BD’s Best of 2007

Another year is coming to a close. This might just be one of the best years to be a gamer with releases of Guitar Hero II & III, Forza 2, Bioshock, Halo 3, The Orange Box, Call of Duty 4, Mass Effect, and Assassins Creed. Blockbuster titles on one great console. I managed to pull in some of these titles along with others not mentioned above. So without further ado, here is BD’s Best of 2007.

Games nominated for rewards:

Bioshock
Call of Duty 4
Crackdown
Fight Night Round 3
Forza 2
Guitar Hero II
Halo 3
Madden 08
NCAA 08

 

Best Sports Game

NCAA 08 Football

With 3 games competing in this category, it was certainly a tough decision. This year, they improved on a lot of areas that they missed in NCAA 07. Though the gameplay feels more real on Madden than it does in NCAA, the depth and overall fun factor is what sold it for me.

 

Best Shooter

 

Call of Duty 4

This category is certainly not lacking depth. Bioshock, COD4, Crackdown, and Halo 3 all competing for the title, it was hard to come up with a winner. The online play is solid, and the single player campaign is what really locked down this pick. Never a dull moment and certainly full of action, COD4 took this game above and beyond it’s opponents.

 

Best Multi-player Online

Halo 3

Finally, Halo 3 has won an award. It’s the best online game you’ll find out there today. You cant compete with their ranking system, matchmaking, and 4 player co-op. This was an easy decision for me, and anyone that has spent more than 20 hours online, can more than likely agree. If not, prove me wrong. Bungie has packed more stuff online than any of the others COMBINED.

 

Controller throwing moment of the year

 

Madden NFL 08

Not exactly an award that they should be proud of, mainly because I’m blaming it on their A.I. I have a huge rant built up inside me that is wanting to be released, but for the sake of younger viewers and everyone else who doesn’t want to hear it, I’ll keep it locked down. Madden did the impossible by sticking with some of the dumbest teammates one could ask for. When your trying your best on All-Madden and actually make some progress, your teammates are there to let you down. Whether they miss a block, or just don’t feel like catching the ball, they try their best to lose the game. Maybe I’m being harsh, but I’m starting to wonder if the Xbox 360 controller isn’t made out of rubber. None of mine have broken yet from the infamous "controller throw".

 

Best Storyline

Bioshock

One of the most unique games I have ever played would be Bioshock. It’s amazing detail in graphics and overall gameplay along with the deep storyline made it one of the best games of ’07. The game has it’s twist and turns and just when you think you have it figured out and your anticipating the ending, it takes another twist and the story continues. With multiple endings and choices that you have to make throughout the game, Bioshock’s storyline sealed it as the best of 2007.

 

Best Gameplay

Bioshock

This isn’t the same first person shooter that you’d expect from any other game. No, this game is something special. I’ve never had to morph my own DNA mid game and switch different tonics in order to succeed either. But somehow this unique style of playing managed to lure me in for 20 hours of play that never left me bored or agitated.

 

Best Graphics

Bioshock

This is such a tough decision for me, that I almost want to call it a tie. In one corner you have Call of Duty 4 with it’s lush outdoor environments, in another corner you have Fight Night Round 4 with very realistic gameplay, Bioshock also comes to mind, and even Halo 3 can be mentioned. Only one can be chosen, and I went with Bioshock. What can I say? This game blew my mind more than any other game and made me love it more and more every time I played.

 

Biggest Surprise of 2007

Bioshock

As of you’ve read so far, I love this game but don’t ever play it. So do I love it? It was a nice surprise to actually play through it and be completely surprised at the very end. I’m having fond memories of playing it for a week straight and then dropping it like a bad habit. Great gameplay, graphics, and unique storyline makes it one of the best games I’ve ever played.

 

Biggest Disappointment of 2007

Mountain Dew Game Fuel

I love mountain dew, I love the Halo series. Combine them both together and what do you get? A cotton candy mixed with cough syrup soda drink. I bought a couple of these thinking, that maybe I just have to get used too it and I never came around. Mountain Dew Game Fuel will fuel you just well. It’ll give you the energy to puke it back up and lay in bed wondering why you spent that $1.50 on a drink like that.

 

Game of the Year

Nominees:
Bioshock
Call of Duty 4
Halo 3

Very few games go above and beyond my expectations. Very few times, I am left astonished and heartbroken at the same time when a game ends. All three games made me feel that way. All three games deserve to each be the Game of the Year, but I just can’t roll like that. Halo 3, truly one of the most hyped up and talked about games of the year. Bioshock, one of the best games shown at E3 proved to be a truly remarkable game for anyone who decided to buy it. Let’s not forget Call of Duty 4 either. Infinity Ward took a gamble walking away from it’s WWII FPS franchise, instead dropping us into Modern Warfare that never leaves you bored.

