Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: GoldenPhoenix on February 11, 2009, 09:23:39 PM
SSB: B broken online over AC: CF, Endless Ocean, MoH 2, Castlevania Judgement, Madden 09 and about any other Wii game with online components is really strange.
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: D_Average on February 11, 2009, 10:57:40 PM
SSB: B broken online over AC: CF, Endless Ocean, MoH 2, Castlevania Judgement, Madden 09 and about any other Wii game with online components is really strange.
That is really odd... A joke perhaps?
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: GoldenPhoenix on February 11, 2009, 11:09:33 PM
Almost everything about SSB:B's online system is horrendous whether it is the instability, lag, or worse of all the match making which boots you out of everything if you can't find one.
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: TJ Spyke on February 11, 2009, 11:23:31 PM
I agree with most of those, but thought I would point out disagreements:
World of Goo is good, but over-rated and far from the best WiiWare game LittleBigPlanet was easily the biggest disappointment of 2008 IMO. It had such good potential, but the final game turned out to be crap.
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: Crimm on February 11, 2009, 11:48:36 PM
The issue with SSBB is the fact we can't play every game that had online, and we vote based on what we saw ourselves. The number of people on staff who played SSBB dwarfs those other games, and some of them did manage to have a good experience.
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: KnowsNothing on February 11, 2009, 11:54:34 PM
1) Release this before mid-February. 2) Include at least a screenshot of the game being awarded. 3) Remember waaaaaaaaay back when you used to have quotes from staff members about every news item? I want that back. I know you have talkback, but it really have the site a more personal feel. Everything is to sterile now. No personality. No flair. At least to comments like that for these awards. Make it interesting.
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: NWR_pap64 on February 11, 2009, 11:56:10 PM
To be honest, either the members here have AMAZING internet connections or Brawl's lag issues were slightly resolved.
While there were some laggy matches and some ended with a disconnection when I played Brawl last Friday night I was amazed at how smooth the game ran, despite having items, four characters and an interactive background.
To me, it showed that Brawl works great when its working properly.
But I won't say its the best yet because that was only one night, and there were some laggy matches.
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: TheYoungerPlumber on February 12, 2009, 12:04:25 AM
Brawl was the only game I enjoyed playing online in 2008. Yes, it has some technical woes, especially with friend codes, but when it works it's really fun. Also, there's more to Brawl's online than the fights themselves. The stage sharing features are pretty neat. Jonny and I had some fun trading stages and replay data.
Regarding LBP: as a Nintendo-oriented website, the biggest disappointment must be something on or about a Nintendo platform, or possibly the larger industry. Not a PS3-exclusive game.
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: Crimm on February 12, 2009, 12:10:39 AM
There are a lot of factors that played a roll into when this was released. I'm not happy about how long it took but keep in mind that this is not ann easy project to execute.
3) Remember waaaaaaaaay back when you used to have quotes from staff members about every news item? I want that back. I know you have talkback, but it really have the site a more personal feel. Everything is to sterile now. No personality. No flair. At least to comments like that for these awards. Make it interesting.
Lord, it can be hard enough just to get a write-up back from a staffer. I don't need to spend time trying to get Carmine to give me a bite on Personal Trainer: Cooking Edition
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: MegaByte on February 12, 2009, 12:44:53 AM
3) Remember waaaaaaaaay back when you used to have quotes from staff members about every news item? I want that back. I know you have talkback, but it really have the site a more personal feel. Everything is to sterile now. No personality. No flair.
Soon :)
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: GoldenPhoenix on February 12, 2009, 12:51:18 AM
Brawl was the only game I enjoyed playing online in 2008. Yes, it has some technical woes, especially with friend codes, but when it works it's really fun. Also, there's more to Brawl's online than the fights themselves. The stage sharing features are pretty neat. Jonny and I had some fun trading stages and replay data.
Regarding LBP: as a Nintendo-oriented website, the biggest disappointment must be something on or about a Nintendo platform, or possibly the larger industry. Not a PS3-exclusive game.
Ok if we are talking about trading being part of the equation then what about Blast Works or Boom Blox? Regardless it seems to strange to give runner up status to a poorly implemented and unrefined online mode and completely ignore games that have done it better (Fine I can accept AC because it is the popular thing to bash like Wii Music). Didn't realize it the "most fun when it works online mode when it actually works" award. Awards are meant to showcase a special achievement, SSB:B didn't come close to achieving what others did when it came to a stable online mode or really even a good infrastructure.
