It is game of the year time- Trent Petronaitis looks at the games which rocked 2008.
This year had so many games, but we are going to reveal the games which rocked the most for 2008.
Nintendo DS
3rd Place – N+
We can’t say much about this title has changed since its doubt as a flash game. But the title has since then appeared on the Nintendo DS has one of the best recantations of flash to handheld since- well it probably was the first one this year.
N+ doesn’t feel as good control wise on the Nintendo DS compared to its PC counterpart, but the handheld recreation of the title (also available on the PSP) seems to have been packed down quite solid.
N+ features various unlockable alongside the general game which most people have fallen in love with.
Over all N+ is a very solid experience- which is as good as the original. While it has updated graphics, users can change the game to classic mode as well as changing the colour of their ninja. A very welcome change to the game.
2nd Place – Time Hollow
We reviewed this title back when it came out in September this year and we had high hopes to give the title a position in the game of the year.
Falling in love with Sox the cat- Time Hollow became a interesting experience as we wondered how that cat got around. But besides that yes the title was a great experience, a in-depth story which surrounded a young boy who got a time hollow pen for his birthday. This pen allows the holder to travel through time- as you play you uncover many secrets and mysteries relating to the pen and how you got it. As well as evolving the story as time changes.
Time Hollow has a very simple- but fun point and click adventure gameplay- which makes the game a tough choice next to our Nintendo DS game of the year…
Nintendo DS Game of The Year – The World Ends With You
The Square-Enix Nintendo DS title The World Ends With You, for me had everything right with it, the music, the game play, the story and the emotions which the title tried to develop in the player. It was an interesting title which set itself out in a point and click meets slash and run type of style.
While the review I did of the game is lost in the period I stopped updating trinest.com, I had lots of good things to say about the game. From it been GoTY material- to it been a great Nintendo DS title in the middle of boring average titles this year.
The game’s sounds brought me into the game, with the intro using voice which set the scene really well, it lined up the expectations of the title- and once the music came into the game- it was just another bit to add to the experience.
The games action segments seemed to stray a bit from the story- but didn’t feel that much lost. It was a great experience and worth a spot in this years GoTY.
Worthy Mentions
Some worthy mentions are:
- Sim City Creator
- Korg-DS-10
PSP
Runner Up – LocoRoco 2
The PSP- a console for me, only for the interesting puzzle titles which pop up on the system, LocoRoco the original was a fun and quirky game- which this year got a sequel.
LocoRoco 2 keeps most of the original and squishes it into an interesting new game- with a few more features and additions.
PSP Game of the Year – Patapon
Patapon developed by the same guys which brought you LocoRoco – it seems that developer alone is enough for the PSP for me. The style- and the music- and the…you know what, its clear I don’t give a flying rat that much about the PSP- So just go to gamespot or something for the review of those mentioned games, because while Patapon is GoTY PSP for me, it’s not something I want to talk about right now…
PS3
PS3 Game of the Year – GTA-IV
I’m not a Sony gamer- but this year I did play GTA-IV on the PS3, and while for me it wasn’t the best version of the game. It dam right deservers GoTY for that system. You can name other games such as Fall Out 3, which for me just scrape the GoTY- the titles which you can mention which you think are better than GTA? Are all also on other consoles.
It seems this year that while I’m including other consoles in the GoTY article- I’m just taking the time to bash the shit out of them like a rabid fanboy. But really- the point is GTA > All on the PS3.
Little Big Planet? Oh please, like all games that just is a simple and boring as all shit once you get rid of the customization part. It barely makes my list as a runner up or worthy mention- now go away so I can talk about GTA:IV.
Graphics wise, it’s going to look good, because it’s on a hi-def console. Control wise, it’s going to be a bitch because the PS3 control pad is like Pepsi- it’s fun for a bit, but it really doesn’t taste nice unless you put it with something.
So because this title is also going to appear in the PC and Xbox 360 sections of this article- I’d say let’s leave it here and go onto the Wii.
