I have three games that I considered the absolute cream of
the crop of this generation. They couldn’t be more different in terms of genre
and gameplay, but they all share one blissfully simple trait – control. Dark
Souls is a gruelling adventure that’s completely dictated by how you develop
your character. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker is stealth at its most intense,
giving you the final say on every aspect of the game. And XCOM: Enemy Unknown? You decide everything
from how a battle plays out to where you place your sick bay.
Even my current front-runner for Game of the Year, Soul Sacrifice, is all about handing the game's direction over to you.
In my heart of hearts I know that somewhere amidst this list
there should be a Platinum game. The team comes from the exact same school of
thought as the games mentioned above. Sure, the bulk of the studio’s portfolio
consists of linear action adventures, but each one features a combat system tuned
to a liberating degree of finesse. Within each system is the opportunity to
learn, expand and master countless sets of combos and intricacies. The result
is usually something that lets you squeeze the very top level of performance
out of every fight, given the necessary dedication.
