I just wanted to give a special shout out and thanks to my very generous friends over at Engine Sound for giving me access to a bunch of their music and cues. So if you're looking for some composers to score your next TV series or movie, or engineers to record your next album, you know where to go. I'll also use this time to pimp their band, Tammany Hall NYC. If anybody out there is interested in picking up some of their music you can check it out over at Amazon. Some of my personal favorites? To The Woman and Suddenly Not Alone.

Finally, here's a video I cut with them a looooooong time ago, but it still cracks me up. The lead singer, Steve, totally made all those puppets himself, which is both awesome and very strange...

...reply with teddy bears:

I've been playing through Professor Layton recently and there's something about him that scares the crap out of me. I'm not quite sure what it is, so I've visualized what I imagine to be the events directly prior to the start of the game:



Anyone else get this vibe? Dark room, Layton has been drinking again...Luke sitting in the corner of his room, rocking back and forth hoping tonight the Professor won't make him solve another "puzzle"...

This is one of the first years that I felt completely overwhelmed in terms of finding time to play the games I wanted. It might be due to the fact that I still had leftovers from 2007 or maybe was just that there were so many excellent, long games out this year. While I tried to get to the credits on everything, I still have a stack of 2008's finest that I need to complete. It's a pretty safe bet that every game on this list is something I could not put down until I had finished it. It's true that I believe even bad games have moments of brilliance and should not be totally dismissed, but that doesn't mean all games are equal. The items that made my list this year each did an amazing job keeping me entertained until the end.

10. Condemned 2: Bloodshot
I'm not really into ridiculously violent games and I don't enjoy being gross for the sake of being gross. That said, I become totally immersed in the gritty, jagged world of Condemned 2: Bloodshot. I think the most fun aspect was that the main character, Ethan Thomas, had become such an integrated part of this dark and terrible place. Playing through as somebody so filled with rage in a world that was all about rage felt right. I got the sense that in order to survive this place I had to play by its rules, and that meant Ethan wasn't about to sit and talk things out. The physical combat was about as visceral and painful-looking as I would care to see, but it also made every encounter that much more memorable.

9. Fable II
I really liked the original Fable, but there were very particular things that I thought could have been handled better. Luckily for me, Lionhead addressed almost every issue I had with the original in its sequel, Fable 2. The combat, choices, and story progression were all refined to give players the most enjoyment out of the rich world of Albion. I found the dark humor to be one of the most captivating things about the game, and was always amused by the small twists and tweaks that gave the storybook setting some real bite.

8. Bionic Commando Rearmed
This was probably my most anticipated game of the year and it absolutely delivered. Everything about the remake was so perfect that it seemed to please all of us Bionic Commando fans, and that is no small feat. The great remixed music, the visuals and the small but thoughtful additions all contribute to making this the new high-water mark for a classic revival.

7. Street Fighter II Turbo  HD Remix
The online competition in Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix had my blood pumping harder than any other game this year. It's been a long time since I found myself swearing at other players, with the headset muted of course, over matches that were just too close to call. I'm definitely not the greatest Street Fighter player out there, but getting back into HD Remix not only reminded me why I spent so many hours playing SFII, but also made we want to do it all over again. Now that's crazy.

6. Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts
The thing I liked most about Nuts & Bolts was the ability to create vehicles that had to perform a very particular task. Many games allow you to create content, but not all of them give you such a creative and satisfying payoff for your troubles. The unlockable upgrades and ability to view the insane creations of other users kept me chasing Jiggies for more hours than I care to admit.

5. Braid
Braid was one of the most memorable game experiences for me in 2008. The game was set up in a way that really kept you using your brain, while actually giving you some fun gameplay. The unfolding narrative had you continuously trying to guess how things were fitting together in the story while also trying to wrap your head around devilish puzzles. Braid is one of those games that everybody should at least try, as there's really nothing else like it.

4. Gears of War 2
If you were to ask me what I wanted from a new Gears of War game it would simply be more Gears of War. Gears of War 2 took everything I liked about the original and added an actual, cohesive narrative to the experience. The story fleshes out the fiction in a way that makes me interested in how this whole conflict is going to resolve. The storytelling is also done in a way that wraps around the gameplay so that you're constantly completing small objectives that continue to move the story along. Gears 2 is a great example of a game that I could not put down until I had finished it...twice.

3. Metal Gear Solid 4
In terms of presentation, this game has to take the cake. The visuals are some of the best out there and the creative use of the camera makes for some of the most striking scenes to date. It's hard not to think back on the greatest gaming moments of 2008 without MGS4 coming up multiple times. While the standard gameplay has been tweaked enough to make it satisfying and enjoyable, the real fun is going through the more scripted and creative scenarios that are peppered throughout the lengthy title.

