The year of 2009 is drawing to a close with a bang, following the releases of some of the most-anticipated video games of this generation. These games have mind-blowing cinematic graphics, exceeded standards of gameplay, and have the highest rated reviews of the year. Let’s focus on the facts and gameplay, of what makes each game the best of the best. Here are the top 15 most-wanted video games of 2009 for Playstation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, and PC.
Batman: Arkham Asylum – Release Date: August 25th, 2009 (Playstation 3, Xbox 360, PC)
Every gamer knows comic book video games are terrible. They’re usually abominations that devalue franchises rather than popularize. Fortunately, one of the grand surprises of 2009 was Rocksteady Studio’s hit, Batman: Arkham Asylum. This stealth-action adventure game deserved to follow up the blockbuster sequel, The Dark Knight. It made many peoples’ Game of the Year lists and it’s also the best comic book video game of all time.
Cynical gamers might question seeing "comic book", "best" and "video game" in the same sentence, but it’s a fact. Batman: Arkham Asylum has been named by Guinness World Records as the "Most Critically Acclaimed Superhero Game Ever."
The graphics (Unreal Engine 3) more than exceed standards and they showcase the gritty and authentic world of Arkham Asylum. The game is worth a play on PC because a mid-high end machine can get you more enhanced graphics and an easier interface.
After being trapped by the Joker, you are left to fight against Gotham’s most criminally insane. These guys would like nothing better than to beat you to a pulp. Luckily, you have a great freeflow combat system, the batarang, grapple gun, X-ray vision, detonator, and the list goes on. If you ever wanted to experience a real Batman game featuring major villains from the entire franchise, this is the game to get. The Joker is voiced superbly by Mark Hamill, and that’s just a small portion of the magnitude of the plot.
In the 2009 Spike TV Video Game Awards, Rocksteady Studios won the award for "Best Studio of the Year". Even better, Batman: Arkham Asylum 2 was announced in the same event. Watch the HD trailer here at Gametrailers.
Killzone 2 – Release Date: February 27th, 2009 (Playstation 3 only)
For a long time the Playstation 3 lacked a definitive title to showcase the power of the console. That’s not to say there weren’t great exclusives. What it was missing was a powerhouse blockbluster first-person shooter that defined the console as a whole, akin to Halo 3 and the Xbox 360. Killzone 2 took up that challenge and blew critics’ away.
Few war games emphasize the fact that war involves more than you and a few NPCs gunning down armies left and right. Killzone 2 effectively captures the real scale of battle from the first-person view, including while taking cover, leaning-and-peeking, during vehicular combat, and more. This PS3 exclusive remains as a landmark in graphics (next to Uncharted 2). Hot lead, fiery explosions, massive firefights between two lines of armies… it gets no better. Shooting enemies has never been prettier.
Killzone 2 was released early in the year and it’s still an online juggernaut on the Playstation Network. The multiplayer is rightfully rewarding, giving players an intricate 7 class-based system. You can level up with experience earned from destroying other players and completing mission objectives. The more weapons and skills you unlock, the better your ability to kill.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 – Release Date: November 10th, 2009 (Xbox 360, Playstation 3, PC)
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is often hailed as the biggest launch in entertainment history, selling 4.7 million copies in the first 24 hours in the US and UK ($310 million) according to Activision Blizzard estimates. Fans and haters alike won’t forget how many times they read about retail stores breaking the release date, people being arrested for selling it early on the black-market, and various other bizarre stories.
Activision shocked billions (oh yeah) of people when it announced there won’t be dedicated servers for PC. The developers also made the game nothing short of controversial (such as the airport level in which you can choose to shoot innocent unarmed civilians), which some people are still disgruntled about. Let’s not go into specifics. Gamers should understand it’s an M-rated game and there are reasons why the company designed the story in that way. The dedicated servers being taken away is appalling but it doesn’t mean the game is useless. Far from it.
