Game of the Year awards are almost never consensus picks. Different gamers like different types of games. Here at Snackbar Games, we have a diverse staff of writers and editors, and between now and the end of the year, they’ll each be telling you, however they choose, about their top ten of ’08. Today, Justin Last, our new features editor, ranks a downloadable game #1– but not one you might think.
10. Castle Crashers
The Behemoth promised a triumphant return of the 4-player coop brawler except now I’d be able to play with all my friends no matter where they lived. They got it half right, and the fact that it shows up on my list despite being broken ought to be a testament to just how much fun the game is in local multiplayer. There’s something pure about picking a guy and wrecking levels with three friends. If I could take the game online without fear or destroying my save Castle Crashers would be much higher on my list. At least I know who to blame – featured programmer Tom Fulp!
9. Bionic Commando Rearmed
Old games are hard, and competent reimaginings are, too. There’s a sense of accomplishment when completing a level in BCR that just isn’t present in newer games. Add to that a good assortment of weapons, creative boss fights, and interesting mechanics (no jumping in a platformer!) and you’ve got a downloadable title that everybody should try. And in the chance that the story mode doesn’t offer enough challenge the numerous challenge rooms will be right up your alley.
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The loveable and huggable Mike and Marco are back with another great podcast. Just in time for the holidays, they talk about their top games for 2008 and throw in a Holiday Gift Guide for all you last minute shoppers.
You can hit the direct link of the podcast here, or if you aren’t subscribed to our Podcast Feed, you can find that here.
The Metal Gear and Silent Hill series have touched many gamers. Now, they’ll have the chance to touch back.
Metal Gear Solid Touch and Silent Hill: The Escape will be released as downloadable games for the iPhone and iPod Touch, Konami announced in a press release. A Dance Dance Revolution game and a Frogger game will also be available as part of the company’s new Touch Konami line.
Metal Gear Solid Touch uses characters and environments from Metal Gear Solid 4 in an eight-stage shooting-gallery game that will be available in Spring 2009. More stages will be available later, the press release says. READ MORE
Game of the Year awards are almost never consensus picks. Different gamers like different types of games. Here at Snackbar Games, we have a diverse staff of writers and editors, and between now and the end of the year, they’ll each be telling you, however they choose, about their top ten of ’08. Today, editor Mike Walbridge shows his dislike for rankings while telling you his favorites.
In no particular order:
N+: The little downloadable that could is a party game that can take up the evening just as effectively as any music or gun-based game. Hundreds of levels, fun competition and cooperation, four players on one console, and free map packs featuring over 200 maps, months later? Juicy.
King’s Bounty: A cult hit to be sure, but fans of strategy or the quirky can get lost in the world of King’s Bounty for a very long time. A permanent world requiring frequent creative approaches to battle makes numerous reruns worthwhile, and each run is at least thirty hours!
Left 4 Dead: Manages to make the players the content in the game. This is the multiplayer version of making the player the character. Plenty of good runs and the way the Source Engine supports so many enemies on screen at once is uncanny.
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In danger of defaulting on a $240 million debt and entering bankruptcy, Midway announced it will close its Austin studio, lay off 25 percent of its employees and suspend development on some projects.
Midway will release 180 employees in addition to closing its Austin studio, which Midway acquired in 2004. The studio was formerly Inevitable Software, founded by three employees from Acclaim’s Austin studio and had produced Tribe’s Aerial Assault and The Hobbit for Sierra before creating Area 51 and 2007’s Blacksite: Area 51 for Midway. The latter game’s rushed production, low sales and bad reviews caused many problems for Midway. READ MORE
