Is 'GTA IV' really the game of the year?
Sunday night at the Spike Video Game Awards, Grand Theft Auto IV was awarded game of the year honors, beating out Gears of War 2, Fallout 3, Fable 2, Burnout Paradise, and a slew of other great games that didn't make the cut.
From a sales perspective, it's tough to argue with the logic--GTA IV set sales records earlier this year, selling 2.5 million copies in its first week and 5.04 million units since its release. Although the total units sold mark doesn't set any records, GTA IV obliterated every other known sales record and was met with considerable reviewer praise. I'd venture to say that it was the best Grand Theft Auto title in its storied history.
But does that make it the best game of the year?
To say GTA IV is the best game of 2008 isn't such an easy decision to make. If we purely base it off sales, then I guess it's impossible to pick any other game. But if we look at the value each game provides, I'm not so sure GTA IV deserves the top spot.
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots was a great game that was largely overlooked by reviewers and consumers, alike. The game featured outstanding graphics, a great, yet convoluted storyline, and some of the best MGS action ever. It's not hard to make the case that it should have gotten the top game nod.
Gears of War 2 was another outstanding title that offered the kind of fun and excitement that I just couldn't get out of GTA IV. The title's gameplay was outstanding, its design was even better, and the amount of fun I had playing it was unrivaled.
Fable 2 is, if you ask me, the best game of 2008. The title featured a real, living world, and the gameplay was outstanding. That doesn't mean GTA IV wasn't great--it was--but to say that it was better than Fable 2 and its gripping story, is a bit misguided, in my view.
Of course, the list can go on and I'm sure many of you can make the case for other games I haven't listed here. I'm not here to say that GTA IV wasn't one of the better games I've ever played--it was--but I think it's only slightly worse than Fable 2 and on par with Gears of War 2 as the second-best game of the year.
I know my opinion won't be popular and I'm sure many of you will find fault in my logic, but isn't that the point? Spike judges decided that GTA IV was the best game of the year and if it was based on sales, it's tough to argue with the logic. But if its decision was based on the opinions of judges, I simply don't think the award holds any value--everyone has their own reason why their own favorite title should take the top spot.
I loved GTA IV and would recommend it to anyone. MGS IV was great and I could play Gears of War 2 each day and never get bored. But for me, Fable 2 provided a superior storyline, an engaging world, and an experience that eclipsed others by a very narrow margin.
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Don Reisinger is a technology columnist who has written about everything from HDTVs to computers to Flowbee Haircut Systems. Don is a member of the CNET Blog Network, and posts at The Digital Home. He is not an employee of CNET. Disclosure.
LittleBigPlanet is awesome, but like GTA4 both of them had to many nominations, why didn't Resistance 2 won best multilayer player game, I mean there online play set newer higher standards, granted I haven't played Left 4 Dead or Gears of War 2, mainly because I don't own a Xbox 360, and I don't plan on getting a Xbox 360 till Microsoft get there things together and fix the damn red rings of dead problem.
Rafy Mediavilla
I've not played GTA IV so can't comment on it.
I would agree that almost any big game that came out this christmas is a better GOTY than GTA4. Spike TV doesn't really know what they're talking about.
Over 4 million solid WW, 10's across most major sites. It seems to have been a commercial and critical success. It wasn't earth shattering, but I think it is the best selling, highest reviewed game in the series.
Also, while Fable 2 was amazing, "gripping story" it did not have. Don't get me wrong, I liked it up to the last mission where you just shot the guy....some major last fight for all that work right? And the world, while open, is still limited. Which wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't noticeable.
In my opinion, even though it is pretty cliche, LittleBigPlanet should really have one. Its a fresh take on a platformer, gives unprecedented level editing tools to console gamers, has a massive online component, and has the best charm of any game out right now. GTA IV was great, but LBP really is different then any high profile game out there this Holiday. Its not a gritty shooter, a high fantasy rpg, and its not an open world racer. Its a fun, challenging, engaging platformer with endless content possibilities.
Oh BTW GTA4 is just like Halo 3, highly over rated and have nothing new or innovative about them like there original versions. It?s just my opinion and I can give two squirts of **** for whoever disagrees.
How are those outdated graphics treating you?
FWIW, I thought GTA was a little overrated. Fallout 3 manages to keep my attention a little better, and the gameplay is more intuitive (although it is comparing apples to oranges since they're different genres.)
There are times when GOW2 is more exciting, or when Fable II lets you do things you rarely see in games. But GTA IV creates a world that feels, if not real, then at least substantial and atmospheric. There are moments when you're driving across a bridge, see the city skyline, and recognize both how realistic it seems and that you can actually go there if you want.
The music adds to the mood and sometimes seems deliberately chosen even when it's supposedly random.
Also, Niko Bellic isn't quite the cardboard cut-out of earlier GTA games or the blank slate you get in Fable. He has a history, a mixed sense of virtue, and personality quirks like a snarky sense of humor and a deep-rooted cynicism.
Yes, MGS4 has a deep story too, but it's a sci-fi thriller. Moreover, it's a game dominated by cutscenes; I shouldn't spend half much time watching a video, even if it's good, as I do playing through the mission that's about to follow. I've been there, and the game is fun but also frustrating as it makes you wait forever to get moving.
Personally I think it won in part because of all the hype. Sure it may be a great game, but there were many games that were much more creative and original released in 2008.
My pick would be "World of Goo" for Wii.
