PSBeyond's Top 10 PS3 Games of 2008

by Darren Lee Taylor - 2008/01/19 2:41am

Join us at the start of 2008 as we look forward to a fantastic year of Playstation gaming; with our Top 10 Playstation 3 Games of 2008.

In 2007 Nintendo created a storm of pixellated perfection with its products, commandeering a new vehicular body in which to transport its message of new motion control functionality and online downloadable services. Through its rapid growth both in terms of sales figures around the globe and revenue in its back pocket, Nintendo relentlessly battered the competition with hardware output and software releases, filling shelves with extremely limited amounts of stock that powered its marketing strategy over the 12 months of its first year on the market. With the launch of Super Mario Galaxy towards the final end of the year, Wii Ware services and Mii Contest Channels, consistent VC releases of classic old-skool titles and a barrage of Wii goodness accommodating every type of consumer, not to mention a prospecting 2008; it was suddenly a proven message that the masters of the videogame console generation from the 80’s were not about to fall behind again like its solemn Gamecube tragedy days of the new millennium. Likewise, although not supporting as impressive a sales figure as Nintendo, Microsoft’s behemoth of a console, the 360, was generating a fantastic level of exclusive content and games for its players, and systematically enforced its position in the console race. With titles such as Gears of War and Oblivion, Mass Effect, Viva Piñata, Halo3 and PGR4, the console was certainly the leader with its third party efforts.

So, where does this leave our system of choice, the Playstation 3 in 2008? If you glance precariously below at our latest feature, you will have these questions answered for you, because not only has Sony Computer Entertainment got over 60 titles in development for its console, there are masses and masses of quality exclusive and non-exclusive content from both third and first parties winging its way to us in 2008, and what better way to preview this, than to take a look at the Top 10 Playstation 3 games coming very soon to a super powered console near you.

1. Metal Gear Solid 4 Guns of the Patriots
US: Q2 2008
UK: Q2 2008
Konami Productions
PS3 Exclusive

If ever there was a title that Sony so desperately needed right now, this is it. Hideo Kojima is busy finishing touches to the final instalment in the Metal Gear series, and from what we have seen so far, and from countless hours watching and scrutinising every last documented feature and video presentation, it looks absolutely gorgeous. The dry deserted streets of a Middle Eastern city create the perfect atmospheric backdrop to what could possibly be the most realistic setting in the series so far. The peace soon turns into mechanised and motor proven chaos however as vehicles and soldiers stream through the alleyways and buildings, crumbling mortar and brick with bullet fire, spraying the floors and walls with blood and utilising every corner and dark crevice as a sniper point or lynching station. The rumbling of forbidden patriarchy soon establishes itself however, as drones and cyborg beasts cut through the hordes of militarised mercenaries, and familiar faces of old show up in a post-modern interpretation of their regular MGS1 disguises. We also have active camouflage to look forward too, along with the promise of highly intelligent enemy AI and improved weapons and combat manoeuvring. Old snake as he is known in this title, is up against the PMC’s and the military, and it’s up to you whether you stay well hidden throughout combat, choose a side, or remain neutral. Ocelot has been completely overtaken by Liquid Snake, the brother of Solid Snake, and as such is commanding a huge bio chemical warfare operation with the Patriots’ sensitive secrecy masterminding the process. The videos show how well you can utilise the surroundings to your advantage, and your desirable method of delivering pain to those that you face. The inclusion of so many faces from Shadow Moses also throws up many questions, as does the fact that you seem to play the game in more than one role…more than one Snake? It has been confirmed this morning however that there will be four more huge characters in the game that has not been previously shown as of yet. This is a title that Kojima has decided to show very little about, and up to now, we still don’t know how this game will fit into the timeline either. It has been confirmed that it is set after the Tanker, Big Shell incident. The possibilities are endless, and one thing we can definitely be reassured of, is that this is the most anticipated game in 2008 for the Playstation 3.

