Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Best of the Rest: Mike Schramm's picks of 2012]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/03/best-of-the-rest-mike-schramms-picks-of-2012/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/03/best-of-the-rest-mike-schramms-picks-of-2012/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/03/best-of-the-rest-mike-schramms-picks-of-2012/#comments Joystiq is revealing its 10 favorite games of 2012 throughout the week. Keep reading for more top selections and every writer's personal, impassioned picks in Best of the Rest roundups.

Best of the Rest Mike Schramm's picks of 2012
Puzzle Craft
First, I'd like to take a quick bow. Last year at this time (while lauding the great Jetpack Joyride), I pointed out that we'd never chosen a first-released-on-mobile game for our top 10 list, and that 2012 might be the year it would finally happen. And as you've seen on our final list, we did finally pick a game that fits that definition in 2012.

But it wasn't my pick: For my money, Puzzle Craft is the best mobile game of the year, and definitely in my top five overall. Right now it's free on iOS, and offers a gorgeous and polished mix of casual puzzle gameplay that slowly gets more and more rewarding and complex as you level up and stockpile farm-based goodies. I love the "days of the year" time mechanic, I love the way that the rules change as you grow your town, and I just plain love this game. Hopefully we'll see new content in the new year, because I've been at max level for a while now. Max level, that is, on all three devices I've installed it on.

Continue reading Best of the Rest: Mike Schramm's picks of 2012

JoystiqBest of the Rest: Mike Schramm's picks of 2012 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 Jan 2013 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Best-of-2012Best-of-the-Rest-2012game-of-the-yearGame-of-the-Year-2012GOTY-2012iosipadiphonemicrosoftmike-schrammmobilepcpickspuzzle-craftxboxThu, 03 Jan 2013 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA['Dead Island: Game of the Year Edition' rated in UK]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/dead-island-game-of-the-year-edition-rated-in-uk/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/dead-island-game-of-the-year-edition-rated-in-uk/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/dead-island-game-of-the-year-edition-rated-in-uk/#comments It's dead
The British Board of Film Classification brings word of a Dead Island: Game of the Year Edition, scratching a June 30 launch date onto the calendar. Contents of the GOTY edition aren't mentioned, but since these things usually include previously released DLC, expect "Ryder White," "Bloodbath Arena" and possibly "The Ripper."

The listing was noticed by Siliconera, which grabbed a photo of the horrific rating before it was burned off the internets. When contacted for comment, a representative for publisher Deep Silver simply groaned, went back to eating her fresh tartare and shambled away. Love it or hate it - if you've played Dead Island you certainly have an opinion - but latest sales figures peg Dead Island at over three million units shipped worldwide.

Joystiq'Dead Island: Game of the Year Edition' rated in UK originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 May 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dead-islandDeep-silvergame-of-the-yeargame-of-the-year-editionmicrosoftpcplaystationps3xboxFri, 04 May 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Uncharted 2: Game of the Year edition swings into action October 12]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/28/uncharted-2-game-of-the-year-edition-swings-into-action-october/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/28/uncharted-2-game-of-the-year-edition-swings-into-action-october/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/28/uncharted-2-game-of-the-year-edition-swings-into-action-october/#commentsFiled under: , ,

How appropriate! Uncharted 2: Among Thieves -- our 2009 "Game of the Year" -- is finally getting a Game of the Year Edition. The $49.99 package includes the well-received sequel on a Blu-ray disc, as well as a "super voucher" which allows users to download $35 worth of post-launch DLC, including:
  • PlayStation Heroes Skin Pack
  • Uncharted: Drake's Fortune Multiplayer Pack
  • Uncharted 2 Siege Expansion Pack
  • Currency Multiplier which grants Double XP up to level 10 in Multiplayer
  • Golden Guns option for the AK-47 and the 92FS 9mm pistol for use in Multiplayer
  • Early access to "Revenge" Booster - you still have to purchase it with in-game cash!
  • Uncharted: Eye of Indra - Motion Comic Bundle (which includes Episodes 1-4)
  • Uncharted: Eye of Indra - Rika Raja and Daniel Pinkerton Character Skins
  • Uncharted 2: Among Thieves - Avatar Pack 1
  • Uncharted 2: Among Thieves - Avatar Pack 2
  • Uncharted Avatar Pack 3
  • Uncharted Avatar Pack 4
  • Pinball Heroes - Uncharted for the PSP
The Uncharted 2: Game of the Year Edition will launch on October 12. The following Saturday, the game's online multiplayer mode will play host to a playlist featuring Naughty Dog's favorite "The Lab" custom gametypes. A few of the developers will also be online to challenge fans, though we imagine their home-team advantage might make playing against them an exercise in futility.

