2007 Sports Game of the Year

While Indie games seem to continue to struggle in finding their voice when it comes to Sport Games, there were certainly some memorable sport games this year, especially when it comes putting a bit of a different spin on them.

Wonder what we're talking about? Well let's just say that there are sporting experiences here that you won't find anywhere else. Read ON!

5th Place - Roman Bowl

Developer: Copley Games	Players: 1
System Requirements: Windows 95/98/Me/2000/XP/Vista, DirectX 7.0+, 1 ghz Processor, 256 mb RAM
Website	Download

They're going to blitz again. Everyone in the Coliseum can see it coming and they are all screaming, so why is my wide out staring into the shinny amour of the linesman? We are Romans, we fight with dignity and pride. Our conquests on the battlefield are next to none. Our empire is vast and today we will conquer another foe on this battlefield, even if my wide out is working too hard at giving the enemy a sporting chance.

Looking for different? How about a game of football that features the Romans against the Visigoths? Roman Bowl has some interesting and different takes on that favorite American pastime. Field goals and extra points are made by destroying towers with a catapult, and game play has been simplified back towards the original Tecmo Bowl, if Tecmo Bowl were played with the mouse.

4th Place - Total Pro Golf 2

Developer: Wolverine Studios	Players: 1-4
System Requirements: Windows 95/98/Me/2000/XP/Vista
Website

The score is close, much closer than I'd like. With a birdie on the 16th, I'd positioned myself to win, or so I thought. James Evans struck back with an Eagle on the 17th, and as the crowd responded, I prepared for my approach on the 18th. A few inches to the left would make all the difference, and though I had long ago gone beyond the amateur ranks, at that moment I couldn't help feeling like a rookie all over again.

Total Pro Golf 2 is a simulation game that uses more traditional mouse controls to give players a good taste of the action when they're not letting the computer sim their games. The number of options in the game is simply astounding, and everything from sponsors to multiple tours and character development is lovingly created. The experience is deep enough to keep the golf enthusiast entranced for weeks.

3rd Place - Rack 'Em Up Roadtrip

Developer: Garage Games	Players: 1-2
System Requirements: Windows 2000/XP, DirectX 8.1+, 667 MHz, 64 MB RAM
Website	Download

I really need this shot. After a horrible scratch late in the last round, I'm down one to none in our 3 round match of 9-ball, and down two balls already in this round. That 5 ball is looking ripe for the plucking though. Of course most people would disagree with me, but with a properly located hit of the stick on the cue ball, and just the right touch of strength, the impossible can occur.

Rack 'Em Up Roadtrip passes on the 3D graphics, but delivers a very good game of pool full of interesting characters and locations. The game's inclusion of a variety of billiard types and tournaments as you play your way across America make for one of the more enjoyable pool games in recent memory.

2nd Place - Auto Cross Racing

Developer: KJM Software	Players: 1
System Requirements: Windows 95/98/Me/2000/XP/Vista, DirectX 7.0+, 1 ghz Processor
Website

As the car in front of me slides around the corner, I'm sure I have just enough room to make a daredevil turn and make a couple of spots up. Slamming on the gas and turning sharply, my tires skid as I drift around the corner. That's when the outside car slows just a bit more than I'd expected and clips my front bumper. Spinning across the grass and into the guard rail, I smash up my new racer pretty good, but not bad enough to knock me out. Turning, I get my car headed back in the right direction and make a dash for the Pit stop, and another chance at the checkered flag.

Auto Cross Racing is a tough game. Featuring controls that some might call 'touchy,' it takes a lot of skill to win races (or simply turning off the difficulty in the menu options, but that's the loser's way to win). The variety of tracks provide a lot of racing possibilities and each has hidden hotspots to help increase your cash and get you closer to your purchase of the next cool car, and side paths that could be shortcuts, . The best part of it all is the physics that lead for some great car bumping and interaction that, while not completely realistic, is entirely fun.

2007 Sports Game of the Year - Reach

Developer: MDickie	Players: 1-2
System Requirements: Windows 98/2000/XP/Vista, DirectX 7.0+, 1.6 ghz Processor
Website

I took a couple of shots I had hoped to avoid last match. That's not to say I didn't give a few as well. I was the winner after putting together a nasty two-jab/left-hook combination, but wouldn't you know it, my manager is the one taking all the money winnings. Those are the worst shots to take, the ones where you can't hit back. Of course accidents do happen when you get as close to the ring as my manager does. Sometimes an errant punch can slip and hit an unexpected target, and sometimes the target hit isn't quite so unexpected.

Reach's combination of all the action both in and out of the ring make for a potent arsenal. The game provides tremendous customization options for your character and covers all aspects of boxing, from interactions with your trainer and manager to walking into an office and trying to arrange a fight with another boxer. The in the ring action is satisfying and the ability to sucker punch the referee or your money-grubbing manager, only add to the fun. In short, it's a boxing game that reaches just far enough into innovation to be different, but also hooks in the fun. It's a potent 2-punch combo that lifted Reach to our Sports Game of the Year title.

Sports Game of the Year Award History

History:
2007 - Reach
2006 - Motorama
2005 - New Star Soccer 3
2004 - RocketBowl
2003 - Tennis Critters

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By: Russell Carroll
Posted: Monday December 10, 2007