2008 is coming to an end in a few weeks and for some of us it can't end soon enough. However, we here at Big Download continue to press on with enough major news stories, downloads and original features to fill a Corellian space freighter (every web site should have a Star Wars reference). Let's check out the highlights from the past week:

Exclusive features

• Reviews: We have our final verdicts on Defense Grid: The Awakening and American McGee's Grimm: The Pied Piper.
• Left 4 Dead Game Guide: We have two more entries in our guide to Valve's zombie shooter, focusing on the missions Dead Air and Blood Harvest.
• Stocking Stuffers 08: We have some last-minute small holiday gift ideas for your selection
• Lumps of Coal 08: If you really hate someone on your gift giving list, feel free to select from these games
• Shooting for Nothing: We look at the ever growing free-to-play FPS genre.
• Things we love (and hate) about GTA IV PC: We go over features that are good and bad in Rockstar's recent PC port of their open world action game.
• Happy 15th Birthday Doom!: We take a brief look back at id Software's FPS which celebrated its 15th year of release this week.
• The past (and possible future) for Batman games: With The Dark Knight's release on DVD and Blu-Ray this week we look at the past games featuring Batman and speculate on the character's future.
• Mac Monday: Our weekly look at Macintosh gaming takes a look at the racing game MiniOne Racing
• Independent Minds: Our weekly indie column is all about web browser based game platforms
• Big Iron: Our weekly hardware column looks at if getting and SLI or Crossfire PC gaming rig is worth it.
• Big Ideas: Our weekly look at game themes is all about if online is the future of games (here's a hint: yep)
• Freeware Friday: Our weekly look at free games looks at the RPG-arcade-business sim (we are not kidding) Minotaur China Shop