Hobbies And Interests
Gran Turismo
"Gran Turismo" is an auto racing game that allows you to race against other vehicles for money that you can use to purchase one of 150 vehicles or upgrade your current car with parts such as new engines, brakes and suspensions. "Gran Turismo" was well-received at the time of its release in 1998 because of its realistic graphics and play control. Gaming website GameSpot gave the game a rating of 8.6 out of 10, stating that it would appeal to fans of arcade racing games as well as simulations. Sony published a sequel -- "Gran Turismo 2" -- in 1999 before moving to the PlayStation 2 platform for the next entry in the series.
Metal Gear Solid
"Metal Gear Solid" is a third-person action game with a heavy emphasis on stealth. The game requires you to be mindful of enemy characters, cameras and other security devices as you move. In most cases, you must sneak up behind an enemy to disable him rather than fighting in the open as is common in action games. Matthew House of AllGame.com gave "Metal Gear Solid" five out a possible five stars.
Final Fantasy VII
When Square released "Final Fantasy VII" in 1997, the game represented a dramatic shift in role-playing game design. While role-playing games are usually defined by the ability to do nearly anything that you like at any time, "Final Fantasy VII" sacrificed non-linearity in favor of a compelling story. The game featured detailed hand-drawn background scenes, a soundtrack exceeding four hours and a major plot twist that caught many players off guard. In a 1997 review, IGN called "Final Fantasy VII" "the RPG by which all others are to be measured."
Tekken 3
One-on-one fighting games have been staples of game consoles since the release of Capcom's "Street Fighter II" in 1991, and come critics believe "Tekken 3" to be one of the best. Game publication GamePro's "Scary Larry" went so far as to call it "the best fighting game ever" in his review. "Tekken 3" was a port of a coin-operated arcade game, and the review also praised the game for achieving smooth animation on the less powerful PlayStation. "Tekken 3" begins with 10 playable characters to choose from, and several others can be unlocked through skillful play. Each character has approximately 100 moves that you can perform.
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Konami's "Castlevania" series has its roots in the Nintendo Entertainment System, a console that achieved worldwide popularity in the 1980s. Like previous "Castlevania" titles, "Symphony of the Night" is a 2D side-scrolling action game that requires you to jump across platforms and use various weapons and items to defeat enemies. When you win battles, you can experience points that raise your character's skills. GameSpot called "Symphony of the Night" "quite possibly the best 2D action side scroller ever."