Electronic Gaming Monthly's Best Reviewed Games of 2002

Final Fantasy X

#10

If there's a problem with this best and worst series, it's that the years don't always line up perfectly. This usually comes down to the way magazines are published, both with the lede times and release schedule. Because of this, a game released in November or December may not wind up in EGM's pages until the January or February issues. It was common for a January issue to show up on newsstands in December, which meant that the reviews were usually pretty timely. However, because we're using the months and years on the cover to construct these best and worst lists, the results can occasionally be a little messy.

This was especially true in 2002, thanks in large part to both Nintendo's GameCube and the Xbox from Microsoft launching in November. But even if we ignore two massive console launches, the end of 2001 also brought us Grand Theft Auto III, Metal Gear Solid 2 and a number of other heavy hitters. With so many games released during the holiday season, Electronic Gaming Monthly didn't get to most of it until the January and February 2002 issues. This means that exactly half of this episode will be devoted to catching up on launch games, triple-A sequels and Final Fantasy X, which just so happens to be the tenth best reviewed game of 2002.

"As I expected, Final Fantasy X is a technical milestone, a stunning example of what oodles of money and expertise can extract from the PS2," starts Shane. "The graphics shine, the battles thrill, and the voice acting entertains. However, that's not why it is the best Final Fantasy of the last decade. All those glorious graphics are just gravy, as the lovable characters and compelling story provide the true heart of FFX." Greg didn't have a lot to say about the character and story, instead choosing to talk about the revamped fighting style. "I personally hope they never go back to the old active time battle formula." He gave the lowest score and complained that the new leveling up system may screw you over at the end of the game. With an average of 9.3 out of 10, Final Fantasy X doesn't reach the same heights as VII, VIII and IX, but I wouldn't call it a disappointment.

SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs

#9

In a world that is overflowing with first- and third-person online shooters, it's sometimes hard to remember a time when there were only a handful to choose from. This was especially true for console gamers during the early parts of the 21st century. It's easy to say that SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs was Sony's answer to Halo, but this squad-based tactical shooter managed to stand on its own and provide PlayStation 2 owners with the first truly convincing reason to take their console online. It helped lay the groundwork for a lot of modern military shooters, and the EGM critics were quick to sing its praises.

What I find funny about these old reviews is how little they talk about the online multiplayer mode. Mark, for example, spends 75% of his review comparing the computer A.I. to Dustin Hoffman in Rain Man and going into detail about the single-player campaign. He eventually gets there, saying that the "multiplayer is the real reason to buy SOCOM. The realistic weapons and possibility of one-shot deaths give it a visceral excitement other shooters lack." For his part, Crispin focused his attention on the online modes: "Creeping through bushes and covering buddies' backs will pump your pulse to turbo speed." Che went a step further, saying that SOCOM "would easily have scored a 10 for its addictive multiplayer mode and innovative use of sound," but couldn't quite get there because most people didn't have broadband internet in 2002. He's not wrong, but that seems like a crummy reason to deduct points. With an average of 9.3 out of 10, SOCOM; U.S. Navy SEALs is EGM's ninth best reviewed game of the year.

Grand Theft Auto III

#8

In a year filled with console launches and mega-budget blockbuster hits, it was Grand Theft Auto III that proved to be the biggest surprise. It's important to remember that this was a game that was largely ignored prior to release, and it's easy to see why. Not only was the E3 demo rough in all the worst ways, but it was part of a franchise with a very spotty track record. EGM gave the original Grand Theft Auto and its sequel, as well as London 1969, each an average score of 6.5 out of 10, so it's safe to say that expectations were low that Rockstar would be able to pull off such an ambitious project. But pull it off they did, and this 2001 action game went on to become one of the most influential games of all time.

"This game is set in a sprawling metropolis called Liberty City, and I can't think of a better name for the place," explains Crispin. "Grand Theft Auto III gives you the freedom to do enough stuff to fill 10 games. I wasted hours picking up fares in a taxi, chasing crooks in a cop car, hitting ramps for stunt bonuses and exploring the different parts of town." Milkman echoed those thoughts, noting that "of all the incredible things that GTA3 does, what amazes me the most is how much stuff is crammed in there. It's rare when a game limited to one genre manages to get everything right." He gave it a 10 and argued that "the level of detail in this game is so great, you could spend weeks trying to discover everything." "A game like this could have gotten too big and too ambitious for its own good, but no matter how you choose to spend your time, getting back to your primary objective is always an easy process." Oh, if only Milkman could look into the future and see how big and ambitious this series would become. With all the high marks, Grand Theft Auto III manages to score an average of 9.3 out of 10.

Super Mario Sunshine

#7

Talk about pressure. How are you supposed to follow up a game that was not only the most influential 3D platformer ever made, but also the sequel EGM ranked the fourth and then fifth best game of all time? If you're Nintendo, you send Super Mario on a vacation and funnel all that pressure into a water pack. Although wildly fun and imaginative, Super Mario Sunshine wasn't as novel as Super Mario 64. 3D platforming was old hat by 2002, what with pretty much every developer trying to once again mimic Nintendo. As a result, some might have considered Super Mario Sunshine a bit of a letdown at the time, but the review crew at EGM didn't seem too concerned.

