MONDOvideogames' Top 7 Picks of 2007
What's the Nintendo-girl been playing this year?
By Diana Poulsen
Posted December 25th, 2007.
7. Bioshock (PC, Xbox360)
First off, I have to admit I haven't played this one, but I desperately want too. First person shooter meets horror, meets Art Deco? The atmosphere that is Bioshock looks and feels awesome. I would love to live in that crazy underwater city — well, as long as there weren't any monsters or crazies down there. As it avoids than the problems of copyright protection on the PC, the Xbox360 version makes me drool with anticipation. I desperately want to play this, and I am not a fan of first person shooters. Every time someone talks about playing it and tells me how great it is I contemplate stealing their Xbox360. You'd better watch out, Mr. Alexander B. Huls.
6. Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)
Challenging and unique, Nintendo has raised the bar on all platformers while bringing Mario into the third dimension. The 3D world reminds me a lot of some of the worlds in Psychonauts when you are platforming on that black and white cube. You can run around on all sides of the cube and it flips to match your direction. It's a little disorientating but wicked cool, though I felt the same way about Mario 64. I got lost an awful lot. You won't be quite as astounded or feel nearly as lost as when you played Mario 64 for the first time, but the feeling is certainly familiar. And I mean that in the best possible way. The controls are very intuitive and the game has been developed to do more than simply function on the Wii controls. Hopefully this means I won't get Wii arm from this game.
5. WarioWare: Smooth Moves (Wii)
This game is whacked, messed up, crazy, and on acid. I played this game at a party and you really do have to play it to understand it. It's series of wacky minigames and a collage of off the wall characters. The animations and stories that accompany the mini games are brilliant and down right crazy. Apparently giving a cat an umbrella makes it and its pals go disco dancing with you. Picking someone's nose, opening an umbrella, shaving someone's face and other random things are all minigames. On top of that every time you learn a new position for holding the Wiimote the narrator introduces it with a very sincere but messed up haiku. Overall, a lot of laughs and a good party game.
4. Hotel Dusk: Room 215 (Nintendo DS)
Hotel Dusk is an adventure game that plays out like a crime novel. You even hold the DS like it's a book. The game mechanics are similar to Trace Memory which was also developed by CING. The graphics have a hand drawn appearance similar to A-HA's Take on Me music video and Trace Memory. The game is a little slow, but what adventure game isn't slow? I've picked this one because it proved to me that I would like to see more adventure games on the DS.
3. Resident Evil 4 Wii edition (Wii)
Come on, it's Resident Evil 4 and you actually stab things. On top of that it includes everything that was added in the PS2 version. Yes, it's an older game, but have we all really gotten over how awesome RE4 was? No, I didn't think so. This time you really have to be on your toes – I'd recommend putting the sensor bar on the floor as it works better that way. RE4 is even scarier on the Wii, if that is possible.
2. Legend of Zelda the Phantom Hourglass (Nintendo DS)
This return to the cell-shaded world of Wind Waker starts up where Wind Waker leaves off. I love the little voice clips they use, it just sets the mood for everything to follow. The stylus works really well in this one, though on occasion the fighting feels a little too easy. I can point quicker than I can button mash so it works almost too well for me, though I do worry about jabbing my stylus through the screen. Here, though, you can't use any of the buttons, so it's stylus or nothing. It might sound frustrating, but take it from me — drawing a line for the boomerang to follow is the greatest. So much control over what to hit! I also adore the steam boat, thought I do miss sailing. But this time around, they allow you to customize you ship's looks and functionality. You all know the basic story here — yes, you do have to rescue Tetra (aka Zelda).
1. World of Warcraft the Burning Crusade (PC)
I am addicted to WoW and honestly it's become a problem in my life. This expansion added the elegant, green-eyed Blood Elves, the blue alien Draenei, a level 70 cap, the profession of jewelcrafting, and the Outland and Epic mounts. The Blood Elves' good looks seem to be a fan favourite because you see them everywhere. On top of all that, this year we've seen a collection of solid patches, including the Gods of Zul'Aman, Brewfest and the Headless Horseman expansion for Hallow's End. Overall, WoW is hours or even months of fun. It's kept me busy since October and I am having a Cartman-like freak out for The Wraith of the Lich King. Don't be alarmed when you start to dream about which race you should try next, and what profession your character should pursue. Eventually, you will end up hanging out with your friends and playing games of makeshift leap frog rather than going on quests. It doesn't sound like fun, but it really is. That said, why am I telling you this? I am missing out on crucial WoW time.