If there was one word to describe my gaming style, it would be this: sporadic. I play when I’m in the mood, and with that you can find me playing a game that was released in 2003 right now in 2008. Yes, I do not follow what’s mainstream, but with video games, I sort of try, and I succeeded this year with the DS — again that’s with a “sort of”. Come to think of it, I own three other systems, but I don’t think I touched any of them this year. Oi. Anyway, here are the games that were released in 2008, that were actually played in 2008, not necessarily beaten, and what I consider to be “best” or more like “personal favourites”. The list is in the order by the games’ release date.

1. Professor Layton and the Curious Village

Great plot, characters, music, and design. Not a fan of logic games and puzzles, though. I ended up using a walkthrough to play this since I wanted to get the story moving.

2. Gyakuten Saiban IV aka Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney

While I preferred I and III, this one proved to be a good sequel. Snarky!Phoenix was made of win. Main villain needs more back story, though!

3. The World Ends with You

Great character design, an addicting battle system (where it’s all button and stylus mashing for me!), intriguing story, and Hanekoma rocks. Really, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this game.

4. Final Fantasy IV

Considering the hell I went through to get this game, I’m glad I did. It was worth it. Old-school RPG ftw!

5. Hotel Dusk: Room 215

Yes, this came out in 2007, but the company decided to re-release the game again in September for those who missed out. Like me! I’m glad I was able to get a copy of this. The story intrigues me, and well, adventure games are awesome.

6. Time Hollow

Talk about one mind-blowing plot. Then again, any plot that deals with time travel makes my head hurts. This game’s strength is its plot. Its weakness? Too darn short and no replayability value!

7. Princess Debut

Here’s the review. I still think I lost my sanity for playing this rhythmic otome game, but oh well? I had fun. That’s all it matters. Oh and Luciano. He matters.

8. My Japanese Coach

It’s fun, and I discovered I knew more Japanese than I let myself believe. Okay, I still suck at reading and writing, at least I can speak it! I am not sure if it really helps me, but I think it’s better than nothing!

9. Chrono Trigger

DUN DUN DUN. Of course this will go on the list. After all, I wrote this! ♥

Miscellaneous Games (Basically they have no where else to go)

Trauma Centre: Under the Knife II

I was actually enjoying this (unlike the first one), until I got somewhere near the end and could not get past that stage. I discovered that I do NOT like aneurysms. GROWL.

Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure

I bought it, but I haven’t played it yet. Erm, oops? I will play it sooner or later. Actually, make that later.

Mystery Case Files: MillionHeir

While this game was neat and all, it did not make the list because, well, it’s repetitively boring. Playing “Where’s Waldo” for five hours to beat this game strained my eyes. My eyes and I did not appreciate this gaming experience.