Game of the Year 2008 Awards
Best Trailer for a Game Released in 2009
- Grand Theft Auto IV - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nr7dDyUUgl
This trailer was amazing. After not really knowing what to expect after the first trailer, this one confirmed it and had the awesome music to back it up. It introduced to the story and the characters of one of the best games of 08.
Best New Character
- Niko Bellic (Grand Theft Auto IV)
I don't think there was a new character that was more detailed than Niko Bellic. His story was told amazingly and his backstory came to the center of GTA IV in the later half of the game. Niko is a character to remember.
Best Multiplayer
- Rock Band 2
This game took away dozens of my hours with my friends. We even attempted the endlist setlist and got to the last 3 songs where there was unfortunately a minor problem that caused us to not finish it. The games just a blast and way better than Guitar Hero. The song list is probably the best set of songs ever in a music game.
Biggest Disappointment
- Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Words can't even describe my disappointment for Brawl. Its not that its a terrible game its more that the developers had 7 years to make it awesome but it ended up being the same as Melee. The only few things they needed to improve were not even touched upon. Sad really.
Biggest Surprise
- Prince of Persia
I was never really a fan of the series. I played the first one and enjoyed it but I thought it was way overrated because it was getting so much attention while Beyond Good and Evil (released at same time and same developer) didnt really get any. However, I decided to pick up this one and I was blown away. The gameplay was fun and the graphics were out of this world.
Best Orchestrated Music
- Lost Odyssey
This game reminded me of old school RPGs. The games music was one of its many highlights and the tunes were just solid. Listen to them on youtube, I believe the entire soundtrack is there.
Best Licensed Music
- Burnout Paradise
I played this game nonstop for about a month and the tunes were just out of this world. Every track on the game was stuck in my head for months. GTA IV had great music but Paradise's tracks were just far greater in numbers.
Best New IP
- Dead Space
This one was easy. Lost Odyssey was a great game but Dead Space feels like the start of an amazing franchise that'll continue for years. Everything was there to make this not only the best IP but one of the best games of the year.
Best Graphics
- Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots andPrince of Persia
Both of these games graphics are phenominal. Playing on a 1080p TV, you just are astonished at how good graphics have gotten in the last 10 years.
Best Story
- Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
I've always felt that the MGS series was a better movie than a game. The story is mind blowing even though I find the gameplay subpar. No other gaming series canentertain you as much as this series. MGS4 finishes Solid Snakes story with a bang.
Best Part in a Game
- Dead Space - Final Chapter
The atmosphere in the final chapter of Dead Space is unreal. I'm not going to say too much because its a spoiler but if you've played this game you'll know how just amazing this chapter is.
Game I most wanted to Play but Didnt:
- Last Remnant
I own the game I just haven't played it.....yet. Hopefully its as good as my expectations.
Best Game I played in 08 that was released in 06/07
- Blue Dragon
I had so much fun with this RPG even though many didnt like it. The Orange Box was also awesome but BD gets my pick as best game I played last year that wasnt released last year.
GAME OF THE YEAR:
BURNOUT PARADISE
I played the demo of Burnout Paradise and I hated it. The only reason I decided to buy it back in January was because I had money in my pocket and had no gaming to do. I put the game in and it was an entirely different experience. Burnout Paradise was game that gave me the best experience. I had fun with other games but Burnout Paradise was the only game all year I kept going back to and playing. Racing around the streets of Paradise City was just a blast. The support from Criterion is also shocking.
Runner Up: Grand Theft Auto IV -
