Australian Gamer presents - The Best of 2009

Feature from Starks - Sunday, 24 January 2010 @ 11:50am

The Top 5; A gaming sites staple feature for the end of the year. Ususally written at a round table discussion, where compromises are made and publisher pay-off's are taken into consideration, AustralianGamer.com does things a little different. Each writer will pick their shit-hot list for the year and then I get a super computer to calculate which of our selections are the Top 5 for the site.

In any case, 2009 has had some excellent titles released. We, as AustralianGamer.com, clearly should recognise what we felt were the top of the pile for us as gamers. Nobody will agree with all of them, but I do think the Top 5 that we round off with at the end is a very, very solid list and represents an excellent cross section of 2009's best video games.

Finally, from discussions I've had, we tended to pick games we ourselves enjoyed. I know I personally picked titles that challenged me as a gamer, challenged the genre or did both. I know that the rest of the team would have done the same cause... well, that's what we do. At least until IGN.com buy us out. Then we'll defer to the almighty dollar!

This year is the year I ran out of time. I've been doing a lot of stuff. Between redeveloping parts of AustralianGamer both visible and unseen, working on GameDamage, and other side projects, as well as just plain working, I've found remarkably little time to do the stuff I want to do. One of the first things to go has been gaming.

What's especially depressing is to read lists of the best games this year: Batman: Arkham Asylum, Borderlands, Dragon Age, Modern Warfare 2, Left 4 Dead 2, Assassin's Creed II. I played none of these games. Seriously. And much of what I did play was crap. WET, Buffy on the DS, etc.

So this shouldn't be considered any sort of comprehensive list... it's the best I played this year, not some sort of official verdict. I'm also only including four because I seriously couldn't think of a 5th game I played that deserved a place.

1. Uncharted 2

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Missing the first title is a regret I've always had, but Uncharted 2 is a must-play for anyone. It's one of the few genuinely exceptional exclusives on the PS3, and achieves something truly special. Amazing cinematics, and great writing and dialogue.

2. LocoRoco 2

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Yes, seriously. The PSP is starved of good titles and this exclusive IP is much needed. LR2 takes everything in the first title and improves on it.

3. Doodle Jump

I know it's hard to stack this up against something like Modern Warfare 2, but the way I play games is mostly on the train or waiting for something, and this simple iPhone game has given me more fun than just about anything else. It's also more addictive than WoW.

4. Aion

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Every now and then someone steps up to take on the World of Warcraft juggernaught, and Aion has been a better show than most. It's a polished and impressive game, and will be even more so with an upcoming patch.

2009 has been a pretty spectacular year for gaming, we’re far beyond the ‘gimmicks’ that a new console brings, and are now expecting much more from our gaming experiences. Even the fairly average games this year still had more creativity, passion and style than some of the best ones from years before. 2009 is also the year, for me, when I really started to sit up and take the iPhone seriously as a platform, probably because I finally bought one. This successful mobile platform reminds me that as enjoyable as a AAA blockbuster on the consoles can be, it’s important to recognise the simple joys of a game created for short bursts of repetitive play.

1. Uncharted 2

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I never played the first Uncharted game, and I never had any huge expectations for this one. Though the trailers looked cinematic, the characters looked generic and it was hard to tell how in control you actually were. I might have written it off completely if Matt hadn't raved so much about it, and in the end - rightfully so. At the very least, Uncharted 2 should set a benchmark for other titles on how to handle cinematic sequences while still giving the player a feeling of genuine control. Quicktime events should be a thing of the past. The fact that it excels in every other area as well - the characters, story, gameplay, graphics, sound, pace, level design ... it deserves every award it's currently getting, including mine for Number 1 game of 2009.

2. Batman Arkham Asylum

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I spent a long time lamenting the loss of a 'Dark Knight' game, and couldn't accept the 'Arkham Asylum' game as a worthy substitute. It seemed like a throwback to the comics after the mature approach taken by the movies (at that time I hadn't read the Arkham Asylum graphic novel), and I wasn't convinced. After a very long preview session at the Namco Bandai offices though, I was sold. This was an intelligent game, yes a fairly straight forward (though entertaining) 3rd person brawler, but also a compelling look into the psyche of Batman - that I didn't expect. For me, the only reason this didn't hit number 1 spot was due to a less than impressive end game, though Mark Hamill still managed to make the Joker entertaining throughout.

