Flakes and I looked back on all the games we’d played this year to see if we could pick a favourite.  Last fall we saw one of the busiest release seasons ever.  With so many great games it was hard to pick one winner.  Flakes and I ultimately couldn’t come to a unanimous verdict. 

Here then are our Top 2 Games of the Year.  We’ve put up a poll so that you can weigh in and cast your vote.  Who got it right: Flakes or Darth

Tehflakes’ GOTY:

Metal Gear Solid 4 – Playstation 3

Released earlier this year, it may not be the “savior” Sony Executives were hoping it would be, but it did help sell some PS3 consoles and did rank well in the sales charts. MGS4 was by far the best game both in the franchise and for the PS3 this year. The controls were “westernized” which added to the overall experience. The game play was very intense and challenging as Snake showed signs of old age. There was a lot of talk regarding the cut scenes, both good and bad. Overall, there were a lot of cut scenes that told the story and wrapped up the story brilliantly. Metal Gear Solid 4 can be summed up by saying you were treated to great game play and a fantastic cinematic experience.

DarthAlbert III’s GOTY:

Fallout 3 – PS3

With its expansive terrain, detailed stats building, in depth leveling system, and unique characters, Fallout 3 plays more like an excellent D&D quest than anything else.  You can go (almost) anywhere and do (almost) anything.  Want to kill the Sheriff of Megaton?  Do it!  Want to help survivors?  Go for it.  Want to extort them and kill them anyway?  Up to you.  But Fallout 3 is more than making decisions; it’s an epic moral battleground. 

I’ve played morality based RPGs before (Knights of the Old Republic is one of my favourite games) but Fallout 3 is the first game that has forced me to question my own morals and stray from the light.  In games like KotOR, there are clear distinctions between black and white, good and evil.  Also, there’s the knowledge that no matter what path you choose, you’ll still have plenty of money and allies to buy and fight your way out of trouble.  Not so in Fallout.  When wandering a post apocalyptic world can one afford to lose the credits he or she is offered for performing good deeds?  I walk the path of ultimate good (despite my name) in all morality based games.  At least, I did before Fallout.  Now, stealing a clip of ammo or hacking into a restricted computer could be the difference between life and death for my character.  Morals be damned, I’m surviving over here.

Yes, Fallout has great graphics and sound.  Yes, Fallout has engrossing environments and unique item systems.  Yes, Fallout has an amazingly laid out story with strong characters.  Fallout has all these things, but so do other games.  Fallout wins for me because it does what every videogame strives to do.  It firmly places the player in the shoes of the main character and creates an immersive, unbelievably realistic world where anything can, and will, happen.  I just can’t get enough.