The Games that Changed My Life

Given my long-term goal to write music for games, it seems like a fun thing to make gaming talk a feature of this blog as well. My earliest gaming memory is playing Decathlon on the Atari 2600, which is a game that absolutely does not make this list. It was however the first foray into a hobby that would go on to influence my life choices. There are a ton of games I’ve played and enjoyed - but there are some that experienced so many dedicated hours and repeated playing, they form a core part of my gaming history.

The Revenge of Shinobi (1989)

I didn’t get round to playing this game until about 1993-94 on the Sega Megadrive. I struggled for a long time to get past round 3 and when I did, the sense of accomplishment was huge.

I remember cruising through the menu of this game and just checking out the soundtrack to each level. My first time being really into game music.

My favourite was ‘Chinatown’ which I think was Round 6. I actually heard the music before reaching the level. I remember one Sunday night before school reaching that level and being so pleased at being able to play the game along with hearing my favourite track from the game.

This is a game I’d happily play today. It baffles me it didn’t take off as a franchise.

Civilization 2 (1996)

I remember getting the original Civilization game along with a copy of Worms on my Olivetti PC running Windows 1998. I didn’t really get the original, but the sequel brought far better graphics, videos, and overall immersion.

I sunk a ton of hours into this game. I tried future Civilization games but I didn’t really get into them as much as I did with this. Civilization V comes a fairly close second, but this wins.

I usually played as England, America, or Russia, and usually tried to get the Space Race victory.

SoulBlade (1997)

In 1997, I got the original Playstation. Being 13 at the time and without a job, I didn’t buy many games for this console, but I did get some when I unwrapped it for Christmas. I remember getting two fighting games, Tekken 2 and this.

Never one to follow the crowd, I actually preferred Soulblade. It had a decent story mode and an intro title sequence and song which to this day still stuns me with its level of cheese.

I downloaded the rom to try out on my Steamdeck last year, and sadly it doesn’t hold up today, but boy did I have a blast playing this one in my early teens.

Baldur’s Gate (1998)

It was the year 1999 and I attempted to build a PC buying parts each month until it was complete (it didn’t really work out).

One month, I bought a slot-loading DVD drive for the desktop and it came with two games. The X-Files, and Baldur’s Gate.

I cannot stress how important this game was to me. It set in place the genre of games I would love forever. This DnD game full of battles, lore, weaponry, and levelling up defined gaming for me. I’d always play as a fighter or paladin, until many years later with the release of Enhanced Edition, where I would usually choose monk. Playing Baldur’s Gate 3 nearly 25 years later has been an emotional experience.

BALDUR’S GATE 2 (2000)

I’m unashamedly including the sequel on this list, I don’t even care.

I had minor toe surgery in 2002 when I was 17 and was told I would have to miss school for 2 weeks. Best news I’d ever had.

They somehow managed to improve upon the sequel. I actually preferred the storyline of the original game, but the updated graphics and interface, brilliant soundtrack, and great new characters made me love the franchise all over again.

My only complaint is there were fewer wilderness areas to explore like the original game.

The introduction of the monk class was sick though, as was reaching insane levels and getting magic resistance and perks by the end of the game that made your character a beast.

The expansion pack Throne of Bhaal was insanely difficult though.

Fallout: New Vegas (2010)

I played many games between 2000 and 2010, but gaming took a dip for me during this period (Fable, Dragon Age, and Elder Scrolls IV do get an honourable mention though).

I enjoyed Fallout 3 a lot, but nothing could beat the immersion of the Mojave Desert and the killer storyline of Fallout: New Vegas.

I replayed this game last year and I still felt the agony of having to make key decisions that would change the entire outcome of the game.

For its time, the map was huge, to the point where you can drift away from the main storyline for endless hours and just do your own thing.

This game is crying out for a remaster, perhaps using the same engine as Fallout 4, updated graphics and perhaps some base building options.

Imagine that?!

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Yes it’s cliche, but I’m including it.

This was really the Bethesda golden age with Skyrim coming out just over a year after Fallout: New Vegas (with a little help from Obsidian).

I enjoyed Morrowind (though I never completed it), I through Oblivion was great (although it hasn’t aged well), but Skyrim is truly a timeless classic.

For me, it’s the atmosphere and ambience that makes this game special. Moving around the snowy and icy landscapes of Skyrim with a map full of unique towns was one of the most immersive experiences ever.

Sadly, young people I talk to now haven’t heard of this game. Luckily for Bethesda I’m single-handedly making up for it after buying this game for the fifth time recently (Xbox 360, PS4, Xbox Series S, Nintendo Switch, Steamdeck).

I’m surprised it hasn’t been released for iPhone…

Fallout 4 (2015)

Okay, hear me out.

The storyline is iffy, I know.

The game has bugs, I know.

But the best thing I enjoyed about Fallout 4 is the base building. I’d happily sink a few hundred hours into ignoring the storyline and just building different bases across Boston, populate them with settlers, set up supply lines and watch the post-apocalyptic map come back to life.

Fallout Minecraft Edition. I jest, but making the wasteland your own is something that just appeals to me.

The soundtrack is also fantastic, to the point where I created an arrangement of it for a school orchestra. I met Inon Zur several years ago. A very nice guy who is insanely talented and provides some inspiration to me as I embark on my own journey.

I have a signed score on my wall behind me as I’m typing.

So there’s my list. I’ve kept it fairly short. There are a lot of other games that I consider favourites, but these are my most memorable. An honourable mention to Sonic 2, Golden Axe, Grand Theft Auto (the original), Doom, Fable, Icewind Dale, Dragon Age, Fallout 3, and No Man’s Sky.

I’m not sure what other games will eventually get added to this list, but it’s fun to think about. Maybe Baldur’s Gate 3, maybe Elder Scrolls VI, Fallout 5… who knows?