My Top 10 Video Games

So I'm a little sick, stuffed head and what not. Not the most enjoyable physical state, but what can you do?

So I've given it some though, I'm going to write about my top 10 video games of all time. These are my personal choices and I'll explain why I love these games so much. However, I've found that this list has been constantly changing throughout the years, so who knows how long this top 10 will last? Perhaps a new, better game will come out and smash one of these titles off my list. I know some of these managed to take away other titles from my list, so who knows right?

Anyways, my top 10 video games will not only be based on quality but what they mean to me. Most of this may come off as very snobbish, I may talk about a ton of different concepts and themes that would make you go 'They're just video games dude, calm down'. But you know what? Video games, to me, are what I love. I have my reasons to love these games, I have my reasons for feeling what I feel, sure they may seem trivial to you, perhaps you may not agree with me, but that's all part of having an opinion!

So here it goes, my top 10 video games of all time:

10. Dark Souls

Prepare to die. Prepare to learn.

What can I say about Dark Souls?

It's incredible difficulty?

It's absolutely engrossing atmosphere?

It's ability to tell a story without telling it?

How about those tight, tight controls and innovative multiplayer design?

To put it short, Dark Souls is fantastic. I could spend pages and pages discussing the story elements, the gameplay, the world, the mechanics, etc but that's not the point of this article.

Some of you may be wondering what puts Dark Souls above it's predecessor Demon's Souls and it's successor Dark Souls 2. To me, Dark Souls was the perfect balance of accessibility without sacrificing the famous difficulty. Demon's Souls was amazing, so was Dark Souls 2, but Demon's Souls was much more difficult than Dark Souls and Dark Souls 2 was far too easy (if you've played previous Souls games you'd be able to tell).

Dark Souls also came about during a time where modern video games tend to hold the players hand throughout their play through. Player 1, you objective is X, do it now. Player 1, you're going too far off bounds, return to the game! Player 1, this is how you interact with objects, and jump, and look around, and crouch, etc etc. 

Dark Souls gets rid of the unnecessary hand holding, it treats it's players like adults. It gives you the wheel and tells you to go on a long drive and learn on the way. While not the best analogy (I'm sick remember) it outlines what most Dark Souls players go through. You are put in a dark, grim world with no real direction. The tutorial is basically absent, the game is telling you to explore. Messages scrawled on walls and floors of the world tell you what button does what, but they don't force you to read them. It's more of a 'if you feel like doing this, go ahead and see what happens' feeling. Which brings me to one of the most important aspects of Dark Souls...

Death.

Be ready to see this a lot. But unlike most game, this won't discourage you

Death is everything in this game. Death is your teacher. Death is your judge. If you die, it's because you messed up somehow, but where exactly did you slip up? Was it because you got too greedy and tried to hit the boss a couple more times, draining away your stamina? Was it because you rolled a little too early and got smashed by that hammer? Or was it because you misread your enemies movements? It's up to the player to realize their mistakes, and by doing so you become a stronger person from it. You learn as you die, a motto that will be ever so familiar to the Dark Souls player. While most games punish you or continue to baby you when you die (Would you like to play on an easier difficulty?) Dark Souls picks you up again and tells you to 'Keep going' without changing anything.

Dark Souls is a perfect example of what Rocky says to his son in Rocky Balboa:

"Let me tell you something you already know.The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place, and I don’t care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard you hit, it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done!"

9. Final Fantasy 6

Please Square Enix...More of this please!

Most people that play the Final Fantasy games always reference Final Fantasy 4, Final Fantasy 6, Final Fantasy 7 or Final Fantasy X as their favorites in the series. I agree, those listed are some of the best that this long standing franchise has ever produced and it's a shame we don't get to see the same sort of quality nowadays. However, based on my time with the Final Fantasy games, I have to say that my favorite is Final Fantasy 6.

So what is it about Final Fantasy 6 that makes me love it more than the others? Well to me, it's definitely the story and it's villain. 

I'll never forget my time in the World of Balance.

I'll never forget the time one of my characters suplexed a train!

I'll never forget the insanity of Kefka, and the first time I heard his laughter in 16 bit glory. 

Final Fantasy 6 was also the series first step out of the medieval fantasy realm and right into the steampunk, 19th century setting. It was a fresh and interesting change, especially when coupled with the concept that magic is basically absent from this world. What replaces magic is, of course, industry. Coal mining, trains, etc are all very much present in the world of Final Fantasy 6. However, as a result of the absence of magic, we see experiments being done to bring back magic in the form of technology. Something that the game calls Magitek. This becomes a central concept in the game, but it also serves as the origins of (in my opinion) the best Final Fantasy villain.

