It's the end of another year, and that can only mean one thing: it's list season. Inevitably, you're going to see top ten lists by the thousands; and, as an official member of the enthusiast press, I'm afraid I can't violate my directive. But, to make things a little more interesting, I've decided to assemble my 10 favorite games of this year in non-hierarchical form because--let's face facts--it's hard to pick a favorite. And unlike other top 10 lists, this one will be doled out to you in piecemeal over the next several excruciating days! Please enjoy.
One of the major reasons Fable II surprised me with its greatness is that Lionhead's medieval sequel was completely off of my radar until I needed something to play in October. Before that, the last time I had flirted with any of Peter Molyneux's creations was 1999's Dungeon Keeper II--and many would've agreed that was the perfect place to leave the ambitious developer behind. But Fable II was a redemption for Molyneux, and one he desperately needed, at that; after nearly an entire decade of disappointments, gamers were getting less and less interested in the shit he'd been shoveling. Thankfully, Fable II is remarkably less fecal than his 00 output--it's actually damned good.
Looking back at all of the time I spent with GTAIV makes me wish that Fable II had been released in the early summer. The two games are completely opposed in design, yet they each offer their own massive areas to explore; Fable II, however, remembers that it's a video game, so it actually gives you things to do in its world. What little story exists in Fable II sits quietly in the background as you take advantage of all the little systems the game has to offer. Sure, it's glitchy, and just a little too easy--I don't even remember dying once--but Fable II basically lets you play God (a Molyneux standby) to the people of Albion, instead of permitting you to be impressed with a large, sterile world you can ice skate around in.
And hell, Fable II is the first time a game made me turn completely evil. I plan on taking it on another spin at some point in the future, if only to see what it's like to live a life where I don't kick chickens and marry multiple whores. If only real life offered such options.
Related Links:
My Top 10 of 2008 in No Particular Order: Audiosurf
My Top 10 of 2008 in No Particular Order: Braid
My Top 10 of 2008 in No Particular Order: Grand Theft Auto IV