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GameBanshee's Game of the Year 2007 Awards - Page One |
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2007 was a strong year for gaming, no doubt about it. There was something for everyone this year, and for the first time in what seems like ages many of us actually found ourselves overwhelmed with the number of high quality titles requiring a play through. As far as the role-playing genre goes, this year will go down as one of the best we’ve ever seen for independent releases and AAA titles from both Europe and North America.
And so, this seems like the perfect year for GameBanshee to start a regular “Game of the Year” feature. That title is a little deceptive, though, because we’re not going to pick an all-encompassing winner but instead focus on the RPGs that stood out in the writing, setting, graphics, and sound departments, and then offer our picks for the top role-playing games in three separate categories. Anyway, let’s get on with it.
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Best Story/Writing
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Mass Effect (Winner)
While there were definitely some disappointing design choices that went into Mass Effect, we can’t help but recognize just how good the game’s storyline is. The concept of a legion of intelligent machines continually purging the galaxy of all life might not sound particularly gripping, but there’s a lot more to the game’s storyline than one originally expects. To make the experience even more fulfilling, the story is conveyed through state-of-the-art cinematic-quality cutscenes, as well as one of the most extensive and informative codex systems we’ve seen in a game to date.
As a whole, Mass Effect’s storyline is easily the best sci-fi tale weaved in a video game since Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. There are moments of sheer brilliance during the game’s main quest, and despite the fact that the game is only the first in a trilogy of sci-fi titles, the ending is surprisingly satisfying and sets the stage perfectly for a sequel.
NWN2: Mask of the Betrayer (Runner-up)
Obsidian Entertainment is always pretty good about incorporating a substantial story into their games, and Neverwinter Nights 2: Mask of the Betrayer is no exception. The expansion pack includes a story that has little to do with the usual RPG fare, opting instead for one that focuses on your character and how you can right old wrongs and cure yourself of a god-given curse. The story is helped along by five possible companions, all strongly written and acted. By implementing fewer companions, Obsidian was able to spend more time on each one, developing them enough so that you’re more likely to care what happens to them. Plus, any game that writes a substantial amount of dialogue for a rainbow-colored spirit bear gets our vote.
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Best Graphics
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BioShock (Winner)
There’s a grand story to be told in BioShock, and the game’s graphical style and art direction are key to sending every message home. There’s no one thing that really solidifies this award for BioShock – it’s a culmination of the realistic water effects, retro-style Art Deco, over-the-top advertisements and training posters, and amazing level design that sets the game apart from its peers. It’s obvious that the development team was determined to make Rapture believable and true to Andrew Ryan’s vision of an underwater utopia, and so we’re happy to hand this award to the game as a sign of their success.
The Witcher (Runner-up)
From looking at it, you’d never guess that The Witcher was based on the same engine that powered the original Neverwinter Nights – a game that garnered a huge following, but not because it looked particularly good. Despite the engine’s shortcomings, CD Projekt Red was able to create richly detailed and believable settings, as well as character models that are as accurate as you’re likely to see in a game any time soon. Had the team included more locations (perhaps another city) and a larger variety of character models, The Witcher would have most likely taken our top spot.
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| Article Details |
| Editorial Game of the Year 2007
Authors Jon "Buck" Birnbaum
Steven "Westlake" Carter
Thomas "Brother None" Beekers
Published 01.11.08 |
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