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The nominees for Destructoid Game of the Year 2007
Chad Concelmo12.27.08 - 12:46 PM 213 comments

The nominees for Destructoid Game of the Year 2007 screenshot

It goes without arguing that 2007 was one of the best years of gaming in a very long time. It seemed like every console and handheld had a robust handful of topnotch games, covering pretty much every genre in the book (from beautifully designed platformers to epic first-person shooters). There really was a little something for everyone.

The downside to all this win, however, was trying to get a very opinionated group of people to pick one game to rule supreme above all others. Luckily, a brilliant solution to this dilemma was chosen: Early last week, all of the Destructoid staff met in an abandoned cave at an undisclosed location. After setting up camp in our uncomfortably damp meeting ground, we all agreed to not leave until we came to a unanimous decision for Destructoid Game of the Year 2007. I will save the details of what went down for a future community blog, but just know that I saw things I will never forget for the rest of my life. Horrible things. Messy things.

The good news: not only did we all get out alive (well, most of us), we actually came to a reasonably coherent decision!

Not to be a tease, but the winner will actually be revealed tomorrow. In the meantime (and to whet your appetite for the main event), hit the jump for a list of the Top Five finalists: the official nominees for Destructoid Game of the Year 2007.

[Thanks to Topher for the awesome Photoshop]

It was a tough and bloody decision, but here they are, in no particular order (well, except alphabetical):

BioShock

BioShock, the shockingly gorgeous first-person shooter, has received universal acclaim from multiple sources, with the Destructoid editors being no exception. Even the few that haven’t had the chance to play it yet have fallen in love with the game’s beautifully realized locale and extremely creepy style.

In fact, Aaron Linde and Colette actually named last week’s home-in-the-side-of-the-mountain away from home “Rapture” (after the now legendary underwater utopia in the game). It was really cute until Colette started following Aaron around all the time and calling him “Mr. Bubbles.” There is a fine line between cute and creepy, my friends. A very fine line.

[Check out the original BioShock review here]

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

Given the series’ well-received roots, it was an almost given that Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare would be an excellent game. What surprised people the most was how great it turned out to be. With an endlessly immersive single-player campaign and multiplayer that even gives Papa Halo a serious run for its money, Call of Duty 4 is easily one of the best (and most entertaining) games of the year.

During last week’s “spelunking” adventure, while pinning Orcist to the ground in a hunger induced rage, I think it was Grim that said: “If Call of Duty 4 doesn’t win Game of the Year I swear I will eat Orcist’s leg. I swear it! Don’t tempt me!”

How can you argue with that?

[Check out the original Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare review here]

Mass Effect

While garnering some mixed reactions overall, Mass Effect had a huge, well, effect on a majority of the Destructoid editors, easily placing it as one of the finalists for Game of the Year. The battle system may take a little getting used to (no tutorial?), but the deep characters and revolutionary dialogue system make this sci-fi RPG a must-have and one of the most memorable games of its type in a very long while.

Unfortunately, Jim Sterling did not support this nomination and most definitely made it known during last week’s meeting. Poor .tiff. She will have monocle-shaped scars all over her body for weeks. Please don’t ask. I don’t know if I can stand to relive it.

[Check out the original Mass Effect review here]

The Orange Box

If there is one thing that every single member of the gaming community can agree on concerning 2007, it’s that The Orange Box is the best value in the history of videogames. Including the original Half-Life 2, Half-Life 2: Episode One, Half-Life 2: Episode Two, the superb Portal, and the addictive Team Fortress 2 all on one disc for one surprisingly reasonable price? It doesn’t really get any better than that. Throw in the fact that all five games are exceptional and you have a classic compilation whose quality may never be topped.

Reverend Anthony was extra angry last week (someone gets a little cranky in small remote spaces, I gander), but showed a surprisingly sweet side when he led our feisty group in a rousing sing-a-long to the final song in Portal. The roasted bat we were all sharing at the time could never have tasted better.

[Check out the original The Orange Box reviews here, here, and here]

Super Mario Galaxy

Even looking back across all systems, Super Mario Galaxy was one of the most anticipated videogames of the year. Remarkably, the game not only lived up to all the hype, it surpassed it in almost anyone’s eyes. Thrusting Mario’s classic adventures into space seemed the perfect evolution, resulting in some of the most clever and jaw-dropping level design of all time. Super Mario Galaxy is undeniable proof that Mario still remains a lethal force in the videogame world, even after all these years.

