Top 5 Most Annoying Video Game Trends

We all know about popular trends within the video game industry such as the growth of older and female gamers, but what about those annoying trends we just hate?

Therefore, below is a list of the top five most annoying trends, habits, gimmicks, and overall fads in the video game industry:



5. "Movement" Controls

Perhaps the player's ability to actually "swing" their controller is the novelty of the Nintendo Wii - and a dubious failing of Sony's "SIXAXIS" controller - but we have all heard too many instances of things going terribly wrong. Anyone who has received a mouth-full of Wii remote can attest that some people should not be allowed to flail their arms in random directions while playing video games. A woman from Marquette, Michigan certianly knows the danger of swinging a Wii remote when she nearly killed her dog playing "Wii Sports." Not to mention all of the poor televisions whose demise was met by a rouge Wii remote being thrown at them.



4. Recycling the Same Genre

Simply put, how many World War II shooters have you played in your lifetime? How about Sci-Fi shooters like "Halo"? Perhaps a racing title where you are forced to cutomize your car? The same can be said of any entertainment medium, but the consistant recycling of the same formula with only slight variations becomes annoying very quickly.



3. Paying for Extra Content

If you fork over $60 for a video game, you should not have to pay an extra $10 for an extra level or character. For example, a new chapter of the widely popular game "Grand Theft Auto IV" called "The Lost and Damned," is due for release on Xbox Live Feb. 17, but players will have to spend an extra $19.99 to download the small extension of the game.



2."Installing" Games

PC owners have always been plagued with installing their favorite games in their computer's hard drive, but now console gamers are facing that same challenge. Due to the internal hard drive of both the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360, players have to "install" at least portions of each game on their hard drive in order to play the game. This creates too annoying problems: 1) it takes away from hard drive space that can be used for other content such as music, pictures, videos, etc. and 2) it can take upwards from 10 to 15 mintues to complete. Luckily the Nintendo Wii does not face this problem because it does not have an internal hard drive.



1. Wireless Headsets for In-Game Voice Chat

Sure, Microsoft and Sony would like you to spend your hard-earned money on one of their fancy headsets, but for what reason? Typically that reason is to annoy and harass other online players while playing games like "Halo 3" or "Call of Duty: World At War." I think we all have heard a few too many inappropriate comments from 12-year-olds about how much of a "noob" we all are.

New Final Fantasy XIII "Gameplay" Trailer

According to Gamespot, fans were freaking out over a countdown on Square-Enix's website - hopeful of new information on the next installment of the Final Fantasy series.

What resulted was a new trailer, featuring what looks like possible gameplay footage.

Too bad North American and European will probably have to wait until 2010 to play the game that was announced three years ago.

A Worldwide Following - Limit Break Radio

"Aniero" and "Kallo" may not be as well known at Central Michigan University as names like "Rao" or "LeFevour," but they are celebrities in their own right.

Limit Break Radio, a podcast and Web site produced in the basement of Merrill Hall, has gained a following of between 70,000 to 120,000 regular listeners worldwide, making it one of the most popular "Final Fantasy XI" podcasts in the world.

"It came to us as a total surprise - a good surprise, but a total surprise," said Troy senior Nathan Bender, who is known to the online community as, "Aniero,"

"Final Fantasy XI" is the latest incarnation in a seven-year-old series of online role-playing video games, set in the fantasy world of Vana'diel.

Please click HERE to read my full story in Central Michigan Life.

Also, checkout Limit Break Radio and see what the hype is about.

Little Big Planet Leads Interactive Acheivement Award Nominations with 10

Sure the film industry has the "Academy Awards" as their big award ceremony, but what does the video game industry have?

It seems as though the Interactive Achievement Awards is the closest thing to an "Academy Awards" of video games.

Hosted by the peer organization of the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences, February 19th award ceremony will mark the 12th in the organizations history.

Friday, their nominations were announced with Sony's "Little Big Planet" leading the pack with 10 nominations including "Overall Game of the Year."

