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Top 5 Games that brought sexy back

11:25 AM on 01.10.2007   |   Savant

Top 5 Games that brought sexy back photo

It sure feels good to be back in action. But then again, it feels much better to be one of the top five games that have brought sexy back and changed the industry with their graphical prowess.

Graphics aren't everything, but a pretty picture and realistic dismemberment physics are never a bad thing to look at. I'm sure that you all remember at least one or two games in your gaming life that have completely changed your perception on what "good" graphics really are. Listed after the jump is my take on five of the most influential games in the recent past that brought sexy back way before that ri-donk-ulous song hit the radio and your iPod.

Let us begin...

5. Super Mario 64

Do you remember feeling your jaw drop the first time you saw this game in action? I do. Super Mario 64 was the must-have title and the reason the Nintedo 64 sold at launch. To put it simply, this game laid the foundation for 3D platforming and adventure games for years to come.

4. Resident Evil 4

RE4 was the most highly-acclaimed title in the Resident Evil series. Two of the main reasons for this was the dramatic change in viewpoint and the downright stunning graphics that made getting your head chopped off by a chainsaw-wielding madman (a.k.a. Grim) that much more painful to watch.

3. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

This title is an absolute given. Oblivion has truly redefined the subject of "video games as art." At any given moment in the game, there are literally a million details on screen that are worthy to just sit back and behold for a moment. I found myself pinching my cheek the moment I emerged from the sewers and into the breath-taking open landscape that awaited me. Oblivion is without a doubt one of the most beautiful games ever created. But even with all that, it still can't beat the top two of this list.

2. Gears of War

Every shooter game ever made now bends over and calls this game "Daddy." Viceral, violent, vulgar, and beautiful? Yep, that pretty much sums it up. American History X's curb stomp has got nothing on how satisfying it looks in Gears of War. Expect more games in the future to adopt the style GoW has brought to the table and making many people ask "Halo who?"

And the number one game that kicks Justin Timberlake in the junk while saying "I'm the one who brought sexy back" is...

1. Final Fantasy VII

Ground-breaking is not even close to describing what FFVII did in every category of graphics, gameplay, and sound. The CG cutscenes alone were enough to make every gamer rub their eyes in disbelief. Furthermore, do you remember how Leviathan, Bahamut, and Knights of the Round looked the first time you used them in battle? It really is no surprise that FFVII tops the list of most influential, graphically-stunning games in recent history.








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48 comments | showing # 1 to 48
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Axle's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2007 11:26
Axle
Yes, GoW is pretty and it's a well constructed shooter, but don't you get the feeling that some of the physics are like walking on the moon rather than a dystopian Earth?
Arro's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2007 11:26
Arro
Metroid Prime?

At least you were decent enough not to put GTA on the list. ^_^
Ishaan's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2007 11:28
Ishaan
Welcome back, Savant! Another awesome and thoughtful list. I can't argue with any of those choices. Each one has played its role, raising the bar for graphical (looks and physics) prowess in each generation.

In the future, I expect Assassin's Creed will play just as important a role as the titles you mentioned above.
Ishaan's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2007 11:29
Ishaan
Welcome back, Savant! Another awesome and thoughtful list. I can't argue with any of those choices. Each one has played its role, raising the bar for graphical (looks and physics) prowess in each generation.

In the future, I expect Assassin's Creed will play just as important a role as the titles you mentioned above.
Savant's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2007 11:30
Savant
Metroid Prime was a great game, but does not hold a candle to the five above as far as changing peoples' ideas on what "good" graphics are.

Thanks Ishaan. Feels good to be back. :)
Ishaan's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2007 11:30
Ishaan
Welcome back, Savant! Another awesome and thoughtful list. I can't argue with any of those choices. Each one has played its role, raising the bar for graphical (looks and physics) prowess in each generation.

In the future, I expect Assassin's Creed will play just as important a role as the titles you mentioned above.
Ishaan's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2007 11:31
Ishaan
Welcome back, Savant! Another awesome and thoughtful list. I can't argue with any of those choices. Each one has played its role, raising the bar for graphical (looks and physics) prowess in each generation.

