Saturday, Nov 10, 2007
Tis the season to kill terrorist. Fa la la la la la la la la
King Bowser will meet Mario's fist. Fa la la la la la la la la la
Don we now our Raving Rabbids. Fa la la la la la la la la
Explore space in Mass Effect. Fa la la la la la la la la
Ok, enough of my bad attempt at poetry. I'm very medicated today.
But I did want to right a bit about one thing extra great about this holiday season. Of course there are loads of things to love about the holidays. Family. Friends. Food. Gifts. Giving and recieving. Cool weather. Snow. Well, we can dream of snow, it doesn't really snow in East Tennessee anymore. I think we used up our snow quota during that blizzard years back. But anyhow, to my point.
This may be the best holiday season gaming line up to date. Let me give you a list of the games that are on my radar. Granted,I can't afford to buy them all, and not every one of them will live up to their potential and be great. But they are the games that are appealing to me, and their numbers are great.
I will start with the must haves for me:
Call of Duty 4 Modern Warfare for the X-Box 360 (and PS3/PC/DS)
This one has already garnered 3 scores of a perfect 10, and the reviews have said it rivals Halo 3 in both single player and multiplayer. I beta tested the multiplayer and I have to say I'm more excited for this game than I was for Halo 3.
Mass Effect for the X-Box 360
Game Informer magazine scored Mass Effect a 9.75 I believe, and made statements like "easily one of the best games to come out this year and possibly one of the greatest games of all time". They also said that "not since Star Wars has a sci fi universe been so fleshed out and so full of potential... they could fill countless books, comics, movies and games in the universe of Mass Effect... it is a major breakthru in storytelling... never have I taken so much time to ponder my choices in a game... what you choose to do really does impact the world around you and change the shape of the story/game..." That, plus this game comes from the developers of two of my favorite games of all time, Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic and Jade Empire. So I am so there.
Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 for the Nintendo Wii/DS
The last Raving Rabbids game introduced us to the adorable but slightly homicidal Rabbids. I don't know if I've ever laughed so hard in a video game. And the mini game assortment was a blast, some of the best on the Wii. With the sequel they look to improve upon the formula by making most of the mini games playable by up to four people at once, with less taking turns. Plus, you can customize your Rabbid with various costumes that reflect pop culture. There are costumes of Spider-Man, Captain Jack Sparrow and a football player, just to name a few. Raving Rabbids looks to be a good time for all.
Super Mario Galaxy for Nintendo Wii
It is hard to believe it has been since 2002 since we have seen a full fleged console adventure for my man Mario. Sure there was the very well done New Super Mario Bro for DS not long back, but it fit in the more traditional side scrolling design. Mario hasn't tried to rescue Princess Peach in 3D since about six years ago. And this time, he is going all out as he travels to outer space in search of his beloved. Using the Wii's motion controls in a 3D Mario adventure is also a first. And while some companies have struggled to make Wii games with dead on control, Nintendo has proven themselves more than able with Metroid Prime 3 and The Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess. And with Mario being their main man, I expect no less than amazing gameplay with spot on control. Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games for Nintendo Wii/DS
When I was a kid, you had to take a side if you were a gamer. Few could afford to own more than one console back then, well, that and there never felt as much a need to have more than one at that time. So for the most part you were either in Mario's camp with Nintendo, or Sonic the Hedgehog's camp with Sega. (for the record, I had both systems, but I was the only one I knew who did). It was so bad, that me and a friend used to prank call the Sega Game Tips Hotline and ask them questions about how to do this or that in Super Mario Bro, and they would argue that it wasn't a Sega game, and we would keep on naggin. I know, very childish, but that was cool. I was a child. Anyway, Sega got out of the console game and became a straight up publisher/developer. So I thought I was in the twilight zone the first time I saw a Sonic the Hedgehog game on a Nintendo system. But that is nothing compared to this. Sonic and Mario and their best pals squaring off in the Olympic games. (Next year, Sonic will also appear in Nintendo's Super Smash Bro Brawl) With around 20 different sports to choose from, and the lack of a sequel to Wii Sports, this may be the new hottness in party games on the Wii.
Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword on the Nintendo DS
I love Ninja Gaiden. Have since I was a wee lad. lol. And now he is coming to the DS in a full blown, 3D action game that lets you control all the action with the stylus/touch screen. And from what I've seen so far, it is impressive. If it turns out, it could be one of, if not the best action game on the DS to date. I had my doubts about using only the stylus to control everything, but after playing the recent Legend of Zelda Phantom Hourglass, I'm sold.
Assassin's Creed for the X-Box 360/PS3
This game is amazing looking.And it was near the top of my radar months ago, but recent play tests by the crew at Electronic Gaming Monthly has me worried. They said the controls take a lot of getting used to. So this may turn out to be a rent before I buy, but I am hoping it turns out as good as it looks. It is from the team who brought us the recent Prince of Persia games of the last generation (of gaming hardware), so I know they have it in them to make a great game.
Ok, those are the games that are top on my list and are likely must haves.
But there are others that are worth at least looking into. I won't go into detail, but if you are interested, look them up or get with me and I'll fill you in.
Other Potentially Hot Games of Holiday 07:
Soul Calibur Legends for Nintendo Wii
Mario Party DS for Nintendo DS
Final Fantasy XII Revenant Wings for Nintendo DS
Harvey Birdman for Nintendo Wii/DS/PS2
Blacksite Area 51 for X-Box 360/PS3
WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2008 for X-Box 360/PS3/Wii/DS
Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn for Nintendo Wii
Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker for the Nintendo DS
Scene-It Lights Camera Action for the X-Box 360
Contra 4 for the Nintendo DS
Geometry Wars Evolved for Nintendo Wii/DS
Godzilla Unleashed for Nintendo Wii/DS
Medal of Honor 2 Heroes for Nintendo Wii
Resident Evil Umbrella Chronicles for Nintendo Wii
Rock Band for X-Box 360/PS3
(note: I didn't rate any PS3/PSP games cause I don't have either at the moment...)
So that is most of it. An amazing list of games, and 2008 just keeps looking better with games coming out next year such as Mercenaries 2, Too Human, Alan Wake, Super Smash Bro Brawl, Mario Kart Wii, Super Mario Stadium Wii, Metal Gear Solid 4, the new Unreal game, Resident Evil 5, Left 4 Dead, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicals, Fable 2 and many more...
If I left off a game for this year that you are excited about, let me know!
King Bowser will meet Mario's fist. Fa la la la la la la la la la
Don we now our Raving Rabbids. Fa la la la la la la la la
Explore space in Mass Effect. Fa la la la la la la la la
Ok, enough of my bad attempt at poetry. I'm very medicated today.
But I did want to right a bit about one thing extra great about this holiday season. Of course there are loads of things to love about the holidays. Family. Friends. Food. Gifts. Giving and recieving. Cool weather. Snow. Well, we can dream of snow, it doesn't really snow in East Tennessee anymore. I think we used up our snow quota during that blizzard years back. But anyhow, to my point.
This may be the best holiday season gaming line up to date. Let me give you a list of the games that are on my radar. Granted,I can't afford to buy them all, and not every one of them will live up to their potential and be great. But they are the games that are appealing to me, and their numbers are great.
I will start with the must haves for me:
Call of Duty 4 Modern Warfare for the X-Box 360 (and PS3/PC/DS)
This one has already garnered 3 scores of a perfect 10, and the reviews have said it rivals Halo 3 in both single player and multiplayer. I beta tested the multiplayer and I have to say I'm more excited for this game than I was for Halo 3.
Mass Effect for the X-Box 360
Game Informer magazine scored Mass Effect a 9.75 I believe, and made statements like "easily one of the best games to come out this year and possibly one of the greatest games of all time". They also said that "not since Star Wars has a sci fi universe been so fleshed out and so full of potential... they could fill countless books, comics, movies and games in the universe of Mass Effect... it is a major breakthru in storytelling... never have I taken so much time to ponder my choices in a game... what you choose to do really does impact the world around you and change the shape of the story/game..." That, plus this game comes from the developers of two of my favorite games of all time, Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic and Jade Empire. So I am so there.
Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 for the Nintendo Wii/DS
The last Raving Rabbids game introduced us to the adorable but slightly homicidal Rabbids. I don't know if I've ever laughed so hard in a video game. And the mini game assortment was a blast, some of the best on the Wii. With the sequel they look to improve upon the formula by making most of the mini games playable by up to four people at once, with less taking turns. Plus, you can customize your Rabbid with various costumes that reflect pop culture. There are costumes of Spider-Man, Captain Jack Sparrow and a football player, just to name a few. Raving Rabbids looks to be a good time for all.
