Techtree's Top 10 for 2008

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10) Far Cry 2 (PC, Xbox 360, PS3): The successor to the 2004 mega hit title, Far Cry 2 had really high expectations. The game lived up to the hype and provided us with many hours of quality gaming. The open-ended gameplay, the highly optimized "Duniya" engine, the savanna setting, all worked together to provide users with a really amazing experience, one that lasted for more than 30 hours. The game may not appeal to all, as most users demand a more liner experience, but Ubisoft's little experiment worked well. A commendable and lasting effort.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMTDjKusVqY


9) Little Big Planet (PS3): The unsung hero of the year, a game that won many hearts but couldn't sell as many copies, this is a game that deserves respect. Media Molecules little gem has captured gaming press ever since it was first showcased last year at the GDC.

The game is a simple side-scroller and has elements similar to other platformers like Mario, but what made this game so unique is the level building tools provided in the game. You can create your own levels in the game and share it with others online, or play with your friends in co-op. Its a casual title and appeals to a different crowd of gamers but if you are looking for some easy gaming that involves friends, family and fun, LBP is your game.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhJHAc2HQao


8) Mirror's Edge( Xbox 360, PS3): EA took a big risk in releasing a game that was so different from their regular titles. This one is an FPS, but the shooting is kept to a minimum.

You play as a runner called Faith and your job is to transfer information within a highly guarded city. The concept is phenomenal and deserves accolades. The gameplay revolves around "free-running" or "Parkour"; you are constantly running around the city, wall running and jumping long distances, while avoiding a barrage of bullets. The game has a few flaws but the evolved gameplay makes it worthy to be listed here.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2N1TJP1cxmo


7) Dead Space (PC, Xbox 360, PS3): The last time one enjoyed a horror title this much was when one played Clive Baker's Undying, but that was years ago. Dead Space is a mix of many popular themes but EA has done an excellent job of fusing them together and making a game that is much better than one would have expected.

The game is set in space, its a horror game with subtle undertones of love and deceit, sounds like a Hollywood summer blockbuster! In many respects it is like one. The gameplay is deep and engaging, the mood and setting are as creepy as the Grinch on Christmas eve, and the game looks brilliant in all its gory glory.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67cTIWDuKXM


6) Resistance 2(PS3): Sony's answer to Xbox 360's "Gears of war 2", Resistance 2 has lived up to the huge expectation. The game is a direct sequel and takes off hours after the first game ended. It looks way better and performs much better with more enemies on screen. The game has a decent single player campaign, but it's the multiplayer package that really impresses. The multiplayer is split into co-op and competitive, and you can play with up to 60 players online. As a first party exclusive, Sony is really lucky to have this one, this is a game that deserves to be a part of every PS3 owners library.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RJlPKw4uc4



(Contd.)

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5) Crysis Warhead: The first game in top 5 is Crysis Warhead. Yeah! a game that sells for less than a standard game but offers much more. This time around the game engine is heavily optimized and runs smooth on most systems, which is great for gamers with mainstream configns. The game's single player runs parallel to the original game, so technically it's not a sequel. The game comes with a separate disc that has a complete multiplayer package with a new game mode and more maps. This is a great buy for those looking for value and quality at an affordable price, something that is hard to find in today's expensive market scenario.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryudmjFfCOw


4) Metal Gear Solid 4(PS3): About 10 years after the original hit the Playstation, Metal Gear Solid 4 is the last game that will feature Solid Snake. Konami has made sure that Solid Snake's last game is bigger and better than anything we have ever seen, and to be honest this is a landmark game in video gaming.

The game breaks new ground in terms of visuals and presentation, the six-hour plus game movies are brilliantly produced and features some of the best fight sequences ever witnessed, if you doubt my claim just see the video. The game is virtually flawless for a fan of the series. For those new to the game, let me assure you that the story will not make sense to you, so better read a lot about before jumping into this one.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oh-roZLH61c


3) Fallout 3 (PC, Xbox 360, PS3): Fallout 3 comes from the same guys who made Elder Scrolls: Oblivion. If there is one thing that we can all unanimously agree upon is that Oblivion was a brilliant RPG experience, one that should be played by one and all. Fallout 3 is an extension of Oblivion in many ways. It uses the same engine, gameplay and character interaction is very similar to Oblivion. However, it's set in a different era, on a Earth that is on the brink of destruction and small colonies are spread out in the wasteland.

The game can be played in third person or first, it's up to you. The presentation and graphics make most games look ancient when compared to Fallout 3, especially since the scale of the game is much bigger than any other game. The game looks great on all platforms and has enough content to keep you busy for months.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_hq7cRTD0A


2) Fable 2: The number two spot goes to Fable 2, a game that needs no introduction. The original Fable on the Xbox was a major hit, so naturally expectations were sky-high for this particular game. Fable 2 starts-off a few hundred years after the original, the game design and gameplay have been modified to give the players a feel of the new world.

The single player plot is really well written, the game runs smooth on the Xbox 360 and looks beautiful; the background score is soothing and compliments the game perfectly. The new pet feature is unique and fun; the pet dog proves to be a great companion. There are virtually no flaws in the game, except for the hyped co-op, which is really unpolished. This is one RPG game that every Xbox 360 owner should buy and try out, as they don't make them better than this.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0MMruG-3Fw


1) GTA 4: Finally, the number one game of the year is GTA 4. The grand saga of Nikko Bellic and his epic journey through liberty city is undoubtedly the best the year had to offer. The game excels in everything, a funny and engaging single player, a big city with tons of missions and almost limitless possibilities.

The game looks great on all systems, although it's a drag on the PC. The extensive sound track, the day and night cycles, the differnt entertainment options (bowling, stand-ups, darts), Niko (funny and arrogant), everything just gels together and creates a game that is beyond words. GTA 4 deserves to be on the top for its vision and execution.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUtj4dL38r4


So...what would be in your Gaming Top 10 of 2008?

[ChronoGrl]

I REALLY want to play Little Big Planet. Too bad it's for the PS3 only. :(

Fable II I'm really looking forward to. It'll probably be my next 360 purchase.

Good to see Fallout 3 and Dead Space on there - two great games, though I think Fallout 3 has a bit of an edge.

[Freak]

I think Fallout 3 should have been higher that Fable.I bought Fable II a few weeks ago and I just can't get into it.