Wii
3rd Place – Mario Kart Wii
It replaces Smash for most, and really it dam well should. While I had hopes for the big Brawl before hand- Mario Kart Wii after the few months turned out in the end to be more fun. It had great online, great local multiplayer and dam right awesome game play.
I was sepectical because of the mess that the Nintendo DS version turned into- but well Mario Kart Wii never did. It was the same from day one to now. The game with wheel or not, was fun competition through the various levels which had hidden passage ways from point a to point b.
It became a test, a test of skill to use the wii wheel first- before I tell you that you can use anything. The competition was fun and great with that hidden thought- a great game to start the Wii GoTY off.
2nd Place – Okami Wii
Okami for the Nintendo Wii was a small upgrade from the Ps2 version which was released years ago. But for a title which came out this year, Okami packs a punch to the titles from Nintendo- especially when their line up consisted of Wii Music.
Okami is something special and while it came out earlier this year, I only just got it. The title is one which doesn’t seem to get bad reviews from anyone. A title which seems to be a system seller- but no-one buys it. A special game which- for the most part feels very Japanese.
I take my hat off to Okami- it looked good- but for expectation wise, it turned out much better. A great game which doesn’t scratch the 1st position, but leaves a dent in this year’s Game of The Year for the Nintendo Wii.
Wii Game of the Year – Disaster: Day of Crisis
The Revolution was the console back then, the players where hardcore back then. The casuals playing Nintendo? Wouldn’t even dream of it- they were too busy with the PS2 in bed.
Disaster was one of the oldest announced titles which disappeared of the map for a bit- with a very struggling- if you could say, a disaster of a development cycle. While it shows a bit, the game is a polished title which should be in everyone’s collection.
Disaster has a very deep story line which is very interesting- separated into chapters and missions. A small brake in gameplay allows the user to change settings, upgrade weapons and status.
Disaster: Day of Crisis is a worthy GoTY for 2008.
Worthy Mentions
Some worthy mentions are:
- Super Smash Bros. Brawl
- Animal Crossing: City Folk
- WiiFit
Xbox-Handheld
Oh wait….
Xbox 360
Runner Up – GTA:IV
This time I’m not wasting time with it as GoTY- we know it is good, after the PS3 GoTY for it- but for the 360, – well the 360 has more games which are worthy of GoTY then the PS3.
GTA:IV works much better with the 360 controller, making it the best version. We are giving GTA to the PC again- but this is the last time dam it!
Xbox 360 Game of the Year – FallOut 3
Yay, a different game besides GTA for consoles I hardly play. Too…bad I have hardly played Fallout 3- or the 360 so I can’t really give a write up- then again it has been 4 pages so far, so fuck writing a essay.
PC
PC GoTY – GTA:IV
I’m sick of writing Game of the year, anyway GTA, yep….not much to say that it’s about a game which tweens play to have their wildest wet dreams happen. Oh and that it’s a good sandbox game. Besides that- fuck all- oh and the PC version isn’t as impressive graphics wise.
Download Games (VC/WiiWare/XBL/PSN)
I’m sick of setting this article up so good- fuck this crap. Okay, WiiWare is the best bet, but even then it sucks like balls. ArtStyle games are the best runners up.
GoTY is World of Goo- which is on both WiiWare and PC. BUY IT NOW
Game of the Year
Trent Petronaitis
Trent Petronaitis looks back on some of his past sites as he enters his 7th year of web design. Wondering and proving some things could have worked.
Nintendo announced the Nintendo DS in a year which almost set me into the biggest era which I wish I could have stayed in- this era for me was a period of one year. This one year had it all- babes, drugs, sex and booze- a era which I could have classed as the golden years. But my lack of knowledge and understanding of the industry at the time made me fail harder than- as a kid would say back then- your mum.
The Nintendo DS didn’t have an official name- nor a unofficial name back when I started the first. All the press release said was Nintendo announced two screened handheld. I dubbed it the Nintendo DS and crashed my current site to bring Nintendo DS news and articles.
