2006 in review: Game of the Year

[Scott Shelby]

Now that 2006 is officially over, the talks about Game of the Year are beginning. In response, I've decided to create this favorable topic for listing everyone's choices for Game of the Year 2006.

My candidates are as follows:

6: Gears of War (X360) - User Score: 8.5
Why: Gears of War is truly an amazing experience. As everyone is well aware, the grapics are extraordinary. The story is fairly good, and the X Box Live play is exquisite. In addition, the anemy AI is mindblowing at times.
Noticable cons: Although X box live is awesome, the game only supports 4 on 4 matches. Also, the game itself is only about 6-8 hours in length, and fairly easy on lower difficulty levels. Although there are some cool weapons like the hammer of dawn and torquebow, the weapon set is small.

5: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (GCN/WII) -User Score:-8.5
Why: The game itself is the longest in the series. A single play can easily take a player to the 40 hour mark, not including the extra hours of sidequests. The story is awesome and takes Zelda to new levels of darkness.
Cons: The game itself is fairly easy and lacking in the "compelling sidequests" department. Also, the game does not feel as epic as the games it followed. And although the story is generally excellent, the ending leaves something to be desired.

4: Resistance: Fall of Man (PS3) -User Score: 9.0
Why: The game itself is pretty long for an FPS, and has some killer AI that is unrivaled by the competition. The graphics are very good, and online play is a blast. The game allows up to 20 vs. 20 matches online. Also, the weapons set is undeniably one of the best we've seen on next gen FPSs.
Cons: The story is good, but the conclusion leaves some things unresolved. The games also feels akward at first touch. Although the sixaxis is utilized in the game, it isn't fully taken advantage of. The most compelling part of the controller is shaking off enemies, which is only moderately cool.

3: Kingdom Hearts 2 (PS2)-User Score: 9.25
Why: Incredible storyline, which matches that of KH1. The graphics are incredible by the Ps2's standards, and the revamped battle system is mindblowing. The camera is also noticably better than the first, and satisfies many desires of the gamer. Overall, the experience is unmatchable.
Cons:The game is simply too easy on lower difficulty levels (non-pride mode). Furthermore, the game is only about 25-30 hours in length on average, and is too linear in design.

2: The Elder Scrolls IV (X360)-Oblivion User score: 9.5
Why: Oblivion is more massive and epic than any other game that appears on this list. The amount of sidequests and freedom the game provides for is simply astounding. One of the most noticable things in the game is the environment and size. The environment of the game is beautiful, and the map itself is massive.
Cons: The dungeons of the game are all fairly similar and repetitive. Although there are cool sidequests, some are just forgettable and boring. Case and point: CURE FOR VAMPIRISM. Anyone who's played the game can hopefully sympathize there.

1: Final Fantasy XII (PS2)-User score: 9.75
Why? The game is as immersive, expansive, and fun as any other in the series. The battle system is noticably revamped, and adds to the gameplay. Most of all, the story is simply one of the best I've ever seen, even by FF standards. The liscencing system is a blast as well, and is one of the best leveling/powering up tools I've seen in a long time. The difficulty is perfect for any RPG player. The game is nonlinear, and allows for massive exploration and sidequesting. To sum it up: it's awesome
Cons: Is there really a need to have random level 99 T rexs/dragons/etc on the overmap mixed in with level 2/3 wolves Square?

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Okami
Dead Rising

So, the awards ceremony is concluded, thus ending 2006. Here's to another year of gaming!

-Post Away

[Mongooseman]

As far as gaming goes, this year has been pretty bland for me, largely due to only owning a Gamecube, and this being a very dry year for it. The DS has had a few good games, though.

5. New Super Mario Bros. (NDS) User Score - 8.0
Why: First 2D Mario platformer in a long time, returning to the plumber's roots. Very fun and nostalgic.
Why Not: Too easy and too short.

4. StarFox Command (NDS) User Score - 8.5
Why: The first good Starfox game since SF64, imo, like before returning a classic series to its roots by keeping them in their dang arwings. The new control method put a new spin on the old-school flight sim series as well.
Why Not: The turn-based strategy system was pretty weak. The game would've been just as good without it.

