The holidays are quickly approaching. It's a season of gift giving, merry making and turkey eating. But it's also a time for appreciation . Specifically, appreciating what truly matters, video games. Whether it be a gameplay mechanic, an item or location, there are many aspects of video games that call forth our gratitude. With the assistance of additional contributors we've formed a collaborative list of what we're most thankful for in gaming.
10. Fairy Fountains - The Legend of Zelda Series
Hyrule can be a harsh landscape to traverse, even for seasoned adventurers like Link. When your hearts are low and your mind is weary, not many things are more relieving than stumbling upon a fairy fountain. Present in almost every main installment of the series, these magical springs not only restore Link's health but can act as a morale booster with the tranquility of its iconic musical theme. If Link were to fall in battle, fairies even have the ability to revive him from the dead, assuming he stocked up prior of course. Insurance in a bottle! What could be better?
9. Supports - League of Legends
The role of the support in League of Legends can take many forms. They supply the crowd control, heals and wards but aren't given the spotlight they deserve. Often blamed for losing or given little to no credit after victory, the supports still carry on nevertheless. From shielding your partners to turning the tides in a team fight, these champions are just as crucial as their damage dealing allies. Hold your heads up high supports, we acknowledge you and we are grateful.
8. Gestures - Monster Hunter Series
Connor T.'s Choice
The goal of the Monster Hunter games is for players to defeat a plethora of different monsters. As progress is made hunters are able to forge increasingly better equipment from the remains of the toppled beasts. However, solo hunting can only take you so far. Eventually, the monsters become too powerful and players must rely on the assistance of others through multiplayer.
Unfortunately, it appears that the popularity of the franchise in the United States pales in comparison to other countries. The language barrier resulted in playing with people from different nations often proves difficult. Despite that, the developers at Capcom have cleverly found a way to combat the issue through the game's option to use gestures. Your avatar has the ability to dance, cheer, sigh and even stomp the ground in frustration. It is unclear whether the sole purpose for this mechanic was to improve communication but attempting to do so through these simple animations has given me a pleasurable and often humorous experience with the games.
Unfortunately, it appears that the popularity of the franchise in the United States pales in comparison to other countries. The language barrier resulted in playing with people from different nations often proves difficult. Despite that, the developers at Capcom have cleverly found a way to combat the issue through the game's option to use gestures. Your avatar has the ability to dance, cheer, sigh and even stomp the ground in frustration. It is unclear whether the sole purpose for this mechanic was to improve communication but attempting to do so through these simple animations has given me a pleasurable and often humorous experience with the games.
7. Active Reload - Gears of War Series
Active reload is a concept used in various shooting games but most popularized by the Gears of Wars series. With a well timed press of a button, players are rewarded with a decrease in the time it takes to reload a weapon. If the timing is even more accurate a "perfect reload" is achieved that temporarily boosts the damage you deal.
Between the fast-paced skirmishes and bouncing around from wall to wall, landing a perfect reload every time can be hard. But when you do hear that click sound in tandem with Marcus Fenix saying, "Nice!" you can't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. On the other hand, failing an active reload accompanied by dialogue like, "C'mon man....not now!" is always frustrating and slightly whimsical.
Between the fast-paced skirmishes and bouncing around from wall to wall, landing a perfect reload every time can be hard. But when you do hear that click sound in tandem with Marcus Fenix saying, "Nice!" you can't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. On the other hand, failing an active reload accompanied by dialogue like, "C'mon man....not now!" is always frustrating and slightly whimsical.
6. Olympus Coliseum - Kingdom Hearts
There are nearly a dozen Disney themed worlds in Kingdom Hearts but none other share in my fondness more than the Olympus Coliseum level. Sora's goal throughout the game remains clear: search for your lost friends. However, this world based on the Hercules movie, distracts you with a different objective: becoming a "hero." Part of the process of reaching hero status, Sora and his crew must step into the coliseum ring to battle foes of increasing difficulty across the various cups unlocked.
With every revisit it feels great to notice how your strength has grown as you rise through the ranks. Also, in what other scenario can you duke it out against beloved Disney and Final Fantasy characters? Although the world has reappeared in other games in the series, nothing thus far has matched the simplicity and charm as the first time around.
With every revisit it feels great to notice how your strength has grown as you rise through the ranks. Also, in what other scenario can you duke it out against beloved Disney and Final Fantasy characters? Although the world has reappeared in other games in the series, nothing thus far has matched the simplicity and charm as the first time around.
5. Mass Relays - Mass Effect Series
Matt S.'s Choice
Picture a world where you can travel faster than the speed of light, traversing the cosmos faster than humanity could ever had conceived toward mysterious planets ripe with alien races just as likely to lend a hand as they are to cut off yours. This is the setting Bioware created for the Mass Effect universe.
Playing as Commander Shepard, you fight tirelessly against the reapers, a fight only made possible with the existence of ancient artifacts known as mass relays.
Mass relays allow spacecrafts to make instantaneous leaps across the galaxy, and whose technology is not understood since it is vastly beyond that of any galactic civilization. They tie together the worlds and systems enabling players to enjoy the pure splendor of the galaxy's beauty and diverse array of races.
