Kotowari: 10 Games of 2008 You Need to Play

As the year draws to an end, we owe it to ourselves to take a moment and reflect on the games which graced our consoles and our hearts. Quite a few games were released this year, but not all of them will be remembered as “good” or even “decent.” The following games, I consider to be truly great. I did not arrange them in any particular order, since it’s just too damn hard.

Fallout 3

I spent way too much time playing this game and I still want to do more. I love the Sci-Fi aspect of the game, as well as the nearly unlimited freedom. You can play the way I did and be a Regulator, or you can play like a friend of mine, slaughtering all and becoming a Pirate of the Wastes.

BUT: There are an alarming number of bugs and a lack of downloadable content for the PS3

Metal Gear Solid 4 + Metal Gear Online

The more hype a game gets, the harder it can fall upon release, and it doesn’t get much more hyped than Metal Gear Solid 4. While the length of cutscenes may have upset some, I found the game very enjoyable as a whole. It provided a dramatic end to an epic series, along with some excellent sneaking action. The addition of MGO sweetened the pot for those who are more interested in the action the game has to offer.

BUT: If you have never played a Metal Gear Solid title, you may want to study up before trying to understand the story.

Disgaea 3: Absence of Justice

The Disgaea series continues its legacy of providing a comical story, ridiculously high numbers and awesome character design. A great game for casual fans of tactical games, and even the most hardcore. Disgaea 3 proves that the second dimension has a place in the next generation.

BUT : It’s looking increasingly unlikely that we’ll be seeing DLC for this title in North America.

LittleBigPlanet

LittleBigPlanet proved to the world that simplicity can be damned good fun. When playing with your friends, you will find that time really flies by. Making an outfit for your character is probably my favorite part.

BUT: Level creation proved to be rather awkward, and I pretty much ignored the option entirely.

Valkyria Chronicles

This title shocked many, since its release was rather muted. I daresay this game is a perfect war/strategy game. It’s great for fans of shooters and RPG addicts alike. The CANVAS graphics engine provided breathtaking visuals.

BUT: Some people seemed to struggle with the many customizable aspects of the game.

The World End With You

TWEWY is without a doubt the most creative and original RPG of 2008. It gained a huge following of obsessed fans hungry for more (and knowing Square-Enix, there will be more). The game’s unique style and battle systems are tied for awesomeness.

BUT: Some people are a bit sick of Tetsuya Nomura’s character design.

Patapon

Playing God is what video games are all about, but Patapon makes it fun and cute. The rhythm-based gameplay was super addictive and there is no way the songs didn’t get stuck in your head. The game’s use of color and design was brilliant.

BUT: External stimuli can make keeping the beat difficult.

Persona 4

Persona 4 oozes style in every way possible, creating a great cohesion of all elements. The game’s dark story has a touch of humor which is refreshing but not over the top. Since it’s for the PS2, it’s highly affordable.

BUT: Looks awfully familiar…

Persona 3 FES

Persona 3 was the RPG of 2007. In the wake of its massive success, Atlus was nice enough to give us version 1.5. A great decision on their part since the game is very affordable, provides hours of gameplay, and made it easier to get a copy of the original P3.

BUT: I got nothing.

Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII

The story of Final Fantasy VII is classic, and Crisis Core accentuated it well without going over the top. The game’s unique battle system, Digital Mind Wave, combined action with gambling…finally. I consider the game to be a welcomed addition to the various Final Fantasy VII spin-offs.

BUT: I got nothing.

BONUS #11: Wii Fit

The Wii Fit helps prove that video game players are not the sedentary lumps most people think they are. The game has a variety of fun mini games and a progress tracking system to let you see your results. I found myself winded, but couldn’t help insisting on “one more” mini game about 5 times.

But: A little hard to get a hold of

I feel that 2008 was an especially good year for me in terms of games. There were a few games which I anticipated feverishly, mainly the Persona titles, Disgaea 3 and LittleBigPlanet. There were also games which seemed to come out of nowhere and surprise me, like TWEWY , Fallout 3, and Valkyria Chronicles. Sometimes I think I prefer the later category of games – surprises are nice.

2009 has some big shoes to fill, but with several Final Fantasies and a new Resident Evil on the horizon, it looks like there will be some stiff competition.