Gaming Favorite Games of the Year So Far?

[Semjaza]

Certainly not the most original topic, but while sitting around last night I wondered to myself what games I've enjoyed most so far this year. Especially considering that games I'm [I]really[/I] looking forward to are still set for the coming months (Shin Megami Tensei, let me touch you...).

Anyway, I don't care if you want to do five or twenty... your choice. Just make sure it came out this year.

[U]
[B]GBA[/B][/U]

[B]Mario Golf: Advance Tour[/B] - I wasn't really planning on buying this, but I was at the store looking for something new to play on the train and this screamed out at me. Reviews and impressions were all glowing, so I figured what the hell. I bought it.

I'm really glad I did. It's hands down my favorite GBA game, beating out even Mario and Luigi and Advance Wars... something I didn't expect whatsoever. The game has so much to do, it looks and sounds great and the old school play mechanics (although still pretty damn deep) are wonderful. A must buy, I think.

[U][B]Xbox[/B][/U]
[B]
Rallisport Challenge 2[/B] - Sadly, I don't own this one yet. I have the Blockbuster Game Pass, so I rented it for almost three weeks. I played it almost every day. It's just really damn good.

I love rally racers more than any other type, excluding F-Zero and kart style games. This is the best one that ever existed. It has a great career mode with an insane amount of tracks and unlockables. It completely skips over the money idea that makes GT so plodding at times. I just think it's better paced.

Amazing game.

[U][B]GameCube[/B][/U]

[B]Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life[/B] - I wrote a huge set of impressions on this game here. Sadly it got very few posts, but I'll link to it if you want to know what I liked and disliked about the game:

It's still an amazing additiion to the series and it looks and sounds surprisingly good for a Marvelous/Natsume game. Definitely makes up for the PS2 title.

[B]Tales of Symphonia[/B] - I've really been enjoying this game. Sure, the plot is full of cliche moments, but it is peppered with some interesting ideas. The characters are rather two dimensional, but I like how they're so upbeat compared to characters in other RPGs as of late.

The battle system is amazingly good and really rewards you if you're good at it. The game actually has dungeons with puzzle elements and such, which is another thing I miss in most RPGs nowadays.

Really good game overall, despite the flaws. Definitely worth the price for any RPG fan.

For PS2, everything I really want isn't out yet... Everything I've bought for it this year so far was actually released in a previous year.

I suppose at this point I give the nod to[B] Transformers[/B]. A great looking, fun game that really does the show justice. I hope it leads to more games because it's much better than I ever anticipated.

There's still a few games I would like to play, but haven't... like R-Type Final and Four Swords Adventures. I might think of more for this later.

Any one else?

[Morpheus]

GBA
Mario ana Luigi: Superstar Saga. It showed me(like Dragon warrior monsters in '99) That rpg's don't have to have final fantasy's horrible gameplay.

PS2
I actually haven't bought any this year. I'm saving up for Q4.

Gamecube
HM: a wonderful life brought the expansion of HM's gameplay I've always wanted since playing back to nature.

[Brasil]

My short and rambly post after waking up at 2:15 pm, heh.

I found 2004 to be a rather nice year for games so far. A lot of big-name releases came out and were very well-received. There were a few titles I was looking forward to playing, and I was very impressed by each of them when I finally could play them.

[b][u]Xbox[/u][/b]

[b]Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay[/b] - This was probably one of my favorite games of the year so far for Xbox. It had a polish not previously seen on movie licensed games, and the presentation was outright jaw-dropping. The use of lighting and light/dark was really impressive. The fact that the game allowed players to go through a level guns a-blazing, in typical FPS fashion, was expected, but Riddick goes farther than that and almost gives an open-ended gameplay. This is pretty much unseen on console FPS, and this is why Riddick really "shines." heh.

I had mentioned the lighting, and for those who don't know who Riddick is, he's an ex-con who had his eyes upgraded with something called "EyeShine," which lets him see in the dark. After acquiring this ability later in the game, facing off against a squad of armored guards is no problem at all. Simply shoot out the lights, casting the room into complete darkness, flip on the EyeShine, and proceed to sneak around the guards to snap their necks. It's very satisfying.

As the title might suggest, there is only one goal in the game, and that is to escape from Butcher Bay, a triple-max security prison. I found this singular and basic goal to be very refreshing after the countless generic "Fight this enemy and destroy their war machine" FPS plots.

And really, that's what Riddick is, I think; a breath of fresh air in a tired FPS market.

[b]Psi-Ops: The MindGate Conspiracy[/b] - Oddly enough, I'm choosing two games that you had a lukewarm response to, Tony, lol.

Psi-Ops is fun simply because of its game engine, I think. The plot is generic and only really serves to provide new and exciting ways to utilize the main character's psychic abilities.