In the future, I expect Assassin's Creed will play just as important a role as the titles you mentioned above.
Savant's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2007 11:32
Savant
ROFL. Ishaan just hax'd that comments.
Toneman's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2007 11:33
Toneman
Maybe he should call Dell tech support and have them fix his comments. Oh wait.....
Yshaana's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2007 11:48
Yshaana
nice list :)
I can think of quite a few other games that madde me change my perspective about garaphics...
Half Life 2 (well, before it was delayed...), Metroid Prime, Doom 3.

Next up, Crysis ?
CaffeinePowered's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2007 11:51
CaffeinePowered
Good list, but definately lacking a few PC greats, HL2 or Doom3?

Maybe Crysis like Yshaana said, that game looks tight
Ishaan's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2007 11:53
Ishaan
Welcome back, Savant! Another awesome and thoughtful list. I can't argue with any of those choices. Each one has played its role, raising the bar for graphical (looks and physics) prowess in each generation.

In the future, I expect Assassin's Creed will play just as important a role as the titles you mentioned above.
Ishaan's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2007 11:57
Ishaan
Welcome back, Savant! Another awesome and thoughtful list. I can't argue with any of those choices. Each one has played its role, raising the bar for graphical (looks and physics) prowess in each generation.

In the future, I expect Assassin's Creed will play just as important a role as the titles you mentioned above.
Ishaan's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2007 11:58
Ishaan
I hate you all. One tech support joke was all it took...
Winston Churchill's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2007 12:11
Winston Churchill
You've got to wonder if the line has been crossed between accidental and deliberate...
deanhatescoffee's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2007 12:21
deanhatescoffee
LOL Ishaan - having some issues? :))

One of the games that made me say "wow" way back was Donkey Kong Country. For the SNES, it was the cream of the crop. Also, the water in Super Mario Sunshine was really impressive IMO.
bassbeast's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2007 12:32
bassbeast
I would take FFVII off that list due to it being FMV, and not really game graphics. I dunno, I never gelled with that game, and considering that the use of pre-rendered CG is the reason for it to be there (the summons were neat, but I remember fighting Sephiroth and chaining eigh Bahamuts together, all of which were unskippable, so I went and made a sandwich) I think that's a pretty weak entry.

Other games to consider:

1) Pilotwings: Great 3D for the time, and very smooth gameplay. I thought it was stunning.

2) StarFox: First polygonal title on a home console. Paves the way for the N64 and 3D in general. Apparently, according to Wikipedia, Miyamoto was working on a 3D mario with the FX chip, but realized it wasn't powerful enough. So, they designed new hardware and Mario 64 was birthed.

3) Strider (Genesis): This game was awe-inspiring back in the day.

Truth is, there are a lot of "graphically-influential" games out there (big ditto on Donkey Kong Country) and there are a ton more to list (Soul Calibur?! Hello?!?!). Decent list, except for FFVII.
galagabug 's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2007 12:34
galagabug
no doubt half life 2 is absolutely stunning.

assasin's creed and crysis will definately be the next two to carry the torch, but what about the older games that really made you crap your pants?

wolfenstien did it to me. 3-d, the introduction of the first person perspective, that was really light years ahead of anything else in its day.

BlindsideDork's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2007 12:41
BlindsideDork
Wolf 3d, Doom, Super Mario Bros.? I mean from Atari to Super Mario Bros. seems a bit big, huh?
SunTzu's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2007 12:49
SunTzu
You don't concider Jet Set Radio Future to be a sexy game? BLASPHEMY!
JamesSorensen's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2007 12:53
JamesSorensen
ps3 brought sexyback
BlindsideDork's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2007 13:08
BlindsideDork
Your mom brought sexyback!!!!
maxx77's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2007 13:23
maxx77
I agree with the comment about FFVII being FMV. If you take away the pre-rendered backgrounds and video, what do you have left? Extremely blocky, poorly animated, crude looking geometry. I never liked games that sold based on their cinematics, and FFVII sold like gang busters because of them. All you ever saw in the commercials were the cut-scenes. It amazes me to this day how many people were fooled by that and still claim that games like that are beautiful. Sure, the cinematics are beautiful, but that's not what I consider to be part of the game.

