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

The speaker, John, introduces the grand finale of the 'Many a True Nerd' top 50 games of all time series, highlighting the final 12 games that are his personal favorites. He mentions the anticipation and speculation among viewers and delves into discussing the significant impact of 'Resident Evil 4' on the gaming industry. John praises the tactical combat, the game's famous opening, and its influence on other games like 'Dead Space'. He also touches on the game's ability to teach players the necessary skills for survival in a subtle, tutorial-like manner.

John expresses his love for 'Civilization 6', a game that allows him to indulge in his passion for building and managing cities. He admires the game's progression system, where districts and neighborhoods transform the map from a lush countryside to a sprawling metropolis. John also appreciates the game's non-aggressive approach, allowing for a pacifist playstyle, which is a departure from many strategy games that focus on war. He praises the game's bright colors, cartoony style, and the evolving soundtrack that adds to the gaming experience.

John shares his deep connection with 'Elden Ring', a game that stood out to him among other Soulslikes. He credits the game's open-world structure for his newfound appreciation, as it allows for exploration and the freedom to tackle challenges at his own pace. Despite its recent release, 'Elden Ring' has become one of John's most played games on Steam. He commends the game's combat mechanics, replayability, and the satisfaction of overcoming formidable bosses. John also highlights the game's ability to provide a sense of accomplishment without the frustration often associated with other games in the genre.

In this paragraph, John discusses his enduring love for 'Roller Coaster Tycoon 2', a game that continues to captivate him even after two decades. He describes the game's appeal as timeless, emphasizing its capacity to inspire creative endeavors, such as designing intricate roller coasters and transport rides. John appreciates the game's ability to engage his brain and motivate him to invest hours into building aesthetically pleasing, mechanically sound parks, which speaks to the game's enduring charm and playability.

John recounts his first encounter with the 'Fallout' franchise through 'Fallout 3', a game that significantly impacted his gaming preferences. He highlights the game's open-world exploration and the sense of freedom it offers, allowing players to venture anywhere without being restricted by a linear narrative. John also praises the game's atmosphere, with its desolate wasteland, haunting soundtrack, and random encounters that contribute to a chaotic and dangerous world. He emphasizes the importance of this game in shaping his understanding of the potential of video games as immersive experiences.

John describes 'FTL: Faster Than Light' as a perfectly designed game, noting its tight focus on delivering an engaging tactical spaceship combat experience. He admires the game's variety in weapon types and systems, each offering a new way to approach gameplay. Despite the game's relatively small scale compared to others on the list, John considers it the most perfectly formed game he has ever played, with no discernible flaws. Its high replayability and the satisfaction of mastering its mechanics contribute to its standout status in his list.

John reflects on 'Skyrim' as one of his biggest comfort games, providing a sense of relaxation and connection that is hard to explain. He attributes this to the game's early stages, the wonderful score, and the world designed by Bethesda. John praises the game's vast, diverse landscapes and the intuitive sense of direction it instills, allowing him to identify his location within seconds. He sees 'Skyrim' as a world that invites revisits and exploration, showcasing Bethesda's expertise in crafting immersive game environments.

John discusses the 'Pokémon' second generation, which includes 'Gold', 'Silver', and 'Crystal', as a landmark in gaming history. He admires the technical achievements of these games, given their capacity to track real-world time and adjust in-game elements accordingly. The introduction of breeding, egg mechanics, and even online functions in Japan through the Game Boy mobile adapter were revolutionary for their time. John also appreciates the post-game content, which expanded the original game significantly, offering more challenges and the iconic battle with Ash, making it a standout entry in the 'Pokémon' series.

John shares a deeply personal connection with 'Skies of Arcadia', a game that made him reconsider video games as a medium for art. He praises the game's storytelling, optimistic exploration theme, and the joy of seeing the world. The game's colorful, stylized graphics and memorable soundtrack have aged exceptionally well. John also highlights the game's sense of scale, allowing players to explore a vast world, which was groundbreaking at the time. The impact of 'Skies of Arcadia' on John is so profound that he plans to dedicate a new series to it, showcasing its enduring appeal.

John reflects on 'Rome: Total War' as his most played game of all time, crediting its unique features for its enduring appeal. He praises the game's unique battle maps, generated based on geographical and strategic factors, which added a layer of realism and variety. John also appreciates the game's population mechanics, which impacted economic development and tax income, adding a strategic depth to city management. He laments the loss of these features in subsequent Total War games and asserts that 'Rome: Total War' nailed the formula in 2004, setting a high standard for the franchise.

John argues that 'Mass Effect' is the best game in its franchise, as it successfully introduced players to a new sci-fi universe with compelling characters and intergalactic politics. He appreciates the game's structure, which allowed for extended exploration of fewer worlds, leading to a more immersive experience. John also prefers the original game's balance of RPG and shooter elements, offering a more tactical combat experience. He highlights the importance of the Mako exploration feature, which contributed to the illusion of a vast universe and allowed for additional content and exploration, making 'Mass Effect' a standout title in the series.

John's top pick is 'Fallout: New Vegas', a game that not only holds personal significance for changing the direction of his life but also stands out for its comprehensive gameplay. He lauds the game's world-building, intricate reputation system that independently tracks positive and negative deeds, and seamless integration of skills into missions and conversations. John appreciates the game's humor, intelligence, and its ability to explore dark themes. He considers 'Fallout: New Vegas' the best game ever made, offering an unparalleled combination of rich storytelling, engaging gameplay, and meaningful choices.