Time for another list, top 10 games of the year up to this date. 8 Months of games (both new generation and old) have resulted in this:
I'll give them grades out of 10 just for kicks.
1. Bioshock (Xbox 360/PC)- 9.7/10
I expected it to be good, but I didn't expect it to be this good. Pretty rare that a game so hyped actually met my expectations and exceeded them. Just a beautiful game all around, everything from atmosphere to audio to graphics to story to gameplay all worked really well almost throughout.
If you have a 360 and haven't played this yet, you are committing a sin. Even if you don't like shooters, you should at least give this a try.
2. God of War 2 (PS2)- 9.5/10
A PS2 game this high up? If there is any game that gives legitimacy to the claim that this generation started too early it is this one. Story wise not as good as the first game and not as challenging in the normal combat department, but it exceeds the first in one key respect that is essential to a God of War game: the boss fights. Definitely the best boss fights in an action game, so much better than the usual type of bosses found in most games of this type (even the good ones, Ninja Gaiden).
One of the best looking PS2 games for sure and will help a fan like myself (along with the psp game) in waiting for the PS3 God of War.
3. Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 (PS2)- 9.3/10
Two PS2 games in the top 3 seems weird to me, but I definitely feel like this game deserves the praise. Combat wise this is a traditional turn based JRPG mostly, but everything else about this game is worlds apart from other games in the genre. An original story, that stands out among the countless cliche stories in these kinds of games, likeable characters, great art style and very different soundtrack all make this a treat to play. If you are a fan of JRPGs and haven't played this then you are completely missing out. This is the Japanese RPG game of the year easily. Even as a huge Final Fantasy fan, I thought this was a better game than Final Fntasy XII despite the massive budget and the much better graphics of the latter.
Everything from voice acting to the Persona collection is surprisingly good. Perhaps the one complaint I have is that most of the fighting takes place in one large tower called Tartarus, I would have preferred more locations. The combat system deals with the possibility of getting bored by the grind very nicely as it always remains fun despite the repetitive nature of this type of game. Even the social gameplay parts are fun and interesting and actually attach you to characters both in your party and outside a lot more than in other games.
4. Crackdown (Xbox 360)- 9.2/10
Take a sandbox type game with a mix of 3rd person shooter and add superhuman abilites and powers and you get crackdown. Don't expect spells and such from this game, the abilites relate more to physical and arms capabilities. Sure the story is non existant, but everything else in the game just works so well. You have a huge open city of 3 large islands and you can go lierally everywhere (Except in doors usually) and climb any building no matter how tall. The best part in this game is the vertical gameplay. Never has spending 20 minutes climbing a massive building just to reach the top to ge an achievement been so fun.
This is the first game I play where I actually was hunting for achievements instead of just getting them as I go. Also the orb collection system is extremely addictive and will have you playing for hours just looking for them. Definitely a game that you can play after you'e beaten and still enjoy greately. Really underrated, didn't need the Halo 3 beta to sell it as some have claimed before.
5. Virtua Fighter 5 (PS3 and Xbox 360 soon)- 9.1/10
The most impressive fighting game tactically that there is out there. The combat system in this game stands head and shoulders above anything in Soul Calibur and even further above DOA, Tekken and others. Not to mention that this is the first fighting game that actually looks next gen, both environments and characters fantastic.
The only department I think Virtua Fighter lags behind other fighters is character. All the other major fighting games have a lot more interesting and excentric characters. Virtua Fighter has only a few that stand out (Goh being one of them). In every other respect this is probably the best fighting game out there period. Would have been rated higher if there weren't other really great games this year.
6. Ninja Gaiden Sigma (PS3)- 9.0/10
What do you get when you take the deep combat system of a fighting game and implement it to an action game? Ninja Gaiden. Easily, the best combat system of any action game out there. So many moves, so much quick movement and reaction that you will grow to either love or hate the game (or more likely both). The game definitely loses a few spots in rankings because it is a remake.
One of the few 1080p/60 fps games out there, so that should be noted too. A few new levels and a new playable character, new fights for those who have played the older versions and want something new. Most challenging action game out there, probably one of the hardest major games period right now. If you own a PS3 or Xbox go and buy one of the versions of this game. If you want a challenging game this is for you.
7. Warhawk (PS3)- 8.7/10
My favorite multiplayer shooter on a console so far. On the opposite side of the spectrum from Gears of War, this game is more about very large teams fighting in massive battles in the air and on the ground. The game brings Battlefield style gameplay to consoles in a surprisingly good way. The air cobmat in this game is the funnest and best there is out there.
Really fun to play, always gives a chance for beginners to improve. No one is unkillable in this game, especially in the warhawks. Definitely a game worth getting if you are the type who plays online multiplayer shooters the most for hours on end or if you just like to jump in only every once in a while for fun (like me).
8. The Darkness (360 and PS3)- 8.5/10
Underrated. If I could describe this game in one word (other than the title) this would be it. If you're looking for a good multiplayer shooter, this isn't it. The heart of this game is in the single player. Stands out from all the generic FPS games out there with a very differnet story and by mixing both gunplay and demonic abilities that make the game really fun to play.
Looks great, better voice acting than most games, better story than almost all shooters and a lot more freedom (though confined) than other FPS games. You don't move level to level in this game, you go by objectives in an open world (not a big one). Lots of nice little touches in the game too, from the televisions to way you level (by eating the hearts of people you kill). One of the best endings in a shooter, and some really good story moments throughout the game.
9. Super Paper Mario (Wii)- 8.2/10
It's old school Mario side scrolling platforming with RPG elements and some 3D turning added on. Very different from previous Paper Mario games but very good in its own right. A quirky story with lots of humor that actually works and a very good looking game with a very special art style. A good amount of puzzles and stuff to solve (a lot more than I expected) and the option to switch between players and Pixels that give have different key abilities.
Kind of drags on with the amount of text (especially in the beginning) but overall has very good writing that entertains. A must buy on the Wii.
10. Motorstorm (PS3)- 8.0/10
An arcade-y racer that is fun to play both in single player and in multiplayer. Really great looking game, with a very good representation of off road and desert racing. The different types of vehicles you use in the game really adds a lot to it. Each vehicle drives differently and usually every track has several different routes to take based on what the vehicle you are driving. You drive everything from tiny fast motor bikes to gigantic big rigs that plow through other vehicles that you are racing.
The races vary from including only same type vehicles to including all types to including all the different types in a huge mash up. Definitely needed more game types and split screen two player, but overall a great game.
Note: I have not yet played through Metroid Prime 3, Blue Dragon or Jeanne D'Arc so those games are not in contension.
Thanks to Blacksaber for the sig!
