My top 5 games of 2004

I wanted to list my top 5 games of 2004 before this year comes to a wrap. As most of you know I am a huge gamer. I have been playing computer games since I was 8. My first computer was a TI994A from Texas Instruments. Now that was one hot piece of hardware. My favorite game on it was "Adventure" which I am sure any geek my age remembers. I would stay up until 4am with my friends playing that game...ahh the nostalgia...

At any rate games have changed dramatically from that innocent time. Now its all about kill kill kill usually...though there are plenty of games that aren't about death and destruction. However, I will start at the bottom of the list as all lists go. Coming in at number 5 is none other than is Star Wars Galaxies: Jump To Lightspeed. This long awaited expansion adds space combat to Star Wars Galaxies. I have been playing this game for a year and a half now and the space expansion adds so much to the game that my Master Artisan/Merchant character has had to shut down most of his vendors because nobody is buying anything for the land game now...it's as expected for any MMO when a new expansion comes out. The combat is really well done, and the explosions and camera shake really add a lot to the experience. Sony adds loot to the game by way of components for your ship (finally), and you can sell what you don't want to the chassis dealer which is nice because then you don't have to carry around a lot of garbage with you. Looting in space also happens automatically so you won't get blown up while trying to get your components from the carcass of your enemy. The downside of course is the grind. Sony loves to make you grind your way through a profession. Most missions involve "duty missions" which means you go into the specified region of space and destroy ship after ship in a given area denoted by a waypoint. It's more of the same kind of mission style battles just like in the ground game. For some reason the developers think this is content. I have to disagree. If I am going to spend my time doing missions, I would rather they involved some kind of storyline the entire way. Sure it may take more time to develop and may involve alot more creativity but heck, we are paying for it monthly...It still earns this top 5 spot because of the great gameply while in space and the graphics are top notch.

Coming in at number 4 is none other than Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow. This installment of the Tom Clancy game is superb. It focuses on stealth more than outright gunfights. In fact most of the time you aren't supposed to kill anyone. The graphics are incredible and the gameplay is very well done. The puzzles aren't ever impossible to figure out and I think the game has the right pacing for the genre. It has a solid storyline and really makes you think before you act.

The number 3 spot this year goes to Need For Speed Underground 2. This tricked out, hopped up, no holds barred racer is sure to please not only race fans, but especially mod fans. Imagine taking Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and letting you tune your cars, minus the guns and violence. The city you start in is HUGE, including a freeway and lots of city streets with the ability to unlock other areas of the city as you progress and earn more streed cred. I have been having a lot of fun with this game because you are free to drive around wherever you like. Sometimes you come along side a car and you can race them in a competition called "Outrun". If you take the lead you then have to try and lose them. If you are successful you get cash and more respect. It's a great game if you just want to get out and go fast, and it adds a new race called "Street X" where you compete with 3 other cars on a short track with tight turns, smashing and bashing your way to the finish line. If you enjoyed the first NFSU then you will love this one.

Arriving at number 2 in our list is Thief 3: Deadly Shadows. This is an amazing game with mind blowing graphics. Like Pandora Tomorrow, this game is focused on sneaking around and not getting caught. You actually try not to kill anyone which I think is a nice element in a game because it forces you to think. The plot is very good and the cinematics are top notch. My favorite thing about the game is the lighting and mood that is set right when you start. The environment is moody and very real. The voices are very well done, and add a lot to the game. Some of the scariest moments I have ever experienced in a game happened in Thief 3. The children's home level has to be the freakiest thing I have ever seen...I get the chills just thinking about it. Definitely check it out.

The coveted number 1 slot belongs this year to Half Life 2 (I haven't played Doom3 yet). This update to the original Half Life is so amazing...the details are just incredible. From the rippling water surface to the particle effects, I was completely blown away. My only disappointment with the game is that it seemed to wrap up much to quickly. Finishing the game on normal difficulty I was able to complete it in just about 20 hours...that's pretty short in my opinion for a game that occupies a whopping 4.5 gigs on the hard drive. The story is well done and you are dropped into it without really knowing what's going on. It also comes with the new version of Counterstrike which updates the graphics and is also very well done. Overall I was really happy with the game (as short as it is) and I look forward to the next one. I am playing it again on the hard level to see what it might add to the experience...sometimes you just can't get enough.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I wish everyone a very happy and safe holiday. We deep fry our turkeys and they always come out soooo good. Have a fun one.

-J
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