TNL's Games of the Month: 2006

**Andy** · 01 Feb 2007, 12:13 PM

So, looking back on the year 2006, how did we as a collective do in weeding out the non-essentials, picking the cream of the crop: the very best that video games had to offer for the year of 2006? Here's how the year played out, according to us:

March
Winner: Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion [360, PC]
Runner-up: Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence [PS2]

May
Winner: New Super Mario Bros. [DS]
Runner-up: Rockstar Table Tennis [360]

June
Winner: (tie) Half-Life 2: Episode 1 [PC] / Street Fighter Alpha Anthology [PS2]
Runner-up: Big Brain Academy [DS]

July
Winner: Prey [360, PC]
Runner-up: Tekken: Dark Resurrection [PSP]

August
Winner: Dead Rising [360]
Runner-up: Ultimate Ghosts 'n Goblins [PSP]

September
Winner: Okami [PS2]
Runner-up: Yakuza [PS2]

October
Winner: Splinter Cell: Double Agent [360]
Runner-up: God Hand [PS2]

November
Winner: Gears of War [360]
Runner-up: Final Fantasy XII [PS2]

December
Winner: Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin [DS]
Runner-up: Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops [PSP]

So what do you think? Were we completely on-target, unbiased, and objective? Or did we totally miss the mark, not recognizing the prevailing, innate qualities of your favorite JRPGFPSRTS? What say you?

**kingoffighters** · 01 Feb 2007, 12:16 PM

I think we did alright. The toughest month is definitely November, both GoW and FFXII are game of the year material but in completely different genres... Seems like July is a shitty month to have Prey win. That would be the only one I disagree with.

**Port** · 01 Feb 2007, 12:17 PM

Pretty spot on. Some months were obviously together than others, so a few good titles didn't get recognized (Zelda for one).

How about a new pool for TNL 2006 Game of the Month of the Year? Put all these titles (with runners up maybe) for a new vote.

**Andy** · 01 Feb 2007, 12:39 PM

Originally Posted by portnoyd

Pretty spot on. Some months were obviously together than others, so a few good titles didn't get recognized (Zelda for one).

How about a new pool for TNL 2006 Game of the Month of the Year? Put all these titles (with runners up maybe) for a new vote.

I planned to do something like that for an end of the year "TNL's GotY" kind of thread, but Nick said he had plans to do an official thing. I don't know if he's still working on that or not, but if he changes his mind I'd be happy to throw something together.

Anyway, personally I think our choices were pretty spot on as well, overall. The only things I think I'd change would be flipping Okami and Yakuza in September (and maybe exchanging Okami with Company of Heroes), and CV and MGS:PO in December.

I think NSMB, Prey, and Double Agent were by far the weakest candidates of the overall winners, but to be fair the competition for those months were no better, other than perhaps Double Agent's.

**Port** · 01 Feb 2007, 12:54 PM

Btw, I'm illiterate. Together=tougher, pool=poll. Goddamn I'm stupid.

**Andy** · 01 Feb 2007, 01:06 PM

Spelling is together.

**NeoZeedeater** · 01 Feb 2007, 01:24 PM

I don't vote in these unless I have played every game in the poll I think has a remote chance(hasn't happened yet) but it's interesting to take a look back.

- The month of April wasn't done(or isn't listed) but I don't recall anything being as good as Dreamfall that month. It deserves a mention.

- Dark Messiah deserved way more votes in October, certainly more than Splinter Cell. I can't say for sure it was the best though as I haven't played Bully yet.

**onelocust** · 01 Feb 2007, 01:33 PM

I'm a little surprised Twilight Princess didn't front.

**Andy** · 01 Feb 2007, 01:38 PM

Originally Posted by NeoZeedeater

I don't vote in these unless I have played every game in the poll I think has a remote chance(hasn't happened yet) but it's interesting to take a look back.

- The month of April wasn't done(or isn't listed) but I don't recall anything being as good as Dreamfall that month. It deserves a mention.

- Dark Messiah deserved way more votes in October, certainly more than Splinter Cell. I can't say for sure it was the best though as I haven't played Bully yet.

Agreed on both counts. And yes, April was unfortunately skipped over for whatever reason. It's a shame, because as you said, Dreamfall deserves more recognition.