JoystiqUncharted 2: Game of the Year edition swings into action October 12 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Sep 2010 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>game-of-the-yeargame-of-the-year-editionnaughty-dogplaystationps3Sony-Computer-EntertainmentUncharted-2Uncharted-2-Among-Thievesuncharted-2-among-thieves-game-of-the-year-editionTue, 28 Sep 2010 12:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Batman: Arkham Asylum GOTY edition coming to NA in May]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/16/batman-arkham-asylum-goty-edition-coming-to-na-in-may/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/16/batman-arkham-asylum-goty-edition-coming-to-na-in-may/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/16/batman-arkham-asylum-goty-edition-coming-to-na-in-may/#comments Whew, that was a close one. We were really hoping to get another opportunity to purchase Batman: Arkham Asylum again, but it seemed Rocksteady and Eidos had planned to keep the game's Game of the Year edition exclusively overseas. Fortunately, it seems they've changed their minds -- an Eidos press release just confirmed that the expanded version of the game (which includes four extra challenge maps and 3D support) will be getting a stateside release.

Whether you missed out on 2009's surprise superhero smash hit, or whether you were just disappointed by its lack of extra dimensions, you'll be able to get your fix when Batman GOTY ships sometime in May.

JoystiqBatman: Arkham Asylum GOTY edition coming to NA in May originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>announcementbatmanbatman-arkham-asylumbatman-arkham-asylum-game-of-the-year-editioneidosgame-of-the-yearMicrosoftrelease-daterocksteadyusXbox-360Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Big Download picks best PC games of 2009, previews 2010]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/02/big-download-picks-best-pc-games-of-2009-previews-2010/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/02/big-download-picks-best-pc-games-of-2009-previews-2010/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/02/big-download-picks-best-pc-games-of-2009-previews-2010/#comments If you're not already directing your eyeballs to our PC sister site Big Download for all your PC gaming news, well ... why not? Hmmm? That sounds like a personal problem, if you ask us. Anyway, they've recently posted their rundown of 2009's best PC games (as well as writing up a whole mess on what you can expect from 2010), and we figured we'd give you a heads up.

Looking for a list of vaporware titles from this year? They've got you covered. How about the top PC games of the past decade? Done. Top 10 consoles games that should be on PC? You betcha! Lessons on how to speak in Na'vi? Okay, not so much. They've gotta draw the line somewhere, right?

JoystiqBig Download picks best PC games of 2009, previews 2010 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 02 Jan 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>big-downloadgame-of-the-yeargame-of-the-year-2009metapcpc-game-of-the-yearSat, 02 Jan 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC09: Fallout 3, LittleBigPlanet clean up at GDCA awards]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/26/gdc09-fallout-3-littlebigplanet-clean-up-at-gdca-awards/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/26/gdc09-fallout-3-littlebigplanet-clean-up-at-gdca-awards/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/26/gdc09-fallout-3-littlebigplanet-clean-up-at-gdca-awards/#comments
In case you missed out on our liveblog last night (why do you hurt us so?), the list of winners from the GDCA awards is available for your perusal and, just as descriptive headlines would have you believe, Fallout 3 and LittleBigPlanet performed admirably. Fallout 3 walked away with the coveted Game of the Year award, whereas LittleBigPlanet took the "quantity over quality" route, snatching up various awards. Check past the break for the full list of this year's winners.

Continue reading GDC09: Fallout 3, LittleBigPlanet clean up at GDCA awards

JoystiqGDC09: Fallout 3, LittleBigPlanet clean up at GDCA awards originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>awardsBethesdaBethesda-Game-StudiosBethesda-Softworksfallout-3game-of-the-yeargdc-2009gotylittlebigplanetMicrosoftRPGXbox-360Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:28:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: Your 2008 GOTY]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/07/ds-daily-your-2008-goty/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/07/ds-daily-your-2008-goty/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/07/ds-daily-your-2008-goty/#commentsFiled under:

We know we asked you about the most surprising game of 2008, but which was your overall favorite? We know this can be difficult, seeing as how the DS was the recipient of many amazing games this year. But, hey, that's how it is for that wonderful handheld.

