2008 Aggie Awards

Written by AG Staff
It will take you 28 minutes to read this feature.


Article updated Friday, February 20th. Already read about Day One and Day Two? Skip straight ahead to the final day's presentation!

 



Almost a decade ago, two brave explorers ventured out into the gaming wilds in pursuit of an ancient artifact of incredible beauty and unspeakable power. Its legends far surpassed the likes of mere Atlantis, but its secrets were told only in whispers, and none that sought it ever lived to tell the tale. Still, fortune seekers knew that its discovery would dwarf the glory of the greatest of ancient Egyptian finds or the wealth of the largest of Templar hoards.

Finally, when all others had failed, these Adventure Gamers set out… and they alone returned with the fabled treasure in hand. That triumphant moment was forever captured in the logo of our website:

To mere mortal eyes, it is only a small idol, a simple golden statuette. Beneath its shiny surface, however, lurks a mystical force that is not to be trifled with. Described by its creator in historical lore as the “god of warning”, the sword in one hand and sheaf of wheat in the other is a cry for vigilance against both war and famine; its skull a testament of the failure to comply: death. (And quite possibly, a life of civil servitude after death.)

As its modern day keepers, this is a challenge Adventure Gamers has taken very seriously in the years that followed. This is no mere trinket for display, no ticket to easy fame, but a divine calling to protect the genre from competition and neglect.

Since that glorious first day of discovery, never has the public seen the golden prize again, and never close up. It’s been for your protection as much as ours. Until we were sure we understood its demands, never would we dare to unleash its dangers on unsuspecting fans. Even now, we can't risk showing the real figure, but at long last, faithful followers, we now proudly present the first detailed visual representation of "The Aggie".


 

Don’t look for too long… be wary! Even its mere depiction is not solely for admiring, but comes with a charge. And so in keeping with the ever-present need for vigilance, we are pleased to bestow this golden reproduction to only the best and brightest games in the genre from 2008 in Adventure Gamers’ first-ever awards presentation.

Read along, then, to discover the inaugural winners of the coveted “Aggie Awards”!


Table of Contents

 

Page 1: The legend of "The Aggie"

Page 2: You are here

Page 3: Best Story

Page 4: Best Writing - Comedy

Page 5: Best Writing - Drama

Page 6: Best Gameplay

Page 7: Best Concept

Page 8: Best Setting

Page 9: Best Graphic Design

Page 10: Best Animation

Page 11: Best Music

Page 12: Best Voice Acting

Page 13: Best Sound Effects

Page 14: Best Underground Adventure

Page 15: Best Independent Adventure (commercial)

Page 16: Best Console/Handheld Adventure

Page 17: Best First-Person PC Adventure

Page 18: Best Third-Person PC Adventure

Page 19: Best Adventure of 2008

Page 20: Final notes

 



First up: Best Story... the envelope, please.

Best Story: Time Hollow

 

 

Ethan Kairos wakes up on the morning of his seventeenth birthday to find everyone he knows behaving as if his parents went missing twelve years ago. But that's impossible -- he just had dinner with them last night. Or did he? With the help of a supernatural hollow pen, Ethan must isolate and alter moments in the past to resolve this paradox, but his attempts to set things right sometimes deepens the rift between past and present while a malevolent force threatens to consume the people he cares about most.

This is the premise of Junko Kawano's latest game, Time Hollow, and the story that develops as Ethan searches for the truth is every bit as engaging as her last adventure, 2001's Shadow of Destiny. The complex time travel mystery exhibits all of the important elements of good storytelling. The plot is unusual and compelling, while the characters are sympathetic and well developed, leaving you caring what happens to them -- a critically important quality in a story about the protagonist's attempts to save his friends and family. Tension builds throughout, with the actions Ethan expected would fix the present only deepening the problems and raising the stakes if he fails. It all peaks with an exciting climax and a satisfying, poignant conclusion.

If Time Hollow were a novel, it would be a page-turner. As a game, some players have complained that the puzzles are lacking, but that might be missing the point. Time Hollow unapologetically puts story first and allows the gameplay to follow, resulting in an interactive storytelling experience that delivers the player the same urgent need to find out how it ends as a New York Times best seller.

Runners-Up: Overclocked: A History of Violence, Dracula 3: The Path of the Dragon

 



Readers’ Choice:


Overclocked: A History of Violence

 

With a much larger PC gamer base than the Nintendo DS, it's no surprise that the popular votes were cast for PC adventures. Even so, there was nothing straightforward about this vote, as the backwards-winding Overclocked edged out its closest competitors. All genres were well represented, with The Lost Crown and A Vampyre Story claiming the honourable mentions.
 



