I thought a compilation and discussion thread might be worthwhile. It looks like Super Mario Galaxy is getting some of the respect it deserves...which frankly surprises me a bit. Bioshock is making some noise as well.
Feel free to voice your pleasure/displeasure. Post anything new and I'll add it to the this post along with any embedded vids.
Of course, I reserve the right to not move awards for games from last year to the first post...along with awards from single-console publications/websites.
darkside
12-29-07, 07:43 PM
Bioshock is my GOTY personally with Mario a very close second. Can't really argue with most of the voting though I would like to see Orange Box get a bit more love as it is right up there with Mario and Bioshock.
My top 5:
Bioshock
Super Mario Galaxy
Orange Box
Rock Band
God of War II
astrochimp
12-29-07, 07:47 PM
Ive only had Bioshock for 4 days but not only is it my GOTY its my GOAT(Game of all-time :D )
Shagrath
12-29-07, 07:49 PM
Bioshock is an excellent game and brought lots to the table in terms of a great storyline, beautiful graphics, and some nifty gameplay features. However, it doesn't have much, if any, replay value. This would put it way further down on any list of mine.
Rock Band is my GOTF (Game of the Forever).
Lastblade
12-29-07, 08:54 PM
My top 3 is Rock Band, Super Mario Galaxy and Mass Effect. I think I will go with ME, and RB would win if more than 1 person playing. SMG is just so good too but platformers aren't my favorite genre, but still, it is an amazing game.
FusionX
12-29-07, 09:04 PM
Rock Band, Carnival Games, and Halo (multi-player) are my choices.
cartman
12-29-07, 09:21 PM
Rock Band
lordwow
12-29-07, 09:51 PM
Bioshock is superb, and so is Super Mario Galaxy... but I might give it to COD4. The first game I've gone through and played the crap out of, getting 1000/1000 for the first time on, and now playing a ton of MP.
I think Rock Band is a contender too, but I think the instrument issues almost singlehandedly knock it out of contention for me.
Also, Orange Box is probably the best $60 I spent this year, but it's a lot of old stuff (HL2, which was my 2004 GOTY), but Portal and TF2 are awesome.
neocheddar02
12-29-07, 11:11 PM
For me, I'd say Rock Band or Mass Effect are my picks for GOTY. Mass Effect for getting me to love RPGs again and Rock Band for the greatest multiplayer experience ever.
I haven't played Bioshock...yet. Story aside, I assume the gameplay is amazing, given all the awards it's received?
PopcornTreeCt
12-29-07, 11:14 PM
I haven't played Bioshock...yet. Story aside, I assume the gameplay is amazing, given all the awards it's received?
Very much so. You acquire some very creative items and weapons.
Wick
12-29-07, 11:20 PM
My top three would be Bioshock, Super Mario Galaxy and Mass Effect.
dugan
12-30-07, 12:51 AM
God Of War 2, Resident Evil 4 Wii Edition and Call of Duty 4 are the only games I've played this year. Therefore, they're my top 3.
WMAangel
12-30-07, 01:13 AM
Since single-player and multi-player are two completely different experiences, I can't choose just one game of the year...I've got to do one for each style, so my choices are:
Single-player GOTY: Super Mario Galaxy
Multi-player GOTY: Rock Band
RichC2
12-30-07, 01:17 AM
My Top 5: Rock Band, Super Mario Galaxy, BioShock, Orange Box, Call of Duty 4
Seems most sites tend to agree, with Mass Effect added in.
Mikael79
12-30-07, 01:59 AM
I like the Top 5 idea - here are my Top 5 games I've played this year, all on the 360:
1. Bioshock
2. Call of Duty 4
3. Halo 3
4. The Orange Box (specifically Portal)
5. Rock Band
I received Mass Effect for Christmas, but I haven't started it yet.
lordwow
12-30-07, 02:51 AM
Top 5?
I'd say errr...
1) COD4
2) Bioshock
3) Super Mario Galaxy
4) Orange Box
5) Rock Band
I only put COD4 ahead of Bioshock because I feel it has a lot more replayability, and a superbly fun multiplayer. I think the single-player, especially story and innovation, is much better in Bioshock.
RForte1189
12-30-07, 03:22 AM
In my opinion its a tie between Bioshock and Call of Duty 4. Second is Mass Effect. Halo 3 is ahead of Mario, but behind Rock Band. Mario is a joke to be awarded GOTY by so many different sources. Sure its creative to make plants and little Dip 'n Dots attack you, but come on!
msdmoney
12-30-07, 03:26 AM
1. Portal - I know it's part of a larger package, but I think Portal stands out on its own. I would much rather see innovative games like this that are shorter, than longer, repetitive or otherwise rehashed games with only a new storyline (what the game industry calls "new" IP). The Portal concept was so unique, and each puzzle was so brilliantly executed that the feeling of accomplishment when you solved a puzzle easily puts it above most other GOTY candidates for me. The humor and story were just icing on the cake. It's unfortunate that it is getting overlooked for GOTY because of the bundled package and because of its length.
