You're Winner!

"Most Content Per Dollar"

Winner: Wrath of the Lich King
Runner-up(s): Fall out 3

Yeeeeh!

If you're looking for sheer economic sensibility, then Blizzard's latest expansion "Wrath of the Lich King" to their wildly popular MMORPG franchise, World of Warcraft, packs more content in its 39.99$ package than anything this writer can think of. While you may feel slightly intimidated by the sheer wealth of entertainment to be had on the single DVD disk, rest assured, your money is going to a good place. I have spent close to 30 hours of play, and I've only reached Northrend's third zone, and I'm only level 74. Keep in mind, I'm a very economic leveller, so the average player could spend in the range of twice as long. From Dalaran to Dragonblight, from Vent arguments to Violet Hold, from Chinese gold farmers to Chinese item farmers.....Wrath of the Lich King truly has something for everyone!





"Best Played With Real Life Friends"

Winner: Gears of War 2
Runner-up(s): Little Big Planet
Failures: Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Yes, I said it. Fuck that shit.)

Rest assured, Little Big Planet came in a close second....an astonishingly close second, but Gears of War 2 possesses something LBP never could, stylized alien entrails. While LBP is fun, creative and (to a cold, cybernetic robot) shockingly cute, Co-operative Gears of War 2 appeals to a sense I never knew I possessed: the desire to abandon my friends in Horde mode, just as our last ditch effort appears doomed. Normally, this occurs as we reach wave 30 or 40; just when everyone's trust in me has been solidified, and just as the enemy gathers, surrounding us, I made my move! Dashing past the oncoming Mulchers and Tickers, I hide in some isolated sector of the map, as my friends are left to die dishonourable and uncourageous deaths.

Yes, the cries from across the couch and over the microphone as I abandon my best friends to the damning fate associated with 3 boomers and a wave of Theron guards are novel beyond description. Call me an asshole, but treachery and back-stabbing seem to be hard-wired into me.

Your head asplode!

"Best Played Online"

Winner: Left 4 Dead

Left 4 Dead represents a mile-stone not only in the astonishingly successful catalogue of Steam-hosted and presented games, but in online gaming in general. L4D forces players to co-operate, co-ordinate and (in most cases) socialize to a degree unparalleled in history. As an indication, prior to the launch of L4D, there were maybe 10 people on my steam friends list; outside of Day of Defeat: Source clan members, and former CS e-buddies, I saw no sense in a continued correspondence with strangers online. Left 4 Dead changed all that. Last week, I spent 5 hours running through all the campaigns on expert mode with the same 3 people...I can safely conclude that I know, love and respect those three friends more than my immediate family members. Dirtybum, Stryker666, Ranilen....I'll always remember the good times!

):

Big pimpin

"Best Single Player Game"

Winner: Metal Gear Solid 4
Runner-ups: Dead Space, Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, Grand Theft Auto IV
Failures: MIRROR'S EDGE. FUCK FAITH. FUCK FREE-RUNNING. FUCK THAT SHIT.


Metal Gear Solid 4 possesses every artifice of an intelligent, dramatic and moving story. As a long-time series fan, it may be unfair that I selected Guns of the Patriots as my pick for the years best single player game. But it had it all. The camera controls and gunplay were not only a serious step up from series predeccesors, but among the best in the 3rd-person shooter genre. The story was cunning, intriguing and I swear on my life, when Meryl and Johnny had their backs against the wall, professing their love for one another, I almost cried. Also....I have yet to play a game which allows two old-men to fight street fighter style on top of an enormous mobile ICBMissile platform.

Big ups to Dead Space though. If you have the opportunity to play it, I encourage you to.

"Game of the Year"

Winner: Big Rigs: Over the Road Racing

nuff' said