It's that time when everyone at Gamespot is making their best of '08 list to let everyone know which games they enjoyed the most. Well, what do I say to that, well? I say here is my list of the games that I enjoyed playing most in '08, but weren't actually released in '08.
7. The Longest Journey. Because it was told a great story in an adventure novel.
And it had to, because in terms of game play it is a little lacking, at least judged by today's gaming standards. It was essentially a "collect seemingly useless items to solve puzzles game", which by the way I had to look online to solve most of them. But aside from the puzzles, the game was terrific. The pre-rendered atmosphere looked great, notably the contrast between the two worlds, Arcadia and Stark. Its strongest suit is its story, an ordinary girl rises to the challenge of saving the world, I mean worlds. The one aspect I admire the most was it's astounding voice acting. I don't want to point fingers at any games in particular (Oblivion), but the voice acting was better than most games these days. If you can over come the long, slow progressing dialogue and story (which is really the charm of the game), and play through an adventure game with no combat, The Longest Journey is a must play.
6. Knights of the Old Republic. Because it's how Star Wars should be.
As a fan of good storytelling, science fiction, and RPGs, KotOR is an obvious choice for a notable experience. I couldn't resist entertaining my dark side for a little change. It's always a mark of great storytelling when it causes you feel regret when you make an evil decision, and see the repercussions of it, and (SPOLIERS) forcing Zaalabar to kill Mission with his bare-hands near the end of the game, was truly a bitter decision for me to endure (END SPOILERS). But that alone isn't enough to merit KotOR a place on my favourite games list; the game was a whole was a fun, well made Star Wars RPG, and I look foreword to playing through the sequel sometime soon.
5. Fallout 1 & 2. Because the originals are always better.
The first two Fallout games were just shockingly amazing in the way that they recreated a post-apocalyptic world. Everything from the baron atmosphere, where crime is abundant, and order is maintained by those who wield the biggest guns, to the dark, dirty humour, and bad*ss remarks, create a realistic futuristic "wild west". In what is the society established after a nuclear apocalypse, many laws aren't bound to be in place, and Fallout 1&2 managed to capture this essence beautifully. You really have the ability to steal from or kill anyone in the world, and if that someone was necessary for completing a quest, or even the main story well, that's too bad for you. Whether playing the honourable hero, trying to save society from crumbling (much more than it already is) or taking the role of the ruthless terminator of wasteland life, Fallout 1&2 deliver, and that is why they are still some of my favourite games.
4. Day of Defeat: Source. Because making the most devastating war in human history into a form of entertainment is an outstanding accomplishment.
Even though when you think about it too much you may see the disastrous things that we have come to call recreation, it is still incredibly enjoyable to run through the battlefields of WWII all in the name of friendly competition. Seriously, DoD:S improved upon its predecessor by creating a more immersive experience for a WWII game.
3. Super Smash Bros. Because it's always fun to gang up on the one who didn't have an N64 growing up.
This game has remained for the last 10 years, for my friends and me at least, the one game that we always play when we get together. It made it as close to perfect balance between all the characters as you can come to in a fighting game, requiring skill, and at times devious tactics to outwit and overcome your foes. The new Smash Bros games just don't do the job as well, Melee was too fast and the flashing lights and colours burn my eyes, and Brawl just had too many characters that felt like recycled versions of older ones, and come on, Sonic's smash was just way to damn cheap.
2. Silent Hill 2. Because Pyramid-Head just can't stop his crazy antics that freak the sh*t out of me.
Okay, maybe *I* didn't actually play through it, but I watched my friend do it, and helped with the riddles. But the game had a really good story, better than most horror films, and the open ending idea was great. The puzzles weren't too frustrating, unlike some "Onimusha crazy puzzle box thing". The atmosphere was amazing, and maintained and steady level of nightmare-acity (that's a word… Now). The lighting and shadows, and the sound design were really well done; two aspects that are essentially what make or break a horror game.
1. Uncharted: Drakes Fortune. Because they saved the Tomb Raider/Indian Jones genre games.
I was finally able to get a hold of Uncharted and became engrossed in the lush jungles, and the Indiana Jones approach to a story.
