Shadow of the Colossus
PlayStation 2
D: Sony | P: Sony
PALGN review (9.0)
Four months after its PAL release, Shadow has lost none of its first-time impact on newcomers. It's the ambition of the title that sets it apart from other games, and for once the word "incomparable" isn't misplaced. It's not faultless, but its flaws - an occasionally stodgy frame-rate and disobedient camera, some rather dull horse-riding between Colossi - don't detract too much from a magnificent package.
Our review said: "Shadow is a frustrating game to mark. As a game that stretches the aging PlayStation 2 hardware slightly too far for its own good, it's an eight. As a signpost to the potentially thrilling future of videogaming and an experience like no other title before it, it's almost unquestionably a ten. Eight, ten, whatever; this is a game everyone should play."
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Tales of Eternia
PlayStation Portable
D: Namco | P: Ubisoft
PALGN review (9.0)
Our review said: "Tales of Eternia is one of the best games you can get for the PSP. It breaks the RPG drought and is one of the best handheld RPGs since Golden Sun. Kudos to Ubisoft for going out on a limb to get this game to us. Despite a difficulty level not found in a lot of RPG games these days and a few other minor gripes, this is an exceedingly deep and engrossing experience and now it’s in the palm of your hand."
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Guitar Hero
PlayStation 2
D: Harmonix | P: Red Octane
PALGN review (9.0)
Maracas, drums, keyboards, mixing decks and tambourines have all featured as video game peripherals, yet arguably none can match Harmonix's guitar controller for sheer ingenuity. And happily, a sequel is on its way. We can't wait.
Our review said: "Guitar Hero is fun because it takes something that many of us wish we could do - play the guitar like a professional - and makes it achievable. It takes years of practice on a real guitar to play ‘Smoke on the Water’ properly, but it’s something you can do instantly here and feel good about it. Fun is what gaming is all about and Guitar Hero has it in bucketloads. Don’t miss out."
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The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Xbox 360, PC
D: Bethesda | P: 2K Games
PALGN review (9.0)
The best Xbox 360 title so far? It's very likely, and there's little better in video game terms for whiling away the hours of a long holiday.
Our review said: "On the whole Oblivion is excellent. Really excellent, actually, and arguably the strongest contender for game of the year yet. It’s possibly the most accessible RPG ever made, with a limitless scope for character creation and the fantastic ‘do what you want, when you want’ gameplay. It’s also really freakin’ huge, with a massive world to explore, a great central plotline and an endless number of side quests to conquer – it’s completely pointless to try and put an hourly figure on it. It’s here, it’s brilliant, and it will take over your life."
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We Love Katamari
PlayStation 2
D: Namco | P: Namco
PALGN review (8.5)
It's yet to be seen whether this will be the final game in Namco's slightly mental Katamari series, but if it is, this is quite a sign-off. It's not the longest of experiences, but you'll grin like an idiot from start to finish.
Our review said: "We Love Katamari proves in every way to be a worthy successor and, in many cases, superior to the original; especially good news for PAL gamers who never got to taste Namco’s first gem. It’s not the lengthiest game in the world, or the most complex, but it is immensely fun and overflowing with originality from start to finish."
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Ico
PlayStation 2
D: Sony | P: Sony
PALGN review (8.5)
OK, so we're cheating a bit here. Ico was of course initially released in 2001, though this year's re-release meant thousands of other gamers got to experience a game that has it all - atmosphere, thoughtful puzzles, and some of this generation's most memorable moments. Little wonder it came 21st in our Greatest 100 Games Ever poll.
Our review said: "If you missed it the first time around, this is your opportunity to catch up on a game that is a wonderful experience, one that evokes feelings that other games can't match, and one that has considerably influenced some other major modern titles. And at a Platinum price point, there simply is no excuse [not to own it]."
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Call of Duty 2
Xbox 360, PC
D: Infinity Ward | P: Activision
PALGN review (8.5)
The fuss during the Xbox 360 launch may have centred on Joanna and her underwhelming adventure, but the well-informed knew exactly where to look for a great shooter on Microsoft's glossy new machine.
Our review said: "As far as FPSs go, this does so much right from top to bottom. For what is a PC game at heart, it controls superbly on the X360 joypad. The weapons are satisfying to use, the enemy AI is challenging while the core combat that makes up the meat of the game rarely becomes uninteresting due to the clever level design throughout. The difficulty levels are well judged with an appropriate setting for players of all abilities, and if you’re looking for a good single player game for your newly acquired Xbox 360 then you can’t do much better than Call of Duty 2."
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Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter
Xbox 360, Xbox, PlayStation 2, PC
D: Ubisoft | P: Ubisoft
PALGN review (9.0)
Beautiful, intense and accompanied by some of the best sound effects we've ever heard in a game, GRAW is a true next-gen moment. The Xbox 360 release is some way ahead of its current-gen cousins, and it's the version we'd recommend.
Our review said: "In terms of being a complete package, Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter is the best game so far on the Xbox 360. Its thoroughly enjoyable single player campaign is complimented beautifully by splendid multiplayer options. It looks stunning, sounds intense throughout, and really shows some of the advantages extra power will give to games."