3. Cannabalt (iPhone)

How do you play? You simply tap the screen to make the character jump. That's it. He's running across rooftops, you make him jump. Sounds simple, and it is, but I've not played a game in recent memory that makes me want to go 'one more time' more than this one. Perhaps it's because every time you fall, you know you could have avoided it. Slick presentation, music that surprisingly doesn't become annoying, and a main character that looks like James Bond. If you have an iPhone, you need this game. Then once you have it, let's see you try and beat my score of 28,768m

4. DJ Hero

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It's important to note my top 5 list is MY top 5 list. I'm sure you'll all have your own favourites and disagreements, probably none so obvious as DJ Hero though. You either love it or hate it, there doesn't seem to be much middle ground on this one. The fact it's on my list however shows I'm in the scratching, switching, mixing and mashing camp that loves it ... even more than Guitar Hero. The music is more my style, the peripheral controls feel solid, and the difficultly curve is a gradual one that doesn't penalise you for failing. As a first entry in the series, DJ Hero is impressive - let's just hope it impressed enough people to warrant more support.

5. Infamous

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Sometimes it can be hard to think back over an entire year, especially when so many awesome games came out in the second half. Creeping in at #5 was going to be the Ballad of Gay Tony, the new episode for Grand Theft Auto IV, but upon reflection the more deserving title is the Playstation 3 exclusive, original I.P. open world super hero game Infamous. Not Prototype, but Infamous. It's almost impossible not to compare the two titles, considering the similarities in character, themes, worlds and of course release date, but while Prototype was balls to the walls over the top action, Infamous played closer to its superhero comic chest. As your skills improve, your movement around the growing city does as well, with genuine incentives to help or hinder the population. Killer twist ending as well, even if you can see it coming.

I was struggling to come up with a list of my top 5... I got to 3 pretty easily and then started to struggle. I took a look back through some of the top releases this year and then realised that I'd managed to avoid playing most of what you'd call the "top" games of 2009. Maybe it had something to do with moving into a new a house, having our first kid and all that. I'm sure Assassin's Creed 2, Dragon Age, Batman: Arkham Asylum and Call of Duty:MW2 would've been on my list...had I played any of them.

1. Dragon Age: Origins

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This one was a come from behind winner. After our top 5's had all been compiled Steam had their now famous Christmas sale which has quickly brought an old PC gamer back to the platform. Since then Dragon Age:Oranges has consumed all my time and made me all but ignore my collection of Christmas presents (and family). An awesome story, brilliant gameplay (especially the detailed tactics options). Not only an RPG to beat all others, but enough to knock Uncharted 2 down a peg at the last minute!

2. Uncharted 2

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A clear winner for me this year. Once again Uncharted proved itself to be much more than a Tomb Raider clone. Amazing graphics, interesting and entertaining game play, great story with just the right amount of humour. A great example of how to make a "cinematic" game without making the player sit through 3 hours of cut-scenes. Extra points for the most exhilarating tutorial level ever. And all that is without me having taken so much as a look at multiplayer.

3. Beatles Rock Band

If you read this in reverse it will say "Rhythm games are dead" over and over. Beatles Rock Band proved that the genre has a little bit more life in it yet. Beatles Rock Band was much more than just a song pack, it was a real Beatles experience. Whilst it could easily have been just another collection of tracks, the artwork, the style, the background movies and the music revitalised the "band" genre...even if it was only for another month or so.

4. Forza Motorsport 3

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I haven't really had the chance to play this as much as I would like to have, but the time I have had with the game shows once again that Forza is a worthy competitor to the Gran Turismo series. The customisation, the handling, the roll-overs and crashes all more than make up for the fact that GT5 is still far "prettier". The one thing that really makes Forza 3 head and shoulders above GT5, however, is that it's actually out.

5. Torchlight

Much like Forza 3 got in via the absence of Gran Tursimo. Torchlight squeezes into my top 5 via the absence of Diablo 3. A budget priced game, that is quite simply a heap of fun. Made by a couple of ex-Blizzard guys, Torchlight is a classic dungeon crawler in every way. It has an awesome array of levels, enemies, weapons and spells and even the odd original idea. It's nothing ground breaking, but for "pulp" RPG-ing, it's awesome.

I've been hella busy but whilst I chomp down on my very late lunch infront of my computer I thought I might as well procrastinate about this. I'd just like to note there were a fucktonne of games that still deserve a big mention, but didn't make it to my list due to me not playing them or not having enough time with them. Things like Borderlands, Batman Arkum Asylum, Dragon Age, Red Alert 3, Left 4 Dead 2, inFamous and the GTAIV Eps all deserve accolades that hopefully some of the other AG crew can elaborate on.