Kefka is the embodiment of evil. If he were to have any other comparison, it would be the Joker from Batman comics. Chaotic evil, a clown, a murderer and a straight up psychopath. Unlike other Final Fantasy villain, Kefka just wants to (and I quote) destroy everything. He has no real purpose, he has no real motivation, he's simply driven by his insanity and desire to wipe out all life. And guess what? He succeeds.

OH GOD

This is the most enduring thing about Kefka and Final Fantasy 6 as a whole. Kefka literally destroys everything and becomes a god. No other villain in the Final Fantasy franchise has managed to achieve something of this magnitude. Hell, he even creates a throne out of the rubble and bodies of the things he's destroyed, sitting on top and laughing at his success. Usually this is considered the ultimate bad ending in most games. How do you redeem yourself after the villain has achieved their goal and then some? This of course doesn't stop Tera and her friends. They continue to fight and even end up destroying Kefka, a god. 

Hell...yeah.

At the end of the game, all magic has most definitely disappeared from the world. Kefka was the only thing left that held magic together in that world. As his throne crumbles, and as Tera feels the effects of magic leaving the world, she is told that she will survive. You see, she's half esper, a being of magic, so without magic, espers would also die out. But thanks to her holding onto her human half, she manages to survive. The world is slowly rejuvenating itself, bringing forth the theme of destruction and creation full circle. 

8. RockBand 3

Are you ready for a Bohemian Rhapsody sing along?

I love music. Everyone loves music. So what downside is there to being able to play a video game that emulates the ability to perform music? 

No downside that I can think of!

I've put at least a thousand hours into RockBand 3, either alone or with friends. It is by far the ultimate party game. Each person that plays will be able to find some sort of enjoyment from the numerous play styles that the game presents. Whether it's singing on the microphone, flicking the guitar, drumming on the drum set, there's just this endless supply of enjoyment from this game and from the franchise as a whole.

The reason hwy RockBand 3 is in my top 10 is specifically because of how much fun you can have with this one game. It can be as casual as you want, it can be as hardcore as you want. Are you simply playing it to pass time? Are you chasing those high scores? Perfecting your technique? Well there's always something for you to do in RockBand that will fit your needs. Hell, RockBand 3 is also the ultimate entry in the series that introduces pro instruments, a keyboard, and the ability to download every single song that was ever released as DLC for the previous games. Content is the name of the game here and RockBand 3 surely delivers.

MUSIC!

Since there's not much I can say about RockBand 3 (because really, it's a party game, I can't really discuss story can I?) I will say this...

If you're ever looking for a good time,

If you're ever looking for a game to play with friends at a party, at a get together,

If your non-gamer family members need to be entertained,

RockBand 3 is all you need.

7. Shadow of the Colossus

spoilers: This is the first guy you fight.

Team Ico are an interesting developer. They've literally only have 2 games under their belt and yet they have a huge fan following. Why is that?

Well, Ico was indeed amazing. In short, it was basically an entire game about escorting an NPC around. But UNLIKE other escort missions/games, Ico was the first to make you really feel connected to your NPC. The adventure of Ico and Yorda was not a typical one, told with fancy cutscenes and voiced dialogue. In fact, I can relate it closely to how Pixar's Wall-E developed it's two main characters without any dialogue. 

But this isn't about Ico, this is about it's successor, Shadow of the Colossus.

Unlike Ico, Shadow of the Colossus focuses on massive scale. Instead of platforming and puzzles it's platforming and combat. Amazing combat too. Not typical combat mind you, it was less about combos and swinging your sword mindlessly but more about managing your grip and finding the right spots to hit the enemy with. Again, this sound typical and maybe it is, but once you get a hold of the controller and scale your very first colossus, you'll know what I mean.

The world that Shadow of the Colossus takes place in is empty and desolate. Your only objective is to kill the 16 colossi that roam the land. Other than that, there's not much you can do. But that's again, besides the point. Each level is just a giant boss fight, the game will last you a good 10-15 hours as well. Coupled with an amazing sound track and once again, a heartfelt story about love and exceeding your limitations, Shadow of the Colossus has managed to stay in my mind for years and years to come. 

