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.