Games of the Year
Best Pretend-to-Rock Game: Neither
Guitar Hero III (most systems) has a solid tracklist and
online play, but its subpar production values reek of cash-in. Rock
Band (X360, PS3) is better in most respects (songs, features,
jammin’ with three friends)—but come on, $170? I’m all for fake
guitars, but at that price you might as well get ripped off at Guitar
Center instead.
Least Embarrassing Mario Game: Mario Strikers Charged (Wii)
Ever wish games like NBA Jam were fun for more than 10
minutes? In spite of a few balancing issues, MSC is “action”
sports done right—depth, nuances, table-turning megaplays, and
critters tackling the hell out of each other.
Only Game I Played on PS3: Calling All Cars!
Amazing four-player car fights—like a speedball of
Burnout and Mario Kart. Maybe I’ll play it again
someday.
Best Overhyped Game: Bioshock (PC, X360)
I was prepared to poo all over its awards and accolades: The moral
dilemma of killing little girls is overrated, “plasmids” ain’t really
new, and a few miscues (abrupt opening, Pipe Dream–style
puzzles) really break up the flow. But Bioshock drips with too
much style, substance, and eye-bulging tension to earn my brand of
jaded pessimism.
Most Pathetically Addictive Game: Peggle (PC)
Sorry, World of Warcraft. You’ve been dethroned by a clone of
The Price Is Right‘s Plinko.
Mario Game Worth the Embarrassment: Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)
The game’s so colorful and cheery, you may as well sign up for your
neighborhood’s sexual-predator list right when you load it. But
SMG earns its cheer with gravity twists, a sensible learning
curve, and pacing like you wouldn’t believe. Any other year, it’d be
#1. But this year…
Game of the Year: Portal (PC, X360)
Who cares if it’s short? No game does four hours better, as this
first-person puzzler is funny, smart, and ridiculously accessible. All
this from a game where your only weapon is a door creator? Believe
it.
Quickies: Need a break from first-person shooters? Go online
with Worms Open Warfare 2 (DS) or Bomberman Live (X360),
as both offer puzzle combat at its finest. And Skate (X360,
PS3), Picross DS, Pac-Man CE (X360), Team Fortress
2 (PC, X360), Knytt Stories (PC, free), and Mass
Effect (X360) round out the rest of my top picks for the year.
(Halo 3 doesn’t make the cut, but who cares? You probably own
it—and have kicked my ass on Xbox Live already.) 