2009 has been another great year for games, both triple-A and independant. Gwenster and I have each composed our lists of the top 5 Console/PC retail games, and top 5 download/flash/portable games.

BRETT’S PICKS:

Console

5: Brutal legend (PS3)

It seems that a lot of people really didn’t enjoy this game based on internet chatter, but I personally loved it. Ironically It was the thing that most people hated, the RTS stage battles, that I ended up liking as much as the humor, which as an oldskool headbanger I very much appreciated.

4: Mobile suit Gundam Senki 0082 (PS3 import)

Back in the day I have owned a lot of Gundam games. Of the action games, only a couple have been particularly good. Of the ones I’ve played (I never played Namco’s PS2 game so cannot comment on it) this is the first Truly great one. It’s my personal opinion that Bandai actually surpassed the recent armored core games with this addictive Online mecha gameplay

3: Red Faction Guerilla (PS3)

A lot of people liked this game, but strangely for the single player. I found the single player somewhat lacking compared to Volition’s other open worlkd franchise Saints Row, but found the Multiplayer to be amazingly addictive (especially with 1 or 2 friends.) Unfortunately most people completely overlook this great mode.

2: Uncharted 2: Among thieves (PS3)

I just got this game and haven’t quite beaten it yet, but I can truly say it has the most stunning presentation I’ve ever seen in a game. It is more cinematic than Metal gear solid 4. The gameplay is for the most part incredibly tight. Honestly if it weren’t for the sheer joy I got from the next game this would be my top pick.

1: Dragon age origins (PC)

Simply look at my review. I poured over 80 hours into the game to beat it, and am still playing, nuff sed.

Portable/download/flash:

#5 Radiant (iphone)

A fun galaga style shmup with a cute sense of humor

#4 Space Invaders Extreme (Xbox live)

Though Gwenster gives me shit because it’s supposedly inferior to the portable versions, I love this update of the classic.

#3: Battlefield 1943 (PSN)

Battlefield 1942 scaled down with no germans… still better than most new games.

#2: Captain forever (Flash)

I don’t like browser games generally but this free flash game absolutely pushes all my buttons. Starting out with just a command module you quickly scavenge together a ship from destroyed foes… but watch out they all want to do the same to you.
#1: Shadow Complex (X360)

What an amazing surprise this game was. Upstart developer Chair out metroided metroid, in what is surely the most pretty 2.5 d game ever made. Absolutely a must buy for 360 owners

GWENSTER’S PICKS:

Console/PC/Arcade:

#5: Street Fighter 4 (PS3)

Capcom revived their franchise succesfully with Street Fighter 4. The first installment of Street Fighter to go 3D.
Everybody, including me were shocked by this, outragious  ! But the results ? oh man. The results were beautifull.
The fighters animations are gorgeous, the facial expressions are amazing and the game moves with unprecidented speed and fluidness. Truly this is the best a 3D fighting game has looked; thank god they have retained the 2D gameplay and as such there is no 3D plane to move into in any way. Street Fighter 4 is quick and easy to get in to, but it takes quite alot of time to master; with online play no longer are you limited to fighting people in the same room.

#4:Mobile Suit Gundam Senki UC82 (PS3)

It’s a Gundam game. An amazing Gundam action game at that, one of the few truly great ones where you actually don’t need to be a UC fan to see beyond the flaws to enjoy it. Much as Brett stated; this game surpasses From Software’s latest Armored Core 4 series in every way, most notably the online component that is well tought out. Aside from that, the action is top-notch and the graphics are pretty snazzy. Personally I would have loved the game *EVEN MORE* if they included some of the innovations from Gundam Crossfire. I.E the ability to shoot of parts of a mobile suit and strategically cripple it to save ammunition. This is a flaw with many Japanese games; previous innovations go lost for other features. In the case of Gundam Senki, you get an insane amount of customisation option to tinker with. You can even outfit equipment from different mobile suits or even factions onto eachother to maximise your deadlyness.

