NZGamer Game Of The Year 2008

What topped the list for 2008?

2008 was a massive year for gaming. We had great quality games throughout the entire year, and some very big names all competing to take out the exclusive NZGamer Game of the Year crown.

So, what games did we find the most enjoyable, and worthy of all the accolades? We've spent the last little while locked in a room - not to emerge until our awards were decided. It should be noted that our Game of the Year choices are a combined staff vote, and not necessarily by the score given in a particular review.

So here they are - our platform specific and overall Game of the Year awards. Read on to find out who made the winner's list! Don't agree? Comment below, and keep your eyes peeled for a chance to have your own say.



Professor Layton and the Curious Village

[Game Hub] | [Read Review]
Professor Layton is a curious blend of adventure game elements and puzzle solving. This sounds exactly like every adventure game known to man, except that the puzzles you solve are a range of logic-based riddles, from working out mathematical equations to moving matchsticks around. While that might not sound very fun, the puzzles are almost always engaging and thought provoking. They also vary in difficulty – while some are pretty easy, especially early on, you’ll come across many that will have you utterly stumped. There’s a lot to do, and you’ll find it’s a rich experience that is well worth the asking price.

Runners-up: The World Ends With You, Final Fantasy IV




God of War: Chains of Olympus

[Game Hub] | [Read Review]
With the excellent graphics and intact and improved gameplay, Chains of Olympus is easily the best God of War title in the series. Indeed, not only is it the best title in the series, it’s also the most fun one can have with a PSP and it’s definitely worth purchasing a system for.

God of War: Chains of Olympus is a masterpiece. The bastion of both technical achievements and engrossing cinematic gameplay, it would be difficult to find a game, let alone a PSP title, that accomplishes as much as God of War does.

Runner-up: Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core




Super Smash Bros. Brawl

[Game Hub]
Super Smash Bros. Brawl is a game that you won't ever stop playing - at least not till the round timer is over. It's an excellent game for everyone to play, and no one ever feels like they are going to be knocked out too early to have fun.

The game also mixes up the action by including a variety of items that can be used by players. These can vary from simple things like baseball bats and umbrellas to Pokéballs that unleash death in the form of a giant Snorlax. Focusing as it does on items, points, and general chaos, Super Smash Bros. Brawl is one of those games that is best enjoyed with friends: friends that don’t take themselves too seriously.




Fallout 3

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The presentation of Fallout 3 is just as impressive as the amount of scope in the gameplay. Often you will find yourself laughing awkwardly at a humourous sign on the wall, or at a line of dialogue from a fellow survivor. Even the retro 50’s styled cartoon stills create an excellent juxtaposition to the overall dark tone of the game. The music and voice acting is superb and coupled with a brilliant plot, you will find yourself attempting to explore everything and to talk to everyone that you see.

To really appreciate the atmospheric graphics, this game should be experienced with the lights dimmed and with little distractions if possible. Fallout 3 is surprisingly accessible to even casual gamers. It's a great addition to everyone's gaming collection.

Runners-up: Gears of War 2, Fable 2, Grand Theft Auto IV




LittleBigPlanet

[Game Hub] | [Read Review]
In a world where increasingly involving games between the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 demand more and more of people’s time, LittleBigPlanet offers a massive potential for content in a very pick-up-and-play format. And what makes LittleBigPlanet such an essentially next generation game isn’t its beautiful high definition graphics, but how uniquely and constantly online connectivity is tied to its functioning.

LittleBigPlanet is just one of those instances where a brilliant idea - a product of the times - combines with smart, polished game design to create something that should be a marker for things to come.

Runners-up: Metal Gear Solid 4, Fallout 3




Left 4 Dead

[Game Hub]
Built on the Source engine, Left 4 Dead eschews the traditional slow pace and third person camera in favor of a first-person viewpoint and high speed gameplay.

And it's fun. Not to mention it looks pretty good and runs incredibly well - even on a low end system. If you're a multiplayer fiend and like the thought of mowing down zombies with chainguns, this is definitely worth checking out. The thrill of obliterating hordes of screaming bad guys that just want to gobble up your brains really is quite unique and fun.



And the 2008 Overall Game of the Year is...




LittleBigPlanet

[Game Hub] | [Read Review]
With some massive titles to compete against, with the likes of Grand Theft Auto IV, Metal Gear Solid 4, Fallout 3 and many more, LittleBigPlanet manages to inch it's way forward, and stand out above them.

Part of the reason why LittleBigPlanet is so accessible is probably because it applies all its innovations to a game formula that virtually every owner of game consoles has been familiar with since they first picked Super Mario Bros. over 20 years ago.

At heart, LittleBigPlanet is a classic side-scrolling platformer which Media Molecule seems extremely able in designing. Even if LittleBigPlanet was just another static game with none of its user generated content, it would still have its top-tier level design to fall back on.

At some point during each generation of game consoles there comes a game that exemplifies what before was impossible. For today’s consoles, LittleBigPlanet is that game.

Runners-up: Fallout 3, Metal Gear Solid 4