Top 10 Games to Receive Christmas 2008

Christmas is the time of year for tradition, with old traditions on one side; spending time with family and friends, opening presents, eating turkey, and having some well spent time off. And now the modern traditions, such as reading the common article of ‘the top 10 best things for Christmas [input year]‘, it may be worth a sigh, but I assure you, this year’s good ‘en when it comes to gaming.

2008 has brought excitement and hype in every direction, and it has surprisingly delivered to all systems in one way or another. There has also been a good variety; for once we haven’t just seen FPS’s on the Xbox 360, there has been a real decent 3rd person shooter too. The PC has shown sign of life with a few well worth mentioning gems, the PS3 has taken the spotlight with some honorary ‘game of the year’ titles, and last but not least, the Wii has lived up to its highly interactive – but casual – input.

In no particular, I’ll be picking out some of the best titles of the year from most of the systems mentioned above, with a small explanation for why I feel you should choose to ask for (or wrap) at least one of these great titles this Christmas.

10. Fable II

Developer: Lionhead Studios

Genre: Role-playing

System/s: Xbox 360

You may remember the loving and charming prequel to Lionhead’s second gifted creation, Fable. What makes this series so great is the ability to develop your own path and then have your actions cause consequences upon your character and people. This game is all about interacting with the people and the world around you, and living a hero’s life in a brilliantly sculpted fantasy setting.

Fable II manages to successfully build upon the already unique and well formed Fable foundations, and Peter Molyneux’s (Lead Designer at Lionhead) promises have all been fulfilled this time around. The world is bigger – much bigger, there’s more to explore, more enemies to defeat, more people to befriend or hate and more ways to befriend and hate them, a cinematic storyline and an involving world to be a part of, and once more, you have a lovable to dog to follow you around, it couldn’t get much better than this.

9. Left 4 Dead

Developer: Valve

Genre: First person shooter

System/s: Xbox 360, PC

There’s always been something about relentless zombies and guns, they just always go together, and when you place it in the context of a cheesy but dark and deserted setting, well then you have the perfect game we’ve all been waiting for. Valve has finally been the first to the zombie cleansing prize, and I must say, they’ve nailed what we’ve all been thinking. How do they do it I wonder?

The thing which makes Left 4 Dead such an addictive and pacing experience is its mastering of the simplicity, on paper you really are just running from point ‘A’ to ‘B’ killing zombies as you go, but when you begin to describe the 80’s style movies theme, atmospheric lighting and broken settings, the well timed and relative soundtrack in pace with the extremely well animated zombies, then things begin to slot into pace.

If you really are missing the co-op reliant experience like a lot of other people are right now, then Left 4 Dead is a must have, otherwise… buy it anyway.

8. Crysis: Warhead

Developer: Crytek

Genre: First person shooter

System/s: PC

I know not all PC owners own the best of rigs which can run most, if not, all games to super high settings, and not all PC gamers are craving for eye candy or intense fire fights, but if you do fall into a couple of these headings then Crysis and Crysis: Warhead should be at the near top of your Christmas list.

Crytek have been well known for developing games which score an ‘A+’ in graphical/technical achievement, but they have never been too well applauded for much else. Crysis: Warhead I believe broke the chains of stereotypical views from the company and showed the people who were willing to play that they can deliver high carnage, intense fire fights and great level design as well as reaching high bars on a graphical scale. You’ll also be pleased to know that Crysis: Warhead does fix many of the issues with performance from the original Crysis, so if you’re looking to show off to the console players in style – without embarrassing frame rate issues – then Crysis: Warhead is highly recommended.

7. Little Big Planet

Developer: Media Molecule

Genre: Platformer

System/s: Playstation 3

It’s always been very hard to find a game for everyone, something every member of the family may in enjoy and also something every gamer should enjoy also, covering all these different wants is much of a challenge to even comprehend never mind develop. Media Molecule may have just cracked it though with one of the Playstaion 3’s most anticipated titles of 2008, Little Big Planet.

To describe Little Big Planet as simply and briefly as possible, it’s a game which entices limitless creativity of platformer type levels in any theme, you can even customise your own pieces of environment to give your levels their own unique touch. Then to make things even more fun, you can share these levels with your fiends locally or on the Playstation network.

