Hrm, here is my list of games that I feel haven't got the attention they deserve:
- Pure: I love arcade racers and this was the most fun I had with one this year. It's goregeous with a rock solid frame rate, super-fast, lots of action with an addictive trick system, has that unlockable carrot-on-a-stick part system that keep you playing "just one more", and manages to dodge a lot of the frustrating mechanics that most racers seem to have.
- Far Cry 2: I know this game has solid well and some people seem to be playing it, but I just lot this game to death. Everything about it is interesting and the spit and polish really shows. It's nice to have a FPS that takes you out of the "running down the halls" thing and mixes up flavors from Stalker, GTA, and the original Far Cry. Oh and just when you are ready for something to change, Ubisoft changes something in the game and it like a new chapter in a book.
- Echochrome: A wonderfully designed, unique puzzle game with a simple and elegant asthetic, an enjoyable & relaxing score and just overall fun. Might be the most relaxing game I've ever played! But I dont mean to imply that it will make you fall asleep as it ramps up the critial thinking to sort things out.
- Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword (NDS): Yes I know--a Ninja Gaiden game right? Well this game--in my opinion--impliments the use of the stylus so well you will almost forget you're holding it--and it's an action game! Crazy.
- No More Heroes: A candidate for game of the year--yes it's that good. What's even more crazy is that generally speaking it's a pretty ugly game. Infact, the open city design is less impressive than an GTA PS2 game by far. But the dialog, story (the protagonist Travis Touchdown buys a "beam katana" an ebay type site, meets a hot chick in a bar who offers him a contract to become the #1 assassin in town (there are 10 total) to get in her panties. Seriously. Though it sounds deliquent in nature--and yes it is--it's actually very entertaining and good for a laugh), and overall gameplay with the Wii's remote + nunchuck is feirce and rewarding. Brilliant action game that anyone who has a Wii and loves a good sword fight should play.
- Pixel Junk Monsters: Oh my gosh I don't know how many hours my wife and me have sunk into this game. It's easily the most played game of the year for us. I've been a fan of Tower Defense games since the mod came out for Warcraft III years ago so to see something of that ilk come out on the PS3 for $10 just floored me. Yes, it's a bit goofy looking but the excellent strategic gameplay will hold your attention for hours.
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