Cheesemeister
Member
If you find a new GOTY, please post in this thread. Thanks!
Archive: 2009, 2008, 2007
Current standings:
Mass Effect 2 - 44.5**
Red Dead Redemption - 35.5*
Super Mario Galaxy 2 - 11
Heavy Rain - 5.5**
Bayonetta - 2
Minecraft - 2
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty - 2
Alan Wake - 1
Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood - 1
Bioshock 2 - 1
Fallout: New Vegas - 1
Halo: Reach - 1
Super Meat Boy - 0.5*
* Why the half-point?
** Why the half-point?
[360] Alan Wake
Time
[360][PS3] Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
That Gamer Hub
[360][PS3] Bayonetta
DarkZero (UK)
IGN (UK)
[360][PS3][PC] Bioshock 2
Fidgit
[360][PS3][PC] Fallout: New Vegas
Softpedia
[360] Halo: Reach
Yahoo! Games (UK)
[PS3] Heavy Rain
CNN
Newsarama
TheSixthAxis
Total Video Games
The Totally Rad Show
VideoGamer
[360][PS3][PC] Mass Effect 2
All Age Gaming
AtomicGamer
AV Club
BrotherSoft
The Brutalgamer
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
CHUD
D+PAD
Dose.ca (Canada)
Empire
Eurogamer
Eurogamer (Italy)
Evil Avatar
GameFocus
Gameplayer.se
Gamer Limit
Gamereactor (UK)
GamerNode
The Gamers' Temple
Gamestyle
GameTrailers
GameZone
GamingBits
GamingBolt
Giant Bomb
God is a Geek
HEXUS.gaming
Hooked Gamers
IGN
IGN AU
Joystiq
Kill Screen
MSNBC
MTV
MyInsideGamer
Newsarama
Next Gen News
Phoenix New Times
Planet Xbox 360
The Salt Lake Tribune
Snackbar Games
Spaziogames
Archive: 2009, 2008, 2007
Current standings:
Mass Effect 2 - 44.5**
Red Dead Redemption - 35.5*
Super Mario Galaxy 2 - 11
Heavy Rain - 5.5**
Bayonetta - 2
Minecraft - 2
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty - 2
Alan Wake - 1
Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood - 1
Bioshock 2 - 1
Fallout: New Vegas - 1
Halo: Reach - 1
Super Meat Boy - 0.5*
* Why the half-point?
RipTen said:The RipTeam was deadlocked between Red Dead Redemption and Super Meat Boy. However, once we really thought about it - both of these games represent everything that is right about gaming today, and they both deserve to be Game of the Year.
** Why the half-point?
Lucas Siegel said:Here, Seth and I team-up to lay out our favorites of the year, and declare two "Best of 2010."
[360] Alan Wake
Time
Evan Narcisse said:Lots of video-game covers have a bold M on their lower left corner, but none have felt as mature as Alan Wake does. Its unsettled titular character carries adult concerns a stalled career, a troubled marriage into a psychological thriller set in a town taken over by a shadowy occult force. Alan Wake's biggest triumph lies in turning metaphor into game play. Yes, you fight the possessed townspeople of Bright Falls with the typical pistols and shotguns, but only after shining light on them to burn the darkness off. Its mix of meta-awareness and Hitchcockian suspense make Alan Wake a unique and fun experiment and one of the best games of the year.
[360][PS3] Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
That Gamer Hub
Brandon said:Assassins Creed: Brotherhood had a lot to contend with, namely the fact that people were sceptical that Ubisoft could create a full sequel within a year. But boy did they pull it off. The main storyline alone kept the players engrossed for hours, with copious amounts of sub-stories to keep us enthralled in the universe. The multiplayer was a risky step, but one which paid off exponentially, as its overwhelming success and innovative execution is one that keeps us all coming back for more. Truly the stand-out game of the year.
[360][PS3] Bayonetta
DarkZero (UK)
Ian Dickson said:...Bayonetta is one of the most beautifully crafted videogames of all time. To most its either too bizarre or simply a platform for filth (very few people can get past the idea of a semi-nude woman fighting demons with her hair) but for the ones that get it Bayonetta is a triumph the end result of near forty years of videogaming history.
