hello all
well the gay news site I visit published it's list of the best and worst games of 2006 so I figured I'd post it here and see what ou all think.
Quote
Video Games: The Best & The Worst Of 2006
It's a time of transition in the video-game industry. There are two brand new consoles, the PlayStation 3 and the Nintendo Wii. There are two newish machines that are just hitting their stride, the Xbox 360 and the Nintendo DS, and one that the jury's still out on, the PlayStation Portable. And our old friends — the PlayStation 2, the GameCube, the original-recipe Xbox and the Game Boy Advance — are still being heard from.
With plenty of software being published for each of these systems, no one person can play every game released in a year. But I played an awful lot of them, and here are my 10 favorites — along with the five that no gamer should be subjected to.
BEST OF 2006
1. "Okami" (Capcom, for the PlayStation 2): This utterly original adventure delivered a perfect blend of puzzles and action in a mesmerizing tale based on Japanese mythology. The gorgeous graphics, inspired by classic Japanese art, look like nothing else you've ever seen in a video game.
2. "The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion" (Bethesda Softworks, for the Xbox 360): Two hundred hours in and I still feel like I haven't scratched the surface of this wide-ranging medieval role-playing adventure. With a compelling main story and hundreds of side missions, it's the first must-have game of the 360 era.
3. "The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess" (Nintendo, for the Wii, GameCube): The "Zelda" is a satisfying combination of the familiar (clever weapons, diabolical dungeons) and the new (Link is now a werewolf!). We always anticipate great things from "Zelda," but "Twilight Princess" delivers well beyond expectations.
4. "Gears of War" (Microsoft, for the Xbox 360): The second must-have for the 360 is "Gears of War," a riotous shooter that pits a team of human grunts against an insectoid army. It's gory, scary and thrilling, especially if you enjoy slicing up aliens with a chain saw.
5. "Xenosaga Episode III: Also Sprach Zarathustra" (Namco, for the PlayStation 2): The finale of the ambitious (some say pretentious) "Xenosaga" trilogy tackles religion, philosophy, metaphysics and more topics you wouldn't expect a game to address. It's really fun if you don't mind having your mind blown.
6. "Wii Sports" (Nintendo, for the Wii): Nintendo's new Wii console has gotten a lot of attention from people who don't normally play games. "Wii Sports," which is packed with the system, is an effective demonstration of its motion-sensing remote, and I have yet to meet anyone who can resist playing once they see it in action.
7. "New Super Mario Bros." (Nintendo, for the DS): The lovable plumber returns to his 2D roots in this side-scrolling running-and-jumping adventure. A blast for those of us who loved the original "SMB," and a real challenge for just about any player, with dozens of levels and tons of secrets.
8. "Final Fantasy XII" (Square Enix, for the PlayStation 2): I'm not completely sold on the new real-time battle system introduced in this installment, but it delivers everything — grandiose story, lavish graphics and generous gameplay — you expect from a "Final Fantasy" epic.
9. "LocoRoco" (Sony, for the PlayStation Portable): jellylike blobs ooze their way across colorful landscapes, splitting and recombining to get past obstacles. With its vibrant look and catchy soundtrack, it's the year's most endearing puzzle game
10. "Resistance: Fall of Man" (Sony, for the PlayStation 3): "Ratchet & Clank" creators Insomniac Games juice up the World War II shooter with alien invaders and flamboyant weapons. The best of the PS3 launch titles.
WORST OF 2006
1. "25 to Life" (Eidos, for the Xbox, PlayStation 2): The only way an urban gangsta can escape to a better life is by killing hundreds of cops. The goriest, most reprehensible of the street crime sagas trying to rip off "Grand Theft Auto."
2. "Torino 2006" (2K Sports, for the Xbox, PlayStation 2): Fifteen winter games, all made crushingly dull by this halfhearted attempt to cash in on Olympic fever. Designers, you have three years to create a decent curling simulation before the Vancouver games.
3. "Jaws Unleashed" (Majesco, for the Xbox, PlayStation 2): Glitchy graphics, unnecessarily complicated controls and stupid missions take all the fun out of swimming around and chomping on innocent humans.
4. "Bomberman Act: Zero" (Konami, for the Xbox 360): That misplaced colon in the title was indicative of this slipshod production, which turned a colorful, lively party game into a morbid, unplayable mess.