What I find most hilarious is the RFN constantly bashes it for being so unstable, but hey it is good enough to be runner up for best online! Tons better then even these games, Rock Band 2, Guitar Hero: World Tour, and World at War. Seriously though I understand you guy's can't play everything but that doesn't mean you can't hammer out what is a good or poor online mode based on other staff member's impressions of it. If anything it should be pretty easy to determine if a mode is stable and how fleshed out it is.
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: TheYoungerPlumber on February 12, 2009, 12:55:09 AM
I can't comment on those games. I haven't brought Boom Blox online. But I stand by my vote and statement that I had fun playing Brawl online. And that includes brawl matches. Don't think Brawl got runner-up just because of trading.
Besides, Brawl didn't win. It got runner-up. Sheesh.
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: D_Average on February 12, 2009, 01:03:19 AM
Though I would much rather play Brawl online than Madden 09 Wii, the functionality of Madden trumps it on every level (save stage sharing). No lag, no codes, no booting off, and quick match setups. And considering the fact each player is controlling 11 avatars, thats pretty impressive.
In short, John Madden got screwed again and he's probably pretty pissed off about this right now.
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: ShyGuy on February 12, 2009, 01:22:45 AM
Sheesh Kairon, why can't you return Crimm's messages?
I liked the mention of Endless Ocean.
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: NWR_pap64 on February 12, 2009, 01:25:33 AM
Just read the feature. Pretty good! Well written and the awards were fair and just.
I was surprised, however, to read that it was Nintendo's best year so far. Many other "best of" articles keep saying it was a bad year for the Wii, yet this was the exception. Good job!
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: TheYoungerPlumber on February 12, 2009, 02:00:04 AM
Yeah, I was surprised to read about it being Nintendo's best year too, pap....until I thought about it fiscally. They had a bang-up first half of the year, though.
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: Kairon on February 12, 2009, 02:04:35 AM
Sheesh Kairon, why can't you return Crimm's messages?
Bububu... empty pockets T_T
Actually, I'd have been able to help Crimm out more with this feature if the games i had voted for had, well, won or something I dunno. &P
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: Mop it up on February 12, 2009, 02:05:54 AM
I don't have much experience with games of 2008 so I don't have much to say about your choices.
I, personally, would have picked Mario Kart Wii for most of the categories that Brawl won, except graphics and sound; not sure what I would have chosen there. I also wasn't impressed with Boom Blox, although I do think it has potential and I will be reading up on the sequel.
I noticed there weren't any negative categories, such as Biggest Disappointment. That's the only category which Brawl would have won in my eyes.
In 2009 I will be catching up on 2008 games. :)
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: Kairon on February 12, 2009, 02:10:49 AM
Yeah, I was surprised to read about it being Nintendo's best year too, pap....until I thought about it fiscally. They had a bang-up first half of the year, though.
Whaddaya mean? 2008 rocked! Animal Crossing, Smash, Mario Kart, Wii Fit? That's already a great lineup for ANY Nintendo year if you actually do the research... and then you start piling on those third party darlings... *sigh* It was a great year.
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: BeautifulShy on February 12, 2009, 02:21:02 AM
I personally would like to see a catagory for Best New IP and Best 3rd party Game for 2009's awards.Already we have some great choices for 3rd party games in 09. I have a feeling Sega is going to be best publisher for 09.
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: GoldenPhoenix on February 12, 2009, 02:22:13 AM
Yeah, I was surprised to read about it being Nintendo's best year too, pap....until I thought about it fiscally. They had a bang-up first half of the year, though.
Whaddaya mean? 2008 rocked! Animal Crossing, Smash, Mario Kart, Wii Fit? That's already a great lineup for ANY Nintendo year if you actually do the research... and then you start piling on those third party darlings... *sigh* It was a great year.
You forget Endless Ocean, and Wario Land Shake it. I'll put Mario Super Sluggers in there as well. Not to mention the titles they released in Japan.
Also I do want to mention that I do really appreciate the mention of Endless Ocean. It seems to be overlooked everywhere! I'd go as far to say that I enjoyed the game more then the PS3's beautiful aquanauts game (Though Endless Ocean still holds it own surprisingly).
