Loading Reality's Top Ten Games of 2008

Written by Aaron Marsh Monday, 29 December 2008 19:29

2008 really was a great time for video games, rivaling even the instant classic status that '07 attained. Other media has no doubt faltered in an "off year", while games have simply exploded lately. Scroll down and enjoy thoughts on our 10 favorite games from such a landmark year.

Aaron
100+ songs for $60? Hmmm? Full online World Tour? What's that? MORE ROCK AWESOME? Yes please. Even if those crying "update!" have a slight point, how else would you improve upon pure, uncut excellence shrunk down on a disc? If it's an update, it's the greatest series update ever. Keep on truckin', Harmonix, especially with the jaw-dropping amount of DLC you keep churning out.

Austin
Rock Band 2 is pretty much what Rock Band should have been in its first incarnation. Simply to say, if you need a fun party game to play when you are truly smashed or just need something to do, the no-fail mode in RB2 is for you and your drunken brethren. Party on with the best game of its ilk.

Brandon
Beating out Guitar Hero: World Tour on our list, Rock Band 2 is an incredibly polished, well-executed rhythm game. Music is what Harmonix does, and they do it better than anyone. Highlights of the title include a slick presentation, faster loading, and sharper gameplay. Nonstop support from Harmonix in the area of DLC keeps Rock Band 2 atop most gamers lists, to this day. To quote LR's review of the game, Rock Band 2 is “more of the same, just way more badass."

Jake
It's Rock Band, what did you expect? Better instruments, great online play, improved tour mode, and also more DLC to spend mega bucks on. It's one of the best party games and also the best music game period. I will never stop playing Rock Band becasue it's a game that you can always just pick up and play and just have fun, and Rock Band 2 only makes it easier to have said fun.

Kyle
Rock Band 2 is not just another music game, but it's an experience that brings out your inner geek. The dedication Harmonix has shown by keeping up with releasing DLC for Rock Band makes this the undisputed champ of this generation's "rock out with your..." game of choice.

Ryan
Sneaking in at the last spot of the list, RB2 did not revolutionize the music game business but instead refined it to a perfect package. With Harmonix behind the wheel and leading the way with DLC, RB2 will obviously be around for a while.

Aaron
Remember all those wonderful things that were promised in the original Fable by Mr. Hyperbole Molyneux himself? Well, Fable 2 delivers on his staggering original vision. Most importantly, however, is that this Fable contracts and expands based on your play style; it's as slight or as deep as you need it to be. And that makes for a more enjoyable RPG (or just game, for that matter) than almost anything released this year.

Austin
Fable 2 is everything that was promised to us that wasn’t included into Fable 1. It is simply fun and enjoyable for the entire gaming crowd, be it the hardcores or casuals. The addition of the dog is especially nice. I felt connected to the pooch near the end of the game, which is pretty amazing.

Brandon
Following in the footsteps of its predicessor, Fable 2 is magnificently pulled together for a wide-stretching RPG. It brings with it an increased number of abilities, an improved combat system, and the ability to get the ladies pregnant. Finally. The story is just as good as its predecessor and the voice acting is top-notch. A great effort from Lionhead.

Jake
The dog = the best thing about Fable 2. I don't know why I like my puppy comrade so much, but any chance I got to save his life I would (with my vitual life). On other notes, Fable's combat is awesome and it only involves a couple of buttons depending on your attack. You can do alot in this game such as marriage and then lead into domestic violence. Oh yeah.

Kyle
The moral dilemmas you have to work out in Fable 2 really show you how hard it can be to be good. The game looks really nice and was overall a very enjoyable title. I always dreamed of having three wives and a halo over my head at the same time.

Aaron
In an industry dominated by 3s, 4s and 5s, Mirror's Edge not only dares to be new and different, but challenges you to shed 20 years of gaming knowledge and relearn "playing" to experience something wholly, satisfyingly unique. In what other game is the option of running away from fights even possible, much less the best thing to do? The most original, ballsy game to come along in many, many years.

Austin
The most innovation I have seen all year. I have never thought that the first person view would ever work for platforming, but I was proved wrong the second I popped Mirror’s Edge into my console. Mirror’s Edge may have been rough in some edges, but even with some faults, the game has possibly created an awesome new genre: the first person acrobatic platformer.

Brandon
DICE is a remarkable studio and they have produced a remarkable title. Mirror's Edge is graphically impeccable and for those squeamish to movement sickness, be wary. The game provides an intensely realistic feeling of falling and jumping along rooftops. Coming out of left-field in terms of control schemes and gameplay, DICE has proved that there is no necessary mold to games of our generation.

