The 9 Games That Made Me
What games have given me
I saw a topic going around called "The 9 Games That Made Me."
It seems to be trending on X lately.
The point here isn't just games that were fun,
but games that "made me."
The theme is to look back on works that have had
at least some influence on my way of thinking or values.
Probably.
A couple of decades ago, gaming was treated like a hobby
for outcasts, but
now it has become natural to talk about it like this.
It makes me realize that the time I spent playing
has become a part of who I am.
The 9 Games That Made Me
If I start rambling, I'll be like a school principal
and talk until dawn, so I'll keep it to one sentence each.
I have chosen them.
Tales of Phantasia
The first game that made me cry, as I learned about a narrative structure that wasn't just simple good versus evil.
Final Fantasy Tactics
An un-FF-like work that grittily depicted the conflicts brought about by insurmountable gaps in status and wealth. It truly made me think.
Ragnarok Online
The world I poured my entire youth into.
From the alpha test before Japanese was even implemented, I experienced many meetings and partings, and learned to strip away real-world status and appearance to clash with others at our core.
Romance of the Three Kingdoms VII
Domestic affairs or diplomacy, peace or conquest?
I was still immature, and I learned the harsh reality that you can't survive on ideals alone.
Xenogears
A grand scale where you can understand why it was released unfinished due to being too packed with content. A work that taught me the possibilities of games and became a watershed moment in my life.
Pokémon Red
Back when the internet wasn't yet widespread, I gathered information by relying on game magazines and rumors, and even dabbled in forbidden bugs.
PangYa
The title that led me to step into the world of online game management.
I even used trigonometry to read the wind on the course.
Armored Core (series)
Assembling the robot determines victory or defeat. The calculation of stats, the balance of equipped weapons, and the precision of control techniques changed how I approach games.
Metal Gear Solid (series)
History, war, and deterrence. It was the catalyst that made me realize games are more than just entertainment; they are a way to think about the darker parts of the real world.
The meaning of choosing
Narrowing it down to these nine was not easy.
Many people could probably list many more.
Even so, the works I chose
gave me special experiences and perspectives.
Every game has the power to influence
how a player thinks and feels.
Looking back, I feel the value of the time I spent playing once again.
Summary
Games are no longer just mere entertainment.
The nine works I chose
gave me more than just fun.
What kind of games do you think
have shaped you?
Video games
Online games
Board games
Tabletop RPGs
There are so many, aren't there?
It might be interesting to stop for a moment
and search through your memories.