Little Big Planet has been one of those titles which had showed off its true colours pretty late in development, it had been talked about and hyped beforehand but nowhere near as much when the first proper gameplay footage was released, this may have played in favour slightly as Little Big Planet had been everything – plus more – of what was shown.

Little Big Planet is game unlike any other, a true mascot of the Playstation 3, and a truly great game for any Playstation 3 owner.

6. Mirror’s Edge

Developer: DICE

Genre: Action-adventure

System/s: Xbox 360, Playstation 3 & PC

This year is a good year if you’re fed up with the long stream of rehashed first person shooters, it’s also a good year if you want more of the long stream of rehashed first person shooters, Mirror’s Edge is definitely not of the latter, although it is first person.

Mirror’s Edge is a game of art and definitive style, DICE have taken parkour (the art of movement, in meaning) and allowed you to play it as realistically close as possible in a game, realistic in a sense of Faith’s (Faith being the main character) movements in the world created. She runs and jumps as you would in real parkour, and the movements and actions are completely fluid, at least that’s the way you’re meant to play it. DICE should also be praised for their graphic and visual style, the in-between story clips look like an animated version of a comic, and everything in game just looks and feels clean and refreshing; who knows maybe because they were aiming for a simple, clean and refreshing type of game, as it’s certainly what it delivers.

Mirror’s Edge is a most credible break from the common sequence of attraction to the violent 1st person and 3rd person shooters out there, DICE have shown it’s a design risk worth taking as this is another worthy of a purchase.

5. Far Cry 2

Developer: Ubisoft

Genre: First person shooter

System/s: Xbox 360, Playstation 3 & PC

Sequels can be a very risky business, definitely so when being passed onto another developer. It’s a relief this developer decided to take the name as its own, as this is about the only relation it has with the original Far Cry.

Ubisoft worked from the ground up on this ambitious but fulfilling title, producing its own engine and all new African environments. And although it takes upon the ‘FPS, high action and intense fire fights’ genre, it gives it a twist of full freedom, interact shooting and healing abilities. Misusing any of Far Cry 2’s 30+ weapons can cause them to jam, and overusing a weapon can cause the weapon to break. Getting shot too much will force you to physically heal yourself in a rather gruesome and unwanted graphic manner. What Ubisoft has also offered in this impressive high octane shooter are playability options. You may take on any of the missions anyway you want, either way it means you shooting, but you can go through at night and stealthily plan your approach or you can take the more risky ‘all guns blazing’ approach.

Far Cry 2 may not be for the faint of heart or any gamer who is already bored of the shooter, but it gives the current shooter fan base a different reason for the one man army treatment.

4. Grand Theft Auto IV

Developer: Rockstar North

Genre: First person shooter

System/s: Xbox 360, Playstation 3 & PC

Probably the most popular and controversial game ever, as it has been in the media also, and it really doesn’t need an introduction… but I’ll give one anyway. Grand Theft Auto IV is the fourth reinvention of the Grand Theft Auto series and the seventh Grand Theft Auto to be named Grand Theft Auto, if that’s not a mouth full.

Rockstar North have nearly thrown everything away but the obvious in its latest rendition, you still have the ability to steal cars, and you still have the ability to run a rampage through a huge free-roaming city, this time though it’s been taken a little more seriously. A long with a realistic but gritty graphics update, the character you play can talk and has a personality with flaws and cares, you’ll be recognising the types of missions but you’ll be a bit more involved within the story line and current affairs. The game itself has also stepped up a notch in the ‘real to life’ department with the introduction to a new and rethought driving mechanic, and the inclusion of a cover system for some more intense gun battles. And if all this is too orderly for you, or it just isn’t enough, expect to be blown away by the highly customisable and re-playable multiplayer modes.

This would be an unsurprising ‘game of the year’ winner for the reinvention alone, and a must own by any console owner. If you haven’t got it yet, add it to that list.

3. Fallout 3

Developer: Bethesda

Genre: Role-playing

System/s: Xbox 360, Playstation 3 & PC

With the Elder Scroll’s series under its belt, and even more to come, Bethesda break the mould a little and take on the underground hit, Fallout.

Fallout 3 risks itself for being too much like the Elder Scrolls series and is also a gamble at being inaccessible to newer audiences, Bethesda though have almost struck the middle line spot-on by making Fallout 3 familiar and relatively easy to pick up, but close to its original Fallout humour and theme.

