Several E3's have passed, and it seemed like every year Killzone 2 was hyped, and admired. The graphics we're visually stunning, and the action seemed chaotic. Killzone 2 has been known to many fans, as an important game for the PlayStation 3, and seeking my opinion, I did not think that it would have turned out as good as I thought it would. For me the first-person shooter genre isn't necessarily my favorite-- but I do play them since some of them are very good and have a lot of replability through online play, such as Call of Duty franchise.

I was skeptic to get Killzone 2, because I thought the original Killzone for the PlayStation 2 was in my opinion a rather poor game, compared to some of the other first-person shooter games during that time. Even after reading the review on GameSpot, it still didn't convince me to go out and buy it.

I downloaded the demo on the PlayStation Network, and to my surprise I was pretty pleased, and shocked just how intense the action was, the visual fidelity, and the overall intelligence of the A.I., so I picked it up last week. I perhaps could have finished it sooner, but being busy and all, and Resident Evil 5 coming out I put it down, until tonight when I decided to pop it in. Finished, and was just amazed how perfectly balanced the game was.

I haven't played much online, and I probably will not being so for awhile since I will be playing Resident Evil 5 for awhile anyways. The story was forgettable as the review stated, but when you think about it first-person shooters stories are usually pretty boring to begin with. I am not a big first-person shooter fan, but I enjoyed Killzone 2. The weapons, the action we're just over the top, and had a great balance in the overall game. I would probably go as far as saying, this is without a doubt the best first-person shooter game I have played, and perhaps the PlayStation 3 already has it's Game of the Year already in place.

2008 Overview

I'd probably say that 2008 will be remembered as the innovation of gaming-- setting the new standard for games, and coming up with interesting concepts that seep out of the traditional way of gaming. With stellar titles like Metal Gear Solid 4, LittleBigPlanet, Left 4 Dead, and Grand Theft Auto IV the list goes on-- but surely you can bet that the future of games will continue this tradition. With the growing expansion of indie games like World of Goo, and Braid you can see the evolution of where gaming is going. But when I look back at 2008 there are so many games that you could call "Game of the Year". Without a further ado, here are my four games that I thought we're the best four games of the year.

GEARS OF WAR 2 - XBOX 360

When the original Gears of War hit the Xbox 360, Microsoft and Epic sturred up a lot of commotion, with it's unique cover system, and it's high-pace adrenaline third person tactical shooter, but when the sequel hit stores in November it came back bigger, badder, and added new weapons, and some of the best action of the year.

LITTLEBIGPLANET - PLAYSTATION 3

When I first popped in LittleBigPlanet, I knew there was something special about this game from the start. The cute Sackboy character, and classic platforming action gave it an old-school feel. Being able to create unique levels, and share them over the PSN was an awesome addition, and continues to push gaming into a more community friendly space.

GRAND THEFT AUTO IV - PLAYSTATION 3/XBOX 360

Stepping off the boat into America was a dream for Niko Bellic. And following his story throughout the game was just a charm. Revisiting Liberty City was fantastic, and all the things you could do further expanded the 'sand-box' genre that GTA created. You could literally do everything you wanted, and the gameplay was improved drastically with the cover system. But perhaps the best part of the game was Niko Bellic, and following his rise to the top of Liberty City.

METAL GEAR SOLID 4: GUNS OF THE PATRIOTS - PLAYSTATION 3

Hideo Kojima's epic Metal Gear franchise came to a fitting closure. You could feel the tension from the get-go, and the gameplay was finely tuned. The gameplay took a drastic turn and giving you an option of how to approach the situation. The story was fantastic, and you didn't want it to end. It set the standard for future stealth-oriented action games to come.

GAME OF THE YEAR

METAL GEAR SOLID 4: GUNS OF THE PATRIOTS

It was hard to decide which deserved the Game of the Year for me, but when I played all four to make my decision, I knew from the get-go there wasn't a game as exciting, or technically superior than Metal Gear Solid 4. Graphics, check. Gameplay, check. Story, check. Production value, check. It was easier to make because Snake's final hurrah was so epic, and well told I just couldn't find a game that really matched the greatness of MGS4.

It set the standard for future games to come. And when the dust settles, I'll look back at 2008 and there comes a game that will come to mind-- and thats Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots.

