So, the year 2008 comes to a close. And there were many good games this year, and a few pieces of shit too. Not to mention plenty of games which I ignored. In fact, I don’t know what it is but I did not get through many games this year. Wonder what it was that happened.
Anyway, here’s what I thought of 2008 in games.
And then the Doctor said I’m too Tenth
Dissidia Final Fantasy
Any game that I continuously suck at yet am constantly compelled to play is deserving of great credit. Not to mention the pure fanboy factor. I mean, grinding on the Lifestream? Holy shit.
She Scored in the Bottom of my Ninth
Soma Bringer
Despite having issues with this game, it was a solid multiplayer experience. Really fun taking out the big stupid bosses with friends. Also, being able to change your skill points at any time was a really nice option.
My Heart Eighth for You, Baby
Nameless Game
What mood this game evokes. I was sitting on a train packed with people as I played it for the first time and I was scared shitless. Great puzzles as well. I don’t know if I could truly call it fun, I mean, it was enjoyable, but it was mostly because of the fear the game was able to instill in me.
Honorable Mention
Best Piece of Shit to Make You Not Want to Play Games for Months
Glory of Heracles
Game seriously put me into a funk that lasted for a good two months. It’s just not good although it feels like it should be great.
I would do Seventh thing for you
Persona 4
Excellent soundtrack, excellent improvements over Persona 3, but still leaves the feeling that something more could be done with the formula. Still, a fantastic formula and even if they are going “cash in” by reusing the formula, it shows Atlus knows how to make sure it is still a great experience in its own.
I feel so Sixth that I might just throw up
Left 4 Dead
Far from perfect, but that doesn’t stop it from being a damn fun multiplayer experience. Certainly lacking when you’re not in the same room as the people you are playing with, and even more so when you’re playing with the AI. Really upset the 360 version only supports 2 players simultaneously, but this is seriously the best reason to use the 360 system link.
Stop treating me like Fifth
Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness Episode 1
I knew I would play it because of my love for Penny Arcade. I didn’t know I would love the game. Besides being hilarious and well written, it actually packs an interesting battle system where status effects and items play a major part of the gameplay. When I figured out that you could cancel status effects by causing new ones, a whole new level of gameplay of managing the status effects on you and the enemies came up that really made for some interesting fights. A solid RPG, to be sure.
Honorable Mention
The Not Quite as Good Followup but Still Fun as Hell
Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness Episode 2
Click the image to reveal what exactly it is these young hoodlums use.
This game was a great followup, but for some reason I wasn’t as impressed. I think the final boss being more of a story event instead of a hard as hell boss like the first episode dragged it down for me. I still had a grand ol’ time, though.
Head Fourth Victory
Etrian Odyssey II: Heroes of Lagaard
What’s the recipe for making a game I’ll love? If your answer is take a game I love, fix all the problems and add more content, then you are correct. If you ask why this caused EO2 to rank high in my list and Persona 4 not so much, well, it just happens that the EO formula is more apt for this kind of treatment than Persona. I am really excited for the next game in this vein from Atlus, but I hope for something a little more different.
Just what I Third
Super Smash Brothers Brawl
By sheer number of hours spent on this game it should be number one. Whenever someone comes over to play games this goes on for at least one fight. Sadly for this game, I just can’t count a game I only play multiplayer my number one. But that doesn’t stop Brawl from being some of the best game time I have ever had.
While Number Two, Nothing Like Poo
Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia
If I had my way there would be a new Castlevania of this style every year. And unless someone fucked up big time, it would make my list every year. The formula just works all the time. A little bit of exploration, a little bit of platforming, a little bit of action and a little bit of RPG stats just makes for a sweet, sweet experience I can’t get enough of. Ecclesia also offered a hearty challenge that turned this from more than a guilty pleasure but into a game I truly love.
Honorable Mention
Great Reason to Hate Shovelware
The World of Golden Eggs Nori Nori Rhythm
I became hooked on The World of Golden Eggs. I quote it all the time with some of my Japanese friends and I even showed one of the episodes during a presentation I did on studying Japanese. Sadly, this game is nothing more than shaking the Wii-mote in time with songs from the show. I like the songs from the show, but that wasn’t enough to take this beyond being a cheap cash-in.
Greatest of the Great in 2008
The Last Remnant
Only one game this year had me so excited at TGS that I couldn’t wait to go buy a new console to replace a broken one so that I would be ready for the day the game came out.
The Last Remnant is hardly without its faults, but it has the exact qualities that I want out of a game. Something that is so enjoyable and rewarding to play that any faults it does have are just ignored because, dammit, you’re having fun playing a game.
You should have got left 4 dead for pc, we sure play it alot and scream like little girls over ventrillo when a hunter jumps on us!
I really liked your blog! i read 4 others that are on similar subjets, but they domt update very often, thanks.