Games of The Year 2008 Part 1

Well, it's been a long year full of way too many games, and I've played more than I'd like to admit. When it comes down to it though, there were 10 that really stuck out to me and come highly recommended to anyone that is into the hobby. There is no doubt that my list will conflict with many people's, but that's the great thing about list. Well than, let's get this thing started.

*Bonus* 11. Chrono Trigger / Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of The Chosen

Oops, Did I say 10 games? I guess I meant 12. Again I find myself breaking my own rules, but for good reason this time! Dragon Quest 4 is one of my favorite RPGs of all time, and Chrono Trigger is one of my favorite games of all time. I think it would be pretty unfair to the 10 new games on this list to rank them in the top 10. So I put them both in as a special runner-up position just so you'd know that they are definitely work checking out. And Yes, I know I ranked the Final Fantasy Tactics remake in last year's list - but give me a break!

Chrono Trigger is regarded by many to be one of the finest RPGs of all time, and it certainly holds up today. Crono and his friends travel through various time periods trying to prevent the destruction of the world by a mysterious entity known as Lavos. The game is a prime example of how to do Turn Based Combat right, and the game's cast of wonderful characters all support various different abilities that can be combined to form more powerful combo attacks. The DS remake didn't go through a graphical overhaul or anything like that but they did provide some additional content along with the upgraded translations.

Chrono Trigger itself is still one of my favorite games of all time, but the added on content is a little questionable. If anything it kind of drags down the quality of the rest of the game. True, more Chrono Trigger should be a good thing by default - but when you're forced to run back and fourth across the same dungeon over and over and over and over again it really takes away from the pace of the original game. Still you're rewarded with several overly powerful upgrades for your characters, it gives you another place to grind levels at, and you get a brand new final boss and bonus ending. A pretty great package regardless of the setbacks.

Chapters of The Chosen on the other hand is quite a big upgrade from the original NES/Famicom days, but honestly the graphical reboot originally took place in the Playstation port that was unreleased here in the States. However the DS port gave me a chance to get in touch with my inner child and relive a game that I played so many years ago.

Dragon Quest IV puts you in the roll of several different characters spread across several chapters, and eventually you'll take control of the Hero of the story. The plot is pretty standard, legendary Hero saves the world from a rising evil. It's all good though, it's good old fashion RPG Goodness, and a big dose of nostalgia for long time fans of the genre. The graphical upgrades certainly make the game a lot more pleasant to look at, and various other additions make the gae even better. Such as the ability to control your party member's actions and a much better translation.

There is a little bit of bonus content that provides players with an Extra Dungeon, More Bosses, and another playable character - but I won't spoil any of that for you. Just know that it's good, and a welcome addition to the original game.

If you're any sort of an RPG fan you owe it to yourself to check out these games.

10. Grand Theft Auto 4

Okay, let's change things up a little bit. Instead of going into so much detail about the games I'll just try and describe what I liked about them. Starting with what might've been the most overhyped game of the year. GTA4 was released on a wave of perfect reviews and while the game has managed to make it to the number one spot on some people's list, it's amazing everyone doesn't feel that way based off of the initial reception. However it didn't take long for GTA4 to get some serious backlash from the community.

Truth be told, I loved GTA4 when I first got it. Couldn't stop playing the game. It's only the second GTA game that I've cared to play it until completion. It has a great story that kept me hooked, and the gameplay is better than ever before. It also doesn't hurt that the world is gorgeous and populated full of people - it really gives the city of "real" feel to it. So why is it number 10 on the list?

Well, as I think is probably the case with a lot of people, the game didn't quite live up to the hype when all was said and done. It was fun while it lasted, but looking back it's really hard to see what all the fuss was about. Even the multiplayer which should've kept the game alive for months was pretty poorly executed.

So while I may sound a tad bit negative about the game, the initial experience was amazing, that thrill of a new open world game, and perhaps just a touch of buying into the hype. It may not be Game of The Year, but that didn't stop me from playing it straight for a couple weeks once I got it. And that I feel is worthy of a spot on this list.

9. Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of The Rift

I spent some time talking about this game a few months ago, so it really shouldn't be a surprise that it's on the list. I'm a huge fan of the original Tactics, it got me into SRPGs in the first place, and while the "Advance" series of Tactics games might lack certain parts of what was so great about FFT, they make up for it with refined game mechanics, a robust selection of classes spread across the games various playable races, and an equipment system that adds quite a bit of depth to the game.

