After Thoughts: E3 2009 - Day 3

For my full impressions and photos of games I played today (including the new PSP Go, Lost Planet 2, and Dead Space: Extraction), be sure to check out my exclusive articles on Gamers Platform.

Well, today finished up my first E3 experience. I didn't do too much today, as I had already seen most of what there was, but I did get a chance to have a nice lunch with Bill Roper as he went over Champions Online, which was pretty cool.

Overall, E3 was pretty cool, and definitely something I would want to do again, but it didn't seem to live up to my expectations, although that would probably be impossible to do. While there were some pretty cool games at the show, there was nothing that really blew me away or any super surprises, so that may have had something to do with it. I mean, it's not like a new console was released or anything.

Also, I learned too late that you really need to set up special appointments to get the opportunity to play the best games, that were kept in back rooms and things of that nature, so by the time I tried, it was too late.

But yeah, it was a great experience, with lots to do and take in. There were some lines at some games, but it really wasn't that bad overall. There were plenty of opportunities to check everything out and there was a ton to see, with a great environment. Hopefully by the time next year comes around, I'll be more prepared and can take in the full experience. That would be something, and may take a couple weeks to recoup from.

For my previous recaps of E3 2009 be sure to check out After Thoughts for Day 0, Day 1, and Day 2.

After Thoughts: E3 2009 - Day 2

For my complete coverage of E3, be sure to check out my articles on Gamers Platform, as well as my constant updates on GP's Twitter page.

Another day down. While I did get a chance to play a lot more games, I didn't really have the time to write about them, so be sure to stay tuned to get hands-on impressions on a variety of games, from Red Faction and Wet, to Tiger Woods and Silent Hill.

Luckily, while waltzing around the show floor, I decided to head upstairs to the meeting rooms, where I found I actually had access to, so I could check out some special things around the convention center, like get to play and see a variety of games that weren't on the show floor for regular exhibitors to see. These included a few titles from Bethesda, Saboteur from EA, and an eyes-on demo of Mass Effect 2, which was pretty cool.

I'll be on the show floor again tomorrow trying to play some more games, including God of War III, Bayonetta, and The Grinder, just to name a few. I also have a special meeting with Bill Roper, Executive Producer of Champions Online, tomorrow afternoon, so that could be very interesting to learn what he is doing with the game and perhaps future projects.

Talk to you tomorrow.

For more After Thoughts from E3 2009, be sure to check out E3 2009 - Day 0, and Day 1.

After Thoughts: E3 2009 - Day 1

For full impressions and photos, be sure to check each game's respective link to Gamers Platform (where you will find more photos and impressions for games not listed as well; I can only type so much).

Hello again; this is Zach reporting live from E3. As you can see, it's late, and I'm tired, and I have to get up in a few hours and head back to the convention center to see all the stuff I didn't get a chance to today. It's a lot of stuff too, that I need to see...still, I saw and played a ton of stuff today.

I don't want to laundry list anything, but I will; On the Nintendo side of things, I got to play some New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Wii Sports Resort, Zelda: Spirit Tracks, and Sin and Punishment 2, to name a few. For the Xbox 360, I took a look at Halo 3: ODST, Left 4 Dead 2, and a few other treasures. I didn't get a chance to look at too much for Sony, but I did play some Uncharted 2 multiplayer, as well as some MAG.

Then of course there is third party material, like Red Steel 2 and The Conduit, along with countless other titles.

Of course, I'm getting ahead of myself, and need to mention that I went to the Nintendo Conference, which was quite the interesting event. They announced some decent games, along with a shocker or two, like the vitality peripheral and Team Ninja Metroid game; one good, one not so much; can you guess which is which?

After that event, I headed over to the convention center and boy o boy, you have never seen more people. The place was packed; it was crazy. I have pics, but won't upload them until later. Anyways, the place finally opens and we all run in to be the first in line to check out our favorite games. Luckily, the crowd was split between the South and West halls, and the lines for any one game weren't too long at all; I was quite surprised actually as I didn't have to wait over an hour for any game, as opposed to those horror stories you hear where the line winds around the entire hall.

