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2008 Kinda Sucked for Gamers

Neko quietly reflects.

So it’s New Year’s Eve, and right on cue my annual bout of gamer’s retrospection is kicking in. This is normally the part where I look back on all the games that came out during the year and reflect on how awesome the year in gaming has been. But as 2008 comes to a close, I’m left feeling more disappointed than affectionate over this past year’s offerings. And I’ve come to a somewhat alarming realization: 2008 kind of sucked for gamers.

2008 was supposed to be “the year for gamers” right? But what did that really mean? For the video game industry (well, except perhaps Sony) it meant huge sales figures and overhyped sold-out game launches, despite the failing economy. (What recession?)

But for us gamers, 2008 was mostly a year of sequels and rehashes that we gladly lined up and shelled out big bucks for–again. Blockbuster titles like Grand Theft Auto IV, Fallout 3, Fable 2, Gears of War 2… Noticing a pattern here? Where was the originality and innovation in 2008? And I’m not just talking about killer graphics–that’s something none of these games were short on. I’m talking about the gameplay itself. Riveting and unpredictable storylines, amazing characters, truly immersive worlds you can spend hours getting lost in–where were these things? The games of 2008 seemed to be all style over substance, more hype and high-tech than moving and memorable. Brittany Vincent over at TGR sums up my feeling exactly. Where is the heart?

What was this year’s big “it” game? GTA IV, according to Spike TV who awarded it Game of the Year. Seriously? I wonder how dead the horse has to be before the game companies stop beating it. I don’t think I could bear another Call of Final Grand Theft of War 5 release. I don’t care how realistic a game looks if that’s the only thing worth playing it for. I don’t care if I can pick up and throw every object I see.

What I do care about is “that feeling” and I’m sure you know the one I mean–that euphoric feeling that can only come from playing a really amazing video game. And that’s something 2008 hasn’t given me.