We all knew this game would be a serious contender when, while taking a nap during last week’s discussions, Tristero and Jonathan Holmes continuously whispered the name “Rosalina” in their heat exhaustive sleep. It would have been precious, had Topher and Dyson not ruined the moment by putting the poor slumbering souls’ hands in bowls of warm stalactite water, trying to get them to pee their Goomba-patterned pants. Real mature, guys.

[Check out the original Super Mario Galaxy review here]

So, what do you think? Only one of the above games will take the coveted crown. Which will win Destructoid Game of the Year? What is your pick for favorite game of 2007? Check back tomorrow for the dramatic results.

____________________________________________

... and for the curious, here is a short list of honorable mentions. But as my father has always said: “Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades!”

Contra 4
Crackdown
Eternal Sonata
Geometry Wars: Galaxies
God of War II
Halo 3
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
Odin Sphere
Persona 3
Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords
Rock Band
Taiko no Tatsujin DS
Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros’ Treasure



MORE IN OUR Destructoid SECTION

Latest comment by AfroJoel |view all 213 comments
@TheStripe Well, I think Halo's fun :( Also, Rock Band isn't released in Australia yet, so It's not a 2007 game for me. Also, Portal the rest of The Orange Box fyi...



aborto thefetus's Avatar
aborto thefetus at 12/27/2007 12:44

SMG FTW!
kwaselow's Avatar
kwaselow at 12/27/2007 12:45

my vote: Super Mario Galaxy
blehman's Avatar
blehman at 12/27/2007 12:46

SMG is one of the funnest games I've played in a long, long time.
BlindsideDork's Avatar
BlindsideDork at 12/27/2007 12:48

As much as I want to say Galaxy...I haven't played it, it is next in line of my games. So I am all for the Orange Box!

Aren't we all glad Halo 3 isn't on it?
Simmons 2pt0's Avatar
Simmons 2pt0 at 12/27/2007 12:48

Teh Orange Box, yays!
Fadakar's Avatar
Fadakar at 12/27/2007 12:50

SMG.
Krayven's Avatar
Krayven at 12/27/2007 12:50

I've only played through the Good Egg Galaxy of SMG so far.. but I'd say that it definitely should win.
Novakaine's Avatar
Novakaine at 12/27/2007 12:52

I wonder how much more shit Linde's gonna get if Bioshock wins GotY.

Anyway, I love SMG, but Orange Box is just too good. It's really quite unfair to have to contend against all that's in that compilation.
Tragic Hero's Avatar
Tragic Hero at 12/27/2007 12:54

Orange Box. TF2 and Portal are the most fun I've had with games in a while (besides Persona 3).

Did you know: I got TF2 and Portal for free before it came out? When I bought my Sapphire Tech Radeon HD 2900 pro I got what they called the "black box" at the time which included Half life 2: episode 2, Team Fortress 2, and Portal. I had to wait for them a bit but I got to download them about 3 weeks before they came out. Aren't I awesome?
bluexy's Avatar
bluexy at 12/27/2007 12:54

Super Mario Galaxy 100%. The others are all great in their own respects, but Galaxy is just... wow. Such a great game.
aborto thefetus's Avatar
aborto thefetus at 12/27/2007 12:56

@BSD

I am very glad Halo isn't on the list.
DeusPayne's Avatar
DeusPayne at 12/27/2007 13:00

Portal alone should beat out most games, so the orange box should be running away with this. Quality, quantity, and price, that's nice.
Roryzilla's Avatar
Roryzilla at 12/27/2007 13:00

I liked Bioshock, The Orange Box, and I thought Mario Galaxy was really good too. I'm playing Mass Effect, and I'm not sure if I like it.
madninja's Avatar
madninja at 12/27/2007 13:01

Man, I haven't played two of the games and I still can't decide which one to pick. Portal, Bioshock and SMG are all great games.
ShadowXOR's Avatar
ShadowXOR at 12/27/2007 13:03

Orange Box, Mario Galaxy, and Call of Duty 4 are way up there for me.

Mass Effect isn't my type of game so I can't comment, and while Bioshock was great I think it's overrated and the game it spawned from was much better.
Reeper's Avatar
Reeper at 12/27/2007 13:07

GoW 2 was an '07 game?
Kryptinite's Avatar
Kryptinite at 12/27/2007 13:07

Either Bioshock for actually putting a compelling story in a FPS, no I haven't finished Half-Life yet, or SMG because it's just simply amazing.
commish's Avatar
commish at 12/27/2007 13:09

Assassin's Creed should of at least got an honorable mention but my vote would go towards Mass Effect due to how much time I have already wasted in that galaxy
Pepillou2's Avatar
Pepillou2 at 12/27/2007 13:11

SMG
NAO
Cheeburga's Avatar
Cheeburga at 12/27/2007 13:11

Orange Box.
Or Mass Effect...
Or Bioshock.
Or CoD4.

