Three games from different era's (1980's, 1990's, 2004)

There is certainly a jump in technological restriction when you look at games from these era's. It's amazing to see that every 10 years there were massive steps for the industry. Starting from the 1980's with bitmap type games to 1996's low poly 3D models with games like Super Mario 64.

The three games I played were 1980's Legend of Zelda, 1990's Super Mario 64, and 2004's Half-Life 2.

Progression was the first thing I noticed in these three games. Legend of Zelda is most iconic because it was the first game to actually introduce it. It was a much less linear approach with games like Donkey Kong and Pac-Man earlier in the years, Legend of Zelda became one of the first games where you could actually explore the environment (granted, there wasn't much of it). From around this time, people began to realize that video games could actually have narrative and character development. The next generation of consoles in the 1990's would soon prove that exploration was very possible. The Nintendo 64 was the world's first 64-bit system. Enhanced 3D low poly graphics gave games environments and a new term to the word level design. Super Mario 64 gave players control over a 3D modelled version of the famous italian plumber Mario. It started off as a casual visit to Peach's castle, then suddenly things go terribly wrong as you learn Bowser has taken over the castle. It is then up to the player to explore the environment and gain stars. Progression meant unlocking new levels and gaining more stars. Games from the N64 were all similar to this concept, it forced the player to explore.

Half-Life 2 became a great example of what games could convey. Now with much more advanced graphics, facial movements and massive environments. Half-Life was a bit more linear, however it didn't really matter as much because the level design was so vast and brilliant that you could explore different areas without boundaries but still be on the right path.

I believe that these games were most iconic in level design and environments over these era's, mainly in progression and narrative. These are definitely games that kept up with there times.