Ryan Chartrand
This quarter is already shaping up to be the rising action of this next generation novel being written between now and the end of next year. With the release of the XBOX 360 only a few weeks away, it’s time to take a look at what the top 5 games ending December 12th will be. Also, let’s take a look at the top 5 movies to be released as we get your excitement cup overflowing in joy. I should note now that I will release a “Christmas Guide” for top 10 movies and games to beg for or give to others for Christmas. I should also note that this is a quarterly updated list, so look for it in the future.
Top 5 Games of the quarter:
5. “The Movies” (PC): Every year brings a plethora of games, many of which are distinguishable and can easily be placed into certain genres. There are, however, other games that make gamers more than overjoyed to play due to their unique gameplay and ingenious creativity. “The Movies” is a PC game being developed by Lionhead Studios, creators of the popular “play as God” style PC game known as Black and White, and allows you to enter the shoes of a movie producer and create your own movies. The game itself is quite open ended and you can do practically whatever you want. This includes whether or not you want to start a career in the 1920s and progress into the future while managing your company and actors, or if you want to simply make 3D movies and nothing more. Lionhead’s specialty is open ended gameplay and “The Movies” will offer just that this quarter. Release Date: November 8, 2005.
4. “Perfect Dark Zero” (XBOX 360): The original Perfect Dark for the Nintendo 64 had critics and gamers raving across the country. Its humor and brilliant first person shooter gameplay easily put it in the category of best games of all time. Five years later, developer Rare is looking to make their revolutionary first person shooter impact on a brand new console: the XBOX 360. While little is known about “Perfect Dark Zero,” there are breathtaking screenshots that speak for themselves. Knowing Rare to be one of the best console developers and the XBOX 360 to be a monstrosity of a machine assures fans of the original “Perfect Dark” that it will be one first person shooter experience not worth missing. Release Date: November 22, 2005
3. “Call of Duty 2” (PC): I thought I had experienced every possible situation and feeling when it came to World War II games. “Call of Duty” proved me wrong. It was developed by former “Medal of Honor” programmers and its main focus was to make the greatest World War II game. Their plan was simple and their product was perfect. “Call of Duty 2” promises every drop of sweat and tears that came with its predecessor. The recently released demo is a perfect preview for those who might be skeptical about sequels. Release Date: October 25, 2005.
2. “F.E.A.R.” (PC): The first person shooter (FPS) genre has been the most popular PC gaming genre for many years now. With each new FPS release, however, the genre improves in leaps. “F.E.A.R.” has elements integrated that contend with the likes of “Half-Life 2,” a game that took years to make and only moments to steal the hearts of millions of fans. Controlling a gun’s accuracy under certain situations is a key aspect to “F.E.A.R.” and when combined with a powerfully cinematic gameplay, it makes for a riveting experience. “F.E.A.R.” will actually be released this week and is already being praised by critics and fans worldwide. Expect a review from myself on “F.E.A.R.” in the near future as well. Release Date: October 18, 2005.
1. “Madden NFL 06” (XBOX 360). E3 (The Electronic Entertainment Expo) of 2005 brought with it many games to boast and rave about. The one game that had gamers of all preferences making a raucous about was “Madden NFL 06” for the XBOX 360. The first video released for the game was so unbelievably realistic that nobody actually knew how accurate the video was to the actual gameplay. To this day, no footage (except a few screenshots) has been released that shows the actual rendered and playable in-game graphics, and it’s due to this hype that “Madden NFL 06” is easily placed at the top of the list. Fans of the Madden series will hopefully stop drooling come November 22nd when the game hits shelves and the secrets are revealed. Release Date: November 22, 2005.
Other great titles coming this quarter that couldn’t cut the list: Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones (All), Condemned: Criminal Origins (X360), City of Villains (PC), Star Wars: Battlefront 2 (All), Shadow of the Colossus (PS2), Age of Empires 3 (PC), and Soul Calibur 3 (PS2, GC, XBOX).
Top 5 movies of the quarter:
5. “Doom”: While video game adaptations never do well, “Doom” has no choice but to entertain the millions of fans that will line up to see their gaming experience come to life-in the form of The Rock.
4. “Saw II”: The original Saw made me feel like I’d lost 10 years of my life due to its excruciating intensity. If the acting is any more atrocious than its predecessor, “Saw III” might as well not exist.
3. “Aeon Flux”: Charlize Theron. Need I say more? Well, yes. “Aeon Flux” is based off of a brilliant comic book that I would like to hope will not fail along with many other comic book adaptations. Did I mention Charlize Theron?
2. “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”: The title says it all. Your childhood dreams come true as the novel and cartoons are finally transformed into a CGI boasting adventure that will certainly bring in the crowds.
1. “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”: I lost my love for Harry Potter many years ago, but there’s no doubt that each year Harry takes the spotlight and dominates at the box office. When I saw the first trailer released at Comic-Con, I knew that the best of the series had finally arrived. Harry, I applaud you this year and I await your latest.
Next Tuesday: Doom (the movie) review.