5. "Superman Returns" (Electronic Arts, for the Xbox 360, Xbox, PlayStation 2): The 1999 "Superman 64" is often called the worst video game ever. "Superman Returns" is a little — just a little — better.
I'll definitly agree with Okami being number 1
And has anyone played Superman? I kinda wanted to get it but If it's as bad as all that maybe I'll wait a while to pick up a cheep used copy
My personal #1 for 2006 is rFactor. I actually have played none of the games on that list.
Hooray for New Super Mario Bros!
My personal low blow of the year was "Worms - Open Warfare" for the DS. Not even Worms 1 for the PC was THAT buggy. Ironically enough, I still play it like crazy. Even with bugs that make me want to scream, it's a mobile version of Worms. xD
I'll keep it simple with my top 3 from each, according to what I've played so far...
Best
1. Final Fantasy XII- (Amazing graphics, memorable characters and astounding gameplay, and I'm only just got to the second town!)
2. Final Fantasy V Advance- (I know, it's not a 2006 game at heart, but this amazing remake wins on all levels. Much better than the anthology version IMO.)
3. Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin- (Return of the whip-wielding hero and a scholar heroine with magic that's actually useful! The plot's ties to Bloodlines makes me want to play the Genesis again.)
Worst
1. Sonic The Hedgehog (360)- I have not actually played this title, but from what I've heard, it is probably the most disappointing Sonic game of all with bad camera and limp plot being main offenders.)
2. Bomberman: Act Zero- Just the premise makes me squirm... I loved the Bomberman games of old, especially Party Edition for PS1 and Bomberman 64. Why try to fix something that isn't broken?
3. Actually I don't have a third. I guess this is a pretty good year for gaming, what with all the new systems coming out and all. There are some games I have yet to try out like Okami and the new Zelda game (I was going to wait until I got a Wii, but I'll settle for the Gamecube at this point).
I enjoyed Final Fantasy III. Everything else was made a long time ago.
Ookami was a pretty awesome game. Still need to finish Xenosaga II before I can play III, I could have sworn there was supposed to be five in the series, or something...
Zelda is currently dominating my life, and a major consumer of my free time.
Nothing else matters right now...
* kills more ghosts for the gold puppet guy in castle town * Growl!
I see no mention of EBA in here yet... Blood must be spilled.
I was going to mention EBA but I'm on a real big Final Fantasy kick due to the numerous releases, so I kinda forgot. That game was way more fun than I thought it was going to be. :boogie
Quote from: Aridas Soulfire on January 02, 2007, 07:18:01 AM
I see no mention of EBA in here yet... Blood must be spilled.
What is EBA? Please don't tell me that there was an Earthbound game released and I didn't notice...
(Looks over the list)
Hm, only because I haven't played Okami, I will agree with Oblivion's space on the list. One of the best games I've played, although I keep wishing for the day I get the corresponding version on XBox to see it to its full beautiful potential.
I agree with Twilight Princess's place too. We just got the thing and I've been watching the gameplay. It's the first Zelda game since Ocarina of Time that I'm really wanting to play myself. Especially because Link turns into a wolf. Total coolness. :3
Finally, FFXII...the cinematics and gameplay are both totally awesome. I'm turned off playing though because of the battle system, looks just a bit complicated...even if I've come to hate turn-based RPG fights (and ESPECIALLY combining that with the annoying random encounters...) :sweatdrop
I'm assuming EBA means Elite Beat Agents - an awesome game for the DS. I got it for Christmas, but unfortunately, my little sister lost my DS, and so I'm unable to play it until it is found. :<
Oh. I thought you meant Earthbound Advance, which never came to the US... Oh well.
Elite Beat Agents is &@!#ing hard.
EBA's not hard. Ouendan's hard. >.>
Quote from: Aisha deCabre on January 02, 2007, 08:37:27 PM
It's the first Zelda game since Ocarina of Time that I'm really wanting to play myself.
Go. Play. Windwaker. Now.
You will enjoy it. It's a really good game. It has epic boss fights. It has good graphics. It has good gameplay. It is big. It has good music. It has memorable characters. What more could you want?
Quote from: Vidar on January 03, 2007, 07:01:09 AM
What more could you want?
A
real zelda game. :mwaha
Quote from: Vidar on January 03, 2007, 07:01:09 AM
Quote from: Aisha deCabre on January 02, 2007, 08:37:27 PM
It's the first Zelda game since Ocarina of Time that I'm really wanting to play myself.
