Quarterlies 2004
TomChick - Features - Comments - 01/04/05
10th Best Game of 2004
I hate Steam as much as the next guy. Also, Half-Life 2 isn't nearly as messianic as some British game magazines would have you believe. But it's a yeomen design built on an engine that is every bit as warm and human as the Doom 3 engine is dark and plastic. The gameplay shifts through different styles of artwork and gameplay, some great (Ravenholm and Highway 17) and some not so great (anything involving friendly troops with questionable AI invading your personal space and line of fire, not to mention the disappointing last act). Special kudos to Valve for an understated exposition-free story. There were better shooters this year that offered a more complete package, but none that looked and felt this alive.
9th Best Game of 2004
I don't mean to sound melodramatic, but the story of Kohan II is the story of a rock-solid game betrayed by its publisher and even its fans. It was released at the worst possible time of year, with little to no marketing, and a fumbled distribution. A group of fans from the beta test, apparently upset that it wasn't more like the first game, took every opportunity to loudly bad-mouth Kohan II, many of them violating NDAs and basing their comments on an early beta. Not many games, and certainly not many games this good, have the deck stacked so completely against them.
But the sad circumstances don't change the fact that this is probably the most innovative, steamlined, and accessible RTS since the original Kohan. In terms of pure design, there's not a better RTS out there.
8th Best Game of 2004
Part of the sad story of Kohan II is that pure design is often trumped by flashy execution. Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War is a perfect example. Although I think Kohan II is ultimately a better game, I like Dawn of War better. This is the most satisfying and most visceral RTS I've ever played. With the release of these two games, 2004 was a red letter year for real time strategy.
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