Fuck.
Taicho's Avatar
Taicho at 12/27/2007 13:11

This looks more like a "Best Graphics" award. Minus Crysis plus SMG.

I vote for Halo.
dadudebob's Avatar
dadudebob at 12/27/2007 13:11

super mario galaxy is amazing, the other games seem darker, none are asfun or funny
Chad Concelmo's Avatar
Chad Concelmo at 12/27/2007 13:11

@Reeper,
Yeah, it was. I feel bad it was kind of forgotten by all the major industry people. It ranked way up there on my personal Top Ten.
DTwirler's Avatar
DTwirler at 12/27/2007 13:13

No honorable mention for Assassin's Creed? Boo. I would give GOTY to Bioshock.
JohnnyWadd's Avatar
JohnnyWadd at 12/27/2007 13:14

Very tough choice this year, between bioshock and COD4 but i would go with the latter based soley on replayability.
Zero Iscariot's Avatar
Zero Iscariot at 12/27/2007 13:16

Xbox 360 for game of the year!

or Crackdown.
Holyetheline's Avatar
Holyetheline at 12/27/2007 13:18

I'm all about Super Mario Galaxy. I've played all of the games and I totally think SMG surpasses the others.
ShadowXOR's Avatar
ShadowXOR at 12/27/2007 13:19

Halo isn't anywhere near the quality that a GotY should require.

Also...I think there are way too many FPS games on these lists...and I love them.
CaptainApocalypse's Avatar
CaptainApocalypse at 12/27/2007 13:21

@Heretic

I need one of those.

Also, Bioshock can haz GOTY now?
Chad Concelmo's Avatar
Chad Concelmo at 12/27/2007 13:23

@Heretic,
You mean not Game of the Year. :)
big filth's Avatar
big filth at 12/27/2007 13:24

easy choice. COD 4.
Rainbowblack's Avatar
Rainbowblack at 12/27/2007 13:28

I'm torn between TOB and Bioshiock.

as for SMG...i had it day one..and it's still not finished. it failed to capture me in the way i hoped it would. still a solid title though.
h3lios's Avatar
h3lios at 12/27/2007 13:29

OMFG Persona 3 ftw!

Oh wait, i saw what you did there. Orange Box it is then.

Also i am glad to see a non-bullshit, straight up list that doesn't bother about what the pimple on a PR exec's ass thinks.

More power to the d-toid crew!
qwerty's Avatar
qwerty at 12/27/2007 13:29

all of those games piss me off in some way or another (never played mario, but that princess is just gonna need to be rescued again next time. It wouldn't kill mario to have a story)

Bioshock had the worst ending in any game this year

Mass effect feels like a beta

COD4 was shorter than heavenly sword and no one seemed to care. And it wasn't even in HD (all though it still looked great)

Orange box.... never mind orange box is the shit,

I guess OB for the win?

Uncharted is better than most of the honorable mentions. I would say Ratchet deserves a nod too.
Knives's Avatar
Knives at 12/27/2007 13:32

I haven't played Mass Effect yet but I think I still would pick The Orange Box if I had. Btw, everyone's companion cube will cry if it doesn't win =(.
robotplague's Avatar
robotplague at 12/27/2007 13:33

The only game up there that didn't really grab me by the balls was COD4. I liked it, but I wasn't hooked like I was with the others. Mass Effect is great, but it has far too many flaws to justify being my GOTY. Super Mario Galaxy, Orange Box and Bioshock all really grabbed me and hooked me in. In the end though, I would have to pick The Orange Box.
coire's Avatar
coire at 12/27/2007 13:35

GAL-AX-Y

It has to be the Plumber.
The Round Peg's Avatar
The Round Peg at 12/27/2007 13:36

Mass Effect!?!?

Didn't you guys TOTALLY rip apart that game, first in your infamous PAX 2007 preview ("Mass Effect is disappointing, but nice looking"), and then a review that gives it the lowest score on GameRankings??

You guys don't even try to be consistent!
dvddesign 's Avatar
dvddesign at 12/27/2007 13:38

Doki Doki Majo Shimpan is NOT on this list. WTF?!

