In a day that will live in infamy for all those on lazygamer, last week Victor (aka Vicky, aka VEEEEKTAAAWR) wrote his top ten list of games. It included all three Fables, and has (rightfully) earned him a lot of ridicule. It also led to the rest of the crew being asked for their top ten – an almost impossible task. But I tried.

I would like to start by saying that these are NOT in order. There is no way to order these games because they are each amazing in their own right, and generally do not compare to each other – the most I’ve done is try to group them by platform/generation. This was a seriously painful process and I’m sad about a bunch of games that were left off the list.

Final fantasy nes

Final Fantasy (franchise)

No, I’m not giving you a number on this one. I was going to pick the original FF, because it was one of the first games that made me a gamer. I remember being a very little girl, playing it on NES with my brother. He did the actual button pressing while I did all the navigation and strategy. In fact, a few years back, I found all my original maps of dungeons that I drew, including common enemy spawns. Yeah, I was that kid. However, by listing FF I, I wouldn’t be acknowledging the other iterations of Final Fantasy that cemented my love of gaming and particularly JRPGs. In any event, Final Fantasy, definitely on the top ten.

ChronoTrigger

Chrono Trigger

Yes, another game from Squaresoft. I played Chrono Trigger on the SNES, and it was the first game I loved that taught me about party composition and combo attacks. Also, it handled time travel amazingly and made me ridiculously happy. In many ways, it defined what an RPG should be for me – fantastic story, interesting game play, plenty of freedom to find new side missions and save the world.

Smb3 tank

Super Mario Bros 3

There is no way to make this list and not include SMB3. This game marked a huge jump for Mario – well, in fact, it was when he took flight. With tons of power ups, incredible level design (auto-scrolling while you maneuver past tanks? amazing), and the introduction of a world map, SMB3 set an all new benchmark in gaming. One summer, my brother and I spent all our time teaching my mom to play this game. Three months of SMB3, helping her get all the secrets and finally beat Bowser. Best summer activity, ever.

Suikoden wallpaper

Suikoden (franchise)

I will never forget my joy and wonder at playing Suikoden. For those who never played this beautiful classic, it is essentially a classic JRPG. However, you can recruit people to your cause, growing your HQ, adding side missions and expanding the roster from which you can select your party. I was not aware that my HQ could expand when I initially started playing, and it became my mission to get every single possible recruit – all of a sudden I could play cooking games in the middle of my JRPG! Wow, it was amazing. So much love for this neglected franchise. Wait, my need to catch them all – is this the allure of Pokemon?

Resident evil 2 psx 05

Resident Evil 2

I suck at shooters. That’s just the reality of my life. However, Resident Evil 2 taught me that as long as I had a shotgun, I could still survive. Unfortunately, it also taught me that a game can be absolutely terrifying. Always running out of health items and ammo, I learned to be afraid of opening doors, and walking past windows, and going outside. RE2 was the pinnacle of Resident Evil games for me, and defined the horror gaming genre.

CivilizationV culture victory e1372090919246

Civilization V

I’ve been a big fan of the Civ franchise, and I probably spent more hours on Civ IV than I did on my Master’s thesis. Civ V has been my favorite in the franchise. I know some will disagree with me, and I know Civ IV was amazing, but I just prefer the design, wonders, and general gameplay of Civ V. Very few other games can consume me for hours on end without any realization that time has passed. Just. One. More. Turn!

Thomas was alone

Thomas Was Alone

You know this list wouldn’t be complete without some indie loving. Thomas Was Alone is an emotional journey that took me by surprise. It isn’t just good for an indie, it’s good for a game. Sure, the design is simple and it’s “just” a fairly basic platformer. But it goes so far beyond that. If you still haven’t played it, you really should.

Assassin s creed

Assassin’s Creed (franchise)

I really love that whole open world, sandbox game design. There were a few games that were serious contenders for this spot on the list, and I’m very sad that I couldn’t put them on as well. However, there is just too much awesomeness in Assassin’s Creed, especially since I’ve been playing through the latest addition to the franchise. Sure, there were some silly things (as always in sandbox games), but that open world is incredibly done. Add to that the ability to upgrade your base and send out fellow assassins on missions? What more could I want? Okay, except for Connor to have had a personality – yeah, AC III is NOT part of the list.

Dragon age origins dragon mage battle

Dragon Age: Origins

This game was rich, detailed, and varied. My first play through (as a rogue Dwarf), I thoroughly enjoyed the game – enough so that I decided to replay. It was on replaying that I realized just how wide the scope of the game was; different choices led to different characters getting recruited and a different impact on the world. I just hope that Dragon Age: Inquisition takes us back to that level of awesomeness.

