that has helped both her and Gordon survive every attack the alien menace has thrown at them. Living in an apocalyptic world where an alien race from another dimension known as the Combine have taken over, Alyx and Gordon fight with the human resistance to liberate their world from the alien's and take back what's rightfully theirs. While sporting an unspoken romance between them, Alyx has shown great growth in the short time we've known her, taking care of her father, the leader of the resistance, making runs across an alien occupied city to free prisoner's and human citizens, and transporting stolen alien data to prevent another portal from destroying the world. Even sacrificing herself for the mission, we see her nearly die and come back again, defying death itself to save the day. Without Alyx Vance, there would be no Gordon Freeman.
8. GLaDOS (Portal): One of the decades most surprising hit games was Portal, a puzzle solving game that took place in the same universe as Half-Life. While the puzzles and gravity defying objectives were amazing, what made the game so lovable was the birth of a truly evil yet hilarious new villain, GLaDOS, (Genetic Lifeform and Disk Operating System). GLaDOS is a artificial intelligence running a science facility known as Apeture Science. Waking the main character up as a test subject, GLaDOS puts you through death defying missions while promising you "cake". After being destroyed by the main character at the end of the first portal, GLaDOS is set to reappear in the sequel coming out next year, Portal 2. Dead set on getting revenge on you for killing her, GLaDOS is sure to set new deadly courses and clever witticisms by this time next year.
7. Alma Wade (F.E.A.R. series): Sporting one of the bloodiest, most deadly pasts in gaming history, Alma is the definition of evil, made by society. The daughter of a powerful scientists and head of a major company, she is taken by her father after it is discovered she harbors a disturbed personality and kinetic powers. Put into stasis and used as a means of birthing prototype soldiers that would theoretically be able to use telepathy to control soldiers in the battlefield, she is impregnated using genetic material from her father, and only brought out of sleep in order to give birth. This happens two times before finally her body fails, and she dies. When her body dies, she makes contact with her second son, Paxton Fettel, another great villain, and forces him to go on a killing spree in order to release her. Once released, her spirit, or psychic energy, unleashing a wave of terror and rage on the city of Auburn. Players control Point Man, the agent of the special paranormal government team F.E.A.R. (First Encounter Assault Recon), who must hunt down Paxton Fettel, stop Alma, and learn the secrets of this disturbed girl's past. While the game is one of the horror genre's best, Alma is one of the most terrifying little girls in history, giving girls like Samara from the Ring and that Grudge girl a run for their money.
6. Sora (Kingdom Hearts): A young boy who dreams of adventure and finding love with his best friend Kairi, Sora finds his world turned upside down when a sinister force known as the Darkness infects his world, separating him from Kairi and his other best friend, Riku. He learns he is the keyblade master, a warrior destined to repel the Darkness. Joining forces with Disney favorites Goofy and Donald Duck, Sora must save the worlds from the Darkness, stop a group of Disney and Final Fantasy villains, and find his friends before the universe is engulfed in Darkness. We see this boy grow into the role of hero, shunning the boyhood dreams in hopes of becoming the salvation of the universe. Making new allies, finding love, fighting evil, and risking his life and soul in order to save everyone, this boy does not become a man, but rather keeps that boyhood wonder and innocence in order to see the good in people, and recognize the evil where it lies. Sora is the definition of a hero.
5. Commander Shepard (Mass Effect 2): The leader of a human manned ship, Commander Shepard is the hero in the hit series Mass Effect. After saving the Citadel, a capitol planet in which all alien leaders convene, from the evil Saren from using the Reapers, an ancient alien race that destroys all sentient life in the galaxy every million years or so. In Mass Effect 2, players get to know Shepard a little better, seeing the natural leader that he is. After being killed in the opening scenes, he is resurrected by The Illusive Man, the head of a human controlled corporation who is seeking Shepard's help in stopping the Collectors, an alien group working for the Reaper's by taking human colonies across the galaxy. Players get to see Shepard become the leader of his ship once more, making allies with other aliens of all classes and positions, from scientists and soldiers to warriors and psychotic killers. He develops friendships with his crew, saves planets from various disasters, investigates crimes, and develops romantic relationships with members of his crew. With the fate of the galaxy in his hands, Shepard does a great job of being a balanced character, not perfect, but heroic nonetheless.
