GC '07: Best of GC winners revealed

With the 2007 Leipzig Games Convention now an event existing solely in the past, the German jury has returned its verdict on this year's "Best of GC" winners. As was seen in the nominees that were announced last week, the Games Convention awarded games by individual platform, as opposed to best in genre. Only games that were in a playable form at the show were eligible for nomination. Kindly enough, the Games Convention jury provided a brief explanation of what set each game above the rest on their respective platforms.

The only game to see nominations on multiple platforms, Konami's Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 scored the most wins with two. Widely regarded as one of the most popular European footballers, PES 2008 was honored on the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3. Of the PS3 version, the GC jury gave praise to the game, saying, "Football is coming home: the best current football game celebrates its PS3 premiere with diving, wall building and complete online support - including leagues and rankings."

While the "Best of GC" nomination list appeared to have more than a few oversights, emerging winners were in line with other awards ceremonies held this year. Notable, and mostly expected, winners include Crytek's Crysis on the PC, 2K Boston's BioShock on the Xbox 360, and Ready at Dawn's God of War: Chains of Olympus on the PlayStation Portable. Oddly, despite announcing two nominees last week, the GC jury named no winner in the mobile category, citing a lack of participants.

This year's award winners, along with the GC jury's rationales for bestowing said honors, are listed below.

Best of PC:
Crysis (Electronic Arts)

Jury: "Developed in Germany, Crysis is an exciting, futuristic battle against alien invaders. The CryENGINE 2 sets a new technological standard, with breathtaking special effects. Intelligent opponents represent a challenge to even the most experienced gamers."

Best of Xbox 360:
BioShock (Take-Two Interactive)

Jury: "Underwater survival in a sunken Art Deco city, countering crazy inhabitants, and constantly faced with the dilemma of what is right and what is wrong: "BioShock" is the most intelligent, most bizarre shooter for years."

Best of PSP:
God of War: Chains of Olympus (Sony Computer Entertainment)

Jury: "'God of War' elevates the action genre to an art form, including on the PlayStation Portable: where other titles descend into brutish slaughter, God of War lends the battlefield a sombre beauty."

Best of PS2:
Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 (Konami Digital Entertainment)

Jury: "Once again, PES 2008 sets new standards as far as game play is concerned: the long-distance shots crackle, the one-on-ones are even more intensive and the opponents adapt to the style of play."

Best of PS3:
Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 (Konami Digital Entertainment)

Jury: "Football is coming home: the best current football game celebrates its PS3 premiere with diving, wall building and complete online support - including leagues and rankings."

Best of Wii:
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (SEGA Germany)

Jury: "We finally discover who can run faster and jump higher. The game unites the former archrivals from Sega and Nintendo, renewing the old feud in the form of a sporting contest. Mario and Sonic manage to translate Olympic disciplines into easily mastered, entertaining games fun."

Best of Nintendo DS:
Flash Focus: Vision Training in Minutes a Day (Nintendo of Europe)

Jury: "Open your eyes and train like a top sportsman! Eye Training trains hand-eye co-ordination, reflexes, visual acuity - and is great fun as well. A non-prescription DS game to be taken daily."

Best of Online:
Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures (Eidos)

Jury: "Finally, an online role-play game for adults. Set in the world of the Barbarians, the adventure combines offline and online game experiences for the first time. Age of Conan could present a challenge to World of Warcraft."

Best of Hardware:
Wii Balance Board (Nintendo of Europe)

Jury: "Press-ups, headers and aerobics: Nintendo manages to combine video games with physical fitness and bring them closer to a new audience. Having already converted the remote control into a controller, the manufacturer now turns scales into a games accessory."

Best of Mobile:
No prize was awarded in this category due to a lack of participants.