Advent Calendar 2011: Day Five

For the next few days, while I get ready to announce this year's Game of the Year and Film of the Year shortlists for you to vote on and me to choose my own favourite out of, I thought it would be a  good idea to look back on the releases I would have given to in previous years. So, today it's...
2007: GAME OF THE YEAR
WINNER: HALO 3
Bungie had always done Xbox owners proud with their Halo franchise, but it was not until 2007 when they released their fantastic conclusion to the main trilogy, Halo 3. This one mixed up all of the best elements of the series (Scarabs! Sandbox! More Scarabs!) while providing more innovative thrills and surprises than ever before, not to mention a fantastic science-fiction plot capable of rivalling Star Wars, Mass Effect and Avatar with ease. Add to that the best multiplayer segment yet, a beautiful Theatre mode and near-infinite replay value and you had yourself the best release of the year by far.
         RUNNER UP: SUPER MARIO GALAXY

But boy, was my choice for 2007's Game of the Year a tough one to make. Super Mario Galaxy was a breakthrough in 3D platforming, the first true must-have title for the Nintendo Wii which showcased its immense visual capabilities, played about with the tried and tested Mario storyline and best of all provided some of the best longevity in a Nintendo game for a long time. Galaxy and its sequel really are the top of their class both for the Wii and for the platforming genre as a whole, and with the huge improvements made come 2010 it's no wonder Super Mario Galaxy 2 won my Game of the Year award last December.