Best of 2009
Overall
Biggest Surprise
Torchlight flew right under my radar this year. I don’t know how I managed to miss all the news about it, but somehow I did. That said though, once I started reading up on it, I just couldn’t wait to try it out. As luck would have it, I was given a review copy to play before release and suffice it to say, I was floored.
Torchlight makes me happy. I mean seriously, how many games can you say that about. From the soundtrack to the gameplay to the surprisingly great graphics, the game is full of win.
Torchlight
Biggest Disappointment
What should have been best MMO of the year is instead the biggest disappointment of the year. Thanks for the heartache, Aion. Not even taking into account the clusterfuck launch, the game itself fails on so many levels. That’s not to say that there are not positive aspects to the game, however those are quickly cast aside by the frustrations of dealing with fucked up game mechanics, spam and bot infestations and a leveling system that makes you want to kick yourself in the balls to snap out of the mind-numbingly boring grind.
Aion
I have to give the runner-up to the Wii’s Vitality Sensor… simply… because. I mean seriously…
WTF
Game of the Year
Until I finished the Landsmeet, I was not certain if Dragon Age: Origins would be my pick as game of the year. I mean, I’d been having an absolutely incredible time playing the game, however I still felt as though there may be a chance of something else giving it a run for its money.
Then I finished the Landsmeet. And I went after the arch-demon. I sat on the edge of my seat, eyes glued to the monitor watching absolutely phenomenal cut-scenes, and had to very strategically finish the game.
Game of the Year
Was that enough to make this game of the year?
Possibly.
The ending was among one of the very best I have ever experienced. Taking the noble route, I watched my character slay the arch-demon in a cut-scene that made me actually inhale and hold my breath.
Was that enough to make this game of the year?
Most likely.
However if you really want to know what removed all doubt from my mind, it is that immediately upon finishing the game, I created a new character and began playing it again.
Runner-ups go to Uncharted 2 and Torchlight, both absolutely incredible games in their own right.
2010
Most anticipated games of 2010.
If you’ve listened to the podcast, this should come as little surprise. It’s a hell of a hat-tip to Bioware, as my most anticipated game of 2010 is Star Wars: The Old Republic.
SWTOR
Runner-ups go to Star Trek Online (another game that has me foaming at the mouth) and Bioshock 2.
Roger
Roger... c'est moi. I'm a writer and a gamer, and as such appreciate, above all else, good writing in games. I'm the type of player who reads all the quests and cares about the lore.
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January 7, 2010
the sad thing is dragon age is a good rpg for the year but i hoenstly think the game lacks a replay value and it is simply boring the second time threw. i think rpg of the decade hmm mass effect beats it hands down and there are others.
January 7, 2010
Again, highly subjective, though I personally found there to be a LOT of replay value with DAO. I found that depending on race/class as well as in-game choices, the gameplay is very different and the game rewards you with different quests and even endings.
The framework of the game remains the same, as well as the ultimate goals, however the paths to get there are far different.
As for RPG of the decade, I gave that to Diablo II actually. That was during our Best of the Decade podcast episode.
January 5, 2010
As i go through some of these, I am surprised, Honestly best dialogue id moreso put towards Brutal Legend, Jack Black is win all around. Hands down, Champions for best MMO, regardless of the feedback around it, the community and gameplay are awesome. Aion is biggest laugh disappointment of the year for all the reasons stated….
and no one can deny the best deaths in prototype, man that game is seriously business when it comes to killing anything
January 5, 2010
It is completely subjective, of course, but I don’t feel you can compare the Brutal Legend script with that of Dragon Age: Origins.
January 5, 2010
I agree about Champions-Online, hands down, the best MMO of the year!
January 1, 2010
If you liked fighting corn, you should play Tonic Trouble. Now THAT’S a classic/sleeper.