To some, Fallout 3 can be seen as being too dark in tone, but what it does is create an atmosphere which can be taken slightly disturbingly but also very amusingly, and this fits in quite nicely to the look and style of the game. Bethesda have done their usual and applied a lot of options and variety, and given you a singleplayer experience above any other in a re-playable value. You’ll be able create the look of your character with an extensive customisation tool, apply a wide range of armour and weaponry, pick up and use almost anything you find, and take on as many quests as you like in any order.

For all the gamers complaining about repetitive gameplay and lack of depth, Fallout 3 is much of the opposite but is also forgiving with its relatively short learning curve.

2. Gears of War 2

Developer: Epic Games

Genre: Role-playing

System/s: Xbox 360

Following the 2006 Xbox 360 exclusive release of Gears of War, Epic Games goes for another home run with the expected but heavily hoped for Gears of War 2.

Being pretty much a tester for Epic Games as they’re line-up previously being true to the Unreal universe with Unreal and Unreal Tournament, with a lot of publicity with the help of Microsoft Epic Games has become better known for developing Gears of War and Gears of War 2. Of course it also helps if it’s a good game, which they both just happen to be.

Gears of War can be seen as the introduction to the cast and props for a rehearsal, where as Gears of War 2 sets the stage completely. This series fulfils the blood thirsty gamers, and the gamers who want to just jump straight into the action, you’ll be able to cut mow your enemies down with oversized guns, or be up close and personal with chainsaw bayonets. The story is also completely exaggerated, juggernaut-like aliens called “Locusts” are attacking the fictional planet of “Sera”, and you must stop them with a single squad. This isn’t the most complicated or sophisticated plot ever assembled, but this game delivers on intense action sequences, graphics and multiplayer modes. Gears of War 2 goes one step further in each of these areas, plus it gives you the missing link of a rather good story.

If you want to play a game this Christmas which fulfils with many different multiplayer modes, visuals, and a lot of gore, then Gears of War 2 is where it’s at.

1. Metal Gear Solid 4

Developer: Kojima Productions

Genre: Stealth-action

System/s: Playstation 3

They say games never translate well into movies, and it has been proven a number of times, but one series which they have yet to attempt is probably the one with the most cinematic potential, Metal Gear Solid.

Metal Gear Solid astonished us first on the Playstation in 1998, and why did it do so well? Because, it was one of the first games to successfully offer the gamer a movie-like plot and extremely well choreographed cut-scenes. It was as close to as playing a movie you could get, and it still is with the latest release of Metal Gear Solid 4 for the Playstation 3.

Metal Gear Solid 4 follows on from the previous Metal Gear Solids not just upon story, but in quality and performance. The plot may take a few play-throughs to understand fully, and the cut-scenes may drag on for a little too long, but the gameplay that breaks it up happens to be just as convincing and gripping.

Metal Gear Solid also excels with its advanced graphics, but also with its enhanced gameplay mechanics. The stealth has been taken to another level, and you won’t just be distracting guards and hiding in boxes, there are a number of gadgets such as your camouflaged costume which adapts to different environments, and your partnered controllable robot which can paralyse enemies and recon areas.

In addition to the lengthy sinleplayer there’s also a multiplayer option called “Metal Gear Online” which is essentially a separate game due of its unique and different style of play, and number of gameplay modes and player options.

Metal Gear Solid 4 is fantastic value for money as well as being just fantastic value full stop. Any movie fan or stealth-action fan should try this out as soon as possible even if you haven’t tried out any of the previous games. This is first priority to any PS3 owners out there.

Conclusion

The ten titles I have mentioned here are by no means the only games which have deserved recognition this year, as already mentioned 2008 has been a great year for games and there could probably be a list of thirty ‘must buy’ titles or even more. The ones I have chosen here had been games that had stuck out from the crowd, and offered something either very different or especially enjoyable.

Other titles worth looking into…

Prince of Persia (Xbox 360, PC & Playstation 3)

End War (Xbox 360, PC & Playstation 3)

Dead Space (Xbox 360, PC & Playstation 3)

Guitar Hero: World Tour (Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Wii & Playstation 2)

Resistance 2 (Playstation 3)

Race Driver: GRID (Xbox 360, Playstation 3 & PC)

Hope you all get what you wished for!