Anyways, I had a great, long day and I plan to do the same tomorrow. I can't wait. Stay tuned to see what kinds of games I play tomorrow, like God of War III, Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles, Silent Hill: Shattered Memories, Forza 3, and many, many more. Get ready, it's coming!

For yesterday's After Thoughts see E3 2009 - Day 0

After Thoughts: E3 2009 - Day 0

For my complete coverage of E3 from LA, be sure to check out my articles and photos on Gamers Platform, as well as my GP Twitter updates.

Well hello hello there. I'm here in Los Angeles, in the trenches, soaking in all that E3 has to offer. Although E3 hasn't officially started yet, some major stuff has gone down. What I've had the pleasure to see today are the Microsoft and Ubisoft conferences. I also got to see the city a bit, as I walked around to pick up my Nintendo pass for their conference tomorrow, and got rejected for the Sony event, sadness. Also, last night I went to Kotaku's Pre-E3 party, which was decent.

To start off, Microsoft's conference was pretty epic. They showcased a ton of great games, in my opinion, even though none of them were super shockers, but it seemed like they had a lot of good content. I wasn't too impressed with the entertainment-like features, with Facebook and Twitter and the like, but I guess it's good to have such things available. The main thing they showed off was their new peripheral/controller, codenamed Natal. It's definitely still in the works and won't be available for awhile I don't think, but something that will be interesting to follow and see how Microsoft uses it. I think they could make it their main input device in their next console, which will be interesting.

Ubisoft also showed off a lot of good stuff too. The beginning of their conference was pretty boring, unfortunately, with James Cameron going on and on about Avatar, but then they got into the games and they had a lot of good stuff to show off. Now, it wasn't all good, but they had some good titles.

Tomorrow is going to be a huge day. I get to go to Nintendo's conference, and then there's Sony's, not to mention the show floor opens and it is just going to be crazy. I'm not sure exactly what to expect, but I don't think I'm prepared. Get ready.

GP & VFH's Top 10 First Person Shooters

Time for us to tackle what is arguably the most popular genre of this generation. Thats right, the First-Person Shooters. The genre has changed and evolved unlike any other in the last decade and is home to some of the best games out there. From the megaton's like Halo and Half-Life, to classics like Doom and 007. This is the Top Ten.

10. Doom 3 (PC, Xbox)
Unlike Unreal, Doom 3 made it on our list because of it's awesome single player mode. Doom 3 brought up one of the biggest questions in gaming history. “Why can't this guy hold a flashlight and a gun, at the same time?”. Indeed, the question has stumped the gaming community for ages. Don't think that Doom isn't a good game though. It was a mix of fun, and spooky. The damned zombies and aliens seem to jam themselves in the most unexpected places. Sometimes, it seems like they just come out of the thin air. The game has its fair share of weapons, and some pretty gruesome boss battles. And lets not forget how good the graphics are, especially for the game being so old. Simply put, Doom 3 snagged our final spot on GP and VFH's top 10 FPS list.
-Wade

9. 007: Agent Under Fire (PS2, GCN, Xbox)
That's right little kiddies. We chose Agent Under Fire, instead of Goldeneye. One of the biggest reasons that Agent Under Fire is better than Goldeneye, is because you can use the grappling gadget. Flying around the map, like Spiderman with a gun, kept me and my friends entertained for hours on end. The jetpack was also a very nice addition to the game. The single player mode of Agent Under Fire was...average, at best. But, honestly, I didn't think Goldeneye's single player was any better. Whether or not you like our choice, 007: Agent Under Fire, took the nine spot for the best First Person Shooters, of all time.
-Wade

8. Timesplitters 2 (PS2, GCN, Xbox)
Timesplitters 2 is one of the few FPS around that still has a sense of humor, and a classic feel to it. For this reason alone it could have been considered for the top 10, but a fun co-op story mode, and crazy entertaining versus modes ensure this a spot on the top.
-Nick

