The 33 games you can't live without (Pg.3/3)


Table of Contents

11. Folklore

It's hard not to be mesmerized by the visual elements of Folklore. Not only are they beautiful and crisp, but they are a breath of fresh air in the otherwise fantasy-dominated RPG genre. The Celtic background gives ample space for some truly original design, and nearly every one of the monsters (there are more than 100 in the game) are stunning to look at.What saves this game from being just another monster collection RPG is the compelling narrative and the unique environments. You can also look forward to some downloadable content which should help keep things fresh in the future. It's a great tide-me-over adventure before Final Fantasy XIII, and who knows when that will actually release.

10. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

Now that the PS3 version of the game has been released, it is quite possible that only one year into the current generation of next-gen consoles, we have already witnessed the finest American role-playing game on the new generation of systems. What a welcome relief, then, to find an RPG that establishes the same level of earnest gravitas. PlayStation 3 owners who are skeptical that their six hundred hard-earned dollars were spent in vain or who have already burned through the first wave of primarily action-driven games now have a deep, rich, and meaningful experience to play into. You'd be a fool to miss out on this one.

9. Warhawk

If you like blowing things up, your PS3 and Warhawk will help with this slight aberration, letting you enjoy the soothing art of explosions. Going online in this online-only fragfest is delightfully painless and simple, and as soon as you join a game, your character will spawn at your chosen drop point. Immediately, there is no doubt you are at war; bullets are flying by your head, bombs are exploding off in the distance, and a thick cloud of smoke billows out of a burning building.

8. MotorStorm

MotorStorm is about speed and smashing, but the game isn't the fastest around, nor does it cause the biggest pileups like, say, the Burnout series. What it does do is pair the speed and carnage together wonderfully. Don't think for a second that MotorStorm is all brawn and no brains, though: It takes a good deal of strategy to compete in the more difficult races. Simply put, MotorStorm is a visual triumph. The game's realistic graphics offer a tantalizing glimpse of what the PS3 may be capable of a year or two down the road.

7. Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection Online

Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection is one hell of fighting game, and without question the best in the series. >The original release of Tekken 5: DR is actually one of the deepest, most balanced, and just plain fun fighting games of all time. And now it's got an online mode and for less than $30, it's a dang good deal.

6. Uncharted: Drake's Fortune

The folks at Naughty Dog have produced some amazing Crash and Jak & Daxter games in the past, but Uncharted is a big departure from the cartoon-y subject matter of the past. Here, the team turns its attention to photorealistic characters and a compelling narrative to drive this action-adventure game home. And it does a damn nice job with its first game for the PS3. Uncharted offers up some amazing visuals and the gameplay is perfectly paced. You're always doing something interesting, whether it's investigating ancient ruins, trading bullets with modern-day pirates, or skydiving out of a burning airplane. And even though the story is a bit far-fetched, it's almost addictive in the sense that you'll want to help Nathan solve the mystery behind Sir Francis Drake's diary just to see it all through.

5. Heavenly Sword

If there is one thing Heavenly Sword does better than any other PS3 games to date--sans Uncharted--it's delivering on a captivating story: the main character Nariko belongs to a tribe whose fate is tied to a prophecy which proclaimed that a man would be born into their midst to save them. Unfortunately Nariko, who was born at the prophesized time, was born a woman, a fact that her fellow clansmen see as an omen of doom. Tied into the prophecy is the titular Heavenly Sword, a magical blade that is under the protection of the clan's protection. The evil King Bohan seeks the blade to consolidate his power and a war breaks outWhile the combat isn't quite God of War-quality, it's close. What's most important, though, is that it's easy to use and enjoyable with relatively few annoyances. And while the whole experience is a little on the short side, you'll be more than thankful for quality over quantity.

4. Super Stardust HD

So how can a $10 downloadable game make #4 on our list? Simple. It's fun as hell. The first real counter to Geometry Wars on Xbox Live Arcade, Super Stardust HD (a remake of the original Amiga game) is just as good, if not better than the 360's neo-retro hit. It's as simple of a concept as can be: blast your way through a seemingly never-ending bombardment of meteors, rocks and other space objects. Use the left analog stick to move your spaceship and the right stick to fire. And surprisingly, Super Stardust manages to deliver an exceptionally deep experience for 10 bucks. With multiple planets and bosses to face, Super Stardust HD doesn't let down for a moment.

3. Ninja Gaiden Sigma

Sigma is quite simply the best version of Ninja Gaiden. At its core, Sigma is still the same game, but what makes it so much more compelling than the original are the improvements that have been made.For one, the game has received a graphical boost, no small feat considering how good the original looked. The combat is still lightning fast and exciting, and the controls on the Sixaxis are just as intuitive and tight as they were on the Xbox. And that's important, because Ninja Gaiden Sigma is as difficult as ever, so if you haven't played in a while, or have never played at all, prepare to see the Game Over screen quite a few times.

2. Everyday Shooter

One of the best PS3 games yet released is also one of the least-known. Everyday Shooter is the brainchild of Jonathan Mak, who provided the floaty guitar-only soundtrack, graphic design, and core programming for the game. "Indie" in the truest sense of the word, Everyday Shooter plays similarly to other popular retro-styled shooters like Geometry Wars and Super Stardust HD. The player controls a tiny ship (in this case, a dot) with one analog stick; the other analog stick controls aiming and firing. So far, so good. Its simplistic nature (there are no bombs or special moves; all you can do is shoot) belies its complexity. There are several reasons why Everyday Shooter goes way, way beyond Geometry Wars in both presentation and gameplay. For starters, the sound effects and soundtrack are limited to acoustic guitar samples. Just when you think you've figured out Everyday Shooter, it adds a new wrinkle. Each of the game's 8 levels is a completely different beast, each with its own art direction, music, enemies and gameplay.

1. Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction

It's fitting that the first installment of the Ratchet & Clank series on the PS3 is called Future, because in many ways it sets the bar for all future PS3 games. Starting with the opening cinematic to the very last moment, the game is a prime example of what developers can accomplish on the platform. Insomniac is known for its creativity and talent, and here the studio delivers its finest game to date; a wonderful blend of comedy and action that plays out in near-Pixar quality. Casual gamers will enjoy the witty dialogue and imaginative characters even if they're not into addictive robot action and alien destruction. Tools of Destruction is an amazing PS3 game that fully leverages the power of the console. It sets the bar high for not only the series but for all PS3 games to come. For many, it should be reason enough to buy the system.

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GuitarHero9

This list is retarded. You put Excite Truck and Wii Sports in there, but not Zelda: TP?!

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