Best of the Rest: Chris' Picks of 2007
Sam & Max: Season One (PC)
Yeah, it's sort of stretching it since two of Season One's six episodes "aired" in ye olde 2006, but I'm figuring that majority rules (not to mention the first episode of Season Two came out in November) and the retail package was released in '07, so Sam & Max Season One is number one on my list of the best of the rest this year. Actually, these Sam & Max episodes have a lot in common with our #1 choice for Game of the Year: superb writing, genuine humor, bite-sized portions, clever puzzles, and a hefty dollop of charm.
Half-Life 2: Episode Two (PC, Xbox 360)
To be honest, I almost feel bad about leaving HL2: E2 off the Top 10 list while its Orange Box-mate Portal gets all the accolades. From beginning to end, it's an incredible experience, owing to Valve's legendary design prowess and excellent writing. Maybe I was expecting something new, or maybe one of my favorite game series of all time is getting old and I just don't know it yet. Or maybe this year was just too chocked full of great games.
Everyday Shooter (PS3)
Last year was my first as an IGF judge and, in that role, I experienced plenty of really unique and creative games. One of the standout titles was Everyday Shooter, described as "an album of games" by its one-man creator Jonathan Mak. Though I've lost track of many of the other finalists, Everyday Shooter's release on the PlayStation Network guaranteed the quirky shooter would find a larger audience, including me.
Uncharted (PS3)
Ludwig described it perfectly as Indiana Jones and the Gears of War. Naughty Dog's Uncharted is the definition of a cinematic action game: start with the gorgeous graphics, and stick around for the great writing and impossibly good voice acting. But now I'm torn, best female video game side kick: Alyx or Elena?
Pac-Man CE (Xbox 360)
The most impressive thing about Pac-Mac Championship Edition is that Toru Iwatani, the original Pac-Man creator, managed to reinvent the original formula for an entirely new audience twenty-five years after Ms. Pac-Man. Make no mistake, despite internet grumping following the announcement ("just another Pac-Man?!"), this is the most major variation in the Pac-Man formula since he put a bow in his bonnet and chomped in some different mazes. Add in XBLA leaderboards and Iwatani just recreated the arcade experience for a whole new generation. Brilliant.
Most disappointing: The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (DS)
Confession: I love action-adventure games, I adore Wind Waker, and my cats are named Link and Zelda, so it's with a heavy heart that I find myself unable to enjoy Phourglass. Is it the obnoxious central dungeon conceit? Or perhaps the totally broken sailing mechanic? No, I think it's my giant ham hock obscuring most of my tiny DS Lite screen. Why can't I just use the D-pad for 98% of this stuff?
New Year's gaming resolutions:
Play Metroid Prime 3 and Mass Effect. Oh, and get really good at CoD4 multiplayer. Oh, and spend more time in Halo multiplayer. And Team Fortress 2. And replay Half-Life 2. And finish Tomb Raider Legend. And the Darkness. And replay BioShock. You get the idea ...