Modern Warfare 2 has been named the best shooter of the year in the Spike TV Video Game Awards of 2009. It boasts a "three games in one" value – a single player campaign every gamer must experience, a Spec Ops mode (single and co-op challenges), and the massive multiplayer mode. It also won the "multiplayer game of the year" award as well at the VGA 2009. As shocking as no dedicated PC servers seems, it didn’t take long for hackers to establish ‘dedicated servers’ by unlocking the developer console. Even the haters can’t refuse their love for this game.
Uncharted 2 – Release Date: October 13th, 2009 (Playstation 3 only)
Behold, the Game of the Year winner of 2009, Uncharted 2. Everything about this PS3 exclusive demands critical acclaim. The smoothness of Nathan Drake’s movements as he maneuvers through "WTF" obstacles is beautiful. Of all the top video games of 2009, Uncharted 2 boasts the best graphics, featuring extremely detailed environments, excellent water effects (your clothes get wet when you dip into it), and there are so many things that go on during actual gameplay that it’s hard for an audience not to think you’re playing a movie. The graphics brought tears of joy to gamers but that’s just an observation. Uncharted 2 won the Game of the Year for best graphics. Now that’s a fact.
Naughty Dog has outdone what needs to be done to make a game viable in 2009 – giving it online multiplayer. Everyone’s doing it. Third-person shooting never gets better than this. The controls are always smooth, the graphics are seamless on the Playstation 3. Play this on HD resolution with surround sound. Plunder matches can get crazy. Getting BBQ medals is always fun and you get the ability to re-watch your demises and kills in the recorded Cinema section. You can rewind, fast-forward, switch player perspectives, switch to free roam, do slow-motion when using the Bass shotgun, etc.
Multiplayer and co-op online modes are addicting. It’s worth leveling up through ranks, purchasing combat boosters, and aspiring to unlock Doughnut Drake. Naughty Dog already released a new downloadable map, "Fort," and there will be future downloadable content.
FIFA 10 – Release Date: October 20th, 2009 (Playstation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, PC, PS2, PSP, DS)
FIFA Soccer 10 is the way a football game is meant to be played. Making a sports game better year after year is hard because you can’t change up the rules in a sports game. What FIFA 10 did was dramatically refine the gameplay. Manager mode now has an in-game experience point system and you can create a footballer and play against players worldwide online. Tournaments are there for those who want ranked play, and you can upload in-game videos and screenshots to EA Football World so you can watch them later.
Players have more realistic fatigue, there is full 360 degree control of movement, and the game moves faster compared to FIFA 09. Adjusting to the difference can be difficult in the beginning but after you do, you’ll realize that the core improvements make FIFA 10 the standard of video game football. It makes you forget about everything before it.
There will be a new Ultimate Team game mode expansion (which was in FIFA 09) available for download in February 2010 for the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. The expansion will also include new trophies and achievements.
Demon’s Souls – Release Date: October 7th, 2009 (Playstation 3 only)
2009 is the year of the Playstation 3 exclusives. Demon’s Souls came out in Japan before North America to high review scores. Famitsu stated that it’s a game you "learn by losing."This was a dark fantasy RPG action game that was unforgiving. It’s not just hard. It’s seriously hard. But it’s not so hard that it’s impossible to beat the levels and progress. You just have to die a lot to learn how to do it. That’s how Demon’s Souls makes you use your true wits to overcome enemies.
You can customize your character’s gender, hair style, attributes, and use many types of weapons. Magic can be used defensively. The online game world is divided into five stages reachable through portals. Players can interact online by leaving hints and messages for others to find. If you happened to die against an enemy, your bloodstains can help warn future players of what’s to come. Your deaths can become useful clues, so there are plenty of ways people can get past puzzles and dangerous traps.
The co-op online mode allows up to three players to team up through different levels to defeat a demon. This game’s story is merely a set up to the world that you have to experience yourself. If you are defeated in battle, things get even more difficult. Beating a boss actually means something because it’s challenging. It takes stoic dedication to be the best at this game – but it’s extremely rewarding. It is one of 2009’s top console RPGs and a worthy throwback to old-school games.
