Another year is in the books and it is time for the year in review. Another purchase-heavy year, though not quite as bad as last year, but still a significant spike from 2005-06.

2007 totals are in ( ) and grand totals are in [ ]
2 (1) [7]
4 (18 ) [69]
6 (17) [44]
8 (6) [59]
1 (3) [20]
8 (9) [31]
26 (22) [74]
5 (7) [32]
6 (11) [92]
24 (40) [211]
5 (3) [8]
11 (22) [43]
4 (9) [42]
0 (2) [2]
1 (1) [2]
15 (8 ) [25]
39 (6) [78]
32 (17) [59]
197 (206) [977]
Avg. 2008 Cost $21.73

27 (34) [167]

On to my selections for the Best of the Year. Selected from my favorites of the year, so it will be dominated by RPGs.

The latest game to the long-running Tales series made the jump to HD in a year when many other JRPGs just came up short. A well-crafted story, even if it ends up deviating into a cliched "save the world" plot, fast-paced, but rarely overwhelming combat, and a great cast of characters.

I was tempted to give this to Valkyria, since I haven't gotten to Metal Gear Solid 4 yet. But I'm only a few chapters into Valkyria and if the general consensus is to be believed I'm in for a treat when I do get to MGS4. I'm a sucker for a good cutscene to cutscene based story.

Who would of thought a game about Nintendo characters (+ a few others now) beating each other up could be such a blast. While the single-player game is nothing special, Brawl is at its best with a roomful of friends. A worthy successor to Melee, indeed.

I have a confession to make. A long-time Atlus fan, I've never actually beaten a game in their flagship Shin Megami Tensei series. Not even close. That all changes in a few days once I topple the final dungeon and obtain the true ending. In much the way Tales of Vesperia consumed my September, so went December. I couldn't wait to get home from work and clear another dungeon, or advance another social link. Nor did I expect the hilarious dialogue.

With perhaps the best story I've seen in game this year, and a catchy soundtrack, TWEWY manages to pull a massive 180 every time you think you've got a handle on where the plot is going.

In a slow year for the PSP, Crisis Core stood out with its story and soundtrack. Never mind the ending is well known, the important part is always the journey to get there.

An honorable mention of sorts. It's not often you see a new release for a nearly 20 year old system. While I've yet to break out the Genesis and give it a try, I've heard it's pretty decent.

Yep, in perhaps the best year the current generation of consoles has seen yet, and not just in the RPG department, my pick for Game of the year is a PS2 title. While it is certainly not a game for everyone, it is pretty much everything I want out of an RPG.

So ends a look back at the year that was. Next time, a look at the year that will be.