Which of the plethora of great games that released in 2008 would you say was the best of the bunch? Was it on our list?

JoystiqDS Daily: Your 2008 GOTY originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best-of-2008game-of-the-yearWed, 07 Jan 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: Your 2008 GOTY]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/07/wii-warm-up-your-2008-goty/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/07/wii-warm-up-your-2008-goty/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/07/wii-warm-up-your-2008-goty/#commentsFiled under:


We're quite amazed we haven't asked you this yet, to tell the truth. It's pretty straightforward. What Wii game would you crown as best of the lot in 2008? Is it a WiiWare game? Is it a retail game? Was it on our list?

JoystiqWii Warm Up: Your 2008 GOTY originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best-of-2008game-of-the-yearWed, 07 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Super Mario Galaxy gets a few GDCA nods]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/22/super-mario-galaxy-gets-a-few-gdca-nods/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/22/super-mario-galaxy-gets-a-few-gdca-nods/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/22/super-mario-galaxy-gets-a-few-gdca-nods/#commentsFiled under:


It's nice when your peers recognize your work. So, Miyamoto and co. must be beaming with happiness to hear that Super Mario Galaxy got the nod in several categories for the Game Developer's Choice Awards. If our opinion means anything (it doesn't), we liked the game a lot.

Overall, Super Mario Galaxy gets its hat tossed into two categories, although many* might consider them to be the best two categories: Best Game Design and Game of the Year. It's up against some tough competition, however, as undersea romp Bioshock and Portal, which has seemed to help pie's ugly cousin cake propel itself into the stratosphere of popularity, will undoubtedly give Mario a run for his coin (or stars).

Head past the break for all of the nominees.

Continue reading Super Mario Galaxy gets a few GDCA nods

JoystiqSuper Mario Galaxy gets a few GDCA nods originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 Jan 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>awardsbioshockgame-developers-choice-awardsgame-of-the-yeargdcgdcamarioportalsupermariogalaxyTue, 22 Jan 2008 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Making of the Joystiq award: let there be cake]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/08/making-of-the-joystiq-award-let-there-be-cake/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/08/making-of-the-joystiq-award-let-there-be-cake/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/08/making-of-the-joystiq-award-let-there-be-cake/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Interested in how we made our inaugural Joystiq trophy? It all started with a friendly online conversation between this writer and Editor Ludwig Kietzmann:

JoyLudwig: This year's winner is Portal. Make us a cake.
JoyRoss: Or what?
JoyLudwig: Or death.
JoyRoss: Cake or death. Cute.
JoyLudwig: ...

Following an embarrassingly long string of horrendous cake puns, we set about cooking an actual cake.

Continue reading Making of the Joystiq award: let there be cake

JoystiqMaking of the Joystiq award: let there be cake originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Jan 2008 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cakegame-of-the-yeargoty-2007portalPS3Xbox-360Tue, 08 Jan 2008 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq's Top 10 of 2007: BioShock]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/game-of-the-year-02-bioshock/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/game-of-the-year-02-bioshock/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/game-of-the-year-02-bioshock/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Even without a game set inside its beautiful - and totally unnerving - halls, the underwater city of Rapture alone would almost be enough to earn a spot on our list. The design itself told the story of a failed utopia, an underwater art-deco Eden gone sour. The pools of water and rusted metal juxtaposed with the bright neon signs and period music immediately set the tone and helped deliver one of the most memorable environments in video games or, dare we say, any entertainment field.

But of course, it wasn't just Rapture and the story of Andrew Ryan's failed utopia: it was BioShock, the spiritual successor to the System Shock series, and upon its late summer release, it held us, and the entire gaming world, in ... well, rapture.



And what a game! We think back to the epic battles with the gargantuan, golem-like Big Daddys and how often we stood motionless, waiting for the sometimes gentle caretakers to pass by peacefully. And let's not forget about their wards, the Little Sisters. When it was time to fight, upon winning you're presented with the macabre and more than a little unnerving choice of whether or not to kill a little girl. Is this choice essentially meaningless? Is every Little Sister an identical model and voice, removing much of their humanity and in turn the difficulty of your decision? Regrettably, the answers are "yes" and "yes".

