It seems that slowly, very slowly, but just as surely this award show is shaping up to be decent enough. It still needs to drop the overly annoying and downright insipid stereotypical testosterone-fueled macho "gamer guy" crap.
As for the categories I've actually played games from...
Game of the Year: Fallout 3
Without a doubt the most polished and well put together game this year. Sure it has met with some unfortunate setbacks due to bugs, but the game delivers untold fun and has so much variety within it, nothing else really stands up to it.
Studio of the Year: Harmonix
If only for their continued and constant stream of content each and every week, and their very forthright nature with their fans.
Best RPG: Fallout 3
As stated for game of the year.
Best Fighting Game: Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Despite its shortcomings and being somewhat disappointing it is still the most fun I've had with a fighting game in years.
Best Handheld Game: Professor Layton and the Curious Village
Anything that reminds me of Tintin is awesome, but add on an intriguing story with some very clever and fun brain teasers and you have a winner.
Best Graphics: Multiple Tie
This category should be absolved from any "awards" least anymore. No game really has an edge over any other anymore when it comes to visuals and its more come down to art style. Just as I can enjoy Gears' "destroyed beauty" aesthetic I also greatly appreciate Metal Gear's realistic and detailed approach.
Best Game Based on a Movie or a TV Show: Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
If only because everything else sucks more... It was a rather wretched game with a poorly realized concept and a extremely mediocre and insulting plot.
Best Music Game: Rock Band 2 (MTV Games/ Harmonix)
There is just simply no arguing with Harmonix's continued dominance of the music game scene.
Best Action Adventure Game: Metal Gear Solid 4
A short experience it may have been, but it wholly trumps it's competition with fairly varied gameplay and quite frankly it being the end of a stellar saga.
Best Soundtrack: Rock Band 2
Extremely subjective, but of the choices I much prefer the songs on it to the others.
Best Wii Game: Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Quite sad... but it's the only thing really worth mentioning on the Wii this year that's a game...
Best PS3 Game: Metal Gear Solid 4
I'd nominate Fallout 3, but Metal Gear more than holds its own for the honours.
Best Original Score: Metal Gear Solid 4
One of the most underrated aspects of the game unfortunately, is also one of its best. "Old Snake" is such a hauntingly poignant and beautiful piece.
Best Multiplayer Game: Resistance 2
Just because of the 8 player co-op, and the full 60 player romps weren't too bad either.
Best Performance by a Human Male: David Hayter as Old Snake in MGS 4
Hayter excelled in likely his final performance as the iconic Snake. Simply put.
Best Performance by a Human Female: Debi Mae West as Meryl Silverburgh: MGS 4
Not due to being the best or even that memorable, but at least better than the rest on the list. I'd give the nod to Jennifer Hale as Naomi Hunter personally.
@VilgeDuin: They should also definitely add a separate category for downloadable titles. The independent thing is a nice nod and all, but this year has seen a plethora of great downloadable games for all three major consoles.
I'd vote Harmonix for studio of the year. Two games within a year's time, and consistent DLC every week for a year, with no signs of stopping. They deserve some recognition for that.
@QualityJeverage: Agreed. Not to mention that a trip to the official site/forums demonstrates a group of developers that are incredibly in touch not only with the fan base, but VERY invested in providing not only a quality game, but an overall quality musical experience.
@wheelis: I get the feeling "Fueled by Mountain Dew" + "Not a Judge Category" indicates Mountain Dew is going to pick whatever game it thinks it can best tie itself to for promotional purposes.
11/13/08
11/13/08
little big planet (fallout 3)
media molecule (bethesda)
left 4 dead (gears of war 2)
fable II (fallout 3)
soul calibur IV (soul calibur IV)
wii fit (wii fit)
castlevania (god of war)
mgs 4 (mgs 4)
naruto (quantum of solace)
guitar hero wt (rock band 2)
mario kart wii (burnout)
mirror's edge (gta IV)
nhl 09 (nhl 09)
little big planet (guitar hero wt)
fable II (fallout 3)
smash bros brawl (smash bros brawl)
little big planet (mgs IV)
spore (spore)
little big planet (little big planet)
left 4 dead (gears of war 2)
hayter (hollick)
hawes (west)
braid (braid)
some of these i didnt really know what to say for myself (like the best female human for example), so i just threw some random mess in.
11/13/08
As for the categories I've actually played games from...
Game of the Year: Fallout 3
Without a doubt the most polished and well put together game this year. Sure it has met with some unfortunate setbacks due to bugs, but the game delivers untold fun and has so much variety within it, nothing else really stands up to it.
