By the time all is said and done, 2007 might go down as one of the best years ever for video gaming.
We’ve already seen best-selling epics like Halo 3, Heavenly Sword, Bioshock, Metroid Prime 3: Corruption and God Of War II along with new and upcoming releases like Call Of Duty 4, Assassin’s Creed, Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune and Mass Effect.
A gaming critic’s cup truly runneth over at this time of year and so here’s a quick look at a handful of brand new titles to add to the already impressive class of 07:
Go for the mother of all Mario games with Supermario Galaxy for Wii. It’s got all the action of the traditional Mario games plus better graphics and dynamic interactivity.
Super Mario Galaxy
Publisher: Nintendo
Platforms: Wii
Rating: E — Everyone
Game type: Action
Rating: ***** (out of five)
What’s the premise?
Nintendo’s pint-sized plumber returns in an all-new 3D adventure that sees him on a wild ride through outer space on a mission to save his beloved Princess Peach (again) from the nefarious Bowser.
This game is most similar to…?
Super Mario 64.
Is it suitable for younger gamers?
Kids of all ages are sure to be dazzled by this inventive escapade.
One player or more?
It’s just you and the little mustachioed dude.
What’s missing?
Once you figure out how to use all of Mario’s special moves and suits that allow him to fly, become a ghost and more, you won’t find anything missing but the hours in the day spent exploring the galaxy.
The (not-so) secret to success is…?
It may be in space, but it’s not rocket science. You’ll come up against some perplexing puzzles and blustering bosses that may require more than one try to solve, however the game is pretty intuitive, so don’t over think it.
And in the end?
This is the mother of all Mario games with all the action you’ve come to love with better graphics and the dynamic interactivity of the Wii. It’s the game to get for this system.
The Simpsons Game
Publisher: EA
Platforms: PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, PSP, Nintendo DS
Reviewed on: Xbox 360, PSP
Rating: T — Teen
Game type: Action
Rating: **** (out of five)
What’s the premise?
The world’s most beloved cartoon family takes aim at the gaming industry and the wild and wacky 20-year history of their show in a broad and boisterous satire disguised as a video game.
This game is most similar to…?
An episode of the show — a really long, really weird one.
Is it suitable for younger gamers?
If your young one can grasp the humour of the show, they’ll probably get into the game, although it is a tad high in the cartoon violence department.
One player or more?
The best part of the game is the two-player co-op mode where you and a friend can work together to battle villains like a giant living Lard Lad statue, a fire-breathing, two-headed dragon (featuring the heads of Marge’s sisters Patty and Selma) and many more.
What’s missing?
The only thing holding this game back from a perfect score are some fussy camera issues that make it unnecessarily difficult sometimes.
The (not-so) secret to success is…?
Pick the right Simpson — and the right power — for the job. In one-player mode, you’ll be able to switch back and forth between two characters at any time. Sometimes you’ll need Homer’s stinky belches, sometimes it is Bart’s slingshot or Marge’s power of persuasion. Adjust accordingly.
And in the end?
The actual gameplay isn’t quite as hot as the humour, but any fan of the series is sure to derive a great deal of enjoyment from moments like Homer’s rampage in The Land Of Chocolate and many others.
Cars Mater-National
Publisher: THQ
Platforms: PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS, GameBoy Advance, Mac, PC
Reviewed on: PlayStation 3, Nintendo DS
Rating: E — Everyone
Game type: Racing
Rating: **** (out of five)
What’s the premise?
The video game accompanying last year’s big Pixar hit, Cars, was a surprisingly great one for gamers of all ages. Mater-National picks up where that one leaves off with new characters, races and mini-games galore.
This game is most similar to…?
Cars.
Is it suitable for younger gamers?
Thanks to varying levels of difficulty, pretty much anyone can pick up, play and win in this game.
One player or more?
My four-year-old and I have spent many a quality hour on the races and copious mini-games first game and are looking forward to many more on the second.
What’s missing?
A PSP version. Did nobody buy the other one?
The (not-so) secret to success is…?
You’ve got tons of ways to earn points to unlock different paint jobs for your cars and other such surprises. Try jumping while going over hills for a “big air” bonus or driving backwards in race to see the points rack up.
And in the end?
There’s an undeniable charm to the film and it comes across very well in this delightful game.
Manhunt 2
Publisher: Rockstar Games
Platforms: Wii, PlayStation 2
Reviewed on: Wii
Rating: M — Mature
Game type: Action/shooter
Rating: *** 1/2 (out of five)
What’s the premise?
This tale of an escapee from a mental institution killing his way to uncovering the secrets of his past has been banned in several countries due to its extreme levels of violence and had to be toned down for release here in North America.
This game is most similar to…?
Manhunt.
Is it suitable for younger gamers?
HA! Sorry, um, no.
One player or more?
You’ll play in unison with a fellow escapee, which would seem to lend itself to a co-op mode, but alas there isn’t one.
What’s missing?
A PlayStation 3 and/or Xbox 360 version. Graphically, Manhunt 2 is about as good as can be expected for the Wii and PlayStation 2, but it falls well short of the quality found in next generation action/shooters like Bioshock, Halo 3 and Heavenly Sword.
The (not-so) secret to success is…?
Only fools rush in. This game’s a lot more about sneaking around in the shadows than going on a running wild massacre.
And in the end?
The violence is as bloody as promised, though after playing the ultra-creepy Bioshock is doesn’t seem quite so scary. Still, there’s something to be said for using your Wii-mote to kill someone with a sledgehammer, shiv or circular saw.
Help stop the evil from speading in Clive Barker’s Jericho, where the first-person shooting action can get pretty intense.
Clive Barker’s Jericho
Publisher: Codemasters
Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC
Reviewed on: Xbox 360
Rating: M — Mature
Game type: First-person shooter
Rating: *** 1/2 (out of five)
What’s the premise?
An ancient city mysteriously appears in the middle of a Middle Eastern desert and all hell breaks loose. The Jericho team — essentially a group of warlocks with guns — is called in to stop the evil from spreading.
This game is most similar to…?
One of Clive Barker’s nastiest dreams?
Is it suitable for younger gamers?
Guns, swords, demons and hell on earth — nope.
One player or more?
You get the chance to play as all the different members of your squad, but strangely there’s no co-op mode or online play.
What’s missing?
Room to roam. This game is pretty linear as you follow paths and tunnels to slightly larger battle arenas then back to the paths and tunnels. It’d be nice to have more freedom to explore.
The (not-so) secret to success is…?
Don’t sweat the dying. Your teammates are going to bite it with rather astonishing regularity, but luckily you’ve got the power to resurrect them, so no need to panic.
And in the end?
The first-person shooter action gets pretty intense, but many gamers may tire of the endless path following and slightly repetitive firefights.
