9. GOLDENEYE 007 (WII)
The new Goldeneye game is notable for actually living up to the legacy of its N64 forefather, in a sense and/or in a manner of speaking. And while it might have been more appealing (and definitely less expensive) to create just a frame by remake of the original game, legal complications ensured that any ‘new’ Goldeneye would have to be remade ground up.
Criminally underrated developers Eurocom did just that, crafting a deft shooter that hearkened back to the days when shooters were so much simpler and fun, but by embracing all the gaming innovations that have taken place in the interceding decade and a half. The result is a game that not only includes cinematically breathtaking on rails sequences, but loads of on screen QTE prompts as well. And as with the other games on this list, this adds to the gameplay, rather than detracting from it.
8. CASTLEVANIA: LORDS OF SHADOW (XBOX 360, PS3)
You know how Dante’s Inferno was knocked off for being derivative earlier on this list? Yeah. You know what other action game also released this year is extremely derivative? Well, it’s none other than Konami’s n-th attempt to help the Castlevania franchise make a successful transition into 3D, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, with Kojima himself at the helm this time.
The end result is certainly debatable. Lords of Shadow is an excellent game, well made and polished, but it seems to be too average to bother about. It seems to be like a reskinning of God of War, and it doesn’t seem to be Castlevania anymore.
Be as that may, it certainly is an excellent and thrilling action game, and its well executed QTEs earn it a secure spot on our list.
7. Fahrenheit (PS2, XBOX, PC)
David Cage, and his team of designers at Quantic Dream, has been noted for his eccentricity, and for his constant attempts to push story and storytelling in video games. He’s made several games so far, but few stand out as much as Fahrenheit.
Following a murder mystery tinged with a lace of supernaturalism, Fahrenheit was noted for its unusual gameplay that relied almost exclusively on quick time event prompts and inputs. Certainly, the game’s focus on the story, and its rather limited gameplay limit its replay value to almost none, but nonetheless, for actually attempting to break the mold (and then going on to do it successfully), Fahrenheit gets kudos and a high spot on our list.
Share Your Thoughts Below (Always follow our comments policy!)