Best of the Rest: Ross' picks of 2008
by Ross Miller 
{ Jan 2nd 2009 at 9:00AM }
I spent an entire day writing this one paragraph, trying to figure out how to best describe how I feel about the game. Two of the three words I wrote down -- poetic, elegant, artistic -- happen to be in Ludwig's Best of the Rest entry for it, and given that you've probably heard that angle ad infinitum from other sources as well, let me instead discuss the optional dialogue, which at times made me laugh as much as Monkey Island did years ago. Protip: Whenever possible, hit the "Talk to Elika" button until the camera stops zooming in -- trust us, you don't want to miss the I Spy conversation. No offense to my Joystiq colleagues, but it's a shame this didn't make it into the Top Ten.
Let's forget for a second that Rock Band 2 fixes all those problems I had with the first game (Multi-instrument avatars? Online World Tour? Yes, please.) At $60, you get 84 new songs and can still play all your old songs without having to swap discs. Throw in quieter drums, a self-calibrating guitar and take out all wires, and what's left? A truly evolved platform. More important than all this, though, is the weekly downloadable content. It's not always my style, but the selection is overall phenomenal. Now can I please, please, please get some Minus the Bear or The Roots to play drums with?
Best new addition to this game? Having a city so in love with GPS that they thought to put it in every car, motorcycle and ice cream truck. Beyond that, for better and for worse, it's the same GTA we've grown to love (or, for some, loathe) over the years.
Sure, the hype of Desktop Tower Defense has long since faded, but in its place I found three new titles to fill that void. PixelJunk Monsters is the best of the trio, and more often than I care to admit I was planning intricate strategies for the co-op long before Left 4 Dead had me doing the same. The only knock was that playing it on PSP proved too laggy -- thankfully, there was Ninjatown for DS and FInal Fantasy: Crystal Defenders for the iPhone for my on-the-go fix.
Not just a very challenging collection of puzzles, what sets Professor Layton apart from its peers is a fanciful tale with many dark turns. I didn't just play for the Picarats -- although that was indeed a compelling reason -- I wanted to know how the story would progress. For the span of 30 days or so, this game did not leave my side. (Image Credit: Penny Arcade)
- Burnout Paradise: Kudos to Criterion for its barrage of downloadable content, but let's be honest, the only thing needed for this game to succeed was cars flipping out and destroying each other -- it's a lot like ninjas when you think of it that way.
- Castle Crashers: Simple, pick-up-and-play fun
- Mario Kart Wii: One of the best in the series, if only the battle mode and online were up to par.
- Fable 2 Pub Games: Screw the other two minigames, Fortune's Tower is incredibly addictive, even if I never really made much gold from it.
- Peggle: Confession time: I didn't get around to playing this game until this year, just before my final exams started. I ended up graduating, but this addicted little charming didn't help. May God have mercy on my soul if this comes out on iPhone ...
These aren't necessarily bad games, nor are they games I won't continue to play (I will play them, for the most part) but here are some titles that I thought had a lot more potential than what was ultimately delivered.
- LittleBigPlanet: I loved the beta, but the physics and controls proved too wonky in the end, and navigating through the user-generated levels for quality titles prove disheartening. With the new search and ranking options in the patch, though, my opinion is liable to change.
- Spore: What I expect from Maxis is a game that doesn't end until I want it to. What I get with Spore is four phases that forcibly come to a halt way too quickly and have little to no impact on each other, and a space phase that didn't hook me like I had hoped.
- Super Smash Bros.: Hooray for R.O.B., boo for the online system (or lack thereof). I was also hoping for a game that was on par with the frantic speed of Smash Bros Melee, the game I've logged more hours than any other in existence. Comparatively, this game felt like it moved in slow motion.
- Too Human: I probably broke a record for most deaths in a single minute (about 8 or 10, even with the long respawns). There are so many things about this game that on paper seem totally badass -- a Nordic cyborg with two pistols, two swords, a crazy slide trick, hundreds of enemies to tackle simultaneously, and online co-op. It's not worth delving into what went wrong here, but I'm hopeful for the sequel.
