The GameCube Advanced editors have played a lot of games this year. Over the last twelve months, the GameCube team has reviewed handfuls of GameCube software and played a number of other titles on other platforms. While AMN will hold its very own Best of 2005 awards in early January 2006, a few of the GameCube Advanced editors have come up with their own personal picks for 2005.
Below Phillip Levin, Shawn Sinclaire, Matthew Green and Andrew Chappellie name their favorite games of 2005.
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Phillip’s Top Ten
10. Kameo: Elements of Power
While it starts out a little bumpy – ultimately its opening chapter does not fit into the overall flow of the rest of the journey — Kameo is a fun adventure with beautiful visuals, smart level design and even smarter creature design. What’s more, it’s overflowing with clever puzzles and the like. Kameo plays and feels like many past Rare games including the Banjo & Kazooie series. As a Nintendo fan, I appreciate Kameo because it doesn’t feel like something you’d expect to see on Xbox 360 but on GameCube instead. But baybe that’s because it started out on GameCube. Who knows? Either way, gamers looking for a fun adventure will be happy with Rare’s latest franchise.
9. Animal Crossing: Wild World
Who would have thought gathering oranges, doing chores and paying off a never-ending debt to a pushy raccoon would be entertaining? I didn’t at first. But after spending more time than is healthy with the GameCube version of Animal Crossing, I just had to pick up Animal Crossing: Wild World. It’s essentially the same game, only now you can visit each other’s towns online and collect some new items here and there. There are a few other new features as well. I’m even pretty sure that Animal Crossing: Wild World is one game released in 2005 that I might even be playing a year from now. But, that won’t be the case if one more of my neighbors leave my town. I will seriously lose it if anybody else abandons DS Ville. Like seriously.
8. Perfect Dark Zero
I ended up reviewing Perfect Dark Zero for our sister site, Xbox 360 Advanced, in which I pretty much expressed both some love and hate for Rare’s long-time-in-development first-person shooter. The reason this game’s in my top ten is purely because the multiplayer is so fun. The single-player mode, in my opinion, isn’t worth touching unless you’re playing cooperatively. But the online multiplayer modes and equally fun split-screen ones are sure to keep me playing my 360 well into 2006. I’ve already logged a few hours playing with resident AMN editors Shawn Sinclaire, Sean O’Neil and Sud Koushik and plan to log even more. Fun weapon design and diverse level design come together nicely, ensuring the AMN team is forced to communicate – even if only through Perfect Dark Zero and Xbox Live – over the holidays.
7. Condemned
When atmosphere, visuals and sound come together perfectly, you get a game called Condemned. This Xbox 360 launch title demonstrates next-gen audio and graphics unlike any other launch game out there, in my opinion. A serious and engrossing storyline are at the forefront of Condemned, backed by survival horror-themed gameplay that will keep you hooked. Perhaps the thing I appreciate most about Condemned is that it can make me scream like a little girl. I kind of like that. In a weird sort of way. You probably would too.
6. Project Gotham Racing 3
Bizarre Creations successfully merges both arcade-style racing with simulation-esque racing in Project Gotham Racing 3, making it perhaps my overall favorite Xbox 360 launch game. The online career mode allows you to play many of the single-player cups online against other real players, as opposed to AI-controlled racers. This makes the experience all the more enjoyable for a number of reasons. First off, it’s more fun to play against other people rather than computers. It just feels more real. It’s also cool because you can play online and earn points towards purchasing new cars at the same time. A number of other online modes also make this a must-have. However, the lack of online split-screen support is a pretty big letdown for me.
5. Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones
Ubisoft surprised us with Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time and let us down with Prince of Persia: Warrior Within. That said, you could say it has repented with The Two Thrones. No doubt, after the questionable Warrior Within, few had much interest in anything else Prince of Persia related. I can relate to that. But Two Thrones is truly a surprise in the sense that it plays much more like Sands of Time than its other less-loved sibling. The platforming that originally blew us away is back. And what’s more, the storyline finally wraps up in a very satisfying way in the third chapter of the current Prince of Persia saga. Brand new gameplay mechanics are also a plus and really go the extra mile, making The Two Thrones a worthy entry in the Prince of Persia series.
4. Mario Kart DS
In short, Mario Kart DS does two things. It shows that online multiplayer support for the franchise is all we thought it was cracked up to be. And it makes up for the semi-disappointing Mario Kart: Double Dash!! on GameCube. There’s a healthy amount of brand new, never-before-seen single-player maps to master, not to mention a compilation of retro maps from Mario Karts of old. That means the racer has more maps than any Mario Kart before it. What’s more, there’s a new challenge mode which will keep you playing even after you beat every single-player cup. And, of course, multiplayer modes like VS and battle will ensure that you play your DS for many months to come.
3. Shadow of the Colossus
I’m one of those people that liked Ico but felt it was a tad overrated. For that reason, I really didn’t follow Shadow of the Colossus during its development. However, after it hit shelves, I couldn’t stand not playing the game after hearing so much praise for it. I’m glad I checked it out because it turns out it’s one of my favorite games of this year and definitely one of my favorite PlayStation 2 games to date. A game based purely around boss fights might sound less exciting than a traditional adventure, but the development team behind Shadow of the Colossus surprises with its theme. Each boss is memorable thanks to ingenious design and layout. And some of the best music in a video game ever ties the experience together seamlessly. It is a must-play for all gamers.
