I’m glad to finally present to you GamerNode’s Best of E3 2007, as chosen by me (so don’t yell at any writers if stuff made the list or didn’t make the list; I was at E3, so it’s all my fault). Unlike many other lists, I’m going to try to keep this to games I experienced first-hand, and rate them based on how much fun and the feeling I had while playing them. They may not be the most technologically impressive titles, or have the greatest visuals (although some do), but they were the most fun, and the best games in my opinion.
And now, without further ado, the list…
Best Action Game
John Woo Presents Stranglehold (360, PS3)
Publisher: Midway, Developer: Tiger Hill Entertainmen
I was a little wary of this game over the last few months, mostly due to the fact that anything related to movies will likely suck. Boy, was I wrong. Stranglehold lives up to everything advertised; the action is impressive and balls-to-the-wall, the animations are very smooth, and the levels are extremely immersive and entertaining as hell.
With levels lasting up to an hour and a half of play time, enemies aplenty, extremely entertaining special moves (ask anyone who watched me play – I spent like half an hour using just the zoom-in move which leads to hilarious [if you’re twisted like me] animations upon impact), and the Chow we all love (not the watered down Pirates version), Stranglehold is going to please a lot of gamers. It may not wow a lot of critics or beat titles like MGS when it comes to story, but it’s fun, and that’s what counts.
Runner ups:
Dark Sector (360, PS3)
Assassin’s Creed (360, PS3)
Best Adventure Game
Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (DS)
Publisher/Developer: Nintendo
Who didn’t expect this one? Flatly put, it’s a Zelda game, it doesn’t mess up, and it successfully changes the formula enough to keep it fresh. In other words, it’s instantly a GotY contender.
Phantom Hourglass is set in the Wind Waker world, and the visuals prove that. What sets it apart, however, is the way Aonuma implemented the stylus controls. Even with Twilight Princess’s tacked-on Wiimote use, Zelda was quickly becoming stale in the combat portion; not in this one, though. Added to the select few DS games where the stylus is more than just a gimmick, Phantom Hourglass may give a better adventure to Zelda gamers than Twilight Princess offered.
Runner up:
Zack & Wiki (Wii)
Best Fighting Game
Bleach: Shattered Blade (Wii)
Publisher/Developer: Sega
Keeping with my theme of "what’s fun matters, not what’s most impressive," Bleach takes home my pick of best fighting game. Sure, VF5 is still awesome, but we’ve already seen that on the PS3; Bleach for the Wii is new.
Like Naruto on the Wii, it’s one of the few fighting games implementing the Wiimote controls in a pleasant (and fun) way. As the sword-swingin’ cast of one of the most popular anime shows on television, the use of the remote’s actions really make sense. The difficulty is high, and the fighting is fast paced, making this one a blast to play against another person.
Runner ups:
Naruto: Clash of Ninja (Wii)
Virtua Fighter 5 (360)
Best FPS Game
Legendary: The Box (360, PS3, PC)
Publisher: Gamecock Media, Developer: Spark Unlimited
While not as technically polished as some of the big FPS titles at E3, Legendary stands far apart from the crowd due to its unique setting, and use of mythology the world is familiar with in a refreshing way. As my advisor in college used to say, "Mythology is the only universal language," and Legendary looks to prove that.
Taking monsters and things we all already know about, Spark has made a game which allows us to experience first-hand battling creatures talked about for untold centuries. Set in a modern city, the destruction is awesome, and the opening scene with the griffons is sure to make any gamer’s adrenaline rush. There are no detailed squad commands or orders given, because this game is all about non-stop action; thank God for that.
Look for more people to pick up on Legendary as time goes by, and don’t be surprised if this catapults Gamecock and Spark into the upper tier in the gaming industry.
Runner ups:
Call of Duty 4 (PC, 360, PS3)
Unreal Tournament 3 (PC, PS3, 360)
Best Music Game
Rock Band (360)
Publisher: Electronic Arts, Developer: Harmonix
Like Zelda, this one is also obvious. Taking what they learned from their past games, Harmonix is creating what may be the ultimate in music gaming. Allowing for you and your friends to play as the entire band, this is easily the ultimate experience for gamers who got the itch thanks to Guitar Hero.
With the amount of music offered, and the ability to play via Live, there’s no reason this game shouldn’t become a huge hit – assuming people don’t mind shelving out the cash, at least.
Runner ups:
Guitar Hero III (360)
Onamarama (DS)
Best Platform Game
Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)
Publisher/Developer: Nintendo
Guess what? Another "duh" game! A lot has been written about Mario, and a lot will be written before, during, and after its release. So I’ll keep it short.
Basically, Mario Galaxy is the Mario game we’ve been waiting for since the 64 days. It does everything right, is a blast to play for hardcore, casual and non-gamers, and will guarantee the plumber a spot in the hearts of the next generation of gamers.
Runner ups:
LittleBigPlanet (PS3)
Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction (PS3)
Best Racing Game
Burnout Paradise (PS3, 360)
Publisher: Electronic Arts, Developer: Criterion Studios
Burnout Revenge is still my favorite racers on the 360. (Sorry, Forza.) No surprise for people that know me, then, when I say Paradise was my favorite racing game at E3.
