The Rest of the Best

Sam Hart

2007-11-16 17:58:15

Everything else that was great this year

Presented in no particular order...

• 
  

  Call of Duty 4

  
  

  Xbox 360

  
  The COD franchise is a popular one, and COD4 was the grand return to fan-favorite developer "Infinity Ward". The problem with the COD series previously was that it was stuck in the now cliched World War II shooter genre, and thus, moderately predictable. COD4 shook things up by fast-fowarding the action to more of a modern setting, thus breathing new life in what had become a somewhat stale series.
  
  COD4 is a very exciting and enjoyable game. The online multiplayer is one of the richest around, in many ways outclassing its contemporaries like Halo 3. It has a brilliantly designed party system and introduces some RPG-inspired leveling in your characters.
  
  Unfortunately, its single player leaves a tiny bit to be desired. The single player campaign is painfully short, and cannot be played co-operatively (which seems like a criminal mistake for multiplayer games like this these days). These two problems are the only things preventing COD4 from being included in the Best of the best list.
  


• 
  

  Metroid Prime 3 : Corruption

  
  

  Nintendo Wii

  
  A satisfying and enjoyable conclusion to the Metroid Prime trilogy. The addition of the Wiimote controls really breathed life into a series that had become somewhat stagnant.
  
  While multiplayer is noticeably missing, and some of the levels are pretty boring, the game still stands as one of the best games available for the Wii.
  


• 
  

  Warhawk

  
  

  PS3

  
  Warhawk for the PS3 is one of those crazily addictive little nuggets of gameplay that you crave to play when you're not playing it. It's also easily the best game available on the PS3 to date. The multiplayer is frantic and action-packed, the graphics are gorgeous, and the gameplay is divine.
  
  Unfortunately, the game is fairly shallow. A small number of maps and no real single player experience mars what is otherwise a Zen-like experience.
  


• 
  

  Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow

  
  

  PSP

  
  Syphon Filter has always been a series that has played second fiddle to Konami's Metal Gear. The PS1 games were fun, but not great, and the PS2 game was mediocre at best. However, on the PSP, the Syphon Filter series has really shined.
  
  Logan's Shadow is the follow-up to the last Syphon Filter game on the PSP. It includes the same training program, very similar gameplay, and online multiplayer. While it doesn't do anything too terribly new, what it does do is very well done.
  


• 
  

  Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass

  
  

  Nintendo DS

  
  This is the DS follow-up to the incredible Legend of Zelda: Windwaker game (which was one of my top games of 2003). The graphics are spectacular for the DS with the cell-shaded look of the original carried over accurately on the small screen.
  
  The level design and story progression may be a "by-the-book" Zelda affair, but where this game really deserves credit is in its controls. This is one of the few 3D DS games that is completely controlled via the stylus. The controls are innovative in nearly every respect and work quite nicely.
  


• 
  

  Loco Roco

  
  

  PSP

  
  Loco Roco may be the best game for the PSP. Anything I could write about it wouldn't do the game justice, so here's footage from the game:
  
  


• 
  

  Carcassonne

  
  

  Xbox 360

  
  Carcassonne is a faithful console adaptation of the popular board game. It's an addicting and exciting turn-based strategy game that includes a rich multiplayer experience. Plus, it's inexpensive and available from Xbox Live Marketplace.
  


• 
  

  Pac-Man Championship Edition

  
  

  Xbox 360

  
  Take the classic Pac-Man gameplay, add in some highly addicting puzzle elements, then slap a time limit on everything and you get one of the best game remixes to come along in a while.
  


• 
  

  Sin & Punishment

  
  

  Nintendo Wii (Virtual Console)

  
  Wii's online store in 2007 left a lot to be desired. Sure, it has a massive collection of classic console games, but these are games we've seen before... Tons of times. Super Mario Brothers has now been available on half a dozen consoles, did we really need it again. Where's the new and original content?
  
  Well, thankfully, it can be found... if you look hard enough.
  
  Nintendo exhibited sheer brilliance by bringing us classic console imports from Japan, and Treasure's "Sin & Punishment" is easily the best of the pack. Originally for the N64, this is classic Treasure shooting gold filled with giant bosses, non-stop action, and some spectacular graphical effects. Oh, and it's fun to play.
  
  The controls don't translate very well to the Classic Controller, or to the GameCube controller, but don't let that minor blemish mar what is otherwise an incredible experience.