Rich’s Top Five Picks of 2004
5. Fable (Xbox)
Publisher: Microsoft Developer: Lionhead Studios
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Fable had its problems, as to be expected from any Peter Molyneux game, but what Fable did right, it did great. Not since the latest Elder Scrolls game has one been able to explore such a vast world and enjoy oneself so thoroughly. With a great, flexible story line and innovative gameplay elements, Fable offers limitless replay value and may very well redefine Western RPGs.
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4. Ninja Gaiden (Xbox)
Publisher: Tecmo Developer: Team Ninja
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There are few things more satisfying than cleanly cutting off an opposing ninja's head off.
Ninja Gaiden mixes great gameplay, unrivaled AI, and tough puzzles all together in a single masterpiece. I have yet to see such responsive AI in a video game, and it only adds to the difficulty and, in many opinions, the fun. In most years, Ninja Gaiden would make a push for my #1.
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3. Rome: Total War (PC)
Publisher: Activision Developer: Creative Assembly
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And what can be greater than cutting off a ninja's head? Commanding a legion of soldiers to do it for you! Climb to greatness and manage all aspects of your ascension to the throne as ruler of the world, economically and politically. Rome: Total War is one of the great strategy games of our time and it would be a disservice to let this one slip by.
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2. ESPN NFL 2K5 (Xbox)
Publisher: Sega Developer: Visual Concepts
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Someday people will realize you truly were the superior football game. ESPN NFL 2K5 did everything right, from near-perfect player models to amazing presentation. The ESPN license was used wonderfully, and the Chris Berman halftime show was an awesome novelty. With an extensive franchise mode and a great price to boot, ESPN NFL 2K5 finally surpassed Madden as #1 in the biz. It's a shame there won't be another for 6 or so years.
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1. Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War (PS2)
Publisher: Namco Developer: Namco
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Oh how I love you, Mr. Plane. It truly is enthralling to be piloting a supersonic jet, even if it's only on your TV. The level of accuracy Ace Combat 5 was developed with regarding reality is amazing, even if some of the arcade elements remain. The graphics are as good as we'll see on the PS2, and the gameplay is unrivaled. When it comes to flight sims, your only choice on PS2 should be Ace Combat, and you will NOT be disappointed. |
Best Games of 2004 (by Genre)
Action/Adventure: Ninja Gaiden
Platformer: Sly 2: Band of Thieves
RPG: Fable
Shooter: Call of Duty: United Offensive
Sports: ESPN NFL 2K5
Other: Ace Combat 5
PC: Rome: Total War
Online: Call of Duty: United Offensive
Odds & Ends
Best Developer: Namco
Worst Developer: Electronic Arts
Best Innovative Product: Katamari Damacy
Most Useless Product: Official Xbox Magazine [Don't ask... -Ed.]
Best Soundtrack: Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Best Cover Art: Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories
Worst Cover Art: American Chopper 
Wierdest Cover Art: Katamari Damacy
Most Overhyped Game this Year: Halo 2
Coolest Male Videogame Character: Big Smoke (Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas)
Most Desired Game to Complete, But Didn't: Half-Life 2 [Someone buy me a PC to run it] 
Most Shocking Industry Highlight: Electronic Arts' purchase of the NFL licensing.
Kenneth’s Top Five Picks of 2004
5. Gradius (PS2)
Publisher: Konami Developer: Konami
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I’m a sucker for great shooters, especially one from such a legendary series like Gradius. The fifth installment comes to Sony’s console with a rich mix of old school twitch action and modern eye candy. With four different ships to use, incredible graphics and sound, and a host of new gameplay options make Gradius V the best one yet. I was especially thankful that Konami finally established a few distinctions between the playable craft roster, ultimately giving gamers an added dose of strategy to an aged genre. The simultaneous two-player feature is also a welcome change. Though it’s decidedly easier than previous entries, Gradius V still delivers on all fronts. Some people may think the shmup genre is dead, but excellent titles like this continue to prove them wrong.