If I were to compare it to something, I'd say it's like a sleek, sporty, jaw-dropping sports car that looks good from the outside, but on the inside you have the engine from a Yugo. But who cares? Sex sells. The general mass don't buy things for substance, they buy for looks.
Namelessted's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2007 13:36
Namelessted
SAVANT, you finally found your computer again. I am glad, i was starting to wonder how long it was going to take you to realize the ice dispensor on your fridge wasn't your computer. Good job
Savant's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2007 13:37
Savant
Time to back up my claim for FFVII being #1.

It wasn't just about the FMVs. Honestly. At the time, the sheer designs of so many things in the game just blew me away. The characters, the envrioments, summons, everything was just so right that i made for a wonderful gaming experience. But as far as everyone knocking the FMV's for being the "life blood" of the game and the reason why it is on this list; it was above anything ever done in a video game ever before. Today it is commonplace because of FFVII's great artistic direction both in and out of the games great cutscenes.

But you know what? It wasn't the FMVs by themselves that persuaded me to put it as #1, it was just the sheer greatness that the game brought to the industry at the time that paved the way for some many things today.

I know not everyone will agree with my list, but it is as honest as I can get from an avid gamer's point of view.
bassbeast's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2007 13:46
bassbeast
Exactly, Savant. And it's the internet's job for random strangers to spew vitriol and call you a n00b fanboi.

^_^

I think it's definitely a good topic for discussion. The fact that Soul Calibur is absent on this list means you're obviously dead wrong. But that's just one avid gamer's point of view.

[/tongue-in-cheek]
ShinAmano's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2007 14:02
ShinAmano
The list is good Mario should be at the top as it really defined 3D gaming. I would have also liked to see Ninja Gaiden on there, but you got RE4 so I will forgive you.
BlindsideDork's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2007 14:13
BlindsideDork
I seriously couldn't stand FFVII. I tried and really couldn't care for it. How can a sword cause more damage than a gun? That is just nitpicky but yeah...and yes I loved RPGs before that game like FF2(US version), FF3(US Version), Chrono Trigger (BEST RPG ever), and so on...
spikejnz's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2007 14:41
spikejnz
Ditto on the HL2... I can't wait to get my new system so i can finally re-play the game with all the settings maxed!
Jordan Devore's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2007 14:48
Jordan Devore
Savant is back!
maximum0v3rdriv3's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2007 14:50
maximum0v3rdriv3
@BlindsideDork

Depending on the gun, a sword will most of the time do far more damage. i mean just think logically. Handgun Vs Bastard sword. A hit with a bullet will make a hole maybe inch wide, 6-8 inchs deep. A sword making a slash can open up a gash half inch by 6-15+ inchs long and 2-4 inches deep. That is more direct damage. obviously tho it is easier to make a lethal wound with a gun rather then a sword. But your just wrong about the raw level of damage.

So way to nitpick reality. /trolling
thisissami's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2007 15:02
thisissami
hmm, i thought Shadow of the Colossus or ICO would end up here as well.... but i must say, the explosions in Lost Planet are absolutely amazing!!! jawdropping!!!

and yeah, i think Assassins Creed, Gran Turismo 5, Killzone and probably a couple other PS3/360 games are going to be kicking gears of war in the bootay!!! and maybe FFXIII/FFversusXIII will be kicking FFVII off it's reign as king?!?
Mizar's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2007 15:12
Mizar
Great list; I certainly agree with what you have there.

