Best Games of 2007: HDCGAMER Edition...

#1 BIOSHOCK

Yes, you knew it was coming. But really I stand by my choice. I made this one on Gamespot about a week before the VGAs so I feel more justified than anyone with picking Bioshock than anyone. The reason I picked Bioshock is pretty simple. The game tells an incredible story, has incredible gameplay, incredible graphics, and has bring philosophical elements to the fore of a video game for the first time. These are things not easily done all in the same title. Most titles do one or two of them. But to do them all, that is worthy of true praise.

#2 The Orange Box

This package with Half-Life 2, Episode 1, Episode 2, Portal, and Team Fortress 2. Pretty much blows away anything else. The games packed in this box are everything from a FPS to a puzzle game. Even with a few issues at launch with playing online. The game is still the best of the bunch and the best value anyone can get for $60. With downloadable content and even episode 3. There is little doubt that Valve will continue to make great advancements not only in innovation but in turning conventions into a kind of classical perfection.

#3 Halo 3

This title was so incredibly hyped by Microsoft that really there was no chance it wouldn't be a big hit. The game while innovative certainly doesn't support it's megalithic hype. But for it's industry changing Forge that allows the player to change the layout of maps and for it's film capturing feature this game earns a third place nod.

#4 Call of Duty 4

Call of Duty 4 brought Infinity Ward back to the stage of battle and again they dominated. With an incredible graphical feel and a unmistakable cinematic quality; the game is one of the best shooters out this year. The best part of Call of Duty 4 are the hundreds of options in their mulitplayer and the ranking system that seems to be copycat of Halo 3's. While the single player was excellent the never ending enemy barrages and the timed events grew old quickly and really pulled the player out of the game.

#5 Super Mario Galaxy

This is my only Wii title in this list and the only game this year on the system worthy of a spot. This game served to take platforming to it's top level. Mario is a the height of his powers here in Galaxy. There really isn't a better platformer. But unfortunately that's all that can really be said of Galaxy. It's Super Mario 64 on speed. But that isn't exactly a bad thing.

#6 Persona 3

It took us all too long to get to Persona 3. But really this is where it belongs. The game has an accomplished story and an even better and more satisfying combat scheme than many supposedly more advanced RPGs. The game is incredible and should be played by anyone who loved Final Fantasy. The game has the same feel but a more modern feel and a cool manga-like art style that makes everything look cool.

#7 God of War 2

This game having come out early in the year on PS2 seemed to get lost in all the noise of later titles. But the design and execution of God of War 2 make it certainly one of the best games of this year and the sequel can only highlight this fact whenever it arrives. The God of War franchise is the best of Sony's stable and will hopefully retain it's quality throughout it's existence no matter what version of the Sony console it lands on.

#8 Rock Band

The difference between Rock Band and Guitar Hero is simple a microphone and a set of drums. The game allows the player to choose an instrument and play either together in a band or join a A.I. controlled band that has a loose theme but not the kind of true theme that the player controlled bands have. The game is incredible and certainly deserves a high place on the roster for it's incredible amount of downloadable songs and the large amount of replayablity that the game engenders.

#9 Guitar Hero III

The game is certainly the crowning achievement of the series and even with a lackluster number of improvements or changes over previous editions the game is still a high achievement. With it's record sales and probably a partial reason why playing the guitar again seems to be an interest of children and oldsters alike. The game even being difficult is excellent and hopefully will garner a more innovative sequel in the future.

#10 Unreal Tournament 3

This legendary game is probably more full of potential than anything else. The gameplay and overall design are first rate. The lack of sales and seeming interest for the title are head scratching. But in six months this title will most likely be at the height of it's powers and might then take it's place among the greatest games on any system.

The games that were not listed here were either not good enough to be put on it or were beyond the experience of the author. This is not to say that these games are not good, simply that I haven't gotten around to playing them yet. BTW, as not worry anyone, Mass Effect would be #11 due to it's many bugs and boring vehicle sequences.

And the Award Goes to?

Yes it's true, we have entered that time of the year when everyone and their brother has decided that they need to do a GAME of the Year. But what really is the point in the end? Everyone more or less talks about the same games in their top ten and most sites have agreed this year that Bioshock from 2k Games is the winner. I certainly can understand why this happened but what I don't understand is everyone's need to proclaim it from the rooftops.