I wasn't able to complete too many '08 released games this year, but my favourites are the following.
Left 4 Dead. Because 4 player co-op + Zombies + More Zombies = hours of non-stop, intense amusement.
I haven't actually completed L4D yet because Expert is damn hard, and I'm playing with 2 friends. But thus far it is possibly the most fun I have had in an online shooter. I've been playing it since the demo and the AI director ensures the experience is always fresh.
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. Because it was just damn awesome!
I've always been a fan of MGS and I've played all of the games, and from the beginning I have been captivated by the characters, the music, and the series' narrative intensity. MGS4 stood head over heals above the other games in all of its fields (with the possible exception of MGS3's story). I know that it's been said before, and I don't want to sound redundant, but MGS4 is well deserving of all of its praise. Everything from the visuals and atmosphere, to the music and sound design, and most importantly the story, merit MGS4 a deserving seat at the bottom of my list (the bottom being representative of my #1 game).
Here are some more related lists of games, because there are just to many great ones out there, and unfortunately, I wasn't able to play all of them.
Most Wanted Games from '08.
These are the games that I really wanted to play, but wasn't able to get a hold of.
Final Fantasy: Crisis Core. Because Final Fantasy VII was too good to miss out on more.
FFVII was my favourite game in the series, and I think that view is shared by many others, and I've only heard good things about it.
Bioshock (PS3). Because it's about time we get the same treatment as the 360.
PS3 may not have everything the 360 does, but now we've got something we can take away from them! Don't get me wrong, I don't hate Xbox, I would buy a 360 if I had the money. But since I don't have one right now I anticipate playing Bioshock in preparing for the prospective sequel.
The cheerful '50s music in the background of an action game has always had an alluring appeal to me, for some bizarre reason. I've heard Bioshock doesn't disappoint in this regard.
Valkyria Chronicles. Because a watercolour has never been brought to life as effectively.
I've played the demo, but that hardly counts, so I'm looking forword to playing the full game. The innovated RPG combat seems a lot like a refined, engaging version of a FFTactics game.
Patapon. Because the song is just so catchy.
*pata-pata-pata-pon*.
Once again, the demo has pulled me in, and made me love this game. Addictive is what it is. Once I started playing, I couldn't stop, and that wasn't because their was no save option. Thus, I look forward to some serious Patapon drum beating in '09.
Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe. Because Batman is a playable character!
Do I have to say anymore? As a huge Batman fan, the very fact that I can play as Batman is nearly enough to make me buy the game. But besides that I like playing against my friends in fighting games, the DC licence just makes me lean towards MK vs. DC over other fighters.
Most anticipated games for '09.
Final Fantasy XIII. Because a next-gen Final Fantasy game is long overdue.
It has been a long wait for a new addition to the series, since FFX. "What!? FFX, there have been more Final Fantasy games since then!" Well, yes there has, but I'm not including X-2, XI was online, and I haven't finished XII, it was just too long. Hopefully FFXIII will live up to its enormous expectations.
Batman Arkham Asylum. Because they have to get a Batman game right eventually.
It has to happen eventually, a good Batman game will eventually be made. Arkham Asylum is looking "bright" thus far based on the screens and the trailer. The fact that it isn't a film adaptation increases the odds that it will be good, but I can't make any accurate judgments until there are some game play videos. All I can hope for is that Arkham Asylum keeps true to the Batman series.
Battlefield Heroes. Because it's Free2Play.
That's basically it. Umm… it's free…
God of War III. Because Kratos is just too damn Bad*ss.
The first two games were needless to say, terrific. GoWIII should bring an appropriate end to the series, and continue to face Kratos off against what is left of the Greek pantheon. I can't wait for a battle with Heracles!
Uncharted: Among Thieves. Because the original was engrossingly entertaining.
I played Drakes Fortune, and, well it's explained higher in this blog. I enjoyed the first Uncharted so much that I can't wait to play the sequel.
Favourite Movie: The Dark Knight
Favourite new TV show: Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