IGN (UK)
[360][PS3][PC] Bioshock 2
Fidgit
Tom Chick said:I'll just say that of all the videogames to come out this year, none had something as important to say as Bioshock 2. That it says it in the context of a richly atmospheric and consistently surprising follow-up to my favorite game of 2007, with a nifty multiplayer game to boot, is just gravy.
[360][PS3][PC] Fallout: New Vegas
Softpedia
Andrei Dumitrescu said:The great triumph for New Vegas is that it delivers a world which is closer to feeling alive than any other delivered in video gaming this year, including that of Mass Effect or that of Fable III.
[360] Halo: Reach
Yahoo! Games (UK)
Paul Davies said:We have rarely, if ever, encountered a game so finely tuned as Halo: Reach. Technical considerations aside, you really feel like a Covenant conquering Spartan hero after setting down the controller.
[PS3] Heavy Rain
CNN
Scott Steinberg said:An interactive thriller that raises the bar for adventure gaming by injecting genuine choice and emotion into its suspenseful nonlinear narrative. It features storytelling that's every bit as gripping and cinematic as anything Hollywood produces.
Newsarama
Seth Robison said:Unlike a lot of games that claim to expand your gameplay choices with false morality path dialog options that ultimately lead to you the same place, choices in Heavy Rain have permanent storyline implications, including character death. Visually and audibly, the game couldnt be much sharper without being done in FMV, and even the loading screens, which force you to look into the eyes of the PCs as they stare back or shift around nervously, builds their connection with the player.
TheSixthAxis
Total Video Games
Gwynne Dixon said:Quantic Dream's Heavy Rain is not just a great game, it's a game that's pioneering a whole new genre. Where the gameplay behind other third-person titles puts the impetus on surviving - slavishly avoiding that game over screen or, by modern standards, restarting from the last checkpoint - Heavy Rain challenges gamers to see how they can guide a storyline based on their actions as a character or interactions with other characters.
It is a fully interactive storyline, with the stresses placed firmly on fully and interactive. By going against all of your instincts and allowing your character to get busted by police or perhaps even killing off a character, you can effectively unlock full arcs of storyline that would otherwise remain untold. Subtle dialogue choices then have the capacity to make or break relationships with secondary characters, culminating in a complex plot that weaves its way to a dramatic and startling conclusion to say the least.
The Totally Rad Show
VideoGamer
Neon Kelly said:With hindsight, the game's weaker areas are easy to see, but they're easy to forgive, too. The script may falter on occasion, or the plot take a turn that would be criticised if it appeared in a film or TV show - but it speaks volumes that we're making such comparisons in the first place. David Cage and Quantic Dream have successfully bridged the gap between films and games; the bridge isn't perfect, but it's strong enough that other people will follow in their wake. For the time being, however, Heavy Rain stands alone. It's provocative, hugely exciting, and unafraid to show its true feelings. No wonder it scares the hell out of us.
[360][PS3][PC] Mass Effect 2
All Age Gaming
Craig Cirillo and Danny Yee said:Bioware brought to Q1 2010 their epic space saga with a more streamlined approach to the gameplay whilst still keeping a strong focus on plot development and engaging characters. The battle gameplay was changed to be more of a 3rd person action shooter with some RPG elements mixed in but the biggest strengths of Mass Effect 2 is how it is able to create a living universe and give the impression your actions really makes an effect on the galaxy.
AtomicGamer
BioWare's action-RPG sequel's biggest issue probably lies in its reliance on stereotypical cover-shooter level design, but the abilities and powers you could put into your version of Commander Shepard and his/her squad kept things very fresh and exciting.
AV Club
Mass Effect 2 pushes the limits of the traditional role-playing game, jettisoning the fiddly details of loot, stats, and gear into the cold vacuum of space. Good riddance. This streamlining allows players to invest more emotion in the plot and the many decisions they must make as they assemble a ragtag team of allies to confront an alien threat.
BrotherSoft
The Brutalgamer
Simon Flatman said:A deserving winner that captured the essence of sci-fi literature and framed it within slick and varied gameplay mechanics. The writing was sharp, the characters made you care and the views were phenomenal. Even mining was enjoyable. Mass Effect 2′s entwining character arcs inspired multiple playthroughs, and although adding morality to games isnt new, Bioware handled it with grace and intrigue.
