What's currently your game of the year so far in 2007?

[Anthony1]

So, we are almost half way thru 2007 now, and the back half of 2007 is going to get crazy with all the huge blockbuster games, but before we get into all that drama, so far in 2007 what is your game of the year up to this point? Also, if you want, list a runner up that was close to getting your current game of the year crown.







For me, I can say without hesitation that it's Crackdown for Xbox 360. This game has simply wrapped me up with it's charms and never let go. Alot of people will talk about Crackdown being a decent, albeit short game, not bad at all, but nothing super special. I beg to differ. I think Crackdown is absolutely fantastic. The thing is, to truly appreciate what Crackdown has to offer, I think you have to play the game a certain way, with a certain mindset. If you go thru the game, simply trying to kill all the bosses, and to take back control of the City, you will miss out on so much of what makes this game special. Actually, when you play Crackdown, taking out the bosses should be one of the last things you focus on, rather than the first. The real meat of the game is in exploring every nook and cranny of Pacific City, and leveling up your character. Searching for all 500 Agility Orbs and 300 Secret Orbs. Achieving some of the crazy ass achievements. That's what this game is really about. If you simply rush thru the game and kill all the bosses and such, you will miss so much of the brilliance of the game.

Also, this game is an insane mix of platforming and GTA style rampaging. It's a pretty crazy mix. I have literally spent hours just jumping from one platform to the next, trying to climb my way up skyscrappers, wondering if I could make the seemingly impossible leap from the building I'm standing on, to the one almost two blocks away.

I think the graphics are pretty damn impressive, given the visual style of the game. When you are standing at the top of a very tall building, looking out at the ocean, the water looks damn good. The draw distance is pretty amazing. You can shoot your rocket launcher out into the distance, and the rocket will eventually explode into something. It may travel several miles before impact, but it will explode against something. That's pretty impressive. Audio is definitely superb if you have a 5.1 setup. Especially with the surround channels. Lots of discrete sound going on in the surrounds. I can definitely find some pretty big faults with this game, but if gaming is ultimately about having fun, then why even get into that? I'm having more fun with this game, than any other game I've played this year. Isn't that what it's all about? For my runner up pick, I'm going to go with Motorstorm for the PS3. Motorstorm is pure fun as well. I can't spend the kind of hours I spend with Crackdown on Motorstorm, but every time I fire up Motorstorm, I have a good time.

[Trebuken]

Dude...Crackdown has a case, but the winner is really, really obvious.

God Of War II.

Nobody is gonna' tell Kratos otherwise...

Only a few 'great' games released this year so far, a little disappointing...

[Nick]

Ohh..I have to say "Odin Sphere" without question. It is such a great game. Obviously it looks amazing but the actual gameplay is so addicting. I've heard many people complain that it's too hard etc. But if you give this game just a little bit of time you'll find a very solid, all around package.

OS is in the high 9's for me.

The only runner up I can think of is "The Red Star" although this technically was around in 2004. The final release is a ton of fun to play however, not nearly as deep. (Plus the crazy software glitches that shipped with the game...2P invincibility etc) This game is probably one of the best beat em ups ive played in a long time. It also mixes in some solid SHMUP action. What a great blend of gaming goodness. :D

Note: I have a Wii, 360, and PS2 (and many older systems of course). I can't say much for the PS3 because I have not even played one (and at the moment would not even consider buying one) but of these current gen/next gen systems both of my favorites thus far are on PS2. Pretty funny considering how much money I have thrown down for the other two systems.

Edit: I have GOW II as well...definetely a great game but too much of the same. A worthy choice none the less...

[2Dskillz]

I too endorse Odin Sphere. While God of War 2 is solid it is a sequel, and originality is a big part of standing out as game of the year and Odin Sphere does this very well. From hand drawn art, an exceptional score and some very unique game play ideas Odin Sphere offers a lot.

