And so it’s come to this. All the nominees are present and accounted for, but only one of these games gets to take home the title of Crush! Frag! Destroy!’s Game of the Year. But before we announce the winner, how about we take one last look at our nominees?
First there’s Red Dead Redemption. Rockstar’s western epic turned a lot of heads this year, what with its gorgeous vistas and a huge, living, breathing open world. Then there’s StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. The sequel to the most popular RTS of all time had a lot of expectations to live up to, and while the lack of multiple campaigns was a shame Blizzard has proven beyond the shadow of a doubt that they do indeed still have it.
Third on our list: Mass Effect 2. Commander Shepard’s continued battle for the sake of the galaxy hit all the right notes, impressing all but the most jaded of fans. And people who missed the crappy inventory system for some reason. Super Mario Galaxy 2 is also in there. Because people seem to think awesome platformers are cool or something. Finally, we have Halo: Reach. A prequel to a series that’s seen more spin-offs than any other FPS. At least, any other FPS I can think of.
Now that we’re all caught up, hit the jump to see who gets to go home a winner and who has to settle for “awesome, but not the most awesome.”
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Sage: Despite all the worthy contenders, Mass Effect 2 wasn’t a difficult choice for Game of the Year. Hell, it wouldn’t be a difficult choice for game of the decade. Simply put, I haven’t played anything that came as close to perfecting storytelling in the interactive space. It doesn’t go full movie-quality cinematic, nor does it try to venture into complete choose-your-own-adventure — BioWare’s triumphantly walked a high-wire act between the two. Mass Effect 2 is the case study for those interested in creating memorable, beautiful, and personalized non-linear experiences — and nobody else has come close.
Beki:I don’t have to say how beautiful the environments are, or how the story was (despite not being entirely shocking) gripping and addictive — because at the end of the day, what kept me playing were the amazing characters, with their intricate backstories that kept me yearning to be BFFs with all of them. I’ve never played anything like it, where I felt I really got to know the characters. Give me emotion over graphics anyday, although Mass Effect 2 has the best of both worlds.
John: To be perfectly honest, I miss a lot of what BioWare chopped from ME1 to make ME2 the svelte game that it is. But while I may bemoan the lack of the first game’s deeper RPG elements, Mass Effect 2 offers such significant improvements over the already stellar original in so many other areas that it’s really hard to complain. BioWare’s trademark cinematic presentation is somehow taken to an even higher level in this game, and the tightened controls make combat much smoother and more enjoyable overall. Still, as the others have pointed out, ME2‘s real secret weapon is its incredible characterization that gives every member of your team a charismatic magnetism that is uniquely his or her (or its) own — an impressive feat considering the fact that you have a dozen or so party members.
Rob R.: Mass Effect 2 has been in a lot of Game of the Year lists, and for good reason. Commander Shepard and Co.’s second round of galaxy saving trimmed a lot of fat from the original (crappy inventory systems, Mako driving, etc…) while creating a much more streamlined and refined experience. Plus it’s just a lot of fun, and is one of the only RPGs I’ve felt compelled to play over and over again. So much, in fact, that even my wife knows the story and characters.
Rob T.: The first Mass Effect was one of my most (if not the most) anticipated games of 2007. And while it was flawed, I loved it nonetheless. Mass Effect 2 erased almost every gameplay flaw and hitch faced by its predecessor and presented me with a story so compelling and a cast of characters so well-realized that I was enraptured from start to finish. From the destruction of the Normandy in the game’s opening minutes, to the edge-of-your-seat ride through the Omega 4 Relay and beyond, Mass Effect 2 establishes a deathgrip on your attention and doesn’t let go. When it came time to put forth our Game of the Year votes, only one editor at CFD! did not have Mass Effect 2 on their list… and this was only because they hadn’t played it yet at the time of voting. Needless to say, they’ve since been converted, too. So enjoy that Gremmy, Mass Effect 2 — just don’t let us down when the final chapter arrives, okay?
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That’s it, folks! 2010 is done and 2011 is just around the corner. Who’ll be taking home the Golden Gr3ml1n this time next year? You’ll just have to stick around and find out, won’t you?
See you all next year!
This year was simply astonishing when it came to game releases. People can wax nostalgic over their 1998 and what have you – I’m going to remember 2010 for being the most jam packed year I can recall. My runners up list reads like a “best of the year” list itself. 2010, I think love you!
I don’t miss all the stuff that was cut from ME1 at all. It was all filler and padding, and what was left was smooth as butter.
When I first picked up ME2 on preorder after salivating over it for the seemingly eternal wait, I was devastated.
All of what I loved from the first game was gone and the RPG free form adventure that I loved was suddenly replaced by a choreographed shooter with rigid seeming missions, severely stunted customisation, and worst of all… Ammo! (Why?)
I have recently decided to give it another shot after purchasing all the DLC and now that I’ve decided to pretend that it’s unrelated to ME1 in any way I am enjoying it somewhat as a decent 3PS.
I know it’s pointless hoping for the return of the ME universe I knew and loved from the books/ME1, so I’ll pick up ME3 secondhand after a year or so when it’s cheap, switch my brain off and get my trigger finger ready for some more decent quality Shooter/RPG-lite action :)