Granted I’ve been putting off DMC3 for awhile now. My Mega Man Zero games are running low, need a new buzz.

I liked it for the Kevin Sorbo Hercules design, I really did grow up with that show before learning the proper mythology.

The other thing that bothered me was it was a very faux-Classical production. Sort of the Kevin Sorbo version of Heracles. Because of this it really got on my nerves, having translated several thousand lines of epic verse I’m more sensitive to this than most. Hayubasa & Dante both seemed way cooler when it came to badass beat-em ups.

- Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrows I’m always a sucker for Castlevania games and this one is superb. The controls are tight and the graphics are incredible. It could’ve been a bit longer but I dig it. The shortness is made up for by the multiple game modes (gg to Julius Mode). Also, the variety of weapons is very nice (I’m using Death’s Scythe at the moment). Finally, the monsters are very well animated and designed, creating some unique creatures to fight. Another minor issue is the weak music, but I can live with that.

- Dawn of War: Winter Assault I loved Dawn of War. Scratch that, obsessed over it for a brief time. Winter Assault is akin to Brood War in StarCraft, essentially an expansion pack that improves an already perfect game. Winter Assault (WA from now on) adds in a new unit per race (yay for Fire Dragons) and a whole (!) new race: The Imperial Guard. The IG are a brutal new race, which while not played the way they were designed to (screw defense), they are tremendous in power. Overall a perfect addition for a low, low price.

- Mario Kart DS The DS has dominated this year, and this game is no exception. The Mario Kart series has always been one of the top racing series (yes I did just put it up against Gran Turismo and whatnot) and this is basically a compilation of what makes the series so great. 32 tracks, half old and half new, bring the game to life with its incredible controls. New pickups that actually improve strategy and numerous carts make this the greatest Mario Kart ever. Also, Online Mode. Yeah.

- God of War I’m a sucker for old-school difficult games. I love games that challenge you and break you. So basically I was in an orgasmic love with God of War. The game is hard, but fair with such incredible gameplay. Add in ridiculous combos, awesome death animations, and opponents that compare to Heisi-series King Ghidorah (aka, REALLY REALLY BIG) and you have a classic old-school game. Kratos is just that badass.

- The Movies Essentially just a giant sandbox that allows me to put my scripts to life. I really do dig this game. It has exceptional graphics, a good sense of humor, and very easy controls for something so complicated. It’s even gotten national attention for a short made about the riots in Paris a few months ago. Really, just a fun little game that let’s you expand your creativity, no matter how good you really are.

So there’s my top five of this year. As I said before, I really didn’t play many games (WoW took up a good year of my life).

But the games I did buy namely,

Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory
Darwinia
Fahrenhiet (Indigo Prophecy)
Psychonauts

were all excellent and with the exception of Chaos Theory did not get the sales the deserved despite critical acclaim.

——

On the subject of the reprecussions of the hilariously overblown Hot Coffee debate (thankfully barely mentioned in the UK); it appears that so far the law is firmly on the side of the games industry.

A judge in Illinois blocked laws which would have made it illegal to sell or rent violent or sexually explicit video games to minors, finding that the laws violate free speech rights.

Of course this seems like it has gone to far the other way - what America needs is a simple system like that in Europe where kids can’t buy the most violent games - but there is never any risk of violent games being banned.

Still at least blanket banning of games appears unlikely.

but co-op? now we’re talking. i bought the game for the co-op and was far from disapointed. being shall we say, a rather crap player, the supposed ‘4 hour long’ co-op mode took me over 20 hours to get through with one of my best online gaming buds. put it this way, he’s damn patient and a lot better at these sort of games than me.

it lead to my favourite gaming moment this year which is simply this…

i’m creeping through the trainstation mission, and we haven’t worked out yet how we’re meant to get to the phone, so i’m using the big long line of shadow to get up the stairs, back down the stairs and down along the other thin line of shadow right up next to the two people talking and the phone we need to bug…

my good friend is off on the second level cleaning out any guards that might see me.

i’m mere feet away from the two people conversing. our voice chat is a quiet whisper… when i get the tickle in my nose…

BLAAAAATCHOOOOOOOO

‘What was that?’

then comes the uncontrollable laughter, as i try and creep my way back to safety before we’re spotted, half from me half from my bud. i make it, just, and the laughter becomes deafening.

‘why didn’t you pause?’ he asks me.

‘i forgot i could.’ i say, genuinely.

brilliance in a video game, and so long as the series has co op i’m coming back next time.

but game of the year for me has to be Resident Evil 4. we can agree that it was long, and i’m normally one to complain that a game is too long, but i look at RE4 and i don’t see the filler i normally do in long games. long yes, but never a dull moment. when you replay the game you remember every last room clearly and distinctly. nothing like say, when you replay doom 3 or Far Cry.