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Like last year I figured I’d post up my top games of the year and see how they compare to everyone else’s. Bear in mind that this list includes only games I have played so if some big names are missing it’s because I haven’t had a chance to try it. So let’s get started.
(Unofficial Number 11)
No More Heroes: Desperate Struggle (Wii)
It was such a fun game that I thought it deserved a mention too. It may not have cracked my top ten but it was definitely one of the most unique titles I got my hands on this year.
Taking the role of Travis Touchdown once again, I was given the tasks of killing professional assassins, completing wacky chores and... helping my cat lose weight. With a wonderfully funny storyline, great retro mini games and the same addictive slashing gameplay you’d expect, Suda 51 managed to improve on what was already a brilliant original. Blueberry Cheese Browny!
Number 10
Red Dead Redemption (Xbox 360)
I didn’t play this until well into the Summer since to me this looked like a Grand Theft Auto in the Wild West which wasn’t all that appealing for me. However after seeing it in a sale I gave it a go and found myself really enjoying it. The missions felt nice and varied, the visuals where excellent and the cutscenes and story were unbelievable. At times I actually felt like I was watching a real movie! While the format felt very familiar to the Grand Theft Auto series, here it all felt a lot more polished and enjoyable. There may have been some times when it did drag on a little, but to keep me occupied for over twenty five hours and deliver some of the most stunning moments in gaming including the first time you enter Mexico or the finale proved that this game was something special.
Number 9
Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit (Xbox 360)
Ever since Burnout Paradise produced its last drip of downloadable content I was left wanting more. More insane crashes, more high speed racing... just more Burnout. While I may not have got my wish, what Criterion did deliver is likely the best Need for Speed game ever. Taking ideas from the Burnout series and mixing it with the high speed cops and robbers type chases made famous in the Need for Speed titles it creates the ultimate adrenalin fuelled ride that any racer will surely love.
Seacrest County itself is a beautiful place showing off beaches, woodlands, deserts and frosty mountains with fully licensed cars looking equally as breath taking. The use of weapons and teamwork help bring variety to the mix too. Throw in perhaps the best online system in a game yet and you have a game that will be kept in your console for months to come.
Number 8
Hydroventure (WiiWare)
There are games you know you want and have been waiting months on end for then are those that come out of nowhere and surprise you outright. Hydroventure is the latter rounding off the year in style. Taking control of a small pool of water and using the Wii remote you must move around avoiding enemies and collecting rainbow drops in what feels almost like a platforming game. Moving as water is great fun but moving around as a solid block of ice or a small gas cloud is just as rewarding.
The fusion of Metroid based exploration and Super Mario 64 based collection is a genius idea and one I’d like to see done again. Throw in some real tough puzzles that rely on the great physics of the elements and you have a truly unique platformer. The sheer amount to do and see is unbelievable at only 1200 points and I guarantee you, you will not have played a game quite like this before. If you own a Wii then give it a try.
Number 7
Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light (Xbox Live Arcade)
Hands down my favourite co-op game of the year. End of story. The team based puzzles, the shooting and just... well the sheer fun of it all is enough reason to go and get this, grab a mate and give it a go. My brother and I enjoyed it so much we felt the need to finish it in one day. What did we do after? Go through and complete every mission.
Lara Croft has often been known for her third person adventure games but here Eidos took a gamble and mixed it up with an almost top down view full of loads of platforming, tons of shooting and plenty of guns to grab. It really has paid off and the constant frantic pace of the game keep things from ever getting dull like her older adventures did. Highlights are too many to list but how does battling a giant dinosaur sound? Or running from a giant rolling ball? Or even jumping between falling pillars and platforms? All are in here and with two players it’s even more fun. The best downloadable game of they year.
Number 6
Dance Central (Xbox 360)
When my family and I picked up a Kinect, we weren’t sure what to get along with it. A bit of sports? Playing with baby animals? Or dancing embarrassingly along to great tunes? Having picked the latter I have to say it was the best decision we could have made.
Dancing games aren’t exactly new what with Just Dance on the Wii and the old mat dancing games found in arcades, so what makes this so special? The fact that the game reads your entire body movement. (Just Dance could only measure how you moved your right hand and the mats would only recognise button presses of the feet.) Easy to get into yet difficult to master Dance Central makes you sweat with moves that require timing and a good sense of rhythm. The soundtrack is great, it looks fun and is a good option should you have friends over. If there was a reason for buying Kinect, this is it.
