Another anonymous persons' Top Ten Games "played" in 2015 though, a bit late due to an internet outage for a month. Amateurish, possibly, it's a first. Does it matter? Not one bit in the grand scheme of things. So, who's to say they all had to be made in 2015 then? If anything, that's just more incentive for people to claim I've no clue what I'm talking about for more pivotal games. And with that, let's dive.

10. Fallout 4 2015

Now, I understand people enjoy wandering around the post apocalyptic wastelands of Boston(?) but nothing ever really popped out to me or intrigued me in this wasteland. Yeah, I suppose it's suiting for a wasteland to have that effect but, it may have been bad timing for Fall Out 4 on my end when it came to checking out similar games this year. I just never really cared for my character, my characters' plight, or the characters surrounding her. I'll admit I came in slightly jaded because of the ending of Fallout 3 but in Fallout 4, instead of the ending being poorly written it seemed they upped themselves by writing all the factions poorly. Why can't I get all the factions to join together when I'm seemingly in control or have heavy sway in all factions? Not too mention the numerous times the scripting broke in which I had to fix with a console command. Sure the frame-rate may be hit or miss depending on what people play this on but, that is just a small issue in a larger scheme of things. I think I may be done with Bethesda after this..

09. Mortal Kombat X 2015

This would've been so much higher but, anyone remember the updating fiasco that was MK X(really WB games in general this year)? If you're like me, with a limited bandwidth of 50 GB a month than you remember... If not, a reminder. The game itself is roughly 30 Gb split absurdly into 30 some portions. Easy right? Well, the first patch was roughly 15 Gb, followed by another 10 Gb, then another couple Gb, then a final 15 Gb patch... Which, was so poorly implemented that an Immediate 15 Gb patch was issued because the following patches deleted everything players had achieved. So, being the battered partner in this relationship and being slightly jilted after having my game and progress erased for the 5(?) time. I gave up for a few months till it was finally fixed but, hey, at least this WB game was fixed for the most part. All of that aside, I did truly enjoy this entry. It was a tighter and faster fighting game than the previous entry and even the Kombat kids were enjoyable new roster of characters than we've seen in other installments. It's too bad the community is nearly dead... Guess, my Freddy Vs. Jason Vs. Ash fanfic will have to wait till another game.

08. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain 2015

Absolutely everything in this game seem needlessly truncated to tie in to Metal Gear. Naturally that would sound perfect, if the second half didn't seem so ripped out of one ass. Best playing Metal Gear game since Revengeance, yes, but the story falls so unbelievably short that the "Second Chapter" is nearly just replaying old mission except more Hardcore and Naked than before. Really? Make me play some of the worst mission as well? Wait, I'm supposed to feel sorry for the squad that asks me to kill them after I've literally kidnapped every one of them? Miller with a kill crazy revenge erection was supposedly likable at (Yes, I know about MGS1 Miller) one time and Ocelot is the levelheaded one who insanely backs a punk kid because of... reasons. No resolution about Psycho Mantis and Eli... Enough has been said about Quiet. Otacon! You're the only character I care for, let me join you on that dingy and take me to a better story! It's lead to people in a forums lately asking if people would play another MGS if Kojima wasn't present. I'd say yes but, it's because this screams like George Lucas prequel in terms of story. If only it didn't play so damn well..

07. Evoland 2 2015

Now Evoland was a cute and short rpg. Evoland 2 takes what the first game did well and expands it by another 15 or so hours. For the most part it's an enjoyable, lighthearted trip back and forth through time with Kuro and his friends until they finally stumble upon a Villain. Mostly a top down action rpg, you'll see it divulge into a beat 'em up, side scroller, vertical shooter, strategy rpg, fighter, and every possible fun niche the developer could think of. Never taking itself too seriously, you'll see references at a feverish clip through out you're adventure as you carelessly alter time on a whim. Only a few frustrations later on in some of the dungeons but all in all, I'd highly recommend it.

