TheBBPS Looks Back, 2007: #1

Written by Jim Squires

Friday, 04 January 2008 01:00

Dan Zuccarelli says Portal (PC/360): The top 3 games here all switched places numerous times, but in the end I'm totally confident I made the right call. Why? Portal has NOTHING wrong with it, that's why. Rock Band is superb but no single player Tour mode is an issue and while Bioshock is an epic experience that final boss battle and â€œhackingâ€ mini-game were phoned in. Portal on the other hand was pitch perfect in every sense of the word for me. Dark, truly funny storyline. Sinister evil computers, the end credits, mind-bending physics, a really neat gun, the list goes on. Portal seemingly came out of nowhere and now sits as one of the best games I've ever played in my life.

Kevin Alexander says Portal (PC/360): Every once in a great while something comes along in an art form and makes you rethink everything that came before it. Ten or fifteen years from now, we'll be looking back on Portal as one of those pieces. You've heard us gush about this game and if you've played it you know why. I would say it redefines storytelling in a game, but I like to think that it actually defines what it SHOULD be. The gameplay is unique, challenging and brilliantly designed. As your character slowly uncovers the events surrounding itself you get further sucked in to what's going on and you never want to leave. Of course, everything is so well paced that it's not unlikely to start up a new game as soon as you're done to pick up on what you might have missed. The entire industry should be looking at this game (and the whole of The Orange Box) as the new pinnacle of what can be accomplished in game design. It's absolutely fucking PERFECT. Portal is not just the best game of the year, it's one of the best games I've ever played.

Nathan Smart says Rock Band (360/PS3/PS2): Oh, I see. You're adding drums and a microphone to Guitar Hero. Okay. I get it........... *HEAD EXPLODES*

Dexie Oblivion says Super Mario Galaxy (Wii): Okay, scratch that last bit. I can't wait to see how Nintendo is going to top THIS game. Super Mario Galaxy is hands down THE best game I've played not just this year, but in the past few years, and quite possibly the best Mario game I've played, period (And I've played all of them, so...). The game is a pure rush of fun from start to finish, and it's really hard to find anything that's actually bad about it. The level designs are great; every enemy and every platform, every powerup and every item is placed just right, in just the perfect position for our portly plumber to use to his advantage. The graphics are breathtaking, and miles above anything else seen on the Wii so far. The music? It's absolutely beautiful. Nintendo finally dived into using a full orchestra for the game's music, and the high level of quality and musical writing really shines through. But most of all? Super Mario Galaxy is FUN. Some have complained that the story is weak, or nitpicked at other minor things, but at the end of the day, Galaxy remains a high quality, purely fun title, one that sends a breath of life into the dying platformer genre. It's fun, it's funny at times, and it's Mario at his absolute best. Super Mario Galaxy is my favorite game of the year. If you don't have it, get it. It's just that good.

Hawty McBloggy says Halo 3 (360): As one of the most anticipated games of the year, Halo 3 manages to deliver a solid single player experience along with an absolutely astounding multiplayer experience. The gameplay is balanced, the graphics are beautiful, and the muscial score is phenomenal. From recording game clips to saving screenshots, to creating new maps in Forge to the best matchmaking system on Xbox Live to date, Halo 3 is a must have for any FPS fan. Now go save Earth already.

Jim Squires says BioShock (360/PC): I've never been an FPS player. Nothing in the genre has ever really drawn me in, and the 3D motion sickness I've recently overcome had kept me from changing my mind. ...and then there was Bioshock. I downloaded the demo on a whim, completely unprepared for the crack-like addiction that was to be found in the world of Rapture. As soon as I got my hands on a retail copy and had my first really dynamic encounter with a Big Daddy in the Lower Wharf, I knew what my game of the year was going to be. I must have replayed that fight a dozen times in completely different ways. Sneak under the dock and reprogram the turrets? Sure! How about throwing an exploding barrel right at his head to get things started? Why not? Or maybe I'll just draw out some splicers and let them work his health down. The possibilities were endless. And when things ramped up a bit and I could get one Big Daddy to fight another Big Daddy? That's when the fun really started. Bioshock is one of those rare perfect games -- and yes, I'm factoring in the Vita-Chambers and helper-arrows. I like my games fun, not frustrating. And Bioshock is the most fun I've had in ages. If it wasn't for Bioshock, I don't think I'd have ever opened my mind to the FPS possibilities that were out there -- and as you can see from the rest of my list, I owe Bioshock one hell of a debt of gratitude.

Grim Santo says BioShock (360/PC): The love child of â€œSystem Shockâ€ and the â€œAtlas Shruggedâ€. BioShock is the best trip under the sea since the Little Mermaid (I canâ€™t help it. I love that movie). Ken Levine and crew crafted a virtual world that actually felt desolate. I even grew attached to those Little Sisters and teared a bit when I saw the â€˜goodâ€™ ending. This game will stay with me for years to come.