2. Super Mario Galaxy - This kind of came out of nowhere, everyone expected just another Mario game, but nobody expected Nintendo to literally turn the plaforming genre upside down. The galaxies concept is brilliant because it throws out the traditional planar platformer and makes you utilize every 3d direction; this overall concept permeates into refined level design. This just adds to the amazing amount of variety provided by the motion controls, and varying level objectives. It shows why Mario is still relevant, and not just a rehashed game. It may still be Mario, but it has more new and innovative game design than most games that only bring a new story to the table.
3. Bioshock - This game really set the bar for atmosphere and story. It's rare that a developer strays from the "epic" sci-fi cliches, or typical realistic war setting and creates such a unique and compelling world in a game. I hope other developers take note, and step outside the usual video game storylines. While Bioshock had more atmosphere than most games combined, I think the plasmids could have been used in some more unique ways, I would have liked to see the plasmids used in some more complicated puzzles.
I'm still reserving the next couple spots. I have played
Halo 3 - great game, but nothing revolutionary, but I've never seen the appeal of the Halo series.
Half of Call of Duty 4 -they put together a great campaign from what I have played, with some great surprises, but it still is very much Call of Duty
A few hours of Assassin's Creed
I haven't played
Crysis
Mass Effect
God of War 2
Metroid Prime Corruption
I'm not going to play
Rock Band/ Guitar Hero 3
Jam Master Jay
12-30-07, 03:45 AM
Top 5
1. Call of Duty 4
2. Mass Effect
3. Halo 3
4. God of War II
5. Bioshock
chess
12-30-07, 08:35 AM
1. Portal - I know it's part of a larger package, but I think Portal stands out on its own. I would much rather see innovative games like this that are shorter, than longer, repetitive or otherwise rehashed games with only a new storyline (what the game industry calls "new" IP). The Portal concept was so unique, and each puzzle was so brilliantly executed that the feeling of accomplishment when you solved a puzzle easily puts it above most other GOTY candidates for me. The humor and story were just icing on the cake. It's unfortunate that it is getting overlooked for GOTY because of the bundled package and because of its length.
2. Super Mario Galaxy - This kind of came out of nowhere, everyone expected just another Mario game, but nobody expected Nintendo to literally turn the plaforming genre upside down. The galaxies concept is brilliant because it throws out the traditional planar platformer and makes you utilize every 3d direction; this overall concept permeates into refined level design. This just adds to the amazing amount of variety provided by the motion controls, and varying level objectives. It shows why Mario is still relevant, and not just a rehashed game. It may still be Mario, but it has more new and innovative game design than most games that only bring a new story to the table.
3. Bioshock - This game really set the bar for atmosphere and story. It's rare that a developer strays from the "epic" sci-fi cliches, or typical realistic war setting and creates such a unique and compelling world in a game. I hope other developers take note, and step outside the usual video game storylines. While Bioshock had more atmosphere than most games combined, I think the plasmids could have been used in some more unique ways, I would have liked to see the plasmids used in some more complicated puzzles.
Great post...and other than switching 1 and 2, I completely agree.
Superboy
12-30-07, 09:13 AM
I like how there are so many titles that stand out in each genre that each publication selects something different. In past years, the only real differences in the GOTY was because it was a platform-exclusive publication. It's a great time to be a gamer.
Michael Corvin
12-30-07, 09:19 AM
1. Bioshock
2. Super Mario Galaxy
3. Pac-Man: Championship Edition
4. GHIII
5. Halo 3
I'm into Rock Band now, but I haven't played COD4, Orange Box or Mass effect.
CreatureX
12-30-07, 12:00 PM
Here is my Top 10 of 2007:
1. Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)
2. Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (Wii)
3. The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (DS)
4. Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition (Wii)
5. Super Paper Mario (Wii)
Another vote for Bioshock here too. I haven't had time to play through much else, but I just got Mass Effect for Christmas and i'm really digging it.
edstein
12-30-07, 10:59 PM
I noticing a real lack of PS3 exclusives in anyones top 5 this year. I think Sony really fucked up this year not putting more pressure on Polyphony to get GTHD out this year. I'm glad I own a 360 and a Wii. It really made no sense owning a PS3 this year, for gaming at least.
darkside
12-31-07, 12:48 AM
Honestly from what I have seen of GT5 Prologue I doubt it would have made my top ten. Just looks like more of the same with prettier graphics. Still all the same complaints I have had about GT for years.
The PS3 offered me very little gaming wise other than Rock Band and even that was a mini disaster with the guitar issues. I do think the PS3 downloadable games are coming around though. Super Stardust HD and Everyday Shooter were very good.
