2008 GOTY awards

[Solver]

So, some awards are out. Note that I'm talking PC only in this post. IGN, which has been my most respected gaming site, for the last few years, gave GOTY to Sins of a Solar Empire - quite a surprise, in fact. Other nominees were Fallout 3, GTA 4, Left4Dead and Warhammer. Left4Dead got best shooter and best MP game awards from them.

Gamespy's GOTY went to Fallout 3, with Warhammer and Left4Dead coming in second and third. Spike TV gave their award to Left 4 Dead.

I wonder what you people think the best game this year was. What I find interesting about the awards is, Left 4 Dead picked up quite a few, while Spore is apparently only going to get minor awards. Left 4 Dead is making me curious, I haven't even considered getting it because I am picky with MP games and don't find the premise too interesting, but it's getting so much praise...

For me, Fallout 3 is a very close candidate for GOTY. I couldn't stop playing at all for two weeks after I got it, and I find it to be a fantastic game throughout. But nonetheless, I'd personally pick Mass Effect, it not only offers top-class gameplay and story, it also has excellent storytelling. It stands out sharply against Fallout 3. While I like how the dialogues are written in both games, Mass Effect really shines in the execution of those.

[DarkCloud]

I don't know about the PC version of Mass Effect, but the Console version (which came out in Winter 2007) certainly is Game of the Year Material. It was a very solid game.

People bashed the inventory system... I thought it could have been better, but was workable.

I'm looking forward to the sequel.

[Asher]

Fallout 3 isn't even in the top 5 games this year.

[Felch]

What are your top five? I'd judge this in terms of the game that I remember playing an enjoying the most.

Call of Duty IV was the game I played the most this year, and Live was so buggy after Christmas that I didn't really play it much at all last year. If it were eligible, it would be in the top spot. It's got a great campaign, with lots of moments and a damn good story for a video game. And the multiplayer makes you wonder why you wasted time playing the campaign. Even if in-depth strategies are difficult to implement, the variety of options for the player make it fun for me even now.
[list=1][*]Fallout 3[*]Fable 2[*]Civ: Rev[*]Castle Crashers[*]Operation Darkness[/list=1]

Fallout 3 is my top game of the year. I've loved the Fallout setting for a long time. I've spent entire days of my life playing Bethesda games. It was a perfect pairing, and I played it to death. When new content comes out, I'm sure I'll play that to death. But the fact that it's a single-player game makes replay dull. Most of my fun from a game like that is exploring and seeing things the first time. Plus it's buggy as hell, even freezing up the 360 which is rare.

Fable 2 is an awesome game, which I haven't played enough of since Fallout came out a week later. It's odd pairing of Sims-style personal relationships, and a renaissance action-RPG was very cool. I like seeing new things, and say what you will of Peter Molynieux's (sp?) over-optimism, he at least has the balls and the resources to makes crazy **** happen.

Civ: Rev was a good game, I enjoyed it, and it got friends of mine to at least look at 4X games. Playing it though, makes me want to play real Civ. With options, and mods, and real scenarios, and depth of gameplay. On the DS it's a good ersatz. Otherwise, it's lacking.

Castle Crashers is my favorite party game of the year. I don't like dance or guitar games, because they're all rhythm games, and those piss me off. I'm white, I have no rhythm, I even need spell check to spell it correctly. Castle Crashers is a fun game to play instead. It's got easy controls, kind of Double Dragon-ish. But it incorporates RPG elements that reward you for playing. And with three friends, it's really a blast. However, single player blows.

Operation: Darkness was a cool game with a terrible camera, terrible interface, and a terrible story. It's a tactical RPG about vampire Nazis and Werewolf/Magical Brits. If you've ever played Final Fantasy Tactics, or Shining Force, it's similar. Just with Nazis.

Spore didn't make the list, nor did Colonization. Spore just didn't feel fun. It was like I wasn't really playing a game, I was just playing with an editor. And while it was a cool editor, I was hoping for a game. Colonization introduced very little that I thought was groundbreaking, but brought in a good bit that was gamebreaking. The leader traits were a nice touch, and the revamping of the Continental Congress was good. But those were pretty minor, and were overshadowed by the endgame restraints.