Though we may not remember each and every Little Sister we saved, we do remember that one. And that's far more than most video games allow.

Gallery: BioShock



And the lie goes to... ->

JoystiqJoystiq's Top 10 of 2007: BioShock originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Jan 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2K2K-Australia2K-BostonBioShockFPSGame-of-the-yearGOTY-2007PCXbox-360Tue, 01 Jan 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq's Top 10 of 2007: Rock Band]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/game-of-the-year-03-rock-band/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/game-of-the-year-03-rock-band/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/game-of-the-year-03-rock-band/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


These past few years have seen a radical improvement in the production values of video games. Much to the delight of the narratologist, so called "AAA titles" have adopted the cinematic qualities of a Hollywood blockbuster. More and more celebrities are showing an interest in voice acting for games. Big budgets are blown on having the best visual effects on the block. Writers have learned how to create more convincing, likable protagonists and richer, more momentous story arcs. These past 365 days have seen some of the most well-made games in the history of the industry, and some of the most immersive, soul-stirring stories we've ever experienced.

But can you play Assassin's Creed with a Stratocaster? Can you drum your way through Mass Effect? While playing God of War II, do you ever get to play The Sweet's "Ballroom Blitz"? No, we're fairly sure you do not (though that would be awesome).

Video games are thought of as more than toys nowadays -- a distinction that gamers and game developers should be proud of. However, amidst the recent sea of epics and masterpieces, we can't forget that video games are tools for entertainment -- and no game released this year provided more entertainment for us than Rock Band.



If you've ever closed your eyes while listening to a song, and imagined that you were on stage, playing in front of a full-to-brim Madison Square Garden, Harmonix has created a channel for you to bring that daydream to fruition. You're always aware you aren't playing real music, but it makes no difference. Drums are being hit, and guitars are being strummed -- it doesn't matter that they're made of plastic. The illusion of musical interaction is there, and is stronger than any other rhythm game that came before.

To look around the room and realize that three of your friends are under the same spell is a pretty incredible moment. It would be futile for us to try to fully describe the bonding experience that Rock Band provides. We can't explain the intricate system of responsibilities and accountabilities band mates begin to develop between one another due to Harmonix's cleverly designed gameplay, nor can we describe the shared sense of accomplishment you get when you perform a song well.

To witness a group of grown men and women erupting in jubilation after pulling out the fifth star on "Foreplay/Long Time" on the Big Rock Ending would seem like madness to the untrained eye. But this is what Rock Band does to groups of people who let the game transport them into their own musical fantasies. In a few posts this year, we jokingly referred to Rock Band as "Harmonix's rock star simulator." Now that we have the game in our hot little hands, and know well its capacity to capture our imagination, we humbly retract our sardonic tone.

Gallery: Rock Band



Down where it's wetter, down where it's better ->

JoystiqJoystiq's Top 10 of 2007: Rock Band originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Jan 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Game-of-the-yearGOTY-2007HarmonixMTVMusicPS2PS3Rock-BandRockBandXbox-360Tue, 01 Jan 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq's Top 10 of 2007: God of War II]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/game-of-the-year-09-god-of-war-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/game-of-the-year-09-god-of-war-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/game-of-the-year-09-god-of-war-2/#commentsFiled under: , ,


QTE. Quick Time Events. It stands proud as one of the most annoying video game design clichés in use today. You might remember them from games like Resident Evil 4 and the original God of War, described by game developers as a device that makes you feel like you're playing a cutscene, as opposed to watching it. It was so cool when we first saw it -- but when every single game ever decided to add QTE, it became less ... welcome.

So, how did God of War II trick us into having so much fun with its QTE-riddled cinematics? Probably because the game remembered exactly what made these sequences fun. There was the all-important feeling of empowerment from these moment, where every button pressed felt like it had consequence. When we cracked Theseus' head open by slamming it into a door over and over again, we felt the same blood thirst that Kratos must have undeniably felt. We weren't pressing buttons simply because the game told us to. Rather, we pressed buttons because it intrinsically made so much sense. We were one with Kratos. RARGH!



Some may argue that God of War II doesn't innovate enough to warrant any GOTY accolades. Hey, it's not like the first one really broke new ground either. (And that didn't stop the original from winning GOTY.) Instead, God of War II so finely executes what has already been done before. Giant boss battles are nothing new to video games, but those found here are exceptionally well placed (and paced!) throughout the game. Even the first level's backdrop is a giant animated statue that you ultimately go sword-to-face with. Each battle is filled with a ferocity, a viciousness that reminds you that these are very powerful gods and demons you're fighting.