7. Counter-Strike (PC)
Counterstrike is one of the many amazing games from Valve, thus it's no surprise it's on the list. The CounterStrike series has been on the leading edge of competitive gaming since it hit the mainstream. Taking the theoretical “user created torch” from the quake series, Counterstrike is full of user created maps, and sounds. Not to mention genius ideas. There is plenty of room for play and work here, and CS utilizes both aspects to their fullest.
-Nick

6. Unreal Tournament 2004 (PC)
I now pronounce you, husband and wife. You may kiss the bride. Now, at first glance, you might think that what I just stated, has nothing to do with Unreal Tournament, but I assure you, it does. And the first person to tell me what it has to do with the game, will win a fabulous prize! Anywho, onward to the ramble! Unreal Tournament is a great game, basically for it's multiplayer. The thing that I like the most about Unreal, is the variety of weapons and vehicles it has. If you've played the game, then you know that it doesn't have your average fps weapons. Between, the Redeemer (which is pretty much a miniature nuke), the Lightning Gun (self explanatory), and the Mine Layer (shoots out mines, that crawl like spiders, and seek out the enemy), Unreal has a arsenal full of kick ass alien/futuristic weaponry. Basically, Unreal took the six spot, because of its bad ass multiplayer mode.
-Wade

5. Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (Wii)
Whether you like the Wii, or despise it, you have to admit, Metroid Prime 3 is a good game. Not to mention that, falling down a tube. While avoiding obstacles. And fighting a gigantic dragon that shoots laser beams at you, is the way a game should be started. Not that we should expect any less from this franchise, Metroid has always had some insane boss battles. The graphics of the game are on the up-side of what we have seen on the Wii, thus far, possibly the best looking Wii game yet. There are also plenty of super duper power-ups to find! Some old, some new, but you can be sure that all of them will play a big part in this game. One of the negative things, is the lack of multiplayer. Metroid Prime 2, might not have had the best multiplayer, but it was not bad either. In any case, they could have given it a shot, and at least improved the multiplayer. There are plenty of reasons that Metroid Prime 3, is the prime (yea, I went there) candidate for our number five spot.
-Wade

4. Bioshock (PC, 360)
One of the best FPS I've played in a long time, Bioshock is truly a experience. The out of the ordinary art style, story, and even themes make this unforgettable and truly atmospheric. The city of rapture is a beautiful backdrop for the wild ride that is Bioshock. Never before has a FPS been able to captivate me so much, as did this one, with the interesting surroundings, subtle and not so subtle story elements, and the all too iconic Big Daddy. The mix of action, thrills, story, interesting imagery, and very memorable scenes make this a perfect candidate for our top 10. I can honestly say that I will never forget the time I jumped out of a vent just to beat one of the crazy girls down with a wrench. Oh so entertaining.
-Nick

3. Half-Life 2 (PC, Xbox)
One of the most critically acclaimed FPS of all time, Half-Life 2 has earned its way into the top 3. With amazing physics that really bring the world to life like no other game, along with very diverse, believable and likable characters, the game is nothing less than a masterpiece. The game throws the most epic moments at you one after another like its nothing and continues to impress the entire way through. But even if none of the captivating storyline or interesting environments aren't enough to keep you playing, the always entertaining rag-doll physics will. You cannot beat watching your enemies limp body plummet from a tower. You just cannot.
-Nick

2. Halo 3 (360)
Poor, poor Halo 3. It lost the number 1 spot because of a small little tic-tac-toe match. But, that doesn't mean that Halo 3 was bad game. Not by a long shot. It was a step up from the second game, for sure. Now that it included equipment to use in battle (bubble shield, power drainer, etc.), new weapons, new maps, and new game types. There is no doubt that Halo 3 was above the 2nd game in the series. Halo 3 was everything it was made out to be. The ability to make your own maps was a big addition. As well as being able to record game footage (something that Halo 2 definitely needed). Bungie seems to be working harder as well, changing up the maps every now and then, and having already added seven new maps. The only thing that seems to be wrong with Halo 3, is the increasing number of noobs found during online play (it truly is annoying). Aside from that, Halo 3 is the perfect game for the number 2 spot.
-Wade

1. Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (PC, 360, PS3)
Yes, thats right, Call of Duty beat out all the Halos. Why? Well technically because I beat wade in tic-tac-toe. But seriously, the multiplayer just kicks Halos ass. There are none of those crazy “noob” weapons that just ruin the game for everyone and make it a “get the __ first!” fest. Call of Duty is all about what FPS should be about, killing friends and strangers alike. But what makes this all the more sweet is a small feature that makes a big difference. The ability for your bullets to penetrate certain walls. You do not know the meaning of satisfaction until you shoot down that nasty little sniper through his safe little wall who had thought he was safe. The leveling up and achievements and perks and new guns and customizable classes just make the addictive nature of the gameplay ten fold. Why play one insanely fun match when you can play 10 and get a new rifle? I'll tell you why. There is no reason why. So you play more. Oh wait... did I mention the single player? Because that NEEDS to be mentioned. For a game seemingly so focused on multiplayer, the single player mode is just fantastic. Brilliant at times. Whether its the breathtaking sniper mission which feels as if taken straight from a war movie, the action packed epilogue which is just loads of fun to try and beat on Vet difficulty, or the countless jaw dropping moments throughout the game from the very beginning to the end, Call of Duty 4 is just a real piece of work that any gamer would be proud to own.
-Nick

Honorable Mentions: Perfect Dark (N64), Quake (PC), Wolfenstein 3D (PC), F.E.A.R. (PC)

Posted in collaboration with: GamersPlatform

GP and VFH's Top 10 Platformers

It's that time again. Top 10 time! This time it's platformers, and this one was a toughie. Did Super Mario Bros 3 come out on top, like usual. Or did something else come up and swipe the top spot away? Remember the rules, one game per franchise, and only games that we've played.

10. Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance (GBA)
Filling up the number 10 spot on our list is Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance for the GBA. This was the follow up to 2001's Circle of the Moon. Following the Symphony of the Night style style gameplay, HoD is truly a modern day iteration of SotN in portable form. Yes, that's good! It's top ten good, might I add. The sweet spells, varied monsters, and rpg elements make for a truly addictive and overall fun game, very deserving of our 10th spot.
- Nick

9. Sonic and Knuckles (Genesis)
Now a days, nearly every Sonic game is a failure. Well, that was not the case in the earlier years of Sonic. While all of the original Sonic games were fun, Sonic and Knuckles was the funnest of all. The difference with this game, compared to the others, as the choice of playing as Sonic, Sonic and Tails, or Knuckles. The thing that made Sonic and Knuckles such a fun game, was how they mixed the classic Sonic game play, with the abilities of Knuckles. It was also cool because of your choice of good (Sonic) or evil (Knuckles). It was a nice twist, that you didn't see to much in games back then. Overall, we decided that Sonic and Knuckles deserved our nine spot.
- Wade

8. Disney's Magical Quest Starring Mickey & Minnie (SNES)
Nope, were not kidding, number eight on our list is a game that stars Micky Mouse as its main character (Square Enix did it, why can't Capcom?). I'm not sure why this game is so much fun, but I could just play it over and over again. The thing that I find the funnest is the boss battles. Although most are simple, some are actually pretty challenging and involve some fun game play ideas. Another thing that made this game fun was how Micky could change into a magician (which shoots magic), a fireman (who holds a hose that squirts water), and, what I think, looks like a Robin Hood costume (which uses a grappling hook to latch onto certain objects). While the idea might sound kiddy to most of you, it truly was a fun game. One way or another, The Magical Quest wound up in our number 8 spot for the best platformers of all time.
- Wade

