Number 1 with a bullet -
January 03, 2001 - Chris Jones
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed
within this column are those of the participants and the
moderator, and do not necessarily reflect those of the
GIA. There is coarse language and potentially offensive
material afoot. ...or maybe I'll just go bowling instead.
Don't say we didn't warn you.
Between having to pack for a trip and having to fight off a
cold, I just don't have time to put up a real column tonight,
sorry. And it's a damn shame too, because there were some good
letters on that topic. Fear not, though, all is not lost. Below is
the 2000 games poll writeup I promised, and with a little luck
I'll be in early enough tomorrow to do tonight's column for
tomorrow night. That said, here we go...
The 2000 GIA Double Agent Reader Poll
No fancy faux awards tonight, folks, just the straight results of the
poll we've been having over the past few days. Roughly 100 people sent in
top five lists for the year, which I've evaluated by giving a 5th place
game 1 point, a 4th place game 2 points, and so on. I wasn't real specific
about which games were eligable, so pretty much everything was counted in
the tally this year, from imports to PC games. (I might have trashed some
of this extraneous stuff if it had made any real difference in the top 10,
but it didn't, so...) The only thing I didn't include were votes for games
that weren't released in 2000.
If you're interested in the raw tally you can take a look here - there
may be some mistakes, both in my math and in the games included, but I
doubt it'll have any real results on the tally.
While I'm thinking of it, here's my top 5 list of the year. The
site's annual feature of staff picks should shead some light on my
reasoning, until then you'll just have to be satisfied with the list.
- Vagrant Story
- Saga Frontier 2
- Zelda: Majora's Mask
- Threads of Fate
- Final Fantasy IX
I should point out, however, that I still haven't had time to play Skies
of Arcadia or Lunar 2 yet, and I gather there's a pretty good chance that
it's good enough to crack my list. Otherwise, I'm satisfied with what I've
put up.
And now, here's the top
10, along with some associated blurbs, followed by a complete ranked list
of all games.
Onward.
| 10: Jet Grind Radio: 29
points
|
| Before anyone replies with a flame saying that I'm some
graphics demon who likes cel-shading (as true as that may be), I want to say
that the whole package made JGR enjoyable, the graphics, the music, the
gameplay, the comedy, the weird-yet-intruiging story. When I was finished, I
didn't turn it off like most games, instead I played the first few stages
over again, just because I liked it so much.
Mike Drucker |
| 9: Grandia 2: 30
points
|
| ::gasp:: "but Skies of Arcadia is better! The story of Grandia 2= sucks!"
Ok, first, I haven't played Skies of Arcadia yet; and second, I don't think
the story of Grandia 2 is any worse than any other RPG. Sure, you're
invariably 'saving the girl' or 'saving the world' but the translation and
characterization of Grandia 2 is so well done that the story instantly
becomes better. Not to mention the fact that the battle system is such a
refreshing change from other turnbased RPG systems. Oh, and you get a free
soundtrack CD with the game; no need to buy one or even mail in a coupon.
It's right there in the package! Much love to GameArts for that gift.
-Greg Lytle
|
| 8: Front Mission 3: 36
points
|
| This year, it wasn't even a contest. Front Mission 3 proves so unbelievably
addictive that I'd rather play it through again before trying the other
titles on my top 5.
Richard "KZ" Knight
|
| 7: Zelda: Majora's Mask: 54
points
|
| I thought Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask was the best
game out this year because it blended action and RPG gameplay like no
other game has ever done before, and that gives it high ratings in my
books. The mask idea was an idea that I didn't think was that fully developed in Ocarina of Time, and I was glad to see that they were taking that concept to the next level. Mix that with awesome graphics, a fantastic story, and compelling gameplay, and you've got the game of 2000. Cheers, have a good year.
-Adam.
|
| 6: Valkyrie Profile: 62
points
|
| Though my choice was limited because I play mostly RPGs, I have to say
that out of all the best game I've played this year is Valkyrie Profile. It
has a great storyline, innovative combat system, multiple difficulty levels,
and decent voice acting; thus, Valkyrie Profile wins my vote for the best
game of 2000.
-Nathan Futrell |
| 5: Lunar 2: Eternal Blue Complete: 84
points
|
| Why pick Lunar 2 as the best of the year? Simple: Its
superb translation and characterizations. The plot
was nothing spectacular, but the immense detail in
what the NPC's said combined with a lot more character
development than is in other RPGs makes it stand out.
It also helped that the battles were difficult (the
next-to-ast form of the final enemy killed me 3 times.
The last time I lost to one of those was FFIV).
-Saragar
|
| 4: Skies of Arcadia: 96
points
|
| Skies is the first truly *fun* RPG I've played in a
long time. There have been lots of entertaining RPGs lately, but Skies
managed to engage my brain in a different way than most. It was lighthearted
without being juvenile or simplistic (unlike, say , Grandia) and possessed that holy
grail of RPGs, a simple but adaptable battle system. The characters - including
the supporting cast - were great, and there was plenty of humor which never
detracted from the overall story.
-J. Parish |
| 3: Vagrant Story: 176
points
|
| 1. Vagrant Story: Haven't had a game that I started
playing up months after I beat it, played from the very beginning (rather
than a saved file), and still throughly enjoyed in a while... since
FF7. Is that a good enough reason?
-Princess Jemmy
|
| 2: Chrono Cross: 221
points
|
Chrono Cross is a carefully crafted game incorporating intelligent,
delicately interwoven storylines, an enjoyable battle system, and beautiful
graphics and sound. One of the most outright fun games of 2000, Chrono
Cross maintains the epic RPG spirit while freeing itself from the tedious
conventions held by most of its brethren.
-lowtech
My new "Favorite RPG Ever," surpassing (just barely)
Final Fantasy IV. Even though purportedly a sequel, it was original in
every way. It had a combat system that made battles enjoyable, instead of a
chore. Many interesting characters abond, though a few too many overall.
However, the crowning achievement is the music... the best score of 2000:
movie, video game, whatever. A masterpiece.
-- Nick Ware |
| 1: Final Fantasy IX: 223
points
|
| Simply, it was the most fun I've ever had with an FF game.
Endearing characters, good story, great fun.
--The Steve
All I got to say is the series can go on forever as long as it stays this
good!
Lance CA
|
The Compete List
(games with more than 5 points)
- Final Fantasy IX: 223
- Chrono Cross: 221
- Vagrant Story: 176
- Skies of Arcadia: 96
- Lunar 2: Eternal Blue Complete: 84
- Valkyrie Profile: 62
- Zelda: Majora's Mask: 54
- Front Mission 3: 36
- Grandia 2: 30
- Jet Grind Radio: 29
- Shenmue: 27
- Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2: 22
- Legend of Mana: 20
- Persona 2: Eternal Punsihment: 19
- Perfect Dark: 17
- Wild Arms 2: 13
- Ogre Battle 64: 13
- Threads of Fate: 11
- Pokemon Gold/Silver: 11
- Mega Man Legends 2: 11
- Deus Ex: 9
- Resident Evil: Code Veronica: 8
- NFL 2001: 7
- Madden 2001: 7
- Crazy Taxi: 7
- SSX: 7
- Harvest Moon: Back to Nature: 6
- Samba de Amigo: 6
- Monkey Island 4: 6
- Breath of Fire 4: 6
- Koudelka: 6
And that's all, folks. Some of the raw data's pretty interesting, if you
choose to dive in - FF9 was the top game of the year, but comparatively
few people chose it as their #1 title. More statistical analysis than that,
I'll leave up to you. Catch you tomorrow, with a little luck.
-Chris Jones, in transit
|