Next up: Best Writing – Comedy... the envelope, please.

Best Writing – Comedy: Sam & Max: Season Two

 

 

Sam & Max have been a popular comic double act stretching back to the days of Hit the Road, but it was arguably in Season Two of the new episodic installments that they really hit their peak. Although other adventures made us laugh, it was the latest collection of Sam & Max's crazy escapades that made us laugh the hardest, loudest, and longest, possibly annoying our neighbours. So many comedies come from the "throw everything at the wall and hope something sticks" school of writing, but the wisecracks consistently hit the mark here, from the many send-ups of pop culture phenomena to the irrepressible zeal for lawless mayhem (itself an irony for the self-proclaimed "Freelance Police") to the biting repartee of the lead characters themselves.

Better yet, the gags aren't limited to Sam & Max alone. If possible, the new season introduces an even zanier supporting cast than the one previous, and each new character brings something humourous to the table. New additions include raving zombies with a taste for brains, a nipple-ringed camp vamp named Jurgen, disgruntled stone Moai heads, and Satan himself as an overworked office manager. Even the exploration of older, more familiar themes such as Abe and Sybil's developing relationship, Bosco's paranoia and the irritating Soda Poppers is dealt with in an amusing way that keeps the jokes coming and the series fresh. Combined with a script crammed full of sharp wit, you'd be hard pushed to find funnier games in any year. Who could ever forget the duo’s time traveling antics and the hilarious way in which Sam & Max alter Bosco's appearance? A crooning robot with a taste for love songs? Or a “big bang theory” truly worthy of the Freelance Police? Not us, that's for sure.

Runners-Up: So Blonde, Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People

 



Readers’ Choice: Sam & Max: Season Two

 

He who laughs last... laughs at the same things as he who laughed first, apparently. In fairly convincing fashion, the reader choice of the second season of Sam & Max's "interactive sitcom" agreed with the staff selection by copping the popular vote for best yuks, leaving notable runner-up hopefuls A Vampyre Story and So Blonde smiling on the outside, but crying on the inside.
 



Next up: Best Writing – Drama ... the envelope, please.

Best Writing - Drama: Overclocked: A History of Violence

 

 

With a title like Overclocked: A History of Violence, there's little question that you're in for a dramatic experience. The main character, David McNamara, is a military psychiatrist called to New York City to investigate the circumstances that led five teenagers to carry out uncharacteristic acts of violence in the city streets. As the story unfolds, we learn that McNamara is also tortured in his personal life, with his wife on the verge of leaving him, his best friend in on an unspeakable betrayal, and his own anger management issues threatening to bubble to the surface at any moment.

Adding to the dramatic impact is the backwards chronology with which the story of the troubled teens is revealed. David specializes in repressed memories, and he must gradually pull out the truth, one patient at a time, by asking the right questions. The stories that emerge, told from end to beginning and ultimately weaving together to expose the link between them, showcase a complex structure and storytelling style that set Overclocked apart from less ambitious games. In the end, the explanation for the violent acts is fairly straightforward; it's the process of discovering why the patients acted as they did, all the while witnessing the parallels in David's faltering personal life, that makes this drama intriguing.

At its heart, Overclocked is a story about ordinary people and the extraordinary circumstances that can drive them over the edge. At times, the writing does border on melodrama, but it always stays true to the serious story being told and delivers exactly what the title advertises: a fascinating look into the minds and hearts of people who have been pushed far beyond their limits, to perform violence they never would have imagined themselves capable of. It makes you anxious, it makes you scared, and it makes you think -- just like a good drama should.

Runners-Up: Dracula 3: The Path of the Dragon, The Immortals of Terra: A Perry Rhodan Adventure

 



Readers’ Choice: Overclocked: A History of Violence

 

The ambitious narrative structure of Overclocked could have easily come unwound without suitable supporting dialogue, but readers agree that the smart writing behind this "journey into character" was up to the challenge of its troubling, even controversial themes of violence and repressed memories. The many who voted for The Lost Crown and A Vampyre Story just think we're all crazy.
 



Next up: Best Gameplay... the envelope, please.

Best Gameplay: Sam & Max: Season Two

 

 

After the delightful rebirth of the Sam & Max franchise with Season One, it was difficult to imagine how another full season of episodes only one year later could avoid resulting in a bit of a letdown. All doubts were put completely to rest, however, when Sam & Max: Season Two delivered episode after episode of pure adventure enjoyment once again. The episodes balance the same simplistic gameplay design that is wonderfully nostalgic to veteran adventurers and perfectly accessible to rookie gamers, but surpasses the first season by significantly improving the difficulty (or lack thereof) that was a common complaint of the original episodes.

