This was a very strange year for video games. Tons of sequels, lots of money made, lots of money lost. The indie video game culture continues to grow thanks to the ever popular digital distribution channels such as steam, PSN network, XBOX live, and Wiiware. And the mass delaying of Christmas games till the new year out of fear of competing with Modern Warefare 2…speaking of which…

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10) Call of Duty: Modern Warefare 2 (Xbox 360, PS3, PC) [Infinity Ward]

So Modern Warefare 2 was kind of a big deal.  It was actually the biggest launch of anything ever.  No film, book, TV show, DVD, game….anything….has made as much money when it launched as MW2.  And it is a fun game, a very fun game at times, especially if you are playing with a friend.  That said it is basically the video game equivalent of a bunch of episodes of 24.  It cost a shit ton of money to make but adds exactly nothing to FPS games or video games as a whole.  Which is fine, they have their place, and that place is number 10.

Original Bloglin review

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9) New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Wii) [Nintendo]

The most fun I have had with the Wii all year.  Basically classic Mario game play but with more multiplayer options.  One issue I had with it is that it is actually really fucking hard, like way harder then I remember Mario being.  That’s not really a problem but you might want rent it first if you think it will just be a relaxing affair.

Not originally reviewed on the Bloglin

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8) Demon’s Souls (PS3) [Atlus]

Demon’s Souls is a relentless fucking game.  Much has been written about its difficulty level already, it is a very challenging game.  But it is a fair game, a game that you must play well in order to advance.  It is also one of the most original RPGs in recent memory.  It is also continuing to be updated with new content so if you are into reply value then this is your game.  Demon’s Souls came out of nowhere and only through proving itself a worthy game has it become a small hit.  If you own a PS3 definitely check this game out.

Original Bloglin review

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7) Street Fighter IV (Xbox 360, PS3, PC) [Capcom]

So how about this for a smart idea.  Lets take the classic Street Fighter 2 class of characters, give them some really inspired and great looking new graphics and depth, and just make a really kickass fighting game.  DONE.  Street Fighter IV is so simple that it makes you think “Why didn’t they think of that before?”  It uses 2.5 dimensions but its not lame like Street Fighter EX.  It plays as simple or as complex as you want it to play.  And then of course there is the online multiplayer, and it just works.

Not originally reviewed on the Bloglin

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6) Left 4 Dead 2 (Xbox 360, PC) [Electronic Arts]

Lots of folk like zombies nowadays so it is kind of surprise that it took this long to make THE zombie game.  Left 4 Dead was a start in the right direction but it felt kind of empty, souless…and not always very fun.  Left 4 Dead 2 improves on its predecessor in many ways.  All in all it just feels like this is the best zombie-killing simulation we will ever get….until Left 4 Dead 3 comes out.

Original Bloglin review

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5) Machinarium (Online) [Amanita]

The best indie game of the year by far.  A point and click flash game with inspired art, an amazing soundtrack, and challenging game play.  The best part is that it can be played on any computer since it is flash based.  And you can try a long part of the game for free.  Definitely check it out.

Original Bloglin review

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4) Uncharted 2: Among Theives (PS3) [Naughty Dog]

The best Indiana Jones gave ever made.  It is getting pretty cliche to call Uncharted 2 cinematic but it really is.  Everything about it screams cheesy action treasure film, but it is just so fun to play.  Oh yeah and it is fucking beautiful.

Not originally reviewed on the Bloglin

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3) Borderlands (Xbox 360, PS3, PC) [2k]

It is not often that a game comes out that makes its own sub-genre.  Combining elements of First-Person shooters, Roleplaying Games, and Treasure Hunting/Dungeon Crawler games…Borderlands really got a lot of players hooked.  The game was monotonous, hours and hours performing the same menial tasks but somehow when you got that new RPG that shot acid…it was all worth it.  And setting the game the game in a futuristic post-apocalyptic alien world didn’t hurt either.

Original Bloglin review

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2) Brutal Legend (Xbox 360, PS3, PC) [Electronic Arts]

Another masterpiece from Tim Schafer and doublefine, the Pixar of the video game world.  What was obvious from the beginning was that this game was made for fans of metal music….that was clear.  But what was more of a surprise was how varied and fun the gameplay would be.  A weird hybrid of adventure rpgs, third person beatem’ups,  and RTS games…Brutal Legend has a lot going on.  Some people complained that it tried to do TOO much but I disagree…it wasn’t trying to master everything….it simply didn’t want you to be bored.  And I for one was not bored at all.

Original Bloglin review

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1) Batman: Arkham Asylum (Xbox 360, PS3, PC) [Eidos]

When The Dark Knight came out and made too much money the next question was….where is the fucking video game?  The simple answer was…there wasn’t one.  Warner didn’t know that TDK was going to make beaucoup bucks, so they never signed off on a direct adaptation.  Thankfully Arkham Asylum WAS in the pipeline at the time…and instead of rushing it out early to catch the salivating Batman fans…they actually DELAYED it to make it better.  To say that this plan worked would be a a vast understatement.  Batman: Arkham Asylum is not just the greatest Batman game ever made, it is quite possibly the greatest superhero game ever made.  When I first decided to try it out I had very low expectations.  But the game, with equal parts, stealth, action, and puzzlesolving…had me hooked.  Everything about the game just works.  It also has a ton of replay value with all the weird shit you can find and collect.  Then there are all the challenges you can do, some of which are really tricky shit.  All in all, the game is a masterpiece…do yourself a favor and pick it up.

Original Bloglin review

- Dr. Dinosaur