2008's Most Anticipated Video Games: Soul Calibur IV to Spore

I've seen so many of these "Year in Review" features on every single TV show, and web site to the point of making me sick. 2007 might have been one of the best years in the industry, but I don't like to linger in the past. So I'm looking ahead to '08, which looks to be a killer year for gamers, and barring inevitable delays that will make this list null in void, I'm going to attempt to give you my top five most anticipated games of 2008.

5. Soul Calibur IV (Multi)

Perhaps the most polished fighting series in the business. The SC series has built a reputation on awesome visuals, innovative gameplay, unique characters, and big boobies. This fourth installment looks to be all that and more. Namco has promised to fix some of the nagging issues from the third game, such as the balance, or lack there of, as well as provide more open environments as opposed to the cramped, ring-out-happy arenas from three. Of course, new characters will join the strong cast of veterans. And with online play, what fan can afford to miss it?

4. LittleBigPlanet (PS3)

One of the big three PS3 exclusives billed with the task of returning Sony to the top of console war, LittleBigPlanet looks to be truly genre-breaking, and one of the most unique gaming experiences ever. It will have players platforming like never before. Featuring a fantastic physics engine, players will be running, jumping and solving puzzles either alone or with three friends. The game's main draw is that its community aspect, where players will have total freedom to create their own levels with mounds of content and share them with the world that appears like it will make Halo's Forge look like an afterthought.

3. Starcraft II (PC)

After 10 years of torment suffered since the last Starcraft game was released in 1998, and after Blizzard is done counting their money they horded from that other 'craft' series, gamers will finally return to the Starcraft universe. Okay, so Blizzard hasn't come out with an official release timetable yet, but this year has been the projected release year thus far. Let's try to forget about past disappointments and be optimistic. New units, buildings, and abilities will further distinguish the franchise's three unique races in this long awaited sequel to one of the best Real-Time Strategy games ever.

2. Super Smash Brothers Brawl (Wii)

Oh yeah, you knew this was going to be on the list, the sequel to the best selling Gamecube title, Brawl is finally arriving February 10th. Third party characters Sonic, and Solid Snake join the famous mascot ranks of Nintendo to duke it out on more stages and modes than the acclaimed Cube title, including online. While the online versus match will be slim on features, Nintendo has promised to make up for it, with an all new single player mode, a stage creation tool, character-specific "final smashes," fully customizable controls, and more Nintendo nostalgia than you can shake a stick at.

1. Spore (PC)

The latest project out of the mind of Sims creator, Will Wright, Spore is going to be an experience no one should miss. It will have players start as a single celled organism into a planet dominating, UFO flying, galaxy conquering super creature. It will combine elements of from games like Pac-Man, Civilization, SimCity, and Animal Crossing. The best part is, you, the player get to create everything in the game to the last detail from how many eyes your creature has, to how tall your buildings will be with a click of the mouse. I can't wait for this game, and be sure to be on the look out for it this year as my top most anticipated game of 2008.