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Peter Nowak said:A top-notch game generally offers four things: amazing visuals, great sound and voice acting, varied gameplay and a well-written story. No other release in 2010 nails all four like Mass Effect 2.
CHUD
Alex Riviello said:Youve never played a game like Mass Effect 2. Youve never carried a storyline across multiple games like this and never have your decisions had so much weight. Youve never seen such a perfect melding of story and action, character and strategy.
D+PAD
An action/adventure with a strong emphasis on gunplay, abilities both active and passive, plus an impressive cast with a breathtaking range of responses dependant on your own decisions, Mass Effect 2 brought together the best elements of modern gaming and upped the ante in every respect.
Dose.ca (Canada)
Richard Chow said:An outstanding story, great firefights, fantastic dialogue and compelling, well-developed characters made this sci-fi RPG/shooter a must-play. Your decisions have great consequences, which could lead to a number of story paths as you visit alien worlds full of unforgettable visuals - and to top things off, there is plenty of excellent optional downloadable content to give you opportunity to explore the galaxy even further.
Empire
Each member of Shepards team fascinates; the world is visually breathless in magnitude, and the enthralling combat and the rewarding RPG elements effortless gel. Rich in mythology, gameplay and visuals, Mass Effect 2 is nothing short of a masterpiece.
Eurogamer
Tom Bramwell said:Other RPGs have built us up from amnesia and sun-soaked castaways to defenders of the universe, and in this respect Mass Effect 2 can't exactly claim any special quality or inspirational breakthrough but it's a testament to BioWare's superb craft that something so controlled and so deliberately polished can still feel so empowering from start to finish, and that shouldn't be overlooked.
Eurogamer (Italy)
Commander Shepard wins then the third stage and the second gold medal, bringing to light once again the love of you gamers towards what has quickly become a true icon of this generation gaming.
Evil Avatar
lost said:It offers some genuinely heart-breaking moments, delivered by a cast that, quite remarkably, manages to be more interesting than the original crew of the Normandy. Deeply involving side-quests, and some unique locations ensure that Mass Effect has now carved out its own specific spot in the world of science fiction and fantasy.
GameFocus
David Collins said:You play once again as Commander Shepard who is about to face one hell of a challenge; save humanity from destruction in a mission he might not survive. Thankfully, however, he wont be alone. You have to assemble a crack team to help you, choosing from ten captivating characters, each with their own personality, background, range of special abilities and unique quests.
Gameplayer.se
Gamer Limit
Boasting one of the greatest, dynamic ending sequences of all time, and full, perfectly casted voice acting, Mass Effect 2 is a force to be reckoned with. With a myriad of choices at every turn mixed with high paced hi-tech shooting action, you really cant go wrong with Commander Shephard and his crew the second time around.
Gamereactor (UK)
It followed the Bioware tradition with its great storyline, and almost everything bad that could be said about the first game had been removed - no graphical glitches, no annoying Mako, no hassle with a million different equipment upgrades - and the action and controls were much tighter and simply more fun this time around. No other RPG, or game, came even close to Biowares masterpiece this year.
GamerNode
The Gamers' Temple
Everything about this second entry in the amazing series is absolute gaming perfection. The story and characters are miles beyond anything seen in video games to this point, the graphics, sound and voice acting are equally impressive and, in a departure from the first game, Mass Effect 2's firefights are quick, action-based skirmishes that are more Call of Duty than Final Fantasy.
Gamestyle
GameTrailers
GameZone
GamingBits
Geoff Hathaway said:The improvements over the first game are apparent even at first glance. It is a game that kicks you in the teeth from the opening cutscene and the ride doesnt end until the final battle. I have never played a console game that left me wanting more than Mass Effect 2...
GamingBolt
Rashid Sayed said:Mass Effect has set the bar too high. It will be interesting to see how Bioware betters it with Mass Effect 3.
Giant Bomb
Mass Effect 2 makes great improvements over the original game, streamlining where necessary and managing to make the action feel, well, a lot more action-y. But it's the universe and the characters that are the stars here, with enough great side missions to let you get to know the entire cast and a main quest that, despite ending with a sort of lame-looking boss, feels intensely rewarding. Even getting your crew together manages to excite, with large portions of the game feeling like some sort of intergalactic Ocean's Eleven as you traipse around the stars, picking up new members of your suicidal running crew and completing tasks for them to ensure their loyalty.
