Phew, eh? That’s a lot of games. Overall, I’ve completed 61 this year, and played around 200 (if you include demos).¬¨‚Ć So what was best?¬¨‚Ć What was unexpected?
Biggest Surprise
Almost certainly Halo 3. I didn’t like the campaign mode (which I played a fair bit of in co-op – I actually completed it too, although didn’t play every chapter). The surprise was enjoying online multiplayer as much as I did. Team Fortress 2 is better, in my opinion (especially if you’re playing random people), but in a group of people you know, Halo 3 multiplayer is great fun.
Biggest Letdown
This was going to be Sonic Rush Adventure, as I hated the “adventure” bits, but luckily the rest of the game more than makes up for it.¬¨‚Ć It’s still not a fantastic title by any means, but it’s not bad. No, much worse was the fact that Namco saw fit to not release Beautiful Katamari (360) over here in Europe. And then, to rub salt in the wounds, decided it best to make it region locked (unlike almost all their other games) so we can’t even import it. How disappointing.
Best Gaming Bargain
This is taking RRP into account, as otherwise I’d be here all day as almost every game I buy is an actual bargain (I won’t pay more than ¬¨¬£25, you see). One thing stands out as absolute value for money this year: The Orange Box. I’d have happily paid ¬¨¬£20 just for Portal. And another ¬¨¬£20 for Team Fortress 2. And more still for Half-Life 2. And then there’s Half-Life 2: Episode One and Episode Two on there as well. Staggeringly good value!
The Best “Completely Out Of Nowhere” Game
What game just appeared, without me knowing anything about it previously, and just astounded and amazed me? Portal, of course. I thought it was just a little puzzle game a bit like some of Prey. How very, very wrong of me.  Not only was it gorgeous and fiendish, but it was hilarious, clever, and has the best ending of any game ever made, ever. Fact.
Worst Game of 2007
I’d say Yaris, but that isn’t really fair as it was free, and it’s not really a game. I could also say Lady Cruncher (PC) but that is so bad it’s hilarious. Oh, and it didn’t come out this year (which also saves Kameo from the dungheap). I think, then, the worst game that I actually bought, and that came out in 2007 is… Sonic and the Secret Rings (Wii). Oh Sega.¬¨‚Ć What have you done?
Best Game of 2007
Super Mario Galaxy, obviously.¬¨‚Ć There is no other that can possibly win. That’s not to say that there weren’t other great games this year – far from it – but there’s nothing else that comes close. Super Paper Mario, Bioshock, Phoenix Wright 3, Portal, Hotel Dusk, Oblivion: The Shivering Isles, Ouendan 2… the list goes on. I could rate each of those a well-deserved 5/5, but in doing so, I’d have to award Mario Galaxy 6/5. Or even 7/5. It’s that good.
