I'm sure we've all had games that have impacted our views on the video game world. Many have made us go 'wow, why isn't this more popular?' This, at least for me, rings true for many games that I feel have been overshadowed over the years; not because they are terrible, but because for one reason or another they have lacked a certain catalyst that gave them the popularity they deserve. Since gamespot has recently taken to listing off games (mods and other interesting amenities), i decided I would make a list myself. These games (or game series if warranted) are the 5 underderdogs that I feel deserved a little more recognition in the gamming community.

-The Homeworld series:

Rts's have been around for a long while, but rarely have they managed to be anything groundbreaking when it comes to gameplay. Despite it's age, homeworld continues to be an awe inspiring and truly amazing series to play. It was the first game I ever played that added a third dimension of strategy, and even to this day it's artistic shape and graphics, while dated, are beautiful and exhilarating to behold (with the exception of a few ugly blights like intangible planets and wreckage).

Both of it's predeccessors, cataclysm and Homeworld 2, added something new to the simple yet wonderful space battles you commanded. Cataclysm offered new ships and abilities, like the always fun option to kamikaze your vessels and sentinel shields. Homeworld 2 offered to build squadrons to save on build time, as well as hubs that added a layer of complexity to your carriers and mothership

That isn't to say the series was without faults. In both latter games, the research systems were horribly revamped. Cataclysm made a hub research system that was atrocious when compared to the first game, and homeworld 2 made you pay for research, a dangerous prospect when coupled with the how critical resource management was (even in later levels when you had abundant resources). Also, homeworld two severely nerfed frigates, while Cataclysm seemed to leave a few important ship types out (a game without true ion frigates is like halo without the covenant).

To this day I still play the three games. One seldom tires of the seemingly endless feel the space combats offer, and of course there is always mods. I truly believe that had more player taken an interest in this franchise, there would be dozens more games made in the image of this one (instead of just sins of a solar empire). Homeworld is a computer RTS that all gamers should try.

-The parasite Eve Series:

What happens when you take a game like Resident Evil (the original) and mix it with the unbelievable and surreal style of square soft (now square nix)? No, you don't get Silent hill; you get Parasite Eve, a game that has an abundance of soul.

Parasite eve sets you in the shoes of Aya Brea, a somewhat enigmatic Police officer with a troubling family history. A night at the opera forever changes her life; as people spontaneously combust around her, she set out to stop an antagonist known as Eve, a woman who is strangely familiar. Parasite eve 2 takes after this , set around Aya struggling to stop yet another genetic outbreak that turns creatures into horrors.

The first game has more of a gothic horror to it than the sequel, which is more in tune with the survival horror. Aya is terrified that she mightbecome like Eve, and start butchering people by the thousands with no one to stop her. the Game play between the two is drastically different, but the principles are the same: and RPG horror (Square Cnix stays true to it's RPG elements). It works for the most part, as you creatively use a wide assortment of guns and Mitochondria powers (read the storyline to understand, I don't want to unravel too much). PE1 gives you the chance to upgrade and enhance your guns with attributes from other weapons, generally at the cost of the weapon itself. PE2 diversifies it's weapons system by taking away most chances to upgrade your guns, but by compensating with different ammo types and creative supplies and on hand items.

This game, I believe, didn't have much of a chance because it was overshadowed by it's competition, RE and SH. It (the series) is unique enough to try despite it's age (Ps1, in an age of amazing graphics) and fun enough to enjoy with a creative plot and challenging gameplay. What does mar it (besides it's age) are some minor annoyances, but nothing anyone could look over if they have been forgiving of the many flaws in games over the years.

Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars:

If a gamer ever asked 'Who's Mario?' to another gamer, chances are Gamer A would be dragged out of his home (by horses) and beaten with a hose. Mario has been making popular (if not great) games since before I was born, but in a sea of diamonds, Rpg and Mario games alike, this game in particular is an emerald the size of a baby's head. Mario RPG may very well be the best game for the SNES. Heck, it may be the best RPG ever made.