#3: Uncharted 2: Among thieves (PS3)

Uncharted 1 was awesome; Uncharted 2 is double-awesome. It took the formula of the first and made it better.
With incredible setpieces and stunning visuals with intense combat. The dialogue is as witty and funny as ever.
This time around they’ve added mulit-player. I tought that would suck, but it actually feels really great !
Definitly one of the best games this year.

#2:Dragon age: Origins (PC)

Bioware’s dark fantasy epic RPG. It really sucks you in, despite not having one big world to walk in trough and the game being segmented. It still feels large and epic. something that is partially thanks to the incredible effort they put in writing the lore and character dialogues. Combat on the PC is different than on the console versions; with the ability to have a strategic overview and micro-managing every battle. To help you with that you can set up FF 12 style gambits to take care of the heavy lifting for you. Amazing soundtrack; amazing storyline, it’s just one giant epic RPG.
And I do hope I see a sequel of the same or better caliber !

#1: Border Break (Arcade)

Ha ! Bet nobody saw this coming. I still have to finish the video review for this. Border Break is a new arcade game made by Sega, a 10 on 10 tactical war fought online with the use of mechanised weapons called “Blaze”
Now imagine Mech assault 2 on the old Xbox, and then imagine mecha that feel and move like AT’s from the classic anime series: Armored Trooper Votoms ; add in some of the heaviest customisation and weapons features you’ve seen and voila: you get Border break. Intense mecha action that never lets down. The basic principle is to conquer the enemy’s generator that serves as their base, in order to gain close you can gain tactical footholds and spawn forward bases of operations. With 5 classes of mechs you aim for victory ! You will be rewarded with the money and resources to buy new parts and/or weapons as you level up trough the ranks. Expect a full review of this soon.

Portable/download/flash:

#5: Taiko no Tatsujin Portable (PSP)

Namco’s insanely popular Taiko drum rythm game from Japan finally makes it’s way to the PSP.
Even with the lack of a drum accesory to play on, the portable version is really great and head to head multiplayer is offcourse also one of the options.

#4:Torchlight(PC)

Torchlight is a Diablo 2 clone, but done better. The only lack is multiplayer, but despite that this dungeon crawler is a great epic with the feel of Diablo 2 along with intense battles against fantasy foes. The best thing about this game is your companion pet, which can sell the spoils of your ongoing campaign at the town without you having to take a break from the action. If you couldn’t wait for Diablo 3 to come; than give this a shot ! It’s well worth the 20$ admission fee.

#3:Macross Ultimate frontier (PSP)

If dozens of missiles, transforming mecha and giant alien battleships are your thing than look no further.
This is the sequel to late 2008’s Macross: ace frontier game. This game is essentially a Gundam VS game set in the Macross universe as the game’s mechanics are very simular with the distinct difference offcourse being that the mecha in Macross can change into 3 different modes. Upgradable and customisable mecha, this time around you can carry FAST packs and chose different allies. High-paced action and a dozen of Itano circusses; what more do you want ?

#2:Darius Burst (PSP)

Just in time for 2009. Darius Burst is the latest installment in the Darius SHMUP games made by Taito; this one being a console (PSP) exclusive and isn’t found in Japanese arcades. High replay value, intense bullet hells, mechanised aquatic bosses and a new silver hawk all thumping along the incredible soundtrack made by Taito’s in house team: Zuntata.

#1: Shadow Complex (X360)

Incredible metroid-vania style game, that raises the bar for graphics on a 2D game. Developed by CHAIR entertainment, the guys that had brought you the incredible shitfest known as Undertow. Who could’ve tought they would develop something this mindblowing ? Set in the series of novels created by Orsson Scott Card, the game puts your main character in a collision course with a giant conspiracy agains the USA.

Rest in peace to bad business practices.

The implosion of the US anime industry has been a long time coming. Even before the current recession bad business practices and a refusal to change with the times took some players off the field and left most of the rest limping.

Just a few years ago things looked so rosy, especially for long time fans like myself who remember when there was basically no anime available. The fact is though it was optimism, or rather self delusion that brought the anime companies down. They saw the sky as the limit when in fact anime will most likely remain a niche’ market as it always has been. This can all be pretty depressing, but the fact is that in the future we will be better off if whatever anime companies survive don’t licence every crap show that comes out, in favor of being more selective.

