by norm stovall normstovall@gmail.com
Last week, I went through a few games that I thought were definite standouts among the games released last year. However, those games certainly weren’t the only great games released in 2007. It’s not like these game companies are spending gabillions of dollars to make crappy games (well, not all of them, anyway). So here it is: Part 2 of my list of the best games of 2007. Be sure to stay tuned next week for a very special Rambo Themed games column. You don’t want to miss it. (Unless you are some kind of a sissy)
Xbox 360, PS3, Windows, Mac OSX (also available on other platforms)
In an amazing feat of modern thinking, someone over at Infinity Ward decided that it would be a good idea to make a first-person shooter game that was neither set in the WWII era OR during an alien invasion of earth. This console game is a rare gem indeed. Well, not because there aren’t other modern day FPS games available, but because there aren’t any that are THIS GOOD. While Call of Duty 4 features a great storyline in single player mode featuring branching storylines and loads of replay value, the key component of this title’s (new) longevity lies in the multiplayer experience. Both online and over LAN connections, Call of Duty 4 is great fun to play. When playing online, your solder gains experience toward earning medals. The better you play, the more experience points you will get and with each new medal you gain new ‘perks’ or abilities to use in online matches. The controls are easy to adjust to, and the action can range from fast and frantic to tactically slow and deliberate. If you were ever a fan of the Halo series, be sure to give CoD4 a try.
For Xbox Live Arcade
Way back in the earlier parts of the year, Namco-Bandai released this gem of a sequel to the original Pac-Man game. While there have been loads of sequels and ports bearing the Pac-Man name over the years, none have really stood on their own against the arcade original. Sure, you may have warm fuzzy memories of playing Pac-Man on your Atari 2600, but try playing that now and you’ll understand: It sucks. Pac-Man: Championship Edition, however, does not. Although this game stays true to the original formula, this all-new HD enhanced Pac-Man features constantly changing mazes and gameplay that goes from being moderately slow-paced to fast and furious in a matter of minutes. The object of the game is the same as always; eat dots, ghosts and special items to gain points. The main upgrade here lies in the fact that the mazes are separated into two parts, and once you finish one side, you’ll have to eat the power up that appears on the opposite side to ‘refresh’ the empty part of the maze. The techno-style music goes great with the gameplay, and the short but sweet 5-minute championship mode will have you striving to perfect your technique for hours on end. For me, this is the Live Arcade game of the year.
Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS
This game is really simple to describe on paper, but difficult to explain in regards to fun. Basically an updated version of “Bejeweled,” Puzzle Quest adds the “versus” element, along with attacks, magic and a storyline. While the story of the game is ultimately forgettable, the gameplay is addictive and fun for short to medium-sized periods of boredom. This is by far my favorite puzzle game this year.
For PS3, Xbox 360, PS2
Rock Band rocks. That is all there is to it. Basically, with Rock Band, the idea is to fiddle around with plastic toy guitars, cheap imitation drum sets, and microphones along to the beat of musical cues on your television. Snooty music types will tell you “learn to play a real guitar!” and “Learn to play real drums!” Don’t listen to them. Have your fun with Rock Band. With tons of rock hits and 3 new songs available for download every week, there is plenty of fun to be had with up to 4 players at a time. So long as you have 2 guitar controllers, a drum controller, and a microphone (all included in the boxed set, minus one guitar), you are ready to start your four-person band. If you have played Guitar Hero, the formula should be familiar to you. If not, the tutorials will get you up to speed and rocking out with the best of them in no time. Please note that this game is highly addictive and even fun to play at parties, so you might not get much alone time with it. You may just come home from school to witness your mom and dad jamming to some Lynyrd Skynyrd, Creedence, or Boston, on your X-Box. So be weary, owning Rock Band will make you very popular, and that is not always a good thing.
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