And boy, are those abilities fun. The first power you get is Telekinesis (TK), and you immediately can put it to good use, throwing soldiers off of catwalks, into scummy water, or even just bash them against a wall a few times. Later in the game, you encounter open furnaces, nuclear waste, even connecting platforms on skyscrapers. All of these can be used to dispose of enemy soldiers. It's very, very satisfying.

I'll edit later with Cube.

[Krycifer]

My favorite games of the year thats a tough one.

[COLOR=Black]Gamecube:[/COLOR]

Harvest Moon:AWL:This game is fun and you get raise crops and animals.It also taught me a few new things.The first time I played this game I was thinking to my self this game is going to be boring.But I was wrong about that now I'm addicted to the game.

Tales of Symphonia:I like the way you battle it's fun.And traveling is fun to.It may be hard at times but it's fun.It's another game I'm addicted to.And the voice overs to fantastic!The graphics are good to.And a lot of action.

[Semjaza]

[QUOTE=Morpheus]GBA
Mario ana Luigi: Superstar Saga. It showed me(like Dragon warrior monsters in '99) That rpg's don't have to have final fantasy's horrible gameplay.[/QUOTE]

Are you in the US, because that actually came out late last year. Any good comments for it are good though, I loved the game heh.

As for Riddick, I'd probably include it as one of the best games of the yea thus far, but I really wasn't that blown away by it. I've complained about it enough on other places that I won't bother here... but it's defintely good overall.

Psi-Ops was fun... for about two hours. After I got most of the psi powers, it kind of just descended into tedium. Exploding heads and throwing guys into ovens and electrical wires is only fun for so long without other things to do. Sadly, I had almost no interest in the story, level designs, enemies or really anything else.

Once the fun of throwing people against walls and such wore off, it just became obvious that this game wasn't that much more advanced than Doom... and by that, I just mean that it's a key card collection fest. It doesn't help that the game apparently won't bring out chracters carrying important items if you drop an object near their entry point. Really dumb bug.

[BlueYoshi]

[color=teal]This is such a restrictive question for us in the UK, so I'll answer with the only 'new' games that I did play this year.

Firstly is FFX2. There have been better titles, that's for sure, but FFX2 is far from bad. News of the job system came as a shock to me when I heard that it would be junctioned with a turn based battle system because I always saw that as a manoeuvre that was rather more fitting for tactical RPGs like FFT. FFX2 was tactical and strategic in its own way, but I felt that the battles got a little too hectic and untamed at times, namely when some actions were rapidly made? that just made it extremely difficult to keep track of the whole ordeal.

Square did balance out the dress spheres though, not to make it too little of a challenge seeing as some of the spheres when mastered were already more than broke, and the bosses and monsters weren't in accordance to them thus making them a tad bit easier. I think the main problem is how you need to stay on top of your training. If your level is too weak, then you'll get slaughtered, and if it's too high then it's too easy, so to embellish a substantial level of gameplay and difficulty you'd have to be pretty precise and persistent on the matter.

The story somewhat slowed the game down, and made for less of a chase in combat. Certain influences drove the story right out of place at times, but that conveniently made room for more random battles, but still, it's been paced out enough so as things wouldn't drift too far out of hand.

Secondly, I'd go for Hitman Contracts on the PC. This game fleshes out stealth and action to supreme levels, whether or not they be merged together, or completely separate, they've been applied so well to the just cause of the game that I don't think MGS achieved this. I'm yet to play CoR, so I wouldn't know if HC is the best out there, though I do know quite a bit about it. Anyway, I've been playing HC for the past week so much that it's surely unhealthy heh, and there are just so many positive comments drooling from my mouth about it.

I couldn't care so much for the graphics, but they are compellingly good, which makes for decent and accurate gameplay, particularly on the PC. Every prop, pillar and piece of architecture perseveres to blend in with the many different ways that the game can be played, have you action, stealth, or whatever. There are a few bugs that interfere with this, but they are a rarity so not often will the problem occur, neither is it fatal to the fluency HC so much depends on.

I like it how you're overshadowed with many options to your disposal during missions. Whether you play it stealth or all-out is up to you by all means, but when under other circumstances then you have to go one way or the other, which practically encourages stealth and the way it can be implemented to the surroundings in the areas you're called to. It's not so much of a cliché either, the only complex type of level is the training course, and even that is relevant to the above. Plus, trying to obtain the Silent Assassin ranking in each mission is the most pressurised fun I've had in a long time heh.

