With the year closing down shop and making way for 2009, it's time that we take a look back on the journey that was 2008. A lot of RPGs came out in 2008, and whether you liked them or hated them, you can't deny that there was a lot to choose from.Opinion Fest, my own personal awards ceremony, has gone on for the past few years, and will now be featured here on Sword Machine for your reading (dis)pleasure. Opinion Fest is basically exactly what it sounds like: my own opinions on what was great and what was not-so-great over the past year.
This year, however, I'd like to give you, my readers, a chance to express your own opinions on 2008's RPG scene. Below I've compiled a (hopefully) comprehensive list of all the commercial RPGs that came out on consoles in North America this year. Your job (should you choose to accept it), is to leave a comment with your favorite RPGs of this year.
You can pick up to 3 titles across any platforms you like. You can give me reasons why you liked them, or just list them. My only request is that you number them, with 1 being your personal best.
Hopefully I will see enough of a response to feature a "Reader's Choice Award" determined by you guys during next week's Opinion Fest.
Oh, also, if you see that I have missed a game in the list, please tell me in the comments so I can get it fixed. Thanks. ;)
Here's the list (in alphabetical order, by platform):
Downloadable
Castle Crashers (XBLA)
Penny Arcade: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness: Episode 1 (PC, XBLA, PSN)
Penny Arcade: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness: Episode 2 (PC, XBLA, PSN)
Multiplatform
Baroque (PS2, Wii)
Dokapon Kingdom (PS2, Wii)
Fallout 3 (360, PC, PS3)
Golden Axe: Beast Rider (360, PS3)
Rise of the Argonauts (360, PC, PS3)
Nintendo DS
AWAY: Shuffle Dungeon
Casltevania: Order of Ecclesia
Chrono Trigger
Digimon World Championship
Disgaea DS
Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen
Drone Tactics
Etrian Odyssey II: Heroes of Lagaard
Final Fantasy IV
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates
Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift
From the Abyss
Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness
Izuna 2: The Unemployed Ninja Returns
Luminous Arc 2
Master of the Monster Lair
Mazes of Fate
Mega Man Star Force 2: Zerker x Ninja
Mega Man Star Force 2: Zerker x Saurian
Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer
Naruto: Path of the Ninja 2
Pokemon Ranger: Shadows of Almia
Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure
Rondo of Swords
Rune Factory 2: A Fantasy Harvest Moon
Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood
Spectrobes II: Beyond the Portals
Summon Night: Twin Age
The World Ends With You
Nintendo Wii
Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors
Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo’s Dungeon
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King
Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility
Opoona
Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World
PlayStation 2
Eternal Poison
Falling Stars
Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories
Mana Khemia: Alchemists of Al-Revis
Persona 3: FES
Persona 4
PlayStation 3
Disgaea 3: Absence of Justice
Eternal Sonata
Overlord: Raising Hell
Valkyria Chronicles
PSP
Dungeon Maker II: The Hidden War
Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core
Neverland Card Battles
Star Ocean: First Departure
Valhalla Knights 2
Yggdra Union
Xbox 360
Battle Fantasia
Culdcept Saga
Fable II
Infinite Undiscovery
Kingdom Under Fire: Circle of Doom
Lost Odyssey
Operation Darkness
Spectral Force 3
Tales of Vesperia
The Last Remnant
Too Human
Zoids Assault
5 comments:
1) Tales Of Sympoina: Dawn Of a new World = Great game with really addictive gameplay. The monster catching option was also a great add-on. 5/5
2) The World ends With You = Good gameplay that really brought out the DS's potential. Lack of worldwide wifi functions was a bad decision though. 4/5
3) Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo’s Mystery Dungeon = Good story, nice gameplay and great custamazation with job classes. Also wifi with "pop-up card" was nice. 4/5
I haven't really played very many of the rpg's this year I feel alot poorer this year than usual but the nice thing about that is that I have very few games to pick from. So it's a really easy top 3 because I have only played like 6 games out of the list this year.
1. Tales of Vesperia
The story was not as great as 'tales of the abyss' nor were the characters as to relate to. But the game still provided many hours of great fun.
2. Dokapon Kingdom
This was one of the most enjoyable rpgs that I have played in a very long time. I enjoyed the fact the you could play with others and each hour I spent on it was filled with laughter!
3. Baroque
Though quite frustrating at times the game is quite unlike any other rpg out there. But the fact that you will need to play the same levels over and over and over again will turn you off to the game eventually.
I also enjoyed Dragon Quest Swords and FF Fables: Chocobo’s Dungeon. And I haven't really played enough of any other games this year to have an opinion on them.
My top 3:
1. Fallout 3
2. Lost Odyssey
3. Tales of Vesperia
Fallout 3 is GOTY IMO, and Lost Odyssey and TOV are basically tied for me. I gave a slight edge to LO because I prefer turn based battles.
Though I own like 15 of these games, I've only put substantial play time into three of them, so I guess that makes my top 3 pretty easy to name.
1. Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core
I just couldn't put this game down from start to finish. I loved the battle system and loved how the gameplay was streamlined and broken into easily digestible chunks for portable play. The battle with Sephiroth midway through the story was probably my single favorite RPG moment of the year. Great game all around.
2. Persona 3: FES
Awesome art and music. One of the most stylish games I can think of. The dungeon crawling and battling is as intricate as Nocturne without being quite so unforgiving, and the life sim elements are just so quirky and cool.
3. Dragon Quest IV
Love the colorful and goofy retro graphics, the gonzo translation, and that old school DQ flavor. Classy game.
01. Infinite Undiscovery - Albeit this game is not flawless, it has an interesting storyline conerning the moon and a plethora of nifty features such as item creation. It should be commended for trying to offer gamers something a little different.
02. Tales of Vesperia - Although the story tends to drag on from time to time, the inviting characters and exciting battle system make up for it. The beautiful graphics and a great translation are also worth noting.
03. Star Ocean: First Departure - The storyline is not particularly powerful, but neat characters and a fun battle system make for a thoroughly entertaining experience. As with other games in the series, item creation and private actions are in tact.
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