Number 5
Donkey Kong Country Returns (Wii)
Donkey Kong Country Returns may feel familiar but that doesn’t stop it being a good laugh with two people. Taking the original formula and adding simultaneous play may not sound like much but when you enter that first barrel or fight over who controls the infamous mine cart then you begin to understand this is how the series was meant to be played all along.
Visually stunning and surprisingly varied in level design you’ll venture from jungles and ruins to factories and epic volcanoes. Every stage feels as though it’s been planned and planned to perfection making it ideal for speed runs and the fan throwback even goes down to the very music itself featuring remixed versions of songs from the first game. That’s right even Aquatic Ambience. Those of you worried this game may be a pushover fear not, as this will deliver perhaps the toughest platformer on the Wii to date. Lives will be lost aplenty and friendships ended.
No one ever thought it would happen but the Donkey Kong Country finally got a sequel and boy does it sure deliver. Hats off Retro Studios.
Number 4
Sonic Colours (Wii)
When it came to position four and five I gave the edge to Sonic Colours simply because it felt like a huge improvement over the originals and was unbelievably fun and fresh from start to finish. It may surprise you to see Sonic in a top ten list (eleven if you’re picky) but this year the blue hedgehog shocked all by delivering one of the best platformers of the year. Taking simple, fast paced over the shoulder sections and blending them with the usual 2D gauntlets we remember Sonic for back in the Mega Drive days, Sega seem to finally have nailed what we’ve all wanted for so long.
While playing a fun Sonic game is great news in itself the fact that it also has such brilliantly memorable music, (even using the same slight variations on tunes within the same zones that was featured in Sonic 3 & Knuckles) some of the best visuals on the Wii and excellent new gameplay additions in the forms of Wisps means this can compete with the best the little white console had to offer this year. Biggest surprise hit? Possibly.
Number 3
Halo Reach (Xbox 360)
The Halo series has always been something of a mystery to me. I’ll give it a go and try it online but it never really captured me like so many other gamers out there. Halo Reach however completely changed that and even to this day I still can’t help myself from having one more quick online slayer match.
Usually I’ll hate the single player. In the past two Halo titles I haven’t finished them out of sheer boredom. Here however I actually found myself having some good fun and a lot more so when I included some friends over Live. But Halo isn’t about the campaign, it’s about the wealth of multiplayer modes and this is where Reach truly delivers. Whether you want a simple team deathmatch, objective based modes or to grab three friends and take on endless hordes in Firefight Halo Reach has something for everyone. Even if you’re the creative type you can create your own stages and videos to post online. It may have taken a while but now I finally get it. Halo Reach is great fun and the game that’s always willing me back for another try.
Number 2
Rock Band 3 (Xbox 360)
I have always been a fan of Rock Band. Spending so many drunken fuelled nights with my friends or simply just practicing on my own for a half hour, it’s the game series I’m always coming back to. Rock Band 3 not only trumps its original two titles but demolishes them giving the gamer so much to do.
The new keyboard instrument alone is a worthy enough addition, but throw in pro mode on the guitars and drums, harmonies, the ability to export all previous songs you own, tutorial lessons that teach you actual keys... it gets ridiculous how deep this game can get. Furthermore for Harmonix to have supplied new songs every week for the past three years is incredible. My track list is already over 400 songs! The presentation is extremely slick and getting into a quick game with your friends is now easier than ever. Any time people are over they always ask to see the new Rock Band. Five minutes later we’re singing and shredding the night away. Hands down the best party game and I have a feeling it always will be.
Number 1
Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii)
It’s hard to believe that it’s been three years since the original was released (which again would have got the game of 2007 for me) but Super Mario Galaxy 2 came and somehow managed to improve upon it in nearly every way.
Whether it’s the outstanding visuals, the magical music, Yoshi, the new mushroom abilities, the epic bosses, the perfect handling of Mario... I could go on and on. These reasons alone are enough to take the crown of best game of 2010, but the main reason is simply just how ,much fun the adventure is and how it really does make you feel like you’re discovering gaming all over again.
A game of this brilliance can’t be summed up easily so check out my review below to see just how good it is.
My review of my Game of the Year 2010
And there you have it. Another year gone and an amazing one at that. Here’s hoping the next one is just as impressive.