Look for a VGF top picks of the IAA coming soon, but if you can't wait, take a look at the 2008 VGF Awards!

Below is the complete list of nominees for the 12th annual Interactive Achievement Awards :


Family Game of the Year

* Boom Blox - Electronic Arts - EA Los Angeles
* LittleBigPlanet - Sony Computer Entertainment America - Media Molecule
* Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party - Ubisoft - Ubisoft Paris
* Rock Band 2 - MTV Games - Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
* Wii Fit - Nintendo - Nintendo


Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year

* Advance Wars: Days of Ruin - Nintendo - Intelligent Systems
* Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 - Electronic Arts - EA Los Angeles
* Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution - 2K Games - Firaxis
* Sins of a Solar Empire - Stardock Entertainment - Ironclad Games
* Tom Clancy's EndWar - Ubisoft - Ubisoft Shanghai


Outstanding Achievement in Animation

* Castle Crashers - Microsoft Game Studios - The Behemoth
* Gears of War 2 - Microsoft Game Studios - Epic Games, Inc.
* Left 4 Dead - Valve Software - Valve Software
* Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots - Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. - Kojima Productions
* Prince of Persia - Ubisoft - Ubisoft Montreal


Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction

* Dead Space - Electronic Arts - EA Redwood Shores
* Fable II - Microsoft Game Studios - Lionhead Studios
* LittleBigPlanet - Sony Computer Entertainment America - Media Molecule
* Mirror’s Edge - Electronic Arts - Digital Illusions
* Prince of Persia - Ubisoft - Ubisoft Montreal


Outstanding Achievement in Visual Engineering

* Gears of War 2 - Microsoft Game Studios - Epic Games, Inc.
* LittleBigPlanet - Sony Computer Entertainment America - Media Molecule
* Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots - Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. - Kojima Productions
* Resistance 2 - Sony Computer Entertainment America - Insomniac Games
* Tomb Raider: Underworld - Eidos/Warner Bros. Interactive - Crystal Dynamics


Outstanding Achievement in Game Play Engineering

* Fable II - Microsoft Game Studios - Lionhead Studios
* Fallout 3 - Bethesda Softworks - Bethesda Game Studios
* Left 4 Dead - Valve Software - Valve Software
* Spore - Electronic Arts - Maxis
* Tom Clancy's EndWar - Ubisoft - Ubisoft Shanghai


Outstanding Character Performance

* Gears of War 2 (Dom) - Microsoft Game Studios - Epic Games, Inc.
* Gears of War 2 (Marcus) - Microsoft Game Studios - Epic Games, Inc.
* LittleBigPlanet (Sackboy) - Sony Computer Entertainment America - Media Molecule
* Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (Old Snake) - Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. - Kojima Productions
* Tomb Raider: Underworld (Lara Croft) - Eidos/Warner Bros. Interactive - Crystal Dynamics


Outstanding Achievement in Adapted Story

* Lego Batman: The Videogame - Warner Bros. Interactive - TT Games
* Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe - Midway - Midway
* Naruto: The Broken Bond - Ubisoft - Ubisoft
* Quantum of Solace - Activision - Treyarch
* Star Wars: The Force Unleashed - LucasArts - LucasArts


Outstanding Achievement in Original Story

* Brothers In Arms: Hell's Highway - Ubisoft - Gearbox Software
* Fable II - Microsoft Game Studios - Lionhead Studios
* Fallout 3 - Bethesda Softworks - Bethesda Game Studios
* Grand Theft Auto IV - Rockstar Games - Rockstar North
* Professor Layton and the Curious Village - Nintendo - Level 5, Inc.


