Desert Island Top Five Games
November 25, 2008By Shaun El-Ters
I often think about what would happen if I were to be stranded on a desert island. People say it’s a stupid thing to think about. I disagree.
Before every plane ride, I carefully formulate the contents of my suitcase; if my plane goes down, and I happen to land on an island, and the island has electrical outlets, then I need prepare accordingly. These improbable yet totally possible situations are why I make sure to pack certain games; more important than scavenging for food and water is the ability to pass the time on my island. The following is the five games that I would want for my desert island.
5. Metal Gear Solid 4-MGS 4 is the apex of one of my favorite game series of all time. The strength of this game is in its groundbreaking gameplay, which completely immerses its players in a battlefield setting, and provides them a multitude of options to reach their goal, ranging from stealth to full-on assault. This versatility would prove valuable on my desert island, and trying to figure out the nonsensical story through the game’s lengthy cut scenes would be infinitely entertaining.
4. Bioshock-The sole first person shooter on my list, Bioshock was also my 2007 Game of the Year. Set in an underwater dystopia drenched with eerie ambiance, Bioshock vividly creates a world that challenges the player’s very conception of gaming. I won’t spoil the big twist, but between the immersive story and strategy-based gameplay, Bioshock could distract me completely from desperately trying to escape my island. Which is fine, because according to Lost, escaping from islands can threaten to disrupt the whole space-time continuum. Or something, I don’t really know.
3. Resident Evil 4-In 2004, Capcom revolutionized gaming with the fourth installment of its popular horror franchise. Previously criticized for its archaic design choices, RE4 introduced an over-the-shoulder control scheme that has since been mimicked by blockbusters like Gears of War. This new focus on precision and control makes the showdowns with the enemy extremely intense (and fun) rather than just frustratingly annoying. Combine this with incredible pacing, which consistently keeps the game fresh and exciting, and you have a game worth quite a few replays on those quiet island nights.
2. Super Mario 64-This game is credited for bringing 3-D games into the mainstream, and served as the standard for all 3-D platforms to follow. Super Mario 64 is also the reason that I became obsessed with attaining the N64 in 6th grade. I spent hours in pure bliss attempting to recover every hidden star, and navigating Mario through ingeniously designed levels. Simply put, the depth and nostalgia of Super Mario 64 would keep me busy for a very long time.
1. Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time- OoT carried a great deal of burden on its shoulders, as it was the game that was responsible for carrying the renowned Zelda series into 3-D for the first time. To say it simply succeeded would be a huge understatement. OoT is responsible for numerous innovations, including an exceptionally effective targeting function, and brilliant time traveling implementation. With an epic story and flawless gameplay mechanics, OoT is truly the greatest game ever made.
