2007 was quite a year for gaming, and while it may already be late April, that doesn’t mean I can’t post what I should have about 3 months ago and reflect on a kick ass year.

Here’s my list of top games for 2007. It was a hard year with so many blockbusters bursting out on every platform and genre, but a few gems really stood out.

Looking at this list makes me wonder if 2008 will provide another year of similar quality, but with the likes of Spore, Metal Gear Solid 4, Super Smash Bros. Brawl (somewhat already out) and so much more on the horizon, we’re clearly currently in a golden age of gaming. Enjoy.

Jordan’s Top 5 Games For 2007.

 

#5 – Call Of Duty 4

Thank CoD that someone finally realised there’s enough World War II games out for several generations to come. Putting the series back in the hands of it’s original developers Infinity Ward – and making no sacrifices across consoles and home PC’s Call Of Duty 4 was always set up to be a big seller. All figures and popularity besides first expectations have been a result of nothing but performance for Call Of Duty 4, conquering many GOTY’s across the globe with a full re-vamp of a solid FPS.

Faster, louder, and bigger across single player or the expansive multiplayer options, Call Of Duty 4 left none disappointed.

#4 – God Of War 2

Forgotten as a release of 2007 and missed by many, God Of War 2 never seemed to reach the pinnacle of it’s potential, shaded by it’s release around the hazy end of the Playstation 2 (though games ARE still being released for the beast).

The last defining masterpiece of the PS2, the shining factor of God Of War 2 is in it’s brutality. The game is unrelentless. No video game has approaced the intensity of GoW 2, the scale, the enormity. The action scenes are un-rivalled, the combat is surprisingly addictive and diverse with a big range of new weapons and spells for Kratos, and what a character he is. Kratos is one bad motherfucker, a perfect frontman for one of the most intense and mature video game experiences to date.

#3 – The Orange Box

It’s hard to define what exactly The Orange Box should be judged for when considering GOTY’s. What’s easy to determine is that it excels in value, ingenuity, presentation and everything else a video game needs. Consisting of the entire existing Half-Life 2 package, Portal and Team Fortress 2 the variety necessitates a purchase alone.

Too bad a lot of the content here shouldn’t really be considered in GOTY’s, I believe Half-Life 2 has already won a few. What can be considered though, is the true gem of story writing and environment manipulation, Portal. Team Fortress 2 unique style has shot right up the ranks in terms of what’s hot in the online FPS scene at the moment, and while Half Life 2 : Episode Two is a bit more of the same, it’s damn delicious. Like cake. Sorry.

#2 – Bioshock

Bioshock’s launch seemed to have the biggest impact in the business last year. Everyone loved it. It was the new sliced bread. Then people started to turn. People soon found they finished Bioshock and wanted a little more. In some gaming niche’s, dissing Bioshock was becoming cool or merely a way to stand out.

It’s pointless though, Bioshock really was a masterpiece. If you weren’t playing it around release, you were talking about it. It’s scooped plenty of GOTY awards around the net and rightfully so, despite a few downfalls of technical prowess, the immersive world and structured narration made Bioshock a truly memorable experience.

#1 – Super Mario Galaxy

It’s-a-me, Jordan, and not every year do I get praised with a new Super Mario adventure. Last year was one of those years, with the latest Mario being the closest gaming revelation in my hands since Mario’s transition of 2D to 3D. While not perfecting the possibilities for the Wii-mote, Super Mario Galaxy was a downright triumph at any rate, innovative level design with quirky controls serving a worthy outlet for some true creative genius and an expansive world to explore well beyond my imagination.

A tad easy, a tad short in it’s core story, SMG still managed to create and continue that spark that made it my most memorable gaming experience for 2007.

Honorable Mentions -

Crysis

Crysis is the most advanced technical feat in gaming to date. Not only did it take an amazing DirectX 10 CryENGINE update to create the most visually impressive FPS on the market, it’s implementation into some great action scenes with solid fighting and convincing AI confirmed Crysis as enjoyable throughout.

It’s a shame then that the story or game itself didn’t really do anything… new. I’ve shot Koreans before, I’ve shot Aliens too. I’ve had bio-augmentations, both via suit and genetical enhancements, and I’ve run around jungles blowing things up many times before. Sticking to the standard action-FPS sequence may have been a no-risk route for Crysis, but apart from it’s technical feat Crysis does nothing new.

The Legend Of Zelda : Phantom Hourglass

Phantom Hourglass really showed me what the DS is capable of. Of course there’s a big range of great games out, and unfortunately a huge range of complete garbage, but the latest Zelda incarnation pushed the DS hardware into it’s first long single player adventure I loved from start to end.

Mass Effect

The biggest problem in ranking Mass Effect for me is the fact that I’m yet to put some solid time into it, having only played a few short sessions at presentations/demos. It’s received a great rep, grabbing a few GOTY awards around the industry and setting a significant milestone in the XBOX 360’s library. A potential contender for a spot in the top 5, Mass Effect is a big achievement in story telling and universal exploration.

A start of what’s set to be a big series, Mass Effect gave the 360 a solid RPG experience for sci-fi fans.

Rock Band –

What can I say? Once Australia, or even Europe get a release date for this, I can comment. Until then, hurry up EA!