A2's story might've been weaker than the original FFTA, but I really liked the characters a lot more. Plus the additional race of winged females known as Gria was a real treat. I spent over a hundred hours with the game and enjoyed it's laid back difficulty and surprising amount of content. And that is why it's made the list.

8. Valkyria Chronicles

Quite the opposite of Tactics A2, VC is an unrelentingly hard SRPG that can drive you crazy if you aren't careful. Also, unlike A2, VC is a totally different take on the SRPG genre. Blending Turn Based Tactics with Real Time Action, Valkyria Chronicles is certainly a unique game. It also looks absolutely beautiful, and provides a fairly emotional war story.

There are some speed bumps though, a couple of missions that seem overly cruel, and certain sections which require pure luck more than anything else. Despite this Valkyria Chronicles has proved to be a really enjoyable game if you can get past those obstacles. I'm not the biggest fan of difficult games, but it is rewarding clearing out some of these challenges.

I really like the story, it's basically another war torn world that revolves around a group of heroes trying to beat the bad guys - very akin to most Fire Emblem stories, and has the mature flavor of something like the original Tactics. Also I'm attached to several of the characters and interested to see what happens next. I really enjoy the gameplay too , I just wish it was a little less luck based at times. Being able to upgrade my units by either pumping experience into them in hopes of unlocking hidden abilities, and being able to upgrade their equipment with the right amount of money is also quite rewarding.

Overall Valkyria Chronicles is a solid experience that offers a challenge that feels rewarding. It definitely doesn't hurt that the game is a breath of fresh air into the SRPG genre.

7. Fable II

Here's another game making the top of a lot of people's Games of The Year list. So it might come as somewhat of a shock that I'm ranking it so low on mine. Don't let it fool you though, I really loved Fable 2. Hell, I really loved the first Fable, a game the received a lot of flack from people for not living up to what was promised. Sadly it seems Fable 2 suffers a little bit in that department too, but not nearly so much this time.

The major complaint people have with Fable 2 seems to be that the social interactions are pretty shallow, well that and a pretty piss poor Co-op mode. Honestly, they are kind of shallow, what with being able to get a women to fall madly in love with you just by pumping your arm a couple dozen times. But it's all in good fun.

And the rest of the game? Wonderful. The infamous "one button" combat is great, mix in an easy way to use your inventory of spells, and another button to use a ranged attack and you have got yourself a pretty sweet and simple combat system. Another thing that works surprisingly well is the Dog companion and bread crumb trail system. Both of these features are new, and highly welcomed into the series. Some people might not like being shown where to go next, but hey you can always turn that off.

The story is pretty great too, the only downside would be the ending which is a topic of much debate. Personally? I wasn't that impressed with the whole ending segment. Though I'm not going to ruin any of that. Another sort of bummer is that there doesn't seem to be as much equipment as in the first game. I'd really love to have more armor and clothing options. The Legendary Weapons are pretty good though.

The game does offer quite a few side quest for you to do, ranging from pleasing the various Demon Doors by fulfilling their ridiculous quest in exchange for loot, to hooking up with a widow that her husband's ghost has a grudge against.

All in all, while I may not consider this Game of The Year, it's certainly a good one.

6. Fallout 3

I was half expecting this to be my Game of The Year, and while that may not be the case I still really loved Fallout 3. I'm a huge fan of Oblivion, it's one of my favorite games. Not so much a fan of the old Fallout games sadly. I mean they aren't bad, but I just got into them too late. I only just played a bit of 1 and 2 earlier this year in preparation for Fallout 3. Regardless of it's roots though, Fallout 3 is still an amazing game, if not a little depressing.

The gameplay is more than just "Oblivion with Guns" thanks to the VATS system which lets you pause time to target enemies' individual body parts. It's also not simply a shooter for this very same reason combined with the fact that shots are still based on statistics more so than actual skill.

The world is vast, and full of all kinds of people and creatures that you'll either want to kill, or talk to, or do both. The main story line is kind of linear, but theres just so much to do for Side Missions and just general exploring. I clocked about a hundred hours into the game completing the main story, and all of the actual side quest - but there is still a ton of freeform stuff I haven't done yet.

The best part is that theres DLC on the way that will offer even more to do, so I'll easily be playing Fallout 3 well into next year. It's a good thing too because I've grown really attached to my character and her wide variety of Power Suits and Tools of Destruction.

Phew, well stay tuned for the next installment of the list that'll cover games 5-1.