Jdanddiet's Top 100 Games 2012 Part Eight: The Top Ten

The fantastic Laser Squad

So here's my top ten for 2012 - with a new entry at number 1!  But first...


10.Laser Squad (Spectrum) (down 2)
Julian Gollop's amazing strategy title is still an intense and challenging tactical combat game.  Think it's easy?  Well, maybe it is a piece of piss to assassinate ol' Sterner Regnix - but try taking on the Cyber Hordes and see how you get on trooper.

9.Academy (Spectrum) (up 2)
Pete Cooke's fantastic space shooter saw a bit of action last year thanks to my article on CRL;  I've carried on playing it into 2012 and still spend ages just tinkering with the skimmer's interface.  Shame Pete has not surfaced - if you're reading this Mr. Cooke, thanks for one of the greatest Speccy games ever!

8.Buck Rogers: Countdown to Doomsday (Megadrive) (up 4)
Admittedly my experience of Megadrive RPGs is far from extensive (a dash of Phantasy Star, a dot of D&D), yet BR:CTD has always captivated me thanks to its smart graphics, compulsive battles and oddly ethereal music.

The Plasma Cutter, the best Dead Space weapon by miles!

7.Dead Space (Xbox 360) (up 13)
Isaac's original encounter on the Ishimura rises 13 this year and remains the highest placed 360 game.  Less frenetic than the sequel, the sense of encroaching doom is palpable, the gameplay is as smooth and nicely balanced as its taciturn protagonist makes his way through the cursed ship.



6.Half-Life 2 (PC) (down 4)
The Half Life games have lost their lustre somewhat for me;  maybe it's the mass of FPS on the 360 that has diluted the classics of the genre.  Or maybe they're just beginning to play a bit clunkily.  In any case, HL2 does enough to comfortably remain in the top ten, although its position is far from secure.  Better hold on to that crowbar, Gordon.

5.Command & Conquer:  Red Alert (PC) (no move)
Standing by, Commander.


4.Resident Evil REmake (Gamecube) (up 2)
I'm still amazed by this game; the graphics are lovely, but the real treat is the effort that has gone into adding extra rooms and gameplay elements.  A real treat for any Resi fan.

Gulp!  Taking on a Dragon in Baldur's Gate 2

3.Baldur's Gate 2 (PC) (up 1)
Bioware's excellent game is still a wonderful example of a story-driven RPG.  As much as I loved the original, the sequel's loosening up of D&D rules and thrilling plot always trumps it for me.  Plus, when I played the original it came on 5 cds!  Disc-swapping hijinks!

2.Streets of Rage 2 (Megadrive) (up 1)
SOR2 replaces Half Life 2 at number 2....not the biggest beneficiary of my recent Megadrive gaming run, but it doesn't have as far to go as the others!  SOR2 remains a scrolling brawler of high pedigree thanks its damn near violent perfection.

And the number one for 2012 is...

1.Resident Evil 4 (Wii) (new entry - sort of)

OK, I've cheated a bit, it's not really a new number 1.  The Wii version of the-already-brilliant Resident Evil 4 is essentially the same game - with new controls.  But as any game player will tell you, controls can make or ruin a game and fortunately the Wii makes good use of both its remote and nunchuck, turning Resi 4 into an even more exciting and spooky adventure.

So that's it for 2012.  Thanks for visiting my little corner of the internet.  The fun begins now for Jdanddiet's top 100 games 2013.

Until then, stay safe and keep gaming...

Jdanddiet's Top 100 Games 2012 Part Seven: 30-11

Classy shooter Ranger X

30.Ranger X (Megadrive) (up 26)
I think I underrated this game in my list last year, hence a hefty rise in 2012.  I've had another go recently and it really is a polished little shooter.

29.Crysis 2 (Xbox 360) (New Entry)
Many decried its bland stereotypical war-torn city;  personally I found the game tough to get into (for a FPS) but once I got hang of all the upgrades and stealth options, had a blast. The way you could choose different methods to approach each scene really appealed to me.