In the here and now we can take comfort… no reap the benefits of the collapse by scooping up amazing bargains. Just today I got $600 worth of anime for under $100 with shipping from the right stuf

This is what $600 worth of anime for $98 looks like

 009-1 DVD 1 (Hyb) (*)  1 $6.00     
009-1 DVD 2 (Hyb) + Artbox (*)  1 $8.00     
009-1 DVD 3 (Hyb) (*)  1 $6.00     
Captain Herlock (Harlock) DVD 2 (Hyb): Tendrils of Fear (*)  1 $4.00     
Captain Herlock (Harlock) DVD 3 (Hyb): The Decimated Planet (*)  1 $4.00     
Captain Herlock (Harlock) DVD 4 (Hyb): The Final Voyage (*)  1 $4.00     
Heat Guy J DVD 3-Pack (Discs 1-3) DVD (Hyb) (*)  1 $8.00     
Heat Guy J DVD 4 (Hyb): Hidden Fangs (*)  1 $3.00     
Heat Guy J DVD 5 (Hyb): Haunted Past (*)  1 $3.00     
Heat Guy J DVD 6 (Hyb): Urban Corruption (*)  1 $3.00     
Heat Guy J DVD 7 (Hyb): Revolution (*)  1 $3.00     
Last Exile DVD 3-Pack (Discs 1-3) DVD (Hyb) (*)  1 $12.00     
Last Exile DVD 4 (Hyb): Breakthrough (*)  1 $6.00     
Last Exile DVD 5 (Hyb): Grand Stream (*)  1 $6.00     
Last Exile DVD 6 (Hyb): Queen Delphine (*)  1 $6.00     
Last Exile DVD 7 (Hyb): Sealed Move (*)  1 $6.00     
Last Exile DVD/CD Combo Box Pack (Hyb) (*)  1 $4.00     
New Fist of the North Star DVD 1 (Hyb): The Cursed City (*)  1 $2.00     
New Fist of the North Star DVD 2 (Hyb): The Forbidden Fist (*)  1 $2.99     
New Fist of the North Star DVD 3 (Hyb): When a Man Carries Sorrow (*)  1 $2.00 

Most if not all of these shows are out of print. so if you want them I’d buy them sooner rather than later. All the geneon shows where grossly overpriced originally so these are great bargains!

After 6 episodes, Madhouse’s new anime series Rideback continues to shine as by far the best thing airing in Japan right now.

The tone of the series has shifted slightly to one more of intrigue as the military and civilian plot lines are starting to come together. Rin continues to be my favorite recent anime character, bumping Nakiami from Xam’doff her pedestal . I really have to hand it to the character designer for this show. Her expressions speak volumes about her inner drive and determination, it’s actually very inspiring.

The animation quality continues to be stellar. Madhouse was an early pioneer of the use of 3d in conjunction with 2d with Blood: The Last Vampire. It’s clear watching Rideback that they are at the top of the industry at doing so effectively now. I have never seen any anime more custom made for High definition than Rideback.

Do yourself a huge favor and check it out!

#3: Super Street fighter 2 Turbo HD remix (Xbox 360)

I used to work at a place that had an Original SF II Machine, and played it all the time. My wife and I put in many hours on the SNES version. SF II is deeply engrained in my heart, even though I am not a hardcore player. This is the best version to date.

#2: Bionic Commando Rearmed (Playstation 3)

What an amazing remake. It takes everything great about the NES game and polishes it to perfection. Co-op is great.

#1: Galaga Legions (Xbox 360)

This re-imagining took me completely by surprise. I have never been a big fan of Galaga, Gorf, or any similar archaic pattern shooters, but something about Galaga legions just crawls inside my brain and puts me in my happy place. The presentation is gorgeous, and the game play is varied and easy to get into.