2. Grand Theft Auto IV
Life isn't always fair and sometimes we are forced into situations where there is no clear, right answer. Grand Theft Auto IV embraces this and makes for some of the most compelling narrative in any game out there. The world is alive, chaotic and is not going to cut you a break just because you're the main character. While you're playing as Niko you constantly feel like you're trying to move him from a bad situation to a slightly less bad one. The characters you meet along the way are all flawed in their own way, and present plenty of interesting and diverse interactions, that can be both entertaining and moving. The gameplay is the best in the Grand Theft Auto series and the environments have never seemed more alive. I found GTA IV to be one of those games that had so many excellent moments in it that I spent almost as much time talking about it as playing it.

1. Dead Space
I didn't know too much about Dead Space before I actually sat down and played it. Needless to say, I became instantly absorbed, mostly because the entire experience is so damn tight. There's nothing I would change about the game and it's a product that I would have been proud to work on. The satisfying combat, detailed atmosphere and the way the game never took you out of the action all contributed to this one being at the top of my list for 2008. In my humble opinion, this is as close to playing that "perfect" game in 2008 as I was going to come.

Oh, and Burst Limit. THHHHHHHHHTTTTTPPPHTT! Happy New Year!

Ok, so my wall has a bunch of questions and comments that have been neglected for far too long! I'm sure many of you forgot what you even wrote, but I didn't! Also, I get to make a sweet table. So, let's cut to the chase, shall we?