The last of us2

The Last of Us

I loved this game. It (mostly) allowed for varied gameplay, so I could be my usual stealthy self. The Last of Us tells a fantastic story, complete with realistic emotions and reactions. It consumed me both while I was playing it, and after I’d completed it. Pushing the PS3 to its potential, it was stunning visually and emotionally. If anyone still questions if games can be art, they need to play this game – the most compelling game of the generation.

Last Updated: October 30, 2013

1.1
was reviewed on PC

87 Comments

  1. Umar heartless

    October 30, 2013 at 15:07

    Final Fantasy, Chrono Trigger and Suikoden!!? I F**KING APPROVE of this list a MILLION TIMES!!!

    Reply

    • Her Highness the Hipster

      October 30, 2013 at 15:09

      yay! at last someone who appreciates suikoden!

      Reply

      • Umar heartless

        October 30, 2013 at 15:10

        Haha, Luca Blight for the win man! Love the series too with 2 being my totes fav

        Reply

  2. Gerhard Davids

    October 30, 2013 at 15:07

    Much approvement

    Reply

  3. Kromas

    October 30, 2013 at 15:09

    Much better list but to no effect …. Mass Effect. 😛

    Reply

    • Her Highness the Hipster

      October 30, 2013 at 15:12

      which game would you remove to make space? that’s the problem… 😛

      Reply

      • Kromas

        October 30, 2013 at 15:52

        Instead of removing just make it a top 11 list.

        Reply

        • Vampyre Squirrel

          October 31, 2013 at 08:50

          Judging by the tweets and messages… Zoe could possibly make a top 1000 list and still have games she wants to add lol

          Reply

          • Her Highness the Hipster

            October 31, 2013 at 08:56

            What can i say, i love playing games. sorta a good thing, i’d think 😛

          • Vampyre Squirrel

            October 31, 2013 at 09:27

            Kinda helps in your line of work 😛

            I don’t even remember all the games I’ve played… first game I played was bowling on an Atari console… second one was “Striker” running off Dos.

          • Her Highness the Hipster

            October 31, 2013 at 09:44

            Yeah, maybe it’s an age thing – Vicky just hasn’t played enough games in his life to appreciate them all. I remember jamming Lemmings on SNES and all the iterations of Mario on NES and SNES. Even original Tetris!

          • Vampyre Squirrel

            October 31, 2013 at 09:51

            My friend’s mom and I would spend hours on Tetris trying to see who could get to the highest level on it.

            Playing on the NES and SNES was awesome with friends… excite bike, contra, mario, etc… epic times!

            I think we need to organize a NES or SNES for Vicky!

            Wait, did you just call me old? 😛

          • Her Highness the Hipster

            October 31, 2013 at 10:04

            only as old as each other 😛

          • Vampyre Squirrel

            October 31, 2013 at 10:09

            LOL! Good cover up.

      • Willem Swanepoel

        October 30, 2013 at 16:37

        Civ V, Mass Effect is way better 😉 and I also enjoyed Civ V.

        I would also try to squeeze The Witcher series …. 😉

        Reply

      • Matthew Holliday

        October 30, 2013 at 17:34

        As much as I enjoy the Assassins Creed games, even #3, I would still have put the Mass Effect franchise in its place.
        As a direct comparison, its a much clearer universe, story and the relationship you build with Shepard and your squad just trumps anything the Assassins Creed franchise offers.

        Reply

  4. Mark Treloar

    October 30, 2013 at 15:10

    Do these work on a MAC?

    Reply

    • Her Highness the Hipster

      October 30, 2013 at 15:17

      Thomas was Alone and Civ V do 🙂

      Reply

      • TiMsTeR1033

        October 30, 2013 at 15:20

        Thats why you love Civ V! I personally would cut my wrists from playing a Civ game.. but then again last one I tried was 3.

        Reply

        • ToshZA

          October 30, 2013 at 16:48

          Aww shame, does Civ make your brain hurt too much?

          Reply

          • Vampyre Squirrel

            October 31, 2013 at 08:51

            Tim has a brain? :-O!

  5. Admiral Chief Ninja

    October 30, 2013 at 15:13

    Thomas was alone. Very nice!

    Reply

    • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

      October 30, 2013 at 15:26

      Inderdaad

      Reply

      • SaintsRowNigri

        October 30, 2013 at 15:28

        Uiteraard

        Reply

  6. Hesperus Phosphorus

    October 30, 2013 at 15:14

    Too many JRPGs and no point-and-clicks!? Siesa!

