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With 2008 almost halfway over already and with Fall (and the huge release of new titles that come with it) right around the corner, it’s time to take a moment and look back at the games from the first half 2008. Granted, it was hard to compare with the massive Holiday release of 2007 that brought gamers one huge title after the other like Mass Effect, Bioshock, Orange Box, etc. but all things considered, 2008 didn’t fare too badly. Here are the winners, and of course, the losers.

Top Three Winners

The first half of 2008 brought us a surprising amount of winners that really prevented gamers from getting the much needed breather to recuperate from the 2007 onslaught of top tier games.

Number Three

Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core (Sony PSP)

Beating out God of War: Chains of Olympus and Patapon as being the game to have for the PSP, Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core is an awesome action RPG and the first spinoff to truly feel like an extension of the Final Fantasy VII universe. Complete with cameo appearances by loads of fan favorite characters and a tragic, gripping narrative, Crisis Core is not only a Final Fantasy VII fan’s dream come true, but also a strong reminder of Sony’s dedication to continue making quality titles for its often forgotten handheld system.

Number Two

Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Nintendo Wii)

Super Smash Bros. Brawl took everything that was good about the original and Melee and just made it better. More characters, more levels, online game play (sort of), more items, and more modes –the amount of content added to Super Smash Bros. Brawl makes it easily the best in the series and one of the most addicting and enjoyable multiplayer games made to date.

Number One

Grand Theft Auto IV (Xbox 360, Playstation 3)

It was either this or Metal Gear Solid 4, and as much as I loved Kojima’s stealth action masterpiece, there’s no denying that Grand Theft Auto IV was the bigger hit. Generating millions of dollars in sales, Rockstar’s epic crime simulator wowed critics and fans alike with its refined game play, revamped graphics, awesome story and characters, and an incredible online multiplayer. Heralded by many as perhaps the best game ever made, Grand Theft Auto IV is a game that deserves to be in any Xbox 360 or Playstation 3 owner’s library.

Top Three Losers

Number Three

Turok (Xbox 360, Playstation 3, PC)

Believe it or not, a long time ago on the Nintendo 64 Turok was actually a pretty cool first person shooter. However, over the years the franchise has quickly fallen from grace and into the depths of mediocrity. The legendary dinosaur hunter’s debut on next generation platforms was supposed to change its luck. However, it really just brought more of the same. It had its moments (stabbing a raptor in the eye with a knife is admittedly pretty sweet) and wasn’t all bad, but its lackluster reception made it clear that this is one game that’s quickly facing extinction.

Number Two

Army of Two (Xbox 360, Playstation 3, PC)

Hyped as being the ultimate buddy co-op shooter game, Army of Two definitely made some bold and risky moves to inject a bit of innovation in the tried and true third person shooter genre. Some of its risks definitely paid off and helped make it a pretty decent game. However, between the game’s incompetent AI, lackluster and forgettable multiplayer options, short campaign, and relatively unlikable protagonists, Army of Two became more of a weekend rental than a true hit.

Number One

Haze (Playstation 3)

While Turok and Army of Two were disappointing but still somewhat enjoyable, it’s hard to think of anything nice to say about Haze. Featuring terrible graphics, poor, generic game play, a horrible story and writing, and a forgettable online multiplayer component, Haze quickly proved that it was not the “Halo killer” that many were hoping it to be. Perhaps the most disappointing aspect about Haze is the fact that Free Radical (the minds behind Goldeneye and Time Splitters) was responsible for this massive failure. Apparently, even the best sometimes make mistakes.