Scripted Events Game of the Year 2008 - Best Downloadable Game

Geometry Wars : Retro Evolved 2 (Xbox Live Arcade)

Explosions - check!
Psychedelic colors and sound - check!
Top down shooting - check!
Loads of gameplay modes -check!
High replayability - check!
Low price point - Ka-ching!

Really, what more do you want from a 10 dollar Xbox Live Arcade game? This years sequel to the insanely addictive original Geometry Wars improved the game in almost every way, adding new gameplay modes and keeping the same highly addictive top down gameplay. Geometry Wars : Retro Evolved 2 is the must have game for anyone who buys anything on the Xbox Live Marketplace.

Wipeout HD (Playstation Network)

Although some may consider Wipeout HD's 20 dollar price point a bit high, there's no denying that wipeout HD gives you an incredible amount of bang for your buck. Giving you the same fast paced, tight gameplay, and groovy techno soundtrack (As well as adding the option for custom soundtracks) you come to expect from a wipeout game, and adding a tight online multiplayer set up and a visually astounding HD face lift, Wipeout HD is a thoroughly enjoyable experience that anyone with a PS3 should download and enjoy.

Merry Christmas!

Scripted Events would like to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas! Stay safe everybody!

Scripted Events Game of the Year 2008 #1 - Metal Gear Solid 4 : Guns of the Patriots

Metal Gear Solid 4 : Guns of the Patriots (Hereafter abbreviated as MGS4). Where to begin. I can go on for hours and hours about MGS4, but I'll try and keep it short. For those who are not in the loop when it comes to MGS4 and the Metal Gear series, I think it's about time I drop a little knowledge on you. MGS4 is the culmination of the storyline started in the original Metal Gear 20 years ago, as well as the swansong for the series' now aging and grizzled hero, Solid Snake.

The presentation is amazing, by far the greatest thing I've seen in years. Every moment of the game is rendered in engine, whether it be one of the many cutscenes or when you are sneaking your way through the 20+ hours it takes to complete it.

The characters are interesting, all with their own quirks, flaws,and well developed personalities, and every line of dialogue is expertly written and delivered. The voice acting is fantastic (With the exception of Otacon... God dammit Otacon.) and does an excellent job at conveying the emotion of a given scene or character.

Where MGS4 truly shines though, is the story. Be warned though, if you are looking for a feel good experience, MGS4 is not the game for you. Throughout the story you play as the aging Solid Snake as he comes to grips with his mortality during his final, epic mission. The game does a great job at wrapping up 20 years of the epic (and somewhat convoluted) storyline, leaving no loose ends and creating a nice, solid (no pun intended) ending.

If you haven't given Solid Snake's swansong a whirl and experienced it for yourself, I strongly urge you to, because you'd be missing out big time if you didn't.

Scripted Events Game of the Year 2008 #2 - Valkyria Chronicles

Although Valkyria Chronicles may have fallen under most people's radar, only selling 33,000 copies since it's release at the time of writing, that doesn't change the fact that Valkyria Chronicles is one of the most fun, interesting, and fresh releases of 2008.
Valkyria Chronicles combines elements of a traditional turn based tactics game with a third person shooter, allowing you to freely position your units and execute your attacks. The gameplay is deep, fun, and will keep you coming back for more.
And let's not forget the most notable aspect of Valkyria Chronicles, it's amazingly beautiful and unique art style. Blending an anime aesthetic blended with an art style that I can only describe as a watercolor painting in motion, it's truly unlike anything you've seen in a game before.
On top of all that, Valkyria's intense and mature story pushes you through it's many skirmishes as you eagerly anticipate how things will fold out.
The only complaint I have is that the ending was a bit generic, had it not been, Valkyria Chronicles surely would have taken the crown for the Scripted Events Game of the Year 2008.

Scripted Events Game of the Year 2008 #3 - Fallout 3

I can go on for hours about why Fallout 3 is one of the best games of the year, and you should know as well, but if you're still unclear as to why this flawed masterpiece deserves a slot in the Scripted Events Game of the Year list you can check out my full review here.

Scripted Events Game of the Year 2008 #4 - LittleBigPlanet

LittleBigPlanet was the subject of massive hype ever since Media Molecule first announced and detailed this make-your-own platformer several years ago. It goes without saying that when a game is hyped so much for such a long time that more often than not it will not live up to expectations.
Now, while LittleBigPlanet may not have lived up to everyone's expectations, mainly because of the crazy censorship by Sony and Media Molecule and the completely janky online multiplayer, it was good enough to land a spot on this list.