28.Flashback (Megadrive) (down 18)
Flashback is a great platformer in the mould of Prince of Persia, but the cranky gameplay is starting to creak a bit.  Maybe it's because of that annoying section on the alien planet...

27.Desert Strike (Megadrive) (up 8)
Mike Posehn's classic shooter remains one of my favourite games on the Megadrive and one I'm still happy to play through.  The controversial (for the time) helicopter movement suits it perfectly and kudos should go to Mike for insisting on it.


26.Metal Gear Solid (Playstation) (down 9)
Snake slips a few positions.  He ain't looking as good as he used to.


25.Jet Pac (Spectrum) (New Entry)
Oh how did I miss this one last year!  The XBLA remake reignited my love of Jetpac, and as good as it was, it misses out whilst the original (also included when you bought the XBLA game) shoots into the chart at number 25.

The Great Escape

24.The Great Escape (Spectrum) (down 5)
The Spectrum's limiting colour pallette suited it perfectly;  it's open world structure was rarely seen in those days and the atmosphere was superb.

23.Mass Effect 2 (Xbox 360) (New Entry)
As much as I loved the original, it's breadth of options and upgrades left you feeling exceedingly overwhelmed.  ME2 simplified all that and concentrated on an intriguing plot and quite stunning opening scene.  A modern day classic.


22.Jedi Knight: Outcast (PC) (up 6)
Still my favourite of all Star Wars games...except for one.

21.PGA European Tour Golf (Megadrive) (up 38)
A massive rise for this immensely playable Megadrive sports game.  I bought it from a Crack Converters recently and discovered all over again how wonderful it is.

20.Bombjack (Spectrum) (down 6)
Like Flying Shark, it's a bit much to suggest it could be better than the arcade original, but it's still pretty damn perfect.  The terrible C64 version is another reason to have Bombjack flying the flag for the Spectrum in the top 20.

19.Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth (Xbox) (up 38)
I completed this amazing game last year and have since played it a couple of more times.  Boasting an extremely tense and odd atmosphere, some compelling (and difficult) gameplay, the stealth elements and lack of, well, action, deterred many.  Me, I think it's a classic.


18.Unreal Tournament (PC) (up 40)

Unfriendly locals in Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth

The original and still the best imo.  The thrill of m-m-m-m-m-monster kills never dies.

17.Match Day 2 (Spectrum) (down 8)
Jon Ritman and Bernie Drummond's Speccy football masterpiece slips a few this year as it begins to tarnish slightly in the face of superior competition.  I still give it a whirl every now and then.

 16.Duke Nukem 3D (PC) (up 11)
I bought this 3D Realms FPS on XBLA recently so have been enjoying it all over again!  Inventive, funny and action-packed, I've always preferred it (certainly in single player) to Quake.

15.Chaos (Spectrum) (up 8)
Another Spectrum game that just never seems to lose its patina.  Neverending variations of spells and an excellent multiplayer game.

The Joker was masterfully voice-acted by Mark Hamill

14.Batman: Arkham Ayslum (Xbox 360) (New Entry)
I completed Batman: AA about a month ago.  At last, fans of the Dark Knight, the coolest comic book hero ever, had a video game to really do him justice.  It took me some time to get used to all the various controls (like most modern games) but it's testament to the thought that has gone into Arkham Asylum that it soon becomes second nature.  A modern classic of gaming and storytelling.

13.Star Wars Battlefront (PC) (up 3)
Battlefront hangs on in there and even manages a slight rise.  It's still huge fun and the abundance of fan maps means you're likely to be entertained for a long time.  With the threat of more 360 games looming, however, it's position could begin to look shaky next year...

12.Tenchu: Stealth Assassins (Playstation) (down 4)
Tenchu is a hard game to like;  awkward controls, dodgy camera float, terrible dialogue.  Yet it still manages to create an eerie, deadly atmosphere that captures me every time I play it.
 
11.Jungle Strike (Megadrive) (up 7)
Less nostalgic than its predecessor, but superior in every other way.  Multiple vehicles, more varied missions, hugely different objectives and locations.  A shooter marvel.

Jdanddiet's Top 100 Games 2012 Part Six: 50-31

50.Warcraft (PC-DOS) (up 4)
Yes?  Yes?  My Lord?  The humans are approaching! Oh jeez, I love Warcraft.  It's so...corny, yet fun.  Whether directing little human soldiers to their doom or working orc peons to the bone cutting down trees and mining gold, it's a game I can't resist spending a few hours with every time I play it.  A recent interview with one of its creators has rekindled my love of Warcraft once more and seen the game gently rise up the chart.

Taking on Medusa in Myth: History in the Making

49.Myth: History in the Making (Spectrum) (up 37)
Bar a forthcoming new entry, Myth is the highest Speccy riser in this year's chart, pipping Cobra by 8.  I've recently completed not only the Spectrum but also the C64 version for another article and actually thoroughly enjoyed both, despite their differences.  I couldn't however, bring myself to put a Commodore 64 game on this list.  Sorry!


48.Flying Shark (Spectrum) (down 5)
OK, it's not as good as the arcade version, but Speccy Flying Shark is still a pretty damned good shooter.

Jim Bagley's colourful Midnight Resistance

47.Midnight Resistance (Spectrum) (down 18)
A brilliant late-era run and gunner for the Spectrum;  yet its lovely graphics and some thrilling gameplay can't stop it slipping 18 places. 

46.Tracksuit Manager (Spectrum) (down 8)
Time has not been kind to this classic football management game;  even the earlier iterations of Championship Manager blow it out of the water.  I'm surprised it hasn't dropped more than 8 places.  (What are you talking about?  You wrote the damn list! - ED)

45.Micro Machines (Megadrive) (no move)
Codies super little racer manages to cling on to 45th place.

Use the Force!

44.Star Wars (Arcade) (down 20)
I fear this game is destined to slip down the chart;  let's be honest, I'm not likely any time soon to replicate that wonderful feeling you got sitting in that cab in an arcade...

43.Fifa 95 (Megadrive) (down 2)
Still one of my favourite footie games thanks to its simplicity.

 42.Revenge of Shinobi (Megadrive) (up 6)
This year's Megadrive resurgence continues with the fantastic Revenge of Shinobi.  Tough as old nails, yet always fair, it's a top game, although I don't think I should be letting my son play it.  (No mate, you stab that guy with your sword.  Well done, that's my boy!)

41.Die Hard Trilogy (Playstation) (up 8)
I was never a huge investor of the Playstation and only a small selection of games ever saw action in the Jdanddiet household.  A lot of that was probably due to the fact I played an awful lot of this, which boasted not one, not two, but three great games for your money.  Ho-ho-ho indeed.
 

Tron Deadly Discs: Oh no! It's the Recognizer!

40.Tron:Deadly Discs (Intellivision) (down 15)
My favourite Intellivision game slips this year as I've not had time to play it for quite a while.
 
39.Rebelstar (Spectrum) (down 7)
This Julian Gollop classic strategy game really came into its own with the two player option which was guaranteed to invoke a fascinating cat and mouse chase through the deviously-designed Moonbase.
 
38.Deathchase (Spectrum) (down 1)
Down 1?!  The bestest, quickest, wonderfulest Speccy game ever?  Alright, I'm still a bit sore Mervyn wouldn't let me interview him - but if he ever changes his mind, watch this one shoot up!

37.Rebelstar 2 (Spectrum) (down 15)
Rebelstar's sequel expands on the original by introducing a time limit and some nasty aliens, as well as a more convoluted task to perform (steal alien eggs and escape, rather than just destroy the computer).  It can be a bit frustrating however, so this and new entries see it drop 15 places this year.

36.Resident Evil: Director's Cut (Playstation) (down 15)
...As does this Playstation survival horror.  Essentially my "killer-app" for the PS, I happened upon the Director's Cut edition back in 1997 so here it is.  Boy, a lot of PS games look really nasty on an LCD TV!

