The Best Video Games of the First 6 Months of 2006
1) New Super Mario Bros. (DS) Anybody who played the SNES masterpice Super Mario World will know what to expect. That's what this game compares to, except it looks a lot better. 2D sidescrolling classic style Mario platforming goodness. Massively fun.
2) Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter (360) note: I am talking ONLY about the 360 version. Not the uber-crappy PS2 version, or the very good PC version which was developed seperately. This game re-defines squad based tactical shooters. Plus, it is the best looking video game to date.
3) Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (PS2) Yes, I know this was released last year for the PSP. But it has ported very well to the PS2. Taking place in the same city as GTA 3, but 3 years earlier, this is a full-on GTA experience. Full story, missions, side missions, jumps, packages, rampages, etc. The graphics look dated, and it's not a progression from, say, San Andreas. It's nowhere near as deep or big as that, even though it clocks in at 25+ hours. But the gameplay and story are top-notch. This is the GTA you know and love. Plus, it's only $30.
4) Galactic Civilizations II (PC) If you like Civilization, you'll like this. If you like Master of Orion, you'll love it. Turn based empire building, in space. This game is remarkably well done and is the biggest pleasant surprise of the year so far. Fantastic!
5) The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (360, PC) Huge, deep, engrossing and fun. The scaled levelling is silly, but this is the best RPG since Neverwinter. Need I say more?
Honourbale Mention:
-Daxter (PSP) - Excellent platforming game. Finally the PSP gets one.
-Burnout: Revenge (360) - Very fun, looks great, best played with a friend.
-Metroid Prime Hunters (DS) - Solid Metroid game, excellent online mode.
-Hitman: Blood Money (PC, 360, PS2) - This game takes patience, but the payoffs are mega-satisfying.
-Tomb Raider: Legend (PC, 360, PS2) - Puts Tomb Raider back on track. This is a really fun game. Looks great, well done.
Thanks to my local EB Games for allowing me playtime of their PSPs and 360s.
Upcoming for the Second Half of 2006
The second half of 2006 is packed with games that look interesting, and some real locks. It's a busy second half.
-The PS3 gets released in November.
-The Wii is released "before November".
-Scarface: The World is Yours is released in September.
-Rockstar's long awaited "Bully" is slated for November.
-GTA: Vice City Stories comes to PSP this fall.
-Medieval II: Total War is released before Christmas.
-Battlefield 2142 takes over my life this fall.
-Neverwinter Nights 2 comes this September.
-Splinter Cell Double Agent this fall.
-New Zelda games for both the Wii and DS come this Christmas.
-Gears of War gets released this fall for the 360.
-Guitar Hero II. Yeah baby!
-Prey is released this week.
There are, of course many more, but those are most of the big ones.
notes: a couple of 360 games that look good have been pushed back to 2007. Halo 3 and Crackdown.
God of War II has been pushed back to Q1 2007
2) Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter (360) note: I am talking ONLY about the 360 version. Not the uber-crappy PS2 version, or the very good PC version which was developed seperately. This game re-defines squad based tactical shooters. Plus, it is the best looking video game to date.
3) Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (PS2) Yes, I know this was released last year for the PSP. But it has ported very well to the PS2. Taking place in the same city as GTA 3, but 3 years earlier, this is a full-on GTA experience. Full story, missions, side missions, jumps, packages, rampages, etc. The graphics look dated, and it's not a progression from, say, San Andreas. It's nowhere near as deep or big as that, even though it clocks in at 25+ hours. But the gameplay and story are top-notch. This is the GTA you know and love. Plus, it's only $30.
4) Galactic Civilizations II (PC) If you like Civilization, you'll like this. If you like Master of Orion, you'll love it. Turn based empire building, in space. This game is remarkably well done and is the biggest pleasant surprise of the year so far. Fantastic!
5) The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (360, PC) Huge, deep, engrossing and fun. The scaled levelling is silly, but this is the best RPG since Neverwinter. Need I say more?
Honourbale Mention:
-Daxter (PSP) - Excellent platforming game. Finally the PSP gets one.
-Burnout: Revenge (360) - Very fun, looks great, best played with a friend.
-Metroid Prime Hunters (DS) - Solid Metroid game, excellent online mode.
-Hitman: Blood Money (PC, 360, PS2) - This game takes patience, but the payoffs are mega-satisfying.
-Tomb Raider: Legend (PC, 360, PS2) - Puts Tomb Raider back on track. This is a really fun game. Looks great, well done.
Thanks to my local EB Games for allowing me playtime of their PSPs and 360s.
Upcoming for the Second Half of 2006
The second half of 2006 is packed with games that look interesting, and some real locks. It's a busy second half.
-The PS3 gets released in November.
-The Wii is released "before November".
-Scarface: The World is Yours is released in September.
-Rockstar's long awaited "Bully" is slated for November.
-GTA: Vice City Stories comes to PSP this fall.
-Medieval II: Total War is released before Christmas.
-Battlefield 2142 takes over my life this fall.
-Neverwinter Nights 2 comes this September.
-Splinter Cell Double Agent this fall.
-New Zelda games for both the Wii and DS come this Christmas.
-Gears of War gets released this fall for the 360.
-Guitar Hero II. Yeah baby!
-Prey is released this week.
There are, of course many more, but those are most of the big ones.
notes: a couple of 360 games that look good have been pushed back to 2007. Halo 3 and Crackdown.
God of War II has been pushed back to Q1 2007
)
Comment