3. Metroid Prime Hunters (NDS) User Score - 8.5
Why: Another classic Nintendo series, this time revamped with an awesome new control system. The online multiplayer mode is great as well.
Why Not: Very linear; not many adventure elements at all.

2. Elebits (Wii) User Score - 9.0
Why: Excellent use of the Wii remote, innovative game design, amazing art style, and overall awesome game. Throwing junk around is a blast, and the game is pretty challenging, too, and has a ton of replay value and extra unlockable content.
Why Not: Some of the levels are rehashes of previous ones. Also, the story and voice acting isn't that good, but it really isn't the highlight of the game.

1. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (Wii) User Score - 9.0
Why: The most content-packed Zelda game to date, bringing back the old that makes the series so great and mixing it with the new mechanics and control scheme that keeps things fresh.
Why Not: The middle of the game seems to be a little more bare than the rest, but it's a minor complaint overall.

[Sly]

#5: Okami
Pros: Beautiful art style, fun gameplay including the brush mechanic.
Cons: Most of the game is running from A to B, the battles get repetitive, the dungeons are way too easy.

#4: Wii Sports
Pros: THE perfect party game.
Cons: The controls could have used a little more tightening.

#3: Final Fantasy XII
Pros: Amazing graphics and story, fun battle system.
Cons: Too much walking around fighting random monsters.

#2: Kingdom Hearts II
Pros: Deep, intriguing storyline, great gameplay and graphics.
Cons: The Gummi Ship levels were way too repetitive and dull.

TIE for 1st: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Pros: Beautiful, giant world to explore with almost as many side quests, deep plot.
Cons: You don't make enough money to afford items that cost too much.

TIE for 1st: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Pros: Great story and graphics, the controls are so much of a step up from other Zelda games.
Cons: This is almost a non-issue, but I actually got too many rupees. Seriously, there is an overabundance of them in the game.

[Bidet to you sir]

My list (before anyone goes, hurrr twilight pwincess isn't on there, the wii is sold out everywhere in the UK and I'm not buying the gamecube version).
These are NOT in order:
#5: Phoenix wright: awesome game and before anyone says it came out in 2005 this is by european release dates, it came out in 2006 here, a great port across with an extra level really utilising the best features of the DS.
#4: Trauma centre:under the knife: see above pretty much the same thing, however a lot harder and a brand new and suffice to say great series.
#3: Oblivion, A great game to be sure, expansive nut unfortunately not enough, this game like morrowind was enticing at first but lost its lusture too soon for me, in the end it seemed too repetitive for a game where I expected more twists and turns.
It dissapointed me in a way that windwaker did but to an extreme that I couldn't stand, Oblivion gate, oblivion gate blah blah blah, even more annoying then the triforce quest, and unfortunately, I didn't expect repetition like I would in a zelda game so it thoroughly annoyed me, repetition is fine for a game with puzzles, this had none.
#2: new super mario bro's: just bought it, and am hooked, nuf said.
#1:Farcry on 360, I love the game, difficult but I love it.
I will finish these.
One game might have been on there which is enchanted arms, but I got it the very day my Xbox 360 broke.

Edit: actually to add, Gears of war pwns.

[Hyruleansoldier]

There can be only one 'Game of the Year', and that would be Twilight Princess. For me, and for about 2 million others.

[TheHylianLoach]

Gears of War hands down followed by Zelda and Okami then FF XII

[Ezlo's Apprentice]

As I am solely a Nintendo fanboy, there is only one choice: Zelda.

However, others to mention include New Super Mario Bros, Partners In Time, Wii Sports and Metroid Prime Hunters, Phoenix Wright. (Hope the UK release dates for any of the above games don't earn me a flaming )

[ZeldaMaster]

what?

[Loki]

what?

Firstly, no one-word posts. Secondly, if you don't understand, then you're mentally retarded and need to be hit with a tack hammer. DIAF.


Anyway, is it wrong that I considering WoW the game of my year* since I only started playing it and is has changed quite a bit since it first came out?



*Yeah, I said my year to clarify that it's only for me. I wasn't incredibly impressed by what little of the new games I played. I barely touched TP so far and never got a chance to try Gears of War, Dead Rising, FFXII, or much else.

[Sheldon Cooper PhD]

I would say that TP and Gears of war were the best games in 06