At the end of each year, many people like to make a list of what was best in the last 365 (or 366) days. Everywhere on the Internet, posts about “the 10 best rock albums of the year” or “the 6 greatest pairs of socks I came across this year” are bound to appear. So I’ve decided to not do that. Instead, here’s a little babbling about the games I currently have on my to-play list. If nothing else, it will give you an excuse to laugh at how far behind I am with my gaming.

Mirror’s Edge

This game is like my number one addiction at the moment. I’m listening to its theme song (which is awesome) everyday, watched a bunch of YouTube videos and generally can’t wait to play it. Granted, I don’t own either a PS3 nor an Xbox360, but still. I already posted something on MASSIVE DAMAGE about how the demo impressed me. Honestly, I so want to play it…

The whole setting is just great. I mean, who wouldn’t like to be an outlaw messenger, making his/her way through an impressive urban landscape, jumping/running/sliding through/under/over/around obstacles/things/ennemies ? I know I would.

Though, as obsessed as I may be, perhaps I’m just as excited to play…

Persona 4

I only recently (well, 6 months ago or something) discovered the Persona franchise, and frankly it’s one of the most refreshing in the J-RPG world. The somewhat realistic and contemporary setting, the fact that your actions and social connections influence the game or the original music, almost everything is right in those game. Of course they’re not absolutely perfect, but still, so much is good about them that every RPG fan should try them.

Even if I’m still not done with the third episode, it looks like Persona 4 is even more awesome. It just came out in the USA, so I’ll either have to import it or wait for it to be released in Europe, but still. I read a bunch of reviews, and it appears that it is as if Atlus kept the good things from P3 and throwed away or fixed all the bad ones. And seeing how I loved the previous game (well, up to the point where my poor choices got me stuck, unable to defeat a boss…), that makes me believe a whole lot of fun will come out of it.

Assassin’s Creed

Yeah, I know… Well, it’s the lack of console, you see… Though I tried it once, and it was great. Hence it being on my to-play list. Once, I only enjoyed RPGs, then I came to like Survival Horror titles. But it was still about the plots. Now, my approach towards gaming is much more liberal. I like games that are fun to play. And Assassin’s Creed IS fun. And if it looks as its plot is at least decent, then it’s icing on the cake.

Note : don’t get me wrong, plot is still the number one factor I choose my games from. It’s just that now I can appreciate a game with a stupid story if its gameplay is really good.

Dawn of War II

One word : Tyrannids.

Several other words : I think Dawn of War The First is one of the greatest RTS I’ve ever played. Not only do I love the universe (being a Warhammer 40K player and all), it’s actually really fun to play. Also, the sheer number of races you can play makes it really cool, not to mention interesting, as each race has its strengths and weaknesses. It’s only lacking my favourite faction, and that will be fixed in the second opus.

So shiver, Imperium of Man (and you too, other pesky alien races), the Great Devourer of Worlds is coming for you !

REALLY old things (mostly)

Well, I’m writing this and I feel the list will go on for a long time if I don’t summarize it. Because, well, I love games, I just don’t play them enough… So, what do I still need to play ?

Project Zero (Fatal Frame) 1,2 and 3 : I play them with a friend which I don’t see often, and I don’t want to continue without her, so well…

Resident Evil 4 : I don’t know why I’ve still not finished this. Really I don’t. It’s like really good.

Silent Hill 5 : I’m afraid of it being a disappointment, but I can’t help it, I want it.

Magna Carta, Valkyrie Profile ~ Silmeria, Dawn of War (Winter Assault, Dark Crusade, Soulstorm – I’ve only finished the single player mode of the non-extended game), the Shadow Hearts series, and countless others probably.

I think I’m doomed.