Studio of the Year: Harmonix
If only for their continued and constant stream of content each and every week, and their very forthright nature with their fans.
Best RPG: Fallout 3
As stated for game of the year.
Best Fighting Game: Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Despite its shortcomings and being somewhat disappointing it is still the most fun I've had with a fighting game in years.
Best Handheld Game: Professor Layton and the Curious Village
Anything that reminds me of Tintin is awesome, but add on an intriguing story with some very clever and fun brain teasers and you have a winner.
Best Graphics: Multiple Tie
This category should be absolved from any "awards" least anymore. No game really has an edge over any other anymore when it comes to visuals and its more come down to art style. Just as I can enjoy Gears' "destroyed beauty" aesthetic I also greatly appreciate Metal Gear's realistic and detailed approach.
Best Game Based on a Movie or a TV Show: Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
If only because everything else sucks more... It was a rather wretched game with a poorly realized concept and a extremely mediocre and insulting plot.
Best Music Game: Rock Band 2 (MTV Games/ Harmonix)
There is just simply no arguing with Harmonix's continued dominance of the music game scene.
Best Action Adventure Game: Metal Gear Solid 4
A short experience it may have been, but it wholly trumps it's competition with fairly varied gameplay and quite frankly it being the end of a stellar saga.
Best Soundtrack: Rock Band 2
Extremely subjective, but of the choices I much prefer the songs on it to the others.
Best Wii Game: Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Quite sad... but it's the only thing really worth mentioning on the Wii this year that's a game...
Best PS3 Game: Metal Gear Solid 4
I'd nominate Fallout 3, but Metal Gear more than holds its own for the honours.
Best Original Score: Metal Gear Solid 4
One of the most underrated aspects of the game unfortunately, is also one of its best. "Old Snake" is such a hauntingly poignant and beautiful piece.
Best Multiplayer Game: Resistance 2
Just because of the 8 player co-op, and the full 60 player romps weren't too bad either.
Best Performance by a Human Male: David Hayter as Old Snake in MGS 4
Hayter excelled in likely his final performance as the iconic Snake. Simply put.
Best Performance by a Human Female: Debi Mae West as Meryl Silverburgh: MGS 4
Not due to being the best or even that memorable, but at least better than the rest on the list. I'd give the nod to Jennifer Hale as Naomi Hunter personally.
11/13/08
11/13/08
11/13/08
LittleBigPlanet
Studio of the Year
Media Molecule
Best Shooter
Left 4 Dead
Best RPG
Fallout 3
Best Fighting Game
SoulCalibir IV
Best Individual Sports Game
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09
Best Handheld Game
Professor Layton and the Curious Village
Best Graphics
Metal Gear Solid 4
Best Game Based on a Movie or a TV Show
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
Best Music Game
Guitar Hero World Tour (RedOctane/ Activision Publishing/ Neversoft Entertainment)
Best Driving Game
Burout Paradise
Best Action Adventure Game
Metal Gear Solid 4
Best Team Sports Game
NHL 09
Best Soundtrack
LittleBigPlanet
Best Xbox 360 Game
Gears of War 2
Best Wii Game
Boom Blox
Best PS3 Game
Metal Gear Solid 4
Best PC Game
Left 4 Dead
Best Original Score
LittleBigPlanet
Best Multiplayer Game
Left 4 Dead
Best Independent Game Fueled by Mountain Dew (Not a Judge Category)
Audio Surf
12/14/08
11/13/08
GOTY - GTAIV
Studio - Bethesda
Shooter - Gears 2
RPG - Fallout 3
Fighting - Soul Calibur 4
Individual Sports - WiiFit
Handheld - Professor Layton
Graphics - Gears 2
Movie/TV Show - Lego Indiana Jones
Music - Rock Band 2
Racing - Burnout Paradise
Action/Adventure - GTAIV
Team Sports - NHL 09
Soundtrack - Rock Band 2
XBOX 360 - GTAIV
Wii - Boom Blox
PS3 - GTAIV
PC - Left 4 Dead
Original Score - MGS4
Multiplayer - Gears 2 (Horde mode!)
Male Performance - Jason Zumwalt as Roman Bellic in GTA IV
Female Performance - Debi Mae West as Meryl Silverburgh: MGS 4
Independent - Braid
12/14/08
11/13/08
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11/13/08
11/13/08
11/13/08
11/13/08
Read: AudioSurf.