The story is pretty typical, but the way it's told is just as amazing as Ico's. No dialogue from the main character. No exposition about who the girl he's holding might be. No explanation of why or how the main character is in this forbidden land. The only guidance we have is from a demonic voice telling the player that if they want to save the girl, they must slay the Collossi.

There's just nothing quite like getting the attention of an enormous giant, who steadily moves it's way towards you, slamming it's giant club down near your feet. You quickly get up after being staggered and realize what you have to do: Jump onto the club and run straight up the giants arm.

"I gotta fight that with this sword? M'kay, no problem!"

There's nothing like clinging on for dear life as a giant bird-like creature swoops and dives, attempting to shake you off it's wing, while you slowly climb and reach it's weakpoint (shown by your sword of course). You raise your sword to take a stab...

There's just nothing like riding on your horse, dodging the gargantuan feet of a giant turtle, shooting arrows at it in hope of causing some damage. The realization that your arrows do nothing to harm the giant makes you rush at the creature, makes you jump off your horse, makes you climb the collossus and hope to God you don't fall off.

Shadow of the Colossus is indeed a game worth playing. It's a game worth talking about. It's a game worth remembering.

6. Left 4 Dead 2

Those guys who boycotted this game sure missed out!

Just like RockBand 3, Left 4 Dead and Left 4 Dead 2 hold a special place in my heart as one of my top games. Not because of it's story-telling, not because of it's world building, but because of the sheer amount of fun you can have by yourself or with friends. 

Left 4 Dead 2 specifically takes this spot because of one word:

Content.

Not only do you have tons and tons of different modes, you have all the original Left 4 Dead 1 maps to accompany the Left 4 Dead 2 maps. Along with some free, short campaigns, mods, and so much more, Left 4 Dead 2 has enough content to keep players coming back for more and more. 

Get together with some friends and play a campaign on expert! Spend hours and hours just trying to get a little further in that finale!

"Kill all sons of bitches. That's my official instructions."

Grab some MORE friends and have an exhilarating 4v4 versus session with some hilarious moments that you'll talk about for years to come!

Play online with some random people in competitive or co-operative modes in your favourite maps. Hell, even host your own server with mods that change how the game i played!

You got some time to kill? Play a quick single player campaign and just kill zombies!

The possibilities are endless.

As far as I'm concerned, Left 4 Dead 2 represents some of Valves best work. With so much content and so much replay ability it's hard for me to not place Left 4 Dead 2 in my top 10 list. It continues to be one of those games that I'll constantly return to when there's just nothing else to play with friends. Hopefully Left 4 Dead 3 manages to continue this trend!

5. The Last of Us

A perfect blend of gameplay and story

Developer Naughty Dog really hit a home run with this game.

No other game I've played manages to blend story-telling and gameplay so seamless like The Last of Us did.

Considering it's one of the most recent games to come out on this list, let me explain as quickly as I can about what this game means to me.

The Last of Us delivers a heartfelt story about loss, redemption, survival, love. It's a story I'm sure that's been told many time before, but Naughty Dog successfully takes the age old formula and polishes it to a fine sheen. The same cane be said about the gameplay. While most modern games that attempt to approach the 'cinematic' experience end within 3-5 hours or create a linear path for the player to go through, The Last of Us manages to make it's campaign last for at least 12-15 hours, depending on how it's played of course.

Now, considering how well crafted the world is, you'll be spending TONS of time simply exploring the finer details of the world. See that abandoned house? Better explore it and see if there are any supplies to scavenge...but oh wait, this house actually has dialogue? Awesome, I get to find out more about the characters!

Gameplay may be unoriginal, but it is definitely not a negative point. People who complain about a game that doesn't have original gameplay are fools. There's just no possible way that EVERY game can be original, it's just insane! Instead, The Last of Us has incredibly polished gameplay. It's quite similar to many other third person shooters and possibly to other stealth/horror games but the mechanics are improved so much that it's hard to argue that the games that it's taken inspiration from are better. It's another one of those games that needs to be played in order to fully understand this.

Besides the single player, Naughty Dog has also managed to put in a superb multiplayer portion of the game as well. The combat, environments, and atmosphere from the single player transfer flawlessly into multiplayer. You'll find yourself stressing out whenever you hear enemies nearby. You'll laugh with glee as you execute your first enemy player, but run and hide as you're being overrun. It's an exhilarating experience that I've found myself enjoying far beyond my expectations.

OH GOD!

