The year in video games
The holiday shopping season is upon us, and that can only mean one thing–sweet new games for every boy and girl. There have been some truly amazing games released in the past year, and no matter what persuasion of gamer you are, there is certain to be something available for your taste.
While the games that have come out have been amazing, don’t forget that 2006 has been major for the gaming world, given that we are now in the seventh generation of consoles. When choosing which way to go with the console battle, there’s nothing anyone can tell you that will influence your choice. Rather, just ask yourself three questions and work with the answers.
The consoles
How much cash are you willing to spend?
This is probably going to be the most decisive factor when thinking about buying a console for yourself or as a gift. If you want to stay under $300, then you’ll probably go with Nintendo’s Wii ($250) or a Dual Screen handheld ($129). If you don’t already have one, the handheld Sony PlayStation Portable is still going strong for $199. If you can afford it, the Microsoft Xbox 360 is $300, with a 20-gigabyte hard drive upgrade available for $100. Similarly, the Sony PlayStation 3 is $500 for the basic system and $600 for the premium machine.
When do you want it?
Availability is another key factor, because already the PS3 is out of stock and a Wii is hard to find without a reservation and a few weeks wait time. The only console almost guaranteed to be in stock is the 360, because it’s been on the market for a year. The handhelds are similarly easy to get, so even if you don’t look for one until Christmas Eve, you’ll probably be in luck.
What sort of game library do you want?
The 360, being the oldest console here, has the most games available. The PS3 had a pretty nice launch lineup and with releases scheduled all season long, there will be over 100 titles before the new year. The Wii does pretty nice for itself too, though, because of the goofy little controller, no third-party developers are likely to make good games. Once again, Nintendo is exhibiting some awesome games, but they can only make so many at a time. The handheld libraries aren’t as extensive as the consoles, but both the PSP and DS have a few hundred titles on shelves.
The best of this year’s games
Best shooter
The meat and potatoes of gaming for over a decade, shoot-’em-ups just keep getting better. Easily this year’s most intense shooting game is Gears of War for the 360. The graphics are mind-blowing and the rate of gameplay almost never lets up. You don’t need to be a big fan of shooters in order to appreciate this game, because it almost seems to draw the gamer to it with superb visuals and a control scheme that feels really simple at first, though as the game goes on, it keeps getting deeper. Admittedly, the vocals will make you think you’re sitting in on troglodytic conversation, but it works well with the badass feel of the game. There’s a limited edition available through the holidays, so pick that one up.
Obviously, this is not the sort of game you pick up for a young gamer, not only because of the blood and gore, but also due to mature subject matter relating to current politics, and the swearing in some parts doesn’t let up. If they’re mature enough, however, watch the eyes of your recipient light up when they unwrap it, then grab some controllers and spend Jesus’ birthday blowing the shit out of creepies and crawlies.
Best RPG
This was not an easy call to make. This year has been euphoria for RPG nerds like myself and trying to put one at the top of the list is painful. Overall, the best RPG is Final Fantasy XII and it is a fine way to cap off the sixth generation of Final Fantasies. The storyline will grip you from the start, the characters are intimately drawn and every player will find at least one character with whom they relate. OK, so you may not be a princess with a vanquished empire, nor could you take on a whole fleet of elite troops with just your sword (Basch is such a badass! We’re talking, like, Sephiroth if he had a child with Celes’ badass!) and it’s unlikely that at 15 you were an orphan and master thief, but that’s the beauty of the FF series.
It revels in being completely fantastical, though it leaves just enough based on reality for gamers to really connect with the story. Similarly, the gameplay in XII is top-notch, though it’s a lot different from previous FF games. The control and learning schemes play more like an MMORPG than a traditional adventure game and take some getting used to. However, once the controls are understood, playing the game is like a breeze and really hard to put down. It’s a great gift for any fan of the series and it’ll make a fine gift for anyone with a PS2.
Best adventure game
Sure, I said there’d be no reviews of games for the new consoles, but The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess is too amazing to ignore. Remember how amazing it was to play A Link to the Pastwhen it launched on the Super Nintendo, and how much evolution came between that game and its predecessors? Twilight Princess does that again, and if you like the series at all, you’ll cream over this one. This is easily the best launch game for the Wii and it actually puts that goofy little controller to good use, making sword-play lots of fun, aiming bombs and arrows easier than ever and navigating Link’s inventory very smoothly. Naturally, the graphics and the story are prime, though I’ve not played enough to tell you about the characters. So far, they’re very charming and it feels very Nintendo-like in development, though there are signs that this game will take a few dark, brooding turns before long. This game is probably the ultimate gift for a gamer, but only if they have a Wii. If you really like whomever you’re shopping for, get them the console and this game and know that next Christmas, you’ll be at the top of their shopping list.
Best sports game
The big names in sports games have all done a great job this year, but the best title this year was Need for Speed: Carbon. It’s out on every system and if you’ve ever been fascinated by cars going too fast or actually own a speed machine, you’ll want this one. The graphics never lag or stall, the controls are well balanced and responsive as all hell, the racing teams (see also: street-racing gangs) are realistic and there are dozens of mods to be performed. The online features are good fun, especially if you happen to know some of the other players. It’s sort of like living in the actual street-racing underground, only without the risk of jail time and life-ending collisions. If you’re thinking about this game as a gift, be sure the recipient is car-savvy and at least sort of mature.
Best musical game
This genre is still slightly obscure, but there have been some prime games that focus on music. Guitar Hero II is one of those games that lets the everyman musician feel like a rock god, all because of a decent sense of timing and some hand-eye coordination. It’ll get your attention in full and keep you at the TV for a while as you rock out on the guitar-controller. It’s appropriate for everyone, so consider it as a gift for anyone that games and likes to play music, even if they suck on a real guitar.
Biggest mistake of the year
OK, you know what to get the people you like, but if you’d rather just pretend to get a gift knowing that it’s going to get returned, look no farther than Mobile Suit Gundam: Crossfire. This whole series has been plagued by poor controls, weak graphics and a lack of save points. However, this series really shines with the voice acting and staying faithful to the anime series it’s based on. Sadly, much like the Dragon Ball Z and Family Guy games, Gundam proves that it takes a lot more than a good TV animation to make a great game. This thing is a real piece of shit, and even though the PS3 has had some great launch titles, this single game seems to hinder the whole launch. It will certainly let down fans of the show, but like I said, if you feel that giving cash as a present is tacky, well, just buy this and keep the receipt.