The quality of the title is rather obvious to anyone who has played it. But what some games of this year haven't shown is that they are all basically, when boiled down the same thing. I can hear it now, the cries of how wrong I am and what a fool I am. But it's true. The games of 2007 fell into two categories.

Critical darlings and financial ones. Only a couple of games bridged the two. Most games that did well financially were totally destroyed critically and most of the games that were critically acclaimed had a hard time getting off the ground financially.

The two games that really broke that mold were the Orange Box from Valve and Halo 3 from Bungie. You could also count Guitar Hero 3. All these games were incredibly well received both financially and critically.

But what do these games have in common and why then are all games the same. It's a lot easier than you might think. The reason for Halo's success was it's heritage. If there was no Halo or Halo 2 there would not have been the blockbuster Halo 3. It just couldn't have pulled in all that money. Same holds true for the Orange Box. If two thirds of the box hadn't appeared in other places and from the award winning company Valve. There wouldn't never have been that financial success. Finally the same holds true for Guitar Hero 3. And to an even greater extent there is Super Mario Galaxy for the Wii. If there hadn't been all those Mario games in the past this game would never have been such a financial success.

The industry now is run by sequels. If the game isn't a franchise product it doesn't have that multimillion dollar power behind it. The reason for this of course is the distracted nature of the average consumer. Most consumers don't pay much attention to the here and now. Most pay attention to the last year or so.

So if your game is new and unique and no one has played anything like it. Then there is no way for that average consumer to know that your game exists. Unless there is a feature film about it or some kind of graphic novel about it.

Therefore, I will probably go along with the crowd and drop my top ten best games of 2007. I might even do it tonight. But folks please just take this as my opinion. Because the main thing that you should take away from 2007 in video games is that this was the year of the sequel. What will next year bring? More of the same. But then, that IS what everyone wants right???

Epic, what is going on with UT 3?

According to the Unreal Tournaments Forum FAQ:
"UT3 can run on PCs, PS3, and XBox360. Can I create a server on a PC that can be used to host games for PS3 and/or XBox360 players?
- Per Epic Games, "Hi all. PS3 servers require being run on PS3s. Epic is putting up a bunch of PS3 [dedicated servers], but the console universe traditionally is listen servers." -Jeff Morris 11/28/07"

But

"Server browsing is similar to the PC, with the ability to filter by various game options. You can specify whether you want to restrict your choices to dedicated servers. When creating a multiplayer game, you can choose to host as a dedicated server, and dedicated PS3 servers can be run from PCs as well." Shacknews...

Which is only one example of where they say that the PC servers can host PS3 games. Considering these interviews were done in December and the FAQ is posted on the 28th of November it is kind of hard to believe it was a dropped feature. SO WHAT REALLY HAPPENED? I bought the PC version to make maps but considering there are STILL NO TOOLS to cook mods for the PS3 I guess I'll just fool with the PC mods until there are. Also the mouse support for the PS3 is borked!

This is the reason that people who own PS3s get so angry.... Please Epic release some statements about UT3 and please so that you REALLY support this title by coming out with a patch for the PS3 version and some better support for the dedicated server program.

Gamespot gets the Oliver Stone Treatment!

Gamespot's Video Review of Unreal Tournament 3 PC version

DLTV Unreal Tournament 3 Review

Unreal Tournament 3 for the PS3! What's wrong with it?

I just don't get it. Full keyboard and mouse support, some customization options, and some of the best traditional FPS gameplay. You can even download mods and put them on your PS3 to play from the PC version. So what the HELL is wrong with it? Why isn't anyone playing. It's practically impossible to find a lag free game. Unreal Tournament 3 would probably be the best FPS out there if there were just more people playing. I guess I could pick up the PC version because I was going to anyway to make mods. But since my PS3 is graphically better than my PC I was hoping to mostly play on there. Even with the controller the game is fun. Come on guys! Play some Unreal Tournament 3!

[UPDATE] December 27th 2007... There are some Midway Dedicated Servers that have been added for the PS3. But I AM hoping to get the PC version soon. I REALLY look forward to making mods for the PS3 and the PC. I just hope the PS3 tools come out soon. The mouse side of the keyboard/mouse support seem to be a little sketchy but I'm sure it will be fixed soon. Playing with the controller is fun and on dedicated servers the game is incredibly fun.