The Last of Us represents what other developers should do if they're attempting to capture the cinematic feel in a video game. Create an engaging world, have story telling take place as the game is played (not through lengthy cutscenes), and above all have amazing, engaging gameplay to match.

Games like Spec Ops: The Line deliver amazing stories, but lack in gameplay.

Games like Skyrim deliver awesome gameplay, but lack in story.

Games like The Last of Us provide both.

4. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

NOSTALGIAGASM

Most people have an undying love for Ocarina of Time. I agree, it's a great game worthy of praise. But whenever I think of The Legend of Zelda, I always think of A Link to the Past.

A Link to the Past had everything. A simple story giving the player purpose straight off the bat, excellent and tight controls, a huge world to explore, secrets stashed away at every corner, and so much more. 

The Dark World was also an awesome addition. While generally a copy/paste of the main world, it was basically like having an entirely new map to explore (thanks to more secrets, enemies, paths, etc). 

I've probably beat A Link to the Past about 10 times. Most of which was done on my GameBoy Advanced. Hell, I even managed to speed through that game in a day once because I felt like challenging myself.

A Link to the Past, like all other Zelda games, was huge. first you had to find the 3 pendants to get the master sword. Then you had to beat the 8 dungeons and save some people. Your antagonist changed from Agahnim to Ganon. Your abilities and weapons grew as you discovered secrets. The world was quite literally your playground. While it did give you a set objective, and you HAD to beat it, you could do it on your own time. Perhaps after defeating a dungeon you could just walk around the world a bit and see what you can uncover with your new tools?

This map makes me happy

What can I say about A Link to the Past that hasn't already been said?

It's awesome.

Go play it.

I mean sure, you could play it's sequel, A Link Between Worlds, but it's just not the same...

3. Pokemon Gold/Silver

A grand adventure awaits you

This was a hard choice. I wanted to pick Ruby/Sapphire originally specifically because Ruby and Sapphie introduced a lot of the mechanics that modern day Pokemon games use, like natures, abilities, weather, etc.

But hands down, Gold and Solver takes the number 3 spot specifically because of how huge the games are.

The original Red and Blue Pokemon games blew my mind as a kid as it did with every other kid who played them. We were obsessed with collecting these little creatures and pitting them against each other for personal glory. It was exhilarating to discover new species and learning about their abilities, finding out what their evolution were like, using them in battles etc etc.

So imagine my absolute excitement when Gold and Silver were released. 

This was way back when the Internet wasn't even a thing. Plus I didn't get as much information about games as I do nowadays since I didn't even buy game magazines or what not. So how I managed to find out about these games sorta baffles me today as well. But when I heard that there was a new Pokemon game out with over 100 new Pokemon, I basically shit bricks.

I got the Silver version because I though the legendary on the cartridge looked much cooler than some golden chicken looking thing.

Popped the game into my game-boy color and BAM, a whole new adventure awaited.

Cyndaquil was my starter. A foreign looking Pokemon that I had no previous knowledge about, But I liked that it's back was on fire. My first wild encounter was with a Sentret, so naturally I captured that thing immediately. It was a fresh experience for me. I just kept throwing Pokeballs at every new thing I came across. It was exciting. It was new. It was fun.

HOLY SHIT! WHAT IS THAT? WHY DO I WANT IT?

The Johto region would also prove to be an interesting place to me, especially with the concept of time ACTUALLY passing by and NPCs calling me on my phone (WHAT??). These small additions to the game meant the world to me. It made the world of Pokemon come to life even more than I could have ever imagined. 

But that wasn't all. After Johto was conquered by me and my trusty team of Pokemon, we moved right back to Kanto where the original games took place.

Bricks

Were

Shat.

I GET TO EXPLORE KANTO AGAIN? OH MY GOD!!

It was, again, excitement at it's finest. I couldn't wait to battle the gym leaders and all the Kanto trainers. I couldn't wait to capture new and old species. I couldn't wait to put my team's strength to the test.

Of course, I was even blown away by the fact that you could battle Red on Mount Silver as well. Holy shit, I love it when games do that, letting you fight the previous games protagonist. It's just the best feeling in the world.

Pokemon Gold/Silver were some of the best Pokemon games out there, perhaps they still are (especially thanks to the amazing remakes HeartGold and SoulSilver), some might disagree and say that other games are best. But that's fine. To me, Pokemon Gold/Silver encapsulated everything I love about the Pokemon games. Excitement, Fun, Adventure.