It's been nearly a little over two years since Microsoft's Xbox 360 has been dealing with the competition. It enjoyed a year alone on the market, and while the Nintendo Wii continues to dominate hardware sales, the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 are often compared due to both of the systems share similar capabilities, and offer the same range of content. As a proud owner of both consoles, I am going to break down the two consoles and how they compare. If it isn't abundantly clear to you-- either console you'll have your fair share of great games. So without a further ado, my Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 comparison.

HARDWARE

Xbox 360

Microsoft's Xbox 360 is a powerhouse console featuring a triple-core CPU, and it's powerful Xenos GPU. While I am not an exact expert when it comes to hardware capabilities, I have heard that the 360's GPU is more powerful than the RSX GPU in the PS3, due to it's architecture. It also has more memory where it give's an edge over the PS3 in GPU capabilities. It does not support Blu-ray playback like the PS3 but make no mistake the Xbox 360 is a fully-featured system.

PlayStation 3

The PlayStation 3 is a powerful console as well, featuring the Cell broadband engine, and boasting some impressive specifications. It also features WiFi capabilities, bluetooth, and a slot-loading Blu-ray drive to give it a futuristic feel. While it's GPU is in doubt(as Sony claimed it to be more considerably more powerful in terms of graphics processing compared to the Xbox 360) it's a clearly impressive system from top-to-bottom.

CONCLUSION: Both consoles have impressive specifictions, and considerably powerful. What it all comes down to is really the features-- and the PlayStation 3 ultimately comes out on top. It's mostly due to the WiFi out of the box, Blu-ray player, upgradeable hard drive and reliable hardware. The two consoles are nearly equal in terms of power, and the graphics are nearly the same with the exception of some games on each platform have better shading, lightning, or textures. Overall the PlayStation 3 has the slight edge due to it being a little more "future proof", and upgradeable.

 CONTROLLER

Xbox 360

The Xbox 360 controller is comfortable controller with X, Y, A, B face buttons, dual triggers, two bumpers, two joysticks, and a crappy D-pad. It also features Start, Select, and an Xbox guide button to access the Xbox LIVE, console controls, and game information. Also features rumble support.

PlayStation 3

Sony's Dual Shock controller made it's debut with the PS3 after it settled it's lawsuit with Immersion. It's a welcome addition, and features all the same buttons such as square, triangle, circle, and x button. The controller has dual-joysticks, rumble support, motion sensing, and rumble. It also features the PS Guide Button, similar to the Xbox guide button, which pops up the XMB in-game.

CONCLUSION: It's nice to see Sony brought back rumble support with the Dual Shock 3, and also having sensing motion technology. It's a step-up from the lightweight and cheap feeling SIXAXIS controller. All in all though the Xbox 360's controller has the upper hand due to it being heavier, more comfortable, and the features the Xbox Guide button let's you do more. Although the glaring weakness of the Xbox 360's controller is obviously it's D-pad which the PS3 controller has the upperhand. Both of them come standard wireless which is a great incentive to be even more lazy.

INTERFACE

Xbox 360

With the launch of the New Xbox Experience(NXE), Microsoft added an abundance of features, and added avatars, and other features such as Netflix. The NXE is a cross-breed between Nintendo's Mii system, and Sony's XMB. Overall the NXE is an impressive update, and also still features the blade-system with the touch of the Xbox Guide button.

PlayStation 3

Sony's XMB appeared on the PlayStation 3 after much success on the PSP. Make no mistake the XMB is easy to use, accessible, and organized. The XMB can also appear in-game through the push of the PS Button on the PS3 controller to access friends lists, quit games, and other features.

CONCLUSION: The Xbox 360's NXE update has definitely given a even more definitive edge to Microsoft, because the NXE is so easy to use, and navigate. The PlayStation 3's XMB is lacking the visual flair of NXE, and that is why it ultimately falls short. The NXE provides more ways to interact with your console through the Xbox guide button. Although things could possibly change through Sony's HOME service expanding the XMB's capabilities.

ONLINE

Xbox 360

Microsoft's Xbox LIVE service is the premier online-gaming community featuring feature such as easy matchmaking, chat, video chat, ability to send text messages, and a host of online-enabled community features, and content through the Xbox LIVE Marketplace such as TV shows, movies, Netflix(requires subscription) Xbox originals, and classic Arcade games.

PlayStation 3

Sony's answer to Xbox LIVE, the PlayStation Network is the PlayStation 3's online community and offers matchmaking, chat, video chat, text messages, an internet browser, and content through the PlayStation Store such as TV shows, Movies, and classic old-school classics, and PSone titles.