PopcornTreeCt
12-31-07, 01:03 AM
I love the extended trailer for Metal Gear Solid 4 but I'm not betting it'll be on any top 10 lists. I hope I'm proved wrong though.
DamingR
12-31-07, 07:35 AM
1. Bioshock
2. Rock Band
3. Crackdown
4. Eye of Judgment
5. Orange Box/Mario Galaxy
Michael Corvin
12-31-07, 08:07 AM
I noticing a real lack of PS3 exclusives in anyones top 5 this year. I think Sony really fucked up this year not putting more pressure on Polyphony to get GTHD out this year. I'm glad I own a 360 and a Wii. It really made no sense owning a PS3 this year, for gaming at least.
And retailers know it. Every store I go in and see the PS3 display and what's there? The PS3 kiosk and Blu-ray movies, next to it, not games. It's laughable.
I loved Heavenly Sword and love Everyday Shooter, but they aren't GOTY or even top 10 worthy.
The Bus
12-31-07, 12:07 PM
For me, personally:
5. Catan / Carcassone
4. Bioshock
3. Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction
2. Desktop Tower Defense
1. Rock Band
Games I haven't fully played: SMG, AC, COD4, Mass Effect.
DRG
12-31-07, 12:55 PM
This was close for me, but:
1. Bioshock
2. Super Mario Galaxy
3. Rock Band
4. Resident Evil 4: Wii
5. Halo 3
I still haven't had a chance to play CoD4 or Orange Box because my 360 RROD'd, but at least it forced me to crack open the shrinkwrap on Super Mario Galaxy.
PixyJunket
12-31-07, 01:06 PM
This will change (except the number one spot) five minutes from now.. but I'll wing it:
1. Super Mario Galaxy
2. Portal
3. Pac-Man: Championship Edition
4. Etrian Odyssey
5. Bioshock
GIjon213
12-31-07, 01:41 PM
Umm, I would have to say Bioshock. I am still humming, "Somewhere, beyond the sea, somewhere waiting for me...."
But a very close second is COD4. This game, by far, has gotten the most re-play action out of me. Sadly I can't experience the online side of this game, where I hear all the praise is to be found, but the story mode is awesome! I have played it on Normal, Hardened, and am 2/3's through on Veteran.
Halo 3 was a great game, to be sure, but once again I can't play the online multi-player aspect of it so I can only judge on the single story mode. Based on that, it was a solid third for me. However, we had 9 of us get together over here for a Halo 3 match. It was the best multiplayer matches I have ever played in a game, and I am very excited about getting back home to my high-speed connection:D
Michael Corvin
12-31-07, 02:11 PM
3. Pac-Man: Championship Edition
damn. How could I forget this one? I'll have to revise my list. :)
Goldberg74
12-31-07, 02:42 PM
Since all I have is a Wii and a DS, here's my Top 5:
1. Zack & Wiki (Wii) / Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)(tie)
3. Super Paper Mario (Wii)
4. The Legend of Zelda: The Phantom Hourglass (DS)
5. Mario Party DS (DS) / Mario Party 8 (Wii)
The_Cube
12-31-07, 03:03 PM
1. Call of Duty 4
2. NBA 2k8
3. Fifa 08
4. Rainbow Six Vegas
5. Madden 08
Joe Molotov
12-31-07, 03:24 PM
My Top 5
1. Super Mario Galaxy
2. Rock Band
3. Orange Box
4. Bioshock
5. Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure
RyoHazuki
12-31-07, 05:55 PM
Call of Duty 4 is my GOTY hands down.
chess
12-31-07, 06:33 PM
I love that this has turned into a top 5 thread...natural course of things, I s'pose.
For me, the game of the year has to be either really polished (like RE4, GoW or Bioshock) or really inventive (like Prince of Persia or Portal). Super Mario Galaxy is both inventive and polished.
Deftones
12-31-07, 06:56 PM
This is tough.
For me, it's probably:
1. Super Mario Galaxy
2. Call of Duty 4
3. Mass Effect
TaTTooD
01-01-08, 04:50 AM
1. Call of Duty 4
2. Bioshock
3. The Orange Box
CKMorpheus
01-01-08, 01:11 PM
VE3D.com:
Best Overall Game
Winner: BioShock
Runner up: The Orange Box
Looks more like a PC and Xbox oriented site...which pretty much makes it single console.
No, it's just PC. It just happens that all of those games listed have XBox 360 versions (and some PS3 versions). Site's been around for ages (the name Voodoo is from the first generation of Voodoo 3D cards.) They post some console news here and there, but PC focused.
chess
01-01-08, 08:00 PM
No, it's just PC. It just happens that all of those games listed have XBox 360 versions (and some PS3 versions). Site's been around for ages (the name Voodoo is from the first generation of Voodoo 3D cards.) They post some console news here and there, but PC focused.
