15 Games That Will Always Stick With Me

I got tagged for a facebook note that goes like this:

The rules: Don't take too long to think about it. 15 games you've played that will always stick with you. List the first 15 you can recall in no more than fifteen minutes. Tag fifteen friends, including me, because I'm interested in seeing what games my friends choose.

Problem is I hate tagging people for this stuff on facebook even if I like talking about it.  Luckily the person who tagged me knows this blog, and I guess in a way I'm tagging you guys... don't feel obligated though.

So what's my list?  Here it is (in no particular order) with explanations:

1. Mass Effect 2


This is one of my favorite video games of all time.  I particularly love it because it is so well written!  I know a lot of people were disappointed because it wasn't as monumental plot-wise as the first game, but you have to understand it's setting up the end of a trilogy.  If you look at it that way, the set up is AWESOME.  Good characters, and in general the good guy versus not-so-good guy choices made it totally replayable.  In fact, I plan on replaying it soon, and this time, my Shepard is going to kick ass and take names later.

2. Dungeons and Dragons


I remember when I first was introduced to the game by a friend and her dad, I knew I had to run a game of it.  And I did, but of course actual learning as a kid got in the way.  But college brought me back to it and it was totally worth coming back to.  I ran a game for three years with the success of an entertaining time had for all, and I'm doing it again.  I will always have a soft spot for it, even if later incarnations prove to be not what I grew up with.

3. Hex Hex


Fantastic card game that involves you screwing over everyone else at the table.  I have great memories playing this with a good number of my college friends late into the night while drinking.  Adding awesome house rules made it even better.  I bought it for myself and to have back home, and it's always deviously fun to play.

4. The Sims


I have an addiction to the Sims 3.  I must want to be God.  Is that a big issue?

5. Settlers of Catan


To be honest, I was never the best at this game but I love it anyway.  It's a great strategy board game that involves monitoring your resources, so my economist sensibilities gravitate toward it.  Another game I played a lot in college.

6. Unknown Armies


Again, discovered this in college and it's modern, urban, dystopia themes are fun to play.  If you really want to get into the game, play someone who's obviously crazy to everyone else but himself.  The focus on conspiracies and deep plots also making it great, giving a fantastic setting that's malleable enough for any good GM.

7. Dragon Age


I could say it's the good story (which is good) or the kind of gameplay where I get to micro-mange or the awesome friendship system.  But I'll be honest with you: I still have a crush on Alistar.  And I think I will for a while.
The Boyfriend also doesn't mind this, which works out great.

8. Tetris


My grandmother has, on a kid's standards, the most boring house.  We used to visit a lot so my mom could help take care of the house, and my brother and I would bring our gameboys because there was nothing. else. to do.  Tetris saved me from bordem.  I played that thing for hours, causing my mom to be haunted by that music for the rest of her life.  She doesn't mind too much.

9. Kirby's Adventure Land (real title?)


Another gameboy game that saved me from boredom, and introduced me to the awesomness that is Kirby.  He's just a fantastic protagonist, super cute but he'll swallow your soul.  Kinf of like chibi cthullu.

10. World of Darkness games


LARPing is one of the first activities I did as an adult on my own in Chicago.  World of Darkness was a great way to start the hobby because I was able to do a character driven story where I can be as important or unimportant as I want.  I like the new friends I've made and I like the worlds I've played in.

11. Monopoly


My family used to play this, all four of us, on the weekends.  One thing you have to understand about my parents is that they didn't go easy on us.  My dad had multiple monopolies, and would trick you into selling your properties to him so he could have an empire.  I was 10 mostly when we played.  Good family memories though, and I kind of appreciate that my parents didn't make it easy.  Means I had to earn my winnings.

12. The Game that can Only End in Sorrow


In college, it was our version of Truth or Dare when we were doing a late night of drinking.  Only it was only truths, you'd roll a die to see who'd get asked the next question, and then the rest of the group would think of a question to ask.  Less damaging than Psychologist, and more laid back.

13. Left 4 Dead Series


My first real online game, as in I played the game with strangers online.  Also, who doesn't like killing zombies?

14. Pathfinder


When I heard about Pathfinder, I knew I had to experience it.  I was hoping D&D 4.0 was what Pathfinder is now.  I like the system, because it cleaned up the things I thought needed to be cleaned up in 3.5 but kept the stuff I thought was worth having in.

15. The Boyfriend's Current Development Project


I can't say much about it, but the reason that I am so psyched about it is because 1) it looks like it's going to be great and an indie game for those of us that like RPGs with great stories and world and 2) it's the first video game I'll get to see in the production process.