Go. Play. Windwaker. Now.
You will enjoy it. It's a really good game. It has epic boss fights. It has good graphics. It has good gameplay. It is big. It has good music. It has memorable characters. What more could you want?
Heh, well don't get me wrong, Wind Waker looked cool too. Unlike many Zelda fans I wasn't put off by the cel-shaded cartoony look. I've watched my brother play through the whole thing twice and it just seems monotonous spending most of your time sailing everywhere. :3
Quote from: Aisha deCabre on January 03, 2007, 03:53:20 PM
Quote from: Vidar on January 03, 2007, 07:01:09 AM
Quote from: Aisha deCabre on January 02, 2007, 08:37:27 PM
It's the first Zelda game since Ocarina of Time that I'm really wanting to play myself.
Go. Play. Windwaker. Now.
You will enjoy it. It's a really good game. It has epic boss fights. It has good graphics. It has good gameplay. It is big. It has good music. It has memorable characters. What more could you want?
Heh, well don't get me wrong, Wind Waker looked cool too. Unlike many Zelda fans I wasn't put off by the cel-shaded cartoony look. I've watched my brother play through the whole thing twice and it just seems monotonous spending most of your time sailing everywhere. :3
It's tranquil. You need it to get over the awesomeness of the boss fights, and the giant squid attacks, and the ghost ship, and the overall superiority of the game.
My main problem with Wind Waker is that it was too easy. There was no challenge to it at all. Though I am enjoying Twilight Princess.
Quote from: Zina on January 02, 2007, 02:10:08 AM
Ookami was a pretty awesome game. Still need to finish Xenosaga II before I can play III, I could have sworn there was supposed to be five in the series, or something...
Yes, if you beat Xenogears it will call the game chapter 5. I'm thinking that IV will be the proper prequel.
Quote from: Vidar on January 03, 2007, 07:01:09 AM
Quote from: Aisha deCabre on January 02, 2007, 08:37:27 PM
It's the first Zelda game since Ocarina of Time that I'm really wanting to play myself.
Go. Play. Windwaker. Now.
You will enjoy it. It's a really good game. It has epic boss fights. It has good graphics. It has good gameplay. It is big. It has good music. It has memorable characters. What more could you want?
Something more than another figurine after you manage to finish the collection?
No GodHand?.... Worst list ever - comic book guy.
I don't care about anything in videogaming except for CastleVania, but in my opinion, it's justified that PoRn was neither among the best nor among the worst on the gay's list. It's just not that good. It should have been straighter and a lot more old-school - it can't compete with Bloodlines, just think of the weak wannabe-adventure surrogat called "exploring aspect". It bores the hell out of me. Still, it's Cv, so I like it in the context of the grand metastory
(with which IGA is very busy messing it up since 2003, I feel). :spidey
Quote from: Angantyr on January 21, 2007, 11:04:48 AM
I don't care about anything in videogaming except for CastleVania, but in my opinion, it's justified that PoRn was neither among the best nor among the worst on the gay's list. It's just not that good. It should have been straighter and a lot more old-school - it can't compete with Bloodlines, just think of the weak wannabe-adventure surrogat called "exploring aspect". It bores the hell out of me. Still, it's Cv, so I like it in the context of the grand metastory
(with which IGA is very busy messing it up since 2003, I feel). :spidey
Nonsense... "PoRn" is awesome...
I knew someone would say something, because there were truly too many things wrong with that post to begin with.
"A recent study has shown that 17% of women and 60% of men look at porn on the internet. Also, the other 40% of men."
Star Fox Command for the DS is a brilliant game, although it seems to be ignored. It outclasses New Super Mario Brothers in many ways, in my opinion.
I haven't played many of the console games, however, so I probably do not have full knowledge of which game should be considered the Game of 2006.
Zelda Games Rule.
NSMB is hardly a game to put up against any other... It's pretty plain, and uninteresting after everything's been done.
Quote from: Tycoon on January 22, 2007, 07:05:11 AM
Star Fox Command for the DS is a brilliant game, although it seems to be ignored.
It is ignored because it is not a brilliant game. That is my opinion.
Quote from: Warlike on January 22, 2007, 09:32:25 PM
Quote from: Tycoon on January 22, 2007, 07:05:11 AM
Star Fox Command for the DS is a brilliant game, although it seems to be ignored.