Not content to merely be outside-the-box, the new season's challenges frequently fall outside the space-time continuum altogether, even passing from life to death and back again. The puzzles are consistently imaginative--particularly in the spectacular Chariots of the Dogs--at a level that was never attained in the first season. The minigames feel fresh and new, exploring is always amply rewarded with hilarious commentary, and the overall creativity quotient (read: insanity factor) has been ratcheted up significantly. It seemed too good to be true that Telltale could outdo themselves with Season Two but they did so, creating a gameplay experience that is without peer in modern adventure gaming for that one element all too often forgotten: fun.

Runners-Up: Penumbra: Black Plague, Professor Layton and the Curious Village

 



Readers’ Choice: A Vampyre Story


Sam & Max
may have conquered one vampire in 2008, but they proved no match for A Vampyre Story's Mona and her bat pal Froderick. The game's wacky inventory puzzles and stunning degree of optional interactivity withstood a fierce fight from the dog and rabbit and the more casual competition of... brace for it, traditionalists: Mystery Case Files: Return to Ravenhearst.
 



Next up: Best Concept... the envelope, please.

Best Concept: The Experiment

 

 

The Experiment begins with a markedly stereotyped situation: a woman awakes alone in an isolated evironment, with no memory of the circumstances that led her there. But just when you’re settling in for another clichéd amnesia plot, something entirely unforeseen happens: the woman turns her eyes toward the player, shakes a camera and speaks directly to her unseen spectator. The fourth wall is suddenly broken and The Experiment, true to its name, becomes a truly unusual gaming experience that redefines the idea of player immersion, delivering an unprecedented degree of realism.

There is no direct interaction with Dr. Lea Nichols as you view her on screen, but through the manipulation of a Windows-like interface for such activities as turning lights on and off, opening and closing doors, and accessing protected personal files, players must operate a complex computer console to guide and encourage Lea's movement in order to gain vital information and overcome the many obstacles and dangers she faces aboard this grounded derelict ship. Unfortunately, the concept’s execution isn’t entirely successful, but the idea itself is a bold and refreshing change from the norm, and this revolutionary approach to player interaction could be a daring step in a fascinating new direction.

Runners-Up: Overclocked: A History of Violence, Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney

 



Readers’ Choice: Mystery Case Files: Return to Ravenhearst


Though readers shared our appreciation of Overclocked and The Experiment's daring ideas, the top vote by a wide margin went to the peanut butter-and-chocolate combination of Mystery Case Files: Return to Ravenhearst. The unprecendented blend of hidden object casual gameplay and full adventure elements may not appeal to everyone, but the notion itself has certainly piqued player interest.
 



Next up: Best Setting... the envelope, please.

Best Setting: The Lost Crown: A Ghost-hunting Adventure

 

 

Designing the setting for a horror story is a challenging task. It has to be not only eerie and daunting, but also coherent and realistic. It must be ordinary enough for the player to feel at home and yet subtly harrowing and open to the influence of the inexplicable. As Stephen King once said, “The good horror tale will dance its way to the center of your life and find the secret door to the room you believed no one but you knew of.” Jonathan Boakes’ The Lost Crown succeeds in powerfully opening that secret door and releasing the horrors behind.

This stylish adventure is frighteningly atmospheric, mainly thanks to one of the most intriguing sets ever seen on PC monitors. A seemingly peaceful village in Eastern England appears at first to be a rural paradise, but a closer look reveals the dark secrets hidden by the white walls of its houses. Pestilent marshes, abandoned and dusty mansions, underground crypts and ghastly cemeteries are just a few examples of the uneasy locales Nigel Danvers has to explore to unearth the mystery of the Lost Crown of Anglia. Adding to this haunting ambience, each and every one of these locations is depicted in black and white, with just a few brushes of color to make them even more frightening. There’s a real sense of danger while walking around in Saxton; the perception of something wicked happening in the village. Without ever resorting to gore or cheap scare tactics, the setting is so disturbing that sometimes you will feel the urge to turn on the light, which is surely the greatest possible achievement for any horror story.

Runners-Up: Nikopol: Secrets of the Immortals, Sam & Max: Season Two

 



Readers’ Choice: The Lost Crown: A Ghost-hunting Adventure


What is it about frightening ourselves that we find so irresistible? Are we masochists? Well, we do love adventures, so maybe that's true. In any case, it seems we aren't alone in favouring the haunting environs of Cornwall in The Lost Crown, though the equally haunted locations of A Vampyre Story and Mystery Case Files: Return to Ravenhearst made a strong case for themselves.
 