2. Devil May Cry 4
US: Feb 1st 2008
UK: Feb 8th 2008
Capcom

When I first saw early screens of Devil May Cry 4 I felt uneasy, probably due to the fact that the last two titles have been average, notably lacklustre in the execution of anything groundbreaking, exciting or revolutionary. So it falls to the fourth title in the series to completely revitalise the franchise, and I must say, right here, right now, I’m so damned excited. Mind-blowing; quite simply the most jaw-dropping visual art fest I have ever seen, the most fluid, dynamic and rainbotic explosion of colour and style ever conceived in a videogame. The battles are implemented with so much precision, the fast paced gun toting encounters and sword swiping duels in hell itself are a joy to behold. It really is testament to the games designers that it paces itself out with Shadow of the Colossus sized enemies and all manner of dark and desirable foes to slay. You also get the chance to play as Dante or Nero, depending on which style of play you are inclined to adopt. If the game plays out half as well as it looks, then we could have a sleeper hit on our hands for the first quarter of the New Year, and what a great start that would be.

3. Playstation Home
US: September 2008
UK: Q4 2008
Sony Computer Entertainment
PS3 Exclusive

Ok, so it’s not strictly a game, as such, but it had to be included in the top 10 simply because it’s a phenomenal piece of software that will soon be available as a free PSN download by the autumn months. The ability to be able to dress up your apartment with all manner of rumoured items such as trophies rewarded for completing games, picture frames and movies of game trailers playing on your virtual television, and a chance to invite guests around to view your luxuries and achievements is simply outstanding. The character models from what have been shown so far resemble intricate Sims, and as such, you can customise and change the aesthetical nature of your appearance and lifestyle account. You can also earn points for the best dressed apartments, and also purchase new items from the network which are updated regularly. There are also several developers already stating that they have implemented several award features in their titles, such as Naughty Dogs Uncharted, that when combined with Home, will unlock fresh new content for your apartment. This could be a fantastic opportunity for Sony to compete against Live and Nintendo’s VC service, but let’s be honest, technology wise they are already a step ahead from Nintendo, and with this freedom to personalise and arrange your virtual surroundings, its going to be an interesting few months as more information surfaces about what we can expect in September.

4. Final Fantasy XIII
US: Q3 2008
UK:Q4 2008
Square-Enix
PS3 Exclusive

Square Enix is keeping this title very close to its chest as we move into the New Year, and rightfully so. Going on what happened last time when they revealed the true extent to the drastic changes in Final Fantasy XII, they may want to keep as much about this game under wraps for as long as possible. Going from what has been shown at various shows and events, it looks very similar to Final Fantasy VII and XII, with FMV’s the order of the day as we are introduced to what is supposedly the main protagonist of the title. With a fast approach to mechanised combat, robotic suits and sidearms, this could be a very gritty, grainy adventure indeed. Now I personally thought Final Fantasy XII was a very clever title in what it did, but the distancing from ATB and random encounters made we wary of future projects. I have now become a little distasteful to their current offerings, and am waiting for Square Enix to show me something incredibly special in order to separate this bitter memory.

5. Killzone 2
US: Q4 2008
UK: Q4 2008
Sony Computer Entertainment
PS3 Exclusive

Sony’s exclusive shooter is looking as shiny as a Bentley out of a carwash, and one of the greatest looking videogames I have ever seen. Since GDC 2007 Sony has been very secretive on the project, and after the phenomenal launch of its first title, things are looking very promising. They certainly have the cash flow behind them to make it the best game that they possibly achieve, and with a guerrilla styled marketing campaign being proposed, this may be just the right exclusivity Sony finally needs to bolster its killer app games library.

6. Resident Evil 5
US: 2008
UK: 2008
Capcom

Capcom has shown two videos of this title and that’s it! No new screens or information for months, and rumours continue to circulate that the title may not be ready for a 2008 launch at all, instead moving into spring 2009. However until official confirmation from Capcom, we can continue to dream of a new survival horror for a modern generation. It seems that Chris Redfield is the star of the show this time around, although the organisation and cause of why he is in African suburbia is still unknown. Perhaps it’s a secret Umbrella facility based deep underground, with which their continued operation after the stocks crash has enabled them to test new plagues of G-Virus on the innocent villagers, or a ploy by Albert Wesker to lure Chris out into the dangers of a wild environment full of raging zombies and blood spurting maniacs. With an effective right arm and a trusty handgun it won’t be too long before Chris is up against hoards and hoards of weapon wielding zombies that can run and jump! It won’t be long before Capcom lifts the lid on more details, so expect some news at the GDC 2008 in February.