Role-Playing Game of the Year

* Fable II - Microsoft Game Studios - Lionhead Studios
* Fallout 3 - Bethesda Softworks - Bethesda Game Studios
* Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time - Nintendo - Chunsoft
* Tales of Vesperia - Namco Bandai Games - Namco Bandai Games


Outstanding Innovation in Gaming

* Braid - Microsoft Game Studios - Number None
* Left 4 Dead - Valve Software - Valve Software
* LittleBigPlanet - Sony Computer Entertainment America - Media Molecule
* Spore - Electronic Arts - Maxis
* Wii Fit - Nintendo - Nintendo


Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition

* de Blob - THQ - Blue Tongue
* Dead Space - Electronic Arts - EA Redwood Shores
* Fable II - Microsoft Game Studios - Lionhead Studios
* Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots - Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. - Kojima Productions
* World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King - Blizzard Entertainment - Blizzard Entertainment


Outstanding Achievement in Soundtrack

* Guitar Hero World Tour - Activision - Neversoft Entertainment
* LittleBigPlanet - Sony Computer Entertainment America - Media Molecule
* Motorstorm Pacific Rift - Sony Computer Entertainment America - Evolution Studios
* Rock Band 2 - MTV Games - Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
* Singstar PS3 Vol. 1 - Sony Computer Entertainment America - SCE London Studio


Outstanding Achievement in Sound Design

* Dead Space - Electronic Arts - EA Redwood Shores
* Gears of War 2 - Microsoft Game Studios - Epic Games, Inc.
* LittleBigPlanet - Sony Computer Entertainment America - Media Molecule
* Prince of Persia - Ubisoft - Ubisoft Montreal
* Wipeout HD - Sony Computer Entertainment America - SCE Studios Liverpool


Computer Game of the Year

* Fallout 3 - Bethesda Softworks - Bethesda Game Studios
* Left 4 Dead - Valve Software - Valve Software
* Mass Effect - Electronic Arts - Bioware
* Spore - Electronic Arts - Maxis
* World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King - Blizzard Entertainment - Blizzard Entertainment


Adventure Game of the Year

* Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia - Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. - Konami
* God of War: Chains of Olympus - Sony Computer Entertainment America - Ready at Dawn
* Mirror’s Edge - Electronic Arts - Digital Illusions
* Naruto: The Broken Bond - Ubisoft - Ubisoft
* Prince of Persia - Ubisoft - Ubisoft Montreal


Massively Multiplayer Game of the Year

* EVE Online: Quantum Rise - CCP - CCP hf.
* Pirates of the Burning Sea - Sony Online Entertainment - Flying Lab Software
* PMOG - GameLayers - GameLayers
* Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning - Electronic Arts - Mythic Entertainment
* World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King - Blizzard Entertainment - Blizzard Entertainment


Sports Game of the Year

* FIFA 09 - Electronic Arts - EA Canada
* Madden NFL 09 - Electronic Arts - EA Tiburon
* MLB 08: The Show - Sony Computer Entertainment America - SCE Studios San Diego
* NBA 2K9 - 2K Sports - Visual Concepts
* NHL 09 - Electronic Arts - EA Canada


Racing Game of the Year

* Burnout Paradise - Electronic Arts - Critereon Games
* GRID - Codemasters - Codemasters
* Mario Kart Wii - Nintendo - Nintendo
* Motorstorm Pacific Rift - Sony Computer Entertainment America - Evolution Studios
* Pure - Disney Interactive Studios - Black Rock Studio


Fighting Game of the Year

* Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe - Midway - Midway
* Soul Calibur IV - Namco Bandai Games - Project Soul
* Super Smash Bros. Brawl - Nintendo - Nintendo, HAL Laboratory, Sora Ltd.
* Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix - Capcom - Backbone Entertainment
* WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 - THQ - Yuke's Co., Ltd.


Outstanding Achievement in Online Game Play

* Call of Duty: World at War - Activision - Treyarch
* Gears of War 2 - Microsoft Game Studios - Epic Games, Inc.
* Left 4 Dead - Valve Software - Valve Software
* NHL 09 - Electronic Arts - EA Canada
* Rock Band 2 - MTV Games - Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.


