This article is from the first edition of The Video Game Librarian website I published between 2008 and 2010. It was originally written on December 30, 2008.
The votes are in and the 2008 Video Game Librarian Bookmark Awards have been handed out. The following games were chosen based on suggestions from The Video Game Librarian readers, review scores, innovation and overall impact on the video game community.
“Continue Reading” for this year’s selections.
Highest Honors
Braid
Platforms: Xbox 360
Publisher: Microsoft
Developer: Jonathan Blow
Release Date: August 6, 2008
ESRB Rating: Everyone 10+
One Librarian Said: “An incredible platform game full of devious puzzles and refreshingly consistent internal logic. Also, it’s the only non-RPG I can think of off the top of my head that actually suggests a deeper critical game-as-text analysis. Single-handedly revived the ‘Are games art?’ discussion.”
Fallout 3
Platforms: PC, PS3, Xbox 360
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
Developer: Bethesda Softworks
Release Date: October 28, 2008
ESRB Rating: Mature
What the reviews said: “While the words ‘Game of the Year’ get tossed around a little too lightly in the video game world, Fallout 3 may just be a worthy contender for that crown. The critics all agree that the game hits all the right notes and that fans of Fallout will be pleased, fans of the Elder Scrolls series will be pleased and video game fans in general will be pleased.”
Grand Theft Auto IV
Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360
Publisher: Rockstar Games
Developer: Rockstar North
Release Date: April 29, 2008
ESRB Rating: Mature
What the reviews said: “All of the reviews seem to be quite clear: Grand Theft Auto IV is not just the greatest GTA game ever, but it is one of the greatest games ever, period. If you are a fan of the GTA series, you owe it to yourself to play this game. And if you’re a fan of games in general, the game is currently ranked as the best reviewed game of all time on Game Rankings, so it’s probably worth a look by everybody.
Provided you’re over 17 of course.”
Guitar Hero: World Tour
Platforms: PS2, PS3, Wii, Xbox 360
Publisher: Activision
Developer: Neversoft
Release Date: October 26, 2008
ESRB Rating: Teen
One librarian said: “Yes, it’s pretty much a rip off of Rock Band, but the thing that caught my teens’ eyes was the beginner level… no worrying about hitting the colored keys as well as strumming, just strumming so you can get the feel of it. And both guitars can play bass or play guitar. We just got it for the Wii, and they did NOT get off of it all night!!”
Left 4 Dead
Platforms: PC, Xbox 360
Publisher: Valve
Developer: Valve
Release Date: November 17, 2008
ESRB Rating: Mature
What the reviews said: “Left 4 Dead takes the tried and true formula of a zombie apocalypse and turns it on its head with an addictive multiplayer component and a pretty satisfying single player game. And the Director AI works perfectly to create a unique experience every time. It seems that gamers who have a dedicated group of friends to take on the game’s challenges with will get the most out of the game.”
LittleBigPlanet
Platforms: PS3
Publisher: Sony
Developer: Media Molecule
Release Date: October 27, 2008
ESRB Rating: Everyone
What the reviews said: “It’s taken a long time, but it looks like Sony has finally found their mascot in the cute, cuddly and customizable Sackboy. While the game’s singleplayer game is a bit of an uninspiring affair, the game creation tools have opened up an entirely new world to video game players all over that great big planet we call Earth. While Metal Gear Solid 4 was a great boost to the PS3’s library, LittleBigPlanet is truly the system’s killer app.”
Mario Kart Wii
Platform: Wii
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Release Date: April 27, 2008
ESRB Rating: Everyone
When This Was Released I Wrote: “Mario Kart Wii feels a lot like the previous games in the series (and the inclusion of retro tracks doesn’t change that), but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The Mario Kart formula was perfected a long time ago and it’s just as great as it ever was in Mario Kart Wii (and a lot of the new tracks, including the best Rainbow Road ever, are fantastic). Add in online play and if you’re a Mario Kart fan it’s easy to think that Mario Kart Wii just might be the best game the Wii has to offer.”
Mega Man 9
Platforms: PSN, WiiWare, XBLA
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Inti Creates
Release Date:
ESRB Rating: Everyone
When this came out I wrote: “In this day and age, buzzwords like “high definition, bump mapped 3D graphics (with enhanced lighting and water effects!)” have become more and more prevalent to describe a game. So something like Mega Man 9 is a godsend. Mega Man 9 is a WiiWare title that uses the classic 8-bit style of the NES Mega Man games as an “art style” in a brand new game. And that just makes a retro gamer like me… well… giddy. Mega Man 9 may just be my favorite game of the year.”