Still single console...in the sense that the PC is a "single console".
If they aren't considering non-PC games, then they aren't really talking about Game of the Year but rather PC Game of the Year.
CKMorpheus
01-02-08, 11:49 AM
Checked this one...didn't seem like a very varied list of GOTYs...and it looks like it was picked by one dude with a blog...but I'll add it anyway.
A majority of the voting was done by visitors of the site through polling, though one or two categories were chosen by the crew running the site.
Silkk_34
01-02-08, 12:10 PM
For me, it's hands down. Rock Band.
It has been played everyday since it's release. I don't grow bored with it, due to the weekly new DLC. Everyone from my wife, in-laws, mother, cousins, friends, etc.. love it. I've never seen a game that gets so many people interested in playing a game.
slop101
01-02-08, 01:00 PM
1. Mario Galaxy
2. Call of Duty 4
3. Orange Box
4. Bioshock
5. God of War 2
The Bus
01-02-08, 02:04 PM
For me, it's hands down. Rock Band.
It has been played everyday since it's release. I don't grow bored with it, due to the weekly new DLC. Everyone from my wife, in-laws, mother, cousins, friends, etc.. love it. I've never seen a game that gets so many people interested in playing a game.
I have: Wii Sports. But Rock Band is a definite second.
GreenVulture
01-02-08, 02:32 PM
The Onion AV listed their top games of the year a couple of weeks back:
1) Portal
2) Rock Band
3) Halo 3
4) BioShock
5) Pac-Man: Championship Edition
6) Jets N' Guns: Gold
I have: Wii Sports. But Rock Band is a definite second.
Didn't Wii Sports come out in 2006 (was going to say last year, but it's not 2008...)
glasschicken
01-02-08, 04:12 PM
My top 5 are, as of right now:
1. Mass Effect
2. Rock Band
3. Halo 3
4. Super Mario Galaxy
5. Bioshock
I still need to finish Bioshock and get the rest of the stars in Mario (I'm at 65 I think). Also want to play through Mass Effect at least once more (haven't done that in a while).
Haven't played:
Metroid Prime 3 (have it)
Portal (don't have it)
Call of Duty 4 (don't have it)
Super Paper Mario (have it)
Still playing (main story mode):
Bioshock (already very impressed)
Stranglehold
5. Portal
4. Halo 3
3. Rock Band
2. Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction
1. Bioshock
chess
01-14-08, 12:01 AM
I have to say that I"m a bit surprised at all the awards for Mario Galaxy. I fully expected the first person shooter games (Bioshock, COD4 or Orange Box) to clean up given all the hype. I wonder if maybe those games stole votes from each other at the publications and Mario was able to clean up simply because it was a different genre.
Just a random thought...and yeah...Mario was easily my game of the year.
Ghym
01-14-08, 01:32 AM
This has been an awesome year for games. So many games I've wanted to play, but not enough time to play them all. I still haven't played COD4 yet.
My Top 5:
1. Rock Band
2. Orange Box
3. Bioshock
4. World in Conflict
5. Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts
Michael Corvin
01-14-08, 07:47 AM
I have to say that I"m a bit surprised at all the awards for Mario Galaxy. I fully expected the first person shooter games (Bioshock, COD4 or Orange Box) to clean up given all the hype. I wonder if maybe those games stole votes from each other at the publications and Mario was able to clean up simply because it was a different genre.
Just a random thought...and yeah...Mario was easily my game of the year.
Probably. I personally listed Bioshock as mine, but I've since finished Mario and I could see it going either way. I finished as Mario and am now 40 stars in with Luigi, whereas I finished Bioshock and well, it looks good on the shelf. ;) I might have to change my vote. Mario just has that old school feel, in that, it is a game you want to keep playing even after you finish it.
lordwow
01-14-08, 07:50 AM
Probably. I personally listed Bioshock as mine, but I've since finished Mario and I could see it going either way. I finished as Mario and am now 40 stars in with Luigi, whereas I finished Bioshock and well, it looks good on the shelf. ;) I might have to change my vote. Mario just has that old school feel, in that, it is a game you want to keep playing even after you finish it.
I had Bioshock pegged as my GOTY up until about December 15th. Then I was like, I haven't touched the game since I beat it...
matome
01-15-08, 02:54 PM
Call of Duty 4 is my top game. The "All Ghillied Up" section is my game demo.
Joshua
01-15-08, 07:10 PM
My top games of the year:
1) Call of Duty 4
2) Mass Effect
3) Bioshock
4) The Orange Box
chess
01-22-08, 09:48 PM
Game of the Year Nominees for the Game Developer's Choice Awards:
BioShock
Call of Duty 4
Portal
Rock Band
Super Mario Galaxy
Gears was the big winner last year. I think this one will go to Bioshock or Portal.
Buy: