Kaylin's Favorite Games

I was going to make this a top ten list, but picking one over another is really hard, especially when the reasons that I like them are so different.  Anyway, in no particular order, these are my favorite games.  Enjoy!

Mass Effect 3

I really enjoyed this whole series, but I have to say that, despite the controversy over the ending, Mass Effect 3 was my favorite of the trilogy.  There's interesting alien races, fun quests, space exploration, intense action, a great cast of characters, and your decisions from the first two games made a difference in how the story unfolded.  I admit that I wasn't happy with the ending at first, but I was content with the Extended Cut DLC that we got, placing this game firmly in my favorites list.  

King's Quest VI: Heir Today, Gone Tomorrow

Sure, it's ancient in game terms, but I still have fun playing it.  It's funny, it has a magical story, and it's really, really hard.  Erm... challenging.  My parents got this game when it came out and I pretty much grew up playing it.  I think I was fourteen when I finished it the first time, and that was with plenty of hints.  Still, out of all the King's Quest games, this one is my favorite.  

Dragon Age: Origins and Dragon Age 2

These games are both very different, despite being in the same series, but I like them both.  I like Origins for its vast storyline that has so many different paths and multiple beginnings and endings.  I like Dragon Age 2 for its characters and improvements in game mechanics.  Both games have a lot of strengths and both have their faults, but they're still some of my favorite games ever.  

The Curse of Monkey Island

Yep, another point and click adventure.  I just can't help but love Monkey Island for its sense of humor and creative puzzles, but The Curse of Monkey Island is my favorite.  The puzzles were difficult, but not too frustrating and the dialogue is fantastic.  Murray in particular has some great lines.  Oh, and let's not forget the singing pirates.  

Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy

Sure, the plot isn't too complicated and the artificial intelligence of your enemies isn't that great, but I love this game.  I think I've played it four times through at least and it's one of the only times I've been at all skilled with a first-person shooter.  It's mostly a lot of button smashing, but it's still challenging enough to keep me playing it again and again.  

 

 

 

Nancy Drew: The Secret of Shadow Ranch

I haven't played this game in quite a few years, but I still remember being glued to my computer screen and trying to figure out this mystery with my friend Roslyn.   Some of the puzzles were pretty hard, but it kept us busy for quite a while.  I've played a lot of Nancy Drew games, but this is still my favorite.  

Ah... good times.

Planescape: Torment

I just played this game recently and have only finished it once, but it's already become a favorite.  I thought it weird and morbid at first (and it kinda is), but it's also fun and incredibly hard to pull away from.  Unlike many other games based in the Forgotten Realms --such as Baldur's Gate and Neverwinter Nights--, combat is secondary to dialogue.  Fighting through a situation is very rarely the best option (and you usually get a LOT of options).  Even the 'final boss' can be talked to.  People who you talked to and visions that the main character sees are often described, which makes it seem like you're reading a book.   In fact, there is 800,000 words in the script of this game.  That's over 200,000 words longer than War & Peace.  

The Book of Unwritten Tales

If you've read my review, you know how much I like this game and why, so I won't repeat myself. Suffice it to say that this game has quite easily made it to my favorites list.

Portal 2

Portal 2 combines a lot of elements that I enjoy.  The chambers are sometimes quite hard to solve, but you just can't help but try and try and try again until you get it.  This great game deserves a spot in my favorites.  You can see my review here for more details.  

 

 

The Longest Journey

This is another point and click from 1999. I wouldn't recommend it for everyone, but I love the story. It's incredibly deep and was way ahead of its time. The graphics of the period couldn't fully capture the beautiful and imaginative places that you get to explore, but it still manages to be a good game. 

 

Jade Empire

Again, a game that I have only played once, but it's just so good that I still remember it.  It has such an interesting story and the plot twist really shocked me.  The combat is basically button smashing, but it was still a lot of fun.  

 

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

I've mentioned before how much I enjoy this game, so obviously it's on my favorites list.  I might be a little biased since it's Star Wars as well as the first role-playing game that I played, but I just can't help but love it.  I've played it close to ten times and I still enjoy the story, characters, and dialogue. 

 

There you have it, a list of thirteen of my all-time favorite games.  I hope you enjoyed it.  Just don't ask me to pick one as my absolute favorite, because that's like asking what my favorite book is.