Super Mario Galaxy for Nintendo Wii
It is hard to believe it has been since 2002 since we have seen a full fleged console adventure for my man Mario. Sure there was the very well done New Super Mario Bro for DS not long back, but it fit in the more traditional side scrolling design. Mario hasn't tried to rescue Princess Peach in 3D since about six years ago. And this time, he is going all out as he travels to outer space in search of his beloved. Using the Wii's motion controls in a 3D Mario adventure is also a first. And while some companies have struggled to make Wii games with dead on control, Nintendo has proven themselves more than able with Metroid Prime 3 and The Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess. And with Mario being their main man, I expect no less than amazing gameplay with spot on control. Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games for Nintendo Wii/DS
When I was a kid, you had to take a side if you were a gamer. Few could afford to own more than one console back then, well, that and there never felt as much a need to have more than one at that time. So for the most part you were either in Mario's camp with Nintendo, or Sonic the Hedgehog's camp with Sega. (for the record, I had both systems, but I was the only one I knew who did). It was so bad, that me and a friend used to prank call the Sega Game Tips Hotline and ask them questions about how to do this or that in Super Mario Bro, and they would argue that it wasn't a Sega game, and we would keep on naggin. I know, very childish, but that was cool. I was a child. Anyway, Sega got out of the console game and became a straight up publisher/developer. So I thought I was in the twilight zone the first time I saw a Sonic the Hedgehog game on a Nintendo system. But that is nothing compared to this. Sonic and Mario and their best pals squaring off in the Olympic games. (Next year, Sonic will also appear in Nintendo's Super Smash Bro Brawl) With around 20 different sports to choose from, and the lack of a sequel to Wii Sports, this may be the new hottness in party games on the Wii.
Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword on the Nintendo DS
I love Ninja Gaiden. Have since I was a wee lad. lol. And now he is coming to the DS in a full blown, 3D action game that lets you control all the action with the stylus/touch screen. And from what I've seen so far, it is impressive. If it turns out, it could be one of, if not the best action game on the DS to date. I had my doubts about using only the stylus to control everything, but after playing the recent Legend of Zelda Phantom Hourglass, I'm sold.
Assassin's Creed for the X-Box 360/PS3
This game is amazing looking.And it was near the top of my radar months ago, but recent play tests by the crew at Electronic Gaming Monthly has me worried. They said the controls take a lot of getting used to. So this may turn out to be a rent before I buy, but I am hoping it turns out as good as it looks. It is from the team who brought us the recent Prince of Persia games of the last generation (of gaming hardware), so I know they have it in them to make a great game.
Ok, those are the games that are top on my list and are likely must haves.
But there are others that are worth at least looking into. I won't go into detail, but if you are interested, look them up or get with me and I'll fill you in.
Other Potentially Hot Games of Holiday 07:
Soul Calibur Legends for Nintendo Wii
Mario Party DS for Nintendo DS
Final Fantasy XII Revenant Wings for Nintendo DS
Harvey Birdman for Nintendo Wii/DS/PS2
Blacksite Area 51 for X-Box 360/PS3
WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2008 for X-Box 360/PS3/Wii/DS
Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn for Nintendo Wii
Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker for the Nintendo DS
Scene-It Lights Camera Action for the X-Box 360
Contra 4 for the Nintendo DS
Geometry Wars Evolved for Nintendo Wii/DS
Godzilla Unleashed for Nintendo Wii/DS
Medal of Honor 2 Heroes for Nintendo Wii
Resident Evil Umbrella Chronicles for Nintendo Wii
Rock Band for X-Box 360/PS3
(note: I didn't rate any PS3/PSP games cause I don't have either at the moment...)
So that is most of it. An amazing list of games, and 2008 just keeps looking better with games coming out next year such as Mercenaries 2, Too Human, Alan Wake, Super Smash Bro Brawl, Mario Kart Wii, Super Mario Stadium Wii, Metal Gear Solid 4, the new Unreal game, Resident Evil 5, Left 4 Dead, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicals, Fable 2 and many more...
If I left off a game for this year that you are excited about, let me know!
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