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Half-Life 2: Episode 1
PC
D: Valve | P: EA
PALGN review (8.5)
The first of Valve's episodic add-ons to the awesome Half-Life 2 may have been a lightweight in terms of lifespan, but the experience is as enjoyable and intelligent as it ever was.
Our review said: "As an experiment for episodic content, Half-Life 2: Episode One is a success, showing that the concept can be executed quite convincingly. The intense action begins in the first minute, and doesn’t let up. It’s short, but it’s cheap and gives amazing value for money. Most Half-Life fans will want to replay the game a second time to hear the additional commentary track; and to be honest, a good, condensed 4-6 hours of action at a budget price beats out a drawn-out, full price game any day of the week. Better yet, you only have to wait six months for the next episode, rather than three to five years. Half-Life 2: Episode One gives real bang for your buck."
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Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
Nintendo DS
D: Capcom | P: Capcom
PALGN review (8.0)
Not many developers can pull off a game based on courtroom goings-on, but Capcom did it with aplomb - Phoenix Wright is witty, clever and totally different to anything else released this year.
Our review said: "We’ve always been a little sceptical about developers’ claims of new and exciting game types on the Nintendo DS, but Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is really one of those that offers something different (even if it is a port of a game not released here before). Capcom has really delivered with Phoenix Wright; it’s a well-scripted, genuinely funny and truly unique adventure game, and one that all DS owners should investigate immediately."
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Daxter
PlayStation Portable
D: Ready At Dawn | P: Sony
PALGN review (9.0)
Our review said: "Daxter is arguably the best game currently available on the PSP. It’s completely original, features exemplary design that works to the system's strengths, and is truly one of the first PSP titles to epitomise the philosophy behind this machine. It gets the balance of being a console game tailored for portability just right, and sacrifices very little along the way."
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OutRun 2006: Coast 2 Coast
Playstation 2, Xbox, PlayStation Portable, PC
D: Sumo Digital | P: Sega
PALGN review (9.0)
No pretensions, no faffing about with tweaking your ride, and no questionable licensed soundtrack - OutRun 2006 is about speed, sun, and some of the best video game music ever.
Our review said: "In truth, OutRun 2006 is not only the best racing game of this year so far by some distance, but a shot in the arm for a racing genre that's rapidly beginning to take itself far too seriously. It's the finest home console racer since Burnout 3: Takedown, and offers the best time trial experience since Mario Kart DS, and if those aren't a pair of strong recommendations, we don't know what is."
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Final Fantasy IV Advance
Game Boy Advance
D: Square Enix | P: Nintendo
PALGN review (8.5)
Whilst the DS has enjoyed a spectacular 2006 to date, we'd urge you not to overlook its older brother. This excellent GBA port of Square Enix's fine RPG offers fifteen to twenty hours of adventuring goodness, and that's not including the added dungeons or play-throughs with additional characters.
Our review said: "Final Fantasy IV is most definitely one of the best in the franchise. The Game Boy Advance version not only retains what was so excellent about the original release, but also adds enough additional features that make this game stand quite well on its own feet. The few port bugs aren’t enough to ruin the experience, but the new features most definitely warrant a purchase for RPG fans and handheld fans alike."
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New Super Mario Bros.
Nintendo DS
D: Nintendo | P: Nintendo
PALGN review (9.0)
Mario returned in his first 2D adventure for aaaaages this year, and we thought it was ace. We suspect you'll feel the same way.
Our review said: "It’s not easy to put a final score on New Super Mario Bros. – while the game kicks the crap out of everything else currently available on both current generation handheld systems, it’s over a little too quickly. Some might argue that the game doesn’t have many innovative features, but in reality, all one really needs is a fun game, and fun is something that New Super Mario Bros. has truckloads of."
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Titan Quest
PC
D: Iron Lore Entertainment | P: THQ
PALGN review (9.0)
Reviewed just over a week ago by a positively drooling Mark, this hack'n'slash RPG, a release from relative newcomer Iron Lore, ranks up there with the most engaging PC releases of the year.
Our review said: "Titan Quest is most definitely one of the best PC games on the market for the year. A solid all-round experience that revives what was once a dead genre."
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Tetris DS
Nintendo DS
D: Nintendo | P: Nintendo
PALGN review (8.5)
Almost certainly the best and most complete Tetris package since Tetris DX. The odd silly new mode aside, this is the ultimate video game example of how a winning formula can age beautifully. Incidentally, this writer's best Marathon score is currently 2,669,050 - I'm open to challenges.
Our review said: "Overall, Tetris DS is a wonderful package. It’s got plenty of modes and a superb online/multiplayer setup, and is all nicely coated with a vast selection of memorable Nintendo visuals and melodies. Tetris purists may not welcome the new changes, but they only really serve to make the game different, not necessarily worse."
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Well? Did we miss any? If you think we did, head to the comments section and set us straight. Otherwise, happy gaming this holiday.
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