Major Game Anniversaries in November 2018
Half-Life – 20th Anniversary
In all your clamouring for a Half-Life 3 to be announced, it has probably passed you by that the original game turns 20 this month. Originally released by Valve on Nov. 19, 1998, Half-Life is widely considered to be one of the best and most influential first-person shooters of all time.
You play as Dr. Gordon Freeman and must escape the Black Mesa research facility after something went wrong. As you explore, you’re faced with a variety of enemies and puzzles. Technically, Half-Life was ahead of its time, impressing with its visuals and gameplay, but it was the compelling narrative that was woven into the gameplay that elevated it above anything else.
Whether we’ll see another entry in the series is looking unlikely at this point, with Valve’s focus being elsewhere for the last decade, but both Half-Life and its sequel aren’t games that should or will be forgotten.
Major Game Anniversaries in November 2018
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time – 20th Anniversary
For many, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is the best game of all time. As the first in the series to feature 3D graphics, players controlled Link and explored Hyrule in a way they had never done before.
Initially released for Nintendo 64 on Nov. 21, 1998, the series has only continued to build on what Ocarina of Time introduced, with Breath of the Wild being one of the most expansive and impressive open worlds ever seen.
The gameplay still stands up and the level design was masterful, but a modernized version can be picked up on 3DS if you want to experience it in the most comfortable way possible. It will probably remain forever as one of the best video games of all time and a key influence in many modern adventures.
Major Game Anniversaries in November 2018
Beyond Good & Evil – 15th Anniversary
There might be a Beyond Good & Evil sequel in the works, but the first game will likely have celebrated more than its 15th anniversary by the time it releases.
The original action-adventure game came to PlayStation 2 in November 2003, before coming to other systems a little later, and it has become quite the cult favorite.
While it was received positively in 2003, it was never seen as the classic many consider it to be today. While the graphics and gameplay were widely praised, its story was called out for being underwhelming by some. It’s still a unique world, full of interesting characters, and it’ll be fascinating to see where it goes in the sequel.
Major Game Anniversaries in November 2018
Left 4 Dead – 10th Anniversary
One of the best and most effective co-op shooters turns ten this month. Influencing many games as co-op and always online became more and more prevalent, Left 4 Dead combines quality shooter mechanics with entertaining, zombie movie-like structure.
The characters that you and your squad play as each have their own over-the-top personalities that play into each level and your progression. You needed to choose the build-up of your squad and work together to take out the zombie hordes, but the game’s fun factor was always the focus.
Much like another Valve series on this list, Left 4 Dead has disappeared in recent years, without the impact of it being forgotten. Whether we’ll see it again, who knows, but cooperative shooters aren’t as unique as they were a decade ago.
Published: Nov 5, 2018 12:47 pm