Let's pause from my rampant philosophizing over videogames and its inherent meanings to society to talk about a trend that has suddenly become a theme for the entirety of this year that this writer loves.

Many franchises have had reboots, overhauls and re-imaginings this year. From the beginning of the year with Rez HD and Burnout Paradise to the eventual releases of Bionic Commando Rearmed and Galaga Legions, gaming companies and gamers alike can't get enough of a well-made retro remake.

Yet, as great as it is, the most surprising revival is a type of game that has been solely meant for the hardest, most patient of gamers. It's so exclusive to these gamers that, before this year, barely any of this type of game has been released in the states. What type of game is it? The turn-based/real-time action RPG dungeon hack, of course.

Or, you can call them Rogue-likes.

If you don't know what a rogue-like is, there's great reason why you don't. Rogue-likes have been released in the states before; they just were despised by both gaming critics and gamers alike. Rogue-likes are hardly ever updated because they are games built on limitations and honestly don't take too kindly to any innovations to it's core game mechanics. What are those game mechanics?

1. The game plays in real-time. You move your character on a grid.

2. The game also plays on a turn-based set. As you move your character or perform actions on the grid, it takes a turn.

3. Turns are done a global scale. Essentially, you go first all the time, however everyone on a map moves at the same time.

4. If, and when, you die in a dungeon, you lose all of your items and gold. You also start at the beginning of the dungeon.

These are the key three rules a rogue-like must follow, which limits them severely in their mechanics. This leads to games adding certain mechanics that can stay true to the rogue-like mechanics. Let's look at some key differences between rogue-likes:

Let's start with the hardest, most challenging rogue-like: Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer. In Shiren, you play as the silent Shiren who is trying to scale Devil's Mountain. To do so, you need to upgrade your weapons, destroy your enemies and get to the top of the mountain as soon as you can.

The only way you can actually keep those items is if you:

A) Befriend a courier who will send your item to the safehouse in the middle of a dungeon.

B) Put it in a safehouse jar, which will in turn transport it to the safehouse when you die. OR

C) Put it in the safehouse before you go into the dungeon.

Furthermore, the game constantly changes around you every time you play it. Sure, you'll be going to the same areas in the game each and every time you play. However, different events happen that gain you new allies. Also, each time you go into a dungeon, the game gets slightly harder each time, so you'll have to start using those powerful weapons fairly soon.

For those who not only want a challenge, but a piece oif classic gaming that few got to experience, Shiren the Wanderer is perfect for such a gamer.

Is Shiren too brutal for you? Then Izuna: Legend of the Unemployed Ninja might be up your alley. First, this game doesn't take itself seriously at all. Second, the game is much faster than Shiren. Also, you keep your level and your experience even if you die in the game.

Now, instead of going to blacksmiths and paying to upgrade your items, you attach relics to the weapons to boost them. You do lose your gold and items if you die in a dungeon, just like Shiren, so you might want to use your safehouses wisely.

Next, there's Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo's Dungeon. Again, like Izuna, you keep your experience and your level even if you die in a dungeon. Furthermore, the game has a job system where you gain abilities by defending enemies with that certain job, giving the roguelike a sense of individuality. On top of that, when you die, you keep your equipped items, but money and other items are gone.

Lastly, there's Pokemon Mystery Dungeon. Items are not as nearly important as they are in other roguelikes, save for actually healing your character. Actually, Pokemon Mystery Dungeon lets you persistently keep your experience and abilities you earn in the game. Essentially, there is no penalty for dying in a dungeon except for starting all over at the beginning.

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So, how come roguelikes are becoming so beloved and popular? Well, one reason is that there seems to be one for every type of gamer. The younger set of gamers can get behind Pokemon that punishes you very little, while each other game has a specific challenge to overcome to complete the game.

Also, with the whole retro-kick going on these days, roguelikes seem to be a window of retro-goodness that American gamers seemed to have missed out on (unless of course, you imported). The dated graphics seem to bring off a weird charm that few gaming genres can only roguelikes can really get away with.

