The Newb Review Game of the Year 2009!
No-one can deny that it has been a fantastic year for gaming. Whether you happen to be casual or hardcore; a PC, console or even handheld gamer; the market has been rife with great titles that cater to all. Here at The Newb Review office the arguments about Game of the Year have been frequent and all too often ended in bloodshed. Thus, we thought it prudent to set up a voting system to cease this fighting before the more boisterous contributors begin to bring weapons to their arguments (looking at you Kamiza!)
The suggestions are in and the shortlist has been drawn. The three titles in the running for the coveted prize of The Newb Review Game of the Year 2009, as voted for by The Newb Review staff are:
Warning: Don’t ever watch developer videos. This year I did exactly that and ended up buying a game that, prior to watching these videos, I had no interest in. Luckily, this game turned out to be undeniably one of the best games to have come out this year; Borderlands. Along with Batman: Arkham Asylum, it is truly refreshing to see two brand new Intellectual Properties duking it out for Game of the Year, especially in an endless sea of sequels, prequels and trilogies. This serves as a great testament to the brilliant year the games industry has had this year.
So what is it about Borderlands that makes it so great? Well it’s not really like anything you’ve played before for starters (the closest I could compare it to is probably Fallout 3). The notion of combining true RPG level-up elements with a first person shooter made me a little dubious at first, but Borderlands pulls it off in stunning fashion. The main reason why Borderlands is so great is because it is just fun to play. Yes, the story is minimal at best, but there’s no better experience than partying up with three of your friends to go around the Borderlands universe and just shoot stuff.
- Crofterz
As a general rule, Super Hero games tend to be pretty bad. For every Spiderman 2, there are half a dozen Superman 64s out there. So you can understand why a number of gamers were sceptical about Arkham Asylum’s potential when it was first announced. How wrong they were. This game blends light detective elements together with an intuitive combat system and a powerful stealth mechanic. However, this is unlike other stealth games. If you are caught, it isn’t the end of the world; you are, after all, controlling the God Damned Batman, with the ability to pummel all opponents into a fine paste using nothing but your bare hands.
The story is written by long-time Batman writer, and key architect of the fantastic 90′s Batman Animated Series, Paul Dini. He brings with him the key voice actors Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill (playing Batman and The Joker respectively), making the game a truly authentic Batman experience. Throw together a reasonably long story mode, a number of collectible objects and upgrades, as well as The Riddler’s riddles and a challenge mode that allows you to compare your combat or stealth skills with the rest of the world and you have one of the best games to come out this year.
- Mightyles
This title is a celebration of the development of a truly original idea. Ubisoft have taken the first Assassin’s Creed and thrown a bucket load of improvements at it in the hope that most of them stick. Thankfully, it seems to have worked! Whilst by no means a perfect game, Assassin’s Creed 2 has proven to be a vast improvement on its generally well-received older sibling, and looked set to be the biggest seller of the year… If only it weren’t for the FPS gargantuan that is Modern Warfare 2.
Little errors and glitches littered here and there are insignificant foibles in comparison to the wealth of gameplay features that Ubisoft have implemented to perfection. The story is compelling and immersive and whilst there is still perhaps an ounce or two of repetitiveness, (the major complaint of the first game) added variety and new RPG elements such as building up the Auditore Villa stave off boredom in fine fashion. The climactic ending presents something of a cliff hanger that will keep the forums buzzing right up to the release of the next in the series. We can only hope they can improve the same amount for Assassin’s Creed 3.
- tom01255
Honourable mentions…
Now, with so many great games coming to every console this year, NewbReview didn’t think it fair to concentrate on only three titles and forsake everything else. Here’s the NewbReview team with their honourable mentions for 2009.
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
When it was announced that Grand Theft Auto was coming to the Nintendo DS, not many people could say they weren’t surprised. And, even upon release in March, the DS audience were still not ready for this game, as evidenced in the poor sales following this extremely well reviewed and generally awesome title.
In a welcomed return to the top-down view, Grand Theft Auto seemed to do almost everything right. It was beautiful on the underpowered DS, the gameplay was true to the series: new and old, and the driving actually controlled well! One of the best games on DS.
- Joefeesh
Red Faction: Guerrilla
Released way back at the beginning of June, Red Faction: Guerrilla has been one of the few games that have managed to cling on in the psyche of the Newbs in the office. Upon release it immediately entered the canon of fun-but-flawed games; the kind that gets a lot of things right, but doesn’t quite dazzle as it should. The characterisation is pretty flat and the story in particular is undemanding. However, the ability to destroy almost anything using a variety of imaginative weaponry has resulted in an enjoyable experience that’s worthy of note, if not quite reaching the echelon of a true Game of the Year contender.
- tom01255
Forza Motorsport 3
The sheer volume of content in this title would have made this a great Game of the Year contender. Given the quality of the previous game, I was sure this was going to be good. But I wasn’t prepared for exactly how much they would pack in to make this a worthwhile purchase.
