Best of the Rest: Jason's Picks of 2007
by Jason Dobson 
{ Jan 1st 2008 at 5:30PM }
Stardock proved that it still had its collective finger on the pulse of the PC strategy game community in 2006 with Galactic Civilizations II: Dread Lords, an amazing game that managed to usurp the 4X strategy crown from Master of Orion to become the genre's defining title. The studio did it again in early 2007 with the game's expansion, Dark Avatar, this time adding a much-welcome graphic makeover alongside a healthy collection of other improvements, such a improved AI and deepened customization options. Dark Avatar is the definitive 4X strategy game for the PC, and the most satisfying strategy game released in 2007.
In a surprising twist, we saw the PSP finally become a viable gaming platform thanks to a considerable compliment of entertaining exclusives, including Sony Computer Entertainment Studios Japan's RPG, Brave Story. A traditional role-playing excursion to be sure, Brave Story nonetheless proved to be one of the few titles for the handheld that we would see ourselves play through for multiple PSP charges before moving on to something else. It may lack many of the bells and whistles found in similar titles, but what it lacks in polish, Brave Story more than makes up for in charm.
As a Tactics-style RPG, Jeanne D'Arc deviates little from conventions, instead offering players familiar turn-based gameplay wrapped up in a compelling tale of heroes, villains, demonic forces, and anthropomorphic beasts. Drawing inspiration from history books, as well as such iconic titles as Final Fantasy Tactics and Ogre Battle, Jeanne D'Arc serves as a kind of window into the genre both past and present. It's not the only strategy RPG for the PSP, but Jeanne D'Arc is the best you'll find in the library. Even more so, it is one of the most satisfying RPGs to come along this year, PSP or otherwise.
We can always count on the fine folks at NIS America to deliver the absolute latest fashion in games just left of normal, and this year was no different, with one of two titles from developer Vanillaware that brought real-time strategy to the home console in way wholly removed from anything resembling PC-centric design. It's not so surprising that GrimGrimorie is one of the most unique games released this year, but rather that it is also one of the best.
Odin Sphere (PS2)
The second offering from Vanillaware, this time from Atlus, kept with the developer's unique sense of style with a game seemingly lifted from an older age of gaming married with vibrant visuals that are simply unparalleled in the PS2's library. Odin Sphere is tough as nails, but is simply too cool not to give a second look.
New Year's Resolutions:
I promise to make it through my backlog and finish every game I start in 2008. What? Resolutions are meant to be broken.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
sheppy2.0 @ Jan 1st 2008 5:34PM
GOOOD LIST!
Dictatorship @ Jan 1st 2008 6:54PM
Seconded. It's good to see some Odin Sphere love on our even lovable Joystiq bloggers.
Happy new year 2008.
Mr Khan @ Jan 1st 2008 5:44PM
Good turn-based strategies are much appreciated these days
jackbauer @ Jan 1st 2008 5:47PM
What's all this ruckus with Odin Sphere? I don't dabble in RPGs that much, but is worth the buy? Rent?
Dictatorship @ Jan 1st 2008 6:53PM
Worth the buy, definitely. I go and rent some hours at my local just to play it, since I don't own a PS2. I think I stayed on the third book since I've been saving cash for SSBB.
The second book is definetily my favorite. I don't know why, but I find Cornelius to be my favorite character in that game.
Trust me, the story and the gameplay are absolutely great, and the voice acting is excellent too. If you don't mind the slow down it ocassionally has, you won't be disappointed if you purchase this game, as it combines action and RPG quite well.
Bellerophon @ Jan 1st 2008 6:17PM
Glad to see Jeanne D'Arc on there. Truely a great game indeed.
DarkLink117 @ Jan 1st 2008 6:59PM
I'm glad to see that GalCiv made someone's list
Super Marxio @ Jan 1st 2008 7:13PM
I'm currently playing through Jeanne D'Arc myself. It's the first PSP game I've really loved so far. Great choice! Everyone with a PSP and a passing interest in the style of game should buy it immediately.
Martez @ Jan 1st 2008 7:14PM
Jeanne D'Arc? Really? That game was so uninspired and shallow I was bored by the 10th fight. And the best SRPG on the PSP? Better than Final Fantasy Tactics and Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness? No chance.
Jeanne D'Arc struck me as a simple game designed to fill a SRPG void before Disgaea and Tactics came out, then got pushed backcame out at around the same time and couldn't stand up to the big guns.
Noshino @ Jan 1st 2008 8:49PM
Tactics sucked, I prefer MUCH MORE the camera and the graphics of FFT Advance, just those 2 (especially the camera and the incredible slowdowns) were enough to make me stop playing it after 2 hrs...
Jeanne D´Arc MIGHT not have been a groundbreaking SRPG, I still think its not a la par with franchises like Fire Emblem, but the people at Level 5 are incredibly talented, Jeanne D´Arc is great game, and yet there was still a hell lot of improvement, hey, this is their first game on the system and the genre...here is hoping for a second installement
todex2 @ Jan 1st 2008 7:47PM
I hate to be nitpicky, but Dread Lords was not an expansion for Galactic Civilizations II. The full title of the original game is Galactic Civilizations II: Dread Lords. Dark Avatar was the first expansion for GalCiv II.
I am glad, however, that it made the list. GalCiv II is a great game and one of the few PC games that I play. It doesn't hurt that it runs well on my older laptop. Good choice!
Dustin @ Jan 1st 2008 7:53PM
It seems like a lot of the Joystiq bloggers still have lots of love left for the PS2. The PS3, however... not so much love... but that's probably deserved..