The plot is true to the Mario series, but with a giant twist. After saving the princess from Bowser (again), a large earthquake sends the three flying as a giant sword crashes into Bowser's keep. What at first became a routine rescue mission for Mario has now become a journey across Mario's world with one of the most brilliant and unfolding plots to date.

Mario RPG contains a large assortment of characters, both npc and people to join Mario's cause in search of solutions to their own problems. Each Character is unique, charming and packs a wallop in his or her own right. Gameplay boils down to nothing unfamiliar to RPG games, but in it's own right is rewarding, as you don't just repeat the same moves until the enemy dies. You choose to use items, attack (and if you time right you can critical hit), cower for extra defense or use special abilities (all of which will make you smile). True to any other RPG, there are dozens of side activities to add content, such as yoshi races or the mine cart ride. Every weapon is unique with a different animation. The icing on the cake of all of this is that nothing feels recycled, tacked on or not belonging. Cover it with a fresh coat of polish and this game was the greatest thing to hit the SNES.

Perhaps it's my imagination, but I feel more attention should be paid to a game that quite frankly defined RPGs for me. This game is to Mario games and RPGs what Star Craft is to RTSs.

-The quake series:

Who didn't have a computer class in high school where they spent more time playing Quake 3 than they did doing work? Quake may not be an unknown relic, but when compared to the boots it's big brother set for it, it's easy to see why I added it to the list. Every quake game made FPSs that much greater and that much more poplar, but when mentioning Id software more people than not say "DOOM" or "doom, followed shortly by quake". Give this dogs it's day.

The plot of quake is inconsistent, yes, but normally you don't need an amazing plot to justify mass carnage. Quake1 had a plot similar to doom (which often baffles me), While Quake 2 and 4 have you dealing with the Strogg, and quake 3 being a multiplayer shooter. What is consistent in quake is the variety of eccentric guns that you use to blow up, shoot, decapitate, electrocute and otherwise obliterate your foes. Quake 3 death matches set a standard still held today, where the only goal of the game it to kill everyone and everything.

Quake deserves attention because of what it has contributed to both FPSs and multiplayer deathmatches. It's big brother, the Doom series, while fun all its own, has garnered enough attention. Just for memory sake, grab quake 3 and frag away.

-The Guild War series:

Another common game. We've all seen the arguments online, guild wars vs. Wow. No, I'm not here to take sides or tell you one's better than the other. I've played both and think both are great, but I believe that guild wars has failed to garner the attention it deserves. 5 million people can be wrong, but what about five million and one?

This MMO sets place in three continents, Tyria (which is like Europe), Cantha (Asia), and Elona (north Africa and the Middle East). Each continent offers a different plot and different features. What sets this MMO apart from the others is the quick pace, mandatory coop and pvp. The game doesn't focus on leveling, but dies reward you for your farming abilities with better [looking] armor to craft from resources gathered. You can't solo, but you can use ai henchmen or quickly gather a party to fight your way through the campaigns. The game is quick; it doesn't severely punish you for failing, but requires you to have some skill, it allows you to be creative with skills and it always balances battles to allow your character to win a fight provided you have the right moves to take on the opponents (class differences don't usually mean you will die easily). Since the level cap is only 20, and since the game is so face paced, but offers plenty of content, it really allows you to tailor your style of gaming.

Guild wars isn't perfect, but it is an MMO to consider if you want to try something new. While some might be turned off by what separates it from other MMOs, the sheer joy you can squeeze out of the 100 hours per campaign is definitely worth investing in (I haven't checked recently, but I do believe the price has dropped.)

So these are my five underdogs. If you read all the way through thank you for your time. I'm sure not everyone (if anyone) will agree with the choices I have made, which is why I encourage others to write their own top five underdog list, or just post here what you think should be and why. Remember, an underdog is a game that has been otherwise unnoticed or overshadowed by other games. It can be old, classic or brand new, but it should be worth playing.