Yes, 2008 has been a great year for gaming that saw a dizzying amount of quality
game releases troughout, most notably alot of them concentrated in the November timeframe. Aside from the AAA titles, that everybody knows about years in advance, we`ve also seem quite some surprising entries and new franchises that swooped in from under the radar to deliver a crushing blow to your wallet for having to purchase them. The most notable pair of these kind of titles is arguably Valkyria chronicles on the PS3 and Sins of a solar empire on the PC.

What follows is my own personal top 5 spread across all platforms, and as a disclaimer like Brett`s statement, my list is also purely subjective to my own gaming pleasure and personal taste so by all means dont take this as a definitive.

#5. Dead Space Available on PC,X360,PS3

Dead Space is one of the two major new franchises that EA started this year.
This is a third-person horror/adventure game with the oceasional puzzle elements thrown in, very simular in a way to Resident evil albeit with far superior combat and a creepy atmosphere that can be very tense and haunting at the same time.

Actually now that I think of it, you can best describe this as a very mature Metroid game as it borrows elements from that with the learn new abilities, get new weapons thing and track back for the unlockables you couldnt earlier. The new approach to engrossing you into the world by completly removing any “out of game” HUD`s, indicators and making everything refer to the character your playing is a great idea and adds to the atmosphere even more, fidgetting with your map or what not could actually get you killed for example. All in all, just go play this, with the lights off, and the (surround) sound on !

#4. Saints row 2 Available on X360,PS3

I bought GTA4 when it came out, I played it intensivly for 2 weeks, then dropped it. Why ? it just wasn`t fun anymore as no matter how good the sandbox world around you was constructed the gameplay mechanics were still very archiac. The same annoyances I had in GTA3, I now have 3 installments later (Vice city and San andreas in between offcourse) in GTA4. Namely -no mid mission saves- it can be very bothersome if you happen to die on a silly little whim to start over again at your apartment afterwards. With all your spent ammo gone meaning you have to spend minutes in preperation before going at it again, over and over if it`s a tough mission.

Saints row 2 shows you that the focus on your game shouldn`t be to cram as much things in a city, that work around you. ( who cares about watching TV with your in-game character ?) and focus on fun, sheer fun and lots of ways to have fun.
Sure, Saints Row 2`s activities may not be the most serious of all the things in gameland with spraying shit out of a truck on houses, riding around on fire lighting other things up ?? But it`s just fun, it works and the main storyline is really good.
Not to mention, the in-game co-op, expansive customisation ?
Volition put the fun back in sandbox cities.

#3. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the patriots, available on: PS3 (exclusive)

The fourth installment in the “Solid” series of Metal gear games which is also according to producer Hideo Kojima, the last in which he will directly has his hand involved and the last in which the character Solid Snake will be in. Since obviously, Konami wouldn`t be quick to hang up this cash cow just yet I assume more metal gear titles will submerge to expand the universe, albeit with different characters.
I probably don`t need to go into the gameplay details here as everybody who reads this blog should be aware of what Metal Gear is about and how it plays.

Metal Gear Solid 4 is a great experience if you like cinematic types of games, something that Hideo Kojima knows how to do very well. As such, the typical complaints from most avarage, or hardcore (action) gamers have been that the cutscenes were way too long and etc. etc. Didn`t bother me at all.

It is too bad that Metal Gear Online aspect of the game is too tacked on, I had high hopes for it but in the end the levels were too small, with too many players in them meaning that you ended up being killed by somebody as you spawn ! If the levels were bigger, and the player caps kept realistic it would have been such a better experience. Nevermind the 1 hour signup process for MGO, having to create not one, but 3 seperate new accounts alongside your PSN account is just ridiculous !

Still, this is the best in the series and damn; now I`ve got to show my metal gear to my girlfriend, cause it is very solid.

#2. Sins of a Solar Empire, Available on PC (Exclusive)

Space opera RTS strikes back ! From the small indie creators of Galactic Civilisation (galciv) comes this true gem of strategy gaming. Sins of a Solar Empire boldly goes where no RTS game has gone before, deftly combining the empire-building of 4X strategy games (explore, exploit, expand, exterminate) with the tactical precision of real-time strategy. Despite not being a triple A, well hyped title this game surprisingly was one of the best sold games of 2008 on the PC and got so many awards it`s insane. Just shows you that if you truly have insight as a developer into what makes great gameplay that no matter the genre of your game, it`d appeal to the masses.