Action Game of the Year

* Call of Duty: World at War - Activision - Treyarch
* Dead Space - Electronic Arts - EA Redwood Shores
* Far Cry 2 - Ubisoft - Ubisoft Montreal
* Gears of War 2 - Microsoft Game Studios - Epic Games, Inc.
* Grand Theft Auto IV - Rockstar Games - Rockstar North


Handheld Game of the Year

* Advance Wars: Days of Ruin - Nintendo - Intelligent Systems
* Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia - Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. - Konami
* God of War: Chains of Olympus - Sony Computer Entertainment America - Ready at Dawn
* Patapon - Sony Computer Entertainment America - Sony Computer Entertainment International
* Professor Layton and the Curious Village - Nintendo - Level 5, Inc.


Cellular Game of the Year

* Reset Generation - Nokia - RedLynx
* Spore Origins - Electronic Arts - Babaroga, Tricky Software
* Trism - Demiforce - Demiforce


Casual Game of the Year

* Braid - Microsoft Game Studios - Number None
* Mystery Case Files: Return to Ravenhurst - Big Fish Games - Big Fish Games
* Patapon - Sony Computer Entertainment America - Sony Computer Entertainment International
* Professor Layton and the Curious Village - Nintendo - Level 5, Inc.
* World of Goo - Nintendo - 2D Boy


Outstanding Achievement in Game Design

* Fable II - Microsoft Game Studios - Lionhead Studios
* Fallout 3 - Bethesda Softworks - Bethesda Game Studios
* Gears of War 2 - Microsoft Game Studios - Epic Games, Inc.
* Left 4 Dead - Valve Software - Valve Software
* World of Goo - Nintendo - 2D Boy


Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction

* Fallout 3 - Bethesda Softworks - Bethesda Game Studios
* Gears of War 2 - Microsoft Game Studios - Epic Games, Inc.
* Left 4 Dead - Valve Software - Valve Software
* LittleBigPlanet - Sony Computer Entertainment America - Media Molecule
* Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots - Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. - Kojima Productions


Console Game of the Year

* Fallout 3 - Bethesda Softworks - Bethesda Game Studios
* Gears of War 2 - Microsoft Game Studios - Epic Games, Inc.
* Grand Theft Auto IV - Rockstar Games - Rockstar North
* LittleBigPlanet - Sony Computer Entertainment America - Media Molecule
* Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots - Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. - Kojima Productions


Overall Game of the Year

* Fallout 3 - Bethesda Softworks - Bethesda Game Studios
* Grand Theft Auto IV - Rockstar Games - Rockstar North
* Left 4 Dead - Valve Software - Valve Software
* LittleBigPlanet - Sony Computer Entertainment America - Media Molecule
* Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots - Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. - Kojima Productions

Greatest Video Game Music - Nintendo

Welcome to part one of an ongoing series where we take a look at some of the greatest music in video games per console.

First up is the original Nintendo, so feel free to either download the podcast or simply click play below.

Enjoy:

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Inaugurating Your Console

As if you haven't heard enough of President Barack Obama, even gaming news from gamespot seems to have information on the new President.

If you are one of the only 12 people to miss yesterday's historic inauguration, you may still be in luck.

For a limited time, Microsoft is including President Obama's inauguration as well as other Obama related content for download on the Xbox Live Marketplace.

There also is news that the United States may have a "First Wii."

That's right, amongst the plethora of moving boxes and furniture into the White House; there is reportedly a Nintendo Wii aboard for President Obama and his family (mostly his two daughters) to enjoy.

Finally, evidence that video game consoles are making there way into the White House. Let's just hope that Obama doesn't further restrict video game content.

How strange would it be if Barack or Michelle Obama accidently purchased a "T" or "M" rated game for the first kids?

Cool Zelda CGI Film

For your viewing pleasure, check out this pretty cool CGI Zelda movie created by Jack Curran:

The Wii can be hazardous for your Nintendogs

A MSNBC report yesterday stated that a family nearly killed their dog in the process of playing their Wii.

If it sounds unusual - it is.

According to the report Marquette, Michigan dog owner Kathy White struck her five-month-old miniature Sheltie in the temple while playing the Wii.

Apparently, "Ozzy" jumped at the prociese moment White was following through her bowling swing on "Wii Sports."

White then enlisted the help of neighbor, Pene Honey, after panicing at the site of the lifeless dog.