35.Strider (Megadrive) (up 7)
Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-haaaaaaaa! (Son, give me the controller, your Mum's home)
 
34.Chuckie Egg (Spectrum) (down 21)
Nigel Alderton's superbly playable platformer is one Spectrum game that never seems to age.  I think I've been a bit harsh knocking down 21 places, but hey-ho...


33.Bubble Bobble (Arcade) (down 18)
Now this is one game that I never thought I'd like as cutesy platformers really aren't my thing.  Ever since endlessly playing a five level Spectrum demo (I think it came with the first issue of ACE magazine) it's been a fave, although as good as the Spectrum version is, the Arcade machine is the best.
 

Negotiating killer rabbits in Braid

32.Braid (XBLA) (New Entry)
Huzzah!  A new entry!  The only XBLA game on this list (I still get hot flushes at the thought of downloading games), it was one of my first purchases upon getting a 360 and I still tinker with the levels today, despite having completed it almost a year ago.  A lovely, quaint game that is also maddeningly devious in places.

31.Cybernoid (Spectrum) (up 22)
A recent article on Cybernoid in Retro Gamer magazine rekindled my love of Raf Cecco's classic.  An arcade game on your Speccy?  Erm, no, but it was pretty damn close!

Jdanddiet's Top 100 Games 2012 Part Five: 60-51

60.The Terminator (Mega CD) (down 5)
The Mega CD didn't have many classics, but I've always had a soft spot for this enhanced version of the Megadrive original.  A brilliant, thumping and classy soundtrack helps. It slips 5 this year.

59.Half Life (PC) (down 19)
Hard to believe that this PC classic is so old it didn't actually require a 3D graphics card to work!  Nowadays with the FPS genre so saturated it appears old hat;  actually, for me anyway, it was streets ahead of anything else at the time.

Baldur's Gate Dark Alliance 2

58.Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance 2 (Xbox) (down 27)
I'd just completed this game around the time I was compiling this list last year so I think its placing was a little generous.  Still a fun loot dropper.

57.Icewind Dale (PC) (up 19)
Ah, Icewind Dale, the frosty fingers of winter elevate you up 19 places to 57.  Generic?  Yes.  Innovative?  No.  Stereotyped?  Yes.  But I love it.  A recent replay sees this game rise.  I would LOVE to do an article on it but that seems unlikely...but you never know...

56.New Star Soccer (iOS) (New Entry)
Many years ago, Gremlin Graphics released a footie game called Footballer of the Year.  New Star Soccer is a brilliant updated version of the Gremlin classic.  Take a lower league team to the top whilst furthering your own career, or get tempted by the money and sign for a big club?  A fantastically addictive little game.

Another beautiful morning on the sprawl

 
55.Dead Space 2 (Xbox 360) (New Entry)
As you must all know by now, I'm a fan of survival horror and Dead Space games represent in my opinion, the current pinnacle of the genre.  DS2 upped the action but by no means reduced the fear content, as witnessed by the nail-biting return to the Ishimura, the original game's setting.
 
54.Outrun (Arcade) (down 28)
Sega's famous racer moves down a few places...now if I could just find that cab on the cheap...

Treasure's farewell to the Megadrive: Light Crusader

53.Light Crusader (Megadrive) (up 24)
Another MD game to benefit from the machines recent move in the Jdanddiet household from garage to playroom.  Treasure's final game on Sega's machine and a classic.

52.The Simpsons Hit and Run (Gamecube) (down 13)
Such inane wackiness.  And I'm not even that keen on the Simpsons!

51.Tetris (Gameboy) (down 17)
How may hours of your life were lost to this GB classic puzzler?

Jdanddiet's Top 100 Games 2012 Part Four: 70-61

Casual urban violence in the original GTA

70.Grand Theft Auto (PC) (down 6)
The original GTA will always hold a place in my heart thanks to its random, pointless violence and thumping soundtrack.  I've never got on with any of the 3D versions so don't expect to see them in this list.

69.The Curse of Monkey Island (PC) (down 17)
The third in the famous Monkey Island games slips a few places thanks to new entries and the fact I haven't played it for some time.