((This is just the sugarrush talking)).

 

If I had a girlfriend:

 

I'd tell he I loved her every day

I'd text her 50 times a day

 I'd actually go to the gym

I'd listen to journey's greatests hits with her

I'd play video games with her

I'd give up my video games for her

I'd climb mountains and block rivers

I might leave my house for more than just work

we could travel the country together

we could travel the world together

 We could make a band on guitar hero

I'd pwn her on crysis, but then she'd probably pwn me back

 we'd celebrate the good times, and weather the bad ones together

I'd be a man (for once).

Think life is hard? Do you ever wonder why you got the short end of the stick? Do you ever wish life had a restrt/rewind button?

I'll admit that life is never easy. My brother's in jail, one of my oldest friends is in the hospital and one of my uncles is in the final stages of MS, but that is life. It is difficult to handle on good days, and the most unpredicatablething ever on bad ones. So I feel after several sob blogs, I should post one of encouragement.

Life is hard, but I've seen someone who's noteworth of a standing applause. On my way out into the world, my family generall takes the same route every day to the commercial side of town. In both rain and sun, we pass by this one woman in paticular. She looks to be about late 50s, early 60s, and I see her walking to the us stop everyday.

Now what makes this person so special, so encouraging? I'm not sure exactly what she has, mostlikely a stroke, but she has to walk very stifly, very slowly on the same route everyday. Everyday sheputs on the same thick coat, goes outside, and what would be to us miles, she walks blocks.

I've seen the hard side oflife, but when I witness this woman, this woman who has beaten the odds, this woman who fights where most people inour day and age would have given up, I feel ashamed. How dare I consider my life bad? how dare I even think for a second that my short time on this world isn't something to be grateful for? She struggles to the bustop everyday, no help, not strength, nothing but determination, and here I fear the future.

folks, take a lesson from her. I haven't met her, but my dad has taken to calling her betty. she's an inspiration, more so than any crappy pg movie about a suck hockey team, or any sob story I've heard to date. Take a lesson from her, and don't give up the fight. Be grateful in all the things you have, both good and bad, for you will even miss the bad when it's gone.

After a year of living hell from impossible teachers and complete ludicrous, I have graduated High school and am on my way to college. Another chapter in the book of my life hs been sealed with celebration and mourning for the loss of old friends. The feeling hasn't stuck yet, but I'm done with it.

Tomorrow I present a 15 minute presentation that will either determine if I graduate with my friends or spend the summer doing a project over. I'm so nervous I could vomit. Wish me luck, and pray for me if your Christian.

I'm gonna sound like a real big loser for saying this but, I have a turtle. I named him hank. He has been my pet since 7th grade. I have grown up with him, feeding him and cleaning his tank over time. I haven't really been the best owner, but I've tried.

The thing is, as my life gets more and more hectic, I really have less and less time to devote to him. I've been trying to take better care of him, but I can't really add much of him to balancing act. Frequently his tank has been left uattended, a few times he's been covered in a layer of 'stuff'. I've bought him a new filter, but my family says I should really consider giving him to another kid.

I worry about doing so, mainly becuase I worry about him dying of neglect. He may have to wait longer than he likes when it comes to cleaning, but I've kept him fed and healthy. I can't gurantee another kid would do the same. I don't know what to do. Should I give him to another person, or take care of him atleast until I go to college?

Once again life dangles stress laden hope in my face, pulls it away as I rech for it, and punches me in the face to teach me a lesson. The girl, my girl... the only girl I ever thought had any feelings for me plainly said no to me about the prom... plainly. She justified it by saying 'I already have two dates'. apparently no one mentioned to her that friends don't count as dates. I tried to pressure the matter, but she said she already had a boyfriend. It's not really a boyfriend, but an arranged date from India for when she turns old enough for her dad to say it's ok to date. To top it all off, it's too late for me to buy prom tickets and ask someone else out, but that's ok. I'm an idiot, so I guess I get what I deserve for being stupid enough to think someone gave a rat's ass about me.

