# 42 - Metal Gear Solid

Game: Metal Gear Solid
System: Playstation 1
Genre: Action

You probably play more time watching Metal Gear Solid than you do playing it but what gameplay it does have is very satisfying and stealthy and the story, while long winded and overly philosophical sometimes, is very entertaining. It's a very quotable game ("Is that right?") with some really cool and memorable moments, the Psycho Mantis battle being a real highlight. Yes I have been playing Suikoden! MGS2 is bit iffy thanks to the rubbishness of Raiden but MGS3 is back on form again. I wonder if I'll ever play MGS4..

#43 - The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening

Game: The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
System: Gameboy
Genre: Adventure



Despite it's small overworld and simplistic graphics, Links Awakenings puzzles and dungeons as complex and clever as those in any other Zelda game. It's got some fun cameos like a Yoshi doll and Wart from Super Mario Bros 2, and is the first appearance of Kaebora Gaebora (or at least it's the first time Link is helped out by an owl). I've always really liked the idea of having to collect musical instruments to wake the Wind Fish with a ballad in order escape from it's dream of Koholint Island (it makes for a nice ending and is a nice precursor to the musical theme in Ocarina of Time).

#44 - Sonic 3 and Knuckles

Game: Sonic 3 and Knuckles
System: Sega Mega Drive
Genre: Platformer





Much like jigsaw pieces, Sonic 3 and Sonic and Knuckles don't really amount to much until they are slotted together. Taken as a whole, both games make a lot more sense and combine to become a brilliant, lengthy and varied 2D Sonic game. The fight with Knuckles in Hidden Palace is one of my favourite gaming moments, I really liked seeing Sonic, Tails and Knuckles fighting then working together though it's funny how Sonic Heroes changed that.. It's a sad cliche, but they really don't make them like they used to and this is the last Sonic game that I would truly consider "great".

#45 - ICO

Game: ICO
System: Playstation 2
Genre: Adventure



ICO is such an amazing game, it's hard to find the words to do it justice. The castle it's set in creates such an eerie, isolated atomsphere while the animation and tiny amount of spoken dialogue make you care deeply about the two main characters despite the complete lack of written dialogue. The whole thing is so subtle and masterful, it's like the gaming version of classical music. Or something. If you've played it you'll know what I'm trying to say here and if you haven't played it, you should make it your mission to.