7. Donkey Kong 2: Diddy Kongs Quest (SNES)
Why did we choose Donkey Kong 2, over the original? There are some things that are just better in the second one, in our opinion. Diddy Kongs Quest was fun, because of the new addition of Diddy Kongs girlfriend: Dixie Kong (possibly related? Who knows). Her ability to glide across open area's presented the game with some new, more challenging, obstacles to overcome. An old feature that Donkey Kong 2 includes, is the ability to ride animals. This was a feature that made, not only Donkey Kong 2, but the entire series shine. All in all, Donkey Kong 2: Diddy Kongs Quest weighed in at the number seven spot.
- Wade

6. Kirby Superstar (SNES)
Kirby has been known for sucking, but the same doesn't hold true for his games! ...Yeah I know, I'm sorry... But seriously, Kirby games have always been a prime example of how platforming could be something besides... Mario, and all the awesome and varied options available to the player, and multiplayer mini-games in Superstar always made it stand out among the rest to me. The insanely fun abilities combined with basic platforming ideas and pink marshmallow cuteness come together to make our number 6.
- Nick

5. Conker's: Bad Fur Day (N64)
Everyone loves Mario 64. Rare knew that and followed suit with Banjo Kazooie, their own attempt at the Mario 64 type gameplay. Both were awesome games, and I cant imagine what the games of today would be like without their influence. But they where a little... kidsy. Rare, after making these child friendly plat formers must have gotten pretty sick of all the cutesy crap. Thus Conker was born. Conker can best be described as Banjo Kazooie with sex, drugs, and cussing. In other words, it was beyond awesome. The hilarious story actually made me laugh out loud quite a few times. The writing is just genius at points, the graphics are completely beautiful, top of the line for the N64, and the gameplay was just as fun and diverse as the Banjos before it. Hell, even the multiplayer is a complete blast. Pure split-screen goodness. Conker deserves every bit of praise it gets, and if anything I would place it higher on the list. But sometimes you have to make tough choices, even if it involves putting the game with singing poo monsters at #5.
- Nick

4. Mega Man 6 (NES)
Some would say Mega Man 2 is the best Mega Man. I would say that I didn't have that one, and 6 is pretty kick ass. Mega Man 6 stays true to the tried and tested Mega Man formula of awesome fun time goodness. It's hard as hell and frustrating to no end, but that just made it all the more endearing. You really feel like you've accomplished something when you beat a stage in Mega Man. Not many games give that feeling of accomplishment anymore. Not too many games torture you with disappearing block segments either. You have to take the good with the bad. Also keep a extra controller just in case you accidentally break the first one on the wall/floor/or just in your hands. It's said to happen spontaneously during disappearing block segments... hmmm...
- Nick

3. Banjo Kazooie (N64)
Sure, Banjo Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts is looking great, but it's gonna take a lot for it to compete with the original. So much was right about Banjo Kazooie. The levels. The teamwork. The mini games. The powers. The extra. There was something about Banjo Kazooie that just felt right. I think the thing that really made the game so good was how Banjo and Kazooie worked together so well. When Banjo jump in the water, Kazooie would use her wings to fly. When you wanted to run, or make it up steep hills, Banjo would lye on Kazooie's back, and she would begin to run. When falling from a high place, instead of simply landing on the ground and losing hp, Kazooie could spread her wings beforehand, for a nice soft landing. The most basic things involved teamwork. Thus, placing Banjo Kazooie, at number three on our list.
- Wade

2. Super Mario Bros 3 (NES)
Mario has always been the poster boy of platformers. The reason behind this, some would say, is because of Super Mario Bros, the original game that really brought Mario into the spotlight. But I would have to disagree. I would say that the one reason Mario has become as iconic as he is today, as widely known, is because of Super Mario Bros 3. The controls are amazingly tight, the gameplay is extremely varied for never leaving the platforming genre, the different types of stages always bring a challenge, the co-op type gameplay is as addicting as any drug, and the power-ups are unforgettable. This is Nintendo in full force, back before they hated you. Yes, this is where your summer days went as a child, while the rest of the kids where out making friends, you killed goombas, and you don't regret it one bit, do you?
- Nick