Next up: Best Graphic Design... the envelope, please.

Best Graphic Design: A Vampyre Story

 

 

The production of A Vampyre Story, possibly the most high-profile adventure release of 2008, was led by LucasArts veteran Bill Tiller, best known for his art direction on Curse of Monkey Island. With that level of quality on his resume, there was a great deal of anticipation surrounding his debut adventure with Autumn Moon--anticipation that slowly grew to apprehension as the development life of A Vampyre Story stretched past six years. Through good times and bad, the one thing that never failed to offer encouragement while we waited was the jaw-dropping concept art and early screenshots of stylish Draxsylvania, and the finished product is better still.

A Vampyre Story is simply a gorgeous game, with beautifully creative character design, distinctively colourful and detailed backgrounds, and a delightful commitment to its consistent visual theme. All the stops were pulled out to make this the best looking adventure game on the market. To our welcome relief, AVS as a game also proved to be good--but as pure eye candy, it is the unquestionably the best of 2008.

Runners-Up: The Lost Crown: A Ghost-hunting adventure, Nikopol: Secrets of the Immortals

 



Readers’ Choice: A Vampyre Story


Everyone knows there's much more to a game than great graphics... but that doesn't stop us from drooling over the lookers! And in that regard, it seems we agree that Autumn Moon's Disney-meets-Burton-esque A Vampyre Story is the standout visual gem of the year, despite a valiant effort by the stylishly atmospheric The Lost Crown and the sci-fi stunner The Immortals of Terra.
 



Next up: Best Animation... the envelope, please.

Best Animation: The Immortals of Terra: A Perry Rhodan Adventure (a.k.a. Rhodan: Myth of the Illochim)

 

 

Bringing to life a fictional world, either fantasy or futuristic, is a job requiring care for all the little details, lest it otherwise fail to suspend the player’s disbelief or allow full immersion in the story. Originating from a popular sci-fi book saga, The Immortals of Terra: A Perry Rhodan Adventure already had a well developed world, the so-called “Perryverse”, to draw upon to tell a believable story with established characters to populate it. Still, Perry Rhodan faced the challenge of successfully translating this literary universe to an audiovisual format without compromising its authenticity. Fortunately, its skillful use of animation manages to do so superlatively.

The first few minutes of the adventure are awe-inspiring, with an opening cutscene that is not only visually stunning but also sports a cinematic quality that's very uncommon in the genre today. The diverse game environments are just as smoothly animated, whether through beams of light glittering in the dark, spacecraft flitting through the sky, patrolling androids, or flashing lasers. Even the character movements are fluid and impressive, from the numerous strolling passersby to the pompous guards of the Residence to technicians repairing damaged machinery, with sparks and smoke rising from their tools. There are moments when you’ll want to stop playing, just to watch Perry Rhodan’s universe coming to life and drawing you into this strange, fascinating world, utterly convinced of its plausibility.

Runners-Up: A Vampyre Story, Insecticide, Part 1 (PC)

 



Readers’ Choice: A Vampyre Story


Too often we see an adventure protagonist's arm lazily waved in the general direction of an item, only to see it magically disappear, but not so in A Vampyre Story. The comic adventure goes to great lengths to animate every action in detail, earning it the top reader vote and completing its graphic domination over the nearest challengers, Sam & Max: Season Two and The Immortals of Terra.
 



Next up: Best Music... the envelope, please.

Best Music: Sam & Max: Season Two

 

 

Music in videogames is a quality that is hard to get right: it's often intrusive, endlessly repetitive, and rarely in keeping with what is happening on screen. That is not the case with Sam & Max: Season Two, which hits all the right notes (literally) for every possible situation. Just as he did in the first season, Jared Emerson-Johnson composed the soundtrack for the new episodes, and has once again delivered a variety of scores that fit each game like a glove. To name just two of many deserving examples, Moai Better Blues boasts a gorgeous, tropical-tinged soundtrack while Night of the Raving Dead’s zombie dance anthem and movie monster themes are highlights of the series.

It's an even greater testament to the high standard of game music when it can be appreciated outside the context of the games and still be just as enjoyable on its own terms, and it’s little wonder that Telltale has found a market for the soundtrack of this series all on its own. It’s simply that good. And just for extra measure, Season Two treats players to a smattering of in-game musical numbers that you’ll remember long after you’ve heard them... Musical numbers in games. How often do you hear those words spoken in the same sentence?