I would like to say, though, that Metroid Prime and Star Fox Adventures were two games that really made me loose my shit at how the looked. Granted, Star Fox wasn't the most fun experience, but it certainly stands as one of the nicest-looking games around.
Cheesyhoboe's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2007 15:23
Cheesyhoboe
Oblivion at #3? I'd have to disagree with that. The other 4 choices are fine.
Sleepywilloe's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2007 16:10
Sleepywilloe
Hey, Maximum. I get a funny feeling that, damage wise, wearing a bullet in or near that red squishy thing (we call a heart) is a little more damaging than a slice off the ol' buck hide.
simonpr's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2007 16:20
simonpr
Am i the only one who was amazed by the replays on Gran Turismo on the Playstation 1? It was the first game that was it worth watching the replay on.
maximum0v3rdriv3's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2007 16:30
maximum0v3rdriv3
@Sleepywilloe

That funny feeling is prolly your common sense being filed under "not in use", I already said a bullet can be more lethal then a sword. But not more damaging. A bullet hole through your leg and one through your chest, (assuming it's the same type of bullet from the same type of gun) is roughly the same amount of damage. damage inflicted per area to tissue. As i already said tho one type of damage is more lethal then another.

I love to troll. /Trolling
Grimspoon's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2007 17:11
Grimspoon
"it was just the sheer greatness that the game brought to the industry at the time that paved the way for some many things today."


*applauds*

I agree whole-heartedly. I knew as soon as I saw FF7 at #1 that the sh*t had officially been stirred, but I think it's a great choice, and I feel the same way you do about the game. Still do. A lot of the 3D PS1 RPGs do not stand the test of time, but FF7 does. End of story.
cavapower's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2007 17:21
cavapower
You really cant have Gears and Oblivion.. 2nd gen 360 needs only one game to make the point.

Soul Calibur, Gran Turismo 3, HL2, Quake, and many others are much more worthy than some of them up there

And why is PC gaming constantly getting the journalistic shaft? it seems everyone's only writing about consoles and WoW while there are still a lot of other PC gamers out there
tazarthayoot's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2007 17:51
tazarthayoot
That whole gun/sword debate reminds me of something you'd read on Gaia.

Let's not stoop to that low.
renison's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2007 20:34
renison
well put bassbeat - looks like you played games BEFORE 1995.

And since so many people are bringing up great PC games (Ultimate Doom was the purely and uncontested graphical benchmark and percursor to 3D gaming and it wasnt even 3D!), it seems rather apparent that the author is ignoring PC games for the simple, well-known fact that PC's always have and have the graphical edge to consoles which are stuck with the technology built in them. With the obvious fact that Oblivion and the FFVII port made appearances on PC, they still were focused on making the said console shine.

But overall, the author made a good effort at making some educated 'guesses' to games that made a graphical impact on the industry - but it's still very much up for debate.
(ie. I completely and utterly disagree with FFVII being #1)
nmaster64's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2007 20:38
nmaster64
Was anyone else not at all blown away by FFVII? It's was a big step up, yeah. But I never said "whoa" like I did with Super Mario 64. It was actually FFVIII that did that to me. Going back and playing VIII it almost holds up to today's standards...
Darren Nakamura's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2007 20:55
Darren Nakamura
I agree with putting Gears of War on here. I would consistently get myself killed because I'd be going for the chainsaw kill, because the blood effects were just beautiful.
Sleepywilloe's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2007 22:19
Sleepywilloe

@Maximum
Sorry Maximum for the afore negative reply. I would like to state heartedly that it is true that a slice from a blade can do more damage to the body than a small hole.

Personal opinion: I can't help but think that a dead person is as damaged as a person can get. That's why I instantly connected the subjects "Lethal" and "Damage" together.

Sorry for any disgruntlment I caused,
SleepyWilloe
Sleepywilloe's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2007 22:20
Sleepywilloe
DAMN THIS PHOTO THING! CAN ANYONE FIX THAT!?!
Ham Vagina's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2007 22:29
Ham Vagina
For me it was always those laser disc games at the arcade. I nearly shat my pants the first time Dragon's Lair crossed my eyes.
Rezbit's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2007 23:52
Rezbit
Good article...but I just popped in to say LMAO!!!!!! at Ham Vagina and his display pic.
christpunchermpls's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/11/2007 09:10
christpunchermpls
The only thing that brought sexy back about this artical was Ham Vagina and his pic..
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