Top Video Gaming Moments of 2008

Year 2008 is left behind and now it’s the perfect time to raise the glass to some of the moments that were top notch during previous 366 days.

Best Frustration – Far Cry 2

Fantastically designed game failed in a minor yet important aspect. What sounded good on paper was a total disaster during game execution. Players have problems with moody weapons, weather and friends in Far Cry 2.  If enemies don’t get you, malaria or your own rusty guns will. Sudden rainstorms negate your flamethrowers. All of this sounds great if you expected realism - and this game delivers it in great amounts – but after some time of playing it, or precisely when your rifle jams few times in a row, you’ll be extremely frustrated.








Best Disappointment – Spore

Long time before this game hit the shelves a vast amount of hype had been released by Electronic Arts, the Spore developers. Final result, however, was the game with equal share of complexity, but that was incredibly boring and described as a huge disappointment by army of fans full of expectations. Evolution game with brain turned out to be just a childish arcade game with skin editor.









Best Crochet – Little Big Planet

Even if you’re not experienced in knitting, you’ll love this game. This is actually what Spore should be but on much bigger level. Little Big Planet got its high marks in this year particularly for its charm, creativity and addictiveness. It shows that video games are actually created for fun – what is often forgotten by developers.









Best Don’t Drink and Drive – GTA IV

As usual, the best car award goes to one of the most famous acronyms in the world of video games. Fourth sequel of GTA, this time set in Big Apple, delivers everything that a good game needs – good story, excitement, and joy. Despite all banning and recent defamation attempts from various sources, millions of fans and respectable critic sources showed the opposite – GTA is one of the best phenomena that happened in video game history.









Best Trip – Mirror’s Edge

This could be also the worst trip, depending how nausea-inducing this experience was to you. You’ll hesitate to jump off the building when you see your limbs and torso unlike in other FPS games. One thing is sure - EA’s experimental first-person platform game Mirror’s Edge is engine that propels us toward the gaming future.








Best Post-Apocalyptic Remain – Fallout 3

This is Oblivion after the Apocalypse – at least some will say. I agree wholeheartedly. New RPG from Bethesda is dark, massive and politically satirical and it is an absolute choice for all that consider themselves to be serious gamers. There is so much content into Fallout 3 that 100 hours of playing time are the requirement. Only somewhat clumsy combat controls and a game killing bug (will be patched soon) prevent it from perfection.








Best Political Success – Jack Thompson

No, Jack Thompson didn’t win US presidential elections. He worked harder than any other public figure to turn public opinion against the video gaming industry. Fine reward for his hard work was his disbarment, when everyone realized how mindless and crazy his crusade against video games really was. 
Thompson was permanently disbarred by the Florida Supreme Court for inappropriate conduct, including making false statements to tribunals and disparaging and humiliating litigants – also, this was the best fatality combo move in 2008.











There were other top moments of course. So, if you have your own favorites from last year, please leave them in comments.