(Unofficial Number 11)
No More Heroes: Desperate Struggle (Wii)
It was such a fun game that I thought it deserved a mention too. It may not have cracked my top ten but it was definitely one of the most unique titles I got my hands on this year.
Taking the role of Travis Touchdown once again, I was given the tasks of killing professional assassins, completing wacky chores and... helping my cat lose weight. With a wonderfully funny storyline, great retro mini games and the same addictive slashing gameplay you’d expect, Suda 51 managed to improve on what was already a brilliant original. Blueberry Cheese Browny!
Number 10
Red Dead Redemption (Xbox 360)
I didn’t play this until well into the Summer since to me this looked like a Grand Theft Auto in the Wild West which wasn’t all that appealing for me. However after seeing it in a sale I gave it a go and found myself really enjoying it. The missions felt nice and varied, the visuals where excellent and the cutscenes and story were unbelievable. At times I actually felt like I was watching a real movie! While the format felt very familiar to the Grand Theft Auto series, here it all felt a lot more polished and enjoyable. There may have been some times when it did drag on a little, but to keep me occupied for over twenty five hours and deliver some of the most stunning moments in gaming including the first time you enter Mexico or the finale proved that this game was something special.
Number 9
Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit (Xbox 360)
Ever since Burnout Paradise produced its last drip of downloadable content I was left wanting more. More insane crashes, more high speed racing... just more Burnout. While I may not have got my wish, what Criterion did deliver is likely the best Need for Speed game ever. Taking ideas from the Burnout series and mixing it with the high speed cops and robbers type chases made famous in the Need for Speed titles it creates the ultimate adrenalin fuelled ride that any racer will surely love.
Seacrest County itself is a beautiful place showing off beaches, woodlands, deserts and frosty mountains with fully licensed cars looking equally as breath taking. The use of weapons and teamwork help bring variety to the mix too. Throw in perhaps the best online system in a game yet and you have a game that will be kept in your console for months to come.
Number 8
Hydroventure (WiiWare)
There are games you know you want and have been waiting months on end for then are those that come out of nowhere and surprise you outright. Hydroventure is the latter rounding off the year in style. Taking control of a small pool of water and using the Wii remote you must move around avoiding enemies and collecting rainbow drops in what feels almost like a platforming game. Moving as water is great fun but moving around as a solid block of ice or a small gas cloud is just as rewarding.
The fusion of Metroid based exploration and Super Mario 64 based collection is a genius idea and one I’d like to see done again. Throw in some real tough puzzles that rely on the great physics of the elements and you have a truly unique platformer. The sheer amount to do and see is unbelievable at only 1200 points and I guarantee you, you will not have played a game quite like this before. If you own a Wii then give it a try.
Number 7
Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light (Xbox Live Arcade)
Hands down my favourite co-op game of the year. End of story. The team based puzzles, the shooting and just... well the sheer fun of it all is enough reason to go and get this, grab a mate and give it a go. My brother and I enjoyed it so much we felt the need to finish it in one day. What did we do after? Go through and complete every mission.
Lara Croft has often been known for her third person adventure games but here Eidos took a gamble and mixed it up with an almost top down view full of loads of platforming, tons of shooting and plenty of guns to grab. It really has paid off and the constant frantic pace of the game keep things from ever getting dull like her older adventures did. Highlights are too many to list but how does battling a giant dinosaur sound? Or running from a giant rolling ball? Or even jumping between falling pillars and platforms? All are in here and with two players it’s even more fun. The best downloadable game of they year.
Number 6
Dance Central (Xbox 360)
When my family and I picked up a Kinect, we weren’t sure what to get along with it. A bit of sports? Playing with baby animals? Or dancing embarrassingly along to great tunes? Having picked the latter I have to say it was the best decision we could have made.
Dancing games aren’t exactly new what with Just Dance on the Wii and the old mat dancing games found in arcades, so what makes this so special? The fact that the game reads your entire body movement. (Just Dance could only measure how you moved your right hand and the mats would only recognise button presses of the feet.) Easy to get into yet difficult to master Dance Central makes you sweat with moves that require timing and a good sense of rhythm. The soundtrack is great, it looks fun and is a good option should you have friends over. If there was a reason for buying Kinect, this is it.
Number 5
Donkey Kong Country Returns (Wii)
Donkey Kong Country Returns may feel familiar but that doesn’t stop it being a good laugh with two people. Taking the original formula and adding simultaneous play may not sound like much but when you enter that first barrel or fight over who controls the infamous mine cart then you begin to understand this is how the series was meant to be played all along.