06. Life Is Strange 2015

Despite the fact I never wanna be a teenager again because I'm a curmudgeon 29 year old, I did find a lot to enjoy in this. I didn't really "call" the ending per-say but it ended with the choices I predicted? If that makes sense. Anyway, I liked what they were going for and it had some memorable, if not, a bit one note for minor characters. Kate's' story line broke my heart and cemented the fact that I'm glad I never went to school with social media of today. I've never been a huge fan of games with episodic content because months after a episode gets released things get hazy but, this was one of the few games I would remember what happened before. But, Chloe though, I haven't seen a character so predestined to die since Eike Kusch in Shadow of Destiny. However you enjoy Life is Strange, I just hope all versions leave Warren sexless and unloved. Let's think about the fact that he's going to suggest Cannibal Holocaust to a girl that always wear a baby deer shirt? You're a fucking idiot Warren..

05. Matt Rories' Alpha Protocol 2010

This is a game that seems to get brought up and usually fondly too. Now, when the game came out I tried it, played the opening, got bored, and never touched it again. So, seeing it on a cheap sale I finally decide to give the game another chance. Where I then played the opening, got bored, quit the game, and did that 2 more times till I got laid off and played the game in 2 sittings. Not to say it's a short game but after I got out there in the games 3 main hubs, time just seemed to slip away on me. Not a perfect game but I really enjoyed the dialogue designs and the characters through out. They'd mention things I've done, people I've pissed off, and react to even subtle things. The check-pointing is a bit busted sometimes and I'm not sure if it was ever a graphical powerhouse but with this and other Obsideon games I've played within the last year or two. Gotta say, I prefer Obsideon more the Bethesda.

04. Cities: Sky Lines 2015

A few years ago I heard that Sim City was going to come back in a big way and being a huge fan of the old ones, this had me stoked. Then it came out to some.. less than stellar reviews and from what I saw, I skipped it. 2 years later, Cities came with pretty much everything I wanted in a city building game and more thanks to the Steam Workshop. Not too say it's a perfect game by any means. Traffic can be a nightmare and emptying cemeteries/garbage dumps isn't what I'd call fun. Thanks to the modding community, that stuff is easily fixed and you can build any number of ridiculous cities.

03. S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat 2010

So, this is probably what killed Fall Out 4 for me and it came out 5 years earlier! I Went into the game rather blind after hearing so much praise for this game and was very glad I did. It did a far better job keeping me on edge and wanting to learn more about what was going on. Super creepy atmosphere made for a far more intense play through then any modern horror game I've played in a while. Not for everyone but this just entranced me. Definitely worth checking out!

02. Dirt Rally 2015

I've driven everything from a mini dirt-bike to drifting a 40 ton truck. I love driving. Dirt has always been a series about some of the whitest knuckle driving in gaming and correctly focuses on point to point racing in this installment. No, "Hooning" or gymkhana ego-stroking, just racing. That's what I came for and this game doesn't disappoint. What are you waiting for? Pick this up.

01. Rocksmith 2014 (2013)

Yeah, it's not a game. It really, really isn't. What this is though, is a great way to get better at a guitar. Not the best teaching guide but does enough things right that I'd recommend this for anyone interested in picking up a guitar or bass. I started learning how to play in High school because being fat, nerdy, and social awkward was not helping me impress the fairer sex. So, I learned to play a couple songs but never really anything to brag about. So, considering what this game has taught me in roughly the same amount of time and actually learning how to play a dozen or so songs and continues to be enjoyable is a feat my high school teacher lacked. The song selection is hit and miss but like Rock Band the post release support is impressive. For every terrible Areosmith song that came on disc the game has made up for in the dozens of DLC options for people with discerning taste.

And, if that's not enough. Let's quickly list Honourable Mentions.

Grandia 2 HD Remaster er... Wait, Grandia 2 Anniversary Edition (DC 2000/Steam 2015)

One of the best Jrpg to ever come out. Forget Final fantasy 7 or whichever people claim is the best(it's 9). This game has it all from the story, game play, music, and even voice acting in an era of games where laughable was the best you could get. Launched on steam with a laundry list of issues but was quickly resolved by Gung Ho games which, is a lot better then what could be said for much larger companies. A great adventure surrounding Ryudo and his friends, this is a Jrpg that no one should miss.

Wolfenstein: The New Order 2014

Considering, I've no love for the Wolfenstein franchise and I played through this game twice. That says a lot to me about how well this game is. Worthy of being on so many peoples list last year.