Now, for my Game of the Year. This game had a mediocre campaign, but remarkable online. It’s the most played game on Xbox Live to date, and simply because of it’s high replay value and enjoyment that it brings many people, it is BD’s Best of 2007

Halo 3 — Bungie Studios

The runner up goes to Call of Duty 4, and Bioshock finishing in third. Bioshock is a truly remarkable game that will forever have a place in my collection. But it’s low replay value is what really decided this for me. Halo 3 and Call of Duty 4 both deliver a fun online experience along with a solid campaign. I’m excited for the wrap up of 2007 and the beginning of 2008. Next Gen games will continue to push the Xbox 360 into greatness and seal it’s fate as the best console still on the market today.

–BD

Quit Yo’ Complainin’!

Halo 3 & Madden 08. My gaming combination that has frequented my Xbox 360 these past couple months. Halo 3 with the online play that I so dearly love, and Madden 08 with the franchise mode that has sucked me in ever since I got it. I do have a few niches with both games, and since I’m so good at recognizing the flaws in a game, due to the simple fact that I have very little of a life and spend countless hours playing these games, I am going to share them with you all.

If I still have your attention, I think I’ll keep it by complaining about the almighty Halo 3. Greatest game ever, not even close. Worthy of the hype…eh, not so much. How can a game such as Halo 3 still feel rushed with a lot of little details in the game miss. OBVIOUS things, not just hidden things that took forever for me to find. Such as, your in a party with a buddy and your not in control of the party. Unlike Halo 2, where you could see what you was going to play or whatever the party leader selected, you cant see that in Halo 3. Again, its a minor detail that i don’t care about, but if they missed this what else could they have slipped up on?

Meleeing in the game reminds me a lot like Halo 2. Its a hit or miss theme, and the majority of the time you’re getting the bad end of the deal. I read recently about how your health has a lot to do whether you kill someone or not. Of course i don’t believe this one bit. For instance, we shoot each other at the same time and melee at the same time, who dies? Do we both die? No, there’s a split second where i may have swung first or the enemy swings first. It still feels lackluster and awkward trying to kill someone with a melee.

               

                                          Like the blue team player, Halo 3 might feel like a hit or miss.

The power weapons seemed dumb down, but for a good reason. It actually takes an ounce of skill to play the game and be good at it. The sword might be my biggest complaint simply because it takes forever to take out and kill a person. I do however like the idea of their being an energy level on it and not just infinite energy, but why take 8 seconds to pull it out and swing? It’s not like Master Chief is assembling it before he kills someone.

I’ve played enough of the game to know what maps i like and what maps i don’t like. Of course there are different playing styles that we play with, but Guardian seems to be the new Lockout. I still think Lockout might be the greatest map of all time simply because of the way its structured and the strategic weapon placement. The other maps in H3 really seem flat to me, not really interesting and weapon placement seems like someone just took a random guess as to where to put each one. Yes, i know it takes time for the community to play a game and decide where each weapon should go, but I sometimes think Bungie is relying a lot on what their community wants and there for it almost seems like an obligation to tell them. Surprise me, please. I appreciate the gesture of listening to the communities complaints, but make it seem like you ACTUALLY tried to make the maps well rounded and versatile.

 

                

                                                                      Is EA falling from the throne?

WHEW! Ok, onto Madden. I’ll make this short. I really dislike EA’s laziness. I want a real football game that actually seems real. We’re in year 3 of Madden on the 360 and we still don’t have the chain gang on the sidelines?? W-T-F! Am I the only person that notices, that they’re are no nets behind the goal posts, like in MOST NFL stadiums to stop the ball from going into the stands. Announcer is retarded, ally A.I. is about as useful as Britney Spears at a daycare, and the opponent A.I. has more juice in them than Barry Bonds. Throw in the fact that you cant edit your created team yet you can edit your created player. How about the idea that Marshal Faulk wont STFU when your trying to end the game and he wants to sit there and have a freaking tea-party with you. C’mon EA!! This is shameful. Your the most widely known brand in the gaming industry and you reward your loyal fans with half-assed garbage that your community has been complaining about for YEARS. The day EA Sports makes a good quality football game, is the day that EA has earned my respect. Until then, I’ll continue to shell out $63 for another sorry attempt at making an NFL game with the latest roster update.

 

–backdraft123

First Impressions: COD4 Multiplayer Beta

Much like the Halo 3 multiplayer Beta, the COD4 beta features 3 maps to take the war onto. With gameplay that reminds me a lot like EA’s Battlefield 2: Modern Combat, it will have anyone instantly hooked and playing for a long time. For some strange reason though, it felt like I had played the game before. Perhaps its because Infinity Ward, and their game controls still feel like they are based off their WWII FPS, Call of Duty 2 & 3. 

