Too many games!

I have come to the conclusion that there are simply a stupid number of good games due out in 2008, and rather strangely most of these are not bunched up during the regular busy Christmas period.

I am not someone who can have too many games going at the same time, instead I tend to focus on one or two particular games at a time (although saying that, I just realised that I’m currently playing through the following: Half Life 2 (PS3), Super Mario Galaxy (Wii), COD4 (online PS3), Final Fantasy: Revenant Wings and Advance Wars: Days of Ruin). As such, from the list of games that I would like, I’m sure that there will be some that I don’t have time to get and play.

As such, I thought I’d do my own little preview of the games due out which I’m interested in and assign some sort of anticipation rating to them.

Ratings key:
*** Would like to play, but may have to skip if released next to another game.
**** Really looking forward to
***** Must play, my life depends on it!

Game: Ace Attorney: Apollo Justice
Format: DS
Release date: Out Now (US)
Rating: *****
Details: I have loved the previous games in the series and look forward to this immensely. I have actually just recently ordered this on import and should receive it in a week or two.

Game: Professor Lanyon and the Mysterious Village
Format: DS
Release date: Out Now (US)
Rating: ****
Details: This looks like a great puzzle/adventure which I will likely purchase. However, I may wait until the UK release.

Game: No More Heroes
Format: Wii
Release date: 14/03/08
Rating: ***
Details: This looks like an unusual and fund game from the makers of Killer 7 for the Wii. Unfortunately the UK release has been gimped slightly when compared to the US release, taking out much of the violence. Also, I doubt that I’ll have time to play it, as such, I don’t think I’ll get around to getting it.

Game: Fire Emblem
Format: Wii
Release date: 14/03/08
Rating: ***
Details: I really, really want to play a Fire Emblem game. From the makers of Advance Wars, this comes across as a medieval strategy game. Unfortunately with so many other games due out, this may need to slip off my list for the time being, until I have more time.

Game: Gran Turismo 4: Prologue
Format: PS3
Release date: 28/03/08
Rating: ***
Details: I may skip this, as in reality it is little more than an extended demo. Although the though of online racing is tempting, I think I’ll likely wait until the full version in a year or so. Besides for racing I have:

Game: Mario Kart Wii
Format: Wii
Release date: 11/04/08
Rating: *****
Details: If I had to choose one game only to play in 2008, this would be it. I have always loved the Mario Kart Series and I’m sure that this will not change. I’m not too sure that I’ll like the Wiiwheel control scheme, but at least you have the option of using the nunchuck, or even a Gamecube controller.

Game: Wii Fit
Format: Wii
Release date: 25/04/08
Rating: ****
Details: When this was first announced at E3 last year, I must admit that I had little interest in it. However, after identifying the my blood pressure hasn’t been too great of late, the idea of a game which in turn will also help with my health is now very appealing. I think that Nintendo are likely onto a winner with this one, and I’m looking forward to this.

Game: Super Smash Bros Brawl
Format: Wii
Release date: Q2/3 08
Rating: ****
Details: I may not be as big a fan of the series as other people on the internet (who seem to literally worship the games), there is no denying that they are great fun. The opportunity to play online is also a big draw, plus it’s Nintendo, therefore this almost automatically makes it an immediate purchase.

Game: Okami
Format: Wii
Release date: Q2/3 08
Rating: ***
Details: I very nearly bought this for the PS2 so many time, after all what is there not to like, it is after all very similar to Zelda gameplay wise, but with a striking Japanese graphical style. Thankfully, this is now being ported to the Wii, which should suit the game down to the ground considering that a large portion of this is controlled by brush strokes. Also the 480p widescreen resolution on the Wii version only makes a beautiful game even more beautiful!

Game: Grand Theft Auto 4
Format: PS3
Release date: 29/04/08
Rating: *****
Details: I have some concerns that this may end up being a bad port of the 360 version and also that it may not have evolved enough from the previous GTA games, but to be frank, this is still on of my must haves for the year.

Game: Rock Band
Format: PS3
Release date: Q2/3 08
Rating: *****
Details: Oh you lucky, lucky American’s, getting this November 2007, when us European’s have to wait forever to get our hands on it. After playing Guitar Hero down a friends almost every Monday nigh for month, I’m definitely all set for the release of this.

Game: Metal Gear Solid 4
Format: PS3
Release date: 12/06/08
Rating: *****
Details: This is likely the biggest game out on the PS3 in 2008. I am a big fan of the series and this looks likely to be the best yet. I think it’s quite likely that PS3’s will jump off the shelves once this is released.

Game: Disgaea 3
Format: PS3
Release date: August 08 (US)
Rating: *****
Details: I remember once commenting about Disgaea on the PS2 that it is a fantastic game, but that the graphics weren’t that much better than a PS1, well now the seconds sequel is due on the PS3 and still the graphics don’t look any better than a PS1. Does it matter, not a jot. When it comes to SRPG’s this is king. It is rare to find a game which is so involving, so bizarre and so funny. Oh yes, this is a must buy (and probably import).

Game: Little Big Planet
Format: PS3
Release date: September 08
Rating: ****
Details: This looks both quirky and interesting. It looks relatively simple to design your own levels and genuinely fun to play. Another big seller for the PS3.

Game: Killzone 2
Format: PS3
Release date: November 08
Rating: ***
Details: Purely on a graphical standpoint, this game is looking stunning. I played the first game briefly and thought it was good, but not spectacular. Killzone 2 on the other hand looks like it could be a stunner. There is, however, a vague possibility that it may be overshadowed by Resistance 2.

Game: Resistance 2
Format: PS3
Release date: November 08
Rating: ****
Details: Whilst the single player game on Resistance was good, it wasn’t great, multiplayer however was a blast. Resistance 2 looks like it takes that multiplayer game and runs with it. This could quite easily top COD4 on the PS3 online front for me.

Game: Fire Emblem (DS)
Format: DS
Release date: Q4 08
Rating: ***
Details: I may end up getting the handheld Fire Emblem (when it’s eventually released) instead of the Wii version. Games like Advance Wars are great to play on the fly, and as such Fire Emblem would go down a storm.

Game: Final Fantasy 4
Format: DS
Release date: Q4 08
Rating: ****
Details: Looks very much like a similar update that Final Fantasy 3 was, which I enjoyed immensely. As such, and also bearing in mind that it is Final Fantasy, I will likely get.

Game: Final Fantasy Tactics: A2
Format: DS
Release date: Q4 08
Rating: *****
Details: Final Fantasy Tactics Advance and Advance Wars were the most played games on my GBA of old, as such this immediately becomes my most anticipated game due on the DS. I could quite easily lose hours on this game without even noticing.

Game: Street Fighter 4
Format: PS3
Release date: Q4 08
Rating: ****
Details: I still maintain that Street Fighter 2 is the best fighting game out there and 4 looks like it is returning to it’s roots and as such, I’m interested.

Game: Soul Calibur 4
Format: PS3
Release date: Q4 08
Rating: ****
Details: I have really enjoyed Soul Blade, Soul Calibur and Soul Calibur 2 (never got around to getting 3), and as such, this new iteration is another likely purchase for me.

So as you can see, there are a fair few games due out on the systems that I own in 2008. There are of course other big games due, such as Resident Evil 5 and Final Fantasy 13, but I do not think that these will be released in 2008, these are more likely 2009 releases. In addition to this there are also games due out on the PSN and Wiiware which I am interested in.

Well, it’s going to be a busy year, that’s for sure.