In 2007, the video game industry saw more hype than a Super Bowl pre-game show. Whether the end products actually justified the build-up is debatable, but outrageous expectations aside these 10 games stood out in a crowded field.
1. “The Orange Box” (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Windows): Hands-down the best value of ’07, the “Box” is five games in one. It packages the massively influential — not to mention ridiculously fun — Orwellian FPS “Half-Life 2” (2004) along with four of its progeny. Those include “Team Fortress,” one of the year’s most addictive online experiences, and “Portal,” which is far and away the most refreshingly innovative game we’ve seen in ages. Valve’s largess makes all other games seem like a rip-off by comparison.
2. “Halo 3” (Xbox 360): No game could live up to the marketing circus that surrounded “Halo 3”; the fact that it even came close is nothing short of amazing. For fans of fast-paced, trash-talking, run-‘n’-gun action, this shooter’s online, multiplayer frag-fests are second to none. Heck, they’re so good you’ll even forget about the seriously lame single-player campaign.
3. “BioShock” (Xbox 360): A true masterpiece of design and presentation, this one borrows all the best elements from your favorite shooters, platformers and RPGs, then cranks the production values up to 11. Rapture, the game’s underwater dystopia, is brought to vivid life with unparalleled attention to detail. And the story ain’t half bad, either.
4. “Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare” (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Windows): Welcome to the 21st century! The “Call of Duty” franchise finally leaves dubya-dubya-two behind, and the resulting simulation of modern-day war is almost overwhelming in its intensity. The single-player campaign is relentless and the online action is habit-forming. A nearly flawless game.
5. “Mass Effect” (Xbox 360): Epic sci-fi storytelling propels this surprisingly seamless hybrid of FPS action and RPG character development, its politically charged yarn setting a new standard for interactive entertainment. If “Mass Effect” doesn’t put the final nail in the coffin of turn-based combat, nothing will.
6. “Super Mario Galaxy” (Wii): Nintendo’s signature series finally arrives on the Wii with — literally — stellar results. The game’s colorful interplanetary action is fun for all ages, and uses the system’s motion-sensing technologly more gracefully than any other title to date.
7. “Rock Band” (Xbox 360, PlayStations 2 and 3): One word: drums. “Rock Band” takes “Guitar Hero” to a whole new level with exhilarating full-band participation. How fun is pounding the skins? Enough to make the $170 price tag seem totally worth it.
8. “Metroid Prime 3: Corruption” (Wii): “Corruption’s” futuristic bounty-hunting proves the Wii isn’t just for kiddies and casual gamers. Once you get used to the controls, it’s the closest thing to the classic PC-shooter experience you’ll find on any console.
9. “Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords” (DS, Xbox 360, Wii, PlayStation 2, PSP, Windows): An unlikely combination that works beautifully, “Puzzle Quest” is half RPG, half puzzle game, and 100 percent addictive.
10. “Everyday Shooter” (PlayStation 3, Windows): This downloadable gem is like “Geometry Wars” for indie-rockers. Original guitar-based tracks sync with the dual-stick shooter’s explosive action, while each level employs a unique graphical style. Amazingly, it feels both retro and cutting-edge at the same time.