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July 12th, 2003

Best Graphics in a Console Game

Winner: Halo (Xbox)

The Xbox did some graphics pioneering when it launched, presenting us with some eye-popping visuals. Our voters were most wowed by Halo. And why not? Beautiful, massive outdoor environments with realistic looking trees, and weather effects like snow. Great looking vehicles that bounced along like they were some off-roading simulation in the labs of General Motors. Way cool weapon effects. Cool architecture. Detailed textures. Lovely lighting effects. Creatures who looked moist and crunchy when you killed them, and whose death animation was consistent with the lethal blow. And despite the detailed graphics, lots of monsters on the screen too. Okay, I'm going to stop writing this and go play it again now. -Jason MacIsaac

Other Nominees
Dead or Alive 3 (Xbox)
Star Wars: Rogue Squadron II (GC)
Ico (PS2)
Final Fantasy X (PS2)
Madden NFL 2002 (PS2/Xbox)

Best Sound in a Console Game

Winner: Obi-Wan (Xbox)

While Obi-Wan wasn't the masterpiece we were hoping for (you'll find it was also nominated for a more dubious category this year), there were two things it did exceptionally well--simulate fighting as a Jedi, and sound. The way that lightsaber hummed as it cut through the air. The steady whum-whum-whum as you threw it at a crew of battledroids. The spark and buzz as you cleaved those droids in half, and the metal clanging as they hit the floor in two pieces. And of course, the John Williams score. Don't believe us? Have a friend play Obi-Wan and sit and listen with your eyes close. It sounds as good as the movie. -Jason MacIsaac

Other Nominees
Frequency (PS2)
Star Wars: Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader (GC)
Halo (Xbox)
Devil May Cry (PS2)
SSX Tricky (Xbox/PS2/GC)
Extreme G-3 (PS2/GC)

Most Artistic Console Game

Winner: Silent Hill 2 (PS2/Xbox)

Although I concede that FFX has better graphics than Silent Hill 2, there just isn't any comparison between the two in terms of how compelling the visuals are. Silent Hill 2's cinematic, scratchy look and the surrealistic layout of the city and the game are much more evocative than the world in FFX, which presents us with eye candy but not much substance. -Charlotte Chen

Other Nominees
Final Fantasy X (PS2)
Jak & Daxter (PS2)
Ico (PS2)
Metal Gear Solid 2 (PS2)
Conker’s Bad Fur Day (N64)

Best Multiplayer Console Game

Winner: Halo (Xbox)

After you've finished the awesome solo game in Halo, what do you do with all your skills? Thankfully Bungie has created several intelligent multiplayer arenas to square off against friend and foe. A ton of different gameplay modes, including a "must play" co-operative adventure mode completes the killer multiplayer story. Bonus: thanks to GameSpy's Xbox Tunnel service, gamers with broadband access and a PC have been playing Halo online and loving every minute of it. –Victor Lucas

Other Nominees
Dead or Alive 3 (Xbox)
NFL 2K2/NBA 2K2 (Dreamcast)
NHL Hitz 20-02 (GC/Xbox/PS2)
James Bond Agent Under Fire (PS2)
Twisted Metal: Black (PS2)

Best Console Adventure Game

Winner: Metal Gear Solid 2 (PS2)

Not only does Metal Gear Solid 2 provide complex, flexible, and satisfying gameplay, but it is also forefront in leading interactive entertainment into relevance. For perhaps the first time, we have a top-selling, high-profile videogame that addresses ideas and concerns pertinent to the culture in which it operates, and introspective upon ideas of weight and consequence. The marriage is less than perfect, but the ambition is something we sorely need if our favourite form of entertainment is ever going to shake off the muck of dexterity-testing time-wasting and expand into the realms of art. -Jules

Other Nominees
Silent Hill 2 (PS2/Xbox)
Devil May Cry (PS2)
Escape From Monkey Island (PS2)
ICO (PS2)
Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee (Xbox)

Best Console RPG

Winner: Final Fantasy X (PS2)

Set in a world of truly surpassing beauty and fantasy, Final Fantasy X provides any console gamer with continuous rewards of discovery and character development. Combine that stylishly with an engaging combat system and a Quixotic quest, and the result is not only an obvious choice for console role-playing game of the year, and of the PlayStation 2, but also of all time. -Jules

Other Nominees
Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance (PS2)
Paper Mario (N64)
Dragon Warrior VII (PSX)
Shadow Hearts (PS2)
Dark Cloud (PS2)

Best Console Driving Game

Winner: Grand Theft Auto III (PS2)

You may be surprised to see GTA3 at the top of this category, especially when it was up against stiff competition like Gran Turismo 3, but think about it. This game offers a huge variety of vehicles that are all yours for the taking--humvee, bus, firetruck. All the vehicles handle well and each one handles differently as it should. There are extreme elements like insane jumps and being able to drive through the subway. And finally the open ended gameplay that is GTA3's crown jewel makes this way more involving and replayable than a racer where you have to stay on the track.

Other Nominees
Project Gotham Racing (Xbox)
Gran Turismo 3 (PS2)
SpyHunter (PS2)
Twisted Metal: Black (PS2)
Extreme G-3 (PS2/GC)
Le Mans 24hr (PS2)

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