2. World of Warcraft
Sure, World of Warcraft didn’t technically come out in 2005, but because of the widespread shortage of copies after its late-2004 release, many people, like myself, couldn’t get their hands on the title until January 2005, thus I’m pretending the game released this year. Besides, I like World of Warcraft so much that I think it deserves to be on my top ten list, and since I couldn’t do that last year, I’m doing it this year. I’ve logged way too much time in Azeroth, and it’s all World of Warcraft’s fault. Blizzard has taken the cliché level grind and bore out of the MMORPG genre and replaced it with purely addictive and rewarding gameplay. The MMO is simple enough for beginners and complex enough to keep you playing even at level 60.
1. Resident Evil 4
I think that Resident Evil 4 is a no-brainer for my number one game of this year. Indeed, not only is it my absolute favorite GameCube game of the year, it’s my favorite game of the year — period. Capcom’s revamped its famed franchise for the better. The more action-themed style combined with the new camera, full-3D visuals and brand new storyline are an awesome mixture. Simply every minute of Resident Evil 4 is entertaining. Just when you’re getting tired of something in it, the title switches gears. Locale design is top-notch and satisfying, for instance, and never gets old. And the overall adventure is unforgettable. Atmosphere and immersion blend together the way they should, keeping you completely absorbed the whole way through. This is not only a technological experience to be had but a video game one that shouldn’t be missed.
Flip the page for Shawn’s picks
The GameCube Advanced editors have played a lot of games this year. Over the last twelve months, the GameCube team has reviewed handfuls of GameCube software and played a number of other titles on other platforms. While AMN will hold its very own Best of 2005 awards in early January 2006, a few of the GameCube Advanced editors have come up with their own personal picks for 2005.
Below Phillip Levin, Shawn Sinclaire, Matthew Green and Andrew Chappellie name their favorite games of 2005.
____________________________
Shawn’s Top Ten
10. Mario Kart DS
It’s Mario Kart, it’s online, and it’s amazing. Nintendo could not have made a better choice for a title to launch the Nintendo WiFi network. There are plenty of tracks and tons of replay value in this little gem. Now, if only we could make people quit dropping out of races….
9. Perfect Dark Zero
Before this holiday season, I was debating whether or not Perfect Dark Zero was a great title or not. The story was lackluster and the single player mode was fun, but not very fresh. However, once I was able to try it online, the game was sealed into my top ten list. There are just enough maps and gameplay modes to make each gaming session online feel new and fun, and the promise of more maps in the future means Perfect Dark Zero is something I’ll probably be playing well into 2006.
8. Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow
The first great adventure game for the DS, Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow is an amazing example of how 2D gameplay can still be fun and fresh. Don’t need 3D fancy-pantsy graphics here (although the game is beautiful). Very few games do I enjoy enough to complete them 100%, but Castlevania is one of the few and the proud.
7. Kirby Canvas Curse
The first game to really make me pick my Nintendo DS up was Kirby Canvas Curse. Before that, it was collecting dust on my shelf with Mario 64 DS haphazardly sticking halfway out of the card slot. Kirby Canvas Curse isn’t about a great story or a compelling cast of new characters, it was about new, innovative gameplay and it worked well. Drawing little rainbows for a cute, fat, pink little ball has never been more entertaining.
6. Killer 7
Can we say ‘underrated title of the year?’ Why yes…yes we can. Killer 7 is a love it or leave it title, and I loved it. The premise of the game was hauntingly surreal and fresh, compelling me to look past the completely linear gameplay and enjoy the story that I was being guided through. That’s really what this game was about, after all. The story is what you played for, and it was interesting enough to keep me hooked for hours straight. I doubt it sold enough for a sequel….but here’s hoping.
5. Condemned
Two words come to mind here: surreal and haunting. The developers were inspired by movies such as Seven and it shows. The entire game is a gruesome and frightening hunt for a serial killer who knows just a little too much about you. Every step you take is hesitant because you don’t know who or what will jump out and attack you. Unlike FPS games, you don’t usually have heavy machinery to defend yourself, either. You have to use your fists, your wits, and whatever tools you have around you in order to survive. Condemned is the best title on the 360.
4. Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
I’m not a big handheld fan. I like my games on a big pretty screen that I can look up at from my comfy recliner, not games that make my neck hurt after looking down at them for an hour or so. That being said, I’d never played a Fire Emblem title. Having played Path of Radiance, I’m now compelled to purchase all of the GBA titles. The game has a great story, great battle system, and is very easy to become addicted to. Kudos to you, Intelligent Systems.
3. God of War
After being quite disappointed with PlayStation 2’s 2004 lineup, I’m pleasantly surprised to find two PS2 games gracing the top 3. God of War is what an action platformer should be. It’s pretty, it’s huge, it’s easy to get into and easy to control, and it’s easy to kick some serious ass in big ways. Gruesome and addictive, God of War should be in every person’s collection.
2. Shadow of the Colossus
What this title lacked in overall pizzazz and content, it made up for with a genuine feeling of accomplishment and even remorse and regret. I’ve never felt so compelled to complete a game yet hated myself so much for doing so. Who are these gentle colossi? Why am I slaying them for my own selfish gain? Am I the bad guy here? The single best gaming moment of Shadow (and possibly of the year) was riding backwards on a speeding horse, steadying my bow and arrow to aim at a huge sand beast that pursued me not 10 feet from my fleeing steed’s back hooves. Chilling and exciting. Were there more to the game, it would be number 1.
1. Resident Evil 4
Not to brag or anything, but I called it. Resident Evil 4: one of the first titles of 2005 is also the single best game of this year. Despite stiff competition in the last quarter, Resident Evil 4 strong armed its way through the field with stellar graphics, an amazing plot on top of the backbone of a strong series, and a completely innovative survival horror gameplay system that gave me over 20 hours of sheer gaming pleasure this year. Best…Boss…Battles…Ever. Wait…never mind. RE4’s boss battles were second only to Shadow of the Colossus.
Flip the page for Matthew’s picks