Gamernode: Features - 2006: The Best (And Worst)

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Worst of '06:
Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic's reinvention in 2006 was the deathblow to a series that hit its prime over a decade ago. A craptastic camera system, glitchy gameplay, dull levels, and too much time spent as the B-list Shadow the Hedgehog has kept this title untouched and steaming like a cow pie on the shelves of gamers unfortunate enough to have bought it. Even at E3, it was clear that the Sonic Team could not hide the game's flaws under the prestige of the Havoc engine. In a year full of downright bad games, Sonic takes the cake as the worst.
HM: Reservoir Dogs

Best of '06:
Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
What can be said about Oblivion that hasn't already been screamed from a rooftop by the game's millions of drooling fans? Oblivion is a brilliantly produced and rewarding game. Its powers of time-distorting seduction have left many enthralled gamers awake until sunrise, toiling through dungeons and experiencing the innovative sandbox RPG. Few titles offer the scope and production value of Oblivion, and in the pantheon of noteworthy RPGs, Oblivion stands out as one of the brightest stars. Its availability on the Xbox 360, PC, and PS3 (soon, fanboys, soon) pushes it to the top of the heap as GamerNode's Game of the Year for 2006.
HM: Gears of War

Most Anticipated of '07:
Mass Effect
Higher-profile titles like BioShock, Assassin's Creed, and Halo 3 may be currently overshadowing Mass Effect in terms of buzz, but Bioware's upcoming RPG will only remain in the wake of those games for so long. Mass Effect got the star treatment at E3 2006 and X06, and throngs of RPG fans can only wait with twiddling excitement until the game hits shelves this year. Its stunningly epic visuals, engaging and fast-paced gameplay, and Bioware's strong RPG pedigree should combine to create 2007's flagship RPG for the Xbox 360.
HM: Halo 3

Contributors: Bradley Philbert, Brendon Lindsey, Chris Pereira, Frank Ling, Eddie Inzauto, Brian Schulman, and Billy Wang.

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