New Super Mario Bros. Wii – Release Date: November 15th, 2009 (Nintendo Wii only)
Every new Mario game is great. Nintendo chose a fitting name for this title. The gameplay of New Super Mario Bros. Wii retains the familiar 2D platforming style with a twist – multiplayer. And of course, the ‘Super Guide’ feature.
The graphics are more like 2.5D, since some models in the background are 3D polygonal. It’s not just jumping around on platforms and enemies. The Wii remote can be used to spin in mid-air during a jump. You can pick up, carry, and throw other players (Mario, Luigi, and two Toads). If one of your teammates gets too far behind, the screen pans out for visibility. If he still can’t keep up, he’ll lose a life to one of the many Mario-worldly hazards in the way.
Some of the brand new additions to the game include the Propeller suit (allows you to fly), the Ice Flower (which you can use to freeze enemies and obstacles with ice balls), and the Penguin suit (which you can use to slide on ice passages). Using them in combination with each other can enhance your ability to traverse the harsh, unforgiving 2D terrain. Don’t worry if it’s too hard. If you fail eight times, the Super Guidemode reveals a Luigi that shows you through the rest of the level. After he is done, you can retry the level or skip it. Or you can interrupt him and do it yourself the rest of the way.
New Super Mario Bros. Wii has received high ratings but gamers wish it had online capability like other Wii games have. Four player co-op is satisfying enough for this one.
Dragon Age: Origins – Release Date: November 3rd, 2009 (PC, Xbox 360, Playstation 3)
The PC version of Dragon Age: Origins is the real victor because it does the entire game justice – a smooth accessible interface, a classic isometric view (which you can zoom in and out), and superior graphics compared to the console versions. All versions are great but to get the full experience, get the PC version.
Bioware made this game the spiritual successor to the Baldur’s Gate series but made it revolve around a much darker world. It won the best PC and RPG game of the year awards at Spike TV’s VGA 2009. Boasting well over 50 hours of gameplay not including the other Origin stories and class combinations, Dragon Age: Origins will keep you busy for months. A lot of players this year have been waiting to lose themselves in an epic RPG and it’s good to see the long wait for this game was worth it. Bioware released two DLCs with the release and announced the upcoming "Return to Ostagar" DLC on November 19th, 2009.
The music is immersive but the graphics as a whole could’ve been better. Nevertheless, the artistic design Bioware chose was excellent and it fit the mature theme they decided to go with. The choices and encounters you find yourself in (and they are wild) can drastically alter the direction of gameplay and story you will go through. Your chosen dialogue with fellow party members have direct consequences that you might not expect. Players who played previous RPGs like this will notice the increased significance of what you say and do. Romances exist in this game and some surprises await (or not).
The story more than surpasses expectations and the game is worth playing through multiple times with different races, classes (the Mage class is worth a play), and temperaments. Hundreds of hours and additional future DLC is for certain.
Assassin’s Creed 2 – Release Date: November 17th, 2009 (Xbox 360, Playstation 3; PC in March, 2010)
2009 has also been the year of sequels. Assassin’s Creed 2 builds up on the concepts of the incredible original title and becomes everything it should’ve been and more. It is the late 15th century Italy during the Renaissance Era and the game world is far different than before.
The graphics received a major overhaul. The movement of water (you can now swim), the immersion of the city’s models and color, and the level of depth of the notoriety system is extravagant. Like before, the gameplay is open and nonlinear.
Assassin’s Creed 2 is a great sequel because of its radically different types of missions (which were rather repetitive in the original). There are about 200 missions in the game, roughly half from the main storyline and the other half as side-quests. The campaign itself offers over 30 hours of gameplay so there is enough time to build up skills, acquire new weapons and abilities, and mingle with iconic greats like Leonardo Da Vinci. You can ride horses, carriages, use the flying machine, and more. The new depth to the combat system (especially the disarming) is consistently fun.
