2008... a peak for gaming?

[Lepidopterous]

As we move forward and away from the year 2008, I am starting to realize how big a year it was for both movies and games. Last year and so far this year, we have seen some excellent games released. But how do you feel they compare to 2008 collectively?

In 2008 we saw many gems released, several of which I still play today. I feel like Uncharted 2 was the only real gem of last year though. I posted some of the top games of each year to give an idea of what the years were like in console gaming. Will we ever live up to the wave of landmark games we saw in 2008?

2008:
Metal Gear Sold 4: Guns of the Patriots
LittleBIGPlanet
Dead Space
Grand Theft Auto IV
Mario Kart Wii
Valkyria Chronicles
Fallout 3
Mirror’s Edge
Devil May Cry 4
Call of Duty: World at War
(Others worth mentioning: Far Cry 2, SSB: Brawl, GRID, Burnout Paradise, Soul Calibur IV, Midnight Club: LA, Resistance 2)

2009:
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
Killzone 2
.
.
.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Left For Dead 2
New Super Mario Bros. Wii
Infamous
Dragon Age Origins
Assassin’s Creed II
Street Fighter IV
Batman: Arkham Asylum
Fifa 2010

2010:
Final Fantasy XIII
God of War III
Heavy Rain
BioShock 2
ModNation Racers
Red Dead Redemption
Super Mario Galaxy 2
Mass Effect 2
To Be Released 2010: Max Payne 3, Gran Turismo 5, The Last Guardian, LittleBIGPlanet 2, Socom 4, Call of Duty: Black Ops, NFS: Hot Pursuit


Thoughts?
(This is my opinion, obviously)

[zoon_ii]

this topic is entirely subjective.

each year has ushered in games that demonstrate studios evolution pertaining to how they utilize the PS3's hardware.

I mean, I could say that Legend of Zelda was the pinnacle, but others would consider otherwise.

the list does illustrate the cream of the crop for this generation, and all of the games are very impressive when looking back at gaming history in general insomuch as how far gaming on all levels has progressed.

[Dexter Morgan]

Out of the games lists that you have listed, I prefer 2010s releases the most.

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by zoon_ii

this topic is entirely subjective.

each year has ushered in games that demonstrate studios evolution pertaining to how they utilize the PS3's hardware.

I mean, I could say that Legend of Zelda was the pinnacle, but others would consider otherwise.

the list does illustrate the cream of the crop for this generation, and all of the games are very impressive when looking back at gaming history in general insomuch as how far gaming on all levels has progressed.

Of course it's subjective!

You mentioned Zelda because many believe it's a classic that has lasted the test of time. I think 2008 was significant in that it offered more games that have that kind of potential.

[Trace17]

For 2010, I think Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit and Call of Duty: Black Ops are worth mentioning. Granted, I don't think Call of Duty are pinnacle titles anymore, but if you're going to mention them in 08 and 09 it needs mentioning in 2010.

That being said, I think 2010 will be a really solid year.

Final Fantasy XIII
God of War III
Heavy Rain
ModNation Racers
Red Dead Redemption
Gran Turismo 5
Littlebigplanet 2
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit

I mean, that's a gauntlet of fantastic games. As amazing as Gran Turismo 5 will be, I think Need For Speed will be quite well done too since Criterion is making it. I think 2010 will bring more to the table, but that's just my .02

[Ghasta]

So far, I loved God of War III this year....I kinda stopped playing Call of Duty when MW2 hit....still a fun game though. Batman AA was awesome as well.

[Ascended_Saiyan]

I would like SOCOM 4 to be added for 2010, because it IS subjective.

[Trace17]

Originally Posted by Ascended_Saiyan

I would like SOCOM 4 to be added for 2010, because it IS subjective.

Oh yeah I forgot about that. Definitely worth mentioning.

[serpheus]

Mmmmm where is Mass Effect 2?

[RAZGRIZ-1]

I think that using "peak" isn't the right word for the discussion. I don't think gaming will ever reach a peak of potential. The same goes for music and movies.

I do agree though that 2008 was indeed a amazing year for gaming. I do think though that 2010 will be better in my opinnion. There have ALREADY been outstanding releases in the first half of the year, and the second half is shaping up to be quite outstanding.

[Terjyn]

I'd take DAO, Uncharted 2, and Batman: Arkham Asylum from 2009 over the entire lineup from 2008 combined.

To me 2008 was mostly a year of the overhype. A lot of those games you listed from '08 were overhyped to death but not actually all that fun IMHO.

[hardcore_canadian]

I'd like to point out That there are an Awful Lot of Increasingly large Numbers Following those title Names....

[The Don]

2008 has a lot of good games, some great

2010 is packing more punch imo..

I think 2011 is going to be ridiculous...but knowing the way game releases work, half the games we are waiting for in 2011 will come out in 2012...things just don't always go as planned and sometimes the hype machine works better when people think something is right around the corner...

[SoCalTiger]

WRONG! Gaming peaked in 1986.

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by The Don

2008 has a lot of good games, some great

2010 is packing more punch imo..

I think 2011 is going to be ridiculous...but knowing the way game releases work, half the games we are waiting for in 2011 will come out in 2012...things just don't always go as planned and sometimes the hype machine works better when people think something is right around the corner...

I have a feeling most of the games slated for a holiday 2010 release will be bumped up to Spring '11. We'll see how it turns out. I think LBP 2 will be the best. Hopefully, it will feel like much more than an update/rehash of the first. Same goes for COD Black Ops.

[Warjack Prime]

Yes this is really subjective. I don't think we've peaked though. For my part:

2008:
Metal Gear Solid 4
Star Wars Force Unleashed
Dead Space
Resistance 2
Prince of Persia

2009:
FEAR 2
Resident Evil 5
Killzone 2
Uncharted 2
Ratchet & Clank Future: Crack in Time
Modern Warfare 2

2010:
Bad Company 2
God of War 3
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow
FEAR 3
Vanquish
Crysis 2
Star Wars Force Unleashed 2
Medal of Honor
Metroid Other M

2011:
Dead Space 2
Killzone 3
Gears of War 3
...

[Monkey]

Just going for PS3 only, what games hit in 2007? Uncharted: Drake's Fortune for one which trumps EVERYTHING in 2008.. Just curious what else came out. 07 and 09 have my vote so far

2007:
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune
Ratchet& Clank: Tools of Destruction


I'd love to see the short list of 2006 as well

2006:
Resistance: Fall of Man
Motorstorm

I can understand the love for 08, it wasn't a bad year at all. I bought and played MGS4, got far though never finished

[Show spoiler](stopped on the battleship, fighting some thing that was using puppets or something.. I wish more levels were like the columbian jungle level, that great just two short lived.. so more game like that and less movies and bizarre commercials

Plus Resistance 2 was a lot of fun with some truly memorable levels