CONCLUSION: After outlining the features of both online communities, it sounds a lot like both online components offer the same features. But it ultimately comes to Xbox LIVE taking the crowne. Xbox LIVE really features more robust capabilities, and more content. Sony's videostore is impressive(and has more listed titles in terms of rentable, and purchasable movies), but with the introduction of Netflix the Xbox 360's movie library is easily the largest of the bunch featuring over 12,000 titles. The Xbox 360's also has better matchmaking, easier to set-up matches, send invites, and jump right into a joinable game with a press of the Xbox Guide button. The Xbox LIVE arcade is fantastic and has more classic games then the PlayStation Store.

The downside is that you have to pay for online-multiplayer, and exclusive content only available through GOLD members. On the other side, the PlayStation Network is absolutely free to play online. Either way pay, or free Xbox LIVE ultimately is a better all-around service, and features more content.

GAMES

Xbox 360

When the Xbox 360 launched in fall of 2005 it too like all game consoles suffered from a lack of great games right off the bat. But three years later, it features the most complete and impressive game library of them all featuring the Gears of War franchise, Halo 3, Fable 2, Forza Motorsport 2, Dead Rising, Dead or Alive 4, and all major multiplatform titles like Grand Theft Auto IV, Call of Duty franchise, Fallout 3, and BioShock.

PlayStation 3

It's funny to look back and hear the complaints of the lackluster games for the PlayStation 3 but now two years later it features a solid line-up which includes Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, Uncharted Drake's Fortune, LittleBigPlanet, Resistance franchise, and major multiplatform releases.

CONCLUSION: The year head-start most certaintely benefited the Xbox 360's library, thats why I have to give the edge to the Microsoft's console. It also jump-started a new franchise in the form of Gears of War, and Dead Rising. Make no mistake though that the PlayStation 3 has caught up, with solid releases such as LittleBigPlanet, and Metal Gear Solid 4. Either platform you choose you will definitely have a solid selection of exclusive, and multiplatform titles. While both feature great games, the Xbox 360's library really outmuscles the PlayStation 3's library due to it's strength in all major genres.

BOTTOMLINE: The gaming industry is growing, and let's all be honest-- there probably hasn't been a better time to be a gamer than right now. The online gaming phenomena is growning, and the flow of digital distribution is continuing to expand, along with ever-evolving games. The online-component of the gaming world is really going to take the industry to further reaches. But back to the subject-- Xbox 360 versus PlayStation 3. I own both consoles, and I spend my time on them both equally. It's the holiday season so many parents, and gamers alike who haven't jumped onto the next-generation bandwagon ask themselves what system is for me? Well truth be told-- you really can't go wrong with both consoles.

The PlayStation 3 is considerably cheaper than it was two years ago, and through firmware updates have given the system more capabilities, and it has built a strong library of software. So those who doubt that the PlayStation 3 isn't a major player, is completely wrong. But the Xbox 360 has also continuted to gain steam. It's built features upon features to it's console to make it competitive. I'd have to say the Xbox 360 has the slight edge. But in the coming years, who really knows who will come out on top.

If you could choose only one console, study them both, ask people's opinion on both systems. But if you could grab a hold of both, you'll certaintely enjoy the best of both worlds.

I am almost at the time, where I will name my Game of the Year(in my personal opinion), but I am holding off on that until I get Gears of War 2, Call of Duty World at War and Resistance 2. As for the year in gaming, I have been pretty satisfied, and I recently just bought an Xbox 360 and am pretty happy with it. I picked up the "Pro" console with the 60GB HDD, with Gears of War on Tuesday.

I am just waiting for payday to get a few games, and of course Resistance 2. As for now my list for Game of the Year are:

Metal Gear Solid 4(PS3)

Grand Theft Auto IV(PS3/X360)

LittleBigPlanet(PS3)

Dead Space(PS3/X360)

The World Ends With You(DS)

I could probably say that when I heard LittleBigPlanet for the PlayStation 3 that I wasn't nearly all that excited as most people we're. After reading the reviews, and actually spending time with the game at a buddy's house, I couldn't be more impressed with LittleBigPlanet.

I can't remember the last time where I was so impressed with a games online community, and the sheer quality of the customization options of LittleBigPlanet. I would go as far as saying it's quite possibly one of the best platforming games I have had a pleasure to play.

If there is any doubt in your mind about the enjoyability of LittleBigPlanet, put it aside because it's easily one of the best PlayStation 3 games thus far, and one of the best so far this generation. LittleBigPlanet is the title that has revolutionzed the platforming genre, and online community's for good measure.