Aramation Games

It seemed like Sony could do no wrong after the immense success of PS2, but PS3 has defied the odds and has definitely struggled to gain widespread acceptance. This year saw price cuts and introduction of new models to bring PS3 back to consumers’ minds. We haven’t seen any system-seller games this year, but the overall quality of PS3 games has significantly increased as developers become more accustomed to its unique architecture.

Runner-ups:

• Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune
• Ninja Gaiden Sigma 

2007 PS3 Game of the Year: Ratchet & Clank Future - Tools of Destruction

Ratchet & Clank series finally moves to the next generation console, bringing with it impressive visuals, tight game controls and humor many games emulate but have difficulty hitting the right note. It is clearly one of the best looking games available on the market, and it showcases what the added capacity of BluRay can afford developers. Developers of Resistance: The Fall of Man has really outdone themselves with this outstanding production, just 1 year after their previous game.

Next up: 2007 Wii Game of the Year

PC is often neglected when it comes to gaming, but it remains the technologically superior platform of choice as the expandability allows for greater visual power compared to regular consoles.

Runner-ups:

• BioShock
• World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade

2007 PC Game of the Year: The Orange Box

Even though it is available on PS3 as well as Xbox 360, The Orange Box is a great collection of games and clearly the best title for PC. Featuring the original Half-Life 2 as well as 2 episodic content that extended the universe and continued the story of Gordon Freeman, it finally meant release for Team Fortress 2 which offers one of the most balanced multiplayer gaming. Add the innovative Portal and The Orange Box is sure to keep you busy for a long time to come.

Next up: 2007 PS3 Game of the Year

This year, Nintendo DS Lite has solidified its lead over Sony’s struggling handheld by continuously releasing games after games after games. There’s something for everybody as Nintendo DS is the perfect system for everyone from little children to the elderly.

Runner-ups:

• Contra 4
• Planet Puzzle League

2007 DS Game of the Year: The Legend of Zelda - Phantom Hourglass

Perhaps this is to be expected as a new Zelda game is a sure-fire success both critically and commercially. Link’s first adventure on the Nintendo DS platform is a direct sequel to Gamecube’s Windwaker. Featuring entirely touch-based control scheme that works surprisingly well, and innovative game mechanics such as treasure map where you can write down notes and drawing the path of your boomerang with the stylus, this pocket-sized adventure is perfect for your DS. Whether you’re a die-hard Zelda fan, or just someone who enjoys a great adventure every now and then, Phantom Hourglass is clearly the best Nintendo DS game for 2007.

Next up: 2007 PC Game of the Year

This year hasn’t been too kind to Sony’s portable device that simply couldn’t. On its own, nothing is really wrong with it but put it next to Nintendo DS and it’s apparent a small PlayStation isn’t such a sure-fire success. Nonetheless, there were some amazing games released this year for the Sony PSP.

Runner-ups:

• Syphon Filter: Logan’s Shadow
• Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters

2007 PSP Game of the Year: Jeanne d’Arc

Tactical turn-based RPG truly benefits from the portable platform as you can indulge yourself in Jeanne d’Arc’s truly gorgeous visuals and deep, engaging gameplay. Set in France during the 15th century, this epic tale by the developer Level-5 showcases the titular character’s transformation from an ordinary girl into a national hero who defeats the evil English thanks to God, and her trusty companions. Through command of inventory management, skill development and use of magic, Jeanne d’Arc offers the most complete and enjoyable turn-based RPG available on any system. If you buy only 1 game for your oft-neglected PSP, make sure to pick up this gem. Now only if they’d released this on Nintendo DS, they could have made so much more money!

Next up: 2007 Nintendo DS Game of the Year

It looks like avoiding Lumines has become virtually impossible thanks to its release on PC. Already available on PSP (Lumines, Lumines II), Xbox 360 (Lumines Live!), and PS2 (Lumines Plus), PC version retains all the charms of the original creation, now dating back to year 2005.

Gameplay is as simple as ever: a block composed of 4 colored squares drop from the top and you must guide it so you form an one-colored block of at least 4 squares. Line passes through the playing field from left to right, and these blocks disappear once the line passes over them.

What’s addictive about Lumines is the sight and the sounds. Each stage features different backgrounds and sounds that react to your playing. The more you play, the more stages you unlock and it’s always a pleasure to find yourself in a stage you haven’t seen before.

If you’ve never played Lumines before on any of the platforms, give the PC version a try as it is a faithful interpretation of the core concepts. You can try the game or buy it from WildTangent (unfortunately) here .

Rating: 90%

• BlackSite: Area 51 (PS3)
• Galactic Civilization II: Twilight of the Arnor (PC)
• The Golden Compass (PC)
• NCAA March Madness 08 (X360, PS3, PS2)
• The Orange Box (PS3)
• Universe at War: Earth Assault (PC)
• Unreal Tournament 3 (PS3)

Casual gaming market shows no signs of slowing down, and the biggest drug pusher is PopCap games. Their new release Peggle is an odd mix of Japanese-style pachinko and pinball. You launch metal balls from the top in order to clear the pegs in the playing field. In all, it is a very simplistic experience since once you launch the ball, you let gravity take effect and hope your metal ball goes where pegs are still around. Of course in order to master this game, you need to think about ricochet, shot angles and special powers. Special powers range everything from a fireball that’ll go through the pegs without bouncing off, to simple flippers at the both sides of the field which you can use to attempt to clear more pegs.

Simple game mechanics are packaged with very… trippy graphics. The game is dominated by flowers, unicorns (yes, unicorns), dragons, golden lotuses and even talking frogs.

Once you can get over the sugary graphics, you’ll find that this is a great game since it will suck all your free time. Oftentimes, whether you succeed in a level depends on pure luck as the bouncing ball’s trajectory cannot be reasonably anticipated at the beginning. Which would make the experience very frustrating in other games… except Peggle’s charm dictates you to try again and push your luck further to clear all orange pegs. Once you’re done with the main quest mode (yes, there is a quest mode), you can complete challenges where you’re given an increasingly tough objectives.

[Click here to play the online game for free or buy full version]

Score: 80%

Just in time for the holidays, Xbox Live Marketplace Video Store for Xbox 360 will be launching in Canada and some European countries on December 11.

Here’s a list of movies you can find on launch date:

• 300
• Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
• Zodiac
• The Matrix,
• The Matrix Revolutions
• The Matrix Reloaded
• Ocean’s Eleven
• The Perfect Storm,
• Swordfish
• Three Kings
• Training Day
• The Fugitive
• Risky Business
• Space Cowboys
• Eyes Wide Shut
• Analyze This
• Demolition Man
• Eraser
• Executive Decision
• Lethal Weapon 3
• Lethal Weapon 4
• Looney Tunes: Back in Action
• Mars Attacks!
• Clash of the titans
• Superman III
• Dead Calm

Again, another week with no noteworthy game releases… unless you’re seriously into movie tie-ins.

• Alvin and the Chipmunks (Wii, PS2, PC, DS)
• Beowulf (PSP)
• Dance Dance Revolution Universe 2 (X360)
• Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 (Wii)
• The Elder Scrolls IV: Shivering Isles (PS3)
• Godzilla Unleashed (Wii)
• The Golden Compass (X360, Wii, DS, PS2, PS3, PSP)
• Jenga World Tour (Wii)
• Left Brain Right Brain (DS)
• Warriors of the Lost Empire (PSP)