User	Response
Coonce	Stoked that I'm here too!
Magnum	Thanks!
byrjun	Thanks, go Denmark!
HibiscusExplosion	Hi!
DougBuffone	Hey Doug, great to see you too. Hope all is going well!
TEAMHOLT	Them dragon balls are...yeah...see that movie trailer?
GoranP	Right back at ya!
Demilich	How come I never see you drift? Also, I'm usually holding the camera.
Metal_Gear_Sunny	word
EleFlameMax	Thanks buddy!
Angel_Gamer	Thanks, and it is!
Creciente	Thank you sir.
Cartman	Much thanks.
Win	Thanks.
Gamer4Iife	Thanks, and not really. I definitely enjoy the universe though.
coletrain	yeah, not a bad little game.
thomasvdh	Thanks.
Shwan	Ha, my seat is very comfortable and relaxing.
SuperJoe	;)
FoolInjection	Haha, yeah. Glad people are checking it out.
Dan	This could be true.
JosephBarron	Thanks a lot.
spoa	Thank you Mr. Spoa!
Linkyshinks	haha, thank you. nicely put.
IOUOneGalaxy127	Strong Island!
Dissolve	oh...I could send you some links...
MikeFightNight	Genetically different.
MKLOL	Thanks a bunch.
systech	haha, I think I was just slow on the adding...
PartTimeNinja	Thanks!
turambar35	Ha, thanks. You should see how much i DON'T know!
frankthelizard	Thanks, will do.
Cali_Style	Not much, just answering some wall posts.
MasterSplinter	Done!
Leewow	Thanks. Hope you enjoy it!
al	Thanks.
Mago	You're welcome! Thanks for the request.
Hoppondeez420	Thanks, I'll second that!
MrKadaver	Thanks sir!
TheToecutter	Neither do I!
Kohe321	Ha! Thanks, think I have to be in the guild though...
Sweep	Have done, keep up the good work!
GamespotNoMore	Me too!
Fat_Bot	Yeah, I might actually go buy Shogo from that today...
MacGyver	I really should and I definitely want to.
SuperMooseman	Thanks a bunch.
WizzyKid	Ha, thanks.
patrick	yes
Claude	Not THAT far away...
ElBlaze	Yeah, oddly. Actually I love Maes and always thought he could be my anime self.
MattBodega	Ha, that was a fun topic
prencher	haha, thanks
Kohe321	Months later, I still don't get it.
ObsideonDarman	Ha, there always will be until the end of time...or Japan.
Lava	It's true!
TopCat	It would be amazing press.
Mr_Pink	oh...as long as it is late in the battle. Remember me a hero!
Joseppie	Ha, I can't even remember what this is about...
DiGiTaL_SiN	Definitely true.
TheGamerFix	will do!
AttackedCamo	I personally love that movie, so yes.
patrick	Whoppers.
dollarshock	Hah, perfect!
Duffy	ha, the wall responds!
DiGiTaL_SiN	molto grazie!
Mgsfreak	haha, no thank you!
SaucySala	Awwh, thanks man!
natsfan7	Hi!
Bertmasta	I say add away and see what happens. The more info the better.
thefjk	Sure!
cuzintheboss	Ehhhh...not as big a fan.
DaMiTrOn	Ha, thanks. I know all too well about driving in Queens...sadly.
Barge221	Yes.
MattBodega	Hah, yes.
Kieran_Smith5	Not much, realizing this may take a long time.
Marco	Boom.
ethan	Haha, I agree and would comply if presented with the opportunity.
martinallan	Thanks Martin, I kind of know you now!
mordamir	Me too, thanks.
GagJ	Thanks, seems like ages ago.
BenBoos	Thanks, me too.
Shade	Thanks.
Levi	Freebie!
Blair	Many, many thanks.
AboveNBeyond3	Thank you.
Br3adfan	ha, thanks!
SM2099	Ha, maybe I'll hit the Fullmetal Alchemist pages someday...
I_smell	Haha, sadly no game credit!
BloodStaindWings	Thanks Dave and they are definitely evil...
LiK	Ha, yeah. He's just so friendly looking.
DeathStar	You're welcome, thanks for the request.
Vinchenzo	Ha, so you're the one with the "-ie"!
Joker	Not a lot, still answering replies from July...
Zeromus1337	Thanks.
MacGyver	Thank you.
SilhouetteX	Ha, wooooo! Thanks.
Peter	It's gotta still be 4:27 somewhere...
Cowman	Ha, thanks. Hope you're still in the present...
Kenshin	Noooo!
Kazona	Hah, thanks.
Sarazar	You da man!
Bureksasutlijom	We made it!
mac512k	Gotta do some more, for sure.
Argus	Objectivists!
EPGPX	It's true, I was.
DazbotAthertron	ha, sure!
Kournelle	Woot!
dudacles	it's up!
Android22	Someday I ask a favor of you...
Pop	They have their place.
Ryu	Over 9,000!
IOUOneGalaxy127	Hah, will do!
Crispy	I think it's crap!
imayellowfellow	Oh...did I win?
kingmasters	yeah, and he's amazing!
SoSerious	He's the man and so we look pretty.
MacGyver	Holla!
AlexIsStillAThreat	Ha, can't remember, but thanks.
capitanm1	Trends always come back...
Laughlin_12	Raynor
UrFaceIzDum	Hey man, hope all is going well!
Mattzz10	Thanks, me too!
thrashr20	Ha, my apartment is too small...
RockSteady	Thanks for having a ThunderCats icon.
MattBodega	Thanks, it's not a terrible one.
squallws	Thanks.
EpicSteve	Even still?!
Gump	Ha, no, just Italian.
Metal_Mills	Thanks.
Alaska_Gamer	Thanks, hope it worked out well.
zyn	Thanks.
MOLE	Nah, I like an underdog
Sanj	Ha, thanks. Also, CHU!
MattBodega	Oh, I did sir. I did.
hide	That game is out now! I might play it today.
SaucySala	Final Cut Pro.
Shimmy	Ha, I do it for the fans.
MKO619	Not sure.
Gump	I can do the Fandango.
MattBodega	Ha, I know, that was crazy.
clovy	Is that game out yet?
potzergaeren	ha, thank you. I'll prep my emotional, last witicism.
PabloDiablo	Oh, no no. Brad has a very strong opinion.
camwilson	"Don't like farm equipment? Don't eat!"
RomeoInc	I can get down with a good hoe.
Galiant	Ha, and I still haven't
SonicBomb	Hey SonicBomb!
HandsomeDead	Ha, thanks. It's concept art for Jim Raynor.
SamChamploo	Yup, finished the entire run. Great series.
Aarny	Now I have to kill you.
ThomasP	Ha, actually, now that you mention it...
Jeff	AHHHH! The logic!
skywing	HEY SKYWING!
mrfluke	Thanks, I was bummed it wasn't a touch better. I like that series a lot.
RHCPfan24	It was fun and that is a great coast.
Pierce	Yeah. I use Final Cut Pro and After Effects for the motion graphics stuff.
Alcamin	Thanks, drop in whenever!
DazbotAthertron	Hmm, I could eat more...
Thordain	Yes.
mrfluke	Ha, it's true. It's true.
Rourkey	Undertow is a great, great album.
Pleasureizmine	No, U!
Player1	Ha, thanks. That's very nice.
Jeffsekai	Hi Hi
kingmasters	Yup, done now though.
elektrixxx	Ha, that's all Dave.
AttackedCamo	Yup, I was totally there. That was a cool event.
Cribba	Frank Adams does the best Rambo. Period.
daniel_beck_90	Thanks.
Evolution	Not much, this is taking a long time though...
Jeffsekai	Thank you.
Gump	Oh boy...
mrfluke	Ha, I don't want to go out of business either, but thanks for the support.

Thanks again to everyone, sorry for the delay in the responses. I'll hit my inbox soon enough...

That took a long time to do. Let's go play some Dead Space, shall we?

--Vinny