1. DJ Hero

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I go back and think about why I rate this game so high and it all boils down to the fun factor. I enjoy the game on my own as well as with other people. I'm not the best at DJ Hero, in fact some would say I'm pretty bad, but skills aren't the determining factor. The music is well mixed and it's something fresh in the rhythm genre. Also those decks fit comfortably under my TV cabinet. Something only the WiiFit board has managed to do up till now(although you can guess which one is looking a lot more dusty). I eagerly await each DLC pack and I'll be looking forward to the extra content and modes they will include in the inevitable sequel.

2. Street Fighter IV

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What wot wot? The Asian dude didn't put SFIV at number one? A very close runner up but it surely deserves it's spot at the top. SFIV revived my love for fighters and it brings back a lot of what made the Street Fighter series a hit back in the 90's. Online play is rather smooth with other Aussies (which are now very hard to find randomly) and the character selection is better than I expected. 2009 was the year of fighters and SFIV still ranked highest of them all. The eager wait for Super SFIV is unbearable.

3. Uncharted 2

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I put playing this off till the very end of the year, only because I shamefully never finished UC1. Ever since I got invited into the multiplayer beta this game has been engaging. It's like a well told cinematic experience with some great puzzle and platform play. Naughty Dog have proven to me that they're a top tier developer.

4. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

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I fell for the shock factor that was the airport scene in this game. Controversial and powerful in its element it got me hooked to finish the 6 hour experience. I also found Spec Ops to be a great experience for that co-op itch. The short rounds of level based objectives are something many FPS makers never look to put into their game which gives MW2 it's edge this year. Pity about the infrastructure of online for PC although my care factor is nil since the 360 version is all Jaejae really needs.

5. Dissidia: Final Fantasy

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I could count the amount of hours I've invested on my DS this year on one hand. Even if I only had 3 fingers on that hand. The PSP on the other hand has shown some really good titles this year. The best of all being Dissidia, a hard game to learn at first but rewarding once you get the hang of the mechanics and rules. It's also quite pleasant on the eyes.

1. Dragon Age: Origins

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Bioware biased but still... they said spiritual successor to Baldur's Gate and I believe they delivered. They even tied a nice little bow around the package for me in the shape of not only a brilliant narrative but a romantic option that had not been emotionally crippled by a dead wife/failed duty/etc. This was the one game I locked myself into a room for and did not come out until I was finished. The game was epic and it rocked my world.

2. Batman Arkham Asylum

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Brilliantly designed game that let the story unfold with the gameplay. Nothing fancy and the lovely touches of grabbing minions and tying them to gargoyles only enhanced the experience. The villains held as much, if not more character than the heroes. Mark Hamill as the Joker was amazing and if the rumours about a sequel are true, I'll be willing to do what I rarely do for a game and preorder as soon as I am able.

3. Uncharted 2

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A great follow up for the launch title that helped the PlayStation 3 during its rather underperforming launch. While some design elements niggled (sticky cover, clipping issues) the story helped a genre overwhelmed by shooters (Action Adventure, I'm looking at you. Just because you have a plot, doesn't mean it's an adventure). What bought it for me was the brilliant script for Nathan Drake. Helicopter, I mean you.

4. Assassin's Creed II

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Say what you want about the first game, it was amazing from a historical point of view. Some liberties with the storyline sure, but Ubisoft went to great lengths to get a fair bit of authenticity ringing in it. Likewise with it's sequel and as I studied Renaissance Italy I'm more than a bit favoured towards the game. I mean, the Medicis! How can you not love this game? It has history! And it isn't stupid history! And as for the actual game - the issues with the first have been addressed, while I did feel that repetitiveness remained, the fact that I could swim was more than enough to make up for it.

5. Velvet Assassin

I had a lot to say about this one and frankly, it's probably the only game that has elicited such a response from me. I was flabberghasted after playing this and think it's a brilliant piece of narrative in a game. In terms of developing gaming culture and creating some sort of literature out of it, this game has really pushed what I expect in a game. It wasn't just being a (relatively) anonymous protagonist that pushes through a narrative... it was different. Unexpected. It's part of my top five for standing out from the rest of the pack and for challenging my expectations.

1. Wii Sports Resort

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This one slipped along quietly, but personally, I lapped this one up. This is probably more a vote for the WiiMotion Plus attachment, but something had to go along with it and what did was a winner.

2. Batman Arkham Asylum

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WOW. This game has you bythe short and curlies (if you choose to keep them) from the moment you pop it in your console. Once again: great controls and awesome visuals. Christian Bale can 'chow down in Wang Town'. This is what Batman was supposed to be.

