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The past 12 months have been phenomenal in the games industry, not least because it saw the launch of Sony’s highly expensive, but very capable £425 PlayStation 3 in March. It was also the year that the games industry and its next-generation consoles finally came of age, with a record 78 million games flying off Britain’s shelves.
As well as seeing the launch of some incredibly creative titles, 2007 also saw the rise and rise of Nintendo and its hugely popular consoles. While the Nintendo DS is now officially the biggest-selling games system in the UK, the motion-sensing controls of the Wii has seen its popularity explode. But sadly for Nintendo, both reached the point where it became more difficult to spot one on the high street in the run-up to Christmas than it is to find an empty gap on the M25.
Despite manufacturing a reported 1.8 million Wii consoles per month, Nintendo claims it couldn’t cope with the demand and many believe the problem has now had a serious detrimental effect on the company’s image.
But before you add your own gripes regarding Nintendo’s ongoing problems, the record-breaking year of 2007 will also be remembered for some stunning games. Here we have put together our favourite 20 ‘must have’ games of 2007 that we believe every gamer should own. And to round it off, we name our overall favourite game of the year.
So in true awards style, we list our top 20 countdown in descending order:
Arguably the best game available on the PlayStation Network, this arcade shooter features switchable weapons that have varying effects on the incoming asteroids that you need to destroy. With intense gameplay, this retro title, which sees you attempting to save the planet, is right up there with Geometry Wars and shows just what can be done with a little care, patience and attention to detail.
With epic battles and enormous maps, this real-time strategy game is a game that packs a punch in more ways than one. After winning ‘Best Strategy Game’ at the 2006 E3 awards, expectations were high when this was announced and the end result didn’t disappoint. Set in the 37th Century, your job is to take control of one of three races as Supreme Commander. A great feature is the ability to zoom out from a close-up view of a single unit to looking at the entire map, revealing just how much there is to this game.
Despite the much publicised fiasco where the wrong version of this game was made available, the correct game is now on Xbox Live and it’s an absolute essential. This remake of the Commodore Amiga classic comes complete with matchstick players and the superb gameplay that made the original such a joy to play. Finely crafted touches and passes are enough to make the developer of FIFA 08 turn green with envy and, as an added bonus, both the original game and an updated edition featuring HD graphics are included.
Although the WipEout series has been around since the birth of the PlayStation, this rehashed edition for the PSP is a contender for game of the year on the format. The anti-gravity racing is now more refined, making it less harsh and far more playable. WipEout Pulse is fast, hair-raising, beautiful to look at and there’s online play as an added bonus.
Cleverly combining realism with accessibility, this racing sim sequel features over 300 cars in a game that offers excellent customisation, intelligent online play and finely tuned physics. Developer Turn 10 managed to build upon the original with a game that contains a well thought-out career mode and varying strategic gameplay depending on whether you’re driving a sports car or a heavy 4x4.
