So I thought it would be cool to make a list of games that I have S-Ranked as I own a PS3 and Sony doesn't seem to be making any strides with regards to sharing trophy data. Now it should also be noted that this list includes games that I have S-Ranked. The list of games I have platinum trophies for is longer, but I don't have all of the trophies due to the release of DLC packs. So in alphabetical order I give you my S-Ranks!
The latest Assassin's Creed is an amazing game and one that I can't wait for Ubisoft to expand on both in terms of story and gameplay mechanics. This S-Rank probably won't persist for very long given the soon to be released Da Vinci Disappearance DLC pack.
This is the first AC game to feature trophy support on PSN. As repetitive as the first AC got I probably would have taken the time to S-Rank it had trophy support been around when the first one was released. I should also mention that some of the trophies related to combat in this game were pretty tough. Like the sweep trophy where you had to use a pole weapon to knock 5 guys over or the one where you had to throw sand.
The first episode of Telltale Games' BTTF series is great. All the subtle winks and nods to everything from Robert Zemeckis to what the hell happened to Doc post-BTTF3 are all written and done very well. Though many of the puzzles are pretty easy and I got an S-Rank on this game on my first playthrough.
This game is just amazing. There is really nothing more to say. I can't wait for Batman: Arkham City to hit so that I can spend hours making my way through the virtual Gotham City slums. Out of all the games I've S-Ranked never has a game actually made me forget that I was trophy hunting and instead just experiencing the game. For me this game enticed me to check out everything and solve everything, and in turn I was rewarded for it.
I have to admit when I first heard about Darksiders I was on the fence. The whole-cloth way that the game emulates the Zelda franchise initially made me say 'copycat' outloud. But then upon further review, I asked myself 'Why is that a problem?'. So on one of my infrequent trips home I rented it from the local video store. I loved the story and thought it was great! Can't wait for the sequel. Though it should be mentioned that I played this game on the highest difficulty setting on my first playthrough and only really had trouble with the first boss, Tiamat. After that the game was actually pretty easy....almost too easy for a difficulty called 'Apocalyptic'!
He may not have covered wars like Frank West, but Chuck Greene knows how to be father of the year. Moreover, its amazing what this dude can accomplish with a roll of duct tape! After listening to the guys here at Giant Bomb rant about how hard the boss fights were on the podcast I have to say that initially on a clean file I would have agreed, but when I learned to use the right weapons and health items the game was a snap. Love the story too! Too bad DR1 will never be released on PS3 or even those pre-LC packs...
Ah the struggles of loner engineers. Gordon Freeman did it in Half-Life and so too does Isaac Clarke in Dead Space. Seriously, I could stomp across the Ishimura all day. The plasma cutter is also one of the most effective weapons ever created in a game. Its almost too effective. In fact, on the Impossible difficulty setting I used the plasma cutter over any other weapon. Over balanced? Perhaps. Effective at shaving off a limb or 4. Hellz yes!
It should come as no surprise given the above game that I also S-Ranked this one. DS2 improves on DS so much that there would be too much to mention for this box. Suffice it say, I struggled to beat the game on Hard Core which is a stark contrast to the original where a person with a plasma cutter could go all the way. Here there were 4 weapons I used interchangeably to get me through Hard Core (where there are no checkpoints and you get only 3 saves for the entire game). So for this S-Rank I would like to thank the plasma cutter, the force gun, the contact beam, and the javelin gun. You guys have been great, and I hope to see more of you in DS3.
When they said that pre-LC would be released for DS2 in the form of an interactive comic book written by the same guy who did the Dead Space prequel comics for the first game I was completely on-board. Sadly, the gameplay mechanics are repetitive, and all strategy goes out the window when you learn how to either exploit the AI or the tools you've accumulated by the end of the first playthrough.
The hack and slash nature of Death Spank had me at the get go. Coupled to the voice overs and the jokes I actually quite enjoyed this. Though this did come out at the same time Limbo did and after hearing so much about that game I wouldn't fault anyone for choosing Limbo over Death Spank. Its like Yahtzee at the Escapist said in his review for both games:
"Limbo is a game where you invite a few friends over and insist on a formal dress code as you sip slowly from a glass of wine. Death Spank on the other hand is a game where you invite your friends over and order a pizza."
Man, this game is just epic in terms of its scale. Its also the first GoW game in the series to actually make me feel bad about killing a dude using Kratos. Seriously, poor Hephaestus! All he was trying to do was protect his daughter. I mean sure he tried to kill Kratos, but did he really deserve to be stabled through the chest by his own forge?! Additionally, I S-Ranked the other two GoW games when they were released on PS3. I originally owned them on PS2 as well. In short, I love this franchise!
This is another game that I had a lot of fun S-Ranking. All of the trophies required you to choose different branching paths through the game. I loved the narrative here. Despite the often janky voice overs and character movement on screen. Indeed, Heavy Rain should stand as an example of how to layer and structure a video game narrative.
Open world sandbox games like GTA are a dime-a-dozen. But Sucker Punch made a game that gives you the ability to shove lightning bolts up an enemies ass while sticking his buddies with electrical grenades. Sign me the fuck up!
Fantastic! I love ME2 and the recap of the story of ME1 for us in the PS3 audience. This game had me stopping to think through some of the more major story decisions. Is it right that Mordin released a virus on the Krogen to prevent future wars or is he just akin to a Salarian Nazi? Is it right to brainwash the Geth or is it better to just destroy all of the renegades while preserving their free will? Choices that were very difficult for me to make! On a completely different note, the insane difficulty in this game has very tough moments in the early game....that is until I got and upgraded the Geth Pulse Rifle...
If you haven't played this game find someone who has it (which shouldn't be too hard) and give it a go. This game is ridiculously fun! Plus any game that makes professional reviewers consider making a game from the 1980s the game of the year for 2010 is saying something!
The soundtrack to this was the main draw for me here. Though I will admit the beat-em-up stuff was fun....until I had played the game twice. Then it just got a bit repetitive. Still cool game for what it is and great art. Oh and of course the music. I guess I just judge this game based on its music....which is pretty much how Jeff judges any game carrying the Space Harrier name.
Naughty Dog had to know when it finished this game that it had a major hit on its hands. I had a tough time with some of this on the Crushing difficulty, but I persevered. I think I should also mention that I have got a platinum on Uncharted 2 as well, but because of the DLCs and the multiplayer I no longer have an S-Rank on it. Though I did at one time.
0 Comments