Honey reportedly provided four or five breathes to poor "Ozzy" through his nose. After that, "Ozzy" coughed and woke up. Seems like a mere phoenix down would have sufficed.

Veterinarians discovered that "Ozzy" had severe brain swelling and was in cardiac arrest from the incident. However, he should be fine within a couple of weeks.

I guess that is why Nintendo provides a disclaimer before games warning users not to play near objects or PETS!

Nevertheless, we at VGF want to wish a heartfelt recovery for poor "Ozzy." It seems that Microsoft and Sony are not the only two being harmed by Nintendo's uber-popular console - of puppy doom!

Video Game Violence Addressed

Violence in video games appears to be the topic of the day with two stories coming through Gamespot concerning violence in video games.

First, is a murder conviction of a 18-year-old man dubbed the "Halo 3 Killer" after he shot his mother and father because his mother took away his favorite video game - Halo 3 - because he was playing it too much.

Daniel Petric had killed his mother while injuring his father in the incident.

The young man's defense attorney said Petric became "obsessed" with the game citing him as both aggressive and irrational when he was not allowed to play it.

Just like an addiction.

Petric's sentencing gave way to other violence in video games news when US Representatives Joe Baca (D-California) and Frank Wolf (R-Virginia) introduced the "Video Games Health Labeling Act of 2009."

The act would mandate that all video games rated "T for Teen" or higher consisting of violent content would display a caution, warning parents of the affects of video game violence.

In the proposed act, the label would read "WARNING: Excessive exposure to violent video games and other violent media has been linked to aggressive behavior."

Ideally the act would hold parents more accountable for purchasing violent video games for their children.

In essence, they can trade off not reading the ESRB warning for violence for not reading a federally mandated warning signaling an inconclusive contention to video game violence that disregards other factors in a child's life such as socioeconomic status, mental health issues, and the overall rearing strategy of the parents.

What do you think?

Video Game Photos from CES 2009

The Consumer Electronic Show is underway in Las Vegas and the gaming industry is making its presence felt.

Here is a look at new photos from CES 09 that Gamespot has collected:

Resident Evil 5 - Xbox 360, PS3

Street Fighter IV - PC, Xbox 360, PS3

Resistance: Retribution - PSP

DC Universe Online - PC, PS3

Dead Rising: Chop Til You Drop - Wii

Dark Void - PC, Xbox 360

Flock - PC, Xbox 360, PS3

EGM: Electronic Gaming Monthly Magazine No More?

Word appears to be flooding in everywhere namely 1up itself that 1up.com has been sold to UGO Entertainment.

UGO Entertainment is owned by the Hearst cooperation who owns several large newspapers as well as the magazine Cosmopolitan and portions of ESPN.

However, 1up.com's magazine counterpart Electronic Gaming Monthly may have printed its last issue.

According to Kotaku and GameSetWatch.com, the monthly gaming magazine will no longer be published and January's edition may well be its last.

No official word on the fate of the longtime industry magazine until tomorrow.

Top Ten Most Memorable Video Game Characters

We all have our favorite video game characters from Mario to Sonic or Master Chief to Samus, but one thing remains the same - they are all memorable characters.

Now join us for a look back at the top ten most memorable video game characters of all-time:

10. Samus Aran










The world shuttered in the moment when one of the greatest video game revelations spanned across the globe: Samus is a girl!? Ranging from a versatile killing machine to a wise choice in the Super Smash Bros. series, Samus is a character that Nintendo fans and casual gamers alike seem to have a soft spot for. Or maybe it's because the games she had been in are fantastic.


9. Lara Croft










Although no Tomb Raider game has even been above par, Lara Croft has been well received by gamers worldwide. Gee, I wonder why? It wouldn't be too much of a stretch to say that the design of Lara Croft has been mimicked as a standard in outlandish female character design and has brightened the faces of young boys who love to see her jump and run everywhere. Now it's almost like we see some form of Lara Croft in nearly every game


8. Mega Man







Who doesn't love this little guy. He's cute, he's blue, he runs and jumps funny, and he sucks the super powers from his foes' bodies after he annihilates them. The star of Capcom's painfully difficult series has always been a favorite for those very reasons. We all - at least secretly - wish that the classic Mega Man would return some day to vaporize the cartoonie reiteration of what our blue little friend once was.


