As the years go by, the question of games preservation becomes increasingly more important. The move to digital may have solved some issues with keeping older games alive but with it comes the stark realization that we don’t really own the games we supposedly “buy”. Recently, GOG has stepped up efforts to ensure that we, the consumers, keep the products we buy in perpetuity. Their efforts have cultivated into the GOG Preservation Program and, through it, the GOG Dreamlist.
So, what is the GOG Dreamlist?
GOG Dreamlist is a community-based tool anyone can use to vote for the games they want to see revived or added to the GOG platform. Every vote on these games demonstrates the community’s collective interest in keeping their cherished games alive.
Now, GOG can’t simply add a game into the program without permission from the IP owners, even if said IP is deader than dead. A mutual understanding must first be reached for the game to be added to the program. An example of this would be the recent success with Breath of Fire IV. When the game was officially announced as part of the program, it was celebrated by GOG and the community. Hopefully, more games will be added, especially those from this list.
If you want to learn more about the GOG Dreamlist, you can visit their homepage. This is where you can also vote on potential titles and even suggest titles for the community to vote on.
To clarify, this is a personal list including games not many people are aware of. What I'm doing is making a case for each game to potentially shine a spotlight on them, so their numbers will rise and they get the attention of more people.
Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter
Current number of votes: 4,219
I admit that Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter is not the most popular in the whole Breath of Fire series. Far from it, that’s what I’ve been told. But I don’t see it that way. Dragon Quarter is one of my favorite JRPGs on the PS2 (a very long list btw), mostly because of its story and characters. I mean, who doesn’t want to protect Nina and give her what she deserves, am I right?
The game also played a fundamental role in shaping me into the dev I am today. The rank system is something I’ve always wanted to implement in a game. For those who don’t know: every time you finish the story, you earn ranks depending on your performance. The better you perform, the higher rank you get when you start the next playthrough. With a high enough rank, you gain the ability to unlock previously closed doors, some of which expand your understanding of the game’s dark story.
I think that idea is cool, and no other game has implemented it that way. For that reason alone, I want it to be part of the dreamlist. That and I want to min-max my ant colony in high definition.
The Legend of Dragoon
Current number of votes: 5,859
The Legend of Dragoon was peak Sony during the PS1 era. Dart’s story and the mystery behind the Dragoons remain one of the best stories I’ve experienced. Surprisingly, the PS4 remaster reinforced that fact, considering the tale holds strong even today. And let’s not forget that this game’s combat is what everyone thinks about when they play Expedition 33. Nothing further needs to be said, except that the Legend of Dragoon is more than deserving of remembrance.
(If and when Sony decides to remake the game, I seriously hope that the developers know better than to stretch it out to 3 or 4 games. I really don’t want more cutting board minigames and spend hours in the local county fair. Unless the prizes are good.)
Resident Evil: Code Veronica X
Current number of votes: 54,007
There is no doubt that Resident Evil: Code Veronica X will get the Capcom remake treatment someday. It’s only a matter of when. Though it can be argued that it would be better if it happened sooner rather than later. That way, when gamers become curious, they may yet find one of the last original RE games to feature tank controls.
Furthermore, the original Resident Evil 1, 2, and 3 are already part of the program. So there’s no excuse for not having Veronica X in this exclusive lineup. When that’s done and over with, maybe we can start having a conversation about remaking Resident Evil: Outbreak next.
Digimon World
Current number of votes: 47,139
The first Digimon World was a unique title, even for the Digimon series. It blended elements of pet raising, town building, and creature battling. These very elements were the reasons why the game was so memorable to many. Adding the fact that your digi-pal is reborn after a certain amount of time added a level of urgency that was missing in other creature training games of the time. It was also in this game that we were taught the value of always being ready, lest we forget to bring a porta-potty and be forced to endure another digivolution of shame.
Alongside Veronica X, this title will most likely find its way into the preservation program at some point, considering the number of votes they’ve garnered. But you can’t have too many votes when your favorites are involved. Next on the list: preserving my Digitank and Digimon World 2.
Steambot Chronicles
Current number of votes: 268
Steambot Chronicles is a long-forgotten mech title fondly remembered by those fortunate enough to play it during the PS2 era. It was a mech RPG, rhythm game, and stock market simulator all rolled into one. That may sound strange to you, but rest assured, the implementation was seamless between the features. At least that’s how I remembered it.
