Genshy's Top Five Games of 2002 (not in order)
Final Fantasy X (PS2)
Final Fantasy X was available first thing in 2002. Square's long running RPG series has long been one of the biggest selling and most beloved, always pushing the envelope in the genre. Little changed with FFX. Unfortunately, I'm not much of a fan of the series. On the surface I found FFX's basic premise and story rehashed from previous Square efforts, the progression a bit repetitive and the whole thing a little too gimmicky for my taste. Despite all that, there was no doubt that it was groundbreaking. Appealing characters in a story that moved many, stellar graphics, well balanced story and battle elements, and a whole slew of simple additions like extras, music and voice acting, all gave the game polish and the grand scale that only FF seems to be able to muster. FFX makes my list for that added polish, something I hope is well utilized in future RPGs.
Super Mario Sunshine (Gamecube)
I'm including Super Mario Sunshine for two reasons. First off, there seemed like a real shortage of impressive games this year on all the consoles. There were many games that were marginally above average, but few that seemed truly memorable. Hence, I had trouble finding games that I've played that should be included. Which leads to reason two: (a simple PS2 owner) if there was any game released this year that would've inspired me to buy a new console, it would've been this one. In Nintendo tradition and Mario style, it's still apparent that nothing beats the little red plumber in fun when it comes to jumping through bright, shiny worlds, fending off limbless enemies and saving his vacation. Sunshine makes the list for being my most wanted.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (PS2)
If something works the first time, why bother changing it? Grand Theft Auto 3, released in 2001, was a huge breath of fresh air for gamers who desired a merging of action and racing games to give them their daily fix of rampant destruction. And it did it with flare and balance, creating perhaps one of the most replayable full-length games ever. Rockstar's word of work on a new project made many predict an expansion of its predecessor. Not so. It was a true sequel that came out. While GTA: VC didn't up the ante graphically or change the game's premise or play, it gave gamers a new setting, characters, missions, cars, music and several additions (motorcycles and challenges) that ultimately made an already good thing that much better. Vice City makes the list because of it's lasting appeal and unique concept.
Jak & Daxter (PS2)
Jak & Daxter was another early release, December of 2001 actually. But it made Greatest Hits this year and it's a recent play for me so, I've decided to include it. Other platformers showed up later this year, the aforementioned Mario Sunshine, Sly Cooper and Ratchet & Clank to name a few, all with interesting characteristics of their own, but Jak & Daxter could arguably be considered the first real example of a next-gen platformer. Like its kin, this game relied on timed jumping sequences, themed worlds, and predictable item retrieval, but those are platformer standards. Jak & Daxter expanded on the old genre favorites superbly. Naughty Dog created a game with a humorous cast and mesmerizing environments, which weren't connected through warps and tunnels but laid out in one continuous island world. At any point one could turn and see the place where they started on the horizon. Jak & Daxter makes the list for it's seamless graphics and light-hearted play that challenged, but never punished the player.
Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land (GBA)
Oddly enough, looking over my list, I'm surprised to find that none of the reasons noted for making it onto it were originality. Rather, most were for improving on existing play mechanics and graphics. So there's no reason to stop now. Kirby's Adventure on the NES was one of my most favorite and addictive games. Unable to play it for years, I was pleasantly surprised to find that Dream Land on GameBoy Advance was virtually the same game, complete with the same bosses and enemies (darling hats this time, marking ability changes), but with what else, better graphics and extras. All of which made the game even better than I remembered. Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land makes the list for breathing new life into a favorite classic, and this time in portable mode.