Jake
A totally new type of game: the first person action platformer... I think that's the best way to describe it. Chaining together wallruns, leaps, and jumps of faith while dodging enemy bullets, well that's just a normal mission. It is an intense run atop a city that is totally after you to keep its secert safe.

Kyle
If you are looking for new innovation in a game, this one does really well. Forcing you to run away from a gunfight rather than to run into the police guns blazing just isn't seen often. There's always a number of different ways to get somewhere crazy, and you feel quite a bit of satisfaction when you finally nail something. It's very challenging at times and doesn't give you any freebies, only the long fall to your fate. I can also see where the time trials, and going back through the game the entire game for time could be fairly addictive.

Ryan
FPS platforming, something no other dev has been able to nail and DICE pulled it off. Perhaps more of a tech demo, but no one can deny the gameplay when it comes to its platform roots.

Aaron
While it may be nowhere close to, *ahem*, "Oscar worthy" as it was touted in this year's most embarrassing critical shouting match, GTA IV is, in fact, quite an achievment. Did the superlatives get out of control with this one? Yes, but that should not tarnish Rockstar's reputation as the king of open world, sandbox fun and games, a reputation that GTA IV handily lives up to.

Austin
GTA IV truly deserves the IV in the title. It reinvented the title enough in a good way to earn that number instead of “3.5”. The combat was simply improved and was even enjoyable unlike the previous entries. The graphics were top notch for the game. The multiplayer modes worked and even turned out to be fun. The story was vastly improved and Niko even seemed human at times. Really great.

Brandon
Adding online multiplayer to the Grand Theft Auto franchise is the smartest thing that Rockstar has ever done. Tightened gameplay, combat and driving mechanics make the fourth installment in the series stand out. The soundtrack is just as good as it always has been, and is built around the in-game radio. Without question, GTA IV is the best that Rockstar has shown us, thus far.

Jake
GTA changed its style of gameplay. They made it more realistic but kept to the humor and fun of all the other gtas. The city is outstanding and it's a blast to play with buddies online. It's the first gta with mulitplayer and it's fun just to mess around in free play.

Jason
A defining game of a generation, the seminal open world game, and the alleged source of countless evils of our time, Grand Theft Auto is still a strong example of epic story telling, player driven experiences, and the power of the playground approach to design. And better yet, the ability to weld those often mutually exclusive elements into one powerful experience with multiplayer.

Kyle
This GTA title is probably the most fun of all the games in the series. The addition of bringing friends in to roam around Liberty City with you, or to go play Cops and Robbers was just great fun. The fun story and acting makes this game a must buy for this year. The new downloadable content coming in 2009 doesn't hurt either.

Ryan
One of the most beautiful games of the year. A deep story and a more serious turn for the franchise set the mood for this impressive open world game.

Aaron
Rather than phone in a sequel that the fans surely would have gobbled up, Epic took their criticisms and produced a game that is everything the first Gears promised to be. The single player has been doubled in length and nearly quadrupled in style, a party system has FINALLY been added and a sledload of new modes awaits. This is how to do a sequel, other developers take notes.

Austin
Gears of War 2 is such an improvement over the overrated original Gears. Everything about the game is better. The story has been vastly been improved (which isn’t much of a feat when Gears 1 didn’t have much of a story). The single player has much more variety in environments than the original ever did. It is a blast to play the 5 players Horde with friends and trying your best to avoid dying from all of the chaos. Simply put, it is "bigger, better, and more badass" than the first one.

Brandon
Another graphically magnificent title from Epic, Gears of War 2 delivers a terrific multiplayer experience. The increased number of weapons and combat mechanics ensure that gamers will continue in their love for the franchise. The co-op mode is well executed, especially in the horde mode, and the story provides a better plot experience than the prior installment.

Jake
Gears of war 2 is the best looking game out there. Period. The single player is a non-stop action ride that will put you in situation after situation that you never thought possible. The co-op is still there along with horde mode with up to 5 people playing it and also playing vs. multiplayer. Excellent job.

Jason
Sometimes “more of the same” is exactly what we need. The tried and true formula of cover, reload, and chainsaw is hard to improve on, but giving us more co-op in Horde mode is a great way to do just that.

