GEN proudly presents part two of the most important feature you’re going to read in the entire next thirty seconds.
24. LittleBigPlanet (PS3)
Developed by: Media Molecule / Published by: Sony Computer Entertainment
Game of the Year
Innovation Award
Visual Excellence
Best New IP
Best New Character: Sackboy
Media Molecule’s imaginative create-your-own-adventure is one of the few titles that makes a PlayStation 3 worth owning. It’s not so much the game itself (although the Lowrider level is absolutely awesome) or even the infectiously-cute Sackpeople, but more so the user-created content that spans everything from movie parodies, Silent Hill tributes that are better than actual Silent Hill games, complex inventions, and marriage proposals. We always thought Nintendo would make the next Mario Paint, but we were wrong.
23. Linger in Shadows (PS3)
Developed by: Plastic / Published by: Sony Computer Entertainment
Visual Excellence
Best Soundtrack
Innovation Award
The PSN’s current best-selling titles may be Mortal Kombat II and Mega Man 9, but it’s experimental gems like Linger in Shadows which help Sony’s online store stand out from Microsoft’s, and further support the argument that games can, in fact, be art. Unfortunately, no one can be told what Linger in Shadows is, they have to see it for themselves—and for $2.99, there’s absolutely no reason not to.
22. Rock Band 2 (360, PS3, Wii)
Developed by: Harmonix / Published by: Electronics Arts
Best Soundtrack
Best DLC
Visual Excellence (Animation)
Although Rock Band 2 is more like “Everything That Should Have Been in Rock Band 1”, Harmonix’s commitment to downloadable content makes this a must-have for gamers of all types. The immense quality in execution compared to Activision’s Guitar Hero franchise certainly doesn’t hurt, and the ability to create figurines or apparel inspired by your original band is, as the indigenous peoples of the Somalian rainforest say, “teh hawtness”.
21. Prince of Persia (360, PS3)
Developed by: Ubisoft Montreal / Published by: Ubisoft
Visual Excellence
Best New Character: Elika
Laying the increasingly-Pantera-ish Prince of last generation to rest, Ubisoft’s new Prince is… pretty damn annoying. He’s more like a wise-cracking valley girl, but when he’s not talking he makes for a reasonably cool hero. But it’s newcomer Elika who raises 3D platforming to a new high, and makes stringing together acrobatic moves with death-defying stunts to traverse the beautiful environments of Corrupted Persia remarkably enjoyable.
20. Persona 4 (PS2)
Developed and Published by: Atlus
Best Soundtrack
Gayest Game Ever Made… Ever.
It’s my undoubtedly offensive opinion that anyone who scored Persona 4 above Persona 3 FES either didn’t play the game, or is using their review to come out of the closet. Despite the game’s uncomfortable level of underage homosexuality and botched murder mystery storyline, the eclectic soundtrack deserves a place in any respectable gamer’s collection. Or you could just listen to it on YouTube…cheapskate.
19. Civilization Revolution (360, PS3)
Developed by: Firaxis / Published by: 2K Games
Best PC-to-Console Port
Most Addictive
PC-born games don’t always make smooth transitions to consoles, especially strategy games (see Supreme Commander, Command and Conquer 3, Battle for Middle-Earth II, etc.), but this tailor-made version of Sid Meier’s Civilization franchise not only plays surprisingly well, it’s also annoyingly addictive. The Achievements are especially well-balanced, making sure you enjoy as much of the game as you possibly can before putting down the controller and heading to rehab.
(I know this breaks the whole screenshot pattern, but whatever… virtual Cleopatra is hot.)
January 27th, 2009 at 10:20 pm
Ohhh, I want LittleBig Planet so baddd! And Prince of Persia, just because I’m a fan of the series. I’ll have to check out Linger in Shadows sometime, too. Ugh, my list is so long and I have so little time!
January 28th, 2009 at 8:44 am
Hm. I think I’m gonna get Civilization.
January 29th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
Lots of good choices on this list so far, nice picks
@Wita LBP is totally awesome, I hear the issues with lists and not having the time to get to everything though
January 30th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
Yeah, Persona 4 was definitely a major letdown, but still managed to get a bunch of 10/10s. I think people just felt obligated to do that because of Persona 3 and because it’s the last “great” RPG for the PS2, but seriously… what the hell were the developers thinking?
January 31st, 2009 at 7:49 am
LBP best new IP? I’d give that to Dead Space. I still need to finish PoP, but damn it does nothing for me. Just can’t get into it. I need to get Persona 4.
January 31st, 2009 at 7:53 pm
Thank GOD! I thought I was the only one wandering what the f*** happened to Persona. The 3rd one is still on top of my PS2 in case I suddenly have the urge to play it again, which does happen occasionally, but 4 was just so… seriously, W.T.F?!
Drakkenstrike, if that is in fact your real name, Dead Space did get Best New IP! =P
January 31st, 2009 at 8:46 pm
I’ll definitely check out Linger in Shadows now, you’ve intrigued me!
February 6th, 2009 at 11:22 am
I too am intrigued. I’ll have to find someone with a PS3 to check it out though, haha!
February 9th, 2009 at 3:11 am
Although I’ll freely admit my interest in the game has waned a bit over the last few weeks, I have to say that my initial week with LBP was gaming nirvana. It felt so fresh and fun, not unlike when our younger selves discovered some new Nintendo franchise. The mechanics of the game (both gameplay and creation) will give it long legs, but at the same time, they have issues that inherently make me want a more focused sequel. Namely, the floaty platforming and the terrible interface to browse the community’s offerings make this a perfect example of ‘if they fix a few things it’ll go from great to classic’.
Oh, and listen to Persona 4 music on YouTube eh? Hmmm…