Games can often be a little cinematic in how they are put together. Most films have certain points at which there are particularly memorable moments, when something of significance happens - and some games can have these too. This list is a list of moments, games which had those magic moments, and what they were - the moments that gave a deep level of satisfaction, or wonder... Or the moments that really urged you to play the game, that took liking a game to loving it.
I got this when I was 6 years old. I used to play it with my older sister and we both laboured for a long time trying to get through the Central Cavern. Despite the blocky graphics and jerky music - Manic Miner really evoked the sense of wonder at exploring. When I finally cleared the first room for the first time I remember running outside to tell my sister I'd worked out how to do it, and dragging her in to see the'new room'.
Just entering the game was a great moment, here - and the game is so full of great moments, the first game and the sequel and expansions. The story is very strong, but its also quite flexible at times. The relationship between my character and Viconia the Drow. It was such an interesting, relationship - whenever there were developments in it - you just wanted there to be more. She's a fascinating character - strong in some ways - but like weak in others. Another great moment could be the first time my character turned into 'the beast'....
Another great game, full of great moments, meeting Tiffa, Meeting Aeris... The Golden Saucer, Leaving Midgar - so many great moments to choose from... I think the greatest though would be finally vanquishing the green weapon that swims around the sea. A boss that would hit the entire party for 9999 damage each - killing them, several times over the course of the battle. That was a tough fight... Tougher than the red one in the desert... Finally getting the Knights of the Round Materia and using it for the first time (You need a Golden Chocobo.) And the first time I say the Bahumut which goes into space to fire at your enemies...
These games are so cinematic... They really make you feel like you've been thrown into a George Romero film. The openeing cinematic sequence is great to this - it teaches you how to play, better than any manual and it draws you in. The first campaign No Mercy takes over where the sequence left off. Other highlights? The first time I wandered into the cabin in Death Toll that looks just like the one in Evil Dead - I really think they should have put a crescendo event in there... The first time I fought the battle at the Church... When I got the Man vs Tank achievement...
I think of all probably the first time I was at the Campaign finale's, the tension when you hear that screech and see the zombies start pouring into view...
Again, the intro sequence to this is fantastic - I didn't get 'Left 4 Dead 2' at first - it's very different in feel. But once you understand the attitude of the characters - it's very playable, despite in some respects having a hard time the part 1 survivors, they have a much more positive attitude - the only exception being Francis in part 1 who seems to find the zombie apocalypse fun. By far the next great moment I would say is the finale to Dark Carnival... The crow area dowsed in flame, fireworks going off, rock music playing and you standing on the edge of the stage caving zombies heads in with a guitar... Great! The I would say the hard rain campaign, battling at the diner in the middle of a hurricane... Just the journey back with the diesel through the storm - it's very atmospheric! And my final high-light? Running the gauntlet across the bridge at the end of the Parish, it's a great sequence, I've managed to do it with 3 out of 4 making it...
I'd been so excited about this game for so long. When I got into Beta 3 and the game was more or less as playable (or unplayable~) as it was at release... It was fantastic the sense of wonder, running through Mos Eisley for the first time - vising the Cantina's... Just going around and seeing all the sites... The Lars Family house... Ben Kenobi's House... The Palace at Theed... I really miss SWG, it's a pity it was made incredibly crap. It's a pity Blizzard hadn't developed it - it would have been the most popular and excellent game ever if that had happened I think.
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