Everybody's Golf is a wonderful place to relax because at the end of the day, you just know the scariest things around are a mummy duck with her ducklings in tow and a raccoon. Which runs away when you get near. Everybody's cheerful, the sun is shining...everything is right with the world in Everybody's Golf.
Above: That's not a murderer/stalker waiting in the bushes. Sometimes it can just be a spectator, you know
Innocent Life: A futuristic Harvest Moon
Who'd have thoughta robot child trying to fit in with humanity by growing plants would turn out to be the best entry in this laid-back series? This 'futuristic Harvest Moon' is a pure delight and we're right there with every little success of said robot child.
Above: No Ozzy Osbourne-style rib breaks on this quad bike
Guitar Hero
Never mind the fact that the franchise has been run into the ground through a billion incremental upgrades, the fact remains that playing a plastic guitar and hearing the result sound as good as Slash, Morello or Gibbons is a revelation. Heck, I even had a blast playing the Van Halen one and I'm not even a fan of Van Halen.
There's just something about feeling the music under your fingers as opposed to under your thumbs that makes Guitar Hero awesome.
Above: Ahh, a flashback to simpler times
A Boy and His Blob
How many games do you know that have a 'hug button'? And the blob loves his master so much... but not as much as that boy loves his blob! Hey - get your fingers out of your mouth.
Above: A loving hug, or testing to see if the blob tastes like marshmallow?
OutRun
Whether it's the 1986 original or any of the excellent home conversions of OutRun 2, there's just a serene feeling of happiness when you play OutRun. The palm trees, the timeless music, the red car, blue skies, blonde girl in the passenger seat... even when you're travelling at night in the less inviting stages, the smoothness of the passing scenery is entirely pleasant on the eye. There should be more games like this.
Above: This needs to come to XBLA and PSN... even PSP would be a start
Which games make you happy? And don't say Killzone. Or Splatterhouse. Hello Kitty is acceptable... if you're comfortable with that.
30 Mar, 2010
