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The Scientists’ Games of the Year 2005
By admin | March 14, 2010
cvxfreak’s choice
biohazard 4
biohazard 4 takes place in 2004, six years after the previous game, CODE: Veronica. Leon is pressed with rescuing the president’s daughter, who was kidnapped by an unknown organization. He discovers not zombies, but deranged former human beings who are able to communicate in some form of Spanish, and can wield weapons and use their environments against Leon. However, he’ll stop at
nothing to save the president’s daughter… biohazard 4 was a long time coming.
Developed for several years and going through several phases, when it arrived, it truly revitalized survival horror. Featuring stunning graphics, fast, smooth and action-packed gun-shooting, puzzle solving gameplay, excellent music and sound effects, and unparalleled production values for a horror title, it also brought the series in a new direction, proving that old ties can lead to new achievements. In addition to a big main game, there are a few side games as well
that provide more value to the overall package, and PS2 gamers get “Another Order” which sheds much insight on the storyline thus far. A real winner that everyone should beat once.
DCharlie’s
choice
Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan
Inis’s Ouendan combines amusing back story, manga-style graphics, J-Pop songs you’ll love or hate, and simple gameplay - tap or trace the stylus on the numbered blocks in the correct order in time with the music. The actual action of playing the game with the stylus is fun, but where the game’s real appeal lies is in its difficulty levels and adapting to the increased skill requirement. Many gamers will play this and simply give up after the first few levels of the normal difficulty, but perseverance is truly rewarded and players will go from thinking “there is no way I could ever do that level!” to “Unbelievable! I did it! I DID IT!”. The fiendishly difficult final level is a punishing challenge, but again with practice it is not impossible. I believe that testament to how fun this game is the fact that, initially, I played this game every day for three months and despite having cleared all the levels, I still play through levels to this day just for the fun and the workout of the experience. One of many great games on the DS, but for me a standout classic regardless of platform.
JonnyRam’s
choice
Wander and the Colossus
Developed by the same team that brought us Ico in 2001, Wander and the Colossus shares many ideas with its predecessor but the overall experience is wholly different. The protagonist in this game, known as Wander, seeks to revive his dead companion and is lead to believe there is a chance to restore her life by slaying all the Colossi in this forbidden land. The path which lies ahead is full of excitement, adventure, a couple of plot twists, and more importantly, it never once feels tired, from start to finish. The graphics are, perhaps, a
little more than the PS2 can handle, and at times the frame rate suffers as a result, but when it’s performing well, it’s a true sight to behold. Each Colossus feels huge, and figuring out how to climb each one can be taxing on the brain as well as the fingers - a formidable combination for all but the most hardcore of gamers. Coupled with one of the most beautiful soundtracks a game has witnessed, Wander and the Colossus is an unmissable treat and worthy of far more than just a Game of the Year award.
LEOsh’s choice
Famicom Wars DS
Famicom Wars DS is a simple but tactical, turn-based simulation game. New additions to the DS version are the combat mode (a real time game with a dash of strategy), the use of the dual screen, experience points for shoguns, and tag battles. The stylus is not really needed in the game and most of the controls work better with the pad. Unfortunately the game does not have a very strong
story line - if you are a lover of hardcore war games filled with military
conspiracy and betrayal, then the Famicom Wars DS story will be a
disappointment. However, if that is not an important factor, the player can enjoy a simple but not necessarily easy, simulation game. Each mission is of comfortable length, and the addition of experience points allows the player to level up and customize their favorite shogun. Deploying two shoguns in a battle, and switching between the two to use their strengths against the enemy is also a new feature in the DS version. Overall, a very good game and a definite buy for people who have enjoyed Advance Wars 1 and 2 on the GBA.
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