Top 5 games of 2008

5 - Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

At number five it’s the latest in the Metal Gear saga. Although I spent more of my time watching it rather than playing it, it’s an unforgettable experience with fantastic set pieces and Hollywood-style cut-scenes. Playing it on an HDTV with surround-sound blew me away and even brought a tear to my eye near the end. Although it didn’t play as well as it looked, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots still deserves a place in my top five for artistic merit alone.

4 - Dead Space

At number four it’s Dead Space. Proving that Electronic Arts have begun to take a chance on games that aren’t just tweaks of last year’s game with a new number on the end, this one provided a fantastic claustrophobic action experience with a fair few jumps in there for good measure. Because I’m a horror and sci-fi fan this game really hit a chord with me and of course it’s great fun chopping limbs off of enemies that look like The Thing! Try crawling away from this!

3 - Professor Layton and the Curious Village

At number three it’s a game which is so good I’ve bought it for friends and relatives for Christmas. Anyone who likes Brain Training will find Professor Layton and the Curious Village a puzzle Nirvana as it not only provides about 150 brain teasers, but a simple whodunit storyline which twists and turns like a twisty turny thing - and you can call me Susan if it isn’t so. The variety and difficulty of puzzles is sure to get your grey matter hurting and it’s one of those games you can all puzzle over together. And the good news is there’s a sequel on the way. Hooray!

2 - Call of Duty: World at War

At two it’s the latest Call of Duty game. Although it goes back to World War II, it gives a few new thrills and spills as you play through American and Russia campaigns against the evil Nazis and the kamikaze Japanese soldiers. You even get to use a flame thrower that’s sure to turn up the heat as you burn your enemies of bunkers. Single player has some fantastic set pieces but it’s the multiplayer that once again is the shining gem. It’ll keep you playing for hours on end as you increase your rank, get perks and weapon upgrades and try your hand at loads of game modes in solo and team games with loads of different objectives. If you like shooting things and enjoy competition, Call of Duty: World at War is an essential purchase.

1 - Fallout 3

And my game of the year that’s miles ahead of the competition is Fallout 3. No other game for the past few years has grabbed me and not let go as much as this one. It’s immersive, looks fantastic and full of moral decisions that really matter to a gamer. Do you blow up whole towns, save the world or go around collecting slaves and killing everyone you meet? It’s truly up to you and if you’re like me, you’ll get the proper guilts if you do anything a bit naughty.

Make sure you save before the finale though, as you’ll want to go back and explore more. It took me about 30 hours to play through the story but there are so many side quests and surprises dotted around the huge map, you could clock in well over 100 hours. Get this game and you won’t be disappointed. It’s fantastic value for money.

Get the games now
New: Buy Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots from Amazon.com
New: Buy Dead Space from Amazon.com
New: Buy Professor Layton and the Curious Village from Amazon.com
New: Buy Call of Duty: World at War from Amazon.com
New: Buy Fallout 3 from Amazon.com