Keeping the fast-paced, dangerous racing from the Burnout series alive, Paradise adds enough new elements (such as use of the camera and the Free Burning mode) to keep it extremely fresh. If you’re not a huge sim racing fan (like yours truly), then Paradise is a breath of fresh air.
Runner ups:
FlatOut: Ultimate Carnage (360, PC)
Stuntman Ignition (360, PS3, PS2, PSP)
Best RPG
Mass Effect (360)
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios, Developer: Bioware
I cannot explain how badly I want to play this game. Every time an email or press release comes in with any mention of Mass Effect, I instantly open it, in hopes of seeing the beloved "Builds will be available on…" note. So far, no such luck.
But that doesn’t diminish my love. Sure, the gameplay doesn’t seem THAT incredible, but the STORY… That’s what has me drawn in. I’ve never seen a game in action with a story so intricately woven; so involved. We’re still months from the game’s release, but that doesn’t matter. In the meantime, I’ll try not to giggle like a schoolgirl when I get a chance to call Drew Karpyshyn back for that interview.
Runner ups:
Fallout 3 (360, PC, PS3)
Eternal Sonata (360)
Best RTS Game
Universe at War: Earth Assault (PC, 360)
Publisher: Sega, Developer: Petroglyph
It’s hard to describe this game without seeing it play; the good news is the beta starts soon. Universe at War features a massive campaign mode (incorporating a lot of those RISK elements we love so much), unique units and races, and a pretty hefty story.
Unlike many other recent RTS games, Universe at War realizes that no matter how balanced a game is, if the units don’t look badass, people won’t care. Walking buildings, shifting angel-like things, cool vehicles – the game has it all, and it’s as entertaining to watch as it is to play. Good news for 360 owners, too, because Sega is taking their attempt to make the game just as playable on the 360 as the PC very seriously.
Runner ups:
Civilization Revolution (360)
Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts (PC)
Best Sports Game
Madden 08 (360)
Publisher: EA Sports, Developer: EA Tiburon
Really, I distrust Madden. Year after year, the series seems to make virtually no major changes, yet due to the fact it’s had a stranglehold on gaming football, no one could do anything. With All-Pro coming out this year, though, EA Sports seems to have taken moves to ensure this year’s Madden is the best yet.
The new tackling, weapon system, and perfection of past additions to the series makes this a fun game, Madden or not. And hey, any time I beat someone using the Pats as the Raiders in front of a few dozen people – well, that’s a good day for me.
Runner ups:
Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground (360, PS3)
Mario Strikers Charged (Wii)
Best Handheld Game
Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (DS)
Publisher/Developer: Nintendo
The game that took my adventure award takes home the handheld award, as well. It gives the DS another game to flaunt in the face of people claiming the touchscreen is just a gimmick, and it gives us a truly new style of gameplay for one of the oldest series still running.
Runner ups:
Dementium: The Ward (DS)
Dead Head Fred (PSP)
God of War: Chains of Olympus (PSP)
Best Console Game
Mass Effect (360)
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios, Developer: Bioware
It was really close between this and Legendary: The Box in terms of best console game. Given the fact Legendary is still relatively new, however, and that it IS coming out for the PC as well, that gave Mass Effect the nudge. Sure, the gameplay portion of Mass Effect may not be the best at E3, but there were a lot of games this year which offered gameplay which could have won in many past years; the difference is, no game offers the truly epic feeling and scope that Mass Effect does. Most of the runner-ups and other award winners are going to be incredible games; Mass Effect will be an incredible experience.
Really, there were so many incredible console games at E3 this year that despite Mass Effect taking the nod, any number of them could have won, and I would say, "Yeah, I can see why they’d pick that."
Runner ups:
Legendary: The Box (360, PS3)
Rock Band (360)
Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)
Best PC Game
Unreal Tournament 3 (PC)
Publisher: Midway, Developer: Epic Games
I’m a sucker for the UT games. Something about the insane action and narrated kills just makes me giddy. UT3 is a long time overdue, and the integration between the PC and PS3 versions is astounding.
The new gameplay modes are fun, the vehicles look stellar, and it’s going to be a blast blowing up my friends once again.
Runner ups:
Fallout 3
Universe at War
Call of Duty 4
Best Game of E3 2007
Mass Effect (360)
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios, Developer: Bioware
The moment everyone was waiting for! Really, it should come as no surprise after reading this far that Mass Effect was my favorite game at E3. The story, longevity, and sheer scope of what you can accomplish in this game is astounding. While it may be my Most Wanted game of the year, I’m a little scared that when it comes out people won’t be able to drag me away from my 360 to get any work done.
If so, I blame you, BioWare, for the downfall of GamerNode. (Hey, did you guys ever notice we both capitalize the second word of our name even though it’s all spelled as one word?)
Runner ups:
Legendary: The Box
Super Mario Galaxy
Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