Driver: San Francisco 2011

I haven't wanted a games soundtrack this badly in a long, long time. That and coma induced psychic car battles are awesome. Plenty has been said about this before game before.

Way of the Samurai 4 (Ps3 2012/Steam 2015)

Way of the Samurai is a strange, strange game.

Thanks for the read and hope you enjoy. If not, enjoy the new year regardless and maybe I'll try this again some time.

So, I should first preface this by saying I feel I've put my time in this. This game, granted I went into it completely blind, is utterly baffling to me. I'm currently on my third dungeon play-through which I'd argue is at least two times more then a RPG should ever have and I've heard people lament other games for repeating areas over and completely writing them off as terrible which I'll get to later. But, from all the love I hear from this game I decided to check it out despite my previous distaste for Final Fantasy-esque games. I just seemed to be utterly baffled about story, characters, voice acting, needless time sink, and whatever may come to mind while writing this.

I guess, before someone reads the prattling of an anonymous internet stranger I'll explain my background with JRPG's. I've played them since I first could read. Starting with the often forgotten Phantasy Star on the Master System and have continued playing through PS1-4, played what at the time was considered Final Fantasy 1-3, Shinning Force series, Grandia series, Tales of, Mana series, and many other such JRPG games. I've never really enjoyed the Final Fantasy series but I do consider FF9 to be the best of them though I've never played 11, 12, 13-2 or 3, or 14.

First is the story. Why should I care when the game doesn't seem to care? So as I stated I'm on the third dungeon tour through the game which means I've reawakened the four crystals and I've reawakened them 11 times . The main goal in the game is to reawaken the four main crystal to restore the land so how can I restore 4 crystals up to 11 times? Well... unless I'm doing something wrong which considering how linear many JRPG's are I think I can scratch that out. Every time you reawaken the 4 crystals a pillar of light shows up and after two supposed failed attempts the game reverts to the Very Beginning of the game and seems to shrug it's shoulders and figures let's go through it All Over Again. Why? Because... uh... reasons? Which leads me to Story and Characters.

Am I the villain? In my mind it certainly seems so. I can't say for sure but, the amount of people in the that game have told the main cast that reawakening the crystal is a fairly bad idea and will lead to the destruction of this world. So, with that knowledge our stalwart "Heroes" shrug it off as inane ramblings and continue to murder their way through. Even patricide is seems to be in considering I've tried it 3 times. Friends the cast have grown up and considered friends? Nope gotta wipe them out because Agnes and her little fairy friend said so? Exactly why should listen to these two when both attempts before lead to failure? But, nope our way must be right! And, if you don't agree well... we'll just kill you for the third time! So, Agnes and her fairy are pretty unappealing characters which leads to Tiz, Edea, and Ringabel. Tiz our hero burdened with rebuilding his entire hometown (which thankfully your progress doesn't revert during every story wipe) has good intentions but no will of his own. From his first meeting with Agnes he just goes with whatever she says. Edea betrays her family, friends, and way of life because of some an ass of a black mage and that's enough for her. Ringabel is the go to leech of the group who suffers from amnesia but, hey at least it isn't the main character with amnesia this time. Just the one of the main cast. At least his other self seems to be on the right side. Well I'll see how it turns out in the end. Whoever voices Airy (get it she's a fAIRY) seems to be stuck with cute, shrill, high-pitched voice that grates the ears every time.

So the Needless Time Sink... This is based on Tizs' wrecked town that he and he alone is entrusted on rebuilding. Granted you can speed this process up by having friend codes to double up on the work but it seems like a free-to-play money grab without the transactions? I'll give them credit for not charging money to speed up the process to build his town. Granted the only incentive to do this is for your crew to gain items, abilities, weapons, and armor. Though, why when most games of this genre left that up to actually experience gains or item pick-ups? It seems arbitrary to wipe out a town for this reason...

Granted I went into to this game blind and hearing all the praise for this game but it left me wondering if anyone who actually praised this actually reawakened the original 4 crystals and stopped there. I realize this is my opinion and I'll probably trudge through till the end, well, that is if I don't need to reawaken the crystals another 12 times. So despite my ramblings and first Blog(?) I'm sure some enjoy this, I'm just more curious as to why?