Kyle
Gears of War 2 earned its spot in the top 10 with its crazy fun (as usual) had via co-op, and the newly beefed 12 hour single player. The horde mode, where you can pull together three of your friends and dominate or be dominated with wave after wave of the locust, is especially impressive and is available on every map the mutliplayer launched with. Wow.

Ryan
Epic delivers on their promise of a much longer and more bad ass campaign in a big way. Multiplayer bugs which should be fixed soon keep this from the top spot of the year.

Aaron
While it might be remembered as the most supported game to date, Burnout Paradise was still secretly one of the greatest racers ever back in January before any of the content packs. Taking the open structure of Test Drive Unlimited and merging it with the perfection that is the Burnout engine will remain one of the best, most exciting mashups of the past few years. Plus, it's a master class for other developers in keeping your game relevant.

Brandon
Criterion pulled out all of the stops with their best racing effort, to date. The sheer impressive nature of the open world created for Burnout Paradise is amazing. Having played both the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of the game, the graphics and gameplay stand out among all games on our list. With arguably the best downloadable content this year, Burnout Paradise deserves no less praise that it is receiving.

Jake
Crashes, races, jumps, tricks, and even more crashes: that's what Burnout is all about and it's most certainly what Paradise delivers. This game offers alot and the best thing about it is the use of the the vision camera; get a takedown, here is a picture of your victim. Sweet (both the camera and the game itself).

Jason
You know what Burnout needs? More crashing. Ok, that did great, what’s next? More speed? Cool, we can handle that. How can we improve on that further? Open world? Massively Open Freeburn mode? You know, I’m not quite sure.... Motorcycles? Well I mean, it’s a cool idea and all... wait, a Delorean? Sold. F***in’ sold.

Kyle
The sheer amount of challenges you can do with your friends is sweet, to say the least. It'll have you slingshotting through corners for some time with the help from Criterion's fairly consistent updates for the game. And one could never complain about how fun it is when the camera slows down and you're doing 4 barrel rolls off a cliff and nail the landing!

Ryan
Not a game, but a platform. Criterion blew away other devs this year with tons of free content and support for one of the most unique and beautiful racing games ever to have been created.

Aaron
Treyarch had the fanboy deck stacked against them from the start simply for not being Infinity Ward. Not only did Treyarch prove everyone wrong by matching, if not BESTING IW in the multiplayer department, but they also did the impossible in making WWII exciting again. Replaces COD4 as the multiplayer game of choice and most certainly is best in multiplayer show this year.

Austin
The multiplayer is easily better in World at War than in COD4. That much is true, in my opinion. I have put far more hours into the multiplayer in World at War than I ever did in COD4. Treyarch took everything Infinity Ward did last year to the next level.

Brandon
I'm a COD fanboy. Everyone knows that. That said, when it was announced that Treyarch was taking the reins for the fifth installment in the Call of Duty series and basing it in World War 2, I balked. Treyarch deserves an amazing amount of commendation, however. They found a way to bring a more mature approach to the subject matter, and did so in a visually stunning and audibly amazing manner. The co-op mode added a sorely needed aspect to the game, as well. It deserves to be listed among entries in the franchise.

Jake
Mulitplayer king: that is what COD 5 did this year. Online and 4 player co-op play are equally excellent in that department. It has became one of the best games online since it came out. That is the main reason why people, like myself, bought this game. So bring in the dogs!

Jason
Who says World War II is dead? We don’t need no stinking helicopters. We have dogs for such an occasion. And who could bring back the spirit of combat better that Kiefer Sutherland. On a related double-negative note, who said WWII isn’t undead, either?

Kyle
For those curious if Call of Duty: World at War could touch what Call of Duty 4 has done to the franchise, you don't have to wonder wonder anymore. The online multiplayer is well on par with CoD4 and the single player keeps you interested with 4 player co-op modes. It's CoD4 with a WWII setting. Case closed.

Ryan
A pleasant surprise to COD fans as Treyarch had an uphill battle after the impressive COD4. This game is so well done that it makes WWII fun to play yet again.

Aaron
Media Molecule's "Little Big game that could" is undoubtedly the most ambitious game to come along in several years. The shocking part? It actually lives up to its own gargantuan reputation. A screamingly fun, stunningly deep work that deserves the hype machine... I thought those didn't exist anymore.

Austin
When I first got this, I didn’t understand the hype to the game. That all changed when I got a friend to do the co-op with me, and then my eyes were simply opened and burned by how foolish I was. LBP will be known as one of the best games for the PS3. All the work that Media Molecule has put into LBP has been phenomenal. I am looking forward to seeing some future game developers being discovered through the creation mode.

