There have been so many memories, that I don't even know where to begin here. One game asked me what change the nature of man. Another game asked me if I should stay neutral, in many conflicts, as I was mutated beyond belief and constantly being referred to as the White Wolf. Other games had me round up a band and crew, trying to adventure across amazing dark-fantasy lands to stop some Darkspawn, Mythological worlds while learning tons of kung fu, planets as I go from Padawan to Jedi, and even galaxies even as I tried to stop the Geth. Some games even had me travel to a land full of turmoil & politics, as I played detective with a sidekick named Kit, trying to solve a brutal murder. One game even took me to a futuristic world w/ a dude named Jackie, as we explored a City during our Days and Nights, in a dystopian of a Cyberpunk-y type of future.
But, most of these games all had something in common: the anticipation of what you're about to play, Yes, there's no feeling like when I was younger, with your parents driving you home from the store, as you're highly anticipating the game you're about to play - as you're going through the manual, rummaging through the box, seeing what other goodies might be in the box (like posters, action figures, OST CD's, etc). One of my favorite game-boxes & CE's (Collector's Editions) came in lunchbox with a BoobleHead Doll, Behind the Scenes CD, and other cool stuff in there. Whether a retail game or a download, there's still nothing like the anticipation, as the game's installing - which you're already jazzed to hear the trumpets play and the Main Menu's music, as you're about to embark on a Journey; the Journey of a lifetime, in a virtual world.
If I'm going to narrow this one down memory though, it has to be Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines. A game I've installed and reinstalled on pretty much every computer since first owning this at retail. A game I've bought at retail, doing a lot of the "Car ride home" stuff I mentioned above. The rare game I've finished numerous times and often try to replay every year, as Halloween rides around on its broom. The game I seem to always update and/or have multiple installs on the same PC, when Wesp issues another awesome Unofficial Patch. Oh, and did I mention that I made sure I had to re-buy it on GOG, just to have it again...and to make it easier for multiple installs & set-ups on the same PC?
It's always the atmosphere in the worst parts of California and Hollywood here, as I walk into the Asylum, talking to the two twin sisters - one uptight and one who's the total...opposite. It's always that theme of Isolated by Chiasm, blaring throughout the speakers, as I dance on the dance-floor w/ numerous others. It's always the brooding score and soundtrack for the game, coming from Womb Music crew. It's always that haunting OceanView Hotel and exploring its secrets, as I jump and get scared, as a pot, pan, or some other objects flies across the room and tries to hit me. It's always Heather Poe...and trying to decide to save her or let her go, knowing it'll either way result in total heartbreak....and set me on a course and path.
The first bite (at the Hotel) and embrace of Bloodlines and also the last, as you decide what to do in that taxi-cab, thinking you might've just met a certain special someone and then it all in the ends comes crashing down - yes, there's nothing like it...
I still cannot shake this game.
Post edited November 12, 2021 by MysterD