The Escapist News' Five Faves of 2008: Jared

Jared Rea

New member
Aug 11, 2008
502
0
0
The Escapist News' Five Faves of 2008: Jared

So let it be written; so let it be done. Jared chimes in with a list that's heavy on the martial arts.

It's the end of the year, and you know what that means: lists-a-plenty! We make them because it's a fun way of looking back at the past twelve months, and because they're far easier to read (and write) with an eggnog hangover than our usual more in-depth stuff.

The criteria for a game's inclusion on this list is the enjoyment I derived from playing it, nothing more, nothing less. These games aren't necessarily the "best" of their kind from this past year (though some certainly would be in the running), but they're the ones that stuck with me, long after I'd finished playing them.

Feel free to argue, discuss, or better yet, present us with your very own fab five. Pass the nog.

5. Fable II (Xbox 360) - I spent the better part of 2008 acting like a videogame obsessed Game Developers Conference [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fox_Mulder], the entire time thinking, "What if this cheeky bastard pulls it off? Wouldn't that be amazing?" While I'd have to push the goal posts forward ever-so-slightly, I'd say the team at Lionhead Studios accomplished that goal. Not only is Fable II an extraordinary adventure, but it kept me hopelessly glued to my Xbox for nearly 30 hours without a single punishment for any would-be failures. Positive reinforcement as a design philosophy without relentless hand-holding? Why are we just now getting games that do this?

4. Mirror's Edge (Xbox 360, PS3) - If Fable II exists on one end of the spectrum accessibility, Mirror's Edge is certainly on the opposite. Like most folks, I too came close to chucking my controller through the screen in a fits of blind rage when faced with some of the more challenging moments of Dice's first-person Breakdown [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkour][/I], mind you). What Dice has created in Mirror's Edge should be celebrated as a bold, daring piece of work.

3. Saint's Row 2 (Xbox 360, PS3) - On the other hand, what Volition has created with Saint's Row 2 is one of the most mindless, juvenile, intellectually bankrupt titles I have ever witnessed in my entire life, and that's what makes it so damned amazing. While Rockstar was busy making an attempt to turn Grand Theft Auto into "art," Volition went the complete opposite direction and crammed as much ridiculousness into a single game as possible. In my time playing Saint's Row 2 I've drowned innocent civilians in raw sewage, threw old ladies from the top of sky scrapers, sang along to "Take On Me" to earn an achievement, pimped out an ATV with spinner rims and nitrous and I did it all as a frighteningly accurate Rick Astley [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yu_moia-oVI]. You're not going to see Saint's Row 2 win an award, much less be nominated for one by any major publication and that's a shame. It may not be classy or the most polished game in town, but damn it, Saint's Row 2 is the most entertaining open-world game you may ever play.

2. Street Fighter IV (Arcade) - "But Jared," I think to myself, already having the inevitable conversation. "How can you list Street Fighter IV when it's not even out yet?" The Street Fighter IV cabinets ten minutes away from my apartment says it is, as do all the other sets littered throughout other major metropolitan areas of the United States. I'll gladly admit I was wrong as I managed to go from being one of the most vocal critics of Street Fighter IV to one of its biggest supporters, finding just about any excuse to make my way over to the nearby arcade and sacrifice my laundry money to its 3D hotness. From the absolutely gorgeous visuals to its surprisingly competent balancing, Street Fighter IV is exactly what fighting fans have been looking for. The new characters, while still not as appealing as the cast of Street Fighter III, have definitely grown on me and become part of the growing family. The new focus attacks have created a massive trend towards a more turtle-based game, but that balances out once they're utilized as part of a spirit-crushing offensive. No doubt, you will see this game on my list next year when it debuts on consoles.

1. Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix (Xbox 360, PS3) - Backbone's high-definition update to Super Street Fighter II Turbo makes the top spot because they took what was already the finest example of 2D fighting games around, improved upon it in ways once thought impossible and then ushered forth a whole new era of fighting for a fourteen year old masterpiece. Not only is it an incredible reimagining of my all-time favorite videogame, but it's opened the eyes of a whole new generation of players, including those who thought they could pass it over for some of the flashier entries in the series. Not only are a ton of new players discovering what we in the Street Fighter community have known for years, but the sharing of knowledge has been made even easier due to its impeccable online infrastructure. Taking queues from the folks over at GGPO, SSF2T HD Remix sports the absolute best online play of any fighting game available on consoles. This was an easy pick as my favorite game of the year and only time will tell if we'll be playing this for another fourteen years, but I'll tell you now, I wouldn't mind that at all.

Permalink
 

Eagle Est1986

That One Guy
Nov 21, 2007
1,976
0
0
Really? I mean, I was suspicious when I saw Fable II at number 5 and then Saint's Row 2, fun but top 5?
And two Street Fighter games? Well, if that's your top five that's fair enough, I guess I'm just a little suprised to see that as anyone's top 5.
 

goater24

New member
Feb 5, 2008
528
0
0
Personally my votes go for

5 - LEGO Batman - Sometimes there are games people don't get and games you feel were made for you. This was poor poor camera and far too easy, but that said I had a ball with a mate playing it and the batman universe lego style.

4 - GTA IV - Apart from the shite sub games it was a fine addition to the franchise. Some fantastic graphics and good missions. I found the gps very helpful but again a little too easy. Also a god mate of mine worked on it so I'm biased.

3 - Left 4 Dead - Had pleasure of playing some with friends recently and havn't had so much fun in a multiplayer in all my days. Mariocart snes addictive.

2 - Fallout 3 - Brilliant game that I am still playing through, for me the evolution of oblivion has arrived, and this time its got a shotgun.

1 - Mario Galaxy - Simply put the best platform game I have ever played, Sublime visuals and fun use of wii mote. This would be classed as the best game I have ever played but mario 64 still holds that mantle, but by a fraction based on originality.
 

sirdanrhodes

New member
Nov 7, 2007
3,774
0
0
I am ashamed that Saints Row 2 wasn't higher. It is the only game where I actually got so distracted with a attack chopper, it took 2 hours just to get to the activity. Damn that lock on feature, once you start, you can't stop.
 

Jaebird

New member
Aug 19, 2008
1,298
0
0
O__________o


The only reason this post thread caught my attention was that you have the same name as me o_O
 

ThaBenMan

Mandalorian Buddha
Mar 6, 2008
3,682
0
0
Wow, I'm just going to go ahead and assume you haven't played Fallout 3 since it's not on there...
 

mokes310

New member
Oct 13, 2008
1,898
0
0
That's an interesting list...not sure that I'd agree with it, but an interesting list.

Mine would go something like this.

5. Madden 09 - Great improvements to gameplay makes playing against a better friend just a bit easier.

4. Brothers In Arms: Hells Highway - Yes, it's a major drag having to go back to WWII AGAIN, but being able to utilize a squad was incredibly fun for me.

3. Fallout 3 - Great game, still playing it, can't wait to replay it again.

2. GTA IV - Another great, went to the midnight launch, played until 6am that same morning and spent many other nights like the previous. Great graphics, awesome story, improved controls, all around great game.

1. Fable 2 - The game I've been waiting for since 2004. I felt that this game was what PM promised Fable 1 was going to be, and I wasn't disappointed one bit. True, I didn't experience any of the glitches or problems others had, but I found it to be far more immersive and involved than the first.
 

ThaBenMan

Mandalorian Buddha
Mar 6, 2008
3,682
0
0
Jared Rea said:
ThaBenMan said:
Wow, I'm just going to go ahead and assume you haven't played Fallout 3 since it's not on there...
You know what they say when you assume.
Ok, my apologies. But still, wow, I'm just really surprised it's not on there. Would it have made your top 10 at least?
 

Jared Rea

New member
Aug 11, 2008
502
0
0
Why does it even matter? Do you really need other people to validate your opinions for you?
 

ThaBenMan

Mandalorian Buddha
Mar 6, 2008
3,682
0
0
Jared Rea said:
Why does it even matter? Do you really need other people to validate your opinions for you?
Well, no :/ Sorry, I was just curious...