68.Resident Evil 2 (Playstation) (down 24)
Another big faller...PS games really look awful these days when played on big screens.  Stick 'em on a portable CRT though and they're still tops.

high-kicking action in Kung-Fu Master

67.Kung-Fu Master (Arcade) (down 31)
It's sheer playability ensures KFM doesn't slip too far down the chart.  A 10p classic.

66.Gauntlet IV (Megadrive) (down 19)
Seems like these ten games are all big fallers...Nevertheless, Gauntlet IV is a great-value game for the MD;  the original classic Gauntlet game plus an updated version with RPG knobs on.

65.Silent Hill (Playstation) (down 35)
...And to the biggest faller of all.  I revisited SH recently for an article that didn't materialise past the idea stage and it staggered me how horrible it looked and awkward the gameplay was.  Time has not been kind, although it still has bags of atmosphere.

64.Cobra (Spectrum) (up 29)
Hooray!  A riser!  When I came to the Ocean segment of my Spectrum 30th Anniversary Celebration, I wanted to include some lesser known games.  This reduced my options for the well-known classics, and after a brief play of a few of them, there was only one winner: Cobra.  Joffa Smiff's finest hour.

The brilliant XBLIG game Dead Pixels

63.Dead Pixels (XBLIG) (New Entry)
This XBLIG game has been on my hard drive for months now and it still gets an occasional blast, despite having been completed several times over.  A loving homage to Resident Evil, River City Ransom and Zombie movies, it's a simple, yet ferociously entertaining shooter.  80 msp?  Ridiculous bargain! You can check out my Making of Dead Pixels here: http://jdanddiet.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/making-ofdead-pixels.html

62.Robocop vs Terminator (Megadrive) (up 4)
I played this again recently for another article idea.  Still had great fun, so it rises a handful of places.

61.Dino Crisis (Playstation) (no move)
Dino Crisis holds on to its position despite the PS-era survival horrors above.  Maybe the lower echelons of this list are where these games deserve to be...for now.

JD's Videogame Hall of Shame Part 4: Rise of the Robots

Rise of the Robots was released by Acclaim back in 1994 after a thorough and tiresomely ubiqitous advertising campaign. Whether this discouraged me from buying it at the time or I had had my fill of one on one beat 'em ups thanks to Street Fighter 2 and Mortal Kombat, I don't know, but I suspect it was a combination of both. With the benefit of hindsight, it was a decision that not only saved me forty quid, but also preserved a segment of my sanity that surely would have been eroded away by paying that sort of money to play this tosh.

Before we get onto the game's various flaws, let's examine the booklet. Akin to Star Wars: Masters of Teras Kasi (see Hall of Shame entry no.1), ROTR bolts on a ludicrous "story" that's supposed to give you a reason for going round banging other robots about. All the droids have backgrounds as well and special moves - although this will not be of great interest to you.

For you see, in their infinite wisdom, the developers Mirage decided that you can only play the main character, a cyborg imaginitively named, um, cyborg. Only in 2-player practice mode, can you use a different character, and still the other person has to play the blue buffoon.

Of course this would have not been a huge issue had the game been any good, but unfortunately Rise of the Robots is a turd of such immense proportions that it really should have it's own flag.

Playing against various vague and boring futuristic locations, your blue cyborg prances around the screen, daintily trying to land ineffective blows on the other ridiculous robots. The moves seem dreadfully limited and this lack of variation (or indeed the need for any tactics, as the enemies often walk happily into your attacks) cripples the game right from the start. When you do manage to land a blow (and this is entirely random) you never get the impression you're doing any real damage, even if the enemies power bar shows you've just landed a vicious hit.
The collision detection is a touch wonky as well - surely a major crime for any fighting game - and the much touted graphics, whilst servicible, are nowhere near matching the hyberbole that preceded it's release.

The best thing about the game is the music which is by Brian May. Yes, the game is that bad.

The hall of Shame now stands as follows:-

1:Star Wars: Masters Of Teras Kasi (Playstation)
2:Highlander (ZX Spectrum)
3:Ground Zero Texas (Sega Mega-cd)
4:Rise of the Robots (Sega Megadrive)