Catch up on some of the big games I missed this year (notably Valkyria Chronicles and Persona 4) and check out all the Team Fortress 2 updates so far. Try not to think about Brutal Legend too much. See Watchmen, no matter what the courts say. Also: Start that blog I've always wanted to do expressing my love for Swedish doorknobs (and no, I'm afraid that's not innuendo).
Take a Trip Down Memory Lane: My Best of the Rests for 2006, 2007
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
knighty (GT: ZeraKnight) @ Jan 2nd 2009 9:42AM
Haha, the I spy conversation made me giggle. But despite that, I have to agree mostly with Yahtzee in that the way the world was designed meant the game was very very samey the entire way through. I've still enjoyed it (haven't quite finished it yet) but it feels a bit like Crackdown in how it's laid out in that you know what you have left to do in the game, and you know exactly what's going to happen every time.
Ross Miller @ Jan 2nd 2009 9:52AM
I know this sounds odd to say, but in a way I'm glad it was very samey, and that falling had little time consequence. My reasoning is that the story was very interesting and these design choices put the narrative more in the foreground, which I appreciated. Beyond that, the leaping around and fighting was fun.
knighty (GT: ZeraKnight) @ Jan 2nd 2009 10:00AM
Oh I certainly don't disagree with dieing having no consequence. People who say it should clearly haven't played the other games at all. And I think the story, in a sense, suffered from the design of the world because it had to work whichever way you tackled it. I liked the little conversations between the Prince and Elika but they rarely had a flow to them, if you catch what I mean, The only place there was linear story progression was when you returned to the temple for powers. Oh and yes, the leaping around is plenty fun.
Megadanxzero @ Jan 2nd 2009 11:10AM
For me it was the exact opposite of what I usually like in a game. I loved the story and characters (The Elika conversations were brilliant), which I usually don't care much about, but the 'acrobatics' (If you can really call them that anymore, they feel so slow and dull in comparison) and combat just bored me after a while.
I really can't decide whether I hate it or love it. It's annoying...
ryan @ Jan 2nd 2009 11:45AM
They need to bring in more crazy platforming for the sequel and add some more variety to the fighting.
In this first one, the platforming was basically the same just in different patterns to remember, the fighting was essentially the same, just a different game model for each enemy type.
Other than that, I really enjoyed the game.
juju187 @ Jan 2nd 2009 1:50PM
PoP is great, i rented and brought it (rare occasion)
art is beautiful on a HD tv. got a fluid climing like Assassin Creed. not game of the year but, was definatly worth a look at just for art sake.
Night Elve @ Jan 2nd 2009 9:57AM
So in resume for every every Joystiq writer LBP was as a disappointment, while many sites praised this game and even for VGChartz won as Best Platformer, Most Innovative and Game of the Year.
It had it's problems at launch but now there is zero lag while playing online and the new search system works great
Source: http://news.vgchartz.com/news.php?id=2718&a=2
baby sea tuna @ Jan 2nd 2009 10:07AM
Considering it still made it onto their Top 10 List instead of GTAIV (a far better game IMO,) I don't really see what your complaint is.
baby sea tuna @ Jan 2nd 2009 9:57AM
This reminds me that I've really got to get around to finishing PoP some time soon. Should have spent more time on that instead of wasting my time on Mirror's Edge's campaign (the Time Trials would have been a different story.)
deaftly @ Jan 2nd 2009 10:37AM
LBP was def my disappointment of the year.
j.howlett @ Jan 2nd 2009 10:48AM
you don't say
Duke @ Jan 2nd 2009 12:14PM
For me it was the opposite. I expected to not like it much, and in the end found it to be quite fun to play. The online content blows my mind sometimes.
Gambrinus @ Jan 2nd 2009 11:33AM
You know, not a single one of these lists had Persona 4 on it. I'm pretty sure that means no one was paying attention.
GundamWingEW @ Jan 2nd 2009 11:40AM
How well did it sell. I certainly didn't pay it anymind. If it were a ps3 exclusive then I'd care. But since it was on the ps2 I didn't really think it was important.