Visually stunning and surprisingly varied in level design you’ll venture from jungles and ruins to factories and epic volcanoes. Every stage feels as though it’s been planned and planned to perfection making it ideal for speed runs and the fan throwback even goes down to the very music itself featuring remixed versions of songs from the first game. That’s right even Aquatic Ambience. Those of you worried this game may be a pushover fear not, as this will deliver perhaps the toughest platformer on the Wii to date. Lives will be lost aplenty and friendships ended.
No one ever thought it would happen but the Donkey Kong Country finally got a sequel and boy does it sure deliver. Hats off Retro Studios.
Number 4
Sonic Colours (Wii)
When it came to position four and five I gave the edge to Sonic Colours simply because it felt like a huge improvement over the originals and was unbelievably fun and fresh from start to finish. It may surprise you to see Sonic in a top ten list (eleven if you’re picky) but this year the blue hedgehog shocked all by delivering one of the best platformers of the year. Taking simple, fast paced over the shoulder sections and blending them with the usual 2D gauntlets we remember Sonic for back in the Mega Drive days, Sega seem to finally have nailed what we’ve all wanted for so long.
While playing a fun Sonic game is great news in itself the fact that it also has such brilliantly memorable music, (even using the same slight variations on tunes within the same zones that was featured in Sonic 3 & Knuckles) some of the best visuals on the Wii and excellent new gameplay additions in the forms of Wisps means this can compete with the best the little white console had to offer this year. Biggest surprise hit? Possibly.
Number 3
Halo Reach (Xbox 360)
The Halo series has always been something of a mystery to me. I’ll give it a go and try it online but it never really captured me like so many other gamers out there. Halo Reach however completely changed that and even to this day I still can’t help myself from having one more quick online slayer match.
Usually I’ll hate the single player. In the past two Halo titles I haven’t finished them out of sheer boredom. Here however I actually found myself having some good fun and a lot more so when I included some friends over Live. But Halo isn’t about the campaign, it’s about the wealth of multiplayer modes and this is where Reach truly delivers. Whether you want a simple team deathmatch, objective based modes or to grab three friends and take on endless hordes in Firefight Halo Reach has something for everyone. Even if you’re the creative type you can create your own stages and videos to post online. It may have taken a while but now I finally get it. Halo Reach is great fun and the game that’s always willing me back for another try.
Number 2
Rock Band 3 (Xbox 360)
I have always been a fan of Rock Band. Spending so many drunken fuelled nights with my friends or simply just practicing on my own for a half hour, it’s the game series I’m always coming back to. Rock Band 3 not only trumps its original two titles but demolishes them giving the gamer so much to do.
The new keyboard instrument alone is a worthy enough addition, but throw in pro mode on the guitars and drums, harmonies, the ability to export all previous songs you own, tutorial lessons that teach you actual keys... it gets ridiculous how deep this game can get. Furthermore for Harmonix to have supplied new songs every week for the past three years is incredible. My track list is already over 400 songs! The presentation is extremely slick and getting into a quick game with your friends is now easier than ever. Any time people are over they always ask to see the new Rock Band. Five minutes later we’re singing and shredding the night away. Hands down the best party game and I have a feeling it always will be.
Number 1
Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii)
It’s hard to believe that it’s been three years since the original was released (which again would have got the game of 2007 for me) but Super Mario Galaxy 2 came and somehow managed to improve upon it in nearly every way.
Whether it’s the outstanding visuals, the magical music, Yoshi, the new mushroom abilities, the epic bosses, the perfect handling of Mario... I could go on and on. These reasons alone are enough to take the crown of best game of 2010, but the main reason is simply just how ,much fun the adventure is and how it really does make you feel like you’re discovering gaming all over again.
A game of this brilliance can’t be summed up easily so check out my review below to see just how good it is.
My review of my Game of the Year 2010
And there you have it. Another year gone and an amazing one at that. Here’s hoping the next one is just as impressive.
It's £17.99 at Play (posted it earlier in the bargain thread).Mmmmm......... tempting,suppose I could always sell/trade it on if I don't like it.Might go for that.
That's pretty much how I felt about past Halo games. Good but way overhyped. With Reach though evrrything seems improved. As though Bungie noted what worked and what didn't and made a better game for it. It is definately worth looking up especially since some places have it for around the £20 region.