Runners-Up: Outcry, Mystery Case Files: Return to Ravenhearst

 



Readers’ Choice: Mystery Case Files: Return to Ravenhearst


So this is what happens when you hire a high quality, professional orchestra to perform the soundtrack for your game. Who knew? Well, apparently Big Fish Games knew, turning to the Deutsche Film Orchestra in Berlin for Mystery Case Files: Return to Ravenhearst, and gamers were listening, giving the casual adventuring hybrid the nod over Sam & Max: Season Two and A Vampyre Story.
 



Next up: Best Voice Acting... the envelope, please.

Best Voice Acting: Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People

 

 

A look at the lengthy cast list of Strong Bad’s Cool Game for Attractive People reveals a wide variety of offbeat cartoon characters, from the unshakeably depressed Strong Sad to the incomprehensible Homsar to the toothy local proprietor Bubs, with many more in between. A look down the list beside those characters reveals, with a single exception, just one name: Matt Chapman. Yes, the co-creator of HomestarRunner.com reprises all his vocal roles from the popular web cartoon in the five-episode season of Strong Bad, with a lone contribution from Missy Palmer as the series’ primary female.

It’s rare enough for a single person to successfully pull off such an extensive vocal range, but the really remarkable thing about Chapman’s delivery is that for the most part you’d never guess it was the same person behind them all. Whether lisping as the dimwitted Homestar or mumbling unintelligibly as the animal-thingie The Cheat, the roles are completely different and sound nothing alike. For all his skill portraying the ensemble cast, however, Chapman saves his best performance for the cantankerous titular protagonist, Strong Bad himself. He’s arrogant and insulting, he’s crass and often dense… and you’ll want to listen to him all day long. Through his raspy-throated expression of disdain for everyone and everything shines a sort-of-innocence and ironically likeable core that allows you to root for him through troubles thick and thin, usually of his own making. Chapman even does other voices as Strong Bad, acting in still more personas. It’s endless! And endlessly creative, fun, and a delight to listen to, giving this largely-one-man performance the voice acting nod over all other adventures.

Runners-Up: Sam & Max: Season Two, So Blonde

 



Readers’ Choice: Sam & Max: Season Two


Remember the early days of Sam & Max episodes, when people complained because the original Hit the Road actors weren't involved? Apparently not anymore, because the Freelance Police trounced the competition for vocal performances in Season Two (along with the rest of a stellar cast), though Strong Bad and Overclocked tried to have something to say about it.
 



Next up: Best Sound Design... the envelope, please.

Best Sound Effects: Lost: Via Domus

 

When you play a game all alone, with no distractions and headphones on your ears, there is nothing like a loud bang to make you jump from your seat or a menacing screech to send a cold shiver down your spine. Sound effects can be the perfect gimmick to achieve the desired emotional response such as tension, suspense, or even fright. Too many adventures get shortchanged in this subtly crucial area, but Lost: Via Domus, Ubisoft’s adaptation of the hit television drama series, does a wonderful job in wrapping players up in its unsettling island environment.

There is a sequence near the beginning of the game where players guide the amnesiac Elliot Maslow through a labyrinth of dark caves: bats squeak in the shadows and small waterfalls slosh against slippery rocks, distant thumps are amplified by the hollow cavities, and Elliot’s breath quickly becomes wheezy. This is just one example, but every sound in the game – from the roaring blast of the plane crash to the eerie, unidentifiable whispers in the jungle – is just as carefully designed and reproduced. While perhaps too brief and easy as an overall game, its impressive aural experience nevertheless makes Lost: Via Domus a stunningly atmospheric game.

Runners-Up: Sam & Max: Season Two, Chronicles of Mystery: The Scorpio Ritual

 



Readers’ Choice: Sam & Max: Season Two


Admit it: it was those underarm fart noises in Sam & Max: Season Two that decided this one, isn't it? Yeah, those almost won us over, too. Or maybe it was the sound of whapping Max out of the way, or the screeching tires of a careening DeSoto, or... well, you get the idea, since you selected it over The Lost Crown and A Vampyre Story in a loudly contested vote quite different from our own.
 



Next up: Best Underground Adventure... the envelope, please.

Best Underground Adventure: Quest for Glory II VGA Remake

 

 

AGD Interactive's remake of Quest for Glory II: Trial by Fire not only continues the team's tradition of giving classic Sierra titles high-colour, mouse-driven makeovers, it raises the bar for Underground adventures on many levels. As a light RPG/adventure hybrid, some may object to this game even being included among traditional genre titles, but there’s more than enough adventuring goodness on display here for consideration. And granted, as a remake it didn’t face the challenges of totally original games, but it provides a wealth of enhancements that leave QFG2VGA feeling like a new game in its own right.

