Ok, so we’re not 100% sure if the world will end this 21st December, but we do know how we’re going to make the best of this (perhaps last) year of our lives.
Gaming is probably the most fun you can have legally, and once you deduce that you’re better off playing a game in the comfort of your home than spending months in jail for trying to complete your sometimes-illegal bucket list, you can try out the games we’ve listed below.
Come hell or high water, these games are worth the last year of your life.
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
The earliest game in the Zelda universe’s chronology, it’s also the latest, and the spiffiest. Instead of mashing the A and B button, you now fully live Link’s adventure – with the WiiMote picking up your hack-and-slash actions.
Final Fantasy 7
If ever there was a video game that could move one to tears, amidst an honest, inspired storyline and cutting-edge gameplay even in this era, this is it. It’s still revered and loved by fanboys all over the world, and nothing else has quite come close.
Lady Popular
Live the life you always wanted (but couldn’t), all from the comfort and safety of your own home, with Lady Popular! This web-based MMO gives you control of a fully-customisable female avatar who can do everything from climbing the career ladder to getting a nose job or tattoo.
Grand Theft Auto
Stealing cars, fishing for girls and beating folk into the sidewalk until their money falls out of their pockets? Do that all and more in Grand Theft Auto, one of the world’s most popular games, selling more than 124.1 million units as of September last year.
Heroes of Might & Magic III
Turn-based strategy takes on a new meaning in HoMM3, commonly abbreviated as Heroes 3. Touted as one of the best Heroes game ever made, especially for competitive play, it has even spawned new, player-made patches a decade after its publication.
Diablo series
Stalk the defiled catacombs of a desecrated church in Diablo, traverse strange lands and beat up creatures that spit and snarl, and then shiver in anticipation for Diablo 3. The zenith and inspiration of many dungeon crawlers and hack-and-slashers, this is one franchise you cannot miss.
Island Café
Is running a restaurant that easy? Try your hand at it with Yahoo’s Island Café, a sweet restaurant sim replete with colourful characters and smooth, fuss-free gameplay. You can strike opening your own café off your bucket list now.
Sim City
In that same line, try being mayor of a small town, and then watch and help it grow in Sim City. A classic city building Sim, this has been an inspiration for generations of gamers. Some went on to be architects… others summoned aliens to rain down mass destruction.
Sonic the Hedgehog
One of the best platformers ever, with an altruistic cause to save your land from the evil Dr Robotnik, and to collect as many gold rings as possible. It’s tough, but not that tough: 6 hours should cut it, giving you more time to spend on the next game…
Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest
Not the latest in the series, we know, but likely the toughest due to its non-linear nature. But who can forget: “What a horrible night to have a curse.”
Take A Break. Try Some Of Our Games!
Harvest Moon: Back to Nature
Don’t believe what gaming news portals are saying. There was only ever ONE definitive Harvest Moon, and that was Back to Nature. Play it for the ultimate, well-balanced Harvest Moon experience. It got ported to the PSP as Harvest Moon: Boy & Girl, so you can try that if you don’t have a PlayStation :D
Streets of Rage a.k.a Bare Knuckle
Side –scrolling beat-em-up goodness is yours to savour in Streets of Rage, where you choose from three iconic characters to save your city from an evil crime syndicate. Similar to Golden Axe, but in an urban setting.
Super Street Fighter 2: Turbo
If you want more action, try Super Street Fighter 2. Another oldie but goodie, it is still being played in arcades around the world. Singaporean David ‘RealDeal’ Sim recently beat a host of international opponents to emerge champion at fighting game tournament Canada Cup 2011!
Tetris
The sort of game you can play to death.
Mafia
Get in some practice with Mafia, for when the world goes to pot and you need to form organised crime syndicates just to stay alive. Do jobs, make allies and enemies, and aim to take over your city step by illegal step with this social game.
Magicka
The ultimate in co-op action adventure games, Magicka is cheap, comes chock-full with cute DLCs, and doesn’t let you turn friendly fire off. What more can we say? All you need now are friends to play it with.
Metal Gear Solid
One of the best and most important games of all time, Metal Gear Solid is a definitive example of a game that popularised the stealth genre. Forget Assassin’s Creed and Skyrim, this is where sneaking around truly began.
StarCraft
The game that inspired generations around the world, and arguably helped grow e-Sports into the monster industry it is today. StarCraft is the game of a generation, especially in Korea, and few will tell you otherwise.
House of the Dead 4
What is it about arcade shooters that’s so addictive? Save the world from yet another zombie domination plot with just two handguns. The House of the Dead series is an arcade mainstay, and gives you good practice in case the world really does end with a zombie apocalypse.
I Have No Mouth, And I Must Scream
Based on a hellish, cold sweat inducing short story by Harlan Ellison, this point-and-click adventure game is a far cry from its friendly kin, like Hugo. Relive the events of the short story in full colour and experience a future that just might be yours come the end of the world.
