So that’s it 2010 has come to an end. It has been a great year for games with records being broken at every major release and a host of superb games from all formats and genres.
It's only right that I make this post the obligatory, best of 2010. I am going to give a rundown of what I thought were some of the best games released this year. A few rules before we get things going:
- Games can be from any platform
- Games can be from any genre
- Obviously they had to have been released this year
- And most importantly......I have to have played.
So bearing that in mind I may miss some of your favourites as I simply didn't get round to playing the numerous titles released to the masses in 2010.
Now without further ado, let's get this thing started.
Bioshock 2
The year started out with a sequel, a big one at that, Bioshock 2 was a follow up to one of the most atmospheric games released in recent years. You take the role of a prototype Big Daddy, who is somehow more powerful than standard Big Daddy's, I think 2K missed the lesson on how prototype models work. Anyway the game plunges you back into the underwater world of Rapture which has now been taken over by a new menace. It is your job to uncover what is going on and escape as soon as possible. I was skeptical of this game at first as Bioshock was all encompassing and was in no need of a sequel, that's why I didn't play Bioshock 2 until the end of the year. I finally picked it up once the price dropped and gave it the time it deserved. Although the story wasn't as enthralling as the first game, the combat mechanics were tightened up making the action a lot more entertaining. Guns, plasmids and equipment were a lot more fun to use and made the game play extremely enjoyable, I'm looking at you rocket spears. If you are still yet to play this sequel, maybe due to the same reasons I had, put those feelings aside and pick up the game. You won't regret it.
God of War III
Kratos’s epic journey comes to its conclusion in the last instalment of the God of War series. Hell bent on his revenge with the Gods, Kratos along with his allies the Titans storm Mount Olympus to finally kill his father Zeus. Now many have said that this is the weakest game of the trilogy in terms of narrative and I’m inclined to agree with them however in terms of graphic capability this pushed the bar for what is possible on home consoles. The lighting effects and sheer scope of the levels is like nothing seen before in games. For that reason it earned a spot on my game of the year list. Oh and you can’t go wrong with tearing a gods head off with your bare hands.
Infinity Blade
As my review last week should tell you, I really enjoyed this game. Although I have now 100% completed it on my iPhone I am playing through again on the iPad. Something about it just draws you back in, its game play mechanics are extremely simple yet somehow very addictive. The perfect concoction for mobile gaming, add to that some of the best graphics on any mobile device thanks to the use of the Unreal Engine and you have a winner.
Mass Effect 2
Once again Bioware have done what they do best and created a world with a vast arcing story controlled by player’s moral choices, not only from within Mass Effect 2 but carrying choices over from the previous instalment to shape this sequel. You reprise your role as Commander Shepard, once again imbuing him or her with your own look and personality. The story is vast and has you travelling through space assembling a team to take down a common enemy, known as the Collectors.
To put it simply Mass Effect 2 is a mammoth achievement in game design and narrative. With over a hundred different player choices implemented to change the outcome of the game and a fast paced combat mechanic, mix into that heavy RPG elements and squad based shooter tactics. It is easy to see why Bioware reign supreme in this game genre.
Heavy Rain
This was one of my most anticipated games for 2010. I had followed it from its early announcements, played the ARG game that preceded it and by the time its February release date rolled round I was ready to have my mind blown by Quantic Dream’s unique game.
In Heavy Rain you play the role of Ethan Mars, a man whose life is shattered when he loses his son Jason. Wrought with guilt Ethan blames himself for his son’s demise and spirals into depression. His wife soon leaves him and his only ray of light in the dismal world he inhabits is his other son Shaun. Unfortunately for Ethan the fates are against him as a serial killer on the loose known only as ‘The Origami Killer’ kidnaps Shaun. It is up to Ethan, and a few others to try and find the killer and Shaun before it is too late.
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| I have been told i bare a striking resemblence to Ethan....What do you think? |
Heavy Rain is an extremely story driven game and although there is not much in the way of game play, Quantic Dream did an amazing job in making the player feel immersed in the game world without breaking the stories somber mood. To call this a game though is an injustice, it is more an interactive experience. Borrowing techniques from the movie industry and melding it with great game design to make something that is truly unique. If you have the chance to experience this ground breaking title then do so.
Darksiders
Very much a sleeper hit for me this year. Not many people bought this game as on the outside it looked like an average adventure game with the main character looking like something a World of Warcraft artist drew after taking a load of speed and being let loose with a paint brush.
However Darksiders was an entertaining romp through a fantasy world in a very much comic book style tone. This could be seen in both the character design, and the use of bold and vibrant colours added to the over the top feel. The game played very much like a Zelda game, action and combat mixed with some puzzle solving. All set to a story of Gods and Demons in an epic war with you caught smack bang in the middle. Honourable mention once again has to go to Mark Hamill for his superb voice acting as The Watcher, a character you just love to hate.
Rockstar’s amazing Wild West saga has you taking the role of John Marston, a former outlaw who is forced to hunt down his old gang members in exchange for his family who is being held by the government. The open wilderness of 1911 America is simply breath taking and Rockstar have done an outstanding job in making the environment feel as alive as possible. Whether you are riding horseback across a barren desert to find lonely travellers or exploring the frosty snow peaked mountains in hunt of that elusive grizzly bear. Everything about this game just feels right, encompassing the player in a believable world where they can live out the fantasy of being a gunslinging bad ass.
Call of Duty: Black Ops
Now I know that it is cliché to have this in the list and that the single player portion of the game was a whole load of average...BUT the multiplayer and zombie mode still stand out as some of the best game play modes consoles have to offer. I know the multiplayer is like marmite to people you either love it or hate it, but in my opinion it is a lot more balanced than Modern Warfare 2 and also contains the ever enjoyable Wager Matches. As for Zombie mode, I really don’t need to say anything about that. You already know how good it is.
....and that my friends are my picks for the year that was 2010.
I hope you enjoyed my little list and thoughts on the games that really had an impact on me throughout the year. As we look ahead to 2011 we have a LOT of great games to look forward to and I’m certain even more records will be broken and developers will find more ways to get us to engage with their games.
Who knows....maybe this will be the year where you will see my name in the credits of one of those all time great games.
Anyway whatever you’re doing and whoever you are with I hope you have a fantastic New Year and that good times are ahead for all.
See you all in 2011!!