At one time I could say I was running probably three Nintendo DS sites. This was a transition period from DS Network to Aussie-DS. Somehow in the middle- I had DS Link either before or after those mentioned sites, with the same simular information that DS Network had.
DS Network though was around when other sites started getting developed- as it was started around E3 which was when Nintendo showed off the device. Before then I had an unofficial/official Nintendo DS site which was what my original site had developed into- all the content I used to have replaced with DS information- just nothing to put glue in. I say it was the first, I know it was the first- and while the golden era DS sites all went down the tube either then or now. My site was hit the hardest when it got hit.
It was more administrative and web design problems and solutions which took my site from getting to the top to bottom low. I had a average community growing up when DS Network was around, which was reaching its prime time when I decided to trust other people with the site. They had ideas, but at the same time some of them also dragged problems in.
The problems were dealt with, but because of prior suggestion, we had moved forums around so many times- the community was essentially dead. A rebirth was planned with Aussie-DS, with a better name and I got a design done up from a former affiliate of the site. It was prity good, the whole thing got set up and was running smooth, but the other staff got less interested. So the project went down the drain- making me rethink what I was doing and then opened up Another Code Labs a few months after Aussie-DS crashed down.
The sad thing was I was asked after Another Code Labs was starting to pick up to quit that (also why the hell did I start that project) and to remake Aussie-DS with them. I was promised that I would have all the original staff back on project. But I declined this offer and continued to work on Another Code Labs- with Aussie-DS becoming a lost site, one of the first DS sites to fail- it wasn’t the best but it had potentional.
The sites all had a long history- which even now details are less then what I hopped for, I wanted to extend more information out which related to the projects dates and time-line, so I could at last be recognised as the first site- but I never pushed the fact- so it was impossible then to gain more users just because of the fancy words ‘was first’.
Lots of Nintendo DS sites from after I started mine I would love to still see around now, one had done it the best and just disappeared one day- never to remerge, as other sites which used to be just GBA sites changed into Nintendo DS sites. I don’t think if I even stayed with just me- I could have betted them then.
But now most of the sites which changed to suit the new handheld- they are the ones which are fighting the same war which I left involuntary- I would have loved to have continued, but the project was not one which I could have kept up by myself. But if I did- maybe I would have had a chance now, as the ones which changed and stuck around are entering a stage which they are about to drop off the map. I think if I had of worked more to the site- it could have been up to that stage- but with a shimmer of hope to flip and be good again right now.
I think if I knew the html, php and css which I know now- most of the site could have stayed around just by changing the sites structure. But I can’t do that now- because the site is gone- if I could have kept going- I don’t know when I would have quit, if I would have or not. Because the project wasn’t something simple- especially at my age when I was running it.
The multiple forums, the excess/unwanted updates to the site, as well as the lack of news- even though I supplied a good chunk, rolled my DS site into Another Code Labs. Which kept most of the structure- though once I started the site, I developed most of the things myself, either by editing custom layouts or making general div layouts. I created a good resource, and I learned what I know today.
But Another Code Labs while going good- could have also still be around today- just as good. It had the same fate as my DS sites when it came to multiple forums. This drove the community away- and as I slowly made the site more and more about my personal articles and projects- nothing could be done to the second site to fail from me.
I think I should say now- that the first site I ran, which I remember was really successful- I can’t remember if it was when I was getting my Harvest Moon site up- or after I closed it to make it into a Nintendo DS site. But I had lots of affiliates, and just a shout box. Lots of visitors too- great site. I think the style of it succeed so well because it was around the time that personal sites, and things like Geocities did so well.
Another Code Labs also had another failure- because it was when I was starting it that I learned how to make lots of easy to do DIV layouts. Which was great- I could design something in HTML. But lots of webmasters at the time still used tables- so they kept saying ‘make a table layout- fuck this div shit off’. But all that div shit- is the fundamentals of what people use now, and what they use now if they are still webmasters.