#1. Valkyria Chronicles, Available on PS3 (exclusive)

Allright this was a total surprise to me as well. For the Western gamer this game came out of nowhere as this is a Japanese strategy RPG and we all know how those can be. Valkyria Chronicles does it all right from storyline,gameplay to graphics.
It`s single player only, but it shouldn`t hamper you down since the single player game has alot going for it. If the storyline and gameplay alone weren`t enough crack for you to keep on playing, the developers have also put into place that you gradually get new skills, weapons,items and ways to adopt various new strategies or abilities with each new mission, shifting and shaping the style you play with every session is very addictive indeed as it keeps you thinking. I love it !

Noteworthy mentions that didnt make it

Left 4 Dead

+ Great multiplayer experience
+ Very original concept, well tought out.
- Graphics could`ve been way better ..
- Ally AI is so bad that Single player is just not a viable option
- Could have been “more” to it

Gears of War 2

+ Bigger, better, faster,stronger
- More of the same, except it`s bigger,better, faster, stronger I.E should have tried to innovate more.

Mirrors Edge

+ Parkcore baby ! Very innovative new type of platforming gameplay
+ Very cool graphical style
+ Timetrial mode
+ Great soundtrack
- *WAY* too short . .
- Storyline and writing pretty much absent !

#5: Resistance 2 (Playstation 3)

Having enjoyed the original Resistance Fall of Man I expected to enjoy Resistance 2, what I never would have guessed in a million years was that I enjoyed it more than Gears of War 2 which it pushed right out of my top 5! R2 is a gorgeous game, which features an enjoyable single player campaign as well as a very robust selection of online modes. In a lot of ways it feels like a Sci-fi version of COD 4 which means I see myself playing R2 online for months to come.

#4: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (Playstation 3)

I had only dabbled in previous MGS games. I liked the atmosphere and story, but the actual game mechanics always made me eventually quit. With the latest installment Konami westernized the control scheme getting rid of the clunky 32 bit legacy. I beat MGS 4 and loved every minute of it. The extremely long cut scenes, bizarre Japanese sense of humor and melodrama, aren’t everybody’s cup of tea, but for my money this game is a Masterpiece.

#3: Saints Row 2 (Xbox 360)

I really liked the original Saints Row, it was a bit rough around the edges, but could definitely hang with GTA San Andreas, actually being the first Open world game to have enjoyable combat. Saints Row 2 however totally blew me away. It just took everything that was good about the original and turned the volume up to 11. In my opinion SR 2 is a better game than GTA 4 for the simple reason that it has far better Game play than GTA 4. GTA 4 was a high concept looking for a game, and the thing that got sacrificed in the process was FUN… and one thing that Saints Row 2 definitely is is fun.

#2: Fallout 3 (Xbox 360)

My Review of this game pretty much says it all. 70 hours of gaming pleasure with plenty of stuff left to see when I replay it (which I will quite soon) Not to mention substantial Downloadable content just over the Horizon. Fallout 3 is a must buy.

#1: Valkyria Chronicles (Playstation 3)

If someone had told me a year ago that my game of the year would be a Japanese RPG I’d have told them they were insane. I quit playing that genre seriously with the Sega Saturn. The simple fact is that Valkyria chronicles is the single most pure gaming experience that I have had in years. It just does everything right, from the story, to the presentation, to the delicious gameplay. I cannot Overstate what a joy this game is to play, and what a breath of fresh air it is in the most stale genre of console game that there is. Anyone who has a PS3 should get this game.

HONORABLE MENTION:

Gears of War 2 (Xbox 360)

Bigger and badder with some nice refinements but still fundamentally the same game. Shitty vehicle parts really annoyed me. Horde mode is awesome!

Left 4 Dead: (Xbox 360)

A total blast to play with friends, just wish the graphics were better.

Farcry 2 (Xbox 360)

Great visuals, extremely immersive. Innovative mix of FPS and open world. Having Malaria sucks. Not far enough in to judge much more than that.