EA Games 2007: A Look Back at the Year’s Best Releases

Electronic Arts, commonly known as EA, is one of the world’s largest video game publishers. In 2007, the company released several highly anticipated games that were met with critical acclaim and commercial success. This article will take a closer look at some of EA’s most notable releases from 2007.

The Sims 2: Bon Voyage

The Sims franchise has been a staple in the gaming industry since its initial release in 2000. The Sims 2: Bon Voyage, released in September 2007, was the sixth expansion pack for The Sims 2. The expansion allowed players to take their Sims on vacation to three different destinations: Takemizu Village, a mountainous Japanese-inspired location; Three Lakes, a forested lake area; and Twikkii Island, a tropical paradise.

Bon Voyage added new interactions, objects, and clothing options for Sims to use while on vacation. Players could also choose to stay in a hotel or rent a vacation home. The expansion was well-received by fans and critics alike, with many praising the new locations and activities.

Crysis

Crysis, developed by Crytek and published by EA, was released in November 2007 for PC. The game was a first-person shooter set in a fictional island in the Philippines. Crysis was known for its impressive graphics and advanced physics engine, which allowed for destructible environments and realistic water effects.

Players took on the role of Nomad, a member of a special forces team sent to investigate a mysterious alien structure on the island. Crysis was praised for its open-ended gameplay and nonlinear level design, allowing players to approach objectives in different ways. The game also introduced the Nanosuit, a high-tech suit that gave players enhanced abilities such as invisibility and super strength.

Crysis was a critical success, receiving high scores from numerous gaming publications. However, the game’s high system requirements and steep hardware demands made it difficult to run on many computers at the time.

Rock Band

Rock Band, developed by Harmonix and published by EA, was released in November 2007 for PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. The game was a music rhythm game that allowed players to simulate playing instruments in a rock band. Players could choose to play guitar, bass, drums, or sing vocals.

Rock Band was notable for its use of instrument peripherals, including a guitar controller, drum set, and microphone. The game featured a campaign mode where players could progress through different venues and unlock new songs. Rock Band also introduced online multiplayer, allowing players to form bands and compete against others around the world.

The game received critical acclaim for its innovative gameplay and social features. Rock Band was also a commercial success, selling over 1 million copies in its first month of release.

Mass Effect

Mass Effect, developed by BioWare and published by EA, was released in November 2007 for Xbox 360. The game was a science fiction RPG set in the year 2183. Players took on the role of Commander Shepard, a human soldier tasked with saving the galaxy from a race of sentient machines known as the Reapers.

Mass Effect was known for its deep story and character development. The game featured a branching dialogue system that allowed players to make choices that affected the outcome of the story. Mass Effect also introduced a morality system that tracked the player’s actions and decisions throughout the game.

The game received critical acclaim for its storytelling and gameplay mechanics. Mass Effect was also a commercial success, selling over 1 million copies in its first three weeks of release.

Conclusion

EA Games had a strong lineup of releases in 2007, with several games that would go on to become classics in the gaming industry. The Sims 2: Bon Voyage added new locations and activities to the popular life simulation franchise. Crysis pushed the boundaries of graphics and physics in first-person shooters. Rock Band introduced innovative gameplay and social features to the music rhythm genre. Mass Effect offered a deep and immersive RPG experience set in a rich science fiction universe.

Overall, EA Games’ 2007 releases showcased the company’s commitment to innovation and quality in game development. These games continue to be remembered and celebrated by gamers today, cementing their place in gaming history.