Halo: Combat Evolved

Halo: Combat Evolved, developed by Bungie Studios and published by Microsoft, released 2001.

Summary

               The plot of the first of the legendary Halo franchise involves a conflict between the human race and a race of aliens called The Covenant.  At the time this game takes place (the 26th century) earth has become overpopulated and humans have colonized other planets.  Halo, an artificial world named because of its ringed shape, is the setting for this faction of the war between humans and aliens.  The main character, Master Chief Petty Officer John-117, or Master Chief, is occupied by the player as this is a first person shooter game.  Following a crash landing, he is stranded on Halo and wages war against the aliens trying to wipe out the human race.  The main objective is to destroy the aliens before they figure out how to reach Earth.   There are multiple, complex levels with tons of room in which to navigate and several different choices of sophisticated weapons as well as modes of transportation. 

Critical Analysis

                           This game became an instant classic very quickly after its release, setting the bar for future first person shooter games.  At the time it was groundbreaking in its visual rendering, attention to detail, voice acting and sound effects, and overall quality of play.  The world created for Halo is completely unique, vast enough to allow for a great deal of replay, and rich with detail.  From the beautifully rendered landscape, to the accurate look and feel of the weapons discharging, to the articulation and interactive participation of other characters aiding Master Chief, the player becomes absorbed in this world.  The story line is also superb - which is probably why an entire line of comic books was created based on the Halo franchise after this game was released.  The acting is another component that is superior to any game that preceded Halo.  The voice actors give believable performances and there is background chatter and sound effects that contribute to the lifelike feel of this game.  There are many options for play, such as deathmatch mode, and multiple player mode both in person as well as online.  The fact that it can be played online is another element of Halo that was brand new and galvanizing to video gamers when it was released.  In addition to all of this, Halo is the type of game that is completely accessible to players who are not lifelong gamers.  It is easy to learn and master, rather than so difficult it becomes frustrating as some of the more sophisticated games are.

Why I Included This Game

                                            Without a doubt, Halo is one of the classics of the first person shooter games.  Rated mature like most modern games, it is very popular with all age groups, young adults in particular.  Halo was a game-changer, so to speak, when it came out, and no video game collection would be complete without it.

Bioshock 2

Bioshock 2, by 2K Games, released 2010.

Summary

               This game follows up the celebrated Bioshock.  The story continues nearly a decade later in the underwater separatist commune known as the Rapture.  Rapture has gone rogue and is now a dangerous place featuring psychotic drug addicts known as splicers whose corpses can be harvested for a tonic called ADAM, the fearsome enemy Sofia Lamb, and a host of little girls called Little Sisters who are being molded by Lamb into an army promoting her beliefs.  The Little Sisters frequently harvest for ADAM.  The character inhabited by the player is known as Big Daddy and is on a mission to find the Little Sister that he abandoned years ago.  If he does not find his Little Sister in the allotted amount of time, then he will lapse back into a coma.  Throughout the game Big Daddy comes across many Little Sisters, who he can rescue, protect, and/or harvest for their supply of ADAM, all of which give the player power in varying degrees.  This is a first person shooter game, meaning that the player sees through his character's eyes and moves through his body. 

Critical Analysis

                           The first Bioshock was extremely celebrated, so the sequel was hotly anticipated.  Some were disappointed and claimed that it wasn't much different than the first, but mostly the reviews were overwhelmingly positive in terms of continuation of storyline, advances in the first person shooter element, overall aesthetic including elements such as the music, and more than anything the gorgeous visual representation.  Bioshock 2 takes the original story and makes it personal by allowing the player to become one particular Big Daddy character.  His quest to find his lost Little Sister provides depth as well as mystery, since the player cannot be sure who is the correct Little Sister.  The aesthetic appeal of this game is perhaps most notable of all.  Rapture is a now decrepit underwater wasteland, trapped in time due to the disconnection with the outside world, but also decaying, giving an eerie effect.  The rendering of the place, the painstaking details such as Big Daddy's ghostly reflection as he passes by windows, the incredible articulation of the Little Sisters and Sofia Lamb - all of this is stunning.  There is a dark pall over everything and light is luminous and soft when it appears, such as the light that shines from the Little Sisters' empty eyes.  The artistic merit of this video game cannot be overstated.  It is haunting and unlike anything else.  This alone makes it worth playing, just to explore the environment created for the continuation of an arresting story.

Why I Included This Game

                                             Although this game is rated mature and not necessarily geared specifically towards young adults, the technical sophistication, first person shooter element, and extreme popularity of the first version make it appealing to all age groups.  In particular first person shooter games are quite popular with this age group.