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A look back at the games of 2008

posted by nikki at 1:02 pm.

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2008 has come and gone, and with it, oodles of titles to choose from… some better than others. So here’s my top 5 favorite and least favorite games of 2008:

The Best of the Best

2008 had a host of games that stood out from the pack. Of all the ones I played, these are the five I enjoyed the most.

5. Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Wii)
The Smash Bros. series made it’s debut on the Wii this year, marking the return of many Nintendo fans’ favorite beat’em up series. Featuring characters from some of the most popular franchises on the market, Brawl is a fighter that pits the likes of Legend of Zelda’s Link against Metal Gear Solid’s Solid Snake. It is also the first in the series to allow gamers to go head to head in online battles for up to four players.

4. Dead Space (PS3, 360)
A third-person survival horror game, Dead Space puts you in the role of system specialist Isaac Clarke, sent to repair the USG Ishimura and finds more than he bargained for. The game is filled with plenty of scares, and is an experience on par with my favorite game from last year, Bioshock.

3. Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)
Every since Mario first went 3D in Mario 64, gameplay for the franchise has changed drastically from the original side-scrolling platformers… and in a good way. Offering extensive worlds to explore, traditional platforming, as well as a few surprises here and there, Mario Galaxy has shown that everyone’s favorite plumber still has what it takes to rescue the princess.

2. Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII (PSP)
While most of the Final Fantasy VII spin-offs and sequels have been lamented by fans as little more than Square Enix’s cashing in on one of their biggest fanbases, Crisis Core stands out as both one of the best titles available on PSP, and a worthy addition to the Final Fantasy series. An action RPG chronicling the life of Zack Fair, mentor to FF7’s hero, Cloud Strife, Crisis Core is a prequel that brings to light the events that occurred prior to the original game and gives fans a fresh look at one of the most under-appreciated characters of Final Fantasy VII.

1. Fable 2 (360)
Sequel to 2004’s Fable, Fable 2 takes the original concept to a new level, placing you in the role of an orphan descended from the ancient Hero bloodline. While the main storyline of the game is noticeably short by RPG standards, the real wealth of this game can be found in what can be done outside of the primary quest. Allowing you to choose between good and evil, alter your appearance, and start a family are just a few of the many choices you can make that affect how your avatar is perceived by other characters in the game.

The Biggest Letdowns

2008 was also a year of games that I was intensely looking forward to but just didn’t meet expectations.

5. Soul Caliber VI (PS3, 360)
I generally like the Soul Caliber series, and strictly speaking, SCVI wasn’t a bad game… but it really did nothing for the series. Up until this point, Soul Caliber II was my least favorite of the series, and VI managed to replace it as such. And who the hell came up with the idea of throwing in Darth Vader and Yoda? The online play was a nice touch, but I was hoping for so much more.

4. Mirror’s Edge (PS3, 360)
While an absolutely beautiful game, and a great concept, the game itself fell short. In Mirror’s Edge you play as Faith, a “runner” charged with delivering messages in a world where information is restricted. Gameplay consists primarily of parkour running: moving from building to building via rooftops, drain pipes, and just about anything else you can grab, climb, or run across. The problems lay in the inconsistency in both the story, which tends to jump from one thing to the next and then back again so often that it’s hard to remember who some of the characters even are, and in the gameplay itself, which, while a unique experience, is often frustrating. When the time trails mode is more fun than the game itself, you’ve got a problem.

3. Guitar Hero: Aerosmith (PS3, 360, Wii)
I’m a fan of Aerosmith. Not a huge fan, but a fan nonetheless. So when I found out that my favorite Aerosmith tracks were all neatly compiled in one Guitar Hero game, I grabbed it. And the track list IS decent, but it’s missing a few songs I would have liked to have seen… and unfortunately, the difficulty is pretty low. Granted, I don’t particularly like being booed off the stage, but it’s still far too easy.

2. Haze (PS3)
I’ll admit, I only played this at a PS3-owning friend’s house a few times, but he and I both agree that it just wasn’t a very good game. It’s also yet another case of an over-hyped title not living up to expectations. As a shooter, the plot is awful, the visuals are buggy, and the whole experience is just plain underwhelming.

1. Infinite Undiscovery (360)
Maybe I set myself up to be disappointed on this one… but when something has Square Enix stamped on the cover, I generally expect it to be an immersive game that I can’t put down. Unfortunately Square Enix only published Infinite Undiscovery. Development was done by tri-Ace… and the result was a fairly mediocre RPG. It just didn’t live up to the hype and the promises made by early previews of the game, and while most RPG fans will find that it’s worth playing through once (and only once), it’s easily the most forgettable game of 2008.

Nikki Blight: is still trying to find that damn princess... when she's not writing fresh code for the217.com.