Dang...it looks like we have a lot of the same collection! F.E.A.R. was the SECOND game I remember using bullet time; did anyone else play the first Max Payne? Bullet time blew my mind, then it took over the FPS world, and then it sort of disappeared. Sequels were disappointing, but the original is so great.
And, F.E.A.R. also had an advanced physics engine that was worth upgrading your video card so you could play it properly (I did). You'd see papers get torn into confetti, crates splintering. You'd be able to pick out individual shotgun pellets in mid-flight, and blood splattering when it hit (and, there was a lot of blood). I'd sometimes shoot things just to see it, even though I probably would need the ammo later for something more important. It was that glorious.
I also loved the Deadspace games (all of them). Evil is afoot, and they look freaky as hell. But, the equipment and the upgrades make it feel as if I have a chance against these nightmares. Depending on how high I am, it seems like I actually do. Way too much fun.
And, yeah: Bioshock is one of my all-time favorite series. Did you ever play System Shock 2? An earlier version of the messed up world designed by Looking Glass studios. The graphics haven't withstood the test of time (even with the high res graphic overlay), but it's a frightening look at the future. Bioshock is also messed up, but the powers and the gadgets are so cool.
I just remembered my favorite series (all-time): Fallout, starting with Fallout 3. I get lost in a huge virtual world, and I miss the times I have to (annoyingly) return to the real world...and this is a game about a nightmare future. Now, that's brilliant game design.
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