At first, I fumbled around with the controls. Mainly because Bioshock was the last shooter I played, apart from Halo 2, and I still have my hands trained to play that. But after awhile, I got the hang of it and started playing a lot better and figuring out strategies for each map. The controls still remind me of COD2, but they are revised so they can house some of the new features in their 4th installment. I’ve seen the ability to stab people when you are a certain class, or go for a last ditch kill when your laying on the ground nearly dead. Some of these features and weapons are only available after you get your experience up, but for the most part you can still get kills just fine starting out.

                             

Visually, it’s not to bad to look at. Of course your running around mowing down enemies so who has time to take in the visuals? Maybe if your camping out and using that sniper you’ll get some free time to check out the grass or the dirt, or stuff like that. But so far, I haven’t seen anything that just makes me say "WOW", or "that is incredible". It’s a great looking game, but its no Bioshock or Gears of War.

If you happen to get into the Beta, this may actually remind you of a mix of the Ghost Recon series along the Battlefield 2: Modern Combat. It has the chance to be a squad based game but your also playing with 12 other people, so that’s there the Battlefield 2 aspect comes in at. Your not really sneaking around or hiding behind boxes pulling off tactical moves like you would in GRAW. The weapons and different classes to choose from bring back old memories from BF2 and GRAW.

For a Beta it’s pretty good. Gameplay styles that strongly remind me of other games doesn’t make it really stand out in my mind. The maps seem to be well balanced with plenty of cover on each side and if you play long enough I’m sure strategies will develop in the process. With the game expected to be released sometime of Fall 2007, look for it to compete with Halo 3 as the premier online shooter this year.

–backdraft123

Game Preview: NCAA Football ’07

                                                            

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Game:

NCAA Football ‘07

Publisher:

Electronic Arts

Developer:

EA Tiburon

Release Date: July 18^th, 2006

Cost: $59.99 U.S.

 

Are you ready for some football? I am! NCAA Football ‘07 is just around the bend. Electronic Art’s coveted football franchise will hit the next-gen Xbox 360 console in July with all new features.

Brand New Features:

• All-New Momentum System—Capitalize on your window of opportunity as big plays, defensive stops, trick plays, and special teams keep you in a constant struggle for momentum.
• Back to School—Excel in the classroom to improve your overall character, and then balance your time wisely between studies, practice, and social events as you live the life of a Student Athlete.
• All-New Spring Game—Determine your depth chart in Dynasty Mode and decide whether to red-shirt incoming blue chip freshmen by evaluating their performances in the annual spring game.
• New Spring Drills—Hone your skills with 11 new and challenging mini-games focusing on all aspects of the game, including Rush the Quarterback, Passing Distance, and more.
• New Ways to Play—Utilize new gameplay mechanics like Jump the Snap, Slide Protection, Smart Routes, Defensive Hot Routes, and Precision Passing to gain every advantage over your rivals.
• All-New ESPN Integration—Get the latest sports news with real-time updates from ESPN Radio, and track all your latest Dynasty information via ESPN the Magazine and ESPN.com.

 

Of course, you will be able to take your favorite team online and play heads up against millions across the globe.

 

–backdraft123

Far Cry Instincts Predator has gone Gold

                                                     

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The next game for Ubisoft to release is Far Cry Instincts: Predator. It will finally be released on March 28th, 2006.

 

Many people enjoyed the PC port of Far Cry for the Xbox and was astonished by its extraordinary graphics. I myself only played it a few times here and there, but never really dove into it.

 

Is this the game that pushes the Xbox 360’s power to the limit? Will it look and play great? Will it rise above the current games that are out and become one of the most awesome games for the 360? We shall find out on the 28th, until then….im going back to Oblivion.

–backdraft123

 

PS–Im addicted to Oblivion. At least i admitted it.

New Oblivion Screen Shots

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

The anticipation for this game is growing. I cannot wait to get out of the month of February and head to end of March when Oblvion is expected to release. Still undecided on GRAW though. I’ll have to play the demo when it comes out to get a better idea. Until then, im going to wait it out and play Oblivion.

 

Also, i apologize for not many updates this week. There is going to be a new Gamers Behind the Spaces this week so be stopping in and checking for that. ‘Till then, i’ll see you all on Live!

 

–backdraft123

 

Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter

                                                          

 

Title: Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter

Genre: Action/Shooter

Release Date: March 9th, 2006 (Xbox & Xbox 360)

Publisher: Ubisoft Entertainment

Developer: Ubisoft Entertainment

Price: $59.99 (Xbox 360) & $49.99 (Xbox)

 

In the first Ghost Recon game available for the 360 you will be playing as Captain Scott Mitchell as he commands the Ghosts along side the Special Forces team. The missions range from saving the President of the United States, recovering stolen nuclear codes, and abolishing a band of renegade soldiers.