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: Mop it up on February 12, 2009, 02:38:29 AM
You forget Endless Ocean, and Wario Land Shake it. I'll put Mario Super Sluggers in there as well.
Endless Ocean is magical, definitely one of the best games of 2008. In fact, if I were put to a vote I'd probably give Endless Ocean the Best Graphics award, as it is simply beautiful. Well, everything underwater is anyway... And a Most Overlooked award too, it deserves more recognition!
I agree that Mario Super Sluggers is worth a mention for something, I've quite enjoyed it. It might be my pick for Best Local Multiplayer, or at least the runner-up.
I haven't played Wario Land Shake It yet but it's definitely something I'll be picking up at some point. The art style is simply incredible.
The more I think about it, 2008 really was a great year. It actually isn't over for me as there are still many 2008 releases that I'll be picking up later. Looks like 2009's games will have to wait until 2010 or beyond... :-[
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: GoldenPhoenix on February 12, 2009, 02:48:33 AM
Yes Endless Ocean is hideous above water, but gorgeous and awe inspiring underwater.
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: GoldenPhoenix on February 12, 2009, 02:56:32 AM
JUst for fun here is an image comparison between Aquanauts and Endless Ocean. It really illustrates how good Endless Ocean looks. The main difference s that Aquanauts has smoother textures.
The issue with SSBB is the fact we can't play every game that had online, and we vote based on what we saw ourselves. The number of people on staff who played SSBB dwarfs those other games, and some of them did manage to have a good experience.
IOW, victory by default?
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: UltimatePartyBear on February 12, 2009, 12:39:07 PM
I support the choice of Brawl for every award it won. It was a triumph.
It's easy to nitpick. I could go on for pages complaining about stuff, but only because I like the game enough to care that much.
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: MegaByte on February 12, 2009, 12:56:22 PM
SSB: B broken online over AC: CF, Endless Ocean, MoH 2, Castlevania Judgement, Madden 09 and about any other Wii game with online components is really strange.
That is really odd... A joke perhaps?
A mistake. There was no runner up for online and SSBB shouldn't have appeared there.
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: NWR_Lindy on February 12, 2009, 01:33:00 PM
Let's just say that Brawl appearing there is a LONG story. I think, feature-wise, its online was damn good. Its stability was weak, but it was very full-featured.
I'll take the suggested categories under consideration for next year. We're going to streamline things so that we're a bit more organized.
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: BeautifulShy on February 12, 2009, 02:41:49 PM
Thanks Lindy for considering the catagories. This is somewhat unrelated to the awards but when the Wii has run its course.I'm sure there will be a retrospective on it,right?
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: KDR_11k on February 12, 2009, 02:53:23 PM
BTW, how can Cho Aniki beat Lords of Thunder in Best Non-Nintnedo Console Game when LoT got Best Shoot'em Up?
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: Yoshidious on February 12, 2009, 03:03:41 PM
BTW, how can Cho Aniki beat Lords of Thunder in Best Non-Nintnedo Console Game when LoT got Best Shoot'em Up?
I can only imagine that Cho Aniki's other merits that reach far beyond its shooting action carried it over the top in the non-genre-specific award.
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: D_Average on February 12, 2009, 03:22:26 PM
Did Space Invaders Extreme come close to best DS Port or Remake? That was my game of the year for DS.
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: Mop it up on February 12, 2009, 05:04:33 PM
You know, I'm kind of surprised that Wii Music wasn't even a runner-up for Best Sound. It is a music game, after all, and it has so many instruments too.
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: NWR_pap64 on February 12, 2009, 05:40:18 PM
You know, I'm kind of surprised that Wii Music wasn't even a runner-up for Best Sound. It is a music game, after all, and it has so many instruments too.
Because MIDI is the root of all evil.
About 2008 being a great year, it definitely was a great year because of how many core entries and releases we received in just a year. But in comparison to the excitement of the Wii's launch and the magic of Galaxy in 2007 2008 did feel a bit meh.
2009 does, however, look to be a better year thanks to recent third party efforts and announcements.
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: Mop it up on February 12, 2009, 05:52:13 PM
Who cares? There's a lot of variety there. If it's just a quality thing, SSBBrawl doesn't have the best sound quality either. It sounds like the music tracks were heavily compressed, like they are MP3 files or something. There are also spurts of static whenever there are too many sound effects going on.
