iTWire game of 2007

Mike Bantick
Saturday, 29 December 2007 02:19

Opinion and Analysis

5 “The Guitar Heroes ” – most platforms – Even the maligned GH II Encore:Rocks the Eighties provided hours of ‘take me away to another place’ gaming.  Smashing!

4 BioShock – Xbox 360, PC – Magnificent dystopian shooter, with atmosphere literally dripping from the walls.  From the review: “Like a vision of utopia with overtones of Citizen Kane combined with Orwell’s 1984, Rapture presents the player with Art Deco design disguising deep shadows cloaking hidden malice.

As in all masterful suspense dramas, your mind will magnify the ordinary (such as the ever present sound of water flowing and dripping) into the extraordinary (could that small, dark waterfall be hiding another Splicer?).”

3- Super Paper Mario – Wii – Combining traditional Mario platforming fun with an added dimension, this delightful Nintendo romp was engaging, beautiful and filled with masterful design.  From the review:” At anytime, but for a limited time, Mario can flip the normal 2D world into a 3D perspective, revealing un-seen items and directions to travel.  These 3D secrets coupled with expert level design maintain a puzzle element to the game that is masterfully challenging and satisfying at the same time.  “

2- Halo 3 – Xbox 360 – Finish the fight, now in High Definition.  Take the Master Chief to a satisfying conclusion to the iconic Xbox franchise.  Expert pacing, gorgeous visuals, deep and complete multiplayer, not much more to ask for here.  From the review:” Where things have changed is indoors.  Bungie has lessened the endless same looking corridor experience of the past titles for tighter and varied indoor sections.  The result is less old-school shooter.

There are also bigger set pieces; you will punch the air with triumph when MC finally brings down his first, gigantic Scarab tank.”

1 – Call of Duty 4:Modern Warfare – Most platforms – Making the successful jump from WWII to the modern day Infinite Ward have crafted an intense experience that toys all senses and emotions of the player.  It seems almost glib to call this title a game; it is more an interactive experience that puts modern conflict into perspective.  From the review: “Tension is the word during a session of CoD4, snapping the franchise out of the WWII era and into the current day gives the player an instant familiarity with the atmosphere, visually there are images that seem to come straight from the front lines of conflicts on the evening news.”

And finally – turkey of the year Vampire Rain .  Happy 2008