What really caught my attention was Don's comment that "if its decision was based on the opinions of judges, I simply don't think the award holds any value". Is he implying that ANY award based on opinion doesn't hold value, or is he implying this particular award doesn't hold any value because Fable 2 didn't win? It's an award - the winner has to be based on SOMETHING, after all.
FWIW, I'm probably not going to play either GOW2 or MGS IV, because with 2 kids my time is limited and I need to pick my games carefully, and based on their predecessors (GOW was too repetitive, too many cutscenes in MGS I-III) I won't be picking up either one. Fable 2 sounds intriguing, though.
Great breakdown. I couldn't agree with you more. But as with most things in life, its about the Benjamins.
-Don
GTA IV's ability to use objects as cover was flawed, but at least it worked 9 times out of 10. The same can't be said for GoW, and even worse you need to use cover much more in that game. This alone makes GTA a much better game.
I would tend to agree that perhaps GTA IV isn't GOTY stuff, but I'm not sure what is. I hate how a game comes out in the last 3 months, and steals the GOTY title. If you asked me in the first 3 months of GTA being out if it was GOTY I would with out hesitation say yes. Now not so much. And it's not because other games are better per se. I have simply had time to figure out the flaws of GTA - The biggest issue (of any game) being replay vaule. You can't figure that out in less then 3 months, and even if you can that pretty much IMO removes it from contention for GOTY.
I'm pretty in order to win a Grammy you have to come out in the first 9 months. Otherwise you get pushed to next year to compeat. More so the award shows are not at the beginning of the new year. This fixes the largest issue with "[insert product type] of the year" awards.
As far as your critique on Gears of War (2?), I'd have to say they're invalid simply because you admitted that you have not played the game. Thus, making it hard for you to have an informed opinion.
Innovation, new ideas, and non-repetative gameplay deserves Game-of-the-Year. If Fallout 3 didn't rate for game of the year, I don't know what else should. Fable 2, if anything like the original, with the deep story, adult humor, and great playability, most likely deserved that title more than a fourth series car-jacking game. Rinse-and-repeat.
It factors out baises like "I like first person shooter games", or "I like war games", as I suspected as I read THIS reviewer's comments on why HE preferred Gears of War or Fable over GTA.
The "best game of the year" SHOULD go to the game that MOST people found enjoyable, not some arbitrary measure of something technical that might or might not equate to mass enjoyment...
And sales are a good measure of public acceptance - which factors out items that might be "technically" superior in some way or another, but might actually risk confusing or complicating the game in a way that harms rather than enhances, in a way not intended.
This phenomenon isn't isolated to the game world - look at the BMW 7-series, and 5-series, with it's "technically superior" i-Drive system. In the real world, users found it intimidating, and didn't want to adopt a new mindset at any rate - it was in most people's eyes, a solution to a problem that didn't exist.
And even today, it carries a bit of a stigma, which negatively affects sales - although arguments could be made for "technical" superiority.
Don't discount what sales numbers REALLY tell you about a game, and don't discount what it means if a game is publicly acceptable, vs. only acceptance by hardcore gamers. Theres GOTY cred in that last bit, as much as any cred given by hardcore gamers - no game development company would invest much in a game they thought would exceed the public. ;-)
Instead fighting over some insignificant award that was created just to drive consumerism, can't we all agree that 2008 was a great year for games, and that we should prepare for the inevitable dry year that follows?
MGS4 was impressive in a lot of ways...but I felt like I was watching a lame Japanese movie half the time, high on the corny factor. When you strip away all the glitter, all that's left is a fairly basic MG game. (I've always been a MG fan.)
GOW2 is certainly top-notch in all areas, but it's really just the same game over again. (Not saying that's a bad thing).
Fable II is a huge improvement over the original and manages to deliver on alot of unfulfilled promises. But for as deep as it seems to be, the game is really pretty shallow. Particular note to the "dialogue" system. But I did enjoy it.
The Wii had some huge sellers (Mario Galaxy, Mario Kart Wii, Supre Smash Bros, Wii Fit...etc.) and, let's be honest, that's what matters to the producers. I always have fun playing my Wii. Maybe my expectations just aren't that high. I want fun games...the Wii has them.
It's a tough call, alot depends on taste, but I don't think it would be a travesty to call GTA IV game of the year. They certainly get an "A" for effort.
MGS4 also was a strong contender for game of the year. I'm surprised I haven't seen more mention of Left 4 Dead too. MGS4 is one of those rare games that stands out on its own and differentiates itself so well from competitors. It's not your stereotypical shooter like Gears of War can be. It differentiates itself so well it's like it has its own genre all to itself.
GTA IV > MGS4 > Fable 2 > Left 4 Dead > Gears of War 2 in my opinion.
as far as the GOW2 cover problem.....GEEZ...thats what its about, using your cover and partner to beat it. in GTA IV cover behind a car SHOULDNT work 100% of the time, they shoot you in the feet, through the windows, then blow it up, and your cover just left. if ya dont believe me, go play COD WOW (aka...COD grenade of duty!!!) on veteran...and tell me you dont appreciate and abuse the cover!
and like others have said...BIOSHOCK was LAST years release. And IMO, it wasnt that great. Good, but not great.
- by Balloonknot December 15, 2008 1:54 PM PST
- WHOA...I forgot Fallout 3...not sure how that happened. Bethesda always does an incredible job...I loved ES III and IV....Fallout 3 is no exception...awsome RPG...but as a previous post stated...maybe a little too hardcore for everyone...
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- by jeezyouareretarded December 16, 2008 1:29 AM PST
- that's what she said.
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