Pfft. Fine. Bioshock or Portal gets my vote.
Sharpless's Avatar
Sharpless at 12/27/2007 13:39

The Orange Box should win, even though it isn't actually a game. More to the point, Portal should win. Mario will probably take it though... fags. ;)
AngelicLiver's Avatar
AngelicLiver at 12/27/2007 13:39

As spoiled as we've been this year, I'll have to say Super Mario Galaxy hands down.

BioShock, CoD 4, The Orange Box and Mass Effect blew me away too but the unparalleled joy I felt when playing UR MR GAY clinches it for me. I'd also say Okami too, as we brits got that very, very late and technically it's a 2007 game for us.
bottled dark's Avatar
bottled dark at 12/27/2007 13:41

where the fuck is high school musical 2: karaoke sing a long?

i vote....

...

Odin Sphere, because PS2 should get GOTY
nilcam's Avatar
nilcam at 12/27/2007 13:42

Chalk another one up for SMG. I haven't felt such awe in a game in many years.
Snaileb 's Avatar
Snaileb at 12/27/2007 13:43

Johnny Wadd put it nicely, and I agree : Between Bioshock, Mass Effect, and COD4, I would choose COD4 only because of the replay value for Multiplayer.

So, how the crap did Grim pin himself and try to gnaw his own leg off!?
Polish Hill's Avatar
Polish Hill at 12/27/2007 13:45

Orange Box
Chad Concelmo's Avatar
Chad Concelmo at 12/27/2007 13:46

@The Round Peg,
The review and preview were two people's opinions. These nominations are compiled by the entire staff. And I have to say, there were multiple editors that loooooved them some Mass Effect. :)
vexed alex's Avatar
vexed alex at 12/27/2007 13:46

I don't understand Zelda's repetitive appeal, but this is not my list so I can't really complain. Halo 3 was the same, but it's the 3rd game. Zelda's had many with little innovations and people love them unconditionally. Subjectiveness, kids. Me personally, I think Halo 3 should be up there with Call of Duty. That's just because I enjoy it so much, and that's my opinion.

I also enjoyed CoD 4, but the multiplayer felt the same with every gametype. I enjoy Halo's matchmaking more and their game types. And yes, I do enjoy both, just one a tad more than the other. You can't get a Halo post without some asshat saying, "Halo 3? NOOOOO! COD 4!!!!!"

But, yeah. Typical GotY list. I can predict that Bioshock or Orange Box will win. And they deserve it.
kintaeb's Avatar
kintaeb at 12/27/2007 13:48

Orange Box, COD4, and SMG are all great games. I personally loved the story to COD4 about as much as Rev did. Portal is incredible, I beat it the first day I got the game, but I still go back and play it for its sheer brilliance. As I haven't played HL2 before I'm currently playing through that, and it is either balls hard or I just blow, great game though. TF2 was fun, but I find any online game boring if you aren't playing with people you know. And SMG is just damn fun.

For some reason Bioshock intrigued me, but never really held me, I have yet to finish the game and I'm in Point Promethius. It's solid, but not my GoTY.

Can I call a 3 way tie? :P
Chad Concelmo's Avatar
Chad Concelmo at 12/27/2007 13:49

@qwerty,
I think Uncharted: Drake's Fortune and Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction would have been serious contenders (especially Ratchet) had more people on the staff owned a PlayStation 3. It's the sad truth.
micropizzle's Avatar
micropizzle at 12/27/2007 13:49

Orange Box.
monosylabik's Avatar
monosylabik at 12/27/2007 13:49

rollingeyes.gif

2007 the year of slightly above average FPS's.
im quite surprised uncharted didnt at least get a honorable mention. i thought that proved more so than bioshock how well storys could be told in games.
monkeyspoon5's Avatar
monkeyspoon5 at 12/27/2007 13:52

Since I can't judge, no one should take this opinion seriously, as I have only played one of the games. But Super Mario Galaxy blew me away. I want that soundtrack NAO!
NightDehumidifier's Avatar
NightDehumidifier at 12/27/2007 13:53

NINJABREAD MAN!
vexed alex's Avatar
vexed alex at 12/27/2007 13:54

@ qwert

"COD4 was shorter than heavenly sword and no one seemed to care. And it wasn't even in HD (all though it still looked great)"

I'm sorry for the double post, but what the fuck? Why do people have this insane length expectation of games? It's doesn't matter how great of a time they had during the experience, you'll hate it because it wasn't over 12 hours.

To be honest, if Portal was a retail game, I'd pay $50 for it and be glad I did. That's how much of a great experience Portal was, and I don't give a shit how long it was.