Lastly, and this is debatable, with the traditional RPG slowly losing steam in the United States, roguelikes seem to fill the gaps of what a traditional RPG would fill. Sure, these aren't traditional RPG's in the slightest, but they seem to give off that same sense of nostalgia that the traditionals excude without feeling tired and monotonous.

In the end, roguelikes might be a by-product of the current status of gamers and them looking for a new type of game or it could be the dawning of a new, popular genre. Either way, if this year was the Year of the Retro Revival, then one of the big things to happen this year was the resurgence (or awakening) of the roguelike.

Thus ends another quarter of surprisingly solid gaming on all platforms. Before we get to the Second quarter, let's take a trip back to the first to see which games still feel fresh, fun, and viable for contention at the end of the year:

Pixeljunk Monsters - With the Encore expansion to this PSN favorite, Pixeljunk Monsters remains as one of the best downloadable games this year has brought out on any platform. With even more solid releases coming and going, Monsters seems to be standing tall to be in contention for Best Downloadable, Best Strategy and possibly Best Casual.

The Club - The game no one gave a chance to, The Club's fast paced style, great shooting mechanics and an incredibly fun arcade mentality remains one of the most unique games for any gamer who's looking for a solid, well-rounded twist to 3rd person shooting.

N+ - With future releases on Handhelds, N+ will more than likely be on gamers minds until well into the end of the year. Another contender for Best Downloadable, this game also seems to be a front runner for Best Game With User Created Levels.

Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer - This game has been my most surprsiing favorite. So much so, I've developed a new love for Roguelikes. The classic Japanese RPG finally comes to the states with a very deep item based system and a punishing difficulty.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl - Despite not being a big leap from Melee, Brawl is still one of the most entertaining fighters to come out in years, especially if you're a Nintendophile. A complete shoo-in for Best Fighting Game.

With that, let's go to the highlights of the second quarter, starting with a modern day classic getting a new control scheme to play on:

Okami (Apr. 15) - So, you're one of the few who didn't play this beloved PS2 classic two years ago? Well, this release wasn't for you anyway. The biggest difference in this game is the use of the Wii-mote for the Celestial Brush mechanic, which has you drawing stuff on-screen to progress through areas. Most Likely Nominated For: Best Adventure Game, Best Graphics, Best Art Direction Contender for Best of 2008?: Not a contender. This game was one of the best games of 2006 and will always be remembered as such. However, despite the brush mechanic being ingeniously implemented on the Wii-mote, the PS2 version has better graphics and actually is better with controls.

Shin Megami Tensei Persona 3: FES (Apr. 22) - Last year's Best RPG gets another chapter added to the game plus more Personas. This game is meant to be the best version of this cult classic RPG. Most Likely Nominated For: Best RPG, Best Writing Contender for Best of 2008?: Not a contender. Like Okami, this game was released last year and was considered one of the best games that year.

The World Ends With You (Apr. 22) - Square Enix's highly stylized take on dungeon hacking and looting ends up being one of the most unique looking games for the DS to date. Using the dual screen to create intense battles with great powers with the stylus and D-Pad, The World Ends With You is the game for hardcore RPG nuts and Diablo loot loving freaks with a DS. Most Likely Nominated For: Best RPG, Best Visuals (Artistic) Contender for Best of 2008?: Do not be surprised if this ends up being a dark horse for Best of 2008. The uniqueness of the gameplay and style brings one of the freshest takes in the RPG genre, which has been dying for a unique franchise for years.

Grand Theft Auto 4 (Apr. 29) - Rockstar's first Next-Gen iteration of GTA ends up being one of the biggest releases in the past 5 years. Featuring a sprawling narrative and improved combat, GTA IV ends up being one of the most fleshed out GTA's in years. Most Likely Nominated For: Best Action, Best Sound, Best Level Design Contender for Best of 2008?: Honestly...no. Call me a hater if you must, but the GTA series hasn't evolved that much since GTA: Vice City. And as interesting as the story is, it's still the same old GTA.