2. Persona 4

Honestly the best RPG game I've ever played, but also the hardest to explain

Nearing the end of this list, I really REALLY had trouble placing some games above one another. But then I said to myself 'eh fuck it, I love all these games, so it's all good!'

So my number 2 pick is Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4.

If you know me, you'd know that I've been an evangelical about Persona 4. Preaching about it's greatness and asking others to join me in it's glory. But when people ask me what the game is about, this is where things get super weird and hard to explain.

You see, Persona 4 is a JRPG. But it's a JRPG unlike any other. Specifically because Persona 3 and Persona 4 have a 'Social Link' system and the ability to collect demons that are powered by suck social links.

What are Social Links? This is where the weirdness steps in. People equate the Persona series as a mix between RPG and Dating Sim. The term 'Dating Sim' really turns a lot of people off. But it's NOTHING like a dating sim. it's more RPG than anything else. Social Links are basically when you, the character, interact with specific NPC's in the world and gain a stronger relationship with them. This is done through in game events that require you to make choices. Most people don't know this, but the choices do matter to an extent. Choosing the right dialogue options will increase your relationship levels with the NPC and in return, strengthen specific demons in your collection.

How I feel when I try to explain someone about the greatness of this game

Now I could go on and on about the gameplay mechanics, but let's not. This is something you have to experience for yourself.

Instead, let's focus on what makes this game so great.

So the story of the game...perfect.

It follows a lot of typical anime tropes, but, similar to The Last of Us, it takes these already established tropes and polishes them to a fine sheen. You play as your own character, a set male character model who's ready to be molded into whatever you want him to become. You are put in a small Japanese town to attend a year of highschool at. Here, you'll gain friends that you'll never forget, but ultimately you'll be attempting to solve some murders that have been taking place around town since your arrival. 

Now these murders aren't typical, they're quite chilling. People are found hanging off of telephone poles, and everything seems to relate to a mysterious urban legend called "The Midnight Channel". People say that when you turn on your TV at exactly 12 AM on certain nights, you'll see your lover on the other end of the television. But what does this myterious channel have to do with the murders? Play the game. Seriously. Shit gets real.

ANYWAYS, the game's story is kinda hard to explain, but that's the gist of it. The first hour or so is quite linear, but once the game opens up, you'll find yourself planning out your days. Perhaps you'll study so you can get good grades in that test coming up in several weeks? Perhaps you'll hang out with Yosuke, the first friend you meet in Inaba? Perhaps you'll spend time flirting with the many bachelorettes?

Just be sure that you're not seeing two girls at the same time. It won't end well for you.

OR you could spend time grinding in the Shadow World?

Yes, every day, in the evening, you have the option to head into the Shadow World, a world that resides within television sets, and fight demons. Leveling up, finding loot, etc. Once you're in the Shadow World, the game changes from a social life simulator into a full blown RPG. The equipment you've bought in the real world transfers into the Shadow World. You social links strengthen the many demons you'll have in your disposal (eventually even Satan himself will be under your command). You move through these randomized dungeons, fighting and fighting, moving from floor to floor. Eventually reaching a boss...but what are the bosses like?

Well, to make it simple, the bosses are the shadows of the inhabitants of Inaba. A central theme of the game is the idea that the media and others will see you differently than how you see yourself. The "real you" is something you need to accept if you hope to survive the shadows. Denying that they are really you will end up having you killed. Of course, the way that these shadows depict how you really are will be ugly and quite harsh, so it's not easy for the characters to accept. 

QUICK, FIGHT THE PERSONIFICATION OF THE FEAR OF NOT BEING MASCULINE ENOUGH!

This leads to some even more amazing themes of self acceptance, discovering your true self, fighting for those you love, and ultimately accepting the truth.

The Truth...the ultimate weapon in the game.

OH AND THAT SOUND TRACK. Oh man is the sound track ever good. Each song is placed perfectly in each situation to make sure that certain themes are emphasized. Every track is catchy too, making sure that you'll always want your speakers to be on whenever you play this game. 

As you can see, I could go on and on about this game. But I'll leave it to you to find a way to play it.

If you're on the PS3, download it off the store. The price is most deffinitely worth it as you'll spend at least 60 hours MINIMUM on the game.

If you're a PC person, use a PS2 emulator and find a Persona 4 ISO somewhere and play. I guarantee you'll have an amazing experience. 

