Your GOTY 2009.

[Family Fry]

Pc/psp/ds/xbox 360

[112]

I used to play Blood Bowl (the board game) - I didn't even know there was a console version! What format? Can you go as Dark Elves?

It got lacklustre reviews, which detered me from it. I used to play it too with my brother, who had to explain the rules to me, as I was quite young at the time. Think my fave team was the Reakland Reavers (sp). I remember the box saying the average game took around 4 hours

Pc/psp/ds/xbox 360

Damn it, wheres the PS3 version? FFS....... Denied, the ability of reliving of childhood, and potentially being dissapointed......

112

[averybluemonkey]

I used to play Blood Bowl (the board game) - I didn't even know there was a console version! What format? Can you go as Dark Elves?

I believe the PC version just received Dark Elves as a free DLC but that hasn't hit consoles yet (the console versions came out a few months after the PC one). The other races featured are Humans, Wood Elves, Orcs, Chaos (the beastmen and warrior team), Skaven, Dwarves, Lizardmen and Goblins. To be honest I find the Goblin inclusion a bit of an odd one given they're one of the jokey teams.

[Ragnar004]

I feel I need to add this after picking it up for $24 at eb last week

Under the Radar recommendations:

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Smash up.

While basically just being an exact Smash Bros rip off, for 24 dollars, it was definitely worth the money if not just for a bit of reminiscing from the tv show. Great memories of my childhood and since I already play Super Smash ALOT, I was an instant pro at this game (even though the left shoulder button doesn't roll). Well worth it's very cheap price.

[charlesr]

I'll leave this running for another week.

[NemesiS]

GOTY:

TBH, I actually don’t think 2009 was a great year for stellar titles. At least not compared to the two years previous. Nevertheless, there were some great titles that for me stood out.

1 Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

Astounding game with one astonishing set piece after another. Naughty dog took the blueprint from the original and improved on it in almost every aspect. Top notch sound and visuals to die for. The best game on the PS3 bar none. Magnificent

2 GTA Liberty City Stories

Phenomenal soundtrack, especially the Gay Tony episode. This is what GTA-4 should have been. Non stop action orientated missions from start to finish with some cracking side quests to boot. I'm actually not sure if the soundtrack is what makes this game tbh. I've often wondered what it would be like to play without the music spurring you on? Either way, its in my top 3.

3 Left 4 Dead 2

Was in two minds whether I should include this. Far too similar to the first game, which to be fair is no bad thing. But the best original multiplayer of the last year got even better. The only game I can think of which is played at absolute break neck pace from start to finish on almost every level. The pressure never lets up until you’re either dead or escaped, and the end of level where you fill the car is an absolute nightmare if you don’t work as a team.

The pickup system is for me the best way to play it. The unknown quantity of who you get drawn with makes for a spontaneous challenge which is quite possibly unrivalled in MP gaming, and for me is the whole point of this title.

Survival is the name of the game and as a consequence, the only game I have played where I breathe a huge sigh of relief when I’ve completed a level. Which for me, is how a MP FPS should be


Most Disappointing (fell short of expectation/hype):

1 Batman AA

I downloaded the demo and didn’t like it and said so in the first play thread much to everyone’s disgust. After reading endless posts about how great it was I finally succumbed and bought it thinking that maybe the demo didn’t portray it as it was meant to be played. How wrong I was. The most boring walk round button mashing, bash this, and collect that action game I have played in a long time

2 Killzone 2

Another AAA title which didn’t do anything for me. Unbelievably crappy controls (compared to COD) meaning the targeting was far too hit and miss, left me distinctly underwhelmed after a couple of hours. I also found it very boring. I felt like I’d made a profit when I flogged it for a tenner loss


3 Resident Evil 5

I didn’t really want to put this in most disappointing as it’s actually not a bad game truth be told. But it’s only when you compare it to Resi 4 do you realize just how under-par it is. R4 really took the franchise by the scruff of the neck and revolutionized it when it came out; so much was expected of R5. What the hell did Capcom do during the development cycle? A straight copy of R4 would have been better than this. It’s almost a throwback to the old clunky resi games of yesteryear. Very pretty with some nice effects/sound etc but not really much in the way of groundbreaking gameplay ideas that we have come to expect. Naughty Dog has shown what can be achieved with the 3rd person genre and even Splinter Cell is more fluid than this. For that reason it’s made my most disappointing list



Your under-the-radar recommendations:

Shadow Complex: Excellent sideways scroller which took me by surprise with just how good it was.

Trials HD: played this on the PC in 2008 and the transition to console has been flawless. Very addictive and unbelievably hard on some of the later levels.

Plants vs Zombies: The best Tower Defense game in existence. Just too short.

Trine: This was a great game full of fantastic ideas. Was much better on the PC tbf as I found the console control a little clunky when needing quick character changes. Also let down slightly by the difficulty spikes towards the end. Excellent game though.