God of War II shows that the PS2 is still capable of producing wonderful gaming experiences. It highlights the true value of excellent design over pure technology, and offers so much of that all-important commodity we seek from games: fun.

Gallery: God of War 2



Extreme fever! ->

JoystiqJoystiq's Top 10 of 2007: God of War II originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Jan 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Game-of-The-YearGod-of-WarGodofWarGodofWar2GOTY-2007GoWGoW2KratosPS2SCEASony-Computer-Entertainment-AmericaTue, 01 Jan 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq's Top 10 of 2007: Portal]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/game-of-the-year-portal/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/game-of-the-year-portal/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/game-of-the-year-portal/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Out of all the superb titles released in 2007, Portal most effortlessly takes the cake. The true star of The Orange Box saw a talented team from DigiPen snatched up by Valve and ultimately transformed from students into teachers. Gamers and designers alike must play Portal, not only because it's so sublimely designed from start to gripping finish, but because there's so much to learn from it.

The game is phenomenal in every sense of the word, its deviously delirious guide and antagonist, GlaDOS, already running rampant online as a fully fledged and infinitely quotable meme. It certainly speaks volumes of its witty writing when the game's other widely recognized star is nothing more than a vaguely endearing block. The intelligence isn't merely confined to the game's dialogue either -- it permeates every aspect of Portal's "Aha!" puzzles and perfectly paced progression. There is no filler here.

When the seemingly unconnected room-based challenges give way to a daring escape attempt and a climactic showdown, the game's genius is not only revealed, but heard in the form of Jonathan Coulton's "Still Alive" ending song. Inescapably catchy and completely cognizant of its audience, it marks the perfect conclusion to this year's smartest and most focused game.






Please accept our cake, Portal, but for the good of all of us, don't eat it! We don't want you getting fat like all those other games.


Gallery: Portal



Joystiq's Top 10 of 2007
  1. Portal
  2. BioShock
  3. Rock Band
  4. Super Mario Galaxy
  5. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
  6. Halo 3
  7. Assassin's Creed
  8. Peggle
  9. God of War II
  10. Mass Effect
Please leave your comments below!
Reset my progress! ->

JoystiqJoystiq's Top 10 of 2007: Portal originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Jan 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CakeGame-of-the-yearGOTY-2007Orange-BoxOrangeBoxPCPortalPS3ValveXbox-360Tue, 01 Jan 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq's Top 10 of 2007: Assassin's Creed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/game-of-the-year-07-assassins-creed/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/game-of-the-year-07-assassins-creed/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/game-of-the-year-07-assassins-creed/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Ubisoft's hugely anticipated bump-off sim created quite the controversy, though oddly not for the stylish and quite visceral violence it so gleefully inflicted upon authority figures. Instead, Assassin's Creed (or Assassin's Crud, depending on who you ask) divided critics, with some being utterly engaged by the game's unique setting and others thinking the same environment to be remarkably empty. Count us among the former, as we've yet to see a bigger, more lavishly detailed and immersive world than the one dashed through, clambered up and vaulted over in Assassin's Creed.

The game's greatest design flaw may be that it's a bit too open-ended for its own good, refusing to overtly reward or punish players for behaving in a specific way. If you wish, you can spend a lovely afternoon playing Maniacal Guard Killer's Creed instead, carrying out your missions with all the stealthy maneuvering of a grand piano rolling down an escalator. Would it have been wiser for Ubisoft to beat you over the head every time you set off a medieval alarm and otherwise played the game "wrong?" Perhaps... but isn't the point of open-ended gameplay to let you choose your own path?


In many ways, Assassin's Creed is more of a role-playing game than most of the titles officially labeling themselves as such. When you play as Altair -- really play as him, as an assassin -- and measure failure according to your own actions and not what a Fission Mailed screen tells you, the game's intricate world becomes inescapably engaging. Learn about your target, plan your attack and revel in the absolutely thrilling chase that follows your murderous deed. Though the game's overall structure may seem repetitive in the face of such a believable world, the true magic in Assassin's Creed lies not in what you do, but how you do it.

