Best Multiplayer: Battlefield 2

That’s right, rub your eyes. There’s no typo here. We spent more hours online in 2006 with Battlefield 2 than we did with any other multiplayer game, even though it was 2005’s war. EA’s release of two lean booster packs kept us hooked on the habit, taking the good fight from the Great Wall of China to the suburbs of Middle America. We were far from enthralled with its futuristic sequel’s obnoxious in-game ads and dearth of vehicles—real men fly jet fighters. Home’s where the heart is, and our hearts are still bleeding on the streets of Karkand, Mashtuur, and Sharqi.

www.battlefield2.ea.com, ESRB: T

Least Offensive In-Game Ad: Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter

In-game advertising is a necessary evil; whether you like it or not, it’s here to stay. The thing is, when done properly, you’ll barely even notice it. The ads in Ghost Recon are placed on large billboards that are high in the sky. Instead of drawing your attention away from the action, they add to the game’s sense of realism, giving you the feeling you are playing in the real world. Nokia, we noticed your ads, and we appreciate you not ruining our game.

www.ghostrecon.com, ESRB: T

Crassest Cash Grab: Rainbow 6: Vegas

Surprisingly, both the least- and most-offensive in-game ads we’ve seen this year were from the same publisher: Ubisoft. The ads in Rainbow 6: Vegas are both ubiquitous and intrusive. They stand out not just because of the cheesy copy but because their textures seem to be fuzzier and of a lower resolution than the surrounding walls. Nivea, Axe, and Comcast, your ads are lame and they annoy us. That is all.
www.rainbowsixgame.com, ESRB: M