Good article there GK.Might give Halo Reach a try,I have avoided it so far as I didn't care that much for the earlier games.I didn't hate them just thought they were pretty average and online they seemed to be played by some serious idiots.
Like last year I figured I’d post up my top games of the year and see how they compare to everyone else’s. Bear in mind that this list includes only games I have played so if some big names are missing it’s because I haven’t had a chance to try it. So let’s get started.
(Unofficial Number 11)
No More Heroes: Desperate Struggle (Wii)
It was such a fun game that I thought it deserved a mention too. It may not have cracked my top ten but it was definitely one of the most unique titles I got my hands on this year.
Taking the role of Travis Touchdown once again, I was given the tasks of killing professional assassins, completing wacky chores and... helping my cat lose weight. With a wonderfully funny storyline, great retro mini games and the same addictive slashing gameplay you’d expect, Suda 51 managed to improve on what was already a brilliant original. Blueberry Cheese Browny!
Number 10
Red Dead Redemption (Xbox 360)
I didn’t play this until well into the Summer since to me this looked like a Grand Theft Auto in the Wild West which wasn’t all that appealing for me. However after seeing it in a sale I gave it a go and found myself really enjoying it. The missions felt nice and varied, the visuals where excellent and the cutscenes and story were unbelievable. At times I actually felt like I was watching a real movie! While the format felt very familiar to the Grand Theft Auto series, here it all felt a lot more polished and enjoyable. There may have been some times when it did drag on a little, but to keep me occupied for over twenty five hours and deliver some of the most stunning moments in gaming including the first time you enter Mexico or the finale proved that this game was something special.
Number 9
Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit (Xbox 360)
Ever since Burnout Paradise produced its last drip of downloadable content I was left wanting more. More insane crashes, more high speed racing... just more Burnout. While I may not have got my wish, what Criterion did deliver is likely the best Need for Speed game ever. Taking ideas from the Burnout series and mixing it with the high speed cops and robbers type chases made famous in the Need for Speed titles it creates the ultimate adrenalin fuelled ride that any racer will surely love.
Seacrest County itself is a beautiful place showing off beaches, woodlands, deserts and frosty mountains with fully licensed cars looking equally as breath taking. The use of weapons and teamwork help bring variety to the mix too. Throw in perhaps the best online system in a game yet and you have a game that will be kept in your console for months to come.
Number 8
Hydroventure (WiiWare)
There are games you know you want and have been waiting months on end for then are those that come out of nowhere and surprise you outright. Hydroventure is the latter rounding off the year in style. Taking control of a small pool of water and using the Wii remote you must move around avoiding enemies and collecting rainbow drops in what feels almost like a platforming game. Moving as water is great fun but moving around as a solid block of ice or a small gas cloud is just as rewarding.
The fusion of Metroid based exploration and Super Mario 64 based collection is a genius idea and one I’d like to see done again. Throw in some real tough puzzles that rely on the great physics of the elements and you have a truly unique platformer. The sheer amount to do and see is unbelievable at only 1200 points and I guarantee you, you will not have played a game quite like this before. If you own a Wii then give it a try.
Number 7
Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light (Xbox Live Arcade)
Hands down my favourite co-op game of the year. End of story. The team based puzzles, the shooting and just... well the sheer fun of it all is enough reason to go and get this, grab a mate and give it a go. My brother and I enjoyed it so much we felt the need to finish it in one day. What did we do after? Go through and complete every mission.
Lara Croft has often been known for her third person adventure games but here Eidos took a gamble and mixed it up with an almost top down view full of loads of platforming, tons of shooting and plenty of guns to grab. It really has paid off and the constant frantic pace of the game keep things from ever getting dull like her older adventures did. Highlights are too many to list but how does battling a giant dinosaur sound? Or running from a giant rolling ball? Or even jumping between falling pillars and platforms? All are in here and with two players it’s even more fun. The best downloadable game of they year.
Number 6
Dance Central (Xbox 360)
When my family and I picked up a Kinect, we weren’t sure what to get along with it. A bit of sports? Playing with baby animals? Or dancing embarrassingly along to great tunes? Having picked the latter I have to say it was the best decision we could have made.