Speaking of, I remember during my 6th or so playthrough, I decided to buy all the stocks of a lumber company. It was the lowest value stock in the market, so it had the most potential. After buying all its stock, I helped the business grow by performing tasks like moving lumber around using my robot/car hybrid. The point of the story is, I got really invested in one part of the game a little too much. But I made bank and had a wonderful time growing my investment.
I wish more games had broken economies like this. I’m not going to count No Man’s Sky because the exchange rates in that game are stupidly busted.
Metal Arms: Glitch in the System
Current number of votes: 748
Metal Arms: Glitch in the System was a game I randomly stumbled upon while browsing the local game store. I had one look at the cover art and instantly wanted it. What made the game memorable was its sense of humor. Enemy robots would constantly chatter during battle, some were reluctant to fight, while others would take aggression to another level. The funny thing is that you can destroy specific parts of an enemy, and the rest of the parts would go haywire. Destroy a head, and the bot’s gun fires all over the place. Destroy the torso, and the legs would wander around aimlessly.
This game existed around the same time as the original Ratchet & Clank, and both featured that distinct late 90s, early 2000s humor. I figure that if we can’t have Ratchet & Clank in the archives just yet, we might as well preserve this hidden gem.
Dark Cloud 2
Current number of votes: 1,498
There are three reasons why Dark Cloud 2 deserves to be on the list: firstly, the settlement building aspect, secondly, Spheda (the game’s take on a golf minigame), and lastly, the Balance Valley theme song. I suppose the photo hunt deserves an honorable mention, but I also remember feeling a little frustrated getting the right picture at the right time. Don’t get me wrong, the game’s story was memorable, but I will forever fondly look back at all the activities and side quests the game had to offer. (Even the mine with the cyber clown and You-Know-Who that dwells at the bottom.)
If nothing else, you can go into dungeons in a customizable mech for short periods. That’s it. There’s nothing more left to say for this one.
Bugs Bunny Lost in Time
Current number of votes: 670
Bugs Bunny Lost in Time is a puzzle platformer starring the one and only Bugs Bunny. The game brings up characters from Bugs’ rogue’s gallery of weird and wacky antagonists and makes them bosses of their own levels. As someone who grew up with Looney Tunes shorts as much as Mickey Mouse and friends, picking up this game was a no-brainer.
Side note: When I was looking for a trailer (No trailer, sorry) to add for this article, I noticed there were tons of posts and videos about the game from players who loved the game. Oddly enough, there are still people asking about stuff as recently as last year. I have no idea what brought about this resurgence, but if that’s not a sign to bring it into the program, I don’t know what else will.
Rogue Galaxy
Current number of votes: 881
At one point, Rogue Galaxy was hailed as the “Best Final Fantasy game you’ve never played.” For good reason. It was every bit the space pirate game it was advertised to be and more. The entire crew was a rag-tag bunch from far corners of the galaxy, all running away and/or towards something. Oddly enough, I have unfinished business with the Intergalactic Rhino Beetle Championships (something like that). I would dearly like to resolve that part of my childhood, if I am able.
Unlike some of the games on this list, Rogue Galaxy was re-released on the PS4 store a while back. I wasn’t fortunate enough to purchase it when it resurfaced. If the game were to appear on GOG, you better believe that I’m clicking on that buy button at breakneck speed.
Army Men Land, Sea, Air
Current number of votes: 96
This last game is going to be a long shot. Not only is Land, Sea, Air drowned out in a sea of other Army Men games, but it is going up against heavy hitters like the Sarge and Air Attack series. (Both of which I hold in high regard.) I chose this game in particular because this was the game that started my obsession with Army Men games. Sure, I started playing Army Men 3D a while back, but Land, Sea, Air was ultimately the better experience.
In terms of gameplay, you play as a regular Green Soldier, fighting his way through various theaters of war, chipping away at Tan enemies as best he could while avoiding getting chipped away himself. The most memorable mission was the Flying Fortress defense missions. Levels like that prepared me for Soulsborne games, I reckon. At least in terms of keeping my cool under pressure.
On a final note, the last Army Men game I played was something called Omega Soldier. Quite fitting considering that there have been far fewer titles released since then. Though I hear a spiritual successor has come up in recent years. And though it can’t use the Army Men name for copyright reasons, it’s nice to know that green vs tan lives on in some shape or form.