Even the relays themselves are a marvel to behold. Massive, sleek structures that resemble a futuristic rifle ready to fire you across the galaxy at unfathomable speeds. At the heart of the relay is a vibrant electric blue core pulsating and only contained by two gyroscopic arms spinning around and keeping the element zero from escaping.
Experiencing Shepard's journey has always been my favorite way to not only relax from a long day, but also to dream about what we as humans can achieve outside of the confines of Earth.
Playing as Commander Shepard, you fight tirelessly against the reapers, a fight only made possible with the existence of ancient artifacts known as mass relays.
Mass relays allow spacecrafts to make instantaneous leaps across the galaxy, and whose technology is not understood since it is vastly beyond that of any galactic civilization. They tie together the worlds and systems enabling players to enjoy the pure splendor of the galaxy's beauty and diverse array of races.
Even the relays themselves are a marvel to behold. Massive, sleek structures that resemble a futuristic rifle ready to fire you across the galaxy at unfathomable speeds. At the heart of the relay is a vibrant electric blue core pulsating and only contained by two gyroscopic arms spinning around and keeping the element zero from escaping.
Experiencing Shepard's journey has always been my favorite way to not only relax from a long day, but also to dream about what we as humans can achieve outside of the confines of Earth.
4. Bonfires - Dark Souls Series
There isn't much that comes to mind that can hold a candle to the comforting sight of a bonfire in Dark Souls. In terms of save stations or checkpoints in video games the importance of bonfires outweigh other competitors with the amount of utility they offer. They are places in which players can mark their progress, secure the use of their precious souls, level up, change spells, refill their estus flask, and fast travel. Bonfires are truly a hollow's best friend. After long spurts of adventuring in the brutal lands of Lordran and Drangleic spotting the glints and glimmers in the distance that these small pyres emit can make even the sternest of unbelievers praise the sun!
3. Mother Base - Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
Connor T.'s Choice
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain follows the story of Big Boss attempting to fulfill his long-term dreams of creating a military without borders and a perfect world for soldiers. The hub of operations in the game is known as, Mother Base which grows slowly as players acquire more soldiers, weapons, and vehicles. Watching Mother Base evolve really makes the idea behind forming your own independent nation feel palpable. Yet, that isn't the only use for the stronghold. It seems clear that Snake's escapades were designed to be enjoyed in short bursts.
It can be easy to lose yourself completing missions in the game's vast open-world. However, the longer Big Boss spends out in the field the more physically and mentally fatigued he becomes resulting in blows to his performance in the form of increased vulnerability and decreased running stamina. Upon returning back to the base a variety of options are made available to take a load off which can include getting a shower, raising troop morale, or even taking a drive around the facility. The Metal Gear Solid franchise has always offered intense combat and a riveting story but for the first time players can take a break and relax from what can often be overwhelming to take in all at once.
It can be easy to lose yourself completing missions in the game's vast open-world. However, the longer Big Boss spends out in the field the more physically and mentally fatigued he becomes resulting in blows to his performance in the form of increased vulnerability and decreased running stamina. Upon returning back to the base a variety of options are made available to take a load off which can include getting a shower, raising troop morale, or even taking a drive around the facility. The Metal Gear Solid franchise has always offered intense combat and a riveting story but for the first time players can take a break and relax from what can often be overwhelming to take in all at once.
2. Hellhound Round - Call of Duty Series (Zombies Mode)
The zombies mode featured in different Call of Duty games can be addicting to say the least. Fighting wave after wave of undead creatures, upgrading weapons, and throwing monkey bombs has kept me playing years after World at War's heyday. As the rounds pile on the hectic combat and difficulty can become daunting. Luckily, since the introduction of hellhound rounds on the Shi No Numa map players provided with a brief reprieve from the chaos, time to regroup, and most importantly, MAX AMMO! It may be strange to say but I'm sure some would agree that the abrupt sound of guitar and lightning followed by a demonic voice commanding, "Fetch me their souls," never ceases to produce a sigh of relief.
1. Trade/Transfer System - Pokemon Series
Trading has always played a key role in the Pokemon games. After all, how else are you going to catch them all? But, it's time to step back and admire the impact that trading truly has had. Linking up with friends to acquire otherwise unobtainable Pokemon was one of the first instances in which games brought players together for a common goal.
Over the years, this system has been streamlined from using short cables between two devices to wirelessly exchanging across the globe. What is perhaps more commendable is that generation after generation developer, GameFreak, has been committed to providing means in which to transfer Pokemon from prior installments to current ones. The fact that players have to ability to preserve, what some may consider mere pixels over a span of nearly two decades truly brings a tear to the eye.
What are your feelings toward the list? Feel free to leave a comment below about your thoughts and what you are most thankful for in games. Happy holidays and thanks for reading!
Over the years, this system has been streamlined from using short cables between two devices to wirelessly exchanging across the globe. What is perhaps more commendable is that generation after generation developer, GameFreak, has been committed to providing means in which to transfer Pokemon from prior installments to current ones. The fact that players have to ability to preserve, what some may consider mere pixels over a span of nearly two decades truly brings a tear to the eye.
What are your feelings toward the list? Feel free to leave a comment below about your thoughts and what you are most thankful for in games. Happy holidays and thanks for reading!