I applied for two colleges, got accepted into both, but because of my fear of Social anxiety disorder, I've decided I'm not ready for dorm life and am going to community college first to get the mandatory stuff out of the way. It'll be cheaper, and once I'm done I'll go to college, get business major and try my hand at being a business administrator. Before I start my career, I want to join the military. I don't know why, but I feel like I have to give something back to this country. I want to sort my life out, get into shape and become something, and I think the marines can help with that.

I feel like I'm running and going nowhere with school. I didn't do good on my last (or any of the previous) math tests I've done, averaging a C. I put no effort into physics, somehow I missed an English deadline that no one seemed to mention to me about, I have a presentation for a senior project I have to do and I'm nervous about that. What the hell am I going to do if I don't have good grades? The only, the ONLY thing I've prided myself on for the last 4 years are my grades. I'm not social, I'm not strong, I'm not handsome but of all the things I dont have, I'm hard worker. Now I lack that too. Most people call it 'senioritise', cronic procrastination because I know the endpoint is so close. I don't know if there's a cure, but it's driving me crazy.

What do I want from life? I want to be happy, I want to be successful, I want to be able to give my children (and I want children) all the things my family never could afford for me because we were poor, above all else, I want to be remembered. I can't stop dreading it, but I have this strange feeling every now in then. When we die, who remembers us? Our kids? Sure we'll be called on as dad, grandad, and even great grandad if we're lucky but the line usually ends at that. No one remembers a buck or a bill who lived in the 40's. Sure, I'm Christian so I don't believe I'll ever truly 'die' in the sense of the word, but before judgement, who's gonna hear my name and know what I've done? Nobody's gonna study me in a text book, nobody's gonna make a plaque for me, and definitely nobody's gonna remember my name. Dust in the wind, I'm not first to realize this? Every time I hear song 'dont you forget about me' I wanna vomit.

I want to make a list, a list of books to read, songs to listen to and overall things to accomplish before all is said and done. I'm worried about making such a list, because there's no thing as a goal that doesn't change or deteriorate over time. We have plans, but the plans of mice and men often go awry, so to speak. I love playing video games, but I feel like my time is ticking away as I kill demons on doom or level up my rogue on wow. I feel like I'm wasting time, even I'm just trying to relax. Humans aren't meant to spend every day of their lives accomplishing goals; only insects build themselves to death, so why can't I acccpt that fact? Why do I have to worry my life I away? Why does gamespto's spellcheck suck so badly?

Well enough of my complaining about the tough stuff, onto some good stuff. My coworker's getting married tomorrow. I'm happy for her... Come to think of it, that's really it. My brother's in jail (long story, another blog), I can't afford to do anything (even after my tax stimulous) and I can't buy anything because I have to save. My family's going to New Hampshire this summer. I'm gonna see family members I've never met before. I hope I don't act awkward and make em hate me :/.

Well here goes nothing.

Books I should read before I die:

Music I should listen to before I die (doesn't matter the genre for either):

I anyone would like to help add to my list, by all means feel free to do so.

I popped the question today. It was all set up, but poorly executed. I don't know why my mind can't seem to get a grip on things in social situations, even when it's with a girl I like. Everything was prepared. I bought a white teddy bear and a small box of chocolates for asking her. The day was awkward, as I tried to avoid anyone from asking the question 'whats in the bag?'.

The time was close. My mind was racing a mile a minute as my heart stopped in my chest. My veins were literally ice; I could feel every single one of them in me freezing. It felt like I was wearing a suit made of coolant tubes. I was so panicked that I didn't notice her in-front of me until we reached the stairs leading to the outside (my class is held in a portable across a pond). We said our hellos. I asked her how she was doing, all that.

We neared the classroom and I asked her to follow me a second after she asked what was in the bag (I told her it was a suprise). I was so nervous I accidentally tugged her, losing her balance for a moment but she didn't pay much mind to it. She followed me off the path leading to the classroom and asked why we were going that way. It told her the surprise is for you'.