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
Platform: PS3
Publisher: Konami
Developer: Kojima Productions
Release Date: June 12, 2008
ESRB Rating: Mature
Portal: Still Alive
Platform: XBLA
Publisher: Valve
Developer: Valve
Release Date: October 22, 2008
ESRB Rating: Teen
Rock Band 2
Platforms: PS2, PS3, Wii, Xbox 360
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: Harmonix
Release Date: June 12, 2008
ESRB Rating: Teen
One librarian said: “For taking the premiere rhythm gaming experience and improving it.”
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360
Publisher: LucasArts
Developer: LucasArts
Release Date: September 16, 2008
ESRB Rating: Teen
When this came out I wrote: “For Star Wars fans, The Force Unleashed is required playing to continue your membership in the Star Wars geekdom. The plot additions to the Star Wars saga alone should be more than enough to convince even lapsed fans. But it is also a solid action title that requires strategic combat and allows players to dispatch enemies in a way never before seen in a Star Wars game. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is truly a force to be reckoned with. Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise until you give it a shot yourself.”
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Platform: Wii
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Game Arts
Release Date: March 9, 2008
ESRB Rating: Teen
Wii Fit
Platform: Wii
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Release Date: May 21, 2008
ESRB Rating: Everyone
World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King
Platform: PC
Publisher: Blizzard
Developer: Blizzard
Release Date: November 13, 2008
ESRB Rating: Teen
Honorable Mentions
Culdcept Saga
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Developer: OmiyaSoft
Release Date: February 5, 2008
ESRB Rating: Teen
When this came out I wrote: “Culdcept Saga is a unique entry in the world of RPGs and its mashup of Magic and Monopoly has me completely hooked. If the premise sounds even the slightest bit interesting, you’d do well to seek it out. Hot card-on-card action now in high definition never felt so good.”
Castle Crashers
Platform: XBLA
Publisher: The Behemoth
Developer: The Behemoth
Release Date: August 27, 2008
ESRB Rating: Teen
Dead Space
Platforms: PC, PS3, Xbox 360
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: EA Redwood Shores
Release Date: October 14, 2008
ESRB Rating: Mature
Fable II
Platform: Xbox 360
Publisher: Microsoft
Developer: Lionhead Studios
Release Date: October 21, 2008
ESRB Rating: Mature
Gears of War 2
Platform: Xbox 360
Publisher: Microsoft
Developer: Epic Games
Release Date: November 7, 2008
ESRB Rating: Mature
N+
Platform: Xbox 360
Publisher: Metanet
Developer: Slick Entertainment
Release Date: February 20, 2008
ESRB Rating: Everyone
Soul Calibur IV
Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Developer: Namco Bandai
Release Date: July 29, 2008
ESRB Rating: Teen
Devil May Cry 4
Platforms: PC, PS3, Xbox 360
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Release Date: February 5, 2008
ESRB Rating: Mature
Pro Evolution Soccer 2009
Platforms: PC, PS2, PS3, PSP, Wii, Xbox 360
Publisher: Konami
Developer: Konami
Release Date: November 12, 2008
ESRB Rating: Everyone
Spore
Platform: PC
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: Maxis
Release Date: September 7, 2008
ESRB Rating: Everyone 10+
Valkyria Chronicles
Platform: PS3
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Sega
Release Date: November 4, 2008
ESRB Rating: Teen
Video Game Book of the Year
Grand Theft Childhood: The Surprising Truth About Violent Video Games and What Parents Can Do by Lawrence Kutner and Cheryl Olson
There are no other options for Best Video Game Book of the Year. This is it. This was always it from the moment it was published. For its in-depth research into the connection between video game and violence. For its straightforward and completely readable look at the subject. For its eye-opening examination of media backlashes in the country. But most of all, for its perfect summation of the research, which every gamer should have memorized:
For most kids and parents, the bottom-line results of our research can be summed up in a single word: relax. While concerns about the effects of violent video games are understandable, they’re basically no different from the unfounded concerns previous generations had about the new media of their day. Remember, we’re a remarkably resilient species.