(I have also played Princess Crown and know that Odin Sphere was not the first to do this kind of game, but PC was overlooked and OS really goes above and beyond.)

[Windy Miller]

Puzzle Quest on DS. I've put nearly 100 hours into that game.

[p_b]

My favourite game this year wasn't actually released in 07: Geometry Wars Retro Evolved. First of all, there weren't too many games coming out in 07 which were interesting enough for me to play the full price. Secondly, GW:RE is just brilliant.
I'm still not very good at it, but I keep getting better. It's one of those games that are very easy to learn, but hard to master...those were the days :)

[heybtbm]

For me, I can say without hesitation that it's Crackdown for Xbox 360. This game has simply wrapped me up with it's charms and never let go.

Yes, yes and yes.

I couldn't agree more. Crackdown is without question my GOTY so far. I love the sandbox genre and the fact that you kill the bad guys as opposed to being one. Looking forward though, Crackdown may be eclipsed by GTA4 and most importantly...Mercenaries 2. I can't even describe how excited I am for that one. Anyway...GOTY so far goes to Crackdown. So much fun for a game that really came out of left field.

[PentiumMMX]

So far, it's Pokemon Diamond.

[Hwj_Chim]

My Vote goes to Odin Sphere.

[appaws]

Let me jump on the Odin Sphere bandwagon, for all the reasons that the above posters laid out. A fantastic game.

[Xexyz]

Sorry guys, I can't jump on the Odin Sphere bandwagon. A good game yes, but I've been spoiled by a certain dungeon crawler Atlus released a week prior to it. That game is Etrian Odyssey for the Nintendo DS.

An old-school inspired RPG, EO is a dungeon crawler fans dream. It brings back the challenge that modern RPG's often lack. The game sure won't win any awards for its storyline, which takes a backseat to the exploration & gameplay, but it sure is a polished title. Boasting the most impressive 3D visuals to date on the NDS, vivid, well detailed character sprites, and a rocking soundtrack from famed composer, Yuzo Koshiro. Good old Yuzo does not disappoint either. Sporting well orchestrated overworld tunes, and fast beat 16-bit (dare I say Genesis/Yamaha chip?) inspired battle themes; my favorite being the standard F.O.E. boss music. It really adds a sence of urgency when you encounter these tough baddies, especially when you see more of them on the map screen headed your way.

Speaking of the map screen, the whole idea of topography is well implemented. No longer does one need a pencil and piece of graphing paper to keep track of a dungeon crawlers endless mazes. EO allows you to do this entierely on the touch screen. Not only can you draw walls and paint paths, you can also plot symbols to represent treasure finds, mine/chop/find locations, F.O.E. locations, pits, warp points, and events. Not only that, but you can add a description to these symbols to remind you of what happened there.

The gameplay may be your standard turn based formula, but random battles will not take long to finish. This game does not hold your hand. Even the most veteren RPG gamer will die here and there. Knowing your limit and when to avoid a F.O.E. fight is key in this game. Also adding to the challenge, is how you obtain capital. Random battles will not net you money along with experience points, just the occasional dropped item. These items are how you gain monetary value. In order to heal and revive party members, buy usable items, and purchase stronger equipment, you have to sell off the things you obtain from monsters and item gathering spots.

It's an overall high quality, niche package from Atlus of Japan. I would expect no less from them.

[KillerCheese]

for me its closely run between forza 2, crackdown, GOW2 and ghost recon advanced war fighter 2.

[FantasiaWHT]

Puzzle Quest or Super Paper Mario for me. I just bought Odin Sphere tho, but I haven't played it yet. I think I'm moving it up on my priority list after hearing all of this, tho!

[diskoboy]

Crackdown for me.

But Forza 2 is quickly gaining momentum.

[Gabriel]

Puzzle Quest for the PSP. It's amazing how buggy it is and it's STILL an awesome game. It's one of those truly great titles which comes along which seems familiar, but new, and you wonder why no one ever made it sooner.