The bag had been stapled to prevent anybody from looking in it beforehand (imagine what awkward questioning a guy carrying around a teddy bear would get). I tore open the bag, and she gasped. My memory gets a little fuzz at this point, butI remember her saying' Oh my god, you got me a bear?'. She was happy, and I was hopeful. I asked her, in more or less these words 'I know your dad won't let me, but would you like to go to the prom unofficially with me?'.

She told me yesterday that her dad would let her, on the grounds all her friends went with. I'm not sure if it was a no or a yes, but her words were I'd love to go...as a friend.' I wish god had struck me down as those words left her mouth. I wish a truck had hit me or I had a stroke, but it didn't happen. We continued down the path and I said 'yeah, BFF', giving her a joking fist bump to act like it was no big deal. She agreed 'yeah BFF'.

That was the saddest english class I had ever had. I could barely make eye contact with her. I kept my head down most of the period. Thankfully, the teacher was lecturing. My emotions coursed with my thoughts, from anger to despair to perhaps some hope. Well, I don't have to wonder if I'm a piece of **** anymore; I just got my answer. This is her dads fault. Why me, why can't I ever be happy?!

As the class was ending, I gave her my number and she gave me hers. I walked out of the building talking to another friend, trying to act like it was no big deal. I was chewing on my lip just so I wouldn't weep. I don't know how she feels right now. I don't know if I should call her. I don't know if she likes me. She showed the bear to everyone around her, saying it was sweet.

I don't know what to do. I don't want to go as 'just friends'. Nobody goes to the prom with just their friends. I think we should hang out, get to know each-other more (without her dad knowing) and maybe I can break the ice with her dad later. I doubt he will trust me; if he's as bad as she says he is then she's in a world of hurt if he even sees me with her. An 18 year old isn't allowed to be in love? She's not allowed to have some freedoms in her life?

There's always a girl in the picture. No matter what dude you are or where you go, there's always a girl, the checks and balances of man kind. Both our bane and blessing.

Well I think I found mine. That's a feat I never though I'd accomplish, actually talking to a girl, but no, she doesn't know how I feel. I have her in my English class. We're in a group thats supposed to be reading "To Kill a Mocking Bird", but so far our study time in class has consisted of me wise cracking stupid jokes and us talking about random stuff in our lives. Ever the pessimistic, I focus more on the negative cracks and make light of most of the conversation.

She's gorgeous, an absolute goddess. Her family background extends through Indian royalty. Her smile lights up the room whenever I say something stupid, or funny. Her brown eyes, her black hair. I can't stop glancing at her. She always seems to be happy and when I'm around her, I feel...better. I don't feel like the sack of stuff I described myself as in my last blog. I feel like she's not judging me; I don't have to fear being me around her.

I love her personality. In my school, 70% of all of the girls are annoying. They are loud, say 'like' after every word and don't have a care in the world because 'daddy' makes everything better. She's not like the valley girl knock-offs. She's quiet, friendly. She opens up but doesn't knock me down a peg when I act like a fool. When I make her laugh with a joke far too extreme, the worst I get is an 'oh my god'. When I make her laugh or smile... Its like nothing else in the world matters to me. Is that love?

Of course there's a problem. There's always a problem, obstacle, ****ing issue that prevents me from being 100% happy. Her dads a pastor. Don't get me wrong, I'm christian. I have nothing wrong with her family having faith, but he's strict beyond comprehension of the word. He would never let me be with her, despite the fact she's 18. I'd have a better chance of getting aids by myself.

And of course, I'm afraid to ask her. I get the feeling she likes me as well, even if she doesn't say it, but what if I'm wrong? What if she thinks I'm a creep and doesn't want to be with me. I couldn't take the pain. I wouldn't be able to cope with that. I have social anxiety disorder, which means I fear rejection/judgement. If I get rejected by her...

