Stage 1 - Part 2 - "You're simply the BEST!"

Good evening!

The Video Game Baftas are coming up and the creme de-la creme of game developers are finally able to be rewarded for all their hard work and long hours. There are many categories to won, Gameplay, Music, Art, Handheld, and the prestigious Best Game.

I will not stop telling you, best game ever

So think about the best game you have ever played. Don't worry if you're not a gamer, make it a board game or particular puzzle. Can you remember why you loved it so much? If the answer is no, then I will answer that for you. It made you feel good! Dunno why, it just did. Now think further into that. You may learn a little something about what makes you feel good and indeed what makes a good game.

Sadly it can seem like a genuinely good game is hard to come by, and you might be right. Certain games can just be up in your face and difficult to shake, so it's almost as if they are blanking out anything else that is available. Some call it unfair, I call it advertising. A couple of developers are shameless for doing this, but they're the very same ones with shareholders vice-grip on their testi-satchels, so we must forgive.

So what am I getting at you say? Well, it is very much the fact that the exploration into the games industry has not seemed to go far enough. When I was about 17 years old, I have my largest collection of PS2 games and was tres tres proud of myself. It shrunk eventually, but ultimately I was collecting as many different types of games as possible. Maybe it was just out of boredom, but man did I play some interesting stuff. Largo Winch always springs to mind when I look back to that time. Odd game, but I remember enjoying it thoroughly. Then I think back to playing Maxxed Out Racing. No that is not a spelling mistake, and yes that is the tone in which the game was received... and returned.

Among this time I had discovered so many games that I fell knee deep in love with. I would never have played Def Jam: Fight for NY which is still one of my favourite brawlers of all time, and was only made sweeter to me since my ex always called it "Sean Paul Wrestling"... ace. I know it is old, but anyone who was blessed enough to play Wu Tang: Taste the Pain (Older I know but still... come on), only knows what true gold lies beyond the chart toppers and the "What's Selling" list.

To summarize in short, like with movies, like with music, the best stuff you will experience is not always hanging out in the charts. Take a short walk off the heavily beaten track and believe me you will see some gems! Lots of poo... poo for miles, but wading through the poo you will find some priceless unforgettable gems... in the poo. You will very quickly spot a bad purchase from miles off and know when something will rock your world! Although then... I read the blurb for Dark Sector on the box can't believe I bought based on what I read but it was a good game! But seriously, try reading that without doing a voice in your head. A ridiculously overdramatic voice.

Next time you look to buy a game in a store, take a look through the entire shelf, especially second hand stuff, for a better bargain. You may find yourself in possession of a truly good game.

NEXT WEEK: "You got a friend in me!"

If you have anything you wish to share with me or indeed the readers, feel free to comment or e-mail me at twentyfiveand0@hotmail.co.uk - Don't forget to check out the What Have I Been Playing pages found on the right! OR Check out my channel at www.youtube.com/ike1luv