It's a shame that so many stores refuse to even order the PSP version.

[ubersaurus]

My friend has been raving about Etrian Odyssey for about 3 weeks now. I can only assume it's pretty good.

Just based off of the beta, Halo 3 will likely be my game of the year candidate. But since it's not out yet, I think I'll go with Pokemon Diamond. Pokemon+online stuff=awesome.

[Richter Belmount]

Nothin.

[Joker T]

Crackdown is mine so far, excellent game.

But with Bioshock, Halo 3, GTA IV, Mass Effect, Call of Duty 4, etc. down the line it has some competition.

[exit]

Bleach DS 2nd. My first DS import and one of the best fighters I've played in a long time. It also helps that it's the only new game I've bothered to buy this year.

[rxd]

I have to give my vote to Crackdown also. And to think that at first people were saying that the only reason to get Crackdown was to get the Halo 3 beta. What a joke, Crackdown is a great game that's a blast to play.

[diskoboy]

I have to give my vote to Crackdown also. And to think that at first people were saying that the only reason to get Crackdown was to get the Halo 3 beta. What a joke, Crackdown is a great game that's a blast to play.


I agree 100% with this comment.

I never played the Halo 3 beta. Not once.

[Overbite]

Even though it just came out today, I'd say Tomb Raider Anniversary is the best game of 2007. This game is super rad and I can't think of anything I'd rather have, except some potato salad or something.

[Lord_Magus]

hmm... I haven't really played many new games this year (mostly been catching up on older titles), but I'm willing to bet that Bioshock will be winning the most Game of the Year awards in 2007 :)

[chicnstu]

Rogue Galaxy for me.

Once I get the money to buy Super Paper Mario that might change.

[diskoboy]

hmm... I haven't really played many new games this year (mostly been catching up on older titles), but I'm willing to bet that Bioshock will be winning the most Game of the Year awards in 2007 :)
I'd wager that, as well...

Bioshock just keeps looking better every time I see it.

[MegaDrive20XX]

Vote for best looking 2D game in 2007? Odin Sphere, no doubt.

[smork]

I'm a-voting for Crackdown myself. Definitely the biggest eater of time for me this year!

I hold out high hopes for Mercenaries 2 to supplant it, though.

[Icarus Moonsight]

Super Paper Mario, Odin Sphere and Puzzle Quest. Etrian Odyssey looks nice too but, unfortunately, those other games have held my attention so that I haven't had the chance to go pick it up.

[Nesmaster]

Crackdown for sure. I'd give second to Earth Defense Force 2017.

[sabre2922]

Tomb Raider Anniversary PS2 never thought I would luv TR again :love: in fact I only lliked TR for the most part until now.

[heybtbm]

Tomb Raider Anniversary PS2 never thought I would luv TR again :love: in fact I only lliked TR for the most part until now.

Did you buy Tomb Raider: Legend last year? Great game, you should pick it up if you haven't already. Anyway, how can you say Anniversary is your "Game of the Year" when you've only had it a day or two?

[sabre2922]

Did you buy Tomb Raider: Legend last year? Great game, you should pick it up if you haven't already. Anyway, how can you say Anniversary is your "Game of the Year" when you've only had it a day or two?

ummm i guess the "so far" part of the ? but ive played it both on the PC Demo and for HOURS on the PS2 also.

[s1lence]

I'm going to say Forza 2. I was all about Crackdown's stupid fun game play, but Forza is just damn good. I'll put God of War II up there in a close second. Of course once Halo 3 comes out that will be my number one, based on my beta experience.

[cyberfluxor]

More than likely I'm the only one to vote Supreme Commander. :(

...At least most of us might agree on Starcraft 2 when it's released. :)

[Anthony1]

I've heard Odin Sphere praised several places. Play magazine and the 1upShow as two examples. And with all the praise in this thread, I gotta at least try it. Does anybody know if Odin Sphere will play on a PS3? I no longer have a PS2 anymore.