There is more reward in exploration and solving puzzles (similar to Price of Persia), and there’s more complex interaction between your infamy and the NPCs around you. Assassin’s Creed 2 won the best action adventure game award at Spike TV’s VGA 2009 for its high production values, compelling plot, and engrossing gameplay.
Forza Motorsport 3 – Release Date: October 27th, 2009 (Xbox 360 only)
Forza Motorsport 3 was a highly anticipated exclusive before launch and to date has sold over 1 million copies worldwide. As a racing sim, the game plays like a dream. More than 400 customizable cars. Over 100 race track variations. Cars have ten times the amount of polygons compared to the successor. A quadrupled texture resolution and a whopping perfect 60 frames per second. The framerate is the reason why the game plays like a dream.
Forza Motorsport 3 has won the best racing game award at VGA 2009. What’s new to the series? An in-game driving view, one-button assisted driving, car painting and upgrading, and more customization. Racing matches can be captured and uploaded as videos to the Forza Motorsport 3 website. Xbox Live makes this game such a wanted online racing sim. Who doesn’t want to make the leaderboard stats for being the best painter, tuner, and racer in the world?
Forza Motorsport 3 has already received new DLCs, the latest being the "Hot Holidays Pack," which was released on December 8th, 2009, which includes the 2010 Ferrari 458 Italia and 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLR Stirling Moss.
Halo 3: ODST – Release Date: September 22nd, 2009 (Xbox 360 only)
Halo 3: ODST doesn’t get the credit it deserves. As a game, it has slightly updated graphics compared to Halo 3 but its single player campaign and gameplay style was not fundamentally different from the rest of the Halo series. As a result, players doubted its status as a stand-alone game. Halo 3: ODST belongs on the list because it retains the familiar concepts that are fun in Halo 3 and exposes gamers to a different aspect of the storyline lore – focusing on the Orbital Drop Shock Troopers. Master Chief needed a break from oversaturation.
Halo 3: ODST won the best original score award at the 2009 VGA and rightly so. It took a more jazz-noir influenced approach, without the chorus music of the first three installments. Firefly and sci-fi fans were happy to see that Nathan Fillion, Adam Baldwin, and Alan Tudyk reprised the voice-acting roles of the non-player controlled ODST troopers. The single player campaign, while short, is fresh and depicts a much needed new perspective of the Halo universe through the eyes of the common soldier. The game includes all the maps from Halo 3 and introduced the new Firefight mode, which is similar to Horde mode from the Gears of War series.
Is Halo 3: ODST a revolutionary game? Maybe not. It lacked HD and the graphics expected of a high scale FPS title. But is the game a great new point of view that fans will love and does it bring together all the fun elements of Halo 3 and combine it with new strategies and a compelling story befitting an AAA title? Yes, it does. The game also reminded players how addictive the series is on Xbox Live. Watch a video of the top 10 Halo 3: ODST kills of the week here on IGN and you’ll know why. The real attraction is online multiplayer and that’s where this game pays off for fans. Players who own this game also got invitations to the multiplayer beta of Halo: Reach. A brand new HD trailer of Halo: Reach was unveiled during the 2009 Spike VGA. Watch the footage here.
Left 4 Dead 2 – Release Date: November 17th, 2009 (Xbox 360 and PC)
The zombie shooting genre will outlast every other genre on the market. Imagine being a character in a real life zombie movie. Scary as hell. But what if you had lots of guns and a wide assortment of melee weapons like chainsaws, baseball bats, and electric guitars? Left 4 Dead 2 improves heavily upon the original, featuring the tale of four new survivors following a zombie apocalypse (begun from a rabies-like pathogen). It is the answer to many of our fantasies, as we continue down the actual story arc of the survivors as if it were a horror movie.
First things first – the gore has been ‘upgraded.’ The Xbox 360’s graphics look better in this sequel. Shot off limbs and blood splatters practically paint the levels, and using melee weapons turns it up a notch. The animations are detailed, showcasing the zombie flailing realistically, as well as producing satisfying rag-doll effects when hit by bullets. The graphic violence made the game quite controversial, especially in Australia. Let’s not get into that…
Come on, it’s a zombie game. The 4 player co-op multiplayer action is addicting. There are more weapons, more personality, more types of enemies, and tougher strategies to counter. There’s just something different about taking out zombies with a group of your best buddies that makes other games like Halo seem less appealing. It’s just more hilarious.
For players that want a greater challenge, the new "realism" mode (can be set at any difficulty) can remove player silhouettes, turn off respawning after death (only the defibrillator kit can be used to revive downed teammates), and a more body-part oriented damage system goes into play. It is incredibly more difficult, forcing players to rely heavily on voice communication and "military level" strategies, as IGN reported.
Left 4 Dead 2 is the one of top zombie video games of 2009 by far and has recently won the best Xbox 360 game of the year at the Spike TV VGA of 2009.
Borderlands – Release Date: October 20th, 2009 (Playstation 3, Xbox 360, PC)
Behold, the first-person shooting RPG loot-driven adventure game, Borderlands. The perfect party game? Of course. This new IP from Gearbox Software united people from many genres to appreciate FPS games with a different sense of progression – your character’s class and skill.
Borderlands is all about the loot, with literally hundreds of thousands of types of weapons, each with numerous attributes that impact the battlefield. There are 7 million variations of guns in total, as told by Gearbox boss Randy Pitchford. There are four main characters that you can choose from, each with a different class and set of specializations. The co-op online multiplayer mode (including 2 player co-op split-screen) includes up to four players for monster hunts and quests. Eventually, vehicular combat can be unlocked. Competitive gamers can visit the in-game arena for free-for-all battles and 2 v 2 confrontations.
The game’s art style is cool and the gameplay is rewarding to people who are good at RPG mechanics (loot driven people) as well as twitch-oriented gamers who favor FPS action. Who can forget the IGN Original: Borderlands is for Real Gamers video? If you really want to know if this game is right for you, then watch it here at IGN now.
Resident Evil 5 – Release Date: March 13th, 2009 (Xbox 360, Playstation 3, PC)
This was the other zombie game of 2009 that deserves to be on the most-wanted list. Resident Evil 5 is a direct sequel to Resident Evil 4 and features more engaging action-packed gameplay and cutting edge graphics, among the year’s best visuals. The music and atmosphere of the African village in which you fight through are haunting and this installment boasts faster-paced gameplay than the others in the series. This is not necessarily a bad thing. The experience is tough, forcing you to conserve ammo and fire your weapon with precision, since survival depends on your ability to avoid being flanked by enemies and being more tactical with your relative position.
A solid horror story isn’t the only thing in this game. This Resident Evil has online gameplay, allowing two players (at home offline and online through Xbox Live, PSN, or PC) to play cooperatively through the main storyline. Although the edginess is toned down when you have another guy watching your back, it doesn’t mean the enemies aren’t harder.
To date, Resident Evil 5 has sold several million copies worldwide and has become the highest sold video game of the franchise in the United Kingdom, as well as the biggest PS3 and Xbox 360 launch in that region.
Infamous – Release Date: May 26th, 2009 (Playstation 3 only)
Infamous is way up there on the growing list of top PS3 exclusives. It’s a comic-book inspired tale of Cole MacGrath, a bike messenger thrust into a great explosion that endows him with electrical superpowers and at the same time drives the city into havoc. It’s an original story (reminiscent of Static Shock) that deserves a play-through by all.
The Karma system is developed well with the powers Cole attains throughout the game and watching some of these powers unleashed on the city is empowering to say the least. The mission structure is solid and the cut-scenes memorable. You do get a sense of what Cole endures during the story and the sum of the parts of the gameplay, environment, and choices come together well as a final impact.
The "big idea" of Infamous is large enough that the game will be adapted into a feature-length movie by Sony Pictures Studio. How far that gets, remains to be seen.
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