Many A True Nerd Presents The Top 50 Games Of All Time - Grand Finale

Many A True Nerd
13 Apr 202422:46

TLDRIn this grand finale of 'Many A True Nerd's Top 50 Games of All Time', John reveals his top 12 favorites, highlighting the impact and innovation of each. From the tactical combat of 'Resident Evil 4' to the open-world exploration of 'Elden Ring', and the deep storytelling of 'Skies of Arcadia', each game is praised for its unique contributions to the gaming industry. John's personal connection to 'Fallout New Vegas' is emphasized, as it not only topped his list but also significantly influenced his life. The summary showcases the diversity and evolution of gaming, sparking nostalgia and interest in these iconic titles.

Takeaways

  • 🎮 The list presents the host's personal top 12 favorite games of all time, with each game having a significant impact on the gaming industry and the host's personal preferences.
  • 🧙 Resident Evil 4 (2015) is praised for its revolutionary third-person camera and tactical combat, influencing many other games in the genre.
  • 🏙️ Civilization 6 is appreciated for its city-building mechanics, allowing players to transform landscapes into sprawling cities and support a pacifist playstyle.
  • 🏰 Elden Ring (2022) stands out for its open-world design and the freedom it offers players, making it one of the host's most played games on Steam.
  • 🎢 Roller Coaster Tycoon 2 (2002) is a timeless classic that continues to captivate the host with its park-building mechanics and creative potential.
  • 🏜️ Fallout 3 (2008) introduced the host to the open-world RPG genre, with its vast wasteland and immersive atmosphere being particularly memorable.
  • 🚀 FTL: Faster Than Light (2012) is considered a perfectly designed game with tight mechanics and a high replay value due to its focus on tactical spaceship combat.
  • 🏞️ Skyrim (2011) is one of the host's comfort games, with its vast and diverse world being a major draw and contributing to its replayability.
  • 🥇 Pokémon Second Generation games are celebrated for their technical achievements on limited hardware and the introduction of new game mechanics that have lasted for decades.
  • 🌤 Skies of Arcadia (2000) is special for making the host reconsider video games as a medium for storytelling and art, with its optimistic exploration and memorable soundtrack.
  • 🏛️ Rome: Total War (2004) is the host's most played game, lauded for its unique battle maps, population mechanics, and tactical depth.
  • 🚀 Mass Effect (2007) is appreciated for its successful world-building and character development, setting the stage for the entire franchise.
  • 🏜️ Fallout: New Vegas (2010) is the host's number one game due to its world-building, complex RPG mechanics, and the personal impact it had on the host's life and career.

Q & A

  • What is the title of the video series that John is presenting?

    -The title of the video series is 'Many A True Nerd Presents The Top 50 Games Of All Time - Grand Finale'.

  • Which game is mentioned as having a significant impact on the gaming industry similar to the creators of Dead Space?

    -Resident Evil 4 is mentioned as having a significant impact on the gaming industry and influencing the creators of Dead Space.

  • How does John describe the combat in Resident Evil 4?

    -John describes the combat in Resident Evil 4 as surprisingly tactical, requiring players to pick the right moments to run and fight.

  • What aspect of Civilization 6 does John particularly enjoy?

    -John particularly enjoys the system of districts and neighborhoods in Civilization 6, allowing him to watch the map transform from lush countryside to a sprawling metropolis.

  • Why does John consider Elden Ring special in the context of his experience with Souls-like games?

    -John considers Elden Ring special because it is the first Souls-like game that truly grabbed him, offering an open-world experience that allows for exploration and non-linear progression.

  • What is unique about the battle maps in Rome: Total War according to John?

    -According to John, every single battle map in Rome: Total War is unique, as they are generated based on the location of the armies, nearby fleets, cities, and other factors.

  • Which Pokémon generation does John consider the most technically impressive?

    -John considers the second generation of Pokémon (Gold, Silver, and Crystal) to be the most technically impressive.

  • What aspect of Skies of Arcadia made John rethink what video games meant to him?

    -The storytelling, art style, and sense of scale in Skies of Arcadia made John rethink video games as a medium that could potentially be a work of art.

  • Why does John believe that Mass Effect is superior to its sequels in terms of narrative and gameplay?

    -John believes that Mass Effect is superior because it successfully introduced the universe and its characters, offering a balance of RPG and shooter elements with a more tactical and slower-paced combat.

  • What personal impact did Fallout: New Vegas have on John's life?

    -Fallout: New Vegas had a significant personal impact on John's life, as it led to him quitting his job and pursuing a full-time career in creating content, changing the direction of his life.

Outlines

00:00

🎮 Top 12 Games of All Time: Introduction and Resident Evil 4

The speaker, John, introduces the grand finale of the 'Many a True Nerd' top 50 games of all time series, highlighting his top 12 favorite games. He begins with Resident Evil 4 (2015), emphasizing its lasting impact on the gaming industry and its innovative third-person shooter format. John praises the tactical combat, the game's famous opening sequence as an elegant tutorial, and its blend of classic Resident Evil elements with new additions. He also mentions how the game's design influenced other creators, such as those behind Dead Space.