It is ignored because it is not a brilliant game. That is my opinion.
Touché
What about it do you dislike?
I'll be the first one to say that I enjoy it thouroughly, and have cleared every single plotline. At this point I would normally be bored with a game, but It does not bore me. As was said in a review, "Star Fox Command is a caffeine alternative."
It's either gotta be Final Fantasy VII: Dirge of Cerberus or Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories for me...probably Disgaea 2. You just can't be good old exploding penguins.
Dear gods... I thought I killed all the Final Fantasy VII Fanboys. It's like there always god-moding me with some half ass reason as to how the survived the platfalls, decapitations, and planetary nukes...
"It wasnt my hed... it waz like my clunes and junk, and I'm liek goona get yuo now becauze now my limit brek is ful evn thogh it wasn't me you wer fiting."
At least your not a "SSJCLOUD1994"
::shudders::
I think I need some Tums now.
Yeah Final Fantasy VI is better anyway.
Try bioman on for size or that one game where you mainly hack and slash these cybernetic creatures that look crazy as heck
i haven't plyed Okami yet, but from watching my friend play, i agree it IS the best game of the year ^^
Okami was great, played for over 50 hours without even realizing it had been that long! Kept my attention from beginning to end. *Grins*
FFXII... looked pretty. Oh man did it eve. And the storyw as good but... theres only two or three charries I got into, and having some major boneheads in main charries tends to put me off a bit. PLus uhm, not so in love with the license system.
FFVII fans are immortal btw :P I agree, FFVI was better, for me, FFIX was always a fave though. *Grins*
Quote from: Warlike on January 24, 2007, 10:11:29 PM
Dear gods... I thought I killed all the Final Fantasy VII Fanboys. It's like there always god-moding me with some half ass reason as to how the survived the platfalls, decapitations, and planetary nukes...
"It wasnt my hed... it waz like my clunes and junk, and I'm liek goona get yuo now becauze now my limit brek is ful evn thogh it wasn't me you wer fiting."
At least your not a "SSJCLOUD1994"
::shudders::
I think I need some Tums now.
Nope, I'm a FFVII Fanboy. I like the Wolf (never could remember the name)
Quote from: gothtk14 on January 29, 2007, 09:22:45 AM
Quote from: Warlike on January 24, 2007, 10:11:29 PM
Dear gods... I thought I killed all the Final Fantasy VII Fanboys. It's like there always god-moding me with some half ass reason as to how the survived the platfalls, decapitations, and planetary nukes...
"It wasnt my hed... it waz like my clunes and junk, and I'm liek goona get yuo now becauze now my limit brek is ful evn thogh it wasn't me you wer fiting."
At least your not a "SSJCLOUD1994"
::shudders::
I think I need some Tums now.
Nope, I'm a FFVII Fanboy. I like the Wolf (never could remember the name)
XIII
You are obviously not a True Fan. You must write 5 fanfics or create 5 pieces of fanart, that are up to the Brotherhoods standards. Only then can you call yourself a fanboy. :nono
Quote from: Vidar on January 29, 2007, 12:33:19 PM
Quote from: gothtk14 on January 29, 2007, 09:22:45 AM
Quote from: Warlike on January 24, 2007, 10:11:29 PM
Dear gods... I thought I killed all the Final Fantasy VII Fanboys. It's like there always god-moding me with some half ass reason as to how the survived the platfalls, decapitations, and planetary nukes...
"It wasnt my hed... it waz like my clunes and junk, and I'm liek goona get yuo now becauze now my limit brek is ful evn thogh it wasn't me you wer fiting."
At least your not a "SSJCLOUD1994"
::shudders::
I think I need some Tums now.
Nope, I'm a FFVII Fanboy. I like the Wolf (never could remember the name)
XIII
You are obviously not a True Fan. You must write 5 fanfics or create 5 pieces of fanart, that are up to the Brotherhoods standards. Only then can you call yourself a fanboy. :nono
Oh okay *looks for drawings of FF characters*
Quote from: Vidar on January 29, 2007, 12:33:19 PMQuote from: gothtk14 on January 29, 2007, 09:22:45 AMQuote from: Warlike on January 24, 2007, 10:11:29 PMDear gods... I thought I killed all the Final Fantasy VII Fanboys. It's like there always god-moding me with some half ass reason as to how the survived the platfalls, decapitations, and planetary nukes... "It wasnt my hed... it waz like my clunes and junk, and I'm liek goona get yuo now becauze now my limit brek is ful evn thogh it wasn't me you wer fiting." At least your not a "SSJCLOUD1994" ::shudders:: I think I need some Tums now.
