Behold! The last of GEN’s 2008 game honorees. Don’t forget to discuss how utter garbage like echochrome was included and a brilliant, innovative example of Nintendo’s technical mastery such as Super Smash Bros. Brawl was left out.
6. No More Heroes (Wii)
Developed by: Grasshopper Manafacture / Published by: Ubisoft 
Innovation Award
Cinematic Excellence
Best Use of Wii Controls
Suda 51 is one crazy mofo, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. This violent, over-the-top beat-‘em-up for the Wii exudes the developer’s imaginative insanity, and actually puts Nintendo’s gimmicky motion controls to good use for a change. The Wii’s underpowered graphical capabilities are (almost) made up for by the anime-esque absurdity of the story and refreshingly brisk pace.
5. Valkyria Chronicles (PS3)
Developed by: Sega WOW / Published by: Sega
Best Strategy / RPG
Visual Excellence
Strategy RPGs get very little love from consumers, even when critics are basically shoving a game like Valkyria Chronicles in their hands. From the charming, story-book aesthetics to the exciting, turn-based gameplay, Sega’s PS3-only title is a definite achievement. Why Square won’t give Final Fantasy Tactics a next-gen update is beyond us; but when they finally do, we hope it looks a lot like this.
4. Red Alert 3 (360, PC, PS3)
Developed by: EALA / Published by: Electronic Arts
Best Real-Time Strategy
Visual Excellence
Best Writing
Best Overall Cast
Ivana Milicevic + Gemma Atkinson Award
Many RTS franchises have taken a crack at a console port, but none were even remotely successful in comparison to Red Alert 3. The controls are spot-on despite the lack of a mouse and keyboard, plus the game itself is one of the most well-executed and entertaining entries in the entire genre. The online coop campaign, colorful visuals, and diverse array of units are standouts, but it’s the B-list actors doing what they do best that makes Red Alert 3 a game worth watching and playing.
3. Left 4 Dead (360)
Developed by: Valve / Published by: Electronic Arts
Game of the Year
Visual Excellence
Excellence in Sound Design
Innovation Award
Best Multiplayer Game
Valve, like Blizzard, doesn’t make very many games. That may upset eager players waiting to try out the next big thing from one of the world’s most renowned developers, but the upside is that when they do make something, they are sure they can be damn proud of it. Left 4 Dead is the epitome of that practice, and may just be the most fun you’ve ever had in a coop game. The near-flawless overall package only comes with one tiny problem: It’s over way too fast. That, and random survivors on XBL are some of the dumbest f*cking people you will ever meet.
2. Mirror’s Edge (360, PC, PS3)
Developed by: DICE / Published by: Electronic Arts
Best Soundtrack
Innovation Award
Best New Character: Faith
Worst Writing
Three EA games in a row and not a single Activision title in sight–what crazy, alternate universe is this? It may not be without flaws, but Mirror’s Edge is unarguably the start of something wonderful. This short but sweet speedrun of a game blends sterile, utopic visuals with first-person parkour mechanics to outstanding results; all to the sounds of the most gratifying electronic soundtrack in years. Let’s just hope that Mirror’s Edge’s disappointing sales don’t dissuade EA and DICE from venturing into experimental territory in the future.
1. Saints Row 2 (360, PC, PS3)
Developed by: Volition / Published by: THQ
Game of the Year
Most Improved Sequel
Best Writing
Best Voice Acting
Watching TV in a Game is Stupid Award
It’s hard to imagine the sequel to the most blatant GTA clone of all-time being anything other than just more of the same, but THQ’s Saints Row 2 proved that you don’t have to have state-of-the-art graphics or 500 million hours of dialogue to be a worthwhile open-world murder simulator. Unlike Peter Molyneux, Volition made good on its promise to throw in everything and the kitchen sink, and the end result is undoubtedly the most enjoyably-absurd game of 2008.
January 30th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
UGH, so jealous of the 360 for Left 4 Dead (and Fable II) …
January 30th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
I still have yet to play L4D. EVERYONE tells me it’s great but it took me a while to muster up enough courage to play Bioshock (which is one of my fav. games of all time) I don’t know if I could actually stomach playing a SH game.
January 30th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
These six right here are some of the best games I’ve played in my entire life. I’m not saying they were perfect, but they were definitely worth the time and money. Excellent job, GEN!
January 30th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
Mirrors Edge brke my heart, simply shattered it. I wanted it find it good, oh god I did but I just couldn’t do it!
Left4Dead is amazing but only if you play by yourself or with friends, random users are all retards and will only shoot you or push you off buildings. however my flatmates are sick of hearing me scream at 3am ‘get this fucking thing offa me, come back here and shoot it you twat’. L4D make me a very angry lady.
January 30th, 2009 at 7:08 pm
Wow really? Saints Row 2 as your #1 pick? I’m not sure I agree with most of your choices. Then again I haven’t played every game on the list. Anyway, great job!
January 30th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
For the record, these are in no particular order. The whole countdown thing was just for effect. But yes, Saints Row 2 was the most fun game I played all year by far, and I played much more than just these 30.
January 30th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
No more heroes was garbage, a parody of a game that makes fun of what it is a parody of. Too many levels of ironic, not enough game play. Yeah, frantically swish the wii remote around killing things, then spend 30 minutes collecting coconuts in a boring mini game. Saints Row is awesome however, love that they let you use cheats in co-op.
