2003 was a big year for PALGN as well, the main site opened and has been serving PAL regions rather faithfully ever since, our forums have maintained constant growth and we urge you to head over there. PALGN also brought some exclusives to readers with first details of Silent Hill 3’s PAL release, the very first shots of Sword of Mana and first information on Metal Gear Solid: Twin Snakes. We hope to bring you even more exclusives in 2004.
2004 promises to be a big year. We would expect to hear more information about the next-next generation consoles, Sony’s competition to the Gameboy Advance will be released and Nokia... err, never mind. Well, without further sentiment we bring to you our picks of 2003:
Action Game of The Year:
Viewtiful Joe
What we said:
Viewtiful Joe is an almost flawless package - a combination of a great visual style, impressive action and enjoyable gameplay. It's the sort of game that reminds us what we like about videogames. The overall difficulty and the lack of save points are more likely to be seen as paying homage to the games of yesteryear, rather than being something that was overlooked. It's undoubtedly one of the best action games this year, if not this generation - buy it today.
Platform Game of the Year:
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
What we said:
Prince of Persia: Sands of Time is an excellent experience - while it lasts. If you're after a game that looks good and plays great, pick it up immediately. Most gamers should be wary of the length of the game and the framerate drops, as these are the only minor down points of the game. Gamers without a Playstation 2 should be wary that the game will be available on the Gamecube and Xbox early this year, with enhanced graphics, a more solid framerate and extras that weren't in the Playstation 2 game. Ubi Soft have done an excellent job of reviving what was thought to be a dead series by producing one of the best games of the year.
RPG Game of the Year:
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic:
What we said:
Knights of the Old Republic instills great hope in us. Not only does it prove that a Star Wars RPG can work, and work well, but it also shows that there are still a few good games left to be made out of the license. Knights of the Old Republic provides a great RPG experience - an excellent narrative, a great skill system, interesting quests and a competent battle system. The game may not be for everyone, as those who don't enjoy Star Wars and previous Bioware efforts should probably consider passing on this one (though if you like one or the other, you should cope). The numerous bugs that have been found in the game since its release are also a cause of concern, even if we didn't run into that many during the course of our review. However, Knights of the Old Republic is the best new release for the Xbox this year and therefore definitely in the running for Game of the Year for 2003.
Sports Game of the Year
SSX 3
What we said:
Look, for most of you, this is the SSX title to get. The gameplay is deeper, longer, and more complex. The difficulty is the highest of any of the SSX titles, with everything after the first peak being a real challenge to achieve. You will have a greater and longer battle with this game than either of the previous two.
Racing Game of the Year:
Project Gotham Racing 2
What we said:
Project Gotham Racing 2 is a uniquely challenging driving game. PGR2 expands in every way upon the original. The Xbox Live component is seamlessly integrated into both the single player mode and multiplayer modes. Future downloadable content is promised and it should keep this game in your Xbox, but if you are lacking a broadband connection then be wary that a lot of the experience is missed. The offline mode is still enthralling enough to keep players entertained though so don’t be hesitant on picking this up. I am impressed with the Xbox Live components of the game, this is Microsoft’s ideal Xbox Live demonstration title, half of the experience is definitely missed if you’re offline and this is a drawback. However, this is a sensational racing game which any Xbox owner should buy.
Worst Game of the Year:
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines
What we said:
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines is easily the worst game that has been released this year. It contains all of the elements that made games based on movies licenses notorious during the 1990's - bad graphics, sloppy game mechanics and feeling like the game is unfinished - rushed out for Christmas. The lack of quality is amazing, considering half a dozen talented development teams worked on the game. Send a message to Atari, and don't even so much as pick up the game's box to look at the pictures on the back of it.
Most Overhyped Game of the Year:
Panzer Dragoon Orta
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Matt says:
I've copped a bit of criticism from a few parties about the review I gave to this game, but I firmly believe that this is the most overrated title of the year. A lot of people just need to see the game for what it is - a pretty rail shooter. The game plays fairly well, but there's minimal interaction and a very short overall game time. Definitely not worthy of the praise it received from some sources, and the sales figures certainly showed that. Above average, but not much more.
Surprise Game of the Year:
Freedom Fighters
What we said:
Freedom Fighters is one of those titles that comes out to little to no fanfare, and manages to catch us all unawares with its engrossing story and gameplay. The only real problem that Freedom Fighters suffers is its distinct lack of substantial length, which will lower it to a rental on any budget conscious gamer's list. Give it a try and see if you like it - this one is highly recommended, even if it only lasts a weekend.
Gamecube Game of the Year:
The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker:
What we said:
Simply put, The Wind Waker is arguably the best game on the machine. It's absolutely brilliant in every way. Whilst it's not the sort of game that will appeal to everyone, you should definitely give it a try. Why doesn't it get a perfect score, you ask? Well, this game is virtually Ocarina Of Time with a very, very shiny coat of paint on it. But don't let that stop you. Get this game.
Gameboy Advance Game of the Year:
TIE
Wario Ware, Inc.: Minigame Mania
Pokemon Ruby / Sapphire
Wario Ware:
What we said:
Nintendo should be commended for making such an original game. It is full of character and longevity and the hilarious mini-games will entertain for hours on end. The ease of accessibility helps a lot too since you don't have to navigate pages and pages of menus and text to play and the controls are as simple as can be.
Pokemon Ruby / Sapphire:
What we said:
Let me be straightforward - this game will last you as long as you want it to last. If you decide to keep raising your Pokemon after you've finished the main quest, you can do so, indefinately lengthening the games. That can work to your advantage with the impending release of Pokemon Colloseum - the GCN version of the Pokemon Stadium games. You could easily clock up 60+ hours if you dedicated time to completing your Pokedex, trading, and battling Pokemon with friends. If you're looking for a time waster, look no further.
Playstation 2 Game of the Year:
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
Matt says:
I'll keep this brief and just reinterate on what I said in the review. Prince of Persia looks great - it boasts graphics many thought to be impossible on the Playstation 2. The design and mechanics of the game are almost flawless, and it has amongst the highest production values of any title this year. It may be a little short, and that keeps it from being perfect, but it is the best game on the PS2 this year, without a doubt.
Xbox Game of the Year:
Project Gotham Racing 2
What we said:
Project Gotham Racing 2 is a landmark experience for the Xbox and is even more impressionable with the local landmarks present. The graphics are amazing, the racing is fast and it slaughters Need for Speed: Underground in terms of playability. With 100 tracks and 102 cars this game will last for a long time.
Overall Game of the Year:
The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker:
What we said:
When it was first shown, The Wind Waker copped a lot of slack for the graphics. Let's face it - pretty much everyone threw their heads back in disgust over Link's new look. It may have been cute, but it wasn't the fully 3D Zelda we were all hoping for. Looks aside though, when the game finally arrived in GameCubes the world over earlier this year, all concerns about the visual aspect of the game were thrown out the window.
The classic Zelda storyline and gameplay made famous in the N64 games was well and truly apparent in The Wind Waker. The game grabbed you by the throat, and refused to let go until you had seen your way past the final boss.
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker is a truly deserving game of the year.
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