Brandon
Industry-changing. Period. Media Molecule has created a game that functions to inspire creativity. Allowing gamers to create content that can be played by fellow gamers has the possibility of creating tasks and levels for others brings with it limitless potential. In addition to all those accolades, the game has stunning visuals and, combined with MGS4, works to show of the true graphical power of the PlayStation 3.

Jake
LBP lets our creative minds flow into an open canvas where we get to create and share some of our work with the rest of the world. Changing the look of the sack boy is one of the real joys I get out of this game. Being able to play up to four people online through the single player and user created levels is another. THIS a platformer

Jason
Take one part platformer, and two parts user generated content. Shake vigorously and filter male members, Quran references, and trademark infringement out. Pour into a database server. Serves millions and millions.

Ryan
With gorgeous visuals and the deepest editor we have ever seen in a game, LBP created a template that will be copied for years to come.

Aaron
Despite all the trolling it gets for being "a movie", MGS4's big attach points have absolutely nothing to do with the cutscenes. Pick any random moment, be it sneaking across a live, teeming battlefield, motorcycling away in a chase that rivals Reloaded, or playing through the greatest level of fanservice ever, and that's my gaming moment of 2008. A colossal achievement in every single way.

Austin
Everything about this game is near perfection. The story is extremely engaging, the graphics are simply jaw-dropping and the orginal score for the game is something I can listen to over and over again. I even had a tear in my eyes when everything was over. Any fans of the franchise, this is a must have and easily one of the greatest pieces of art ever made.

Brandon
A simply amazing score is the cornerstone of this “movie in a game.” Incredibly strong and stunning visuals, a great story, and good voice acting round out a top-3 title. Hideo Kojima is definitely a director, in every sense of the word. With Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, Kojima has achieved a masterful merging of game and film, and one of the most acclaimed games of the year.

Jason
Watch it like a movie. Search the labyrinthine database of MGS back story. Marvel at the stunningly detailed graphics. But whatever you do, don’t forget to play it. Despite all the anti-hype for Snake’s geriatric adventure, it might make a Metal Gear believer out of even the uninitiated.

Kyle
As someone who's not played any prior Metal Gear titles, this installment from Konami was done well enough for me to understand a little and enjoy a lot. I was pulled into the game quickly. With all the insane backstory this series is known for, I was happily surprised to end up digging it so much.

Aaron
Coming off of one of the most overrated games of the past few years (Oblivion), I was worried that Bethesda's latest offering to the gaming world would leave me feeling cold once again. Good news: even if you're not a fan of the previous Bethesda titles, Fallout 3 is still something that will blow you away; my insane time clock is absolute proof of this. An unmistakable work of genius that 100% deserves this crown.

Austin
Fallout 3 is truly an amazing game. There are so many things to do in the game, it is amazing the countless number of hours that can be put into this game by dedicated players. The V.A.T.S truly help the game in its journey to greatness. If you enjoyed Oblivion at all, don’t hesitate to pick up this game, and even if you weren’t a fan of Oblivion, still pick up this game and give it a chance. It's so worth it.

Brandon
Similar to the initial reaction to the scope of the visual world in Oblivion, upon starting the game, players are smashed in the face with an amazing draw distance and phenomenal, visually-inspiring environments. Bethesda Studios has created a remarkable first-person RPG that shines among all other role-playing games, industry-wide. Innovative targeting, formidable story points, and countless side-quests (with announced DLC) support the decision to name Fallout 3 as our well-deserved Game of the Year.

Jake
Fallout3 Brings you into a unvierse and it never lets you go. With V.A.T.S., every battle is epic, even if you are just swinging a baseball bat at a radroach. But the best part about Fallout is it's mini nuke launcher. Bombs away with our (very deserved) game of 2008!

Jason
Fallout 3 had a lot going for it off the bat: the awesome V.A.T.S.-driven slow motion kills, the trademark Bethesda “whoa” within the first hour, and the entirely player-driven morality structure. But honestly, I think the special edition bobblehead pushed it over the top.

Kyle
The work of art that Fallout 3 is makes this title a must have for anyone who enjoys a good RPG story... wrapped around guns, of course. Things like V.A.T.S., the seemingly endless landscape, and the sheer amount of time you can put into this piece of art from Bethesda is enough to make any gamer wet themselves.

Ryan
With a refined combat system and one of the deepest stories around, Fallout 3 destroyed the competition in 2008 in just about every area.