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: Luigi Dude on February 12, 2009, 06:18:47 PM
2009 does, however, look to be a better year thanks to recent third party efforts and announcements.
Not to mention that the Nintendo studio's that released games in 2007 but didn't have anything in 2008, will probably be ready to release something in 2009, since the average Nintendo studio take around 2 years to develop games.
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: GoldenPhoenix on February 12, 2009, 06:39:23 PM
2009 does, however, look to be a better year thanks to recent third party efforts and announcements.
Not to mention that the Nintendo studio's that released games in 2007 but didn't have anything in 2008, will probably be ready to release something in 2009, since the average Nintendo studio take around 2 years to develop games.
Mario Party 9, here we come!
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: NWR_pap64 on February 12, 2009, 07:46:10 PM
Who cares? There's a lot of variety there. If it's just a quality thing, SSBBrawl doesn't have the best sound quality either. It sounds like the music tracks were heavily compressed, like they are MP3 files or something. There are also spurts of static whenever there are too many sound effects going on.
I was being sarcastic when I said that. But in most reviews they complain about the music sounding bad because of the MIDI. I disagree since I've been able to create pleasant sounding tunes despite the media used.
And Golden, the Mario Party series is developed by Hudson. Nintendo only publishes the game and licenses the characters out to them.
But I wouldn't be surprised if a motion plus version of Mario Party 9 is announced this year. I know that as soon as the Wii was released a new MP was announced, so I think that as soon as Wii Sports Resorts invades homes everywhere there will be a new MP.
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: GoldenPhoenix on February 12, 2009, 07:56:12 PM
I know that Pap, just being sarcastic.
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: Mop it up on February 12, 2009, 08:07:51 PM
I wouldn't be surprised if a motion plus version of Mario Party 9 is announced this year.
Good mop I hope not. That would be a good way to make the lowest-selling Mario Party game ever. Multiplayer games shouldn't require the use of the Wii Motion Plus accessory, as I can't imagine anything more than an infinitesimal niche are going to have four of the eccentric accessory. Wii Motion Plus should just be used for some single-player games, and maybe a few two-player games later on if the device is successful enough.
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: D_Average on February 12, 2009, 09:29:43 PM
I wouldn't be surprised if a motion plus version of Mario Party 9 is announced this year.
Good mop I hope not. That would be a good way to make the lowest-selling Mario Party game ever. Multiplayer games shouldn't require the use of the Wii Motion Plus accessory, as I can't imagine anything more than an infinitesimal niche are going to have four of the eccentric accessory. Wii Motion Plus should just be used for some single-player games, and maybe a few two-player games later on if the device is successful enough.
I doubt Hudson would make ALL of the mini games compatible with motion plus, in the same way that not every game in MP 7 needed the microphone and not every game in Rayman TV Party uses the balance board (and those that do can be played with the wiimote).
Its obvious that both Nintendo and Hudson will try to implement motions plus into the next MP game. They have experimented with different control methods, from microphones to motion control. With motion plus out they WILL try to implement it. If not MP 9 maybe 10.
With all the possibilities motion plus has to offer I doubt Hudson will not try to experiment with it.
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: MegaByte on February 12, 2009, 09:37:16 PM
Who cares? There's a lot of variety there. If it's just a quality thing, SSBBrawl doesn't have the best sound quality either. It sounds like the music tracks were heavily compressed, like they are MP3 files or something. There are also spurts of static whenever there are too many sound effects going on.
It's not a quality thing. You're right, SSBB tracks are quite compressed. But the fact is that SSBB had an unmatched number of big-name composers creating outstanding arrangements, and there were a ton of tracks covering all sorts of Nintendo classics.
Personally, I'm sad that Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia didn't make the DS sound category (it was third). The compositions are awesome, blending original ideas with shades of nostalgia that really stick in your head like the NES games... and there was even voice acting. Unfortunately, Konami really botched the instrument quality.
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: Crimm on February 12, 2009, 10:44:31 PM
BTW, how can Cho Aniki beat Lords of Thunder in Best Non-Nintnedo Console Game when LoT got Best Shoot'em Up?
I can only imagine that Cho Aniki's other merits that reach far beyond its shooting action carried it over the top in the non-genre-specific award.