Gallery: Assassin's Creed



Chief among our choices ->

JoystiqJoystiq's Top 10 of 2007: Assassin's Creed originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Jan 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Assassins-CreedAssassinsCreedGame-of-the-yearGOTY-2007MicrosoftPS3UbisoftUbisoft-MontrealXbox-360Tue, 01 Jan 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq's Top 10 of 2007: Mass Effect]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/game-of-the-year-10-mass-effect/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/game-of-the-year-10-mass-effect/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/game-of-the-year-10-mass-effect/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


If you've ever borrowed a great novel from a library (ask your parents), you would know that all those reams of text can latch on to your thoughts regardless of the tattered, pig-eared and terrifyingly sticky pages they're printed on. Mass Effect is just such an experience, its story spread across technically dubious and slow-turning sheets filled with text that randomly pops in and out of existence. You also have to read several chapters while standing in the world's slowest elevator, for some reason.

Still, these are complaints that are best gotten over with in the first paragraph and promptly forgotten, for Mass Effect makes its rich story heard well above the incessant clacking of the Xbox 360's exhausted DVD drive. It may seem strange to place emphasis on the massive universe and nuanced characters over the increasingly vague term of "gameplay," but BioWare's craft has masterfully blurred the lines between plot and play. We can't remember the last time we preferred chatting to aliens as opposed to shooting them in... whatever approximates a face.



A laborious inventory system and initially confusing combat certainly detract from the game's (forbidden) planet-hopping journey, but the cinematic ambition on display and tough choices to be made will linger in your memory for much, much longer. In a bountiful year which encouraged us to breathlessly rush from game to epic game, it's remarkable that Mass Effect could make us pause long enough to consider the consequences of our actions.

Gallery: Mass Effect



He sounds like a cereal (killer) ->

JoystiqJoystiq's Top 10 of 2007: Mass Effect originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Jan 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWareGame-of-the-yearGOTY-2007MassEffectMicrosoftGameStudiosXbox-360Tue, 01 Jan 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq's Top 10 of 2007: Peggle]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/game-of-the-year-08-peggle/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/game-of-the-year-08-peggle/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/game-of-the-year-08-peggle/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


The most surprising game of the year doesn't have fancy 3-D graphics. It doesn't require a new generation console and it doesn't involve waggling a fancy motion-sensitive controller. It doesn't involve killing anything (not even in the cutesy, Mario-jumps-on-a-Goomba sense of the word "kill") and it doesn't have any gritty, street-smart characters voiced by today's hottest celebrities. None of that is really surprising in its own right - plenty of casual games fit the same criteria. What's really surprising about Peggle is how insanely, addictively fun it is.

Like the best puzzle games, Peggle can be explained in a single sentence: Bounce balls off pegs; destroy all the orange ones to win. The game doesn't require a lengthy tutorial or instruction booklet, just an intuitive grasp of physics and gravity to plan where your ball will bounce. The instant accessibility is aided by excellent graphic and sound design -- pegs burst in explosions of color and sound, culminating in a level-clearing rendition of Beethoven's Ode to Joy that can't help but bring a smile to even the most cynical gamer's face.



Some might argue that this simplicity never gives way to a deeper strategy -- that the game takes a minute to learn but only two or so minutes to master. These people have probably only played the game for those two or so minutes, though, as the imaginative peg arrangement in the later of the game's 100 or so levels require some incredible planning and imaginative use of special powers (not to mention the 60 or so unlockable "challenge" boards, some of which are nigh impossible). While Peggle beginners might only plan one or two bounces ahead, expert Peggle players, much like chess grandmasters, can generally see the shape of a shot through dozens of bounces. After one particular, eight-hour, late-night session with the game, we could swear we had entered a zen-like state where every slight deflection of the ball seemed pre-ordained (of course, the cold medication running through our veins could have also contributed to this feeling).

If you still don't believe Peggle takes any skill, then we humbly challenge you to an editorial-we-on-one Peggle duel. These duels are where Peggle continues to shine long after the single-player game is done, with new strategies enabling a new level of unpredicatability and human fallibity to come into play. Of course, dueling currently works only on a single computer, so duels with random internet doubters will probably be hard to coordinate. Maybe Peggle 2 will include some sort of Internet play option. PopCap ... you listening?