3. UFC 2009 Undisputed

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Wow this game still looks great every time I put it in my console. It was awesome to see THQ churn out a different style of fighting game - and do it well. Great controls and awesome visuals

4. Prof Layton and Pandora's Box

This is what the DS is all about - that and the fact that I got Curious Village for free when I bought it! It's has great reply value for minds like mine... and Yug's :P

5. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

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The more I play this game the lower it ranks. If Infinity Ward could fix the online multiplayer element to this game it would be doing so much better. The visuals are great, but the story was scattered and a little short.

1.Empire: Total War

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There are few games that come along that I enjoy so greatly. Halo was one, Civilisation 2 was a second, Empire: Total War is most definitely the third. Wonderful visuals, fantastic gameplay, addictive in essence, the game encapsulates what I love about gaming – Something that makes you think combined with the killing of electronic minions. Fantastic stuff Creative Assembly, you really outdid yourselves!

2. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

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I managed to spend a few weekends with my mates playing this, and I have to say it captured me just as the original did. ‘That Mission’ also challenged me in ways a video game has never previously done so. Well done to Infinity Ward for creating a thrilling single player campaign, and providing the Xbox 360 with another competitive title for the pro gamers.

3. Forza Motorsport 3

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This game just oozes visual beauty. Quite possibly the best looking game I have ever played, it both ignited the racing blood in me and challenged my arcadey driving skills. I just loved ripping around tracks in cars I’ll never get within 50 metres of, with the stereo at full blast and feeling like the wind is almost rushing through my hair. Awesome!!

4. Trainz Simulator 2009: World Builder Edition

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People will disagree with this, but I loved it. Everything a simulator should be and more. I enjoyed the challenge of mastering the use of a Steam Engine as well as the time-sink that was the Surveyor mode. I still haven’t finished my replica of the South Coast line, but by golly will I enjoy the 100+ more hours it will take to build it!

5. DJ Hero

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This game is one that I think was the most innovative of 2009. Taking what is a very difficult real life skill, transferring it an electronic medium and then making it both a skill to master and an art to perfect was something I wasn’t sure FreeStyleGames could do and yet have completed in style. I honestly think this is better than Guitar Hero.

1. Uncharted 2

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After completing the first chapter of Uncharted 2 I knew this game was going to be something very special. The graphics are beautifully presented with an encapsulating story told through the brilliant voice acting. The gameplay unfolds at a pace that is just right, all of this fits together nicely to deliver an amazing cinematic adventure like nothing else that I have seen.

2. DJ Hero

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A yo-yo is the only way I can describe my relationship with DJ Hero. My opinion has shifted so many times I've lost count. I've gone from not being interested in the slightest to this game at all, to absolutely loving everything this game has to offer. The tracks are what make this such an epic experience, I find myself getting right into the mixes DJ Hero has to offer.

3. Borderlands

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Borderlands absolutely nails what it was trying to accomplish, keeping players interested by offering loot, loot and more loot at every instance possible. I managed to clock in about 10 hours in my first sitting of this game and was hooked. The art style the developers went with for Borderlands makes this stand out a little from some of the generic FPS games that we have seen this year. An enjoyable game that I cannot wait to sink some more time into.

4. Left 4 Dead 2 (Uncensored)

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It is unfortunate that Australia received a cut down version of this game because it just does not feel anything like what it should be. The uncensored Left 4 Dead 2 is however amazing. Building upon an already fun to play co-op game, Valve had added a few more layers making for a highly approved sequel that I've added to my library of games.

5. Batman Arkham Asylum

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I couldn't put Arkham Asylum down the first time I played it, everything about it was great. Spectacular voice acting from Mark Hamill gives us one of the best villains in a video game this year. A nicely executed fighting mechanic makes the gameplay flow while combating in an environment which appears to have been brought to life by the developers. One of the best superhero games ever released.

1. Batman Arkham Asylum

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I love Batman. This love is not unconditional, it's tough and built on the hardships we've survived. None more so than when he tries to do video games, but then Arkham Asylum rose like a fucking phoenix to light the flame once more. Writing in this game is darker than I knew Dini had in him but it's the gameplay that makes this the exception to the rule. I could gush about the character design, atmosphere, mixing of stealth and combat, riddles and gadgets and how they've finally figured it out but all you really need to know is that this game makes you feel like Batman.

2. Assassin's Creed II

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This game reminded me that sequels aren't always money hungry franchise flogging, sometimes they add a level of richness that makes them truly worthwhile. This game built on all the strengths of Assassin's Creed as well as bringing some new tricks and story elements. Managed to mix parkour, stealth and swordplay elements smoothly and without feeling cluttered. The story is the sort of bat shit conspiracy sci-fi turned renaissance era revenge plot that I'm perfectly willing to entertain. Basically this feels like a series aught to, the gameplay has evolved and the story follows on without feeling tagged on. I can't help but wonder what the future holds for it.

