2007 has been a banner year for gamers regardless of their hardware selection. Whether it has been increased competition, strong economic environment, the attractiveness of the video game marketplace, or the deeper pockets of aging gamers, the results have been nothing short of fantastic. The question now becomes: How will Gamespot select their game of the year?
There is an absolute bevy of options to select from, and comparing Super Mario Galaxy to Halo 3 is like comparing apples and oranges. We can assume that Gamespot will limit their selection pool to those titles with a score of at least 9.0, but not necessarily to those with a 9.5, due to the change in the scoring system. Enough, on with the games!
CANDIDATES
Title: Crysis
GS Score: 9.5
Platform(s): PC
Outlook: Four of the top six rated games released in 2007 were first-person shooters, and for good reason: they are amazing. Crysis is at an advantage of not being a sequel, and sticking to a great storyline that keeps the player motivated. It also does not hurt that it is one of the most visually impressive games ever released. Still, it is not exactly original. Humans with super-powered suits battle aliens? Been there.
Title: Super Mario Galaxy
GS Score: 9.5
Platform(s): Wii
Outlook: Reviewer Alex Navarro described it as, "one of Mario's best adventures," which says volumes considering its lineage. Appealing to every level of gamer and every age, this is a top three if not top two title for Game of the Year.
Title: Halo 3
GS Score: 9.5
Platform(s): Xbox360
Outlook: Halo 3 was the best title in its series, and brought the mayhem of the franchise to the Xbox360. Working in its favor are its incredible graphics, solid multiplayer, and intriguing storyline. Many users complained that Halo 3 had an unsatisfying ending, and that despite additional features they had, "been there, done that." Those points are debatable.
Title: The Orange Box
GS Score: 9.5
Platform(s): PC, Xbox360, PS3 (soon)
Outlook: Three games - all of which might have scored a 9.0 or above on their own - for the price of one virtually guarantee this title to be a top-three finalist. Portal itself, a surprise bonus for many players, may be the icing that nets Orange Box the victory. There are two possible detractors. One is minor in that its Mature rating limits its availability to the youngest gamers. The real issue is that awarding Game of the Year to Orange Box is awarding Game of the Year to multiple titles.
Title: World In Conflict
GS Score: 9.5
Platform(s): PC
Outlook: The great sucking sound made this year was from the Gamespot user collective, drawing their breath in shock at the score for World In Conflict, which came seemingly out of nowhere. Since its release users have been invading- and repelling-invasion and snatchnig up copies of the limited edition to garner an authentic piece of the Berlin Wall. World In Conflict offered numerous real-time-strategy innovations, impressive graphics, and top-notch voice acting, and may just surprise gamers again by taking the Game of the Year title.
Title: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
GS Score: 9.5
Platform(s): PS3
Outlook: Not a chance. Oblivion was already a contender in 2006 on other platforms. Like many other top-rated games, it made its way to the PS3 a little late, but has since been entertaining thousands of PS3 gamers. Still not a contender for Game of the Year, though.
Title: Forza Motorsport 2
GS Score: 9.2
Platform(s): Xbox360
Outlook: Not a chance. Sports and driving games are a virtual annuity for some producers, like the Madden series of football titles, but rarely do they win a category-sweeping victory. When it comes down to it, a driving game today is little different than a driving game ten years ago except in physics and graphical power: you still just drive. Forza Motorsport is an exemplary title in its genre, but for Game of the Year, a title requires a bit more depth and/or originality.
Title: God of War II
GS Score: 9.2
Platform(s): PS2
Outlook: God of War II took everything its predecessor did and made it bigger, badder, and better. More story, more bosses, more fighting; Kratos is one angry demi-God. That being said, the game was a little too straightforward to garner a Game of the Year. You could conceivably smash your way hulk-like through the game. The combat system was a little disappointing. The drawbacks are minor, but just significant enough to allow its competition through.
Title: World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade (PC)
GS Score: 9.2
Platform(s): PC
Outlook: Not a chance. The original won Game of the Year 2004, and The Burning Crusade requires the original to function. If it were a standalone title, or included the original, it might be another story, but as it stands the excellent expansion may not exactly qualify for Game of the Year.
Title: Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition
GS Score: 9.1
Platform(s): Wii
Outlook: Not a chance. A new interface is not enough to take a previously released title and make it Game of the Year, even if it was a great game.
Title: Galactic Civilizations II: Dark Avatar
GS Score: 9.1
Platform(s): PC
Outlook: In a word, Nerdtastic. Those that played its muse are likely playing this title right now, one of the most addictive space-faring concepts to ever come to the PC. That being said, it is just too nerdy. This might sound counter-intuitive on a web site dedicated to video games, but even among the nerds this title is a cult hit. This is a shame, because it was one of the best titles of 2007.
Title: WarioWare: Smooth Moves
GS Score: 9.1
Platform(s): Wii
Outlook: Not a chance. Any minigame compilation taking game of the year would raise such an outcry from the Gamespot community that the bandwidth strain would shut down the site forever. Either that, or it is one of the best minigame party games ever created, and will shock and confuse the entire community with its victory. Yeah, right.