Mario Kart Wii (Apr. 29) - So, yeah, Mario Kart is always great, right? Yeah, so you get it on the Wii. With a wheel attachment. Most Likely Nominated For: Best Driving, Best Online Multiplayer Contender for Best of 2008?: No. As much as I do like this game and, ironically enough, it's online multiplayer, Mario Kart Wii sits right in between Mario Kart DS, Super Mario Kart and Mario Kart Super Circuit, Mario Kart 64 and Mario Kart Double Dash!!.

Boom Blox (May 6) - Take Jenga on the Wii, actually make it work and give it tons of variety and a level editor. You get Boom Blox, a game with a fantastic block engine and a great mulitplayer. Most Likely Nominated For: Best Offline Mulitiplayer, Best Level Editor Contender for Best of 2008?: A strong possibility. I would have never guessed a glorified Jenga simulator would have taken all of my time from GTAIV, but Boom Blox's simple, family friendly game just as addicting. Even more so offline.

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronices: My Life As A King (May 12) - So you love Final Fantasy games, huh? The battling? The magic? The RPG elements? Well, take all of that out and put in a Sim-City/Overlord hybrid with a candy-coated sheen and you have a polarizing game that strategy, city building fans will love. Most Likely Nominated For: Best WiiWare Game, Best Strategy Contender for Best of 2008?: Here's the thing: It's definitely a great downloadable game and it could have been a great portable game as well. However, the way the pricing was handled ($15 for the initial download, but to get the other races it is also another $15) plus the lack of replay value does not help its case.

UEFA Euro 2008 (May 19) - Call it FIFA Soccer 08.5 if you must, but UEFA Euro 2008 takes a few of the gameplay hitches in the main game and fixes them. Plus, they add a more robust Be A Pro and introduced the Captain Your Country mode. Most Likely Nominated For: Best Sports Game Contender for Best of 2008?: This really all depends if FIFA Soccer 09 busts. PES 2008 was a disappointment to say the least, but this is a strong, if limited, title in the sports franchise.

Aces of the Galaxy (June 4) - Aces of the Galaxy is, at its core, a very simple 3D rail space shooter. However, it's done something that even the best franchises have done in a long time: Make this type of game fun. Most Likely Nominated For: Best Downloadable, Most Suprising Game Contender for the Best of 2008?: Again, it's a very simple game at its core. However, I must say that it's simply amazing that it took a $10 game to finally make a great StarFox style game. This deserves some recognition.

GRID (June 4) - Codemasters does racing really well: Colin McRae Rally, Pro Race Driver and most recently, DIRT have proven this in spades. Well, add another one to their repertoire: GRID takes the street racing and makes an excellent core racer that is thrilling in its speed and and gorgeous in its graphical power. Most Likely Nominated For: Best Racing, Best Graphics Contender for Best of 2008?: A possibilty. The game does feel like a modded DIRT, however, but it's still a blast to play.

Ninja Gaiden II (June 4) - The XBOX Classic returns to the 360 with a faster engine, harder enemies and an even more brutal (but rewarding) battle system. Over-the-top baddies and bloody, but satisfying end battles are only a few reasons why this game more than lives up to its name. Most Likely Nominated For: Best Action, Best Sequel Contender for Best of 2008?: Ehh, I have to unfortunately say no. As much as I do love NGII, it's merely because it is a continuation of one of my all-time favorite games Ninja Gaiden. The people who hate this game are right as much as the people who love it are right: the camera is downright awful to the point of being completely cumbersome and not alot has changed.

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (June 12) - The cinematic masterpiece series that is Metal Gear Solid returns for Snake's final battle. Promsing to tie up all of the loose ends of the plot, while giving way to a wholly satisfying online mode, MGS4 takes the gameplay Metal Gear fans love and makes it more accessable and free. Most Likely Nominated For: Best Action, Best Graphics, Best Story, Best Cinematics Contender for Best of 2008?: Very likely. Despite being VERY heavy on cinemas on the last half and having what I feel to be a disappointing ending, MGS4 did everything right on its own terms. Now, if this translates to a Best of the Year, that's great. It is, however, more of a movie than a game in my eyes. Just a really good movie with some really good game parts.