 

In online multi-player you will first start out by selecting a class; Rifleman, Marksman, Grenadier, or assault rifleman. When making the game, the goal was to give the player an unltimate set of customization. You can choose your character’s face paint, helmet, bandanna, eyewear, masks, and headsets.  After that you will then move onto selecting primary weapon, secondary weapon, grenade type, and then controller confiuration.

 

   

 

There is so much more customization beyond that. You can set camo type, spawn points, spawn time, method of player assignment, a force respawn timer, friendly fire on or off, night vision on or off, helicopters on or off, and so much more. They truely set out to give the player an ultimate feel of customization.

 

Lets move onto the more glorfied stuff. 16 players can duke it out on 10 all new multiplayer maps. You can choose Quick Match, to get in a match quickly, Create-A-Match, create your own customized game, or everyone’s favorite Optimatch, find the gametype you want hosted by someone else. GRAW will soon be taking over the "Xbox Live Most Played Game Chart" in just over3 weeks.

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

–backdraft123

Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII

Ubisoft brings us its first shot at a WWII Flying Shooter game in Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII when it hits stores in March of 06.

 

     

 

Ubisoft is widely known for its work on the Splinter Cell series, and Far Cry: Instincts. They have always been big on delivering amazing visuals, great gameplay, and awesome online play. But how will they live up to that repuation when Blazing Angels is released? Judging by the pictures of the game, it looks, to say the least, amazing. They take advantage of the Xbox 360’s powerfull-ness and show it off well.

 

As a player in the game, you can fly 38 higly detailed and highly tuned planes that where famous during the World War II era, in the single and multi-player levels. With 18 missions to go through in the capaign its sure to keep you on the edge of your seat as you shoot down enemy planes and use your own to your advantage.

 

16 players online will be able to duke it out in head to head dogfights and even co-op play that comes with its own 10 new missions.

 

     

 

 

–backdraft123

Battlefield 2: Modern Combat

 

 

       

 

 

 

 

 

EA dips its toes into the first person shooter genre come this March, when Battlefield 2: Modern Combat will be released for the Xbox 360. 

 

Pulisher: Electronic Arts

Developer: Digital Illusions

Genre: First Person Shooter (FPS)

Release Date: March 14th, 2006

Price: $59.99

 

 

 

In the Xbox 360 version of Battlefield 2: Modern Combat it will feature 24 character maximum online play, over 70 highly detailed weapons, and 30 different kinds of vehicles. Can you say "MASSIVE!"?

 

 

EA has even taken the time revamp the single player campaign by making the AI a bit tougher. Their accuracy will be improved and they will be more aggressive. The hot-swap feature has also been tweaked a little. Now you dont need a clear line of sight to switch to another played on the battlefield. Just point and click, and your there in no time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What EA really tried to aim for here was to improve the graphics of this game. The last game hardly stretched Xbox’s potential graphically wise. The character movements have been redone and are now more believable. Many of the character’s clothing such as engineers, have been reworked to look more like an actual engineer and the same goes for the sniper and all the other classes. 

There are believed to be somewhere between 30-40 achievements available for this game. Some of them you can get during Online play, and many of them can be found in the campaign.

 

 

–backdraft123

 

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

                                                    

 

 

Publisher: Bethesda Softworks

Developer: Bethesda Softworks

Genre: RPG (Role Playing Game)

Release Date: March 20, 2006 (not official)

Price: $59.99 and $69.99 for collectors additon

 

 

 

Collector’s Edition includes the following bonus items:

• Pocket Guide to the Empire – A 112 page guide to every aspect of Tamriel, including its people, provinces and much more.
• Making of Oblivion Documentary – Includes a special behind-the-scenes documentary on the making of Oblivion.
• Septim Gold Coin – An authentic replicated Septim, the official currency of Tamriel. (found on EBgames.com)

 

Some of you might have already played The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, but if you haven’t that is perfectly fine. Oblivion will be leaving the path that Morrowind paved out and it will follow its own story-line. No need to go rush out and buy TES3: Morrowind and play it frantically until Oblivion hits the shelves.

 

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion has been in the making since 2002. Oblivion will feature 16 square miles of lush landscapes, beautiful mountain tops, and just about everything you would want in a RPG. So if your looking for something to waste your life away, I would suggest picking this game up when it hits store shelves in March.

 

The combat system has been reconstructed from the ground up. When you get hit by an arrow…its gonna hurt. You’ll feel your strength leave you as the poison-tipped arrow enters into your blood flow and causes you to make a choice. Get youself healed and run or fight back with the little strength you have left. The choice is yours.

Speaking of choices, you dont even have to follow the main quest while your playing Oblivion. If you just want to venture into the massive land and find odd-jobs on the way, you can do that. Its all about choices and customization. You decide how the game is going to be played. You decide who you are in the land Oblivion.

 

–backdraft123