Opinion Fest 2008: Most Overrated

Let me preface this award by stating clearly that none of the games that are on this list are bad games. Not one. Each is a great game in its own right, and many may be deserving of your attention. However, the titles that receive this award do so because they have received so much press, so much critical claim, and so much gushing from every press outlet imaginable, yet in the end, remain just a regular game, far from deserving of stealing so much spotlight.

3rd: Fable II – Lionhead, Microsoft – Xbox 360

The original Fable, though a solid game in its own right, was a far cry from what designer Peter Molyneux made it out to be. Fable II definitely comes much closer to its promises, and truly provides a robust, enjoyable game. However, it probably doesn’t deserve a lot of its critical acclaim, as it is still, at its heart, a linear story-driven title with a metric tonne of side quests. Nothing more.

2nd: Chrono Trigger – Square Enix – Nintendo DS

Chrono Trigger is a timeless tale, and a game that rightfully deserves its position as one of the best RPGs of all time. It also happens to be one of my favorite RPGs of any generation.
However, it’s recent DS port, though very complete in all facets, is far too overrated for its own good. This is the third release of the game in North America, and though not the worst (hi, PSX version!), it certainly isn’t its best either. The game’s added content fails to add anything noteworthy, and the new translation – though perhaps more true to the original Japanese – feels odd to a long-time fan of the game.

Yes, I know that you can play through it in its original SNES release form, but why would I want to when I already have the SNES version?

If you have never played Chrono Trigger before, I highly recommend this port. Otherwise, this port should be completely forgotten, not paraded around the gaming community like some resurrection of perfection.

1st: Fallout 3 – Bethesda – Xbox 360, PC, PlayStation 3

I don’t think anyone should be surprised to see Fallout 3 take this cake. As I noted earlier, Fallout 3 is not a bad game by any stretch. However, it has been so universally heralded as such high-caliber masterpiece, that, inevitably, it falls short of the rantings of the press.

I’m sorry, but Fallout 3 is too buggy, too clunky, too monochrome, and too Oblivion with a new coat of paint to ever be my game of the year. Enjoyable? Definitely. The second coming of Western RPGs? Not by a long shot.