lol @ angrypoolman

What a dick, huh guys?

The thread's still movin, eh?

Anyway, in my earlier post I sort of generalized games by their origin (Japanese vs western), as it is a main factor in the Wii being my favorite console, because the HD consoles are dominated by western devs. I should probably explain in detail why I mostly prefer games from Japan (for single player experiences). From what I've seen, the main differences are in music, story, and art.

The music in Japanese games tend to make their presence known. Hell, some games are practically defined by their music (lots of NES/SNES stuff). Often there's music playing at all times, whether it's the main menu screen, or during gameplay. I tend to like it this way. The western games I've played tend to either have subtle music that sort of blends into the background (WRPG's), or more commonly, don't have any music during the gameplay at all. For example, while I haven't played it, Shadow Complex looks a hell of a lot like a 2D Metroid, but it seems there's no music during the gameplay. I'm not saying western games don't have good music - I love the Halo theme, and there's some awesome Gears themes in particular - but it usually just isn't there during the gameplay.

The stories in Japanese games tend to be linear. JRPG's in particular seem to often be criticized for this, though to be honest, I'm fine with a linear story. Even if it potentially means less replay value, it's easier to fully flesh out a single story, rather than multiple stories for a game. I've played many western games which put heavy emphasis on choice, allowing the player to change himself, or the story, depending on his actions. While it sounds great in theory, it has never quite worked out well for me. The result is all the storylines end up feeling "empty," somehow. I suppose I need to give more of these games a try (Warren Spector has me interested).

Lastly, the art. This one is pretty obvious: Japan tends to go for cartoony stuff, while the west sticks to the more realistic look. Now, I don't necessarily think anime > 3D, but I do enjoy an art style (or environment) that feels out of this world. It's why I love cel-shading, so I think Wind Waker looks (and will age better) than Twilight Princess. The setting can make all the difference - see Assassin's Creed, Uncharted, and especially Mirror's Edge. Even Gears of War, a game criticized for being too "brown," is a style that appeals to me. Its ridiculously heavy, macho characters adds to the feeling that the Gears world is brutal as hell, nothing like our Earth. Examples of stuff I don't like are Resistance, GTA4, Half-Life, Fallout 3, etc.

Hrm, ended up writing too much. Anyway, I'm mainly generalizing here, of course, so there are exceptions. For example, Blizzard is easily one of my favorite developers, and they fit in the "Japanese" category for all the above - memorable music playing at all times, linear stories, and a cartoony art style. I guess those are some reasons why I love them so much.

For the casual audience Wii, for the traditional gamer PS3/360. For me personally though the Wii has the best library of games. Not for the third-party (which is dire on wii) games but for Ninty's.

PS3

2009/2010 = PlayStation 3 of course!

Hmm, after some thinking through of my responses, I realize I haven't really answered the question you so like to ask right now. So I will, because I won't be satisfied if I don't.

I have already established that the PS3 is the platform with the best games for me (as far as I know by comparison at least). In general, I like deep and engaging singleplayer games, and I will rarely play multiplayer (unless local coop is an option. That I love. I would also never pay to get my console online unless there is a substantial point to it apart from online gaming). At the same time, I enjoy unique experiences, which is why I also want a Wii at some point and am looking forward to Sony's wands as well as Natal. On top of that, I am in general a fan of western games.

And as you might notice, I have a love for freedom of movement in games. You'll see in my games

All of that comes together nicely in the PS3 for me. The funny thing is that I didn't know the PS3 would be the best for me when I bought it, I just took a stab at getting a console and got lucky.

With all the above in mind, here are the games I think makes the PS3 worthwhile for me, both released and yet to come, as well as exclusives and multiplats.

Uncharted series - The first game was really good, it had a very cinematic feel and a very engaging singleplayer, even though it had its faults. The 2nd game blew the first one away, as many of my gripes had been fixed, and the singleplayer had been made even deeper and more engaging! Uncharted: DF was my first platinum trophy, and Uncharted 2 was my third platinum trophy.

God of War III - Having played the two first games on the PS2, I have high hopes for this one. The two first games made themselves notable for me by having engaging singleplayer experiences with epic storylines. Especially the huge scale the games usually operate on, both in scenery and puzzles is something I am really looking forward to seeing on the PS3.

Heavy Rain - The epiphany of interactive game telling? Maybe. I know this is most likely one of the most important games of the generation, no matter how good it will be.

Mirror's Edge - The game falls flat in its storytelling and in many ways, also in its presentation. But the main mechanic, the running, is quite deep with the right leveldesign, which is something the game accomplishes nicely most of the time, resulting in a game that feels incredible (once you get the hang of the running. Getting the hang of it can be frustrating at times). This is most notable in time laps, and I would take a Mirror's Edge time lap racer over an ordinary racer any day. Mirror's Edge was my second platinum trophy.

Batman: Arkham Asylum - A culmination of almost all things great about videogames and the worlds greatest detective. A deep and engaging storyline, and the first game to really let you become the Batman. An amazing game all in all, despite some annoying challenge rooms, stopping me from getting the platinum trophy

Assassin's Creed series - The first game was a little lacking. Good ideas, flawed execution, but still a good game. The second game looks to rectify most of the flaws in the first one, making for an even more engaging experience than the first one. One of the things I also really liked about the first one was the freedom of movement (bringing me back to Mirror's Edge for instance).

inFAMOUS - A fun sandbox game, much better done than Assassin's Creed in terms of the world. The freedom of movement is incredible, I really love it, and on top of that, it has great combat and a good and well-executed storyline. Great game.

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots - Best... story... ever... Honestly, this is still my favorite PS3 game, probably my all time favorite game (though I hesitate to give that title to any game). I didn't even play the other MGS games before, I just watched a recap of the story on GT. Extremely engaging singleplayer, though Uncharted 2 leaves it in the dust storytelling wise.

Flower - Amazing, breathtaking experience. Truly poetry on gameform, it really is something in a category of its own, I absolutely adore this game. Extremely engaging singleplayer experience.

I could go on

Xbox 360 has the best game library to me, because i find every gaming fix on it. It covers every genre, and gameplay, from it's exclusives, to it's mulitplats, and the multiplatform titles generally do better on the Xbox 360, so it's a clear winner for me there. Xbox Live is amazing, and considering i've only been paying roughly $35 dollars a year, that's only about $3 dollars a month for great service to play my games online, with no hitches. The acheivement system is much more rewarding than the bland trophy unlocks also.

multiplatform titles do not do better on Xbox 360 now an days, just putting that out there, your thinking of 2006-2007 friend. :P

Well my fav exclusive is on 360, being gears 2. (On consoles anyway as you dont want any pc :() PS3 has probly had the biggest games this year with things like, uncharted 2, ratchet and clank,killzone 2, infamous ect. (Not that i like em all but still) Wii has been good with a few ambitious games like conduit+madworld,(Which i have to give em credit for) tho not rly any blockbusters. From what i know so far the wii looks to have the best of 2010. So many games like: The grinder, gladiator a.d, metroid:other m, super mario galaxy 2, red steel 2, No more heroes 2 ect. Tho all consoles look like they are going to have a good 2010. PS3 has gt5 wewew :), Mag, Heavy rain, this god of war thing that so many people go on about tho im not interested. 360 has Alan Wake, Splinter Cell, Mass effect 2, Crackdown 2 ect. (even tho some come to pc and only one i KNOW ill get is alan wake).

@Haste,I thought I was the only one dat noticed wii's 2k10 line-up!And since we know Nintendo's new habit to mention some really good game only 5 months from its release date...who knows what will happen!