05:01

🏙️ Building Empires in Civilization 6 and Roller Coaster Tycoon 2

John expresses his love for Civilization 6 (2016), appreciating the game's system of districts and neighborhoods that transform the map from countryside to a sprawling metropolis. He admires the game's allowance for a pacifist approach, its bright colors, and its evolving soundtrack. Following this, he discusses Roller Coaster Tycoon 2 (2002), a game he could play forever, noting its timeless appeal and the satisfaction derived from creating intricate, mechanically non-essential park designs.

10:02

🏞️ Open-World Exploration in Elden Ring and Skyrim

The speaker shares his admiration for Elden Ring (2022), a game that captivated him with its open-world structure, allowing for exploration and non-linear progression. Despite its recent release, it has become one of his most played games on Steam. John appreciates the game's structure, combat, and the freedom to engage with or avoid challenging bosses. He then transitions to discuss Skyrim (2011), a comfort game for him, and praises Bethesda's world design, particularly the diverse climates and the sense of scale, making it a delightful world to revisit.

15:05

🚗 Post-Apocalyptic Adventures in Fallout 3 and FTL

John recounts his experience with Fallout 3 (2008), his first encounter with the Fallout franchise, and how it shaped his love for open-world games. He highlights the game's desolate atmosphere, the sense of freedom, and the impact of the game's world on his gaming preferences. He also discusses FTL: Faster Than Light (2012), a perfectly designed game with a focus on tactical spaceship combat. John considers it a tightly crafted game with no discernible flaws, and while it may not be as expansive as other games, its precision makes it a standout title.

20:07

🎢 Nostalgic Gaming with Pokémon and Skies of Arcadia

John reflects on the second generation of Pokémon games (1999-2001), considering them technically impressive for their use of an in-game clock and day-night cycles. He also appreciates the post-game content and the introduction of breeding and egg mechanics. Switching to Skies of Arcadia (2000), John shares how the game influenced his view of video games as an art form, praising its storytelling, optimistic theme, and memorable soundtrack. He notes the game's sense of scale and the joy of exploration, which left a lasting impression on him.

🏛️ Ancient Battles in Rome: Total War and the Legacy of Mass Effect

The speaker discusses Rome: Total War (2004), his most played game of all time, and praises its unique battle maps, population mechanics, and tactical focus. He laments the loss of these elements in subsequent Total War games. John then talks about Mass Effect (2007), the first game in the franchise, which he believes set the standard for the series. He appreciates the game's world-building, character development, and narrative structure, as well as the balance between RPG and shooter elements. The game's exploration component, which adds to the universe's depth, is also highlighted.

💫 Personal Impact and Top Honors: Fallout New Vegas and the Conclusion

John shares the profound personal impact that Fallout: New Vegas (2010) had on his life, leading him to pursue a career in content creation. He asserts that even without this personal connection, New Vegas stands out as the best game he has played due to its comprehensive world-building, intricate reputation system, and seamless integration of skills into gameplay. John wraps up the series by expressing his gratitude for the viewers' company and teases the upcoming series on Skies of Arcadia.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Resident Evil 4

Resident Evil 4 is a survival horror video game developed by Capcom, released in 2015. It is renowned for its impactful third-person camera and tactical combat mechanics, which have influenced the gaming industry significantly. The game follows the protagonist Leon, who must engage in strategic fights against various enemies, as highlighted in the script by the mention of its combat system and the famous opening sequence, 'the town siege', which serves as an innovative tutorial.

💡Civilization 6

Civilization 6 is a turn-based strategy game developed by Firaxis Games, released in 2016. It is known for its city-building mechanics and the ability to transform lush countryside into a sprawling metropolis. The game's appeal lies in its strategic depth and the freedom it offers players to pursue a pacifist path, diverging from the war-centric approach of many other strategy games. The script mentions the game's bright colors, cartoony style, and evolving soundtrack as standout features that contribute to its allure.

💡Elden Ring

Elden Ring is an action role-playing game developed by FromSoftware, released in 2022. It is a 'Soulslike' game that has captivated the speaker due to its open-world design, which allows for a non-linear progression and exploration. The game is noted for its challenging boss fights and the satisfaction of overcoming them, as well as the freedom to explore and engage with the world at the player's own pace, as mentioned in the context of the speaker's personal connection to the game and its structure.

💡Roller Coaster Tycoon 2

Roller Coaster Tycoon 2 is a construction and management simulation game developed by Chris Sawyer, released in 2002. The game revolves around building and managing theme parks, with a focus on creating thrilling roller coasters and maintaining a profitable park. Its appeal lies in the creative freedom it offers players, as exemplified in the script by the speaker's enjoyment of designing intricate tracks and rides, despite their lack of mechanical value.

💡Fallout 3

Fallout 3 is a post-apocalyptic role-playing game developed by Bethesda Game Studios, released in 2008. It is set in a vast open world known as the Wasteland, where players can freely explore and interact with various factions and characters. The game is celebrated for its immersive atmosphere, as described in the script, which includes a desolate environment, haunting soundtrack, and the freedom to explore without restrictions, leading to a memorable and impactful gaming experience.