A completely redesigned combat system, a couple of minigames, an option to make the game world easier to navigate, and a combination text parser/point-and-click dialogue system are some of the highlights that make the game not only more immersive but also far more approachable than the EGA original. Meanwhile, a handful of new pieces were added to the soundtrack, and digital sound effects provide another welcome addition to the game’s presentation. The game--which spent nearly seven years in development--pushes the underlying AGS engine to its limits while maintaining a sense of artistic quality and overall polish that Sierra itself would have been hard-pressed to match.

Runners-Up: Ben Jordan: Paranormal Investigator – Case 7: The Cardinal Sins, Barn Runner: “Season” Five

 



Readers’ Choice: Broken Sword 2.5: The Return of the Templars


Sshhh! We mustn't draw attention to fan games, lest they be shut down by uncaring corporate entities. Oh wait, this is Revolution and they encourage grassroots involvement? By all means, then, we're pleased to announce the readers' choice of this German-developed, English-subtitled adventure, and runners-up Ben Jordan 7; Ben There, Dan That!, and Nanobots (tie) as well.
 



Next up: Best Independent Adventure (commercial)... the envelope, please.

Best Independent Adventure (commercial): Casebook: Episode I - Kidnapped

 

 

The debut episode of this brand new series proved a courageous first effort from Areo, a promising New Zealand developer. Casebook casts the player in the silent role of an unnamed field assistant to Detective James Burton, who’s known for his unconventional approach to cases and his obstinacy in solving them. As its name suggests, Kidnapped, the first of six episodes planned, tells a compelling story about a double kidnapping that has enough twists to keep players interested from beginning to the surprising end.

Along with the high quality of its many FMV clips, what is really impressive is the original technology developed by Areo that allows the player to move through prerendered, photorealistic locations like it were a 3D environment. The goal is to find evidence and clues by carefully exploring the various crime scenes, thinking like a real forensic detective to unearth the mysteries hidden in blood and hair samples, foot and handprints, pieces of fabric and chemical reagents. The many forensic minigames are perhaps too simplistic, but with its intriguing main character, clever exploration, and gripping, hard-boiled plot, Kidnapped is a promising debut for the Casebook series, which looks like it could be a serious contender in this category in 2009 as well.

Runners-Up: Carol Reed: The Colour of Murder, The Tales of Bingwood: Chapter I - To Save a Princess

 



Readers’ Choice: Diamonds in the Rough


Vive la différence! While AG staff and readers alike found Casebook and the fifth Carol Reed mystery to be worthy of recognition, the top public vote goes to Diamonds in the Rough. The first commercial game from Atropos Studios tells the story of Jason Hart, a young man with a special ability to choose the correct answer when presented with multiple options. Say, sounds a little bit like the reader poll!
 



Next up: Best Console/Handheld Adventure... the envelope, please.

Best Console/Handheld Adventure: Professor Layton and the Curious Village

 

 

While home consoles showed brief flashes of promise for their adventure gaming potential in 2008, the DS once again proved to be the go-to system for non-PC adventures with some impressive new titles, and tops on that list was Professor Layton and the Curious Village. Many will argue that it's more puzzle collection than full-fledged adventure, but few deny that it's one of the most stylish and addictive titles of any genre on Nintendo's handheld, filled with clever riddles, bizarre characters, and ridiculously polished presentation.

While its story framework may be thin, that won't stop you from wanting to see the murder mystery facing the top-hatted archeologist and puzzle-solver extraordinaire through to the end, slowly uncovering the deceptively dark secrets of the peculiar town of St. Mystere. Along the way, oh what a collection of puzzles you will indeed encounter. The game's many riddles always challenge, but in a completely fair, I-can-do-this kind of way. Better still, along with those trying brainteasers come ample rewards: bonuses and rewards colour your adventure, giving you different perspectives to the puzzles you encounter. This is the kind of game that'll keep you up at night trying to solve "just one more" puzzle, only to find the next story segment drawing you further along once again.

Runners-Up: Time Hollow, Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People

 



Readers’ Choice: Professor Layton and the Curious Village


See? We told you few would deny how good Professor Layton is, although the supporters of Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney and Strong Bad made a worthy but ultimately futile effort to keep the puzzle-centric DS adventure from top spot. But just as every puzzle has an answer, so every reader poll has one too, and to this choice of the winner we can only declare: CORRECT!
 



Next up: Best First-Person PC Adventure... the envelope, please.