Space Invaders Extreme (June 17) - Celebrating its 30th Anniversary, Space Invaders gets a colorful, frantic face-lift on both the DS and PSP with Space Incaders Extreme. Take the classic formula, add a bunch of power-ups and great music and graphics and you have one of the best retro-revivals this year. Most Likely Nominated For: Best Retro Revival, Best Portable Game Contender for Best of 2008?: A strong possibility. When retro revivals are done right, they end up being the most fun games released. SIE is no exception.

So, as I hope most of you heard, Denis Dyack went on the 1up Networks podcast 1up Yours to promote his new game, Too Human. Or...so it was to be believed at the time.

Instead, Denis Dyack went on an hour long dialogue ranging from the state of gaming writing to the sociological effects of the internet privacy with a very centered look at message boards and blogs (namely, NeoGAF).

While those who were highly anticipating Dyack talking about Silicon Knights' next game (which I was definitely one of them), most who listened through the whole hour long discussion recieved something that possibly hasn't happened to gamers in the past few years: an intelligent, multilayered conversation about something other than the quality of a videogame.

If there is one thing I've stood by and accepted, its that videogaming is no longer just a hobby or a fad: it is a bona-fide sub-culture of the world we live in. Merely being a videogame player doesn't make you a part of this culture, however. Nor does being a closeted and anti-social maven hiding inside of your house. The culture surrounding this hobby is more akin to a Dungeons and Dragons player: you are social with many types of gamers from many walks of life.

I'm mainly stating this because I would like to defend and also frown upon Denis Dyack's comments about the medium and the message boards/blogging sect of the videogaming culture.

First, what I agree with:

Gaming Companies Need To Be Stop Outsourcing and Develop More From Within Their Ranks: Idealistically, I 100% agree with Denis Dyack's comments on fostering talent within a company by hiring writers and developers full-time. Not only does this create a sense of security within the ranks of an industry that likes to eat its own, but it also gives the impression that the company wants to improve the way a writer/artist works.

In the podcast, and as well as a GDC roundtable earlier in the year, Dyack said that compaines need to be "morally responsible" [quote may be wrong] for the better of the gamers who purchase these games. While Dyack was the only person who actually agreed with this statement (another development house director was believed to have said that story doesn't matter in a game and that it is irresponsible to not outsource talent), many inner circles believe in Dyack's production philisophy for managing and developing talent and video games.

Now, notice I said "idealistically" before. As much as I love this idea and agree with it, completely taking out the ability to out-source causes a problem when actually finding talent. Outsourcing talent allows people to stand out and be noticed for something they do incredibly well. I do agree, however, that bigger companies should stop outsourcing and just develop in-house a lot more than they do.

Technology Can Destroy Communications With Others - Aside from videogames, I witness the technological disconnect daily with people and whom they communicate with. Whether it be from blackberry, e-mail or txt messaging.

People are meant to communicate face to face, not only for informational purposes but for competitive purposes as well. To me, I seem to have more fun pounding on someone in a videogame who can see my emotional response to a situation, not some faceless entity named NoObPwNeRiShUgE134 over Xbox Live.

Some appreciate the anominity over the Gamertag, but to me, it defeats the entire purpose of competition: identity. Look at the greatest competitors in sports: Arthur Ashe, Babe Ruth, Johnny Unitas, John Elway, Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, Pete Rose, etc. Sure, some of you may question the reasons why I would use athletes as examples, but these guys had an identity as people who defined the games they played and the way they won to get to who they are.

Whether you play Xbox Live all the time with friends or random strangers, Live is not a social venue. It's still, in many ways, more privatized than ever. Allowing gamers to shed that anomonity would probably be the best thing for gamers so they can be identified as people, not tags.