Gallery: Peggle



Oh please sir, do you have any coin? ->

JoystiqJoystiq's Top 10 of 2007: Peggle originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Jan 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Game-of-the-yearGOTY-2007MacPCPegglePopCapTue, 01 Jan 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq's Top 10 Games of 2007]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/joystiqs-top-10-games-of-2007/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/joystiqs-top-10-games-of-2007/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/joystiqs-top-10-games-of-2007/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Picking the best video games released in any given year is rarely an easy task, with opposing opinions colliding mid-air in the most violent, stubborn and noisy manner possible. It's a lot like hurling frying pans at each other, an activity which the Joystiq staff nearly engaged in while selecting 2007's ten best games. If (for some unfathomable reason) you hadn't noticed, there were quite a lot of those types of games this year -- certainly more than ten. We doubled the size of our stadium's podium this year and still there are titles angrily left without a spot and suspiciously eyeing some nearby javelins.

In returning to our earlier and equally clumsy kitchen-related metaphor, we thought we'd do something nice this year and award 2007's best game with substantially more than a gushing set of poorly composed paragraphs. We baked the winner a cake. A real and entirely non-deceptive cake! You can likely guess our recipe's recipient, but the nine games in-between this page and the top spot all deserve a slice of your time.

Oh, and be sure to leave your incendiary comments on the last page. You'll probably be wanting to yell at us for allowing Peggle to beat... well, you'll see.

[Special thanks to Yann Duminil for our GOTY graphic!]

Just Geth on with it already! ->

JoystiqJoystiq's Top 10 Games of 2007 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Jan 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BreakingNewsGame-of-the-yearGOTY-2007PCPS2PS3WiiXbox-360Tue, 01 Jan 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq's Top 10 of 2007: Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/game-of-the-year-05-call-of-duty-4/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/game-of-the-year-05-call-of-duty-4/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/game-of-the-year-05-call-of-duty-4/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


The frustrating thing about trying to write about Call of Duty 4 is that all of the phrases that best describe it have already been applied to and, in turn, drained of their impact by far less deserving games. It's a "non-stop thrill ride," its graphics are "almost photorealistic" and it is, in fact, "so real that you'd almost think you were there." What Call of Duty 4 so authoritatively manages to do is reclaim those action game clichés and, in doing so, infuse them with a new, fresh power.

What Call of Duty 4's single player campaign could best be described as though, is a master's class on making good game design choices. From beginning to end, moments last just as long as they need to, difficulty is perfectly balanced and the action ebbs and flows between full-on chaos and chilling silence. From a pulse-pounding start to the final, desperate ending, it's a meticulously crafted experience. We haven't even made mention of the game's multiplayer yet, which mixes the game's explosive presentation with some RPG fundamentals to predictably addictive results.



Perhaps the most surprising thing about the game is how few actual revolutionary concepts are contained within. It selects existing game design tools, hones them to practical perfection and creates what is, in our opinion, the military shooter against which all others must be judged.

Gallery: Call of Duty 4: Modern Combat



Welcome, new-a entry! ->

JoystiqJoystiq's Top 10 of 2007: Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Jan 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisioncall-of-duty-4callofduty4cod4FPSgame-of-the-yearGOTY-2007infinity-wardPS3Xbox-360Tue, 01 Jan 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq's Top 10 of 2007: Super Mario Galaxy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/game-of-the-year-04-super-mario-galaxy/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/game-of-the-year-04-super-mario-galaxy/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/game-of-the-year-04-super-mario-galaxy/#commentsFiled under: , ,


In the beginning there was Mario 128 and the world was without news. And the Spirit of Mario moved upon the face of galaxies. And Reggie Fils-Aime said, let there be a release date; and there was hype and critical acclaim. And we saw the copies and Toys R Us gift cards, and it was good.

And the Good Egg Galaxy and Flipswitch Galaxy were the first day. And we said, "This control scheme is alright." And we captured stars and struggled with the camera: and it was so. And we called the game fun.

And the Honeyhive Galaxy, Loopdeeloop Galaxy and Bowser Jr.'s Robot Reactor were the second day. And we said, Dear God please do we really have to use faulty controls and race through a crappy Wave Race clone to get one frackin' star? And we persevered through and got the star. And we said the Bee Suit was cute and honey climbing was fun. And the camera decided to change our flight path and we kept falling off the level; and we saw that it was frustrating.

