Top 100 Games at IGN

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IGN has compiled a list of top 100 games of all time, featuring just base games, no add-ons or expansion packs or anything like that. Therefore, e.g. Throne of Bhaal is not a game under those rules, just Baldur's Gate 2 is. Planescape: Torment is #71, commented thus:

More than a couple people have had their ideas of what an RPG is completely revamped after playing this one. Rather than focusing entirely on combat, Planescape: Torment takes the player on a journey via engrossing text that tells the story of The Nameless One. Who are you? Why are you here? Maybe that's a question everyone has to answer in their own way, but it's especially pressing when you wake up in a morgue next to a skull who talks. And especially when you're immortal -- an RPG where death isn't the end? Keen!

The game is based on the Planescape Dungeons and Dragons setting created by Zeb Cook, and uses Advanced D&D rules in the Infinity Engine, which was also the backend on the Baldur's Gate series. Despite the somewhat dated isometric view, its unique story and deep character system have earned Planescape: Torment a much=deserved crowd of fans.

Aforementioned Baldur's Gate is #43 with the following explanation:

Shadows of Amn is one of those rare role-playing games that you can drown yourself in and never come up for air. As an added bonus, this sequel follows the original Baldur's Gate so closely that you can even import your old character if you like. Unfortunately, being related to Bhaal, the Lord of Murder, makes your life pretty complicated, but you're free to make your own choices in the good vs. evil fantasy world of the Forgotten Realms.

BioWare's "Infinity Engine" really shows off here after splashing on the scene with the first Baldur's Gate in 1998. Paired with Dungeons and Dragons rules, the engine provided the backbone for Planescape: Torment and the Icewind Dale series and provided Shadows of Amn with hours and hours (and hours) of gameplay, branching storylines, sixteen characters to choose from among for your six-man party, an upgraded resolution, and plenty of other new additions on top of the original.

It's hefty, hefty stuff.

You won't believe, but Knights of the Old Republic, which runs on an edited Neverwinter Nights engine, is #27, while Neverwinter Nights 1, let alone 2, is not even on the list. While Icewind Dale might not be there because of being a little bit narrowly targetted, there must be some reason why they didn't include Neverwinter Nights 1, since the list includes some titles I've never heard about - and I've played gazilion games since Tetris on 8086...

 

Well, since NWN1 original campaign is direly bad, I understand them very well. With expansions and mods, it gets rather good.

And KOTOR's story and gameplay is first-rate, a well-deserved inclusion.

 

Agreed. I'd say especially the storyline of the first game. I've played them both and loved them. Looking forward to III.

 

Planescape should be higher, but I agree that NWN shouldn't be on the list. If anything BGI deserves a spot before NWN.

The list also heavily console dominatated by the way.

 

Agreed. They should make one list for consoles, and another just for computer games...

Some of my opinions:

BG2 is waaaaaay too far down the list.

StarCraft should be in the top ten. #11 isn't good enough.

Halo at #32?!?! That's just wrong!

There are too many Zelda and Mario games listed. I hated the original MB, and the fact that it made the #1 spot tarnishes the list from the start...

 

Ahh, two games on the list that I did not recognize :-(

Making a Top 100 games of all time list is a bit pointless though. Firstly, there are *a lot* of games and a lot of great games simply do not fit in a top 100 list, so you have to make a lot of compromises. Lastly, there are so many different genres, that you really cannot compare them with each other in a good way. So we end up with a list with amazing games, from which a lot of amazing games are missing.