The game comes on 2 discs and has over 400 cars and 100 tracks. And having played for countless hours, reaching level 50 and amassing over 5 million credits, I have not even hit 25% completion yet. I will be playing and enjoying this well into 2010.
- braindead_hero
FIFA 10
So everybody complains that we get one every year and nothing much changes. They say whoever is suckered into buying it each year is an idiot. However, following in the footsteps (pun intended) of Fifa ‘09, Fifa 10 is yet another massive step in the right direction for the franchise.
Fifa ‘09 took the crown back from Pro Evolution Soccer, introducing better controls and better modes; it really felt like EA went to town in ‘09. This game has taken the ‘09 formula and built on it, with even better controls and more polished modes. The best football game ever made, FACT!
- Crofterz
Left 4 Dead 2
I’m the first to admit I have a thing for zombies. It’s nothing sexual I assure you, so wipe that thought from your mind. The follow-up to last years Left 4 Dead, this game adds a bunch of new content, new maps, new survivors and new modes; all of which are incredibly well designed. The reason this is one of my favourite games of this year is how much fun it is. How can anyone get bored of fighting off the zombie horde? It’s also very polished; I had a much better time with this game over any other in 2009 by a fair amount. Valve truly are artists in crafting such a game and I applaud them for it.
- Braindead_Hero
Shadow Complex
As far as downloadable games go, Shadow Complex is impressive. It boasts a lengthy single-player campaign, expansive world to explore, and dozens of collectible items to boost your character’s performance. At the start of the game you play as Jason, a man who goes exploring in the caves outside of Washington DC with his girlfriend, only to discover a conspiracy to overthrow the US government. By the end you are a super-powered killing machine, capable of running on water, flying around the screen and punching enemies 200ft into the air. Shadow Complex is a fantastic blend of old school Castlevania-styled gameplay and modern day production values.
- Mightyles
Halo 3: ODST
Yes everyone complained, “Not another Halo game!” and I understand your frustrations, we have Halo: Reach on its way but please, Bungie, once Halo: Reach is released, no more Halo games, OK? It’s the fifth game based on the Halo universe but for me, ODST has been the most fun. A shorter, more interesting campaign and the brilliant new Firefight mode thrown in with the truly awesome Halo 3 Multiplayer is a recipe for success. Yes, it is yet another Halo game, but it’s the best Halo game for some time.
- Crofterz
So, the scene is set for an epic three-way battle between Borderlands, Batman: Arkham Asylum and Assassin’s Creed 2. Who will come out on top? Don’t forget, you can let us know what your Game of the Year is in the comment boxes below or argue with us about how we’ve missed of Modern Warfare 2 in the forum.
Make sure you check back on New Years Day to see which title has been awarded the prestigious NewbReview Game of the Year 2009!
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Great wrap up! I have had the best time playing L4D2 this year. I didn’t play the first one. But considering how much fun 2 is I will probably go back and run through it. There were so many great games that came out this year, it’s hard to pick a best.
I need to get that certificate drawn up!
Can’t believe the amount of great games that have come out. You look at the lost then remember there’s no Uncharted 2, no Modern Warfare 2, probably the two biggest game releases this year, just shows you what a great year it was. Plus massive games sales (well in the UK at least) 2010 looks set to be amazing.
And can I just say i’m throwing Alan’s name forward for the best games related quote of the year for:
“I’m the first to admit I have a thing for zombies. It’s nothing sexual I assure you, so wipe that thought from your mind.”
It made me LOLZ.
Just think about the games that come out in January/February!
Army of 2 the 40th Day, Dante’s Inferno, Mass Effect 2, Beyonetta, Bishock 2 etc etc etc!
2010 is shaping up to be a good year already!
I’m starting the new year with Darksiders. It’s looking good
I’m a little cautious about that game, I don’t really know why though. I guess I haven’t seen enough of it. Joe Maduiera is the lead artist on that game, and I really like his comic book stuff, and Mark Hamill does a voice in it, so REALLY I should be excited about it shouldn’t I?
Yes you should
Nah if something doesn’t grab you then it’s not your fault. There’s not many upcoming games that grab me to be honest. I’m not into Mass Effect, I didn’t like the Bayonetta demo, I was too late to the 360 for Bioshock and I’m not really bothered about Army of Two unless I’ve got someone to play it through with.
Alan Wake, Dante’s Inferno and Mario Galaxy are what I’m excited for.
I don’t think it’s that it doesn’t grab me, it’s more that I have seen so little about it. Whenever there’s a new IP out and there isn’t any buzz around it I tend to be a little sceptical.
As for other 2010 games, how did I forget Crackdown 2, God of War 3, Heavy Rain, and Splinter Cell conviction?!!! 2010 is going to be an expensive year.