Continue reading Joystiq's Top 10 of 2007: Super Mario Galaxy

JoystiqJoystiq's Top 10 of 2007: Super Mario Galaxy originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Jan 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Game-of-the-yearGOTY-2007MarioPlatformerSuper-Mario-GalaxySuperMarioGalaxyWiiTue, 01 Jan 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq's Top 10 of 2007: Halo 3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/game-of-the-year-06-halo-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/game-of-the-year-06-halo-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/game-of-the-year-06-halo-3/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Imagine you're on a deserted island. Of course, it's one of those islands with a conveniently laid Ethernet cable that runs from the ocean, up the beach and down a hatch. Inside there's a 'game station' equipped with an enormous HD display, surround sound, a RROD-proof Xbox 360 (among other current gaming systems) and a comfy chair. Whether you've arrived in this fantasy realm by sea, air or warp pipe, you've got one - and only one - game disc from the past year stuffed in your back pocket. What is it?

If you answered "Halo 3," you're correct!

The shared sentiment around Joystiq HQ is that an island getaway is just what we need to get better acquainted with Halo 3. We're familiar with the shooting of the aliens, but aside from this most basic objective (executed with superiority, by the way), Halo 3 remains a potential funbox waiting to be busted open. The reality is, we aren't on an island, and the offerings have been piled so high since late August that Halo 3 was in and out of our 'Box as soon as the campaign was conquered and a few multiplayer matches were logged. We sampled more than we explored the intricate depths of Bungie's last Halo game-until-the-next-one. Still, even a terse study of the game was enough to validate Halo 3 as a shoo-in for one of the ten best games of 2007.

halo 3

But No. 6? Halo 3 gets docked for being Halo 3, or 'Halo a third time.' Bungie delivered the charm on its first swing, so there's little need for vindication (unless you were offended by Halo 2's cliffhanger). It's unlikely though, that any developer could deliver this 'total package' without having been shackled to the material for nearly a decade. Bungie's confidence in its subject has yielded an exceptionally fine-tuned product peppered with unique, community-building features. Considering the abundance of content - and the freedom to interact with the content in different ways - Halo 3 has a lasting potential that is unparalleled by this year's other releases.

Thanks to Halo 3, "Halo Nation" is now 5 million strong and growing, a clear signal that Wikipedia needs to disambiguate its entry for "Halo effect," appending a new description separate from meanings in psychology and business: A man in a green suit becomes the 21st Century's Skywalker. That's the only Halo effect we know.

Gallery: Halo 3



Yes, I'll gladly accept the charges ->

JoystiqJoystiq's Top 10 of 2007: Halo 3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Jan 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bungiegame-of-the-yearGOTY-2007halo-3halo3Xbox-360Tue, 01 Jan 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq's significant others name Guitar Hero III game of the year]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/20/joystiqs-significant-others-name-guitar-hero-iii-game-of-the-ye/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/20/joystiqs-significant-others-name-guitar-hero-iii-game-of-the-ye/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/20/joystiqs-significant-others-name-guitar-hero-iii-game-of-the-ye/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


Our exhaustively debated, occasionally pretentious list of the year's top games will be on the way soon, but we wanted to try something a little different to whet your appetite. We polled our wives, girlfriends and boyfriends (all of whom fall somewhere between casual and medium on the hardcore gaming spectrum) and asked them to choose their favorite games of the year.

We opted to be more casual with this list, allowing games that may not have been released in 2007 as long as the significant other in question spent most of their time with them this year. So, it's without further ado that we present the top five:
  • 1. Guitar Hero III
  • 2. Peggle
  • 3. Rock Band
  • 4. Super Mario Galaxy
  • 5. BioShock
Way to go, everyone! What was interesting as we collected this list was the wide variety of games that were represented, many of which wouldn't even get a mention in most GOTY debates. Now, is that because they haven't played as many games or the more frightening option: Because they've lived a 2007 unpolluted by hype and are unafraid of picking the games that really brought them the most joy? Honestly, we're still not sure.

Check out all the also-rans after the jump.

Continue reading Joystiq's significant others name Guitar Hero III game of the year

JoystiqJoystiq's significant others name Guitar Hero III game of the year originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 20 Dec 2007 14:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionDSgame-of-the-yearGOTYGuitar-Hero-IIIguitarheroiiiPCPS2PS3WiiXbox-360Thu, 20 Dec 2007 14:26:00 EST