Please folks, at the VERY LEAST pick up the game for the PS3 or the PC. I know you have a PC, your reading this. I have to say that this is one of the best FPSs I've ever played. I know there were tons of games out this holiday season, but this is one you shouldn't miss. Also, you know that in six months when there are hundreds of mods you'll REALLY want to buy it then. SO just pick it up now, use that gift card you got for Christmas.

Better REALLY LATE than never? Duke Nuk'em Forever trailer!

Burnout Paradise PS3 and XBOX 360 Demos. It's SO GOOD!

What is up on XBOX LIVE and Playstation Network are two identical demos that allow the player to get a feel for Burnout Paradise. Both games look exactly the same on each console. There don't seem to be any performance or graphical issues with either system. I currently have a lot more friends on XBOX LIVE so I will probably buy the XBOX 360 version. But that's just me, there is NO REASON to be console conscious when thinking of buying this game.

The game allows you to drive freely through an open city and take on Burnout style challenges like Burning route, Race, or Road Rage. Of what is in the demo they are very challenging. But these aren't the reason to buy the game. The reason is the online multiplayer. It's like playing a Burnout MMO or a REALLY good version of Test Drive Unlimited. The game should have allowed for MANY MORE players online at once but perhaps this will be in Burnout Paradise 2. I want to be online from the moment I turn on the game and play with ANYONE on the server. Like 16-30 people. Not just 4... It's just not fun playing alone! I REALLY LOVE the game. But playing with people, doing takedowns, near misses, and crazy tricks makes this game worth any price for admission. I can only hope there will be tons of DLC to keep this game going until Criterion can make Burnout Paradise 2. It will probably be the bestselling racing game of the year and probably the BEST RACING GAME OF THE YEAR of 2008. Get your copy on Jan 22nd!

No matter your taste in games, Burnout Paradise will make you happy. Head down to Paradise City this January, ir won't let you down....

Mod Tools not yet out for PS3 version of UT3.

"December 12, 2007 - If you've already purchased a copy of Epic's Unreal Tournament 3, you may have noticed you can't yet load in mods. Before users can actually start making mods work for PS3, Epic apparently needs to release special PS3 tools, which Epic producer Jeff Morris assures us will be available soon.

"By far the superior method of explaining this is that mod creators should begin creating mods," said Morris in an email. "Once the tools come out (they will be available soon) players can port them to the PS3, but since they'll work the same way on the PC as the PS3, creators should get busy! Additionally, there is always a delay between a UT game and when mods start to appear. PS3 is no different."

Jeff went on to explain, step-by-step, the process for transferring the mods from your PC to your PS3.

• Save the PS3 folder (per mod) to your SD card (or USB drive).
  
• Run UT3 on PS3
  
• Insert SD card into PS3
  
• Go to My Community User Content
  
• Select Import Content
  
• Import from the SD card"IGN...

• 
  

This is all very understandable but the lack of advertising and the problems with PS3 game development on the whole makes this just another slap in the face to Sony. Also, Epic needs to get going on something for this game. There seems to be this general lack of interest and it was relatively hard to get the information above. Some people think that the PS3 game WON'T except mods ever. Which is wrong but the total silence out there just doesn't seem to be helping anyone.

Guns N' Roses Paradise City Trailer! I knew this was coming....

PS3's New Firmware update makes it the King of all Media!

With the latest video additions in the 2.10 firmware update for the PS3 it has finally, a more than a year after launch. Has made the system the best choice for all your media consuming needs. No longer will you have a limited selection of videos to watch on your system and no longer will you have trouble streaming all the web shows you want to watch to your PS3. What I speak of, of course, is the addition of both WMV and Divx formats making the system compatible with everything but Quicktime. And what IS compatible with Quicktime other than Macs and iPods? So they have finally done what all PS3 owners have been waiting for. With Unreal Tournament 3 and custom wallpapers it is a BANNER month for the PS3. All we need now are custom soundtracks and the PS3 will inch passed the XBOX 360. But considering I watch all my movies on the PS3 I guess now I will play all my internet media there too. Thanks Sony!