Dancing games aren’t exactly new what with Just Dance on the Wii and the old mat dancing games found in arcades, so what makes this so special? The fact that the game reads your entire body movement. (Just Dance could only measure how you moved your right hand and the mats would only recognise button presses of the feet.) Easy to get into yet difficult to master Dance Central makes you sweat with moves that require timing and a good sense of rhythm. The soundtrack is great, it looks fun and is a good option should you have friends over. If there was a reason for buying Kinect, this is it.
Number 5
Donkey Kong Country Returns (Wii)
Donkey Kong Country Returns may feel familiar but that doesn’t stop it being a good laugh with two people. Taking the original formula and adding simultaneous play may not sound like much but when you enter that first barrel or fight over who controls the infamous mine cart then you begin to understand this is how the series was meant to be played all along.
Visually stunning and surprisingly varied in level design you’ll venture from jungles and ruins to factories and epic volcanoes. Every stage feels as though it’s been planned and planned to perfection making it ideal for speed runs and the fan throwback even goes down to the very music itself featuring remixed versions of songs from the first game. That’s right even Aquatic Ambience. Those of you worried this game may be a pushover fear not, as this will deliver perhaps the toughest platformer on the Wii to date. Lives will be lost aplenty and friendships ended.
No one ever thought it would happen but the Donkey Kong Country finally got a sequel and boy does it sure deliver. Hats off Retro Studios.
Number 4
Sonic Colours (Wii)
When it came to position four and five I gave the edge to Sonic Colours simply because it felt like a huge improvement over the originals and was unbelievably fun and fresh from start to finish. It may surprise you to see Sonic in a top ten list (eleven if you’re picky) but this year the blue hedgehog shocked all by delivering one of the best platformers of the year. Taking simple, fast paced over the shoulder sections and blending them with the usual 2D gauntlets we remember Sonic for back in the Mega Drive days, Sega seem to finally have nailed what we’ve all wanted for so long.
While playing a fun Sonic game is great news in itself the fact that it also has such brilliantly memorable music, (even using the same slight variations on tunes within the same zones that was featured in Sonic 3 & Knuckles) some of the best visuals on the Wii and excellent new gameplay additions in the forms of Wisps means this can compete with the best the little white console had to offer this year. Biggest surprise hit? Possibly.
Number 3
Halo Reach (Xbox 360)
The Halo series has always been something of a mystery to me. I’ll give it a go and try it online but it never really captured me like so many other gamers out there. Halo Reach however completely changed that and even to this day I still can’t help myself from having one more quick online slayer match.
Usually I’ll hate the single player. In the past two Halo titles I haven’t finished them out of sheer boredom. Here however I actually found myself having some good fun and a lot more so when I included some friends over Live. But Halo isn’t about the campaign, it’s about the wealth of multiplayer modes and this is where Reach truly delivers. Whether you want a simple team deathmatch, objective based modes or to grab three friends and take on endless hordes in Firefight Halo Reach has something for everyone. Even if you’re the creative type you can create your own stages and videos to post online. It may have taken a while but now I finally get it. Halo Reach is great fun and the game that’s always willing me back for another try.
Number 2
Rock Band 3 (Xbox 360)
I have always been a fan of Rock Band. Spending so many drunken fuelled nights with my friends or simply just practicing on my own for a half hour, it’s the game series I’m always coming back to. Rock Band 3 not only trumps its original two titles but demolishes them giving the gamer so much to do.
The new keyboard instrument alone is a worthy enough addition, but throw in pro mode on the guitars and drums, harmonies, the ability to export all previous songs you own, tutorial lessons that teach you actual keys... it gets ridiculous how deep this game can get. Furthermore for Harmonix to have supplied new songs every week for the past three years is incredible. My track list is already over 400 songs! The presentation is extremely slick and getting into a quick game with your friends is now easier than ever. Any time people are over they always ask to see the new Rock Band. Five minutes later we’re singing and shredding the night away. Hands down the best party game and I have a feeling it always will be.
Number 1
Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii)
It’s hard to believe that it’s been three years since the original was released (which again would have got the game of 2007 for me) but Super Mario Galaxy 2 came and somehow managed to improve upon it in nearly every way.
Whether it’s the outstanding visuals, the magical music, Yoshi, the new mushroom abilities, the epic bosses, the perfect handling of Mario... I could go on and on. These reasons alone are enough to take the crown of best game of 2010, but the main reason is simply just how ,much fun the adventure is and how it really does make you feel like you’re discovering gaming all over again.