[Asher]

1. Left 4 Dead
2. Fable II
3. GTA4
4. LittleBigPlanet
5. Rock Band 2

Note: Have not yet played Gears of War 2 or Dead Space, not sure where they may or may not rank.

[Felch]

I haven't played GoW 2 or Dead Space either. I don't have a PS3, so I haven't played LittleBigPlanet either. I hear really good things, and I was impressed by that calculator video you posted. Left 4 Dead I've played a little, and I enjoyed it, but I haven't played it multiplayer yet. I really should get to that.

[FrostyBoy]

If Left 4 Dead was so good, how come it wasn't being discussed much, if at all?

[El_Cid]

Of the games solver mentioned being in the running for GOTY, i'm also surprised that Sins of a Solar Empire is in the running. Not that it's a bad game from all accounts(not played it myself) but it's got pretty stiff competition from much bigger players.

Mass Effect on PC was an improvement on the 360/console versions by what i've read, and Bioware showed that with KOTOR games they know how to make a great rpg game, so Mass Effect is one of the games I would probably look to get(as long as no secuRom is involved etc).

Fallout 3 is looking better to me, i'll just wait for a decent number of mods/pathces and then have a look.

No mention for GH world tour? I know they have been flogging that license like a dead horse recently, but you can actualy lay down your own tracks with the new version(make your own music) - I'm going to get it in a few months for my PS2 and see if i can be the next Ozzy Osbourne!

[DrSpike]

Mass Effect could only possibly make PC lists as it came out last year on the 360.

I haven't played several of the big contenders, so no ranked list from me. But Fallout 3 (currently playing) is very impressive, and I think is due the awards it has received, and should get more. Interesting that GoW2 hasn't got more yet - but I'm sure it will. My copy of that is on it's way and I'll get some time in before the end of the year (Fallout permitting!).

I'm particularly glad that GTA4 hasn't really figured yet as whilst I think it's a good game it was incredibly over-rated and I doubt it will make my top 5 when I've played Left4Dead/Dead Space/Rock Band 2 etc.

For Sports games Tiger Woods and Fifa are really good this year.

I usually wait for Gamespot's list (which comes later) as it's usually the most fair and accurate. Not sure whether this will still be the case after the shenanigans this year but we'll see.

[DrSpike]

Oh, meant to say I'm also glad about Spore, where the outcomes across the board show how right I was and how wrong certain other forum posters were.

[DrSpike]

Originally posted by Asher
Fallout 3 isn't even in the top 5 games this year.

You are still in a mood because Megaton attacked for stealing all their stuff?

It's a really good game - you should look at it again and maybe play it more as a nice guy than a complete ass.

[DrSpike]

Originally posted by FrostyBoy
If Left 4 Dead was so good, how come it wasn't being discussed much, if at all?

Well it's new IP and wasn't hyped that much. People were mostly taken by surprise that it's so good. Also, the timing of the release so close to Dead Space (survival horror shooter) and GoW2 (big exclusive) means that a lot people probably still haven't played it.

[Asher]

Originally posted by FrostyBoy
If Left 4 Dead was so good, how come it wasn't being discussed much, if at all?

It is?

It's an insanely popular discussion piece on podcasts and gaming forums, certainly higher than most other games considering its ~400K US sales.

It is easily the most innovative game of the year, and certainly the most fun I've had all year. The sentiment is shared by many of my friends.

[Asher]

Originally posted by DrSpike


You are still in a mood because Megaton attacked for stealing all their stuff?

It's a really good game - you should look at it again and maybe play it more as a nice guy than a complete ass.

It's a buggy Oblivion with a new coat of paint and VATs. I'll play it, I just have no urge to play it right now, especially with lots of better games out.

[DrSpike]

It's really not.

The levelling system is light years ahead of Oblivion, and there's no stupid point management you have to go through every level to detract from immersion. The dialogue is better, the quests are better, and the combat is better. Overall it is much better.

I think you're mad because the simple villagers of Megaton saw you for what you really are.