    Reply

  7. Helga Pearson

    October 30, 2013 at 15:16

    Poor intern, it’s hard being the water boy! Dragon Age and Assassin’s Creed, Check and Check. No Skyrim love? Really want to play ‘The Last of us’ now, I’ve heard only good things!

    Reply

  8. Rincethis

    October 30, 2013 at 15:16

    Well done Zoe, you get to live another day. Nice selection! 🙂 Not like that Wictor…

    Reply

  9. Rincethis

    October 30, 2013 at 15:17

    BUT… Where is SECRET OF MANA!?

    Reply

    • Umar heartless

      October 30, 2013 at 15:17

      Haha right!…Secret of Mana was amazing!

      Reply

      • Rincethis

        October 30, 2013 at 15:18

        Still an all time favourite of mine man.

        Reply

        • Her Highness the Hipster

          October 30, 2013 at 15:18

          me too. just had to compete with other awesome games. too many to choose only 10

          Reply

          • TiMsTeR1033

            October 30, 2013 at 15:24

            An old favourite for me was Discworld.. Loved that game!

        • Umar heartless

          October 30, 2013 at 15:18

          Same here, when Square was making the best games in the world

          Reply

    • Her Highness the Hipster

      October 30, 2013 at 15:17

      you have no idea how i tried to fit that one in!

      Reply

      • Rincethis

        October 30, 2013 at 15:18

        It could have gone in instead of… Wait for it… Chrono Tiger! *Runs

        Reply

        • Her Highness the Hipster

          October 30, 2013 at 15:19

          if i weren’t so polite, i’d give you a downvote for that

          Reply

          • Umar heartless

            October 30, 2013 at 15:19

            I did it for your part

          • That Happy Twit

            October 30, 2013 at 15:20

            lol

          • Rincethis

            October 30, 2013 at 15:21

            But Secret of Mana man!

          • Umar heartless

            October 30, 2013 at 15:21

            I know, but Chrono Trigger trumps all man, I’m sorry 🙁

          • Rincethis

            October 30, 2013 at 15:24

            You go wash your mouth out! I’ll meet you on the corner of Wale and Burg beatch, bring a brick!

          • Umar heartless

            October 30, 2013 at 15:25

            LOL time to get real in the hood!! Bring on the poo!!…actually…no don’t bring on the poo

          • Rincethis

            October 30, 2013 at 15:27

            Meet next to the guy on the left! Time to protest WHY NO SECREOF MAAAAANA!?

          • TiMsTeR1033

            October 30, 2013 at 15:25

            Why not at Muizenburg?

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        October 30, 2013 at 15:30

        That’s what she said!

        Reply

  10. Umar heartless

    October 30, 2013 at 15:18

    Any mention of great Jrpgs like Chrono Triggers just makes me so excited…yes, that kind of ‘excited’

    Reply

    • Her Highness the Hipster

      October 30, 2013 at 15:18

      get your triggers vibrating? 😛

      Reply

      • Umar heartless

        October 30, 2013 at 15:19

        The force feedback is too much!

        Reply

  11. Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

    October 30, 2013 at 15:25

    now this looks more like a top 10 list. Vicky needs to take notes 😛

    Reply

  12. SaintsRowNigri

    October 30, 2013 at 15:33

    What? No Fable????

    Reply

  13. John's (JJ's) grand endeavour

    October 30, 2013 at 15:39

    Glad to see CIV in there. Yea yea!

    Reply

    • TiMsTeR1033

      October 30, 2013 at 15:52

      BOOOO!!

      Reply

      • John's (JJ's) grand endeavour

        October 30, 2013 at 16:06

        Shush mortal

        Reply

      • Matewis Jubilai

        October 30, 2013 at 16:18

        Lol dude what is it with you and civ? Did Sid Meier kick you in the nutts when you asked for an autograph or something?

        Reply

        • Vampyre Squirrel

          October 31, 2013 at 08:55

          So much win in this comment… but there’s just one issue with it… Tanya has no nutts.

          Reply

  14. Anon A Mouse

    October 30, 2013 at 15:41

    The only problem that I have with FF is that the Fantasy in never Final, a complete inverse of The Neverending Story which, actually, did end.

    Reply

  15. Jonah Cash

    October 30, 2013 at 15:44

    Resident Evil 2 is probably my number 1 game, I absolutely love that game!! It changed me from a every now and then gamer into a proper always gamer!!

    Reply

    • John's (JJ's) grand endeavour

      October 30, 2013 at 15:49

      Was a cool game.

      Reply

    • TiMsTeR1033

      October 30, 2013 at 15:51

      Re3 was better for me… Loved Nemesis chasing you!