In 2006 and 2007 I was really into making more sub sites for random games, so Another Code Labs also started crash more then what it was, because I had taken time onto other smaller projects- which let the site go stale.
While it was a good resource- it didn’t have much for the newer CING games (Hotel Dusk) for example which I didn’t cover as much because of these other projects- and because Another Code Labs also had a huge section on games from the Survival Kids series.
If I could take it all back and start from scratch in the same era I started- I think I wouldn’t do the same thing. Many of the choices I made on haste grounded the site I was working on to the ground- it was something which no webmaster wants to see at the end of the day. Especially with all the time and effort- and when it could have been saved.
My Nintendo DS sites would have failed even if I did carry them on. Most smaller Nintendo DS sites have failed since then, none have really gotten bigger unless they conformed and added Wii- and other Nintendo consoles etc. To the mix. I would have not wanted this- and it would have came down to the same problem which made Another Code Labs fail- a good resource, but too much or too little of one subject.
Another Code Labs though- if I had a better name (or just called it ACL) I think it would for just the fact the domain would have been shorter- succeeded better. But if I also just kept it CING games- and added more and more sections as the announcements happened- instead of waiting. I think the resource would have been better. A great fan site- maybe even of had it just a wiki system. The point is- it could have been more- and it was the one project which wouldn’t have failed if I didn’t make bad choices.
The domain was a UK domain- and the game was doing well over there. I think if I captured that more again- I could have got more users and readers.
Even Trinest.Com had the same problems both my Nintendo DS sites and ACL had. Though with the announcement of Trinest.Com shows all- I’m working to fix the problems which had made the sites of the past fail- and work my way up to the top. If I can’t, well then- maybe defeat.
Trent Petronaitis
Trent Petronaitis looks into the games mechanics and features, wondering about the next game and raises some ideas of his own.
The generation was young, gaming was young- the idea of a 3D adventure game? Questionable, done before- but questionable to the standards of a new comer to gaming a series called The Legend of Zelda. Appearing on a few consoles before the Nintendo 64, Ocarina of Time was set to become the ‘only’ Zelda game worth playing in fan’s eyes. The best game ever had become a reality.
Years passed, more Zelda games on more consoles and handhelds- the handheld games developed by Capcom with Nintendo eyeing their every move. Until one day, a new Nintendo had formed, with a new vision- a new strategy, the Blue Ocean policy.
The last generation of Zelda for the Nintendo GameCube for fans was the biggest mistake for Nintendo. For people who respect games as art- it was a questionable attempt at a new style. Fans called for something new- so Twilight Princess was formed, the first wave- with little changes to the old design, but some small new concepts.
Another wave came and brought games and consoles which sold millions, WiiSports, WiiFit the Nintendo Wii itself and the Nintendo DS. Nintendo developed themselves, with their strategy in mind, a new Zelda game- for the Nintendo DS. Something people can pick up and play, but easier for their new market they had found.
It arguably turned out to be a good game, a respected game if you like. But the game’s flaws from the beginning of Nintendo’s strategy which sadly was making them money- could be the end of Zelda.
Other Nintendo ‘hardcore’ games have also gotten a similar design change to try and introduce new players. But the wave which crashed after those last attempts- unrelated to the legend. But now you can tell there is a different Nintendo.
The new games which many thought would be ‘hardcore’ and something Nintendo would want to support- had came crashing down, with the most recent attempts at still introducing a hardcore game, failing miserably. Nintendo sliding the games out quick and not letting anyone know about the title until months down the track.
Nintendo doesn’t know how to make ‘hardcore’ games anymore. With WiiMusic- they have become too cocky thinking how good that will sell. They also now don’t know how to make cross-combo (hardcore and casual games).
From the evidence which gamers, media and other people interested in the industry have seen, with the announcement of a new Zelda for the Wii in the works, no one can really believe that this game will be good. From the sounds of it, they said they need new ideas- something fresh, well sadly we can possibility see Zelda becoming a familiar, a rocked out sock like Sonic- some good games in amongst crap, but nothing as good as the originals.