Indeed. You'll also see that FFIV is DS Game of the Year but did not win best RPG. Chrono Trigger was a better RPG for its RPG merrits. As a shooter Cho Aniki was not the best, but it was the most enjoyabe package.
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: TheYoungerPlumber on February 12, 2009, 11:01:38 PM
Who cares? There's a lot of variety there. If it's just a quality thing, SSBBrawl doesn't have the best sound quality either. It sounds like the music tracks were heavily compressed, like they are MP3 files or something. There are also spurts of static whenever there are too many sound effects going on.
It's not a quality thing. You're right, SSBB tracks are quite compressed. But the fact is that SSBB had an unmatched number of big-name composers creating outstanding arrangements, and there were a ton of tracks covering all sorts of Nintendo classics.
This is why I like to distinguish between quality and fidelity when talking about audio. Brawl had an awesome quality soundtrack. I didn't really notice the fidelity issues, since I never played it on an expensive audio system, but some compression is pretty much expected given how many songs and FMVs were squeezed onto the disc--even if it *was* dual layer.
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: NinGurl69 *huggles on February 12, 2009, 11:17:02 PM
"If it's just a quality thing, SSBBrawl doesn't have the best sound quality either. It sounds like the music tracks were heavily compressed,"
Nearly all Wii game music is compressed in closely similar formats that are comparable in fidelity to MP3. 99% of this music is compressed and stored at 32KHz, the same for GameCube games like Super Smash Bros. Melee and killer7.
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: Mop it up on February 12, 2009, 11:58:11 PM
I doubt Hudson would make ALL of the mini games compatible with motion plus, in the same way that not every game in MP 7 needed the microphone and not every game in Rayman TV Party uses the balance board (and those that do can be played with the wiimote).
In that case, I hope any minigames which use the Wii Motion Plus have it as optional, otherwise its potential for sales will be hindered.
Nearly all Wii game music is compressed in closely similar formats that are comparable in fidelity to MP3. 99% of this music is compressed and stored at 32KHz, the same for GameCube games like Super Smash Bros. Melee and killer7.
Then how come the music from Melee that was included in Brawl sounds worse than it does in Melee?
Brawl's soundtrack has other problems as well. Too many of the music tracks are either ripped straight from the original source, or original music created for the game that seems like it was ripped straight from a generic RPG and doesn't fit at all. Many of the new remixes are pretty uninspired as well.
All of that is personal opinion of course.
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: MegaByte on February 13, 2009, 12:22:17 AM
Then how come the music from Melee that was included in Brawl sounds worse than it does in Melee?
For some reason, they redid the instruments rather than copy the original renditions directly, and in many cases actually made the sound worse.
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: TheYoungerPlumber on February 13, 2009, 12:25:27 AM
Bah, MB beat me to the re-instrumentation comment. I really don't know why they did that--I agree the Melee versions sound better most of the time.
You are entitled to your opinions on the remixes, of course--I think you are correct for a few of the songs (Motoi Sakuraba kinda phoned it in on a few songs). But yeah....I still gotta go with Brawl.
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: Mop it up on February 13, 2009, 12:31:06 AM
You and the entire world. That's okay though, it kind of makes me feel special that I'm the only one who doesn't like SSBBrawl. ;D Maybe that could be my claim to fame... "Hey look everyone, it's that moron who hates SSBBrawl! What's the deal with that? Let's bake that person a cake for being so unique!"
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: NWR_pap64 on February 13, 2009, 01:05:29 AM
Hey Mop, just be thankful they didn't give the honor to Guitar Hero or Rock Band 2 ;) .
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: Stratos on February 13, 2009, 05:27:49 AM
You and the entire world. That's okay though, it kind of makes me feel special that I'm the only one who doesn't like SSBBrawl. ;D Maybe that could be my claim to fame... "Hey look everyone, it's that moron who hates SSBBrawl! What's the deal with that? Let's bake that person a cake for being so unique!"
But the cake is a lie... ;) I'm with you more though. I'm not as ga-ga for Brawl as everyone else is as well. Though it may be because I was away from most of my friends who would have played it with me. Solo brawl just isn't quite as fun and with online unplayable for me (not my connection either) I was sunk. Though it got better once I returned from school but it still wasn't quite there.
I was sad that Okami didn't win anything since I loved that game so much.
