What's On Your Short List?
We're in the final stretch; there's only about a month and change before the year in games is effectively over, and I want to know: what's on your short list for best of the year? Sure, it's a little early, what with some of the biggest titles not releasing til November or later, but it would be a shame if 10 months of gaming was overlooked just because of the inflated importance of the holidays.
Had all the games set to be released this year actually hit their original dates, my list would probably be very different. It wasn't really a bad year for games so far, just not quite what we were promised. Probably the first game I'd put down is Flower on PSN, which for all the intellectual gobbledygook that it generated, actually had a profound affect on me at the time. Another game I'd add is Pictobits for the DSi: while on its own it probably wouldn't have sold me on Nintendo's "babysteps" approach to hardware upgrades, it's gotten closer than anything else for the system yet.
Of course there are a few blockbusters: Batman: Arkham Asylum wasn't a perfect game, but might make my list from the sheer surprise at how much it got right. And unless it completely falls apart in the last two chapters, Uncharted 2 looks like the one to beat for me. As for really, really dark horses, I think F.E.A.R. 2 has been one of the more underrated shooters this year. I know I definitely preferred its cheesy, B-movie scares to Killzone 2's testosterone party, but then I'm probably in the minority there.
So for now, put aside the fact that your real favorite game may be coming in a few weeks: what have you loved so far, and what do you hope isn't forgotten when all the votes are tallied at the end of the year?
Dawdle
Posted to Miscellany, Video Games on 18 October 2009
· Comments (12)
Other stuff like this: best of, question, short list
For me easily, Batman Arkham Asylum.
BRUTAL LEGEND!
Uncharted 2 is definitely the number one pick for me. It has the feel of playing through a classic NES game, an amazing storyline, and beautiful next-gen graphics. It deserves all the accolades it has been getting as of late.
It's going to be hard to beat, and I can't foresee anything in November or December doing so. Well, Left 4 Dead 2 might be up there, but doubt it can knock off Uncharted 2 for the number one slot.
Dragon Age: Origins is probably the game that I'll buy this year. Left 4 Dead 2 is an outside possibility, but probably not.
Demon Soul's enough said.....one of the best games this year.
From what's out so far Batman: Arkham Asylum, Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story, BlazBlue, Machinarium, Plants vs Zombies, and Spider: The Secret of Bryce Manor. And of course I've got to throw some Xbox indie games in there as well, like Light's End, Fishing Girl, Ninja Bros, Trino, and Puzzwords.
I fully expect Uncharted 2 and Demon's Souls to be added to the list once I get around to playing them, and I also have high hopes for Dragon Age, Borderlands, Modern Warfare 2, Silent Hill: Shattered Memories, and New Super Mario Bros Wii.
A lot of great "niche" RPGs came out this year as well. Class of Heroes, Valhalla Knights: Eldar Saga and Disgaea 2: Dark Hero Days are all excellent picks!
I know I'm getting Persona psp w/ soundtrack. Outside of that I have no idea. Not a whole lot out there that I want. Most games have sucked this year, which the exclusion of re5 and uncharted 2. I do want ratchet and Clank but I'll be buying that myself since it's only 45. Maybe the new jak and daxter will be a xmas gift.
Trine was good. Plants Vs Zombies was also really good. Madballs in Babo: invasion was overlooked but good. Mini Ninjas was pretty though perhaps too time consuming and repetitive. Oh yeah I also enjoyed Time Gentlemen, Please! and Ben There, Dan That!
I wouldn't recommend Darkest of Days or Section 8.
Though if I had to break it all down to just one game winning GOTY, it would have to be: 78641 - A Targ Adventure
My 23rd on Thursday:
- KH: 358/2 Days
- Cursed Mountain
- Spore Hero
For Christmas:
- Alan Wake
- Silent Hill: Shattered Memories
- New Super Mario Wii
- Muramasa: The Demon Blade
- Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story
- Zelda: Spirit Tracks
For Q1 2010:
- Red Steel 2
- Endless Ocean 2
- FFCC: Crystal Bearers
Pretty much enough to last me most of next year!
Gotta be Demon's Souls.
Best game that came out in 2009 is Knights In The Nightmare. No contest whatsoever. The fact nobody paid attention to it depresses me, despite rave reviews and the fact all the people I got hooked on it continued the chain of recommending it.
Best game I played this year that didn't come out this year is Valkyria Chronicles. It's what made me want a PS3 and it not only lived up to my hopes and dreams, it has gone far beyond them. Absolutely everything about it is perfect and hardly anyone else played it either. Depressing.
Game I am most looking forward to that is due out by year's end is an import for the PSP, Queen's Blade: Spiral Chaos. If you know the series this is based on, I would be surprised. If you don't, let's just say I'm a shameless little lady sucked in easy by fun and fanservice and SRPGs, and this looks like the cream of all those crops.