Best First-Person PC Adventure: Dracula 3: The Path of the Dragon

 

 

At first glance, The Path of the Dragon seems to be just another solitary experience with a heavy reliance on puzzles. It doesn’t take long to realize, however, that this well-researched, riveting blend of historical fact, science, esoteric mystery and myth is one of the better, deeper games of its type. As Father Arno Moriani, a Catholic priest, players are sent to a small Transylvanian village to investigate the beatification of a doctor who devoted her life to helping her fellow countrymen, even during the World War I bombing that devastated the town. Haunted by his own nightmares, Arno soon finds himself entangled in a widespread conspiracy involving the Vatican, the mysterious Thule Society, and the epitome of the vampire mythos, Dracula himself.

Although numbered Dracula 3, this game bears no connection at all to Resurrection and The Last Sanctuary, its so-called predecessors. The depiction of Bram Stoker’s most famous creation here is both original and enticing, and everything in this adventure exudes atmosphere: the beautifully rendered locations are eerie and menacing, the musical score engrossing and suspenseful, the sound effects believably effective, and the cinematography swathes the player with its dense shadows, dim lights and cold colors suddenly ignited by sparkling flashes of vivid red. The plot unfolds slowly but steadily, with unexpected twists and moments of pure tension: occult lore, forgotten myths and secret conspiracy have been elegantly used by the designers to weave a brilliant story spanning almost five centuries.

Arno himself displays a convincing personality, struggling between faith and skepticism, loyalty to his priesthood and carnal urges, sacred love for God and human desires: his internal torment leads the game to a powerful ending that will leave you craving more. Such characterization of the playable protagonist is unusual in first-person adventures, and one of the key reasons for its broader appeal that sets it apart from its contemporaries.

Runners-Up: Penumbra: Black Plague, Nancy Drew: The Phantom of Venice

 



Readers’ Choice: Dracula 3: The Path of the Dragon


Obviously you see what we see in The Path of the Dragon, but then we all have an up-close view from its first-person perspective. With the Dracula franchise in the hands of Kheops for the first time, the "series" took a substantial leap forward, and its refreshing approach to the vampire theme was able to fend off challenges from Penumbra: Black Plague and Nikopol: Secrets of the Immortals.
 



Next up: Best Third-Person PC Adventure... the envelope, please.

Best Third-Person PC Adventure: Sam & Max: Season Two

 

 

With four Aggies to its credit already, it won't come as a great surprise that Sam & Max: Season Two scoops the award for best third-person PC adventure. While Season One took a couple of episodes to really find its stride, the new series hit the ground running right from the outset. And as well as it started, each subsequent episode still seemed to improve on the last, delivering a tightly woven package of laugh-out-loud comedy, diverse and often clever puzzles, great settings, and new and interesting characters. With Episode 204: Chariots of the Dogs receiving a rare five-star review at Adventure Gamers (merely the fourth game in the site’s history to earn such accolades), it is clear that Telltale Games has set a new standard of quality for comic adventures in the modern era.

Runners-Up: Overclocked: A History of Violence, So Blonde

 



Readers’ Choice: Sam & Max: Season Two


Can you still call it "third-person" when the two lead characters are animals? Apparently we all can, as Season Two for the dog and rabbit crimefighting duo earned the top distinction among readers as well. But not without quite a fight, and though we suspect that's how Sam & Max prefer it, Overclocked, A Vampyre Story, and The Lost Crown, in a virtual three-way deadlock, were left licking their runner-up wounds.
 



And now for the final award from 2008: the one, the only Best Adventure of the year... the envelope, please!

Best Adventure of 2008: Sam & Max: Season Two

 

 

Whoever said “they don’t make ‘em like they used to” obviously didn’t play Sam & Max: Season Two. While Steve Purcell’s Freelance Police first made a name for themselves among gamers back in the genre’s golden era, the canine shamus and hyperkinetic rabbity thing are now more popular than ever following their latest round of escapades. True, now they’re made in episodic installments, but combined they still make up a truly enjoyable collection that rivals the best adventures of any year. And in 2008, Season Two stands alone as the ultimate Aggie Award winner.

While Max would probably boast that the reason they won is because they took the expression “beat all competitors” literally on their way to the top, the truth is that the second season earned the distinction on merit alone. Even without considering the first episode, which was released in late 2007, the remaining four episodes were consistently wonderful examples of how much fun adventures can be. The season’s finest particular qualities have been acknowledged already, and even those don’t take into consideration the great voice acting, whimsically delightful cartoon graphics, and wildly inventive storylines. Sure they’re short, and easier than some would like, but whether playing them as a monthly dose of adventuring goodness or collectively in the season-long set, the games are simply not to be missed.