3. Borderlands

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We may still be getting to know each other, so I'll just clear up that I'm one of those wanky gamers who can love a game entirely for its art direction. That didn't save WET though, but Borderlands has an entirely different appeal to it. If my top five was ordered by the amount of hours I've poured into a game this would be well and truly on top. Possibly because I would only play Arkham Asylum at night but now I'm just sharing private quirks. Nocturnal superhero complexes aside, this game earns points for its sheer amount of content, not to mention creating a bold new IP when playing it safe might have been a more appealing option. The hilariously over the top cartoon gore makes me wonder if Aliens Vs Predator might have made it through the censors if it were only in cell shading. In fact, let's just have all games presented in cell shading until further notice. K? K.

4. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

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This was the gamers equivalent of a blockbuster for the year and I think it needs a head-nod if only for outselling Twilight. It had a lot of hype to live up to and did as well as could be hoped for under such pressure. Cream of the crop as far as first person shooters go. The tongue-cluck inducing "No Russian" scene I think conveyed its point very well. It looked like it could be an airport in any given city and was hauntingly confronting in its familiarity. Call of Duty games play like military recruitment tools at the best of times, and here it's gone for a "THIS COULD HAPPEN TO YOU" angle. And no, I didn't shoot the civilians, I mostly used my knife to save bullets. Chances are good that I'm a horrible person.

5. Fallout 3: DLC

Not a game as such but downloadable content is becoming increasingly important and I think Bethesda's efforts deserve some praise. They kept a steady roll of fresh content that didn't feel like old content and each brought something new to the floor. Sure some of it was buggy but they were right on top of that. The Pitt for instance was tweaked and rereleased several times, not that I ever had a problem with it. Some were better received than others but everyone who loved the main game has no good excuse not to pick up Broken Steel at least. Then when all was done and dusted and the Game of the Year edition ready for release they rewarded their more loyal fan base with a free theme. It wasn't a fantastic reward but it's the thought that counts. That is how you do DLC.

1. Batman Arkham Asylum

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I remember playing the Pc demo and thinking, "Man this game blows." and almost giving up on the game. Luckily I pepped myself up to buy it and give it a go. It was 5 hours until I put the controller down, and 4% completed. It wasn't that I was playing as Batman, it was the heavy combat system , amazing graphics and level detail. The story... And the rewarding surprise when you solved all of the Riddler's puzzles. Even after completing the story mode, I spent ages unlocking and beating my own records in the challenge maps.

2. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

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Obvious choice.

3. Borderlands

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Just packed full of badarsery. So much so I cared little for the actual story, just upgrading my weapons and unlocking new missions. Tarantino styled character intros, sketched art style, insanely insane weapons and running over your friends in multiplayer kept me up until the early am's of many a work night. I loved this game, in spite of the dancing robot annoyance, Claptrap

4. Shadow Complex

If we were handing out a trophy for most surprisingly kickarse of the year, this would be the clear winner. This game came out of no-where. Brought back the magic of side scrolling blah blah blah. This was a great game. The controlls were tricky at first but easily adaptable and fun, and the time trials frustrating but rewarding.

5. 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand

No? Haven't played it? Well you should. It may be one of the years hidden gems. I started playing this game, expecting it to be full of gangster dribble, terrible music and a horrible plot. What I got was, customizable insults, terrible music and a horrible plot. But that was alright, no one plays this game for the plot. You play it for the car chases, the insane boss battles with RPGs and helicopters on roofs, being able to gun down enemies and call them bitch on command and well.. More helicopter rides. This game was just fun. Easy 1000 cheevos, easy entertainment.

Australian Gamer Team Top 5

Well, this is it. 2009’s best and brightest as chosen by AustralianGamer.com. It has been a huge year, and I think the next 5 choices reflect an excellent cross section of gaming’s best titles. I am disgusted with myself that I’ve only managed to play one of them, but then it goes to show that I’ve managed to play some excellent titles in 2009 and not even gotten to the best of the lot!! We gamers are spoilt for choice, sometimes.

With 2009 done and dusted, now we move on to 2010 – Titles are coming out of our ears and already in January we have some solid titles in Bayonetta and Darksiders, and more recently Dark Void. Coming up soon we have Bioshock 2, the much awaited sequel to one of the biggest games of the decade. Will these feature in 2010’s Top 5? You’ll have to stick around and find out! Or tickle Yug. He tends to give up valuable secrets like that when you tickle him.