Mike Bantick
Sunday, 08 February 2009 06:09
Opinion and Analysis
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Having played so many, over a long period of time, I got thinking about features that make the most memorable titles in interactive entertainment history. Weekend ramblings and memory mining.
What makes a good game? There are the obvious elements of graphics, game-play and the oft illusive immersion factor.
Yet many games that get high ratings in these areas, often fail to become memorable, whereas games with less technical aplomb stay with you forever.
So these were my thoughts the other day, during some idle thinking time (dish washing I believe). Given how many games, I have played, made, spoken or written about over the course of more than two and a half decades – it seems only fair to create a list.
The following list is the culmination of categories from the obvious to the less tangible. All of the games mentioned are purely derived from my own personal gaming history, and are obviously subjective in nature.
I have used the tried and true method of coming up with a category, brain delving for a moment and seeing what pop up.
Still it is a bit of fun, many of the following titles exhibit more than one ‘great game’ feature, but all are permanently etched in grey matter for time memorial. Being subjective, there are sure to be differing opinions about this, and that is fine, each to their own memories I say. Heck! I haven’t experienced every game on the market, and those that I have are predominately Western in origin.
Best sound: Defender (Arcade)
Williams 1980.
From the opening sinister chords through the alien squiggly sounds of a humanoid being captured, the Defender sound effects are distinct and instantly recognisable almost three decades on. Sound was also important, it hinted at events happening off screen as well as giving those of us challenged with the multi-button layout of the machine time to take our eyes from the action, but still getting sensory input – such as our craft exploding into hundreds of tiny particles.
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