Also, Zelda should of have been replaced with Ratchet. But still...my opinion.

:D
Sphinx 13's Avatar
Sphinx 13 at 12/27/2007 13:57

Mass Effect
charliesuh's Avatar
charliesuh at 12/27/2007 14:02

SUPER MARIO GALAXY

also, U R MR GAY!
VWGTI's Avatar
VWGTI at 12/27/2007 14:03

Call of Duty 4 hands down.
leiden's Avatar
leiden at 12/27/2007 14:06

Orange Box, pretty easy since it had a bunch of amazing games included FOR ONE GREAT PRICE!
Imako's Avatar
Imako at 12/27/2007 14:06

my vote goes to Orange Box, if we were voting that is.
brainderailment's Avatar
brainderailment at 12/27/2007 14:06

O-box takes the cake! Did I just do that? shit
Jetsetlemming's Avatar
Jetsetlemming at 12/27/2007 14:12

Portal alone, there can be no others. Adding Ep2 and TF2 to that is just making the competition laughably unfair to the other games. The Orange Box wins at life, and GOTY.
znt's Avatar
znt at 12/27/2007 14:13

Super Mario Galaxy
gamesronlygames's Avatar
gamesronlygames at 12/27/2007 14:14

GOTY as a broad over-arching category is unintelligent. Every genre should have its GOTY and that is it. How could anyone say shoes are better than a shirt etc. So why do we perpetuate this stupid declassification of games by saying oe game is the best. How can someone say an RPG game is better than a FPS? SO PLEASE DESTRUCTOID GIVE EACH GENRE A GAME OF THE YEAR AND LEAVE IT AT THAT. BReak the mold-that is why we like your site! SMG was the best platformer hands down. Call of duty best FPS, Mass Effect best RPG, best multiplayer COD4,etc,etc
qwerty's Avatar
qwerty at 12/27/2007 14:18

@Vex, I pretty much agree with you. I just don't like that some great games get slammed for length and some don't.

@Chad. Maybe I should donate some ps3's to the Toid.
Cheeburga's Avatar
Cheeburga at 12/27/2007 14:20

Crusin'
Simmy's Avatar
Simmy at 12/27/2007 14:22

I haven't even played half of the games mentioned here. It's probably because I don't want to shell out what little cash I have a game I'm going to complete far too quickly. But then I guess most FPS are going to be fairly short SP games.

I personally liked S.T.A.L.K.E.R purely cus you could do pretty much what you wanted without consequence. Fair enough the graphics aren't great and it eats my system resources like theres no tomorrow but I just enjoy playing it too damn much.

As for a game from the above list I'll pick The OB. I haven't seen such value for money in quite some time, it's got several great games that should keep most people entertained for months.
Turtule Soup's Avatar
Turtule Soup at 12/27/2007 14:22

CRACKDOWN FTW lol
ZServ's Avatar
ZServ at 12/27/2007 14:23

BioShock, SMG's boring as fuck.
supremeFronk's Avatar
supremeFronk at 12/27/2007 14:24

ORANGE BOX. lol...crackdown
rpbowlinggod's Avatar
rpbowlinggod at 12/27/2007 14:24

vote for the BOX! (orange that is, not the other one...no wait)
iNerd's Avatar
iNerd at 12/27/2007 14:32

Portal.
Lightthrower's Avatar
Lightthrower at 12/27/2007 14:34

Mass Effect ftw!
Brandon2520's Avatar
Brandon2520 at 12/27/2007 14:35

Mass Effect!
The Johnggernaut's Avatar
The Johnggernaut at 12/27/2007 14:42

COD 4!

But I'd settle for any choice other than Biocock!
Cheeburga's Avatar
Cheeburga at 12/27/2007 14:45

Wait!
Best Arcade Game: YARIS
Knigge's Avatar
Knigge at 12/27/2007 14:49

For me it's a tie between Mass Effect and Bioshock. But if someone were to put a gun to my head, I'd probably go with Mass Effect on replayability alone.
dprime's Avatar
dprime at 12/27/2007 14:49

Virtual Console Release of Super Mario Bros. 3
wardrox's Avatar
wardrox at 12/27/2007 14:52

BioShock or I poop in your shoes dammit!
Topher Cantler's Avatar
Topher Cantler at 12/27/2007 15:01

They totally did pee their pants, too. don't let them try to convince you otherwise.
Rbj's Avatar
Rbj at 12/27/2007 15:02