Parm’s Place

My 5 most anticipated Xbox 360 games of 2007

Here’s a question that keeps popping up from time to time; Which 360 games am I looking forward to most this year? I’ve been asked by friends on a few occasions now so I’ve had a little think and I’ve drawn together a Top 5. It’s a pretty tough decision to make as there are more than a few cracking titles coming our way but alas, I have come to my conclusion.

1. Forza Motorsport 2 (Developer: Turn 10 | Release Date: May 2007)



Game Info from Xbox.com
Forza Motorsport 2, the sequel to Microsoft Game Studios’ award-winning, fully-customisable driving simulator Forza Motorsport, speeds its way onto Xbox 360. Buckle up for authentic simulation physics, bone-jarring damage, and photo-realistic graphics, as well as licensed tuning and customisation options.

Loaded with over 300 of the world’s hottest cars for you to collect, personalise, and race, Forza Motorsport 2 gives you the complete racing experience.

My Reasoning
It’s no secret that I love racing games. From Lotus Turbo Challenge on the Amiga, Mario Kart on the SNES, TOCA Touring Cars on the PC and Project Gotham Racing 3 on Xbox 360 to name a few, I’ve loved them all! Being the race fiend that I am, I’ve been looking forward to Forza Motorsport 2 for quite some time and following all the recent coverage, I’m as eager for the game now as I’ve ever been. It is in my opinion shaping up to potentially be the best racer of all time. Yup, a bold claim but I’ll stand by it!

If you like your racing games, take my word for it, you need look no further than Forza Motorsport 2. If I could only pick one game this year, this would be it.

2. Halo 3 (Developer: Bungie | Release Date: Fall 2007)



Game Info from Xbox.com
The epic saga continues with Halo 3, the hugely anticipated third chapter in the highly successful and critically acclaimed Halo franchise. Master Chief returns to finish the fight, bringing the epic conflict between the Covenant, the Flood, and the entire human race to a dramatic, pulse-pounding climax.

Halo 3 represents the third chapter in the Halo trilogy—an international award-winning action series that grew into a global entertainment phenomenon, selling more than 14.5 million units worldwide, logging more than 650 million hours of multiplayer action on Xbox Live, and spawning action figures, books, a graphic novel, apparel, an upcoming film adaptation, and more.

My Reasoning
The Master Chief is in it, does anybody really need anymore reason than that? It wouldn’t be a wild guess to assume that Halo 3 will be the biggest game of 2007, heck, it wouldn’t be far fetched to say that Halo 3 could be the biggest game for years to come. The hype surrounding it is already huge and the slightest mention of The Chief’s name sees Halo 3 news popping up around game sites everywhere. With a legion of fans expecting Halo 3 to be the answer to everything, the game has monumental expectations to live up to. Yet somehow, you can’t help but think it’ll meet those expectations and then some.

With Bungie teasing that we’ll be able to “Finish the Fight” in Fall 2007, you know perfectly well what to ask Santa to bring you this year.

3. Mass Effect (Developer: BioWare | Release Date: TBD)



Game Info from Xbox.com
Mass Effect is a sci-fi action RPG created by BioWare, the commercially and critically acclaimed developer of Jade Empire and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. Mass Effect delivers an immersive, story-driven experience coupled with awe-inspiring visuals, delivered exclusively to the Xbox 360.

As one of the first human beings to step onto the galactic stage, you face a grave threat that may destroy all of civilisation. Your job is complicated by the fact that no one believes that there is any threat at all. Travel across an expansive universe, exploring the uncharted corners of the galaxy, searching for pieces of the truth in order to discover how to defeat the coming destruction.

My Reasoning
Mass Effect’s developers are promising that “it’ll push story and emotion further than ever” and if you’ve played any of BioWare’s prior RPG’s, there is quite frankly no reason to argue with them. Though the game hasn’t been getting the attention of say Halo 3 or Grand Theft Auto 4, it is quietly astonishing those who care to look. Everybody I know who has seen bits of Mass Effect in action can’t help but be drawn toward it. You’ll be hearing much more about Mass Effect in the coming months and I’d recommend you keep an eye.

With more planets to explore than a Star Wars movie, Mass Effect is shaping up to be the sci-fi epic of 2007.

4. Assassin’s Creed (Developer: Ubisoft Montreal | Release Date: TBD)



Game Info from Xbox.com
Assassin’s Creed is the next-generation game developed by Ubisoft Montreal that redefines the action genre. Assassin’s Creed merges technology, game design, theme, and emotions into a world where you instigate chaos and become a vulnerable, yet powerful, agent of change.

The setting is 1191 A.D. The Third Crusade is tearing the Holy Land apart. You, Altair, intend to stop the hostilities by suppressing both sides of the conflict.

You are an Assassin, a warrior shrouded in secrecy and feared for your ruthlessness. Your actions can throw your immediate environment into chaos, and your existence will shape events during this pivotal moment in history.

My Reasoning
Did you not read the Game Info above? What other reasoning could you want? This game sounds tasty and looks downright delicious too! Ever since its appearance at E3 2006, it has become an eagerly anticipated title. Being able to freely roam an ancient city with a completely interactive environment is nice. Being an elite assassin freely roaming an ancient city, affecting all those around him with every action he takes is a gamers dream.

Assassin’s Creed looks incredibly cool and if it’s anywhere near as cool to play, this is sure to be a gem.

5. Guitar Hero II (Developer: Harmonix | Release Date: April 6th 2007)



Game Info from Xbox.com
Guitar Hero II explodes onto Xbox 360 with over 70 songs and the revolutionary X-Plorer Guitar Controller. Choose from a wild group of rockers and jam at concert venues that grow in size as your rock career progresses. Play with a friend and shred riffs cooperatively, or go head-to-head in multiplayer modes like Pro Face-Off.

My Reasoning
Quite simply, the Xbox 360 needs a game like Guitar Hero. Though the console does have spectacular games aplenty, they’re more often than not suitable for the more experienced gamer. Fun party games for family and friends are few and far between and Guitar Hero II could be the one to make the Xbox 360 appeal to a much broader audience. Fortunately for us, we don’t have long to find out. With the game being released this week, my copy is due to arrive any day and I just so happen to be having family around this Easter weekend. What better chance to experience getting our rock on?

Reviews for Guitar Hero II on Xbox 360 are rapidly flowing in and the general consensus seems to be “Guitar Hero II is a fantastic game. If you haven’t already, go out and buy it. It’s just that simple”. Need I say more?

There we have it! It was a tough call, but those are my picks of the bunch, the 5 games I’m sure to own this year. Some of you I know are probably pulling your hair out (most notably the GTA fans) and yes I admit, there are a boatload of other games I did consider but these are the 5 that stood out most.

Which other games did I consider? Well, to prove just how good a year for gaming this is shaping up to be, here’s a rundown of some of the other games that didn’t make my list; Alan Wake, Bioshock, Blue Dragon, Colin McRae: DIRT, Devil May Cry 4, Enemy Territory: Quake Wars, Fable 2, FIFA 2008, Half Life 2 Orange Box, Grand Theft Auto IV, Halo Wars, Lost Odyssey, Pro Evolution Soccer 7, Project Gotham Racing 4, Shadowrun and Unreal Tournament 3. Phew!