LittleBigPlanet's unique and charming asthetic, basic yet fun gameplay, unlimited replayability, amazing level design and overall pure fun factor make it one of the must have games for every PS3 owner, as well as landing it the #4 slot on the Scripted Events Game of the Year list.

Scripted Events Game of the Year 2008 #5 - Fable 2

Do I really need to explain why Fable 2 gets a spot on Scripted Events' top 5 games of 2008? If you own an XBOX 360, odds are you've jumped into the world of Albion and have had countless hours of enjoyment playing either the hero or the villain. If you haven't played it yet what are you waiting for? Go, do it. Like, right now.

From The Desk of Tom Johnson - I'm back people!

Hey there. Long time no see.

I've been incredibly busy with work and personal stuff lately,as well as finding more writers and creating a new home for Scripted Events. I'd just like you all to know that no, I'm not dead, and I will be back to posting daily very, very soon!

Metareview - Prince of Persia

Destructoid (95/100) - "With Prince of Persia, the team at Ubisoft not only reached the bar they set for themselves with previous titles, but in many ways delivered a game that transcends expectations while setting a new standard for the series. Ubisoft has taken Prince of Persia in a wild new and magical direction, an enormously fun and gratifying game from beginning to end."

IGN (93/100) - "It has its shortcomings, but I already sense that Prince of Persia will be one of the few games from this generation that I carry with me for the next decade."

1UP (B+) - "Prince of Persia delivers well-crafted gameplay that borrows elements from its predecessors (and plenty of other titles) but makes great strides in developing a new identity for a series -- and a character that isn't as completely annoying as you might think from the first few lines of dialogue -- that seemingly lost its focus over the past few years. Of course, some issues here and there disrupt its goal in surpassing "The Sands of Time", but it's an incredibly enjoyable journey nonetheless."

Gamespot (80/100) - "While its lack of challenge may lull fans, its ease of use will delight newcomers and draw in anyone who appreciates a touch of magic."

2008 Holiday Gift Guide Part II - Nintendo DS

The World Ends With You
The World Ends With you in a very unique RPG with fast paced combat and great story elements. players will need to manage intense combat simultaneously on both screens using the touch screen and every button on the DS. It should be noted that this one tends to be a bit hard to find.


Chrono Trigger DS
While the original Chrono Trigger may have released ten years ago, this near flawless port is well worth returning to for series veterans, and definitely worth experiencing for those who never have. While it may be a bit pricey for a DS game, the wealth of content makes it well worth the content as opposed to finding the original SNES game (Which tends to retail for upwards of $70). A must have for any DS owner that enjoys traditional JRPGs.


Ninjatown
Ninjatown is a new take on the Tower Defense genre. You plop down towers to defend your base against waves of enemies, upgrading units and building new ones along the way. It's simple enough for a child, yet deep and engaging enough for an adult, so no matter what the age, Ninjatown is an excellent gift.

New Games This Week - 11/30-12/6

PlayStation 3:
-Singstar ABBA
-Prince of Persia

Xbox 360:
-Destroy All Humans! Path Of The Furon
-The Tale of Despereaux
-Prince of Persia

Nintendo Wii:
-Nancy Drew: The White Wolf of Icicle Creek
-King of Fighters Collection- The Orochi Saga
-My Fitness Coach
-The Tale Of Despereaux
-Family Party: 30 Great Games
-Ski & Shoot
-Safecracker
-Bigfoot Collision Course
-Mushroom Men: Spore Wars
-SPRay

PS2:
-Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories
-Singstar ABBA
-The Tale Of Despereaux

Nintendo DS:
-Prince of Persia: The Fallen King
-Mushroom Men: Rise of the Fungi
-Heavy Armor Brigade
-The Tale of Despereaux
-Emma in the Mountains
-Emma at the Farm
-Wordfish
-Slingo Quest
-Happy Cooking
-Animal Boxing
-Dreamer: Puppy Trainer
-My Fun Facts Coach

PSP:
*cue crickets*

PC Games:
-Grand Theft Auto IV
-Neopets Puzzle Adventure
-Zoo Tycoon Ultimate
-Disney's Bolt
-The Tale of Despereaux
-Shaun White Snowboarding
-A Vampyre Story

Scripted Events Picks of the Week:
-Prince of Persia
-Neopets Puzzle Adventure