If you're on the Vita, HUZZAH! Go buy the Golden edition of the game, a remaster with plenty of extra stuff to keep you entertained. 

At any rate, Persona 4 is definitely a fantastic game, a game that will be in my Top 10 for years to come. 

Unless of course Persona 5 manages to knock it down. But it has to beat Persona 4 in terms of cast, soundtrack, themes, and so much more. The term 'tough competition' is incredibly applicable here.

1. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

I LOVE YOU KOJIMA!

Ah ok, this was a tough choice, but in the end I believe this is the right choice.

I was struggling between Persona 4 and Metal Gear Solid 3 taking this top spot for a while. But you know what? MGS3 is quite literally my favorite game of all time.

I've beaten this game at least 20 times. Multiple times on harder difficulties, unlocked every single item, found every secret, no alerts, no kills, etc etc.

Metal Gear Solid is also my favorite video game franchise, but that's besides the point. MGS3 specifically takes number 1 spot because of the emotional impact it had in it's story. 

Who would have though that we'd actually be playing as Big Boss? The villain from the original Metal Gear games? Who would have though that this would be a prequel to the Metal Gear Solid franchise that would eventually chronically the story of Big Boss and his descent into evil?

Who would have though that this game could top the brilliance of Metal Gear Solid 2?

Definitely not me.

Like all Metal Gear Solid games, the story is told through length cutscenes. Lengthy, but filled with detail and love. It will turn off many other gamers, but if you're playing a Metal Gear Solid game without caring for the story, then what the hell are you doing here?

Despite it's obvious split between storytelling and gameplay, MGS3 is a a master of both. When the game gives you control of Snake it feels great. You have so much freedom too! You can hide in grass, in trees, use camouflage, etc. Truly an evolution in stealth gameplay. Previous games had you simply sneaking around walls and corners, but MGS3 changed all of that by opening up the maps and giving more options for the player to use.

MGS3 was also one of the best looking games on PS2

The survival aspect of the game was also fantastic. Eating wildlife and using first aid was awesome. It felt like you were really in a jungle setting, alone, but capable. You were truly Big Boss. 

It wouldn't be a Metal Gear Solid game if it didn't have a brilliant story either. And boy did MGS3 deliver on this front. With the Cold War as a setting (perfect for an espionage game) and the continuing theme of nuclear threats to the world, MGS3 builds up a tense story that keeps you asking 'what happens next?'

On top of that, we have betrayals, intrigue and a cast of unforgettable characters that help the story flow perfectly.

So many options!

Speaking of story, one thing that most people seem to miss is that not only is MGS3 a straight uplove story between The Boss and Snake. Most of why he continues his mission is to find out why The Boss betrayed her country in the first place, why she turned her back on him, and why she's going against everything she's ever believed in. All this because Snake loves her. She is his mentor, she is his lover. 

Now another thing that I love about MGS3 is the wackiness of the game. Like all other Metal Gear Solid games, they don't take themselves too seriously. I feel like a lot of people miss the point of this though. They're still games, and though they aim to tell a serious story, you can still have fun every so often. 

For example, I have absolutely no problems hiding out in a cardboard box as a stealth mechanic. I have no problems wearing a crocodile mask and running around beating soldiers up with my fists. I also have no problems wearing American flag facepaint and shooting a rocket launcher at animals. Silliness is something that the Metal Gear franchise revels in, and I commend the games for it. Some silliness and light hearted moments are needed to balance out the dark themes and serious story. MGS3 continues this trend and I'm glad it did. It just wouldn't be the same without it.

Fuck Yeah.
(In all seriousness, it's a viable camo option for when you're swimming in water)

In the end, there's just nothing that compares to Metal Gear Solid 3 for me. It's my favorite game. I'm even planning to replay it again sometime too because I love it so much.

Nothing compares to the sniper battle with The End

Nothing compares to choking out an obvious 'Raiden' character and taking his clothes

Nothing compares to the Snake Eater theme that comes on everytime I launch the game

SPOILERS
Nothing compares to the final battle with The Boss, as the white petals flow through the grass, and Snake Eater plays in the back ground.

Nothing compares to the feelings of regret, sadness and loss when I had to shoot The Boss.

Nothing makes me feel like I did when I see a legendary hero tear up, saluting his mentor and lover.

END SPOILERS

Nothing compares to witnessing the origins of Big Boss and the struggles he had to go through.

Nothing compares to Metal Gear Solid 3