4. Paxton Fettel (F.E.A.R.): The son of F.E.A.R. villain Alma, Paxton Fettel is the cannibal leader of mindless soldiers he controlls using his natural psychic abilities. When first encountered, we find him hunched over the body of a security officer, where his mouth is covered in blood and he continues to eat pieces of the officers body. Besides a cannibal, however, Fettel is the complete opposite of the main character, Point Man. The Yin to his Yang. He is always appearing out of nowhere, killing key characters or helping his mother kill hundreds of people. Leaving a bloody path behind him, Fettel always appears to Point Man, spouting words of wisdom and trying to confuse Point Man as to who he really is. When it is learned later on that Point Man is the first son of Alma, and Fettel's brother, fans all around gasped, and it made Point Man shooting Fettel that much more ironic. In the upcoming F.E.A.R. 3, fans will once again be reunited with Fettel, as he has to work with Point Man in his spectral form in order to stop his mother, who is once again pregnant and on a warpath. Yes, he is the quintessential villain, and we wouldn't have it any other way.
3. Ezio Auditore (Assassins Creed 2, AC: Brotherhood): One of the best series of the past decade, Assassins Creed follows Desmond Miles, a born Assassin kidnapped by the Assassin Guild's enemies, the Templars. Although he himself has never been an Assassin, he holds genetic memories in his DNA, and knowing this, the Templars use a machine known as the Animus to put Desmond into the shoes of his ancestors, reliving key moments in his various ancestors lives to locate ancient artifacts known as Pieces of Eden. In the second and third games, the ancestor in question is Ezio Auditore, the face of Assassins Creed. The son of an Assassin, he is introduced to his destiny only because his father and two brothers are taken into custody by the Borgia, leaders of the Templars in Renaissance Italy, and are executed for false crimes. In hopes of taking revenge, we see Ezio go from vengeful son to natural leader and hero, killing all Templars who support the Borgia, and rebuilding the Assassin Guild so that their work can continue once more. As Ezio, players are able to travel across Italy, visiting famous cities such as Rome, Venice, and Florence, and meeting famous figures such as Leonardo Da Vinci and the Pope. Ezio is the best example of growth in a character, going from an arrogant boy to a grown man and hero of the people of Italy. Through him, we see the hardships and trials a hero must go through, and the corruption seen in Italy in the early 16th century. Ezio Auditore gives Assassins a good name.
2. Marcus Fenix (Gears of War series): In a world overrun by monsters and torn apart by war, humanity needed one man to become the face of hope, and give humanity something to believe in. That man is Marcus Fenix. A former prisoner of war during a planetary civil war, he is released during the Emergence of the Locust horde by his best friend Dom, and joins the Gears, soldiers of humanity set against the Locust. Putting their differences aside, all of humanity pulls together in hopes of stopping the monsters, and rebuilding their civilization. While fighting these creatures, Fenix must also be the best friend who helps Dom find his missing wife, while trying to learn who his father really was, after learning of experiments done by his father within in the Locust hive. With only his teammates and a gun in his hands, Marcus looks death in the eyes, and then punches it in the face, risking life and limb to stop the Locust. After losing so much and facing deadly odds, Marcus has again and again dealt crippling blows to the Locust. With the third game in the Gears trilogy due out next year, we will get to see Marcus's last stand, and the end of his long journey. Will he stop the Locust, and the mysterious knew creatures attacking both sides? If anyone can, Marcus will.
1. Master Chief (Halo series): If there were ever one man who was defined as the hero of all video games, Master Chief is that man. The last of a super soldier program known as the Spartans, Master Chief is humanities last hope of survival against an alien coalition known as the Covenant, religious nutcases who want to use the Halo rings to purge humanity and go on a religious journey. Master Chief knows from experience that the Halo rings are mass sentient purges that wipe all life from the universe so that a deadly alien lifeform known as The Flood cannot feed, kinda like zombies. Over the course of three games, Master Chief is seen jumping in outer space out of an alien ship, blowing said ship up behind him, and falling to earth and surviving in one piece. He takes an impossible situation and flips it around, defeating enemy onslaughts at every turn. Even after losing great allies and friends, Master Chief still manages to sacrifice all in order to defeat the Covenant, and even though he saves the galaxy, he and his AI companion Cortana are left behind, presumed dead, and is forced into stasis. While little is known about the man behind the mask, we know he is a hero by definition, and without him, Xbox itself would not have gotten the name it has over the past decade. He is the face of Halo, of Xbox, and of all heroes after him.
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