TwoCredits

I've not played Gears and I don't have a 360 so I'm unlikely to get it. I also have a complex about playing FPSs without a mouse... Call me old fashioned...

Oblivion is definitely up there. That game borders being too big but several sections are highly repetitive and it's sometimes easy to lose your way mid-quest and end up doing another one. Regardless of these short-falls, it's too big and pretty not to be my #1.

The New Super Mario Bros was fun but I wouldn't rank it that high. It was more of the same, if you ask me... But that hasn't stopped me playing it all the way through with both brothers.

Neverwinter Nights 2 was (well still is) a bit of a let down. They took too long and ended up releasing it after Oblivion which made it look so pale and confined in comparison. The camera system being almost unusable and the massive amount of updates as soon as the game was released (as i blogged) were also against it. It did have the advantage of the stronger storyline over Oblivion, but when you factor in the enormity of Oblivion, there's no comparison.

CoD3 was another "meh this is just more of the same". A few nice updates, but they're dragging flogging a dead horse on the story-front. They should pick another war.

I should mention the Wii and Wii Sports while I'm ranting away. I think, and so would you if you've used one, that the Wii definitely takes a lot of the innovation titles this year. That's particularly relevant when you look at the state of other gaming markets and you're just seeing a constant stream of clones with the smallest upgrades possible.

There's not much I'm looking forward to for 2007 yet. Just the latest Command and Conqueror but I don't expect too much innovation there... They are owned by EA after all...

Well that NWN updates link didn't work at all. I guess it helps to put the URL in there =(.

Gears Of War

Yeah I heard NWN 2 wasn't even playable until the 1.03 patch came out. A shame really.

I liked Half Life 2 Episode One even though it was only an episode. Like Gears of War it was short, high quality and to the point.

My real favourites this year have been some little indie games - Naked War, Defcon and Gumboy Crazy Adventures.

I did like HL2EP1 while it lasted as well :)

Gears of War was cool, the bit I saw of it. It actually seemed really short to me.

Kingdom Hearts 2 was beautiful and fun. And replayable.

And can't forget Dead Rising. I never made it through that though..

I'd have to say Gears of War, with Rainbow Six Vegas in a close second..........for the 360 that is, because that's all I play.

Oblivion was one of the better games I played this year, though I kind of just lost interest after playing for several hours. It's a beautiful game, but I guess solo RPGs aren't always the best for me.

It's far from the best game, but I'm fond of Battlefield 2142, and I just now reactivated my account in City of Heroes/Villains. I should have plenty of things to keep me busy for the next few weeks :)

I'm not really much of a gamer; the only games I've really played are what I've got on my PSP since Christmas.

LocoRoco is the runaway winner. It's amazing. Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror is also worth a mention.

Rainbow Six: Vegas, hands down. It will consume about 28% of my life for the next 3 months.

Special shout out to Loco Roco on the PSP as well.

For me, hands down Call of Duty for the Xbox 360 and Fight Night.

I enjoyed the hell outta the New Super Mario Brothers, even though it is more of the same. Granted, I am not much of a gamer, but I am really digging Final Fantasy III on the DS. Definitely keeps me busy and is a great way to relax after a hard day at the office!

when i wasnt blogging i was checking out all the warcraft 3 mods and spending my life on battle.net (prior to getting into 9rules...)

tank wars was my fav.

i guess i am pretty ol skool in terms of text-based mudding (the younger of you might need to google or wiki it up).

Jark, I'm also enjoying FFIII for the DS. I love the older Final Fantasy games.

My other favorite game is DDR. I hate the unlock system for SuperNova, though.

I enjoyed playing EVE Online, Need for Speed: Most Wanted, and Call of Duty 2. I am looking forward to Command and Conquer: 3 and Spore.

I can't wait for the new C&C either since I haven't touched a RTS in a very long time and need to get my fix back.

Great to hear. I wondered if anyone else was eager to see it released. I haven't touched a good RTS game in a long time either. I would love to get my fix as well.

There wasn't enough good games in 2006...but 2007 looks like it will be amazing! If you want to see what I mean, check out:
http://www.gamespot.com/pages/forums/show_msgs.php?topic_id=24525221

Definitely Final Fantasy XII, mainly because it's the only game i got in 2006. I know, it might sound pathetic, but hey at least I got a game. Think how many billions of people out there in the world who aren't fortunate enough to play video games...

1) Dawn of War: Dark Crusade - I'm a sucker for anything using Warhammer 40,000 as a backdrop. Make a coffee mug, and I'll buy it.

2) Wii Sports - Because it's the first time my wife has ever played a video game for a protracted amount of time.

3) Yoshi's Island 2 - Um... just cute fun.

THERE'S AN EDIT BUTTON! ZOMG WIN!

4) Okami - Just absolutely beautiful.

I don't play PC games anymore and only have a 360, so here's my top Xbox 360 games of 2006:

1. Gears of War - The first shooter I've ever enjoyed on a console. Multiplayer is....orgasmic.

2. Dead Rising - zombies? a mall? hundreds of weapons? Oh yeah, I'm there.

3. Viva Pinata - Animal concentration camps with forced inbreeding...who says this is a kids game?

If I had to pick one game, I'd have to say...

Wii Sports - just because I've had more fun with friends this year playing that game than any other in a long time -- and friends that haven't played a game since Ms. Pac-Man.

Zelda and Okami are close seconds, though. (How could nobody else mention Zelda?? ;-)

My top 8 are here...
http://microscopiq.com/2007/01/games-that-rocked-2006/

I bought a DS Lite just for the New Super Mario Brothers game. It was a blast. However, Gears of War was just as fun and has more replay value.

Gears of War was the killer XBOX 360 game of the year. It will continue to dominate the XBOX 360 until HALO 3 is released.

Gears Of War on PC!

Clonk Rage on PC and Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles on DS