Ever look back at that old box of video games and wonder why you spent countless hours glued to your television playing them? Why did we stay up until the early hours of the morning? Why were these games so great?
Well, they still are great.
The last decade ushered in some of the greatest games of all time. Whether it's your first time playing, or you're just looking for some nostalgia, you can't go wrong with these titles.
1. Halo
From the dawn of the original Xbox, Halo has become a household title captivating gamers since the first note of the opening score. The first title in the series, "Halo: Combat Evolved" set the standard for first-person-shooter games. The game is set in a rich science fiction universe teeming with action, adventure, and mystery. This was a couch-party classic for multiplayer game nights with friends. Memorable characters, tense action, a stellar story-line, and a magical soundtrack, many claim Halo to be one of the greatest video game series of all time. Why not see where the craze all started?
2. Call of Duty
No. Not the new ones.
Although Call of Duty has taken some big leaps from its predecessors, the classic World War II games we grew up on could never be tarnished. It's safe to say anyone who played the original Call of Duty games knows what a good Call of Duty game truly is. Play historic WWII battles right from your couch with friends. The first few titles of Call of Duty are classics in everyone's book. The graphics were top-of-the-line for its time, and the gameplay was groundbreaking and epic in scale. When online multiplayer was introduced to the series, competitive gaming changed forever. Need a fill on (loose) history and relentless action? Look no further.
3. Fable
An old favorite and instant classic for many gamers during the early Xbox period. "Fable" is a role-playing fantasy game set in a massive world with hundreds of hours of content to explore. You grow with your character through their journey to become a hero, from childhood until your old age. Seriously, by the end you're going to have a big white beard. The story is dense and filled with lovable (and not so lovable) characters, as well as the ability to actively interact with anyone in the world. "Fable" introduces choice-based morality into the game. Your character's morality, appearance, as well as how others react to them is affected by the choices you make throughout your journey. In the mood for a long, rewarding, story? Try "Fable," or the recent remake, "Fable Anniversary."
4. Resident Evil
The title that defined horror games from the beginning. Resident Evil has branched out into many games and movies since, but we remember the original nightmare. Bloodthirsty zombies, a claustrophobic atmosphere, and a hefty dose of "no hope" undertones creates the perfect horror game. Introducing 'survival-horror' with "Resident Evil 4" in 2005, a new wave of video game genre emerged. Influencing nearly every horror title since, Resident Evil is sure to send terror into anyone brave enough to play again, even after all this time.
5. Gears of War
One of the most visceral games of all time, Gears or War amped up the graphics, gore, and gameplay to a whole new level. The game revolutionized third-person-shooters during the early period of the Xbox 360 and is currently ushering in the next generation of games in the series. For a time, there was nothing more satifying than chainsawing the gnarly monsters from beneath the surface. With online multiplayer, people all over the world could participate in the carnage together. The first game in the series is known as the darkest, with it's gloomy dull atmosphere and sinister soundtrack, the tone of the game is gritty and desolate. If you've played before you know, not many things are more terrifying than a hulking berserker blasting through the wall in front of you.
6. Jak and Daxter
The game with the funny, lovable, and only slightly irritating rodent on your shoulder...
"Jak and Daxter."
Possibly one of the most underrated games from the early 2000s. "Jak and Daxter" is a simple, but legendary, game set in a massive world ripe for exploration. You play a mute Hero on a journey to save his world, with his friend Ottsel (fantasy mix of an otter and a weasel) from an evil force. Sounds pretty generic, right? But there's just something that feels right about this game that makes it worthwhile every time you play. Completing quests, fighting monsters, saving villagers, climbing obstacles, what more do you need for a story teeming with fun adventure?
Have any old favorites you've been itching to play again? Why not break out that old console and play one of those timeless games.