"Super Mario Sunshine is 100% pure, unadulterated fun," starts John. "The moment you start playing, everything just clicks -- the same way it did with Mario 64 -- and you immediately know you're in for a hell of a ride." Greg initially seems disappointed that the only major gameplay upgrade comes in the form of a water pack, but concludes that "it adds an entirely new dimension to the game -- this isn't just another Mario 64." His only other complaint was that the "camera is still a little screwy," something Nintendo couldn't seem to get right. Mark also brought up the camera concerns, but chose to spend most of his review gushing over the ghost hunting, squid surfing, roller coaster riding and sheer variety found in Super Mario Sunshine. Everybody loved the colorful graphics, inventive levels and fun gameplay, ultimately giving this GameCube classic an average of 9.5 out of 10, the exact same score they gave Super Mario 64.

Super Smash Bros. Melee

#6

Super Smash Bros. Melee was the exact moment when Electronic Gaming Monthly went from liking this odd fighting game franchise to absolutely loving it. With an average of 8.6 out of 10, the Nintendo 64 original received solid scores, but was nowhere near the top of the pack. This GameCube sequel adds everything you could possibly want to the formula, including better characters, cooler secrets, a crazy single-player mode and more levels based on your favorite Nintendo games. Smash Bros. was suddenly a real contender, not some silly spin-off like Mario Party.

That said, Chris wasn't initially impressed with this sequel: "When we first got Melee in the office, I took it home, played a few rounds, and put the controller down, unimpressed. Later, while exploring the game's many options, I stumbled into Event mode and suddenly couldn't stop playing. What I expected to be a tacked-on, half-assed extra mode was really the meat of the game." Dan Hsu was also surprised, but in a different way: "This Godzilla of a game really surprised me, as early demos indicated this was little more than a ho-hum update. But the final product is mind-blowing; it gives you so much to play with." He did have one worry -- that Smash Bros. might only be for the hardcore market. "The frantic, chaotic fighting may confuse more casual gamers, and the non-Nintendo faithful won't appreciate all the goodies from the venerable company." Funny, I've always felt like Smash Bros. was made for the casual market, but I can see that point. With all three critics in complete agreement, Super Smash Bros. Melee averages a punchy 9.5 out of 10.

Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

#5

Much like the game itself, the Metal Gear Solid 2 reviews are something of a conundrum. If you were to simply read them, you might think the editors gave it 7s or 8s, but all three critics gave the much-anticipated sequel a 9.5, planting it firmly in the fifth-place position on this countdown. Mark even starts his review by explaining that Metal Gear Solid 2 is not an easy game to review: "The overall quality is unquestionably high -- some of the best graphics on a home game yet, ridiculously detailed environments packed with secrets, tiny jokes and optional extras, replay bolstered by collectibles and harder difficulties, and control that you can truly master ... but the story ... how can I put this ... sucks ass. I kept assuming it would get better, that the end would hold some incredible explanation that would cause something to make perfect sense in retrospect, but it never happened. In fact, the plot got worse and worse, piling twist onto twist until, near the end, I was literally laughing at how ridiculous it had all become."

Jonathan argued that he wanted to give the game a 9.8, docking the game only for the overcooked story. "All the double-crosses and heady political talk break up the game's momentum and leave your melon spinning by the end of the adventure." Even Che notes that "if this is indeed the last in the series, then it ends, as one villain quotes in the game, 'not with a bang, but a whimper.'" Like I said, these are surprisingly negative takes for a game with three near-perfect scores. Sure, they liked so much about the game, but you would think that a crummy story would knock a few more points off the final rating. Mark literally spent two-thirds of his review complaining about how much the story "sucks ass." Even though I'm dubious that the scores line up with the reviews, Metal Gear Solid 2 averages a stealthy 9.5 out of 10.

Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance

#4

There's nothing I love more than when one of these lists surprises me. I go into these years expecting high scores for games like Metal Gear Solid 2, Grand Theft Auto III and Final Fantasy X, but who would have guessed that Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance would beat them all? This is the second year in a row where a Castlevania sequel on the Game Boy Advance manages to find its way towards the top of the list. What's even more impressive is that this 2002 installment managed to outscore last year's Circle of the Moon. In fact, Harmony of Dissonance scored so well that it currently holds the title of EGM's best reviewed Castlevania game, high above classics like Symphony of the Night and Dracula's Curse.

Greg sums it up perfectly: "Circle of the Moon was really good, but Harmony of Dissonance is great. Just about everything I didn't like about the first GBA vampire-slaying adventure has been fixed here." He concluded that he hasn't been "this into a Castlevania game since Symphony of the Night" and gave it a 10. John wasn't ready to give it a perfect score, but he did call it the "perfect mix of action and exploration." "Several nights in a row I found myself playing until two or three in the morning, continually promising myself that I'd go to bed after finishing 'just one more area.'" He later gripes that the boss battles are too easy and the music is a big step down from Circle of the Moon. Minor nitpicks aside, Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance averaged a series high of 9.7 out of 10.