I'm stuck on this one. I love her. I would take a bullet just see her happy. There's only 2 months left until prom, whcich means I have to find a way to be with her or risk losing her. If I don't tell her how I feel and we go to different colleges, I'll never see her smile again. I'll never know if she loves me. There's has to be, HAS to be something I can do to get close to her, to show her how I feel. I'm done living in regret. It's time I start doing what I want.

Well, it's come out. I am a lonely, sorry person who's had more regrets in the first 17 years of his life than most people have in the first 30. It's sad, most people my age go out on Saturday's. The have parties, see movies and just hang out with friends. The same isn't said for yours truly. I've never been to a party, a halo party, been asked to a movie, gone to a youth group or have done anything social short of posting on the off topic forms. Hell, I've never even kissed a damn girl before.

I'd like to say that I'm just a shy guy who rarely gets out. I wish I could blame my parents and be a rebel kid who fights tooth and nail for my "rights" to go out at night. I can't blame video games for this alone, saying that I spend so many nights by myself because I'm enthralled with a raid instance in wow or racking up kills on CS:S. NO, I have social anxiety disorder, and it makes me feel awkward just to talk to people, just to say high to friends or even ask strangers a question. Being the center of a social situation, talking to someone, the fear of being judged by people, it all constricts me.

I guess I could say I feel broken. It's like I'm a defective piece of machinery when compared to any other person. Most people, they meet someone, share a few jokes, hang out and become friends. Whenever I talk to someone I panic about how I look. I worry about what others think of me and feel like a loser, even if I've done nothing to act like one. I try to not talk to anyone just to avoid this fear, but that only leads to more awkwardness and isolation. Basically, my school day consists of trudging from class to class, avoiding as many social situations as possible. I don't even eat lunch in the cafeteria because I'm afraid someones gonna be judging me. Once I get home I storm to my room and play video games, leaving enough time to do about half of my total homework. I never go out unless I have to work/go to church or school.

The few times I have to be social, I over evaluate everything. I wonder to myself, "does he notice I avoided eye contact?". Once the conversations over, I run everything that was said through my head, often picking apart my own hallow words with thoughts like, "Why the hell did say that? he must think I'm a loser now. Why me?". This trial and error process does nothing more than pick away at what little self esteem and dignity I still retain. It's a vicious cycle but one I can't seem to fix.

This process even affects the way I play games on-line. I worry about screwing up and what my team/ the opposing team thinks of me. Just because I worry about this, I usually screw up and look like a loser. Maybe my mind plays tricks on me but I have a distinct feeling that I look like a loser on-line.

I'm sure all two people who are going to read this are probably wondering, "How am I typing this if I have such phobias?", assuming anyone cares, and I honestly don't know. Maybe I'm tired of keeping quiet about it. maybe writing this helps. All I know is that I have a problem, and it makes me feel defective and depressed around 12 of my 16 conscious hours a day.

Well I'm doing everything I can to improve but it's not working very well. I've bought a book on the situation. It says to cut back on caffeine, cholesterol and sleep better as well as exercise. It also recommends some metal tricks and breathing tactics but I haven't been doing much of those.

I can't ask my mom for help. even if she had the money to get me prescription pills (as well as a doctors slip) she wouldn't want me to take them. All conversations I bring up of feeling like this end with her crying about what a 'terrible' mother she is or my brother telling me I'm fine and just acting emo. I know I have a good life compared to most other people in the world. I'm grateful I have a computer, a job and no major diseases but that's not why I feel like crap every day. My mom has a thing about doctors. She thinks they want to do nothing more than push pills on their clients. In some situations I agree with her but not this one. I want help, not pills.

Well if you read all the way through than thanks for giving me a few minutes. Don't worry about me, I'm just blowing off steam. I'm sure I'll look back on this twenty years from now an laugh with a wife in my arms and a crap load of old friends. I figure I still have at least a decade to enjoy youth and figure this whole thing out. If not, well no one said life was meant to enjoy, right?