1. Yoshi's Island (SNES)
It took us a lot of thought on whether Super Mario Bros 3 or Yoshi's Island deserved to have to the top spot on our list. We finally decided on Yoshi's Island. There are many things that make Yoshi's Island such a good game. One of which is Baby Mario. The addition of Baby Mario made Yoshi's Island different from the traditional platformer. Once you get hit, it's not just game over, you proceed to chase down Mario before the timer runs out. This made the game funner, and more challenging, at the same time. Another thing that made it different than a traditional platformer, is that it involved a bit of strategy. Sometimes, Yoshi simple has to shoot an egg at a button. Other times, he has to shoot it off a wall, just right, or else you miss what you were aiming for. This is another feature that made the game more enjoyable over Super Mario Bros. These are only a few reasons that helped Yoshi's Island triumph in the number one spot.
- Wade

Honorable Mentions: Bubble Bobble (NES), Kid Icarus (NES), Prince of Persia: Sands of Time (PS2), Ninja Gaiden (NES)

Posted in collaboration with GamersPlatform.

GP and VFH's Top 10 RPGs

Here is the first installment of GamersPlatform's and View From Heaven's The Top Ten. This first segment is our Top Ten RPGs. While looking through these we'd like you to keep in mind that we've only chosen games that we've played a fair amount of, and we also limited it to one game per franchise. Enjoy!

10. Dragon Quest VIII (PS2)
The fact that Dragon Quest VIII is at the end of the list is really a testament to how many amazing RPGs there are now. Some could also say that it was proof that neither I nor Wade have played any other Dragon Quest games. This also would be true. But that doesn't stop number 8 from being completely amazingtastical. The beautiful graphics and amazingly refined gameplay just cannot be beat for what the game is, a truly classical styled RPG. The story is so-so, but the rest of the game is polished to perfection and addicting as hell. There's reason behind the love for this game, which is why we just had to include it on the list, even if at the number 10 spot.
- Nick

9. Golden Sun: The Lost Age (GBA)
Golden Sun 2 spots in at number 9 on our list. While the game was basically a normal old rpg, it did have quite a good story, filled with some major plot twists. I found the game extremely hard, and got lost on more than one occasion. Usually this would just annoy and frustrate me, but for some reason it only made Golden Sun 2 more fun, which his why it is at our number 9 spot.
- Wade

8. Phantasy Star Online Episodes 1 & 2 (GCN)
As the second MMO on the list, PSO just couldn't beat Diablo, but seeing as Diablo's one hell of a game, that's not a knock against PSO, especially since PSO has all the basics of Diablo, and even improves on one key area. The combat. The combat aspect in PSO really helped keep interest in the game while repeating each level for the 9,000th time. That and the ever so sought after loot that is oh so plentiful in the confines of the PSO universe, and any other MMO for that matter. But the offline split-screen mode is really where the fun came from for me. Online, yeah thats cool sure, but split-screen is just a blast. This is one of my favorite Gamecube games to date, my friends and I even play it occasionally. It was a shoe-in for the list.
- Nick

7. Diablo II (PC)
Loot. That's what it's all about kids. Thats the single defining factor in Diablo games, it was in one, it is in two, and it will be in three. The combat is a pure click-a-thon. But god, the loot is just so awesome, you need more. You need the next skill, you need more skeletons, you need more. Through simple gameplay and expansive environments and items Blizzard created one of the most loved PC games of all times, still played regularly online and at LAN parties alike, the MMO style of Diablo gets more right than most MMOs. This is the definition of a classic, and just had to have a spot on the list.
- Nick

6. Pokemon Red/Blue/Yellow (GB)
I don't care what people say. Pokemon is just as fun now as it was in the first grade. Pokemon was fun because of two basic ideas. Both of which are sung the original theme song. You “have to be the very best” and you “gotta catch em all”. Choosing from 150 different Pokemon and training them to beat all the gym leaders, the Pokemon league, and your real life friends was just plain fun. Not to mention how exciting it was when your Charmeleon became level 36, causing it evolve from a pansy little dinosaur, to a full out dragon ( I know you guys remember the feeling, don't deny it). These reasons, and more, make the original Pokemon games prime candidates for our number 6 spot.
- Wade

5. Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (SNES)
This one brings me back to my childhood days. Mario RPG was good then, and it's still good now. Proving that our little Italian plumber truly can do anything. But what makes Mario RPG so good? Perhaps it's because Bowser is actually on your side. Or maybe it's the simplicity, yet addictive, trait that the game has. Maybe it's the appearance of 2 new characters: Geno and Mallow. Maybe it's none of these things. Maybe it's all of these things. Whatever the case, Mario RPG was a great game, which is why it deserves the number 5 spot.
- Wade

4. Chrono Cross (PS)
As the sequel to the much loved Chrono Trigger, Chrono Cross had a lot to live up to. When the game was released to the masses their where very mixed feelings. Some people hated it, some ignored it, and some loved it. I fall into the last category. The graphics were mind blowing at the time, the story is pretty interesting, and had a few pretty crazy moments that will really make the experience stick out among the rest. Alongside of the amazing battle system and a crazy big amount of characters, this is truly among the greatest RPGS, even games of all time.
- Nick

3. Final Fantasy X (PS2)
I know what your all thinking right now. Why in the hell would we ever choose Final Fantasy 10 over Final Fantasy 7? It's simple actually. We just like Final Fantasy 10 better. Final Fantasy X is basically the same thing as all the other Final Fantasy games, with just a few changes along the way. One of the biggest changes is that it includes the puzzle element. Sometimes the group will find temples that they must enter. Throughout that temple you will have to place various gems in walls, to open up entrances to the end. Another change they made was the ability to customize what stats and abilities your teammates learn. Instead of going into a spell shop and buying spells, you now have a map of skills, if you want the spell fire: go right. If you want +100 hp: go left. Its very simple, yet makes the game much more enjoyable.
- Wade

2. Shin Megami Tensai: Persona 3 (PS2)
I find it a little odd, our top two on the list are unexpected mash-ups. One of franchises, and this one, my personal favorite, of an RPG and a Dating Sim. This sounds crazy at first, but trust me, the first time you advance through a social connection (in-game relationship) you'll realize how amazingly well this works out. I found myself entirely involved in most of the characters. The deep and touching stories have excellent writing, and a few of them really shake things up. In fact, I often skip over the dungeon crawling portion just to advance in the various side stories. Which is quite the statement considering that the battle mechanics are extremely fun and very speedy. With the combination of a selection of amazing stories, fun battles, interesting imagery, and one of the catchiest soundtracks this side of the Zelda series, this one definitely earned its spot.
- Nick

1. Kingdom Hearts II (PS2)
Who would have ever though that Final Fantasy + Disney would equal the best RPG ever made? Not me, but damn, they pulled it off. There are two things that perfect Kingdom Hearts 2: Its battle system, and its storyline. While playing through the game you come across various questions such as: “Will Riku stay evil?” and “Did Goofy seriously die from getting hit on the head with a rock?”. This only makes the game more addictive, and nearly impossible to stop playing. The battle system is amazing (to say the least). I can't even describe how much fun it is to go into Sora's Final Drive form and hack and slash and enemy into the air, beat the crap out of him with your double keyblades, then finish the fight by pile driving the enemy into the ground.
- Wade

Honorable Mentions: Earthbound (SNES), Star Ocean: The Second Story (PS), Dark Cloud 2 (PS2), and Lost Odyssey (360)

Posted in collaboration with GamersPlatform

GP & VFH present: The Top Ten

View From Heaven and GamersPlatform have teamed up to bring you a new feature that will be viewable on both sites. The Top Ten will bring you countdowns from best games, best consoles, and more.

The project was intended to start soon, but GamersPlatform has recently run into some technical issues. Chances are we will still launch the project here, while still being collaborative with the GP staff.

UPDATE: This post will be updated with every new list

The Top Ten: Role Playing Games
The Top Ten: Platformers
The Top Ten: First Person Shooters

Stay tuned for more!

In collaboration GamersPlatform