January 30th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
Agreed with Mangina, I did not like No More Heros, mainly because American humor doesn’t really go down well with Brits.
January 30th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
Hahahah, why is everyone just assuming that Children vs zombie picture has to do with Left 4 Dead?
January 30th, 2009 at 10:07 pm
Becky, I havent played L4D either, but only because the baby keeps me from spending too much on games… but Valve is GREAT at making FPS… I mean, they made Halflife 2 and Counterstrike… they are both REALLY easy to control… Im sure if you played through Bio Shock you will love L4D.
January 31st, 2009 at 4:17 am
LOL CTZ don’t get me started on that picture! All it does is remind me of that Disney channel program Recess.
January 31st, 2009 at 7:56 am
Saints Row 2? OMG. It was marginally more fun that GTA IV, but didn’t have nearly the production values. Saints Row 2. Wow o wow. Saints Row over Vesperia? I know how much time you but into Vesperia. What about Rock Band 2, or Fallout 3 for GOTY? Wow. Just Wow.
January 31st, 2009 at 7:57 am
Oh, and L4D was excellent…we need to start playing that again with Sinbomb.
January 31st, 2009 at 7:57 am
How the heck did I get a baby picture? ROFL
January 31st, 2009 at 8:08 am
That’s what you get for not reading before posting! I’m going to have to put up a disclaimer about these not being in any specific order.
January 31st, 2009 at 3:18 pm
I am jealous you actually have the time to play all these games, even if it is for work. And thanks for giving honest, no bullshit reviews unlike so many sites where you know they were written by some PR guy.
January 31st, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Poor William, no one actually reads your stuff before posting. I appreciate the fact that GEN didn’t try to crown some sort of arbitrary numerical victor just for the sake of tradition.
And whether it’s game-related or not, that zombie playground pic is the best thing I’ve seen all year (including watching Maggie G get blown to hell in TDK).
January 31st, 2009 at 8:35 pm
I’ve been perusing this site sporadically for the past couple of months, and I finally made an account just to comment here. Thank you for not just spewing out the same crap awards that every other site did. I’m so tired of seeing Gears of War, Fable, and Grand Theft Auto plastered everywhere with their totally undeserved 10 out of 10s, when so many better games went totally unnoticed.
Congrats, you’ve gained a new regular reader. Now which crappy blog do I remove from my bloated list of bookmarks?
February 1st, 2009 at 7:16 am
Karate feel free to remove ‘I <3 horses.com’ from your list of bookmarked blogs, if it means you become a regular I will happily email you random horse images.
February 1st, 2009 at 7:23 am
I want this to get 20 hits, I’m sick of waiting…
WE MADE IT TO 20! SKEET SKEET.
February 1st, 2009 at 2:09 pm
Lol @ Skeeting.
I love L4D. I hardly play online but this is a game that will actually encourage me to use my gold account. I would recommend that Angel and Becky try it out.
SR2 is a great game, I wouldn’t say number one game but it’s high up on my personal list.
February 1st, 2009 at 4:38 pm
I want to play Mirror’s Edge, but I heard it was so short, and not worth the money. Maybe I’ll dust off my blockbuster card and rent it.
February 1st, 2009 at 5:25 pm
I have to get on the Saints Row 2 train. GTA is great and all, but I like a bit of humor with my bloodbaths. Also haven’t played Valkyria Chronicles or No More Heroes yet, but own them both. I need to get on that! I guess I am just to busy playing Army of Two (lulz).
February 1st, 2009 at 8:06 pm
I normally don’t like tactics games, but my PS3 library is a little weak right now. Might have to try Valkyria Chronicles.
February 6th, 2009 at 11:16 am
Valkryia Chronicles had an intriguing demo, maybe it’s time I check out the real thing.
February 6th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
I have to agree with your pic for number 1. The writing on SR 2 (and SR 1) is some of the best I’ve seen/heard in a game. I don’t know what Volition is putting in their water, but it’s makin em talk pretty.
February 9th, 2009 at 4:38 am
I was going to point out that there were some fairly glaring omissions in this top 30 for any gamer that might consider themselves ‘in the know’, but then it occured to me what site I was on (the pink should’ve done the trick). I skipped it myself, but I’m surprised I didn’t see Fable 2 in there somewhere. I heard a fair amount of good things about it and it seems like it could complement the few JRPGs you brought up.
All in all, solid selection and great write-up Billy. Was totally expecting to see Mirror’s Edge as your top game, but then I realized that this wasn’t a countdown. It may be a hard sell as game of the year, but Valkyria Chronicles is so enjoyable and satisfying on all fronts that it’s hard to deny it as one of the best (and overlooked) RPGs this gen. For the countdown in my heart, it wins handily.
February 9th, 2009 at 4:50 am
Actually, I’m extremely anti-Fable 2 and Gears of War 2 (and GTA IV). Don’t get me started. I would have sooner put Devil May Cry 4 or even Ninja Gaiden II on the list… Play either one (especially online) and you’ll know exactly why.
I’m glad *someone* read that these 30 games were in no particular order, but had it been, Mirror’s Edge definitely would have been up there. Saints Row 2 and Valkyria Chronicles are two of the best games I’ve ever played–yet another reason I’m against overhyped, underdeveloped crap that sells millions and leaves the true gems of the holiday season completely overlooked.