Resident Evil Degeneration Trailer!

RESIDENT EVIL DEGENERATION TRAILER
Uploaded by PANZERDRAKO

That looks good. I think the current series with Mila should watch it's back.

Huxley gamplay from Gamevideos!

So this obviously comes from an Asian country. Why is that? Huxley was going to be on PC then ported over to XBOX 360. It's a FPS MMORPG. There were originally awesome graphics and some REALLY cool design ideas. It now looks kind of like Unreal Tournament 3 and Far Cry had a love child. I know it is probably still early so hopefully by Fall 2008 when this thing is supposed to come out after around 3-5 years of work it ends up better than an MMO rip off of something else.

Level Four of Discovery Channel Rise of Videogames Show: Starts like a God and ends, however you want?

" LEVEL FOUR

• Premiere: Wednesday, Dec. 12, at 8 p.m. ET/PT
  Ever since the invention of the computer, man has feared "the machine" and its ability to think. But a computer's unique computational power has also led to the development of unpredictable, intelligent and malleable games. "God games," like SimCity and Civilization, simulate entire worlds and let players experiment with cause and effect. As the 1990s dawned, global turmoil forced gamers to find solace in the world of videogames — a virtual world that offered control at a time when the real one seemed dangerously out of control. Now, videogames have become tools for learning and creative expression. Players use games like Halo and Unreal Tournament 3 to tell their own stories via Machinima or through custom content that is shared with others over the Internet. The line between producer and customer has forever blurred — further proof that videogames are destined to become the dominant form of entertainment. This episode features Will Wright (creator of SimCity, The Sims and Spore), Sid Meier (who developed the game series Civilization) and John Brennan (voice actor from the Jerky Boys and Family Guy)."DiscoveryChannel...

God games are discussed with another crazy look at the past and attempting to wrap an era around a game genre or games as a whole. With just as improbable parallels as those in episode 1. Simcity as a model for geopolitical cause and effect? Not really, most people looked at Simcity as a way to have a sandbox and play in it. It's not a mirror for reality, which they also state by admitting that real life has too many variables to see what happens. They also try to prove that in the early 90s people moved toward these games because they were more complicated and smarter. Yet today, most Sim-type games are usually purchased at Wal-Mart.

Making good versus evil and the whole morality thing being in the 90s is also insane. Considering the real good versus evil in games really didn't hit center stage until the first Black and White. Not Populous. Populous was just like Civilization or Simcity. There is no good or evil, you just do whatever you want and live with the effects of those actions. Wow, the show actually makes a good point. The Black and White games make a statement about religion. I guess even blind dogs find the door once in a while.

What is it about the military that is SO attractive for the makers of this television show. Certainly there are things in military technology that have seeped into every part of our culture. Why, are games being laser honed in on; as products of pure military heritage.

I would have liked to hear a good explanation of, WHAT exactly artificial intelligence does and how it works rather than just saying how great it is and how it came to be. Because this is definitely something that needs simplification for all most everyone.

I all ways love listening to what Will Wright and Peter Molyneux have to say. But to not really ask them too many things interesting, is kind of worthless and certainly a missed opportunity.

The moving from one era to another so often and so quickly in the name of discussing a theme is hard to follow for people who don't all ready know this stuff. And it is REALLY boring for the people who DO all ready know it. How can they go from the 70s or 80s to the 90s. Then all of a sudden start talking about present day. It's much too hard for the casual viewer to follow. Themed shows just aren't good for this type of thing. Either do history or do commentary on the modern era. Not just jump around like 9th grader writing his first term paper and expect people unfamiliar with the material to follow it.

The horribly over-viewed Mod community really is crazy. The whole thing just needs a rewrite. The microcosmic view of the world of video games is going to make the casual viewer think that all this has been going on without them knowing. The funny thing is, is that it has; but no one felt it to be important except the people in those communities. They are really crossing too many time periods and technological eras to make this whole thing understandable or even reasonable.

Machinima in the 90s? They are really stretching the boundaries here. Red versus Blue needed Halo and that came in 2001. Seems someone is putting the cart before the horse. What I really love about this show is that it uses dates when it serves the show. But when it doesn't, the dates and time frame is completely ignore it.