Well, we're reaching the big guns now, so I hope you will recognize at least some of them. Let's get to it!
#40: Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage! (PS) (1999)
It's sad that Spyro has fallen in grace as of late. There's one reason for that: Sierra. Darn you Sierra! Anyway, Ripto's Rage is the second installment of the once-fantastic series, and a good game it is indeed. The world is more focused than in the first, i.e. there isn't as much exploration, but RR manages to pull it off splendidly and boast some of the most fun and inventive levels on the PS, not to mention one of the best looking. Along with Crash, Spyro was one of the best-looking games on the PS. Not only that, the game mechanics are terrific. You will dash, breathe fire, fly and glide through endless amounts of levels to take down the ridiculous but hilarious Ripto and his minions. This game is available via the PSN, so you have no reason to not play this fantastic game. I highly recommend it.
GS review: 8.6
#39: Star Ocean: Till the End of Time (PS2) (2004)
As anyone who knows about me has heard over and over, I love the Star Ocean series. I love the atmosphere, the backstory, the main story, the combat, the design, the enemy design and especially the post-game. TtEoT (sheesh :P) doesn't disappoint. It didn't do so good critically for whatever reason, but I just love this game. The epic story, with one of the best plot twists in history, the great characters, the awesome levels and enemies, the long, two-disc adventure. It's just awesome. Since LH has received similar „meh" scores, I don't think I'll be disappointed. Star Ocean forever!
GS review: 7.9
#38:Banjo-Tooie (N64) (2000)
Rare has certainly left an impact on the gaming world. Not as MS property (burn!), but as part of Nintendo. Banjo-Tooie is just one more gem in their gem-studded crown. A sequel to one of the most beloved N64 games of all time, BT had big shoes to fill, and in almost every way, it succeeded. The world is huge, the story hilarious, the gameplay as good as ever and the imagination present in the game is just insane. The addition of traditional bosses is great and as the difficulty is incredibly balanced. This game is just a cIassic through and through.
GS review: 9.6
#37:CivilizationIII (PC) (2001)
There is a special word for the depth in Civilization: insanexplosionary. This is a game you need to sink hours upon hours in to fully experience. Everything is so meticulous, so incredibly multi-layered, that you'll forget that you're playing a game. It sucks you in like few other games and won't let go. The way you interact with the different cultural leaders adds a lot of strategy to the game. You can be a tyrant, a benevolent king, a tactical genius and more. This is a great example of a thinking man's game, and I just love it.
GS review: 9.2
#36: Crash Team Racing (PS) (1999)
There is kart racing, and then there is CTR. This incredibly addictive game is just pure fun. From start to finish, there is never a dull moment. It's fast, frantic fun that never loses its charm. The level design, the smooth controls, the hilarious characters, there is just too much to do. There is a charming overworld as well, and every level has some sort of secret to find. There are even super-secret characters that are incredibly well hidden. I like. Bottom line, if you love kart games, you'll love this game. If you like Crash, you'll like this game. If you like both...you are in heaven.
GS review: 8.4
#35: Metroid Prime 2: Echoes (GC) (2004)
I feel this game is often looked over when the series is regarded as a whole. This game is brilliant in its own right. It changes a few core components, but boasts the same great gameplay of the first. It has a tense atmosphere, good story, cool ammo system and brilliant bosses. And like in the first game, I love the sheer depth of the scan system. There's also less wandering than in the first game, which is always a good thing. All in all, MP2 is one of the best games on the good ol' purple cube, and is a game to be remembered.
#34: Konami Krazy Racers (GBA) (2001)
Have you heard of this game? I thought not! This is basically Mario Kart Advance with Konami characters instead. But actually, it's also different. For one, there is a number of incredibly tough and varied missions to complete. Secondly, there are a few incredibly secret characters requiring you to do things you never would have thought of. Three, the music is just so much fun. It stands as a clone, but when a clone is so good, you can easily forget that slight problem. The racing is fast, fun and just pure awesome. And that's all that matters.
GS review: 8.1
#33: Pokemon Red/Blue (GBC) (1998 )
For many, this was not only their first game, this was also their first game period. There's something magical about that. And if my memory isn't completely broken, this was one of the first games I played as well. Boy, what a good game. It's the most basic of the basic, but the legacy it has left can only be called HUGE. This is the game that started it all, the hundreds of thousands of Pokefans out there were created by this series of legendary games. You will travel across the land, searching far and wide. Teaching them to understand the power that's inside. Pokemon! Everyone knows this series, most people like it, but I love it, and I will never forget these games as long as I live.
GS review Red: 8.8
GS review Blue: 8.8
#32:Ratchet and Clank 2: Going Commando (PS2) (2003)
It's quite jarring to see such a difference between the first game and its sequel. Going Commando and the first RandC game are perfect examples. GC gets rid of almost every single flaw that held up the original, while offering the same charm, detail and overall insanity of the beloved series. The story is a bit too mature-oriented when compared to the innocent first game (the end? Really?), but it's hilarious throughout, and that's what everyone loves about the series. Personally, this is the highlight of Ratchet and Clank's escapades, and it's a romp from beginning to end.
GS review: 8.8
#31: Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (PS3) (2009)
It's really hard to describe how insanely polished UC2 is. It really is astonishing how much work the fantastic Naughty Dog have put into the game. Everything is just so...incredible. The amazing visuals, the enchanting areas to explore, the incredibly easy-to-use and tight gunplay, the exciting story, the amiable characters, the great multiplayer and more. There really is little not to like. This is an adrenaline-fuelled blast from beginning to end, and you'll want to relive it again and again and again. The added MP, though largely unnecessary, is still a cool addition and can be genuinely fun in many ways. This is one of 2009's prestige titles, and a one gamers won't forget for a long time.
Stay tuned for more soon! ;)