Runners-Up: Dracula 3: The Path of the Dragon, Professor Layton and the Curious Village

 



Readers’ Choice: Sam & Max: Season Two


It's unanimous! Well, except for all the votes for The Lost Crown and A Vampyre Story, and a whopping 31 other games that received nominations for best adventure of 2008. Nevertheless, majority rules, sending Sam & Max to the podium one final time on the readers' behalf as well. How's that for marketplace realities! (Yeah, we know it's petty, but it's never too late to gloat.)
 



With all awards now presented, there's nothing left but the tears, plus a recap of the guidelines used in determining the winners... and a shocking final revelation about "The Aggie"!


The AG staff would like to offer our sincere congratulations to the developers (and publishers) of all games that won awards, and our thanks to the many readers who participated in our public voting poll. We'd also like to thank a very special contributor, without whose support "The Aggies" wouldn't have had nearly the same impact.

For those who weren't aware, the Adventure Gamers logo is the creation of none other than the incomparable Bill Tiller. In deciding to expand on the logo's theme for this year's awards, we knew there was no one better to entrust with the new close-up artwork of "The Aggie" than Tiller himself. Much to our delight, Bill was willing to graciously provide us with the new design.

With Autumn Moon's A Vampyre Story eligible for awards in 2008, naturally this posed a risk of conflict of interest. Fortunately, good guy and total professional that he is, Bill was in absolute agreement that his private contribution should in no way influence the results, and in order to prevent the possibility of (even unintentional) favouritism, no participating member of staff was informed of the new design project before all voting was completed – in fact, not until the artwork was revealed publicly in our "Day One" awards feature.

We can't stop determined cynics from suspecting conspiracy anyway, but given that A Vampyre Story's one and only staff award this year was for Best Graphic Design, all that really proves is that we have great taste in artists! And since you readers agreed with us, we can't even take much credit for that.

Rest assured, then, that our awards were the result of nothing more than our own experience and opinion. For a recap of additional guidelines behind the voting process, read on.
 



Rules and Regulations


All staff nominations were submitted privately, seen and verified only by two awards administrators. Final voting was done following the same procedure.

To ensure total impartiality, no staff member was permitted to nominate any game in which they were involved in any way outside of official Adventure Gamers press coverage. For the purpose of final voting, no staff member was permitted to vote in any category in which a game they were involved in (outside of official Adventure Gamers press coverage) had been nominated.

To be considered, a game must have had its first release in a major English language market in the calendar year 2008. Major markets include North America and the United Kingdom. Alternatively, any game first made available through digital distribution or self-published online during the year was also eligible.

For the sake of administrative simplicity, Sam & Max: Season Two and Strong Bad’s Cool Game for Attractive People have been listed as a single entity.
 



Complete list of eligible games

 

1112: Episode 1 (iPhone/iPod Touch)

AGON: The Lost Sword of Toledo

Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney (DS)

Art of Murder: FBI Confidential

Belief & Betrayal

Carol Reed: The Colour of Murder

Casebook: Episode I – Kidnapped

Chronicles of Mystery: The Scorpio Ritual

Diamonds in the Rough

Dracula: Origin

Dracula 3: The Path of the Dragon

Everlight: Of Magic and Power

The Experiment

Flower, Sun and Rain (DS)

The Hardy Boys: The Hidden Theft

Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law (Wii, PS2)

The Immortals of Terra: A Perry Rhodan Adventure

Insecticide (PC, DS)

Jake Hunter: Detective Chronicles (DS)

The Lost City of Malathedra

The Lost Crown: A Ghost-Hunting Adventure

Lost: Via Domus (PC, PS3, Xbox 360)

Murder in the Abbey

Mystery Case Files: Return to Ravenhearst

Nancy Drew: The Haunting of Castle Malloy

Nancy Drew: The Phantom of Venice

Nikopol: Secrets of the Immortals

Outcry

Overclocked: A History of Violence

Penumbra: Black Plague

Penumbra: Requiem

Professor Layton and the Curious Village (DS)

Rhiannon: Curse of the Four Branches

Sam & Max: Season Two (excludes 2007's Episode 201: Ice Station Santa)

Simon the Sorcerer 4: Chaos Happens

Sinking Island

So Blonde

Strong Bad’s Cool Game for Attractive People (PC, Wii)

The Tales of Bingwood – Chapter I: To Save a Princess

Theresia (DS)

Time Hollow (DS)

Undercover: Dual Motives (DS)

Unsolved Crimes (DS)

A Vampyre Story

 



Contributors to the writing of this article include: Jack Allin, Austin Boosinger, Evan Dickens, Luke Jensen, Emily Morganti, Andrea Morstabilini, Kim Wild.

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