Blog FeedThe Finest in Gaming Weaponry
These days violence in games is getting considerable negative attention from those not in the know. So, I thought now would be a good opportunity to look over some of my favourite weapons that I have used in games over the years. They are weapons which have been creative, satisfying to use and just plain well-made. They’re weapons that I would love to have - though of course I wouldn’t go around using them on people… that’s not the point.
I’m not talking about weapons which help me rack up the most kills in my FPS matches, nor are they likely ones I used a lot. Here I am looking for that cool factor - the thing that makes you nod your head in approval whenever a spectacular kill is made while using one. In some cases, they are weapons which have become defining items of their respective games. In all cases, I want one.
The first of these is perhaps the most underwhelming to watch, though that is simply because you’re too far away to appreciate it. The Psi Blades of StarCraft’s Protoss Zealots are extremely cool. A mix of a lightsabre and Wolverine’s claws, these blades of energy can power themselves up at the behest of the wearers thoughts, going from nothing to a sharp, glowing blue blade of energy. It was unfortunate that StarCraft:Ghost was canceled, as then it would most likely have been possible to see these beauties in action up close. Before you killed their wearer, of course.
Next up would be Unreal Tournament’s Shock Rifle. As shown above, it’s had numerous different names and looks since it’s first incarnation, and the one coming up in UT3 looks to be keeping largely in with the tradition. Let’s see what we have here: energy shots, energy balls, and ever-so-satisfying blasts when one meets the other. Three kinds of attacks, to suit long range shots, short range combat and monster-kill attempts all in the one weapon. Far more elegant than the crude rocket launcher or clumsy link/plasma guns so often found in shooters.
Moving away from the more elegant weapons, we come to the only game I have played so far on the Xbox 360 - Gears of War. From what I hear, it’s not a bad choice if you can only ever play one game on that console. My experiences with the game have left a great impression, and that’s partly because of the crazy thing attached to the player’s rifle. Not quite a bayonet, not quite a chainsaw, but called a Chainsaw Bayonet nevertheless. Making kills with this thing is grotesquely glorified by the game engine, and perhaps that’s one of the reasons that this weapon is so damn cool.
Much less gory but just as deserving of it’s spot in my list is Half Life 2’s Gravity Gun. Being able to use virtually anything as a projectile is extremely fun - and it’s the only weapon on this list which has real non-violent benefits, as I’m sure those who have played the game know. Having one of these babies would not just be cool, it’d be practical. Say goodbye to heavy lifting injuries at work, and hello to knocking your boss out with a flying CRT monitor.
Lastly now, is not a weapon that you can hold. Upon first seeing this used in the original Command & Conquer, I was fixated, and it’s not hard to see why. Tiberian Sun, Generals, and CnC 3: Tiberium Wars have all kept the weapon in some form or another. I am talking, of course, of the orbital Ion Cannon. The beam itself has become progressively cooler in each new game release, and viewing the latest incarnation obliterating a Nod base on my friends 24″ LCD (all details maxed, of course) was truly a sight to behold. Simply put, nothing beats being able to summon a beautiful beam of light from the heavens with which to smite your enemies.
So, that’s my list - though having only played a fraction of the games out there, I’m sure there’s a bunch more that would deserve a place on it…
3rd May | Reply
Another one for the list is the MP5 Grenade Launcher from Half-Life. Perfect accompaniment to the SMG. Everything about it felt right, from the way it fired with some slight recoil, to the way it gracefully arced through the air.
Also no list would be complete with our Doom 2’s Nail Gun.
4th May | Reply
Duke Nukem 3D’s shrink ray. Then the eventual step on with the boot.
4th May | Reply
Halo’s Needler is easily my favorite weapon. It’s homing, but takes skill to use well. Halo’s sticky plasma grenades are also so cool, especially since there’s the considerable delay before detonation, allowing “tagged” enemies to try and charge you before the explosion.
4th May | Reply
The shock rifle is a very cool weapon, another UT favourite of mine is the Flak Cannon. Nothing like running up to someone, and just continue running as he/she explodes in gibs around you.
4th May | Reply
Oh it’s got to be Quake1’s rocket launcher, i’m always amazed when i see one of these lists and that gun isn’t included because to me it’s very much the grandpappy of all the great weapons. Not only was it highly deadly, better than any weapon in the game, it also gave rise to rocket jumping which was totally awesome.
I’ve never really liked the shock Rifle, or really any of the weapons from UT That much. Other Favorites of mine include the Heavy Weapons Guy Mini Gun in TFC, as it packs one heck of a punch and never needs reloading.