A game of this brilliance can’t be summed up easily so check out my review below to see just how good it is.
My review of my Game of the Year 2010
And there you have it. Another year gone and an amazing one at that. Here’s hoping the next one is just as impressive.
(Unofficial Number 11)
No More Heroes: Desperate Struggle (Wii)
It was such a fun game that I thought it deserved a mention too. It may not have cracked my top ten but it was definitely one of the most unique titles I got my hands on this year.
Taking the role of Travis Touchdown once again, I was given the tasks of killing professional assassins, completing wacky chores and... helping my cat lose weight. With a wonderfully funny storyline, great retro mini games and the same addictive slashing gameplay you’d expect, Suda 51 managed to improve on what was already a brilliant original. Blueberry Cheese Browny!
Number 10
Red Dead Redemption (Xbox 360)
I didn’t play this until well into the Summer since to me this looked like a Grand Theft Auto in the Wild West which wasn’t all that appealing for me. However after seeing it in a sale I gave it a go and found myself really enjoying it. The missions felt nice and varied, the visuals where excellent and the cutscenes and story were unbelievable. At times I actually felt like I was watching a real movie! While the format felt very familiar to the Grand Theft Auto series, here it all felt a lot more polished and enjoyable. There may have been some times when it did drag on a little, but to keep me occupied for over twenty five hours and deliver some of the most stunning moments in gaming including the first time you enter Mexico or the finale proved that this game was something special.
Number 9
Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit (Xbox 360)
Ever since Burnout Paradise produced its last drip of downloadable content I was left wanting more. More insane crashes, more high speed racing... just more Burnout. While I may not have got my wish, what Criterion did deliver is likely the best Need for Speed game ever. Taking ideas from the Burnout series and mixing it with the high speed cops and robbers type chases made famous in the Need for Speed titles it creates the ultimate adrenalin fuelled ride that any racer will surely love.
Seacrest County itself is a beautiful place showing off beaches, woodlands, deserts and frosty mountains with fully licensed cars looking equally as breath taking. The use of weapons and teamwork help bring variety to the mix too. Throw in perhaps the best online system in a game yet and you have a game that will be kept in your console for months to come.
Number 8
Hydroventure (WiiWare)
There are games you know you want and have been waiting months on end for then are those that come out of nowhere and surprise you outright. Hydroventure is the latter rounding off the year in style. Taking control of a small pool of water and using the Wii remote you must move around avoiding enemies and collecting rainbow drops in what feels almost like a platforming game. Moving as water is great fun but moving around as a solid block of ice or a small gas cloud is just as rewarding.
The fusion of Metroid based exploration and Super Mario 64 based collection is a genius idea and one I’d like to see done again. Throw in some real tough puzzles that rely on the great physics of the elements and you have a truly unique platformer. The sheer amount to do and see is unbelievable at only 1200 points and I guarantee you, you will not have played a game quite like this before. If you own a Wii then give it a try.
Number 7
Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light (Xbox Live Arcade)
Hands down my favourite co-op game of the year. End of story. The team based puzzles, the shooting and just... well the sheer fun of it all is enough reason to go and get this, grab a mate and give it a go. My brother and I enjoyed it so much we felt the need to finish it in one day. What did we do after? Go through and complete every mission.
Lara Croft has often been known for her third person adventure games but here Eidos took a gamble and mixed it up with an almost top down view full of loads of platforming, tons of shooting and plenty of guns to grab. It really has paid off and the constant frantic pace of the game keep things from ever getting dull like her older adventures did. Highlights are too many to list but how does battling a giant dinosaur sound? Or running from a giant rolling ball? Or even jumping between falling pillars and platforms? All are in here and with two players it’s even more fun. The best downloadable game of they year.
Number 6
Dance Central (Xbox 360)
When my family and I picked up a Kinect, we weren’t sure what to get along with it. A bit of sports? Playing with baby animals? Or dancing embarrassingly along to great tunes? Having picked the latter I have to say it was the best decision we could have made.
Dancing games aren’t exactly new what with Just Dance on the Wii and the old mat dancing games found in arcades, so what makes this so special? The fact that the game reads your entire body movement. (Just Dance could only measure how you moved your right hand and the mats would only recognise button presses of the feet.) Easy to get into yet difficult to master Dance Central makes you sweat with moves that require timing and a good sense of rhythm. The soundtrack is great, it looks fun and is a good option should you have friends over. If there was a reason for buying Kinect, this is it.
