Reg's top 10 games of 2000-2010 (10-7)

Well, it's been a long time since I've done anything here. And I'm a gamer at heart, in spite of the fact that I haven't played a new game in forever. I've got finals coming up, and I need to get my mind off the stress of my studies, so over the next few days, I'll be talking about my top ten (+Honorable Mention) games of the past eleven years. Also, there will be Spoilers for most of these, for those who care.

My honorable mention goes to a game that I haven't actually gotten to play, but A) it looks really damn good and B) It's a remake of a game that I love to this very day. The game I'm talking about isn't Pokemon, despite what you might be thinking, but rather Goldeneye 007 Wii. I still play the original Goldeneye 007 on my N64 with my brother at home when I get the chance, and while I'm not that big into shooters, nor that great at them, Goldeneye has this kind of charm that even its spiritual successor Perfect Dark can't capture and is just incredibly fun for me. The Wii version brings 007 into the modern age of FPSes, complete with Online play, and I'd pick this up as soon as possible if my Wii was working, but alas it isn't, and I haven't gotten to play it yet.

Number 10 is probably the "edgiest" game on my list. As a general rule, I ten to gravitate more towards games that appeal to a younger crowd more, rather than games that are dark and edgy and "mature". Nonetheless, Jak II grabs the 10th spot on my list by being a fun game that's closer to a beat-'em-up than a platformer like its prequel. With its futuristic vibes and straight-up nature, combined with its story that delves into mindscrew territory at times, Jak II makes for a fun, if sometimes frustrating game.
Best Parts: Starting a one-man war against the KG (Bonus points if you have invincibility) and pretty much any mission to Dead Town.

Number 9's the game I've spoken my piece on in my only other post to this blog so far, Sonic Adventure 2: Battle. I could re-insert my rant on it, but I won't. I'll keep this one short, and just say that between the running/hunting levels (Shooting levels be damned), Chao Raising, the criminally underrated soundtrack and multiplayer, this is definitely a top-tier game that I'm glad I get to play as often as I do.
Best Parts: Pick a Sonic/Shadow level that doesn't take place in space (City Escape is a personal favorite) and Chao Raising

Number 8 is the oldest game on this list, and probably the most well-known in mainstream circles. Pokemon Gold/Silver/Crystal is the second installment of the long-running handheld series, and arguably the best. It takes everything that was great about the originals (Sans the glitches. Sadly, most of them were removed) and improves on them to make a breathtaking experience. Sure, the enemy levels are comparatively low compared to the rest of the series (If I recall correctly, Lance maxes out at 53), but considering that Johto and the Elite Four only make up roughly half the game in terms of area, that's no problem. This was a huge game for its time, and still continues to hold up even better than the later installments of its series. The reason this gets the nod over HG/SS is nostalgia, really. I just can't let the lazy days where I sat around playing Gold Version get away from me. They were just too great.
Best Parts: Disembarking the SS Aqua to find yourself in Vermilion City and the endgame battle with Red

Number 7, on the other hand, is probably the newest game on this list, in terms of an English release, but it's been around for a while in Japan. Recettear: An Item Shop's Tale puts a unique spin on your typical RPG setting. Instead of being the adventurer going off and saving the world, you play the most under-appreciated part of the shopkeeper, who sells stuff to said heroes. After all, where would Cloud, Roy, or the DQV hero be without a shopkeeper to sell him upgraded armor and weapons when he needed them? Of course, you CAN play the part of the dungeoneer in order to find new wares to sell, but that takes a back seat to selling your stuff most of the time. The translation wasn't released until earlier this year, but American audiences clearly appreciate this game as much as I do.
Best Parts: The Localization. Full stop. It's a great game on its own, but the translation and localization just put it over the top.