Nope, I'm a FFVII Fanboy. I like the Wolf (never could remember the name)
XIII You are obviously not a True Fan. You must write 5 fanfics or create 5 pieces of fanart, that are up to the Brotherhoods standards. Only then can you call yourself a fanboy. :nono
Not quite :3
...Not that the person you're quoting has the story straight either >.>
Quote from: Aridas Soulfire on January 30, 2007, 11:33:02 AM
Quote from: Vidar on January 29, 2007, 12:33:19 PMQuote from: gothtk14 on January 29, 2007, 09:22:45 AMQuote from: Warlike on January 24, 2007, 10:11:29 PMDear gods... I thought I killed all the Final Fantasy VII Fanboys. It's like there always god-moding me with some half ass reason as to how the survived the platfalls, decapitations, and planetary nukes... "It wasnt my hed... it waz like my clunes and junk, and I'm liek goona get yuo now becauze now my limit brek is ful evn thogh it wasn't me you wer fiting." At least your not a "SSJCLOUD1994" ::shudders:: I think I need some Tums now.
Nope, I'm a FFVII Fanboy. I like the Wolf (never could remember the name)
XIII You are obviously not a True Fan. You must write 5 fanfics or create 5 pieces of fanart, that are up to the Brotherhoods standards. Only then can you call yourself a fanboy. :nono
Not quite :3
...Not that the person you're quoting has the story straight either >.>
Care to explain.
I recently finished Twilight Princess. Best Zelda game to date.
I've been playing Oblivion for the third time around... Yeah.
Quote from: RyudoLee on January 31, 2007, 03:36:58 PM
I recently finished Twilight Princess. Best Zelda game to date.
I've been playing Oblivion for the third time around... Yeah.
Man I'm still doing side quest trying to find all the hearts.
*Is guilty of the fanfic writing, did like 20 of them*
Nanaki, or Red XIII, that was the wolfcat critters name btw :P
*derairu!*
According to my Games for Windows magazine that just came today, Oblivion is the #1 PC game of the year.
According to me, having 40+ hours first hand experience playing this wonderful game, Oblivion is #1 game of the year. :3
What do you know, critics that actually get it right for once. >:3
--edit--
I always rename him as Nanaki when I get him. :rolleyes
Quote from: Sirius Griffon on February 06, 2007, 12:39:12 AM
*Is guilty of the fanfic writing, did like 20 of them*
Nanaki, or Red XIII, that was the wolfcat critters name btw :P
Thanks I couldn't remember his name.
Quote from: Netami on January 02, 2007, 07:10:02 PM
Quote from: Aridas Soulfire on January 02, 2007, 07:18:01 AM
I see no mention of EBA in here yet... Blood must be spilled.
What is EBA? Please don't tell me that there was an Earthbound game released and I didn't notice...
Is it a bad time for me to say Mother 3 came out for the GBA?
Quote from: Vidar on January 03, 2007, 07:01:09 AM
Quote from: Aisha deCabre on January 02, 2007, 08:37:27 PM
It's the first Zelda game since Ocarina of Time that I'm really wanting to play myself.
Go. Play. Windwaker. Now.
You will enjoy it. It's a really good game. It has epic boss fights. It has good graphics. It has good gameplay. It is big. It has good music. It has memorable characters. What more could you want?
I didn't mind the cel-shading. What pissed me off was the difficulty on three heart challenge. WTF, throughout the whole game I never even got to 1 heart. It has awesome gameplay, waaaaaay better than OoT, but TP easily overshadows it, in both versions. Characters are forgettable, and the bosses are made for epic boss fights but their HP just doesn't last, TP had the same problem. That's the only thing OoT is good at, making the boss fights last at least a minute.
Quote from: vulpesweasel on January 24, 2007, 03:47:55 PM
It's either gotta be Final Fantasy VII: Dirge of Cerberus or Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories for me...probably Disgaea 2. You just can't be good old exploding penguins.
???
:erk
I can see Disgaea but DoC. WTF, did you play the game? I sure as hell couldn't, due to engine failure.