      Reply

      • RangerMossel

        October 30, 2013 at 15:59

        Also loved Nemesis! I remember taking about two days with my friend to figure out that water meter puzzle!

        Reply

      • Jonah Cash

        October 31, 2013 at 08:16

        RE2 was my first game on PS1…. It will always be my number 1, but RE3 was cool too!!

        Reply

  16. Anon A Mouse

    October 30, 2013 at 15:45

    It is really a well rounded top 10. I for one will never be able to pick a top 10. Maybe if I do one per decade but that will still take too long.

    Reply

  17. Ultimo_Cleric N7

    October 30, 2013 at 15:51

    DA: Origins! And AC! Well done Zoe, good choices there.

    Reply

  18. Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim

    October 30, 2013 at 15:56

    Spoiler: quite a few of these are my top 10 games too.

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief Ninja

      October 30, 2013 at 16:04

      You liken deesa AssCrack?

      Reply

      • John's (JJ's) grand endeavour

        October 30, 2013 at 16:07

        So much win

        Reply

    • Anon A Mouse

      October 30, 2013 at 16:11

      You can’t copy Zoe’s homework, you must do your own. This is an individual assignment and not a group assignment.

      Reply

      • Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim

        October 30, 2013 at 16:16

        I will do much, much of my own stuff. No worries 😉

        Reply

        • John's (JJ's) grand endeavour

          October 30, 2013 at 16:17

          Do not disappoint us.

          Reply

        • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

          October 31, 2013 at 16:06

          Do not disappoint us Geoff! (hehehe the pressure )

          Reply

  19. Unavengedavo(aka. IceCreamMan)

    October 30, 2013 at 16:16

    I just had a brilliant idea… Why not make a competition where everyone needs to submit their top 10 best games. And the one with the best list wins? 😛

    Reply

    • Skoobaz

      October 30, 2013 at 16:36

      Wins what?

      Reply

      • Unavengedavo(aka. IceCreamMan)

        October 30, 2013 at 16:44

        Don’t know… Was just an idea for a competition 😛

        Reply

  20. Willem Swanepoel

    October 30, 2013 at 16:38

    Nice list.

    I will replace the Suikoden with Mass Effect and Civ V with The Witcher series and my list will be pretty much the same 😉

    still an awesome list coz you had Dragon Age in there 😉

    Reply

  21. Rock789

    October 30, 2013 at 16:49

    The Last of Us? Chrono Trigger? Assassin’s Creed?

    Damn girl… I approve! 🙂 Great list Zoe – very cool! 🙂

    Reply

  22. ToshZA

    October 30, 2013 at 16:51

    Its so interesting how people’s tastes are different. Personally, I hated DA:O and the Resident evil series (Yes, I’ve played the first 3 – never bothered finishing them though). Haven’t played Chrono Trigger or Last of Us, and haven’t even heard of Suikoden and Thomas Was Alone.

    So out of 10, I can agree with 3. Final Fantasy, AC series, and Civ V.

    Reply

  23. oVg

    October 30, 2013 at 16:56

    Something wrong with this list…

    Reply

    • ToshZA

      October 30, 2013 at 17:19

      That has got to be the scariest face in gaming.

      Reply

  24. UltimateNinjaPandaDudeGuy

    October 30, 2013 at 16:58

    Thomas Was Alone <3

    Reply

  25. Matthew Holliday

    October 30, 2013 at 17:29

    Another list without Mass Effect
    what even is this?

    Reply

    • Kensei Seraph

      October 31, 2013 at 08:07

      That just goes to show you how bad ME3’s ending was.

      Reply

  26. Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

    October 31, 2013 at 03:36

    I approve of this list!

    Reply

  27. Kensei Seraph

    October 31, 2013 at 08:06

    I also approve of this list.

    Reply

  28. Brenz

    October 31, 2013 at 08:23

    Suikoden! omg you get my much coveted vote of approval, top 10 list that is worthy of its title indeed.
    Not like that turd Vicky’s list, ppft.

    Reply

  29. Tidycpc

    October 31, 2013 at 10:39

    Nice to Civ V on your list

    Reply

  30. Aussious

    October 31, 2013 at 17:47

    Really awesome list ticks all the relevant gaming boxes, erhm pun intended. You’ve got N.E.S, Super Nintendo and PS1 a true gaming patriot’s list. Salute!

    Reply

  31. Aussious

    October 31, 2013 at 17:47

    Really awesome list ticks all the relevant gaming boxes, erhm pun intended. You’ve got N.E.S, Super Nintendo and PS1 a true gaming patriot’s list. Salute!

    Reply

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