Though I feel a lot of it was spot on. I also feel 2k8 was a great year for Wii. Then again, I don't live on an exclusive diet of Nintendo developed games and am not afraid to check out 3rd party games. The fact I have only bought two 1st/2nd party endeavors and around fifteen 3rd party ones proves thus.
I doubt Hudson would make ALL of the mini games compatible with motion plus, in the same way that not every game in MP 7 needed the microphone and not every game in Rayman TV Party uses the balance board (and those that do can be played with the wiimote).
In that case, I hope any minigames which use the Wii Motion Plus have it as optional, otherwise its potential for sales will be hindered.
They just need to have the Motion Plus be a pack-in with Mario Party. Wii Sports Resort, Mario Party Motion!, Zelda Wii and Wii -Motion Plus- Play with Motio Plus packed in would help distribute the little booger into a lot of homes and lessen the market split they are making.
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: Nick DiMola on February 13, 2009, 06:53:20 AM
I'll say this, aside from Best Local Multi and Best Sound, Brawl got no other votes from me. I much prefer Melee to Brawl.
I wish Okami won more awards as well, same with de Blob and Space Invaders Extreme.
I'd say my 5 favorite games of the year across all platforms were World of Goo, Okami, de Blob, Space Invaders Extreme, and Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts.
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: KDR_11k on February 13, 2009, 07:41:14 AM
You and the entire world. That's okay though, it kind of makes me feel special that I'm the only one who doesn't like SSBBrawl. ;D Maybe that could be my claim to fame... "Hey look everyone, it's that moron who hates SSBBrawl! What's the deal with that? Let's bake that person a cake for being so unique!"
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: D_Average on February 13, 2009, 10:45:30 AM
I haven't played Brawl since June. Is that a sin?
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: NWR_Neal on February 13, 2009, 11:30:22 AM
I kept on wanting to vote for something other than Brawl, but no game was better than it for me. I love De Blob, Wario Land, Mario Kart, etc. but Brawl was the best game imo last year, laggy online aside.
Since Nick mentioned it, my 360 game of the year was Banjo-Kazooie: N&B/Left 4 Dead
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: NinGurl69 *huggles on February 13, 2009, 01:15:24 PM
There should also be an Editor's Top 5 list at the end of the feature, to hint at a handful of games the editors enjoyed outside of the singled-out "No. 1s" and "runner-ups." It helps round out the experience of the year.
and it will reveal WEAKNESS, uncovering the products you neglected and showing how short your imaginations reach when it comes to seeking new gaming experiences beyond of BIG NAME PRESS RELEASE FIRST PARTY HYPED titles
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: D_Average on February 13, 2009, 01:39:49 PM
There should also be an Editor's Top 5 list at the end of the feature, to hint at a handful of games the editors enjoyed outside of the singled-out "No. 1s" and "runner-ups." It helps round out the experience of the year.
and it will reveal WEAKNESS, uncovering the products you neglected and showing how short your imaginations reach when it comes to seeking new gaming experiences beyond of BIG NAME PRESS RELEASE FIRST PARTY HYPED titles
I spell some blogs cookin for this
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: Mop it up on February 13, 2009, 06:49:12 PM
They just need to have the Motion Plus be a pack-in with Mario Party. Wii Sports Resort, Mario Party Motion!, Zelda Wii and Wii -Motion Plus- Play with Motio Plus packed in would help distribute the little booger into a lot of homes and lessen the market split they are making.
There's still a problem there: those games don't all appeal to the same people. Of those, I'd want Zelda and Mario Party 9, so I'd still be two Wii-Motion Plus devices short of four-player bliss. I still don't see the harm in having the Wii-Motion Plus being optional for Mario Party. Mario Party 7 allowed you to play its microphone games without that accessory. Sure, the games weren't very functional and the novelty of them was missing, but the option was there for those who didn't want to spring for the microphone. Mario Party 9 could easily do the same. Such an option should be left up to the consumer, not game companies.
...Wait, isn't Yahtzee a parody reviewer who slams popular games just to stir people up? If I were to create a video review (don't think I haven't considered it), my loathing of the game would be sincere. And then my YouTube channel would be assaulted by blind fanbois telling me how much I suck using improper spelling and grammar.
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: Jonnyboy117 on February 13, 2009, 06:53:58 PM
A lot of the games you all have mentioned were actually nominated in multiple categories but just didn't win anything.