7. Sonic the Hedgehog







If this was about 15 years ago Sonic would be near the top. Sadly, the glory days of Sonic appear to be over, but we can't forget about the fastest guy in the video game world. Running through our video game memories from childhood, Sonic is certainly the character that not only helped to build the once great Sega empire, but was a key figure in the ruthless battle between Nintendo and Genesis owners.


6. Solid Snake











Certainly the grittiest character on the list, Solid Snake still manages to capture our hearts with his winning smile. Okay, maybe not, but Solid Snake has been our constant hero from one of the greatest video game franchises of all-time. At some point or another, everyone has wanted to walk in Snake's shoes just to know how cool it feels to be the coolest and most stealthy guy on the video game block. I'm surprised he didn't infiltrate first place


5. Cloud Strife









Outside some gaming circles you will find people who don't even know his name, but if anyone knows anything about Final Fantasy VII they know about Cloud and his big sword. Certainly not the most sociable of video game characters, Cloud is someone you would certainly want on your side in a fight. Being one of the most dynamic and mysterious video game characters of all-time in one of the greatest video game stories of all-time, it is easy to see why Cloud Strife is so memorable.


4. Master Chief








Fear not, your beloved Master Chief made the list. Perhaps being the most played video game character of all-time it is hard to believe that Master Chief's faceless, identical features make him so memorable. Of course, he does have his gruff voice that I'm sure woes the ladies. Nevertheless, I'm sure that the fact that the Halo series pretty much created the standard upon which all other online multiplayer fist-person shooters are judged has something to do with it as well.


3. Link











What can we say about Link aside from "heeeyaaaa!" Although this cute little elf guy in green has yet to say a single, audible word he is one of the most memorable video game characters of all-time. Acting as the star in some of the greatest video games of all-time it is easy to see why we love him so much. Also, the complexity of classic Zelda puzzles and environments mean that we have all spent many intimate hours with him as we scratch our heads in the proverbial "I'm stumped" mode. This poor guy has been through a lot and we have been with him experiencing some of gaming's greatest moments of all-time.


2. Pac-man








Everyone, and most literally everyone, knows that a yellow circle with a triangle cut out of it is not just a yellow circle with a triangle cut out of it, it's Pac-man. You will be hard pressed to find anyone these days who has never played Pac-man: gamer and non-gamer alike. He is one hungry yellow circle with a triangle cut out of it and he really loves his blinking white balls. Too bad he's afraid of ghosts, but aren't we all? Pac-man has been changed and reintroduced in several different ways but he still remains one of the most memorable icons in the entire world.


1. Super Mario










When you hear the words "video game character" or even "video game" I am willing to bet that you will be thinking about the happy Italian plumber created by a Japanese guy. Mario is THE video game character that has captured the hearts and countless hours of millions - perhaps billions - of people across the globe. Mario is also easily the single image that the entire industry - and Nintendo's lifetime profits - can be described by. Everyone loves Mario and anyone who tells you they don't is a lying because for many of us, Mario is the first thing we can remember about the early days of playing video games dating back to his debut in 1985. Yet he still manages to be included in fantastic, well-received games to date. That is one character that has withstood the test of time and reins as the most memorable video game character ever.

The 2nd Annual VGF Awards 2008

Despite what others have said across the industry, 2008 wasn't exactly the best year for the industry.

Sure, we saw the return of great franchises such as Grand Theft Auto, Gears of War, Resistance, Metal Gear Solid, Call of Duty, Mario Kart, and Super Smash Bros., but because of such there was little innovation to be found this year.

Regardless, 2008 was still a great year filled with enough new content to keep gamers entertained well into 2009.

Below are the 2008 VGF Awards, the most prestigious award show on this blog this year!