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4. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (PS2)
Publisher: Rockstar Games Developer: Rockstar North
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What else is there to say about this game that has not been already established? San Andreas improves upon its predecessors in just about every conceivable way, proving that sometimes bigger and better truly is the way to go. Head to the gym and bulk up or let yourself go 'Fat Alert'-style, buy some new threads to impress the ladies, or just supe up and race your low rider. There’s enough here to keep you busy for months. Rockstar not only made the cityscape five times bigger than Vice City, they’ve also included a two-player option that must be seen to be believed. Moreover, the plot is still as good as anything Hollywood can put out. I still miss Ray Liotta but who can complain when you’ve got Samuel L. Jackson? There is no doubt that San Andreas is not only the best game in the series but one of the best released this generation. Your Playstation 2 needs this.
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3. OutRun 2 (Xbox)
Publisher: Sega Developer: AM2/Sumo Digital
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With the advent of deep and complex racer like Gran Turismo, most gamers won’t appreciate OutRun 2’s elegant simplicity. There aren’t five hundred cars to pick from or tons of courses, only classic OutRun gameplay in a modern package. Like Gradius V, it shows that classic games can take advantage of all the bells and whistles of the modern consoles without losing what made them great in the first place. OutRun 2 goes even further by adding Xbox Live play for up to eight players and a score of extras and unlockables that are opened through the 100+ stage mission mode. There might be a lot of meat here for those weaned on modern racers but fans of the series and arcade fanatics will feel right at home here.
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2. Baldur's Gate 2: Dark Alliance (Xbox)
Publisher: Vivendi Universal Developer: Black Isle Studios
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Hack-and-slash games have seemed to found their niche on consoles over the last couple of years, with such excellent releases like D&D Heroes and Champions of Norrath. The Baldur’s Gate series made the jump two years ago and was widely acclaimed for its deep story and addictive gameplay. Although Snowblind left to work on Champions, Black Isle Studios has done a remarkable job staying true to the original and even bettering it in certain aspects. You can now customize your equipment by adding gems and runes to enchant them, which makes it all that much harder to part with that great axe you love so much after it’s been through so much carnage with you. You can choose from six different character races and bring along a friend, which is fun for sharing equipment and tackling bosses. While it may no be as complex as some of the traditional RPGs out there, the 10-15 hour quest is great for anyone looking to hack some trolls for an afternoon.
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1. ESPN NFL 2K5 (Xbox)
Publisher: Sega Developer: Visual Concepts
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Think about this for a second. You get the best (that’s right, I said the best) football game on the market for $20. An incredibly deep VIP mode with a refined crib, celebrity showdowns (who doesn’t want to whup Andy Dick?), and online play makes this the no-brainer of the year. The presentation has been enhanced tenfold and the gameplay has been tweaked to make it purr like a ’57 Chevy. This is as good as it can possibly get and the budget price tag only sweetens the deal. You only need one football game this season and NFL 2K5 is it. |
Best Games of 2004 (by Genre)
Platformer: Mario & Luigi Superstar Saga
Puzzle: Bubble Bobble: Old & New
Racing: OutRun 2
Sports: ESPN NFL 2K5
Shooter: Gradius V
Online: Splinter Cell Pandora Tomorrow
Odds & Ends
Best Developer: Microsoft Game Studios
Worst Developer: Nintendo
Best Innovative Product: GBA Wireless Adapter
Best Soundtrack: Halo 2
Best Cover Art: Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
Worst Cover Art: Pokémon Fire Red
Wierdest Cover Art: Katamari Damacy
Most Overhyped Game this Year: Halo 2
Coolest Male Videogame Character: Sam Fisher
Sexiest Female Videogame Character: Cortana (Halo series)
Most Desired Game to Complete, But Didn't: Ninja Gaiden
Most Shocking Industry Highlight: EA's assimilation of half the industry
Ultimate game the world could live Without: I need them all!
Hit the next page to read David and Phil's picks...
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