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: Stratos on February 13, 2009, 07:36:33 PM
...Wait, isn't Yahtzee a parody reviewer who slams popular games just to stir people up? If I were to create a video review (don't think I haven't considered it), my loathing of the game would be sincere. And then my YouTube channel would be assaulted by blind fanbois telling me how much I suck using improper spelling and grammar.
Yahtzee considers himself a serious reviewer. He actually mocks those who say he is a parody reviewer. He's just more bold and boisterous about his opinions than some others. Some people are just uncomfortable with big name 'awesome' games -that they and the 'majority' love- being torn into so harshly. Therefore they make assertions akin to him 'not being serious' and 'just being a parody reviewer'.
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: Mop it up on February 13, 2009, 07:46:26 PM
Yahtzee considers himself a serious reviewer. He actually mocks those who say he is a parody reviewer. He's just more bold and boisterous about his opinions than some others.
I consider myself to be a nice person but that doesn't make it true. :-\
I think it has more to do with the way he presents his reviews as to why he wouldn't be taken seriously. Just look at that video, it's a little cartoon with a bunch of random skits that don't really relate to the game, and the voice over talks too fast. Of course, if he didn't insert such randomness, nobody would watch his reviews as then all he'd be doing is tearing apart the games he reviews. Nobody wants to see someone hate on their favourite games. By that same token, nobody wants to see somebody praise games they despise. It can sometimes be a difficult thing to deal with.
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: Stratos on February 13, 2009, 07:54:05 PM
Yahtzee considers himself a serious reviewer. He actually mocks those who say he is a parody reviewer. He's just more bold and boisterous about his opinions than some others.
I consider myself to be a nice person but that doesn't make it true. :-\
I think it has more to do with the way he presents his reviews as to why he wouldn't be taken seriously. Just look at that video, it's a little cartoon with a bunch of random skits that don't really relate to the game, and the voice over talks too fast. Of course, if he didn't insert such randomness, nobody would watch his reviews as then all he'd be doing is tearing apart the games he reviews. Nobody wants to see someone hate on their favourite games. By that same token, nobody wants to see somebody praise games they despise. It can sometimes be a difficult thing to deal with.
The format and tone of his reviews are different, but he uses it to bring up very real and valid points or flaws about games. I actually like to see him throw games I enjoy into the flames. Maybe I just and an infatuation with seeing opposing views to mine.
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: BeautifulShy on February 13, 2009, 08:40:25 PM
A lot of the games you all have mentioned were actually nominated in multiple categories but just didn't win anything.
You want to list those that got nominated.
That would be neat to include an honorable mentions section which mentions all of the nominees. I wouldn't mind even getting to see what all of the actual votes were for each game.
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: TheYoungerPlumber on February 13, 2009, 09:30:14 PM
....That's why we mentioned runner-ups....
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: Stratos on February 13, 2009, 09:58:10 PM
But were they all of the runner ups or just the top contenders? I'm curious to each games actual performance.
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: Khushrenada on February 14, 2009, 03:21:22 AM
Wow. I'm amazed at the Final Fantasy IV love. I didn't think it was that big a deal and it basically owned the DS catagories. What about The World Ends With You? I didn't see a peep on that game. Not that it's a big deal. It's an interesting game to be sure but I wasn't blown away with it like some people seem to have been.
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: Stratos on February 14, 2009, 04:27:49 AM
Wow. I'm amazed at the Final Fantasy IV love. I didn't think it was that big a deal and it basically owned the DS catagories. What about The World Ends With You? I didn't see a peep on that game. Not that it's a big deal. It's an interesting game to be sure but I wasn't blown away with it like some people seem to have been.
Yeah, TWEWY might have slipped under the radar. I voted for that over Chrono Trigger on the IGN Best of DS polls. I heart TWEWY a lot.
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: vudu on February 14, 2009, 10:20:09 AM
TWEWY was GOTY for 2008. There-- I said it.
Title: Re: SPECIAL: NWR Awards 2008
Post by: NWR_Lindy on February 14, 2009, 05:20:32 PM
There's certainly a lot that we can do category-wise. The most prevalent undercurrent in everybody's suggestions is that people want a more personal touch to the awards, which has been lacking the last couple of years. I think that's more of a process/execution issue than a staff "desire" issue, and we'll work on ironing that out in 2009.