But my absoulute favorite weapon to wield in a game is a jedi’s lightsaber. Not clumsy or random like a blaster but an elegant weapon of a more civilized age. Whether it’s Jedi Knight, Lego Star Wars, or KOTOR the snap-hiss sound of a lightsaber brings a smile to my face like no other weapon.
4th May | Reply
I originally had the lightsabre on the list, though I was a little unsure because it was from a movie long before it was in any game. Then I remembered how much I liked the idea of the Psi Blades so I replaced it with them.
It’s a fine line I suppose, but it’s true - the lightsabre is the staple of any geek’s fantasy wish list.
4th May | Reply
I agree with JD about the Flak Cannon, it has consistently been my favourite weapon in the UT games. Although the redeemer will always be the ultimate overkill weapon.
The Gravity Gun is obviously up there. Also on a Half Life note I love the Magnum, it is easily the most satisfying handgun in any game I’ve played, invaluable for shooting those pesky alien controllers in a couple of shots.
Although I have to admit above all I’m a sucker for comedy weapons. The entire Worms arsenal is pure gold as is the Land Shark gun from Armed and Dangerous.
5th May | Reply
I’m going to side with big mech weapons for mine. The Bullgut from Shogo was pretty awesome when you fired it for the sheer noise that it made and that the smoke generated by the swarm of missiles meant that you often had to wait for the smoke to clear before you could see what carnage had been wrought. Other ones that I’ve liked were the laser from Assault Suits Valken/Cybernator when you finally get that puppy up to full power at the end of the game and a fairly hulking gattling cannon from Heavy Gear 2 that tended to make a mess of the opposition - unfortunately I forget its name.
5th May | Reply
Oh man, SHOGO! That was a great game. Yes, absolutely anything in a mecha kicks much butt. Heavy Gear II’s mortars were great fun, although the homing one really killed the game if used too much.
5th May | Reply
I have to agree with Vermouth on the Lightsaber. It’s the weapon of (geek) gentlemen in this age of crude violence…but it’s oh so satisfying.
Also, although not a marvelously unique weapon: the impaler rifle from F.E.A.R amused me a lot.
Lastly, Krato’s blades were fun inducing.
5th May | Reply
Doom. Chainsaw.
That is all.
8th May | Reply
In Reply to #11:
Resident Evil 4. Chainsaw. That is now all. Except its usually used on you. To devastating results.
I’d also nominate any shotgun-type weapon from the same game. Zombie heads turn to puff before your very eyes!
Also, from C&C: The Obelisk of Light. If only we could rig the Washington Monument with that kind of firepower.
Lastly: Fuck Kratos’ blades. Kratos himself is a goddamned weapon of mass destruction.
8th May | Reply
The Obelisk of Light was actually on my shortlist - it is probably my favourite building in any RTS game, though making a list of “favourite gaming buildings” would actually be kinda lame so I didn’t bother.
The obelisk in Tiberian Sun looked the best, in my opinion - though the game itself was the worst of the 3…
9th May | Reply
In Reply to #13:
Feck that. Necron Monolith from Dark Crusade - now there’s a building that knows the finer points of demolition. Get that thing started and teleport it into an enemy base and watch the fireworks. Now I just wish that the teleporting sound used in the game can be replaced with the one used for Doctor Who’s Tardis….
10th May | Reply
I remembered Red Alert 2, where in a mission you rig the Eiffel tower as a massive Tesla coil…
13th May | Reply
I’m another UT Flak Cannon lover
Hated the shock rifle.
If you played with instaGib on, it was pretty handy for training your accuracy. I’ll give it that. And yeah, thetwo-shot explosions were pretty satisfying on the rare occasions I pulled them off close to the enemy.
Also, Chainsaw Bayonet? It’s the sound effects and the bloodspatter that make it awesome
14th May | Reply
Call me crazy but I don’t think a Chainsaw Bayonet would be very safe IRL, guys.
18th May | Reply
In Reply to #17:
Yeah, except it is responsible for some of the most fun gaming moments my friends and I have ever had.
22nd May | Reply
Call me an RPG nerd, but I thought Squall’s gunblade from FF8 was pretty cool.
25th May | Reply
Personal all-time favorite: the Scythe of the Celts from Undying.
Come on, really, it’s a fucking scythe! It was just great fun to see a bunch of enemies and decide that even though you had several quite effective long-range weapons, you’d just go running in with a scythe, slashing everything to pieces.