(RTS) Halo Wars — you’re kind of an idiot if you play an RTS game on a console. That’s been the prevailing wisdom for over a decade now, and all the Battle for Middle-Earths and EndWars couldn’t change it, no matter how valiantly they tried. However, the combination of an overhyped franchise and a doomed developer managed to squeak out something that actually plays really well and delivers the RTS goods. I’m man enough to admit when I’m wrong!
(Strategy) Civilization: Revolutions — I’d say this was the best of its kind, but for consoles it’s the only one of its kind, so it could still kinda suck. Luckily, it doesn’t; Sid Meier took most of the things that were great about Civilization I (which is probably older than many Xbox Live players) and gave it a streamlined interface and a graphical supercharge.
(Trendy Music Product Tie-in Games) Rock Band 2. While the Guitar Hero franchise is still the choice of most idiots who like to pretend to be entertainers who pretend to be musicians, Rock Band 2 seems to be the choice of more discerning idiots who like to pretend to be entertainers who pretend to be musicians. And look at all the crap you can buy with it! Yay!
(Live Arcade) Hmm…Shadow Complex (a unique and exciting platformer)? Geometry Wars(a classic shooter with lots of pretty colors)? Braid (a personal platforming obsession, for about two days anyway)? All are great choices, but Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 makes a completely awe-inspiring sequel to the surprise first-generation Live Arcade hit.
(Co-op) Left 4 Dead 2 — basically Dawn of the Dead in video game form. Decent enough as a single-player game, but surprisingly addictive in co-op mode. And I’m not much of a co-op player. In fact, a fair part of my attraction to video games is to get away from other people for a while. However, co-op is clearly where the industry has been heading (along with shorter games, more uninspired sequels, more ‘games for non-gamers’, and many other ways to alienate us old-school gamer nerd types). What was I saying? Oh yeah, Left 4 Dead is kinda cool.