Zertoss @ Jan 2nd 2009 11:52AM
I think since it's a PS2 exclusive, it got pushed to the side by all of the games that came out on current-gen hardware.
At least, that's why I haven't gotten to it yet. That and I haven't played any of the other Personas. I'm definitely going to give 4 a try though.
Ross Miller @ Jan 2nd 2009 5:03PM
It also came out at the worst possible time to be included on these list -- a long RPG in December? I'm hoping to get to start on it now. Bad, bad timing.
Uncontrol @ Jan 2nd 2009 10:52AM
that's one of my favourite PA comics
Wiinterfang @ Jan 2nd 2009 11:15AM
Glad almost nobody is mentioning Resistance 2.
Average shooter being hyped to oblivion.
The Fatass of Kickassness @ Jan 2nd 2009 11:24AM
Don't you like Sonic Unleashed?
eh, not trying to bash your tastes or anything. It's just that, whenever a shooter comes out these days, it's automatically 'average' to half of you folks. Most of you don't even play the games you bash.
Resistance 2 is built up on formulas taken from 'average' shooters, but is made in such a way that gives it a polished feel. Resistance 1 may have been an average, boring, grey shooter, but Resistance 2 is lively, colorful, has a pretty nice story with some engaging characters, and quite a few things to find through the storyline (which has an unparalleled scope, might I add... seeing a San Fransisco sky filled with Chimeran ships was, well, fucking awesome). Not to mention, the 8-player co-op, which is a hoot and a half (especially if you're playing with friends - oh, and, it's a separate campaign), and the 60-player multiplayer, which is frantic and fun.
I'm not saying your opinion is null, but did you actually play Resistance 2, or is any PS3/360 shooter automatically 'average' in your mind, as is the case with far too many Joystiqqers?
Wiinterfang @ Jan 2nd 2009 11:38AM
You already bash my tastes on the first line.
Anyway I didn't say the game was bad I say average which is not bad at all but I guess in this new era of 9's+ everything short of that is fresh manure.
The Fatass of Kickassness @ Jan 2nd 2009 11:41AM
"You already bash my tastes on the first line."
I was joking, mang.
"Anyway I didn't say the game was bad I say average which is not bad at all but I guess in this new era of 9's+ everything short of that is fresh manure."
I don't like how that's how everyone thinks either. Resistance 2 is pretty far from average, though. It's definitely one of the more feature filled FPSes I've played this year.
Wiinterfang @ Jan 2nd 2009 11:46AM
Well you can't change my opinion sorry I still think the game is average but I think you can live with that ;).
The Fatass of Kickassness @ Jan 2nd 2009 11:49AM
Well, you've played it, right? If so, then I'm not trying to argue with ya, because I understand that it's subjective.
If you haven't, though... that's a different story entirely.
Wiinterfang @ Jan 2nd 2009 11:53AM
http://69.90.174.249/photos/display_pic_with_logo/58519/58519,1137576537,4.jpg
PSN: Erdie @ Jan 2nd 2009 1:07PM
So...is that a no? Please tell me you've at least played it before writing all that.
Duke @ Jan 2nd 2009 1:25PM
You're entire initial post was to slam the game - you had an agenda and that was to say the game didn't deserve praise.
Now, I too am curious, have you played it? I played it a lot this weekend and let me say that it is a fun game with some great scenery.
XkawsX @ Jan 2nd 2009 7:04PM
@Wiinterfang
I doubt that you even played Resistance 2 and you probably don't even have a PS3.
The Fatass of Kickassness @ Jan 2nd 2009 7:49PM
Well, it's easy.
If you haven't played it, you're a tool.
Wiinterfang @ Jan 2nd 2009 8:26PM
Yes I played it, didn't beat or anything and I find it average, it's it too hard to believe =/.
The Fatass of Kickassness @ Jan 2nd 2009 8:29PM
aight.
all I was asking, mang. far too many people out there who dismiss shit without even playing it.
