It seems a whole year has gone by without our noticing. This past year proved to be an eventful one in the video game industry, as most others have been, and it can be a tremendous task to pry the control out of our hands just to swap in a new game. At Saving Progress, we go about our ‘game of the year’ list a little differently than most other publications. Instead of forcing a staff vote, where the favourite games in general are selected, each writer is given the option to voice their personal list — their games of the year. This is our one chance of the year to tell you guys and gals what games we actually enjoyed and found most important, avoiding any formal critic guidelines. Think you’ve got a better list? Tell us in the comments section! And here’s to hoping 2009 tops the greatness of 2008.
Sins of a Solar Empire
Released way back in February, Stardock’s complex and unforgiving strategy title really shines in all areas. It delivers an entirely new experience, mixing traditional 4X mechanics with the real-time nature of more contemporary RTS games - proving that there is still room for the genre to evolve. Lasting appeal, continued developer support and timeless mechanics provide one of the year’s best strategy titles. Crushing pitiful fledgling civilizations under your galaxy-spanning boot has never felt so good.
Braid
No game this year, or ever for that matter, has challenged my pre-determined understanding of gaming as much as Braid. It throws impossibly new ideas in your face relentlessly, but more importantly it creates a tremendous sense of self-worth as you play through. It doesn’t have a tutorial, or introduce to you new mechanics with a lengthy explanation or exhaustive series of examples. What it does do is make you feel good about your credentials as a gamer. I figured this puzzle out on my own. Not by luck or by trial and error, but by concentrated deep thought and logic.
Fallout 3
Managing to craft a living, breathing world on the edge of apocalypse, Bethesda delivered a haunting experience that taught you the very real worth of guns and ammo, items you took for granted so often in shooters for the last twenty years. Each bullet is gold, to be protected and used sparingly. Each weapon a fragile companion that needs care and attention. It urges you to explore a vast landscape, rummaging in ruined cities for every last conceivable treasure, discovering for yourself the hardships and trials of a wasteland. Coupled with a flawless soundtrack, vibrant characters and a genuinely interesting story with plenty of twists and turns, Fallout 3 is open-world role playing done right.
Audiosurf
Audiosurf is almost painfully simple in design - ostensibly no more than a fancy media player visualization, but so utterly flawless in its execution and style that it warrants significant attention. The concept of ‘riding your own music’ has completely changed the way I perceive rhythm and melody, and the vibrant visual design is reminiscent of that ultimate classic, Rez. A game where just-one-more-song becomes just-one-more-album and before you know it you are enthralled in a brilliant display of lights and music into which hours can vanish.
Left 4 Dead
Terror is something games have been trying to create for decades, and while the finest horror titles can create a superficial sense of dread - almost none have managed to incite as much panic and sheer fright as Left 4 Dead. There is no story, no plotlines or character development - because that would get in the way of scaring the shit out of you and your friends, perpetually for hours on end. It takes AI to a whole new meta-level by having the game itself decide how the game is going to play out. Best of all, it makes highly scripted games such as Dead Space look pedestrian and boring by comparison, and that is a game I have a lot of respect for. A landmark title that everyone should try, Left 4 Dead is something new and scary that you haven’t seen before.
Jim Canapa’s List | Michael Fox’s List | Mike Ireland’s List | Zvi Finklestein’s List