Number 5
Donkey Kong Country Returns (Wii)
Donkey Kong Country Returns may feel familiar but that doesn’t stop it being a good laugh with two people. Taking the original formula and adding simultaneous play may not sound like much but when you enter that first barrel or fight over who controls the infamous mine cart then you begin to understand this is how the series was meant to be played all along.
Visually stunning and surprisingly varied in level design you’ll venture from jungles and ruins to factories and epic volcanoes. Every stage feels as though it’s been planned and planned to perfection making it ideal for speed runs and the fan throwback even goes down to the very music itself featuring remixed versions of songs from the first game. That’s right even Aquatic Ambience. Those of you worried this game may be a pushover fear not, as this will deliver perhaps the toughest platformer on the Wii to date. Lives will be lost aplenty and friendships ended.
No one ever thought it would happen but the Donkey Kong Country finally got a sequel and boy does it sure deliver. Hats off Retro Studios.
Number 4
Sonic Colours (Wii)
When it came to position four and five I gave the edge to Sonic Colours simply because it felt like a huge improvement over the originals and was unbelievably fun and fresh from start to finish. It may surprise you to see Sonic in a top ten list (eleven if you’re picky) but this year the blue hedgehog shocked all by delivering one of the best platformers of the year. Taking simple, fast paced over the shoulder sections and blending them with the usual 2D gauntlets we remember Sonic for back in the Mega Drive days, Sega seem to finally have nailed what we’ve all wanted for so long.
While playing a fun Sonic game is great news in itself the fact that it also has such brilliantly memorable music, (even using the same slight variations on tunes within the same zones that was featured in Sonic 3 & Knuckles) some of the best visuals on the Wii and excellent new gameplay additions in the forms of Wisps means this can compete with the best the little white console had to offer this year. Biggest surprise hit? Possibly.
Number 3
Halo Reach (Xbox 360)
The Halo series has always been something of a mystery to me. I’ll give it a go and try it online but it never really captured me like so many other gamers out there. Halo Reach however completely changed that and even to this day I still can’t help myself from having one more quick online slayer match.
Usually I’ll hate the single player. In the past two Halo titles I haven’t finished them out of sheer boredom. Here however I actually found myself having some good fun and a lot more so when I included some friends over Live. But Halo isn’t about the campaign, it’s about the wealth of multiplayer modes and this is where Reach truly delivers. Whether you want a simple team deathmatch, objective based modes or to grab three friends and take on endless hordes in Firefight Halo Reach has something for everyone. Even if you’re the creative type you can create your own stages and videos to post online. It may have taken a while but now I finally get it. Halo Reach is great fun and the game that’s always willing me back for another try.
Number 2
Rock Band 3 (Xbox 360)
I have always been a fan of Rock Band. Spending so many drunken fuelled nights with my friends or simply just practicing on my own for a half hour, it’s the game series I’m always coming back to. Rock Band 3 not only trumps its original two titles but demolishes them giving the gamer so much to do.
The new keyboard instrument alone is a worthy enough addition, but throw in pro mode on the guitars and drums, harmonies, the ability to export all previous songs you own, tutorial lessons that teach you actual keys... it gets ridiculous how deep this game can get. Furthermore for Harmonix to have supplied new songs every week for the past three years is incredible. My track list is already over 400 songs! The presentation is extremely slick and getting into a quick game with your friends is now easier than ever. Any time people are over they always ask to see the new Rock Band. Five minutes later we’re singing and shredding the night away. Hands down the best party game and I have a feeling it always will be.
Number 1
Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii)
It’s hard to believe that it’s been three years since the original was released (which again would have got the game of 2007 for me) but Super Mario Galaxy 2 came and somehow managed to improve upon it in nearly every way.
Whether it’s the outstanding visuals, the magical music, Yoshi, the new mushroom abilities, the epic bosses, the perfect handling of Mario... I could go on and on. These reasons alone are enough to take the crown of best game of 2010, but the main reason is simply just how ,much fun the adventure is and how it really does make you feel like you’re discovering gaming all over again.
A game of this brilliance can’t be summed up easily so check out my review below to see just how good it is.
My review of my Game of the Year 2010
And there you have it. Another year gone and an amazing one at that. Here’s hoping the next one is just as impressive.