💡FTL: Faster Than Light

FTL: Faster Than Light is a real-time strategy game developed by Subset Games, released in 2012. It involves managing a spaceship and its crew under various challenges and enemy encounters. The game is lauded for its tight design and the way each system and weapon type synergizes to offer diverse gameplay options. As mentioned in the script, the game's perfection lies in its focus on tactical spaceship combat, making it a standout title in its genre.

💡Skyrim

Skyrim, officially titled The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, is an open-world action role-playing game developed by Bethesda Game Studios, released in 2011. It is known for its expansive world, rich lore, and the freedom it offers players to shape their own adventures. The game's early game is particularly noted for its relaxing and immersive qualities, as described in the script, where the speaker finds comfort in the game's world and its various exploration aspects.

💡Pokémon Second Generation

The second generation of Pokémon refers to the video games Pokémon Gold and Silver, along with their enhanced version, Crystal, released between 1999 and 2001. These games are celebrated for their technical achievements on the original Game Boy, such as the in-game clock and day-night cycle, as well as the introduction of breeding and egg mechanics. The post-game content, which expands on the original game's story, is also highlighted in the script as a standout feature.

💡Skies of Arcadia

Skies of Arcadia is a role-playing video game developed by Overworks, originally released in 2000 for the Sega Dreamcast and later ported to the Nintendo GameCube. The game is cherished for its storytelling, art style, and memorable soundtrack. It is described in the script as a game that made the speaker reconsider video games as a medium for art and storytelling, with a focus on exploration and an optimistic view of the world.

💡Rome: Total War

Rome: Total War is a strategy game developed by Creative Assembly, released in 2004. It is the first 3D entry in the Total War series and is recognized for its unique battle maps, generated based on geographical and contextual factors. The game also features complex population mechanics and a focus on tactical combat, as opposed to the more modern 'blob fights' seen in later entries. The script praises Rome: Total War for its comprehensive design and its ability to create a sense of realism and strategy in ancient warfare.

💡Mass Effect

Mass Effect is a series of action role-playing games developed by BioWare, with the first game released in 2007. It is known for introducing a rich sci-fi universe, complex intergalactic politics, and a diverse cast of characters. The script emphasizes the first game's success in world-building and character development, which laid the foundation for the entire franchise. The game's structure, combat system, and the exploration element (the 'Moo') are also highlighted as key features that contribute to its appeal.

💡Fallout: New Vegas

Fallout: New Vegas is a post-apocalyptic role-playing game developed by Obsidian Entertainment, released in 2010. It is praised in the script for its world-building, intricate reputation system, and seamless integration of skills into gameplay. The game's ability to blend humor, intelligence, and dark themes makes it stand out. The script also shares a personal connection with the game, noting how it significantly impacted the speaker's life.

Highlights

The grand finale of the Many a True Nerd top 50 games of all time begins with Resident Evil 4, a game that revolutionized the third-person shooter format.

Resident Evil 4's tactical combat and famous opening sequence serve as an elegant tutorial, teaching players how to survive in the game's world.

Civilization 6 is praised for its city-building mechanics and the ability to play a pacifist game, offering a different experience from many strategy games.

Elden Ring, a relatively new game, has already become one of the most played games on Steam for the presenter, showcasing its open-world design and engaging combat.

Roller Coaster Tycoon 2 is a timeless game that continues to captivate players with its puzzle and design mechanics, even after two decades.

Fallout 3 introduced a vast open world and a lonely atmosphere that set it apart from other games in the franchise and left a lasting impression on the presenter.

FTL: Faster Than Light is a perfectly designed game with every weapon type and system working harmoniously to create an engaging spaceship combat experience.

Skyrim is a comfort game with a beautifully designed world that invites exploration and has a calming effect on the player.

The second generation of Pokémon games is celebrated for its technical achievements and post-game content, offering a rich gaming experience.

Skies of Arcadia is a game that made the presenter reconsider video games as a medium for art and storytelling, with its optimistic narrative and memorable soundtrack.

Rome: Total War stands out for its unique battle maps, generated based on the campaign map, and its complex population and morale mechanics.

Mass Effect is lauded for its successful introduction of a new sci-fi universe and its balanced mix of RPG and shooter elements.

Fallout: New Vegas, the number one game, changed the presenter's life and is praised for its world-building, interesting reputation system, and integrated skills.

The presenter's love for Bethesda games stems from their world design, with Skyrim being the pinnacle of that, offering a diverse and immersive environment.

The open-world design of Elden Ring allows for exploration and non-linear gameplay, making it a standout title in the soulslike genre.

The presenter's appreciation for the Fallout series began with Fallout 3, which offered a sense of freedom and exploration unlike any other game at the time.

The unique art style and soundtrack of Skies of Arcadia contribute to its lasting appeal and the game's ability to make players smile.

Rome: Total War's focus on tactics and finding weak points in enemy lines made its battles tense and engaging, a feature lost in later entries of the series.

Mass Effect's success is attributed to its strong foundation, making players invested in the universe and its characters, which paved the way for the sequels.

Fallout: New Vegas's impact on the presenter's life, coupled with its comprehensive gameplay and narrative, secures its spot as the best game overall.