Machinarium: Fabulous old school point and click adventure from the makers of the free flash game Samorost. Addictive, absorbing and frustratingly tricky in equal measure.

Crash Commando: Superb MP platform shooter with some solid game play mechanics.

Torchlight: Fantastic old school action RPG with some cracking visuals and sound which created atmosphere by the bucketload.

Zeno Clash: FP beat em up which was very reminiscent of Strangers Wrath. An incredibly bizarre game which was a little surreal but I thought was very enjoyable overall and well worth a play through.

[Matt]

I really want to get Borderlands into my list but don't want to lose anything....

Can I pick 4?

[Goemon]

GotY

1. Street Fighter 4
The myth that was Street Fighter 4 and long been on people's lips, and 2009 saw it become a reality; and for many - a dream come true. It's not without it's flaws but it's still a great game and reminded me of the good old SF2 days. As we move into 2010 the prospect of SSF4 with updated movesets and character rosters has me excited as hell!

2. Bayonetta
An Edge 10 caused a stir for this game which I never expected, and I'm glad so many people have played it. I was always gonna love it as I have complete faith in everything the EX Clover boys set their minds to; these guys are the pinnicle of how to produce the best modern day action games. A game made with love - And it shows!

3. Bionic Commando
The original Bionic Commando was fabled for it's high difficulty, so Grin had their work cut out to try and bring a worthy sequel to the masses...Unfortuately they failed (I primarily blame the release of the multiplayer demo for its demise). This however in no way means it's a bad game, but with difficulty curve of a brick wall, tough controls and tonnes of instant death scenarios makes it hard to feel any love for. However, like the original, if you persist (and I mean really persist) the game can play like a dream and in the end it really does feel like a worthy sequel to the NES classic. The game ended with a cliff hanger and talk of a follow up, but unfortunately with Grin gone, this will never happen

Honourable Mentions

Batman
Assassins Creed 2
Trails HD
Uncharted 2

Most Disappointing

1. King of Fighters XII
Poor SP mode, unplayable online mode, this game felt completely half finished. With the likes of SF4, Blazblue, and T6 all out in the same year this game was doomed before it even set off.
2. Shadow Complex
I know everyone loves this but for me it's just a poor man's metroid, I've tried hard to love it but being a Metriod connoisseur I just find it a big disappointment. My expectations were too high...
3. Resident Evil 5
The front runner of the survival horror series RE5 is unfortunately stuck back in early 2000 with it's clunky controls and game design 101 puzzles.


Under the Radar

Bionic Commando
See above
Borderlands
Unfortuately released in amongst too many big hitters and never stood a chance. Released at a different time would have seen a greater adoration for this game
Mushihimesama Futari
JPN version but region free (this is NTSC-UK!) beautiful old school shooter that reminds you of what games used to be like

[charlesr]

I really want to get Borderlands into my list but don't want to lose anything....

Can I pick 4?

It took me long enough to collate 3 last year. Put it in, but it won't get a score.

[RobRoy]

GOTY

1) Uncharted 2
2) FIFA 10
3) Batman AA

[capcom_suicide]

GOTY:
#1 Operation Flashpoint (360)
#2 Uncharted 2
#3 Killzone 2

Most Disappointing (fell short of expectation/hype):
#1 Halo ODST
#2 COD MW2
#3

Your under-the-radar recommendations:
The Wiz.
Dirt 2 DX 11 mode

[hush]

i'm working out my list now will post it next week

[charlesr]

yikes forgot about this, so it will be an all time record for lateness for this feature. Normally it's done by March....

Any more votes?

[112]

Im still waiting for Hush's.......

112

[QualityChimp]

C'mon Hush, this is a funny "week"! Ha ha ha.

The only games released in 2009 that I played were:
Left 4 Dead 2
Forza 3
Modern Warfare 2
Shadow Complex
Guitar Hero: Metallica

I've enjoyed playing all of them, but I've yet to complete MW2 as it's yet to grip me, so I guess that's the biggest disappointment.

I played Fallout 3 loads on PS3 whilst my 360 died, but that's from 2008.

So:
1. Shadow Complex
I was racing home to play a little bit more each day. Just everything about this screams "AMESOME!". Even being able to pause the cut-scenes was an innovation!

2. Left 4 Dead 2
I've only just started to play this, but it's so great. The 4-player co-op really encourages teamwork and everybody can help the team out. Melee weapons are a great addition and I love the fact you can keep replaying it because it changes every time.

3. Forza 3
Again, I've only been at this for a few weeks, but it's great. I'm not even racing that much. I love the fact you can design cars, drift down mountain passes, get the perfect tuning, take photographs and then share it with the rest of the community.
There are some truly skilled artists out there painting the cars. The rewind function doesn't have to be used, but it helps perfecting each corner.
Not sure how Gran Turismo will top this.

I'm sorry I'm not very representative of the average gamer on here! I prefer tucking into a second hand bargain.