Virtua Fighter 4

#3

I'm sorry sports fans, but the renaissance is over. After honoring football, hockey and soccer, EGM is back to ignoring them completely. In their place are the fighting games, which had been largely absent from the countdown since SoulCalibur in 1999. But thanks to Super Smash Bros. Melee and now Virtua Fighter 4, the genre is back and more diverse than ever. This was a return to form for Sega, who is making the list for the very first time as a third-party publisher. After a mixed reception for the third installment, Virtua Fighter 4 reminded critics and players why they fell in love with the series in the first place.

Che couldn't believe the game's depth: "The amount of interaction you have in the Training mode, and the length to which Virtua Fighter 4 actually eases you into the deep-as-hell gameplay, is something unprecedented. In fact, VF4's many features are so innovative, anything less from future console fighters will be disappointing." Milkman agreed, choosing to write a snarky letter to SoulCalibur. "I'm sorry it had to be like this, but I've met someone else. What you and I had will always be special, but I need some room to grow and find myself. The new love of my life gives me joy in so many ways." Those ways included the cool promotion system, incredible A.I., beautiful graphics and deep gameplay. With an average of 9.8 out of 10, Virtua Fighter 4 earns its spot as EGM's third best reviewed game of 2002.

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

#2

Like pretty much everybody else, Electronic Gaming Monthly was caught off guard by both the ambition and impact of Grand Theft Auto III. They were not going to make the same mistake eleven issues later when it came to Vice City, a spin-off of sorts set in the neon-colored 1980s. The magazine spent the lead-up to release hyping every detail they could find, no matter how big or small, and when they finally published their reviews, all three editors were given a page to tell the reader why it deserved a perfect 10 out of 10 score. EGM knew that this was going to be a huge deal, and they made the most of it.

I like the way Milkman sums up Grand Theft Auto: "Vice City's raven-haired protagonist/antagonist is a macho Super Mario for the 18-and-over crowd. And, as with most Mario titles, casual gamers can enjoy playing around (steal a few cars, finish a few jobs, rub out a few mob bosses) without ever having to finish the game." This is definitely the appeal of the franchise, and one of the reasons why it continues to be popular nearly two decades later. Che argues that Vice City isn't the ultimate flashback, but rather the ultimate payback: "Picking up conceptually where GTA3 left off, Vice City lets you play a mug's game against the sonic backdrop of cold-war Reaganomics. In fact, if there's ever an award given for "Best Music in a Video Game," Vice City would win totally uncontested." Wait ... if there's ever an award? Does Che not know that EGM gave out many different Best Music awards throughout the years?

Greg initially worried that the lead protagonist would no longer be a nameless, voiceless criminal, but quickly got over that. "The story is so well conceived and superbly acted by people like Ray Liotta, Dennis Hopper and Miss Cleo, you get totally drawn into the plot." And unlike Metal Gear Solid 2, Vice City actually has a plot worth talking about. Perhaps that's why all three editors gave this '80s-themed Grand Theft Auto game an average score of 10 out of 10.

Halo: Combat Evolved

#1

At the top of this episode I warned you that many of 2001's biggest games weren't reviewed until EGM's January 2002 issue. That's certainly the case when it comes to Halo and the rest of the Xbox launch line-up. As weird as it is to have Master Chief competing next to Tommy Vercetti, EGM's lede time and release schedule made it unavoidable. But ignore that weirdness for a moment, because Halo will always stand out, no matter what year it is. This was a major sea change for console-based first-person shooters, effectively making GoldenEye 007 and Perfect Dark obsolete with a single shot. It was also the best reviewed game at the Xbox launch, right above Munch's Oddysee, Project Gotham Racing, Dead or Alive 3 and Silent Hill 2. This is easily one of the best launch games ever made.

Kraig decided to compare the game to two of my favorite movies: "This game's plot rivals the best sci-fi movies, and its dark twists made me crap my pants almost as much as the secret in The Crying Game did. Halo's atmosphere keeps you on edge with a perfect combination of wonder and suspense reminiscent of Aliens." "Kick ass," proclaims Jeanne Kim, who just so happens to be the first woman to be quoted in one of these EGM Best & Worst lists. She concludes that "Halo explains what 'next-generation' actually means" and raves about the epic sixteen-player battles. Che got the long review and explained that Halo is "a game that engages your intellect on a whole different level." He liked that you could tackle each part of the game in countless ways, allowing you to plan and execute radically different strategies. He also raved that it "single-handedly raised the bar of graphical and gameplay excellence for all games in the forthcoming system wars." He wasn't wrong. Although it definitely seems a little weird saying this, Halo's average of 10 out of 10 makes it Electronic Gaming Monthly's best reviewed game of 2002. It may sound crazy, but it's true.