Major Video Games Released in 2007: A Landmark Year

2007 is widely considered one of gaming's greatest years. Below are the most notable releases by genre/platform.

Action / Adventure / Shooter

• BioShock (PC, 360, PS3) – Irrational/2K Boston. FPS with narrative depth, plasmid powers, Rapture.
• Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (PC, 360, PS3) – Infinity Ward. Revolutionized military shooters; created modern MP template.
• Crysis (PC) – Crytek. Tech benchmark; nanosuit sandbox.
• Halo 3 (360) – Bungie. Trilogy closer; Forge, Theater, legendary MP.
• The Orange Box (PC, 360, PS3) – Valve. Half-Life 2: Episode Two, Portal, Team Fortress 2.
• Uncharted: Drake's Fortune (PS3) – Naughty Dog. Cinematic TPS launch.
• Assassin's Creed (PS3, 360, PC) – Ubisoft Montreal. First entry; parkour, historical setting.

RPG

• Mass Effect (360, PC) – BioWare. Choice-driven sci-fi RPG.
• The Witcher (PC) – CD Projekt RED. Dark fantasy, choice/consequence.
• Persona 3 (PS2) – Atlus. JRPG + social sim; FES/Portable later.
• Final Fantasy XII (PS2) – Square Enix. Ivalice, gambit system, Zodiac Job System (IZJS 2007 JP).
• Eternal Sonata (360, PS3) – Tri-Crescendo. Chopin-themed JRPG.

Platformer / Action

• Super Mario Galaxy (Wii) – Nintendo EAD. 3D masterpiece; gravity mechanics.
• Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (Wii) – Retro Studios. FPA conclusion; motion aiming.
• Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction (PS3) – Insomniac. First PS3 entry.

Music / Rhythm

• Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (PS2, 360, PS3, Wii, PC) – Neversoft. Peak GH popularity.
• Rock Band (360, PS3, PS2, Wii) – Harmonix. Full band debut.

Sports / Racing

• Forza Motorsport 2 (360) – Turn 10. Sim racing standard.
• Skate (360, PS3) – EA Black Box. Flick-it controls, realism.
• FIFA 08 / Madden 08 / NBA 2K8 / NHL 08 – Annual iterations.

Strategy / Simulation

• S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl (PC) – GSC. Immersive sim/FPS hybrid.
• Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts (PC) – Relic.
• The Sims 2: Seasons / Bon Voyage (PC) – Maxis.

Handheld Highlights

• Pokémon Diamond / Pearl (DS) – Gen 4, Wi-Fi trading.
• The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (DS) – Touch controls.
• Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions (PSP) – Enhanced port.
• God of War: Chains of Olympus (PSP) – Ready at Dawn.
• Professor Layton & the Curious Village (DS) – Level-5.

Why 2007 Mattered

• HD consoles (360/PS3) hit stride.
• Wii motion controls mainstream.
• Digital distribution (Steam, XBLA, PSN) accelerated.
• Indie breakout: Braid (XBLA 2008, PC 2007), AudioSurf, World of Goo (2008).

For exhaustive lists: Wikipedia 2007 in video games, Metacritic 2007.