The Question

It sounds like an easy question, a question with an easy answer, a question that I most definitely have been asked before. “What is your favorite game?” On a social networking site, this sort of question is effortlessly side stepped. I can simply write the name of a series rather then a specific entry. No need to think about which Final Fantasy is best, when I can simply state that I like the “Final Fantasy series.”

I’ve noticed that with other mediums people are more generous, less conservative and more prepared to name off their top 5 films, books, albums, etc. Games though, for whatever reason are harder to make top ten lists of. Perhaps it’s the same and I’m simply too entrenched in the gaming zeitgeist, that I believe we’re unique in this regard.

In any case, I was unprepared to name off my favorite game, let alone games. What exactly should be considered, what qualities entitle one game to be ranked over another? In other mediums the lack of interaction make this a simpler ordeal. Anyone can turn on an album, download an mp3 and simply vibe to the music, they can play it for a friend and not worry about that friend’s capability to appreciate the music. No anguish over controls or camera angles that may personally irritate them.

At first I attempted to make a list of categories in my mind that would be ranked high in perfect games.

-Fun Factor

-Accessibility

-Depth

-Exploration

-Etc

Then I would simply think about which games would have those categories ranked the highest. The longer I thought about the question the more difficult the answer had become. Each step in thought took me a step further from the answer. My friend gave me an hour to think, so I thought on this, this alone for thirty minutes. It was a helpful distraction during my run.

Then it hit me, the best games are the games that I think of while NOT thinking about games. While simply living my life. My answers came out pseudo-unexpectedly, but accurately.

-Dragon Warrior VII (Playstation One)

-Super Smash Brothers Melee (GameCube)

-Bioshock (360)

Lists will be dominating the gaming press sites ferociously this month and many of them will have similar looking lists. Top Tens will include most of these:

-Borderlands

-New Super Mario Brothers Wii

-Modern Warfare 2

-Assassin’s creed 2

-Left 4 Dead 2

-Torchlight

-Dragon Age: Origins

-Halo: ODST

-Batman: Arkham Asylum

-Shadow Complex

As a consumer and follower of gaming press, I think it’s easy to forgot how difficult it is to rate games, specifically in a top ten list where FPSs can go up against a traditional western RPG like Dragon Age. And this is only dealing with games that came out the same year. How does one contrast and rank games from any era and of any genre? There really isn’t one method, but a variety of methods.

So I’ve come to ask, all of the gamers out there that have feared this question, one simple question, “What are your top 3 games of all time?” Lets not worry about cliche’, unique or mainstream responses. No more excuses, remember this list can change whenever you want it to, but I think it’s important to have a list loaded and ready to fire. Who knows, your answer may create an engaging conversation and make you realize that maybe your top 3 aren’t good enough, or maybe, that you love them more then you imagined.

When it comes to my three I’ve realized that they each capture a particular moment in my life that it’s no surprise that while simply living my life I’m reminded of these three, time and time again. They’ve captured something better then most games out there.

For now though, no justifications are needed, what are your top 3?