7. Gran Turismo 5
US: Q4 2008
UK: Q4 2008
Polyphonal
PS3 Exclusive

Well what can I say, if we are made to wait another year for this stellar racing update of a proven Sony classic then I dont think I would be able to manage it. The car modelling and intricate attention to detail is absolutely essential in making this title the real driving simulator, and from the latest screens it certainly packs a powerful punch in the right direction. Polyphonal Digital has been working on Gran Turismo 5 for over 6 years now, and as such, you can expect to find over 15 brand new tracks, over 150 motors, with more coming on the PSN download service, plus hordes of extra goodies and packages to really make this the top flight title in the series that it should so rightfully be.

8. Tomb Raider Underworld
US: 2008
UK: 2008
Crystal Dynamics

What with all of the latest news regarding the Eidos buyout, it was only natural that the parents of Lara Croft would delay her next outing until Q4 2008 at the earliest. Anniversary and Legend were both pleasant trips out for Lara, and with a fantastic level of immersion and design work going into making the tombs and locations as rich and vibrant as they can be, the next game might be a shock to some. Underworld will take Lara far beyond the realms of the living, and into the depths of darkness and peril as she continues on her quest to solve the mystery regarding her mother’s disappearance. From the ancient ruins of an Amazonian jungle, to an underwater temple, this time you can expect to see many features that enrich the gameplay, including footprints left in the mud and washed away with raindrops, crevices of rock and stone so precisely designed you could reach out and touch them in full high definition glory, body motion and physics so balanced and ready that you will be hard picked to choose between Drake and Croft. It really will be what every Raider fan has dreamed of since her first outing in Quebec. Bring on Christmas 2008.

9. Grand Theft Auto IV
US: Q3 2008
UK: Q3 2008
Rockstar North

After an initial hiccup in development duties, partly blamed on the increasingly difficult to code for Playstation 3, Rockstars decision to hold this title back from 07 to 08 was in my opinion a blessed one. Just imagine if we had this game released last year amongst all of the other game of te year releases, it would have become swamped under the intense pressure from other developers. Instead by leaving it until the summer 2008, Rockstar North have promised that you can expect plenty of exclusive content on the Playstation 3, although Microsoft has been allocated several alternate missions on Live in a deal said to be worth $40 million dollars. Not much has been revealed about this game either, apart from the fact that you play a russian character under the name Nicolai'. Set in a run down New York setting, possibly Liberty City, this could quite easily be game of the year before its even released...simply built from the anticipation and fan base alone.

10. LittleBigPlanet
US: September 2008
UK: September 2008
Sony Computer Entertainment
PS3 Exclusive

Recently confirmed as a September release globally, LittleBigPlanet will be utterly groundbreaking when released either as a retail game or download from PSN. That still needs confirming and I am in touch with Sony to see if I can get a response on that. The mechanics of the quirky stage building title is to, well, build a stage actually, by utilising hundreds and hundreds of realistic and niche items of props and material to design new levels in which you can change and morph to suit any plaform or genre. By mixing the old with the new, Sony has encapsulated many of the traditional level designs of classic gameplay setups, but combined brand new HD ready implementations in which the player can become fully immersed in the given formulaic design. It looks simple, fun and easy to use, and with the Sixaxis and Dualshock 3 released shortly, it may even have added remote functionality. Although details are still light on the ground, expect plenty of details to surface at GDC 2008.

So, there you have it, the top 10 Playstation 3 games to look forward to in 2008; what a year its going to be! Of curse, if you would like to tell me about your personal top 10 games I would love to hear from you. Just send me a PM and let me know, and I will include the results in the next feature. Happy gaming everyone