'BioShock' is best game of the year
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By AIMEE GREEN / GZO
Every December, reviewers all around the world delve into their libraries and dig out their top-whatever lists for the past year. Inevitably, one game must be named as the best.
In a year like 2007, deciding on a game of the year is hard work. There were a lot of really good games, spanning all the consoles. Narrowing it down to a top 10 is hard enough; picking just one to sit on top is almost painful.
It’s such a subjective decision. Best game of the year means different things to different people. To some, it’s the game that offered the most gameplay (good gameplay, of course). Others look more for an unforgettable experience.
I fall into that latter camp. My game of the year must be something that made my jaw drop, something that sucked me in from start to finish, something so memorable that at the end of the year, it’s the first thing to come to mind. It may not have as many features as other games, but the core game is of such high quality that it can’t be dismissed.
Keep this in mind as I reveal my pick for game of the year and the rest of the top 10, in order from best to … only slightly less best.
Game of the year
“BioShock” (2K Games, Rated Mature, Xbox 360, PC). There were a lot of contenders for this spot, but “BioShock” is the one that burned itself into me. From the moment I first found myself in the underwater city of Rapture, with the loud, terrifying thuds of a Big Daddy coming toward me, I was hooked. Everything about “BioShock” is exquisite, from the design of the art deco city to the bad guys’ eerie sound-system broadcasts to the creepy Little Sisters harvesting the genetic life force called Adam. No, there is no multiplayer, but there doesn’t need to be. “BioShock” easily is the most enthralling and memorable game of the year.
No. 2: “Super Mario Galaxy” (Nintendo, Rated Everyone, Wii). Mario has had some good games, but none has lifted the plumber to such a high level of platforming since “Super Mario Bros. 3.” “Galaxy” is filled with so many fun twists on level design that you have to wonder how one team of developers could have thought of them. Yes, you’re once again rescuing Princess Peach (who really needs to enroll in a self-defense class), but “Galaxy” really rises to the top.
No. 3: “God of War II” (Sony, Rated Mature, PlayStation 2). When it comes to violence in video games, the “God of War” series really has it covered. There are all kinds of brutal-yet-fun ways to eviscerate Kratos’ opponents. “God of War II” continues with the series’ polished battle controls and throws in some truly epic boss fights and a memorable storyline befitting the Greek gods it involves.
No. 4: “Mass Effect” (Microsoft, Rated Mature, Xbox 360). If I had to pick a “best role-playing game of the year,” this would be it. “Mass Effect” excels in telling a story through dialogue (lots and lots of it), and its setting in deep space is perfect for the extensive amount of side quests it offers. What really makes “Mass Effect” interesting is how your character’s history and how you reply to dialogue affect the story. “Mass Effect” takes “deep” to a whole new level.
No. 5: “Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare” (Activision, Rated Mature, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC, DS): If I’d been judging game of the year on multiplayer gameplay, “Call of Duty 4” would have won. It’s got a fantastic, but short, single-player campaign and insanely fun online multiplayer. “CoD4’s” system of awarding experience points to unlock more guns and features will keep first-person shooter fans busy for a long time.
No. 6: “Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune” (Sony, Rated Teen, PlayStation 3). This is my favorite of all the PS3 games this year. The characters are just fantastic — easily believable, highly likable and humorous. Throw them into an exotic location looking for treasure and you have the ingredients for a hit. Nathan Drake’s movements are fluid and lifelike, which makes the platforming elements a blast. Lara who?
No. 7: “Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction” (Sony, Rated Everyone 10+, PlayStation 3). All the “Ratchet & Clank” games have been great, and this one is no exception. Fantastic weapons and great level designs make one fun shooter, and the humor each character exudes makes it even better. The PS3 really shows its graphical power with “Tools of Destruction.”
No. 8: “Rock Band” (MTV Games, Rated Teen, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2). “Guitar Hero” is great, but “Rock Band” creates a real experience, especially when you have three friends to fill out a complete band. Playing a world tour with a guitar, bass, drums and vocals is addictive group fun like no other game I’ve played. Expensive, yes. Hard to find, definitely. But “Rock Band” is a must-play.
No. 9: “Halo 3” (Microsoft, Rated Mature, Xbox 360). The “Halo” series concludes maybe not with a bang but certainly in a satisfying manner. The single-player story ties up nicely. Additions to online play are what really make this a top 10 game — new maps and play styles, a Forge tool to set up your own levels and the ability to record video and take pictures of your battles.
No. 10: “The Orange Box” (Electronic Arts, Rated Teen-Mature, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC). “Orange Box” is a fantastic deal, with five great games for the price of one — “Half-Life 2,” its two expansions, “Team Fortress 2” and “Portal.” There’s something for everyone, with the “Half-Life” games great for single-player shooter fans, “Team Fortress” for online multiplayer shooters and the almost-good-enough-to-be-its-own-game “Portal” for puzzle aficionados.
Honorable Mentions: “Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros’ Treasure” and “The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass” barely missed the cut. “Zack & Wiki” (Capcom, Rated Everyone, Wii) is a fantastic puzzler that earns the “Best Game Nobody Played” award, and “Phantom Hourglass” (Nintendo, Rated Everyone, DS) is one of the best games for the DS.
So there you have it. See you in 2008!
Reach Aimee Green at 473-7326 or Aimee.Green@lee.net.
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