12/24/08-
Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the net, everyone was deciding what games they should get. It's that time again gamers. The time to announce what games are hot and which are not is upon us. Here are my personal awards for one of the greatest years in gaming history.
1. Best Music Game
Some people may say that Rock Band 2 has better features, but the new Guitar Hero has one thing that keeps me coming back for more. The music creator is a grand addition that adds to the replay value. Even if you really (dare I say) suck at making masterpieces, you can always hop online and see what others have to offer. My favorite pieces are the ones from other video games. They really quench my thirst for retro goodness.
2. Best Action Game
This game hit me by surprise. You see, I wasn't a big fan of the first Far Cry for the PC. Something about it felt too generic. The bold new direction into open ended gaming was a huge hit with many other gamers as well, as for me. You can literally choose your path for most of the game. You have to figure out what to do next. This feature reminds me of the first Legend of Zelda. However, Far Cry 2 holds your hand just enough to make it work even better than Link's quest.
3. Best Role-Playing Game
If you loved The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, this game will make you soil your pants. Bethesda Games was right to take over this already good franchise and make it even better. The move to full first-person 3D brings the Fallout series alive like never before. Exploring a post-apocalyptic Washington D.C. feels even more thrilling than the time that I first escaped the Imperial Prison. Everything comes together fluidly, including the combat system that is a combination of turn-based and real-time gameplay.
4. Best Racing Game
Say what you will about Nintendo's last console entry in the series (Double Dash), but this game tops all of them. Let's start with the controls. Purists can still use a Gamecube or Classic Controller. However, the game really comes alive with the Wii Remote or the glove-like Steering Wheel. Even better than that is the new lag-free online mode with fantastic rankings. All of this and the addition of retro racing levels make this a must-buy for any real Nintendo fanboy or fangirl.
5. Game of the Year
This was a really hard pick. There were so many great games that came out this year, and way too many to mention. Overall, I felt that Bethesda deserved this award for practically perfecting their already good formula. Until next time, this is Screath, signing out.