Wiinterfang @ Jan 2nd 2009 8:31PM
It's ok dude it happen a lot with my favorite games too like Tomb Raider,Sonic Unleashed, bullet Witch and all those average games I love so much.
ScottG13 @ Jan 2nd 2009 11:44AM
More disinterest in LBP and disdain for Nintendo's "online system."
If LBP was not hyped to Hades and back, would it have still been a disappointment or a stealth sleeper?
ryan @ Jan 2nd 2009 11:51AM
If it was released as a "surprising" PSN title for $15-$20, it might've gotten more acclaim ala Braid for xbla.
Mr Khan @ Jan 2nd 2009 12:08PM
The disdain for LBP and for Nintendo WFC both tie to the worship of XBL as some sort of infallible paragon of gaming
Mr Khan @ Jan 2nd 2009 12:21PM
To clarify that last comment, it isn't an accusation of bias, but the way everyone holds online games to some sort of impossible standard
ScottG13 @ Jan 2nd 2009 2:04PM
Impossible standard? You mean like "functional" like Quake was in 1996? Or just excellent like XBL in 2009?
I don't think its unreasonable to expect servers to function at launch or to be able to have friend lists and play games with them online. MSFT has continued to amaze me in their improvement of their platform. Nintendo has largely ignored theirs.
mr mobius @ Jan 2nd 2009 12:13PM
Why is the Fallout 3 cartoon guy in the disappointment's picture if Fallout 3 isn't mentioned?
Was this a last minute removal from the list?
Zertoss @ Jan 2nd 2009 12:19PM
Look a little more closely. All the disappointments are on the left, and Fallout guy is on the right, with a Rok-It Launcher (I assume) pointed at them. See where this is going?
mr mobius @ Jan 2nd 2009 12:20PM
Ah, fair enough.
Jose @ Jan 2nd 2009 1:30PM
I guess. I was hoping someone had the balls enough to admit that they were disappointed with Fallout 3.
Zertoss @ Jan 2nd 2009 2:11PM
I can't say I was disappointed with Fallout 3, because I honestly wasn't expecting much. At least I liked it more than Oblivion.
I guess these first-person RPGs just aren't my thing.
baby sea tuna @ Jan 2nd 2009 2:29PM
"I guess these first-person RPGs just aren't my thing."
Hit the left bumper. Problem solved.
Zertoss @ Jan 2nd 2009 3:10PM
You think I own a PC game on the 360? You so crazy!
knighty (GT: ZeraKnight) @ Jan 2nd 2009 9:24PM
Fallout 3 PC + 360 controller.
I'm sure I'm not the only one doing that. However, Fallout/Oblivion are horrific in third person.
PSN: Erdie @ Jan 2nd 2009 12:20PM
G!
Raiden104 @ Jan 2nd 2009 12:40PM
I recently rented Prince of Persia and I loved the game. I loved everything about it, the story, the characters, the setting. True, it did get a little bit repetitive, but in the end, I really enjoyed the game. The only thing that annoyed me was how many times I died. I liked how the Prince never died, but the amount of times I fell into a bottomless pit just seemed endless. I personally can't wait for the sequel hopefully next year :)
Markez (Anti-Panda Death Murder Squadron) @ Jan 2nd 2009 12:48PM
Hey, is that a ninja up there?
Jacksons @ Jan 2nd 2009 1:05PM
Agreed on Prince of Persia. I've seen a lot of complaining about Elika, but based on the amount of times I mis-jump or otherwise cock up some of the platforming obstacles, I'm glad she's there. Also, I've taken a liking to the dual vocal main character approach in platformers. Almost seems dead with just one.
VanillaMummy @ Jan 2nd 2009 1:16PM
I'd have to say that PoP was on of the best games I've played in a long time. Something that was familiar yet fresh at the same time. Though I am slightly dissapointed at the ending, it was still an amazing story and should be on more people's radars.
Deck @ Jan 2nd 2009 1:45PM
I love Prince of Persia and have to agree with your there. Especially the optional dialogue. But then I am a major sucker for dialogue/story in games if it is even remotely decent. I was hitting the left trigger as much as I could!