khalfroyo games

Awards season is upon us, and much like a coveted Grammy or Oscar, the SBP awards are only given out to those games which for me served as a landmark achievement or created an indelible mark on my gaming experience. Without further ado, let’s get into the first category!

Best of the Oldies (game is over 10 years old)

Grim Fandango, 1998.

This game was an excellent reminder of how simple controls, a solid story, and great dialogue can create an enduring classic. Add to that great art style and a solid jazzy soundtrack and it easily stood out as the best of the older games in this column. In 1998 when it was originally released, I was only 10 years old and still only playing games on a Gameboy. Story in most of the games I played were either “solve the puzzle” or “save the princess”, and while in many ways this is also true for Grim Fandango, it was unique in that the characters actually evolved throughout the span of the narrative and had nuance.

The puzzles were also quite challenging (almost infuriatingly so, bordering on “is this actually bugged”?). There were moments  where I was left scratching my head as I realized I had taken a wrong turn or was at a loss on where to go next, but once I figured it out I was strapped in for more.

I bought this game solely because I had heard how great it was. I’m so glad it lived up to the expectation, and I recommend it to anyone who hasn’t experienced it and has it sitting in their backlog as well!

Best Story

Firewatch, 2016.
Runner up: Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture, 2015.

I know, I know…people are split on how they feel about this game. One thing is undeniable though, the story is so full of suspense and intrigue and you can’t help but work it out. As soon as I took control of Henry, I wanted to explore the woods and enjoy the virtual scenery. I felt the pain and loneliness that he experienced as he tried to find solace in the woods. I felt the excitement and internal conflict as he spoke more and more to Delilah over the radio. I felt the panic and unease as the mystery of the main narrative began to unwrap. Though many did not like how it concluded, the story throughout felt like a book that I couldn’t wait to get back to, a true page-turner, through and through. This is a short game but a must play.

Most Captivating

Grand Theft Auto V, 2013.

Not much needs to be said here that hasn’t already been said about this game. The environment, the characters, and random occurrences, the absurd physics, and the fun missions and side quests were completely engrossing and just chewed hours away. Add to that the unpredictability and variation that came with GTA Online and it’s easy to see why this game is still so popularly enjoyed even now, almost 10 years after its release.

Best Series

Fallout, 1997-now.

Fallout…Fallout never changes. Except when it did. And a lot of people didn’t like it at first. Then many loved it. Then felt lukewarm about it. Then loved it again. Such has been the roller coaster of Fallout fandom, but for me this series did an excellent job of combining post-apocalyptic environments with whimsy and wonder. Even Fallout: New Vegas which took me several attempts at playthrough eventually pulled me in and gave me many memorable moments of gaming excellence.

My favorite aspects of this game involved creating relationships and connecting with different factions. So much attention and love went into each game’s storylines and character backstories that it’s hard not to respect and appreciate the world these studios have created over the years. Despite a few missteps along the way (namely Fallout 76), I’m sure this will be an enduring franchise for years to come.

Grand Theft Auto as a runner up was a close call, as it delivered a grand slam in gaming with Vice City, San Andreas, IV, and V. Ultimately though, the universe that Fallout created and all the layers within are what brought it to the next level for me.

Best Game

God of War, 2018.

I straight up geeked out over this game. I really enjoyed the other God of War titles on the Playstation 3, but this one sent it over for me. What a fantastic journey together with Kratos and Atreus. The visuals were spectacular, the fights were visceral, and the story was heart wrenching. This was one of the few games that pulled me into the side quests, mostly because it didn’t overwhelm me in sheer volume of tasks. Also, all the side quests felt like it contributed to the overall story, if not to the mythos behind the narrative. There wasn’t a single thing that I could complain about,  even the most grindy portions of the game (I think I spent 8 hours alone in Niflheim clearing out all the realm tears and obtaining the armor I wanted, and another 4 hours in the Helheim gauntlet).

The main story itself was the highlight of the game, for the first time in the series really making you care about Kratos, his fate, living with his actions, and resolving his new role as a father. Managing Atreus felt like what I imagine dealing with a rebellious child would be like, frustrating at times but other times full of pride (and relief). The voice acting is top notch, the scripting and level designs are phenomenal, and the side quests were incredibly rewarding.

My favorite side quest line was completing the Valkyrie challenges, and finally defeating Sigrun, Queen of the Valkyries. Not exaggerating, that was one of the most challenging game bosses I’ve ever faced, and in the difficulty I was playing on, took me almost 5 hours to beat. I didn’t allow myself to begin the endgame until this task was complete, and it was even more rewarding because of that perseverance. Pretty much every side quest chain was super well executed, particularly the adventure to free a few legendary dragons, and the quest to reconcile the relationship of two unforgettable blacksmith brothers. This was a must-play, even if it meant buying the console just to play it and perhaps a few of the other fantastic Playstation exclusives.

On to the next column!!!