My Top 5 Xbox 360 Games

Now that the semester is over, I have spent an insane amount of time playing video games.  I am a casual gamer and I really love games that tell a good story.  I thought I would make a list of the top 5 games that I am loving right now. This list in is no particular order, these are just my 5 favorites. Let's get started!

1. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

Oblivion is the older brother of the Skyrim and is a great cheaper alternative.  This game has a huge map, which I absolutely love! Aside from your main quest (to close all the gates to Oblivion... Which is basically Hell), there are a TON of side quests. I'll be honest, I love this game for the side quests and don't really concern myself with the main quest nearly as much.  Even though this is an older game, the graphics are pretty good. The people are all basically hideous, but who cares when you can also play as dark elves, argonians (lizard-like race), and khajiit (cat-like race).  My character of choice was a khajiit, as my childhood dream of being a cat can now be realized. You can become a member of the fighters guild, mages guild, and thieves guild and work you way up to holding more power in these stations. Basically, there is so much you can do in this game, it's ridiculous. I highly recommend this game to anyone who loves open world maps, fantasy, and side quests. 

2. Left 4 Dead 2

Left 4 Dead 2 is a 1-2 player game all about killing zombies!  It has a few different campaigns that you can choice from and if you play them in the right order the storyline connects, although you can play them independently from each other and not miss much. There are four characters to choose from (Coach, Nick, Ellis, & Rochelle). You fight through the hoards of zombies using guns and melee weapons. I personally prefer melee weapons and this game gives you some awesome ones, like a guitar and samurai sword!  This game made it on the list because it is so fun to play with a friend.  I do find it a little boring playing it by myself, but I always bring it out when I want to play a game with a friend. My main complaint about this game though is that it is only 2 player. There are four characters on the screen at all times, but you can only control two of them, which is a real shame and disappointment.  There are also different modes that you can play online that allow more players and allow you to play as the infected, which is pretty cool, but I don't play on Xbox live so I can't use these features.  I recommend this to anyone looking for a fun 2 player zombie game.

3. Batman: Arkham City  

I first played Batman: Arkham Asylum and loved it, so when Arkham City came out I knew I needed to have it! I was not disappointed. I love superhero games and this Batman series has just surpassed my expectations.  If you are only looking to buy one of the games from this series, I would recommend Arkham City. I love Arkham Asylum, but there is so much more gameplay on Arkham City and you can play as Catwoman and Nightwing briefly. I have not played their newest game, Arkham Origins, yet, but I heard it wasn't as good. This game incorporates a fairly large amount of villains (such as Joker, Harley Quinn, The Penguin, Bane, Poison Ivy, and others).  The gameplay is good, fun, addicting, and occasionally challenging, but that's ok. If you struggle in a game, it only makes beating it that much sweeter. Seriously though, this game is a must have for any batman fan. They also have a new game in the works which I am really excited about!

4. Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions 

 

Spider-Man is my all time favorite hero! I love the movies, the shows, the comics, everything about him! (Basically I am obsessed!) So it should come as no surprise that I own 4 Spider-Man games for my Xbox 360.... And want more. Out of the 4 I own, Shattered Dimensions has got to be my absolute favorite! You get to play as 4 different Spider-Mans from 4 different dimensions. Each Spider-Man has different abilities and surroundings.  The Amazing Spider-Man uses a lot of web combat, Spider-Man 2099 is from the future (and also not Peter Parker, but Miguel O'Hara), Ultimate Spider-Man can unleash the power of Venom in his black suit, and Spider-Man Noir relies heavily on stealth.  You fight several different classic Spidey villains (Mysterio, Kraven, Carnage, Vulture, The Goblin, and more). The gameplay isn't that long, but this game has a lasting appeal. Some games you finish and leave on the shelf for years before you pick it up again, but not this game. I am probably bias because my love for Spider-Man is so great, but seriously, this game is AMAZING! I highly recommend it to anyone in the market for a Spider-Man game. 

5. Assassin's Creed 2

I am fairly new to Assassins Creed (hence why I am playing the second one and they are about 13 in all).  I finished the first one and really wanted to move on to this one, which is set in Italy during the Renaissance.  For any history fans out there, this series is pretty awesome. Although not based on actual events (obviously), they are based on certain times in history and you often have run-ins with historical figures from that time. For example in AC2, Leonardo da Vinci is you friend and makes stuff for you, which is beyond cool.  I definitely like this game better than the first one, which is to be expected.  This game is my current obsession and I spend a few hours playing it almost everyday.  You can wonder around the map freely and explore until you want to continue the storyline, which is nice. I like to find collectible, steal, and do the extra stuff available. Another cool thing about this game that was not present in the first one, is that you have a house that you can fix up. You can spend your money on paintings to increase the value of your town or pay an architect to renovate the buildings and shops (which all equals more money in your pocket later on).  So all in all, this game has a good storyline, fun setting, nice map, and you are friends with Leonardo da Vinci- what more could you ask for? 

Well, I hope you found this helpful or at least entertaining. These are just my opinion based on the games I have played. I'm off to go have a Lord of the Rings Extended Edition Marathon with some friends! 

Much love,

-Cassa