Though HC has a high stealth factor, it's still foolish to compare it to MGS or SC. As Agent 47, your ultimate aim will always be to assassinate the target, and you must do that if you're to prepare for the next mission to advance further. MGS differs from that because your aims will be broken down after each segment of the game, so there is a slight bit of comparison there that states that HC is much more operative when it comes to stealth, where as in MGS it's just too easy to avoid that.[/color]

[Ninjaman]

[U]GBA[/U]
Shining Force: ROTDD - Well this is the only GBA game that I've played of this year. This is a remake of an old Sega game and was one of my personal favorites. Correct me if wrong, but I do believe it was the first tactical RPG ever made. Anyway, in this remake, characters were given more of a background, three new characters, a few minor changes such as when you get 2 characters, and some added tweaks like the cards. My nitpicks about the remake are very minor. Some of the new character artwork could've been better, the game is easier than the original but the monsters gain a level each time you beat the game I hear, and they moved around some of the music. One of my favorite battle music was supposed to be heard like 4-5 times in the original but the remake you only hear it twice. Yeah that's a stupid complaint, but that was really one of my favorite battle music. The story isn't all that great, but hey we're talking about a story that was made in the early 90s (I think) and it really is one of my favorite TRPG.

[U]PS2[/U]
Disgaea - Sorry, I know this game came out late last year, but I finally got it last month and I just want to say how great it is. I had my eye on this game for a long time. Hands down, my favorite TRPG. Everything is so creative! You get to create your own little army and that is something I always love to do. I love the characters as well. The dialogue is very funny and the voice acting sounds nice (although some of them just sound painful, like the Skulls for example). The characters are loveable and I'm not much on the story yet because I stopped playing for, well, you'll see in a moment. Everything is just fun in this game like the team attacks, geo panels, or the Item World. Etna is just so cool, especially in those sneak previews for the next episodes with her as the narrator. [I]I will return to this game eventually.[/I] I heard this game was re-released in May and it came with an art book when pre-ordered. Wish someone had told me that. *sigh*

[U]GC[/U]
Tales of Symphonia - Man, oh man, what a game. I was a huge fan for Star Ocean 2, but I felt that this game was like a bigger version of SO2. The graphics were eye candy, voice acting was great, loveable characters. You get to choose from two sets of different skills (Technical or Strike), cooking replaces Tents, Unison Attacks, my oh my so much list. This game can keep you busy if you're a person that wants to get [I]everything[/I] done, like getting all the titles, completing the Monster List, Figurine Book, and Collection Book, beating the Coliseum and all the hidden bosses, and the hidden dungeon Niflheim. The game has great replay value as well. I'm 60+ hours in the game, I haven't beaten it yet, but it's not that I can't, I just want to get as much as I can done (I just have to beat the Advance Class at the Coliseum with Collette, Genis, and Raine). Now this is the game that drew me away from Disgaea, lol. EDIT: Correction, I have beaten the game just a few minutes ago. The coliseum is completely done for me. Still so much to accomplish though... man I love this game.

Harvest Moon: AWL - I've always been a fan of the HM series (except I'm not really aiming to getting Save the Homeland), and this game just expanded it even greater. Now there's a game with sooo much to do. I only rented this game and played it for a week, but it was, excuse the pun, wonderful. This is a game that I will pick up eventually.

[Guest Super Uber]

I havn't gotten any PS2 games this year, I've been saving up for Q4, when MGS3, Guilty Gear Isuka, Viewtiful Joe, and Devil May Cry 3 are being released.

I don't own a Gamecube or X-Box because neither of them have enough games that I want to warrant a purchase. (Smash Bros: Melee, Jet Set Radio Future, and Panzer Dragoon: Orta)

[Guest lavalamp]

[quote name='Semjaza Azazel][B]Tales of Symphonia[/B'] - I've really been enjoying this game. Sure, the plot is full of cliche moments, but it is peppered with some interesting ideas. The characters are rather two dimensional, but I like how they're so upbeat compared to characters in other RPGs as of late.[/quote]

I'm really enjoying this game because of how thin, for lack of a better term, it is. Tales of Symphonia is definitely a needed breath of fresh air as far as character development and plot goes. There has been a lot of layering in the past few years with RPGs which in my opinion warped the genre completely, for better or worse. Many of the "cliche" moments really serve as nostalgic rather than irritating for me and because of that, this game was very easy to get into. As for the characters being upbeat: it's really about time. Angst was getting old.

Definitely a highlight of 2004.

[Falkon]

Hmm... I have to say that quite a few good games came out this year, and quite a few really sucked. Heres mah list ;)

[b]Xbox[/b]
[u]The Chronicles of Riddick.[/u] Simply put its one of the best games i ahve played from a first person perspective. The fighting is well done, the gameplay is fun, and the graphics are truly amazing.
[u]RalliSport Challenge 2.[/u] Heh, bye far the best rally racing sim out there. The physics are awesome, the graphics are wicked, the tracks are fun, and the cars are nice. Heh. I mean, how many games can you be driving and get really dirty then accidentally fall into a river or lake and get clean. Most games dont even allow you off track.

