No argument here. THE best game of '98 may be THE best game to date! Stunning graphics, a HUGE world-epic in scope, memorable soundtrack, quirky characters, TONS of secrets. And of course the Zelda trademark sprawling, complex, challenging dungeons. Perhaps the greatest leap a series has made from 2-d to 3-d turned nostalgic critics into drooling admirers.
A close second. Another huge step forward for a franchise that had seemingly died back in the 8-bit days comes roaring back on the Playstation. Unique mechanics, great graphics, ambient soundtrack, and a mature, immersive storyline that doesn't insult one's intelligence. What more could one have asked for? Well, maybe a longer quest and a WALKING FEATURE FOR CRYIN' OUT LOUD. These minor gripes are what kept MGS from contending with Zelda for GOY. Still, no shame coming in second to the greatest game ever made...
Now THIS is the Squarsoft I've grown to know and love. Abandoning FFVII's polygonal graphics for sprite-based animation, a wise choice. Xenogears is the ONLY adventure that even came CLOSE to matching Zelda in sheer length, challenge, and overall immersiveness. The story, despite some grammatical errors, is nonetheless deep and mature, touching on some very serious issues. And the lengthy quest gives you much time to really get to know the characters. And as with Square's previous FF games, you WILL feel for them and see it through to the end. Can you ask for much more emotional involvement in a videogame?
The surreal world of Panzer Dragoon comes ALIVE once more in this, the third and final installment of Sega's best series for the deceased Saturn. Forming a unique genre-hybrid of shooters and RPGs, Panzer Dragoon Saga, along with Shining Force 3, provided Saturn with one final, triumphant "hurrah" in its otherwise pitiful "Godzilla"-ish deaht throughs. Thanks for the memories PD. Hopefully Sega does something INTELLIGENT for a change and revives this series (along with Phantasy Star) on the Dreamcast.
While these werent quite good enought to be considered "the best" of this year, they nonetheless deserve recognition for making '98 as memorable a year as it was for gamers:
Gran Turismo (just missed, still worth owning)
Shining Force 3 (Sega saves the best for last, why?)
Pokemon (damn u, Pikachu)
Kagero: Deception 2 (evil can be good, but easily overlooked, give it a chance)
Tomba! (smarter than the average pig f*^#er)
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