God is a Geek
Asim Tanvir said:Best described as an epic space opera, this gem from BioWare is a title that just keeps on giving right until its breathtaking climax. Every single aspect of the game is so expertly crafted and put together that you cant help but be drawn into the amazing sci-fi themed world. Whether youre taking down a few Reapers on a risky mission or conversing with a team member, throughout the length of the game, you feel like you are Commander Shepard.
HEXUS.gaming
The branching storyline is totally engrossing, its characters captivating, and the gameplay is rewarding. Mass Effect 2 is a cinematic experience that teters on gaming perfection.
Hooked Gamers
A tremendous story was brought to the table with the game's release at the beginning of the year. A cast of both new and old characters and a choice driven narrative held our interest from the start and never let go.
IGN
Though other great games came later in the year, none carried the emotional power of Mass Effect 2. No other game resonated with us so deeply.
IGN AU
Like Tiger Woods before he got busted, Mass Effect 2 nails absolutely everything. Its combat manages to masterfully cater to both fans of cover-based shooting and RPG spell-casting, its refined conversation system makes character interactions dynamic rather than disjointed, and its assortment of alien worlds rewards exploration with side quests that are actually distinguishable from each other, rather than being a cloned set of menial plot filling tasks and fetch quests.
Joystiq
Ludwig Kietzmann said:Mass Effect 2 is a game for those of us who like to entertain the rather whimsical notion that a fictional world has some sort of permanence, even when you turn your attention to something else. It's the belief that even while you're standing in front of the mirror, squeezing a pimple, Miranda's doing research and Garrus is still adjusting relays or whatever he does in the bowels of the Normandy. BioWare has made a deliberate, serious and herculean effort to cover up the ugly truth: when you walk away, the universe turns off all the lights, and everyone explodes on a pixel-ecular level.
Kill Screen
MSNBC
Todd Kenreck said:The one game that pushed the boundaries of gaming like no other this year, they let you create your own story, explore exotic planets with a fantastic cast of characters, actors, music, writing, and addictive gameplay . "Mass Effect 2" is our much-deserved game of the year.
MTV
Russ Frushtick said:Perhaps what's most incredible about "Mass Effect 2" was how willing the developers were to toss what didn't work about the first game and start from scratch. The combat, the mission structure, the inventory, the character advancement. And with all these changes came a far superior game.
MyInsideGamer
Robert Dillon said:In our review, we heaped praise on the sequel to the also-award-winning Mass Effect. With an immersive story, its an epic space sci-fi. The fact that everything works so well together secured that this game was the highlight of 2010.
Newsarama
Lucas Siegel said:A story that pulls you along for the nearly two full days it takes to play it, and makes it feel like you just watched a two hour movie instead. This is the best game of the year on so many levels, with fantastic, easy-to-access gameplay, a near-perfect story, amazing sound and visuals, it hits all the notes necessary for an awesome video game.
Next Gen News
Filthy Eskimo said:A beautifully crafted game by a team of passionate and skillful developers. The incredible attention to detail ,in every single element of the game is nothing short of breath taking. [sic]
Phoenix New Times
Tyler Hughes said:The second act of Bioware's three-part epic space odyssey finds Commander Shepard compiling an enigmatic team for a suicide mission and improves upon the original gameplay formula in every way.
Planet Xbox 360
The Salt Lake Tribune
Vince Horiuchi said:What unfolds is a truly interactive story that gives the player the power to control Shepards fate, all while encountering interesting, fully fleshed-out characters. If only todays Hollywood science-fiction films could be as compelling.
Snackbar Games
Andrew Passafiume said:It provides one of the most satisfying gameplay experiences Ive seen in an RPG, and does shooting better than a lot of shooters. Complete with a lengthy story and plenty of memorable side quests, ME2 is an absolute triumph from start to finish.
Spaziogames
Andrea Monza said:Encased in two DVDs (and also in January on a Playstation 3 Blu-ray), fans of role-playing games have a simply unforgettable experience, thanks to the unique art direction and script worthy of the great masterpieces of science fiction. Need I say more?