2007 in review

My 2nd year on this column has no doubt been the most eventful - 2007 has seen the rapid acceptance of gaming in the mainstream via Nintendo's phenomenal success as the casual gamer’s gateway while the undoubtably geekish Halo 3 smashed the first weekend takings of any Hollywood film this year. Times are indeed changing.
Once again the 360 has been my console of choice with a steady supply of quality titles like Crackdown and Forza 2, backed up by strong online support. If only the Deadly Ring of Death wasn’t such a blight on its facade.
The Wii has surprised with its success yet hasn't received the games it deserves. Recent titles like Super Mario Galaxy are indeed painting a brighter future while the same goes for the PS3, just without the stellar sales. A £300, feature reduced version and Uncharted: Drake's Fortune has certainly helped though.
The DS has been a trusty companion over the year with the likes of Pokémon Pearl while my PSP has remained covered in dust, awaiting the arrival of Loco Roco's spiritual successor.
Stinker of the year goes to the hideous Hour of Victory for being everything Call of Duty 4 thankfully isn't. On that note here's my top five (selected to complement fellow reviewer Paul Drury's top five)...

Call of Duty 4 - Multiplatform
Paul actually reviewed this but the hours i've put into CoD4's multiplayer are significant. The single player is short but oh so sweet while multiplayer introduces an addictive system that unlocks new features the more you play it. As a raw and gritty companion to Halo 3’s cartoon violence it has its very own online niche.

Final Fantasy XII - PS2
I never had the 100 odd spare hours to see the game to fruition but what I saw of Square Enix’s last adventure was enough to appreciate the reinvention of the turn based wheel and be in awe of the PS2 being pushed to its limits in an epic swan song for its final years.

Halo 3 - Xbox 360
Despite not quite matching up to it’s multimillion dollar overhype, Halo 3 delivered a feature rich package that refined a much love series to perfection through a polished campaign and a peerless multiplayer service. New maps and the Forge community will keep it alive well beyond you finishing the fight.

Bioshock - Xbox 360
Another 360 game, another FPS most people thought, yet Bioshock was like no other. Eschewing FPS clichés for an alternate history, Bioshock recreated the art deco of the 1930’s and twisted it into a neon nightmare with a disturbing story and sumptuous art direction.

The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass - DS
I haven’t reviewed Phantom Hourglass yet but i’ve been playing it regularly and it’s proven to be an absolute delight. Utilising the DS’ touchscreen controls to perfection, it's a wonderful game full of charm and seafaring adventure, continuing the tradition of Zelda with some neat gameplay twists.