Feel free to comment and voice your opinion on what you feel are the greatest games of the year:

Best Visuals:

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (PS3)

The first time you experience Metal Gear Solid 4’s seamless sequences from an engaging cinematic presentation to immersive gameplay you know you are looking a great visual presentation. The mere fact that there is no distinguishable difference between the game’s many cinematic sequences and gameplay is a true feat in the visual capabilities of this title. Pushing the Playstation 3 to its extremes and showcasing its true visual capability, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is truly the most beautiful game of 2008.

Best Story:

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (PS3)

Maybe I am a little biased, but the epic conclusion of one of the industry’s best storylines is something to make note of. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is not only a fantastic game, but a crowning achievement in story telling unparalleled in the medium. Producer/Director Hideo Kojima crafts a familiar cast of characters yet added enough depth to keep each interesting. None of MGS4’s characters are static. The emotional connection Kojima conveys with each character via the story make this an experience gamers will not soon forget.

Best Music:

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (PS3)

Once again Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots excels in providing a complete media experience with its excellent soundtrack. The Metal Gear Solid franchise is nothing new to Hollywood composer Harry Gregson-Williams and his experience with both forms of media helps to further exemplify the cinematic experience of the game. Coupling heart-breaking scores with emotionally impactful moments helped to tangibly covey the psychological ambiance of this engrossing title. In other words, the music is fantastic!

Most Overrated Game:

Grand Theft Auto IV (PC, Xbox 360, PS3)

I know that I am bound to receive a lot of flack for this, but Grand Theft Auto IV is the most overrated and disappointing game of 2008. Sure it’s the first GTA game to grace next-generation consoles, but that doesn’t automatically mean the game is superb. GTAIV pails in comparison to earlier GTA titles such as Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Missions are overly repetitive not only onto themselves but repetitive of previous GTA titles as well – you can only clean up and drive away from messy drug deals so many times before its gets boring. Also, you can no longer purchase property, a diverse arrangement of clothing, or manipulate your hair style or physical appearance. Money is practically useless in the game aside from purchasing weapons. However, the game replaces monetary gain with a new incredibly annoying, and tedious, friend system where characters you interact with in the game constantly call you to hang out and if you don’t, you are no longer friends. When you do eventually agree to being roped into doing something with these characters you have to drive across the city to pick them up, drive back across the city to do whatever they want to do (such as spend 5 minutes bowling), and then you have to drive across the city again to drop them off – no of which is any fun. You can choose not to engage to these activities, but what’s the point in having this option if you aren’t supposed to be friends with these people? GTA4 simply has too many annoying distractions that subtract from an already watered down shell of what the series has previously been. It’s just sad when this is a game worse than its four-year-old predecessor.

Best Online Multiplayer Content:

Little Big Planet (PS3)

With Resistance 2 featuring multiplayer matches with up to 60 players and Call of Duty: World at War further polishing its unparalleled multiplayer experience, it becomes very difficult to choose a winner here. Nevertheless, Little Big Planet dares to do something new with nearly limitless possibilities. Providing players with the necessary tools to craft their own levels in any way they see fit is truly extraordinary. I have played anything from beautifully crafted night life scenes to complete remakes of classic Super Mario levels to imaginative adventures in the Ghostbusters universe. With no signs of slowing, added content coming every couple of weeks, and a wide user-base, this is an online experience that makes the game’s $60 price tag well worth the money.

Most Unique Nontraditional Gameplay:

Wii Fit (Wii)

Congratulations to Nintendo for tricking gamers and non-gamers alike into working out and the Wii balance board makes it all possible. Calibrating everything from your weight and balance to your posture, the Wii balance board quickly blurs the lines between playing a video game and serving a useful purpose. Not to mention you can use the Wii balance board to play with your butt flying downhill in Rayman: Raving Rabbids TV Party: something I never thought I would do.

Best Plateformer:

Little Big Planet (PS3)

Nothing like a game that can revive the nostalgia when we played games the same way we read books: left-to-right. Little Big Planet not only does that but looks beautiful in the process. The game that literally captivates our imagination also showcased outstandingly beautiful visuals, surprisingly realistic physics, and incredible online content. This was surely a title PS3 fans had waited a long time for and with good reason. Little Big Planet was charming, whimsical fun that was unmatched this year.

Best First-Person Shooter:

Call of Duty: World at War (PC, Wii, Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, DS)

Always a tough category, the industry is constantly flooded with first-person shooters. However, the sequel to last year’s winner takes the cake another year. Despite initial criticism that the series was returning to the tired World War II genre, Call of Duty: World at War does what many other first-person shooters fail to try - attaching emotional connections to the reasons you are fighting. Peppered with as many dramatic sequences as its predecessor and adding additional content such as cooperative campaigns and even a mode to slay waves of Nazi zombies (a la Left 4 Dead) this is another installment of a series that continues to showcase the pinnacle of the genre.

Best Multiplatform Game:

Fallout 3 (PC, Xbox 360, PS3)

Difficult to be classified in a genre, Fallout 3 is certainly the one game in 2008 no one saw coming. Reviving as the sequel to two strategy games released ten years ago, Fallout 3 makes a fantastic reentry to the forefront of gaming. Its beautiful synthesis of RPG and FPS gaming mechanics make this game feel like a next-generation update of Deus Ex, without the conspiracy. Regardless if you have a PC, Xbox 360, or PS3 you need to check this one out.

Best Wii Exclusive:

Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Wii)

No list of the greatest games of 2008 could be complete without a mention of Super Smash Bros. Brawl, easily the must-own title for Nintendo Wii owners this year. Not only is this the best Super Smash Bros. game ever made, it is the greatest collection of Nintendo all-stars (and even others) to date. Finally, Nintendo fans are able to take their much honed Super Smash Bros. skills online and compete with gamers across the globe. Add a surprisingly lengthy and thematic single-player sub-space emissary mode and you have the best game on the Wii this year. Not to mention this is a game open to all Nintendo fans with the option to play with nearly any control scheme available on the Wii.

Best Playstation 3 Exclusive:

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (PS3)

Hailed by many as a system seller even years before its release, Metal

Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is a game people will point to as defining the Playstation 3 for years to come. Making this game an exclusive on Sony’s console may have saved the dreary machine from its slump. The shear technical mastery of the game makes this something that only the PS3 could pull-off and showcases what the console has to offer. Excellence in presentation, story, and music, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is a game no PS3 owner should be without.

Best Xbox 360 Exclusive:

Gears of War 2 (Xbox 360)

You take perhaps the greatest game of 2006, polish its visuals, expand gameplay, and include additional content and you have the must-own title for Xbox 360 owners this year. Gears of War 2 is bigger and better than its predecessor in nearly every way to make this

an incredibly enjoyable experience for fans of the genre or even folks how just like to shoot things or kill people with chainsaws attached to their guns. Regardless, not much else can be said of a series that continues to impress upon the entire industry coupling brilliant visuals with killer gameplay.

Game of the Year:

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots(PS3)

I know you must be tired of hearing the name of this game once again and I personally believe that longer and more creative bouts of gameplay could have been added to perfect this game, but taken into perspective, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is the best game of 2008. Something has to be said about the artistic synthesis of both a film and video game in a way that moves the entire medium forward. No doubt, Metal Gear Solid 4 will make a lasting impression on anyone who played the game with its countless emotional and almost surreal sequences which are clearly unmatched by anything in the entire industry. Were there games with better gameplay in 2008? Certainly. However, Metal Gear Solid 4 is a technical masterpiece in every sense of the word. Add that with the best story and music of the year and you are left with no other choice than to hail this as simply the best game of 2008. In the same way that the Academy Awards has helped to highlight films that helped the entire industry progress by their aesthetic prowess, Metal Gear Solid 4 truly illuminates the potential that the video game industry has not only in story telling, but as an interactive entertainment medium. That is why this will be a game that will be remembered for years to come as the best of 2008.