I play Nintendo because of how each console is something different using the same style- maybe some new concepts to rattle the old cage, but besides that nothing to dangerously boring or simple from the main games which I grew up with/like.
But if you look over now, you see too many perfectic failures which make the gamers loose out in the end. From corporate games now to mass games. Nothing charming, and interesting anymore- just games which everyone wants to see- but no-one does want to see.
The games are infected games, they have made hardcore games casual ip’s. Something which is wrong, hardcore games should never become casual ip’s or casual ip’s becoming a hardcore type game. Their needs to be separate types- but in these later years, their doesn’t seem to be a clear line anymore.
I see a perfect Zelda game as something different and fresh- a movie in a way, something which is epic with different turns and things to be interested.
A perfect Zelda would return the old races which Capcom introduced- for example Tokays and the Minish.
Something which a sort of pet hate for me is how the games have no atmosphere to a point. Culture? Sometimes, at the start the most. But otherwise culture lacks in Zelda. We can’t see the Roto’s having religious celebrations or ancient secrets which are still current. The normal townsfolk? Well they just seem to be faces- walking for ever around a town, with no past or future.
The people don’t have personalities apart from predetermed expressions. Maybe one Zora likes oranges and hates fish? Or another goes ballistic happy over the sight of a fish.
The hidden village was a great start- but how about more areas which there is nothing (but for example you see Tokay or Zora walking around?) or areas which are ancient tunnels or temples, with no tressure. How about seeing villagers or travellers wondering Hyrule?
The Blue Ocean seems to have made Zelda it’s bitch- time will tell if it will stop or keep going.
Trent Petronaitis
As the world was darker than before- we could only look up to the possibilities on Sunday with a smile.
So last Sunday two planets in Australia’s viewing path crossed almost near each other. Venus and Jupiter almost together in the sky. But what made this more magical was the moon under the planets – tilted with a smile.
Could the aliens finally be giving us a message, or is this a phenomena which happens every so often? Well it’s not big brother saying “You did something wrong†with a devilish smile. The smile apparently appears every few years. (I’ve heard either 5 or 30…dunno who to believe). But the fact is it happened.
Maybe it is big brother saying yes it will happen again- yes we can parade around naked as the townies take back the town when the hicks go into the river. The possibilities and meaning of this are mega unknown. But I dare say, this could be a nice x-mas present to the people who will not see much this year. A magical- religious, spiritual and romantic smile. Something to give everyone hope- hope that this year will bring great presents – or just the impeachment of ruddy…wait what.
I’m sorry but if you think that going into debt will save the economy, while at the same time restricting everything you can get your hands on- I’d rather Howard, to bad he’s gone thanks to your awesome “Working Families†campaign- shesh wonder when we will see something’s which help working families instead of shit policies which will fuck us up more like Am…………….*cough*
Prity soon we will be paying to view stuff like this to reinberse our future debt
Trent Petronaitis
Weather I spelt whether right is another question. Trent Petronaitis looks into the floods of the summer – and what will happen to those blood hicks.
Country Music Festivals- the local summer advent in an otherwise sleepy town in country New South Wales. It is the time when locals buy up big on food weeks before to hibernate while the shops are filled with rude argent hicks who have no respect for the local town.
I predicted the big annual flood will return last year – but I failed to count that the storm then was only temporally – one which almost wrecked my brother’s car. In a desperate struggle that same storm had came earlier this year with a more packed punch ready to rip the hicks out of my town when the country music comes.
The once great city was ripped apart during last Friday by a storm which made the rest of the country think the whole town was under water. The media poured more shit into this storm’s damage then what really happened. All that happened was like usual, the river flooded (but because of the fish bowl road which ‘protects’ Timinda more water was in the sporting fields then usual) and of course very predicted, the stupid ‘fix’ job on the gully down the road was fucked like we all said would happen. Great!
I now leave you with some happy snaps- and hopefully this happens during Country Music. Remember:
