Below are my personal favourite 5 games of 2009, in order, for your viewing pleasure. Let me know whether you agree or disagree with any of them, I’m interested in hearing your opinions.
5. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune was, for me, the undoubted king of Playstation 3 games prior to the release of this years biggest PS3 exclusive, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves.
Many people do regard this as the best game of 2009 and there are definitely elements that stand-out from the crowd, in particular the environments and graphics as well as the compelling cut-scenes which were so good that many animated movies pale in comparison. Sadly, the game as a whole didn’t maintain those standards in other areas…
The actual game play is nothing new, certainly nothing we’ve not seen from the two most obvious influences, Tomb Raider and Gears of War and Uncharted 2, for me didn’t match either, Tomb Raider for the platforming and Gears of War for the shooting. In fact, if any area were truly need of a complete re-write it would be the gun-play which feels so archaic it’s difficult to believe this comes 4 years into the once called “Next Gen” series of consoles, feeling more akin to a Playstation 2 game and is something I really struggled to overcome and when something is so far from pushing boundaries (at least in a forwards direction) I really couldn’t put it close to being my game of the year, in fact I feel almost unjustified in putting this ahead of other brilliant titles like Battlefield 1943, Flower, Trials HD and Batman: Arkham Asylum, but when the cut-scenes and comedy from the protagonist, Nathan Drake, are that good I struggled through the shooting sections (of which there were far, far, far too many) if only to see the story progress.
Brilliant around the edges but a little too flawed in its core to be my game of the year.
4. UFC 2009: Undisputed
Without doubt one of the hardest genre’s of game to make believable, Yukes managed to make what are essentially two complete opposites of game mesh into something that is not only in-depth, but almost impossible to master, a rock-solid stand-up fighting game as well as the most well composed grappling game I’ve ever played.
UFC 2009 Undisputed can be an unusually harsh game with its fast paced stand-up which can, with the right timing, result in punishing, instant knockouts which work both for and against you throughout your Single-Player in career as well as online in the rather fantastically implemented multiplayer.
This is one of those rare games that with a lot of practice (it took me around 16 hours to get the hang of both stand-up and grappling to the point I wouldn’t get bossed around too easily online) reaps rewards and quite often, memories, of which UFC 2009 Undisputed holds my gaming memory of the year, a 3-second online knockout against an opponent who only managed to get a “Hel..” on voice-comms before a rather comical bout of language so blue it makes a Smurf seem off-colour. Marvellous.
3. Forza Motorsport 3
I was slightly disappointed with the lack of variety and killer tracks in Forza Motorsport 2 but felt that with the game play it provided that with some more variety and interesting locales that Forza Motorsport 3 could be something very, very good. It was better than good, it was sensational, toppling in terms of depth and fun, any of the Gran Turismo games.
The career mode was very detailed with 220 events on the calendar which took me over 200 hours to complete. It’s also very, very good online and even employs a host drop change when the host leaves, automatically migrating onto another users connection which I was very impressed with.
2. Resident Evil 5
Resident Evil 5 was rather a big surprise, even for a massive fan of the series like myself. The reason this ended up a surprise is because it followed a similar style to Resident Evil 4, a game I liked but certainly didn’t love, added a new female character to the series in a leading role and managed to make an amalgamation of all things great with very little chaff.
Not only was it visually sensational, it had almost flawless online co-operative play, something I wasn’t expecting, especially given all the issues I’ve had from other Eastern developed games and their online play. The story was enthralling, sound good, graphics, as mentioned, sensational and most importantly it played great.
This was a game I was always expecting to like, but definitely not one I expected to adore.
1. Halo 3: ODST
It took a franchise which, whilst popular, was widely regarded as having a rather poor third outing, taking away one of the most famous protagonists in gaming and replacing him with a standard soldier and created a game which surpassed the last two Halo outings by some margin.
The presentation was absolutely stellar, the music was a modern noir masterpiece and it had a story which not only made sense, but drew me in and developed rather cleverly in front of my eyes. It then offered another rock-solid co-operative multiplayer, the rather fantastic firefight mode which surpasses all other Horde-esque modes from other games and also the Halo 3 multiplayer with all the maps that have been sold as DLC and did all this for a less than standard RRP of £30. Not only is it the best bargain of 2009, it’s the best game of 2009.
The only one that was questionable was whether I preferred Uncharted 2: Among Thieves to DJ Hero, but I’m certain that I have the others right, especially having Halo 3: ODST at number 1, it really is a phenomenal game and now I really cannot wait for Halo: Reach… It’s going to be epic.
I have to agree with ODST, Forza 3 and Uncharted 2 in the top 5 although I have to say Uncharted 2 prob takes the top spot on my list followed by ODST which is quite something considering I’m a huge Halo fan. Also where is Arkham Asylum?! One of my top 5 games of ’09. I’m not into fighting games at all and RE5 just didn’t do it for me so would drop UFC and RE5 for Arkham Asylum and Assasins Creed 2.
1. Uncharted 2
2. Halo 3: ODST
3. Batman Arkham Asylum
4. Assasins Creed 2
5. Forza Motorsport 3