Game of the Year

[shams]

I think there are only three (four?) clear candidates:

- Bioshock
- Mass Effect
- Galaxy
- CoD4(?)

As good as Bioshock was, I think its already in peoples memories - with so many good games out since. But it has a chance.

Mass Effect has a real chance, but we'll have to wait for reviews. The issue with ME I have, is that the game is so ambitious - its going to be easy for people to find *some* flaw with it. "RPG not deep enough", "Too much shooting", "Game too linear", "Game not linear enough", etc. We'll see for sure in the coming weeks though.

CoD4 might have a chance(?), but I think its just too generic (a "typical" shooter that is really well done).

Galaxy is the (and my) obvious choice. Firstly, because to date it has received rave reviews across the board (currently #3 best ranked game of all time - on gamerankings).

Secondly, its truly original (with a bunch of original gameplay ideas), and does a great job of reinventing the platforming genre. It also sticks out, and appeals to more as a "pure" game than a sim (or something else).

Dark horse - Guitar Hero 3?

...

I also shouldn't write off Uncharted just yet either. I don't expect it to reach the same heights as R&C (which is also a great game, but just a notch below GOTY level) - but if it does, or exceed it - it could be a contender.