[b]PS2[/b]
[u]Psi-Ops: The mindgate conspiracy.[/u] This game was just f**king awesome. For so long have i waited for a game that allows you to pick people up from across the room and hurl them into a giant, red explosive barrel. The way they designed this game was excellent. How many games let you go into someones head and control them. For example, you can get into your enemies mind, have them open a gate for you, or go kill their other teammates, or just go and have a little "Curiousity" and see what happens when you shoot an explosive barrel at point-blank range. Heh, gotta love it.

[Inuyasha311]

I have played a few games this year but, I'm only going to give credit to one and thats Tales of Symphonia. I really love this game the anime at the start of the game is great. The whole story line of this game is top rate. The fighting and leveling up is very nice. This was one of those games that I could not put down.

[BlueYoshi]

[color=teal]I think the swarm of Xbox and PS2 RPGs to come are going to have a major impact on this thread upon their releases. You lucky bastards.[/color]

[Guest ScirosDarkblade]

Xbox: Ninja Gaiden. The most fluid, badass action game I've ever played. It shows you exactly why ninjas are cool. I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it, and am now planning on getting Xbox Live just so I can get all the neat upgrades. I'm lazy so I won't say anymore.

Gamecube: hmmm hmmm I guess it's gonna be FF:CC. It's the only GCN game I've bought recently, mostly because I've been playing Xbox instead. FF:CC sucks though. It's more boring and repetitive than friggin Pokemon, and requires that freaking GBA connectivity for multiplayer which, although I have all the necessary equipment to play with my brother and my many friends with GBA sp's, is still a huge bother.

PC: ummm I guess Morrowind: Game of the Year, if that counts. I'm not sure it does because I don't remember when it came out. Heh. But Morrowind is the best RPG ever in my opinion, and I've put so many hours into it it's scary. I just love having a beastly character who is exactly what I want him to be and making up my own "adventures" for him. It's like an MMO without the monthly fee and the bugs and piss-poor support and the idiots you have to create a party with to do anything at all.

[Shinmaru]

Of the games I've played released this year (a number which is far less than I would like), my favorite is [b]The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures[/b]. I was pretty sold on it in the beginning, when I could only play it single-player, and I enjoyed it a lot more than other games I've played recently. However, the multiplayer experience is what really makes the game excellent, and I'd definitely place it in the upper echelon of multiplayer games available on the GameCube. Very solid game all around.

I guess an honorable mention would go to [b]Metroid: Zero Mission[/b] even though I was [i]slightly[/i] disappointed with the game. However, it's definitely a solid adventure and a worthy addition to the Metroid series. A bit too easy, but it still makes for a plenty fun ride.

However, there are a few games coming out later on this year that I'm expecting to easily trump both games I mentioned just now...

[Purple Haze]

Fight Night 2004 - One of the greatest games ever. You can actually controll your punches with the analog stick not just some crappy button mashing. Mastering the control system takes a few hours but, after that you start beatin the computer in 3 rounds or less. The facial expression when your boxer gets hit is very realistic. Your face bruises and yor eyes get blak and swell shut. Your lips bleed and so does your lip or nose when your get hit. The only unrealist thig is the knockdowns. They look so fake. Your boxer shake abot 5000 time before he hits the gound and another 2000 after he hits the ground, so it looks like they're always having seizures. Definently Game of teh Year in my book. Until Fable that is...........

[BlueYoshi]

I lied when I said that HC and FFX2 were the only new games I played this year; FFCC slipped off the list somehow heh.

I bought FFCC about a week or two after FFX2 came out, and since I prefer playing my games on the GameCube rather than on any other console, I started to grow more and more out of it. Especially that the only thing left for me to do was to level up for [spoiler]Vegnagun[/spoiler], and nothing else interested me before that point.

Anyway, when I first played FFCC, it was completely independent, as in I didn't use the SP to provide me with the radar. I guess it's because I hadn't really done enough research on the game to tell me that it had some reasonable relevance to the outcome of the game, or at least your character.

I have to admit that I had a lot more fun playing the game without the SP than I did with it. That way, I never felt the burden of having to constantly turn to the SP's screen and check up to see if everything was alright regarding the map. Plus, I wasn't always so fussy about getting the rarest or best artefacts... so yeah, I think the game was a lot more fluent and consistent without the added artillery.

However, with all that was going on within, I never felt that sense of commitment that usually raves from the typical FF game. You could argue that FFCC is outstandingly similar to the 3D LoZ games, and while I thought that they were brilliant in many different areas, FFCC just felt so sub par compared to it even though there are the same various hack and slash methods involved during battles.

Hmmm, I suppose that does it for me. The new games I've played up to now are nil, and until the cluster of PS2 RPGs I don't think I'll have much to say here anymore lol.

*dramatic music*