Because, honestly, reputation isn't gained through a 5-star rating system: it's gain through respect and word of mouth.

Moderators Need to Be More Responsible On the Boards - Everyone knows what happened to Jeff Bell, the former Microsoft PR exec who decided to PM a board member on NeoGAF and udder the question that may have destroyed his reputation: "And your contribution to society is what?"

I agree with Denis Dyack when he said that Jeff Bell had the right idea, but executed that idea in the completely wrong way. Not only that, I think he directed it to the completely wrong person: Honestly, I don't think messaging that to a board poster was a good idea, but the fact that one of the Moderators exposed him, which are people who are supposed to keep things civil and privatized, is incredibly alarming.

Now, before I start on what needs to be done, let me first say that I haven't had an issue in the slightest with the moderators that run this site. In fact, out of all of the gaming sites, I am at most comfortable to freely speak my mind in a rational manner here at GameSpot, which says a lot of the fantastic job the moderators do here.

That being said, moderators need to not only create a less hostile, more enriching environment for the user base, but also uphold a standard that is needed in this culture. I'm not saying taking out stuff that people don't like; that would be censorship (which is what most moderators tend to do, especially on NeoGAF).

I'm saying give everything a consice corner. Separate the people who just want to talk about which Super Smash Bros. Brawl character is best with the people who want to talk about games as an art form. Also, if people want to just blast on a game or developer or console, give them a forum to do so, away from those who want to discuss other things.

And, for the love of anything good, be forceful on those who disrupt the flow of the boards. Too many moderators let people run wild in fear of losing subscribers or posters, learn to crack the whip a little.

With that, I leave the thing that I did not agree with:

The Boards/Blogs Need Reform and are Devalueing Individuality/Journalistic Integrity - With this, I simply cannot agree with this statement.

On the one hand, some forums are full of ill-tempered, bratty and overly pampered ne'er-do-wells that seem to get their jibblies off on calling someone "stupid", gay or "pretentious" (you know who you are). But those are few in far between for any good community site.

Again, not to be giving the community managers a loving reach-around but I've only met a handful of people on here that I would call abhorish and insanely stupid. The rest, whether they agree with me or not, seem to be decent people who just love to talk about games. And that's perfectly fine.

Like I said previously, it's all about the moderation and, yes, I can agree that NeoGAF needs better moderators. But, go to a more established and respected site and you will see that the boards are a place where people can identify each other and communicate one's love for gaming and other things.

As for the notion that since everyone can have a soapbox integrity is thrown out the window, take a look at our User Soapbox here on the community section. The Soapbox is to help point out those who deserve to be noticed for their writing or their ideals in gaming criticism and community. Not everyone is created equal in this form, and the User Soapbox shows that.

Personally, I do wish there is more of a community emphasis on GameSpot, like letting some of SoapBox people have a spotlight on one of the podcasts or a face-off of sorts on gaming issues to further the integrity of the userbase.

As for journalistic integrity, an astute person who cares about journalistic integrity can spot a fraud rather easy. The rest who can't, well, do they really even matter? There's really only a few people in the industry itself that garner any sort of respect as a gaming journalist, such as Shane Bettenhausen, Jeff Gerstmann, Dan Hsu and Andy McNamara. The rest are basically a critic's choice of sorts, like basically anything Aaron Thomas says, I think the complete opposite.

This is simply the case of a few rotten apples spoiling the whole bunch. I tend to see boards as a quick response to a question, while a blog is a more detailed, informative opinion.

But there are standouts amongst the rest, such as subrosian, smerlus and xTHAWx that I would love to be in an elongated chat room or blogspace with and just have a long roundtable with because I think it would be not only entertaining, but enlightening.

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Do I think Denis Dyack is a brilliant person? Absolutely, but it doesn't mean he's right all the time. Although I agree mostly with his statements, there are still great things about this culture that he just simply didn't mention.

Well, I have and I hope many will recognize the best things about our culture.