Title: Assassin's Creed
GS Score: 9.0
Platform(s): PS3, Xbox360
Outlook: Anyone that ever played a Thief title waited with bated breath for this game, and were rewarded with a stellar experience. Reviews indicate the game has everything going for it, with only a few minor visual qualms. In fact, reviewers liked everything from the soundtrack to the pacing and environment; it was surprising it did not garner a score over 9.0 from Gamespot staff. With a score of 9.0 and complaints of its repetitiveness from users, it is unlikely to be selected for Game of the Year.
Title: Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
GS Score: 9.0
Platform(s): PC, PS3, Xbox360
Outlook: The only problem noted with Call of Duty 4 was that it was too short, typically an indication of the reviewer's love affair with a title. In this case it resulted in a point reduction, as nothing else was noted to be wrong with the game. In fact, it might just be an underdog candidate for the Game of the Year title given its premier reception from the community.
Title: Gears of War
GS Score: 9.0
Platform(s): PC
Outlook: Not a chance; Gears of War won as best title of 2006, a rerelease for the PC is not going to net the game the title for a second year, even with some added content. The competition is too stiff. Great screenshots, though.
Title: Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords
GS Score: 9.0
Platform(s): XBox360
Outlook: Not a chance. Puzzle titles are great, and all, but it would be surprising to find a user at Gamespot that would select Puzzle Quest over Halo 3 or World In Conflict, among others. The inevitable uproar in the forums that would follow the section of Puzzle Quest for Game of the Year alone is worth avoiding the hassle.
Title: The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
GS Score: 9.0
Platform(s): DS
Outlook: The only DS title on the list is, appropriately, a Zelda title. Its innovative controls and engaging puzzles got more than one Gamespot staffer addicted. As a handheld title, however, it faces an uphill battle. A handheld title has never been selected as a Game of the Year.
Title: BioShock
GS Score: 9.0
Platform(s): PC, XBox360
Outlook: "Halo 3 killer," was mentioned more than once in the online forums. Working in its favor are one of the most intriguing, thoughtful, and well-paced storylines ever brought to the gaming medium, amazing visuals, and art direction that caused more than one gamer to fall out of their chair. Working against it is a lack of replayability, no multiplayer option, and its easy level of difficulty. Still, the game has a strong chance of taking the top spot, despite its half-point rating deficit.
Title: Super Paper Mario
GS Score: 8.8
Platform(s): Wii
Outlook: The Paper Mario series of games have a visual styIe all their own, great combat, and an entertaining storyline. At this point, however, the visuals have been seen before, and the quirky gameplay may not suit all gamers. While an amazing experience for fans of the series, there are more accessable titles that muscle Super Paper Mario out of consideration for the top slot.
Title: Ninja Gaiden Sigma
GS Score: 9.0
Platform(s): PS3
Outlook: Review Kevin VanOrd described the title as "the best way to play one of the best, most brutal action games ever made." Sigma was one of the best titles in its series, but its lower rating and stiff competition make it a dark horse for victory.
Title: Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas
GS Score: 9.0
Platform(s): PS3
Outlook: Not a chance. A latecomer to the PS3 platform, it had its chance once already in 2006 on other platforms, it will not get another.
Title: Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars
GS Score: 9.0
Platform(s): PC
Outlook: Tiberium Wars offered a polished presentation and was an admirable follow-up to its predecessors. Kane returned, and the game itself is a fantastic play. Unfortunately, it was hampered by a loss of content relative to predecessors, such as the complete absence of naval combat. One of the best parts of its predecessors was creating novel units, such as C&C2's Chrono Ivan and Yuri Prime. The three faction system of C&C3 made it feel more like a Starcraft clone than a unique C&C title. Finally, the game was not even mentioned in the Gamespot Preliminaries.
Title: Universe At War: Earth Assault
GS Score: TBD
Platform(s): PC
Outlook: General chatter in the forums indicates that Universe at War is unlikely to be a contender for Game of the Year. There are apparently problems with the interface and poor unit heirarchy, though time will tell once the retail version is released.
BOZANIMAL'S PREDICTIONS
Finalists: Crysis, Halo 3, and Super Mario GalaxyWho Should Win: Super Mario Galaxy
Super Mario Galaxy revived the aging platformer after Luigi's Mansion and Super Mario Sunshine brought into question the relevance of the plumbing duo. Mario returns in a new and intuitive way while still feeling familiar. The title was unilaterally accepted as one of the best games for the Wii, and one of Mario's best ever, stopping short of saying it exceeded Super Mario 64 (widely regarded as the best in the series). While it should win Game of the Year, and very well may, the competition in 2007 is very, very stiff. Losing is not necessarily an insult.
Who Will Win: Halo 3
Halo 3 lived up to player expectations, bringing its own brand of multiplayer first-person shooter to the Xbox 360 with stunning visuals and fantastic gameplay. Its incredible and deserved popularity practically beg for the Game of the Year award. That being said, it did very little that was novel. While new gameplay modes and a finalized storyline are all well and good, similar experiences are available from multiple titles on multiple platforms. Certainly it is still a great game, but is it worthy of Game of the Year when so many other amazing titles have been released? Only time will tell.
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