Whew! This year was a close one. With a wedding so pay for this coming March, and full year’s worth of can’t miss games released over the course of 2009, I didn’t think I was going to make it out alive (or at the very least, out of shark-tank debt). I’m in agreement with Steve that trying to pick just five out of the squall of sterling digital offerings we’ve had this past year is a cruel endeavour. After spending much of the holidays in tears, trying to trim the fat from my list, I think I’ve finally tapered it down to an unfortunately circumscribe five (plus two honourable mentions). So before we ring out the Aughties, or Zeroes, or whatever you hipsters are calling the soon to be decade past, I’d like to regale the gamers among you with my personal favourite games of 2009. And no…Prototype is not on the list.
Honorable Mention: Resident Evil 5 (PS3, XB360)
A full five years after Capcom reinvented (and reinvigorated) their flagging zombie franchise with ‘Resident Evil 4’; along comes the fifth mainline title. I don’t know if I’d call it an evolution OR a revolution, but I do know that I’d call it awesome. While there isn’t anything cerebral, or even outright frightening at play in this survival horror title, “Resident Evil 5” is a non-stop adrenaline ride akin to a Michael Bay or James Cameron movie. If the massive action sequences and pretty much endless gun play don’t hook you (which they will), the countless firearms and robust co-op campaign surely will. Joining returning hero Chris Redfield (along with his his 24-inch pythons), and series newcomer Sheva Alomar is a twisty, over-the-top horror/action experience that could only be plausible as a Resident Evil title. Capcom deserve props for not attempting to reinvent the wheel again, instead just building upon what was done in 2004, and knocking it clear out of the park. Just never play online with Kaiblaker, I hear that dirty Newf bogarts the best of the ballistic hardware.
Why it’s off the A-List:
As much as I loved RE5, playing it always made me want to go back and explore the terrifying confines of the Ishimura in Dead Space. As well, as awesome as those big action set pieces are, I found that whenever the heat was turned up in RE5, the exity strategy was always; “back up into a corner and pray the bullet sponges run out of lead porrousness”.
Honorable Mention: Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (PS3)
Gamers have been crying for years that the PlayStation 3 was lacking that system seller, that killer-app that they simply needed, a game that everyone would clamor over. Here it is. Nathan Drake’s second fantastic adventure, “Uncharted 2: Among Thieves”. Gamers join Drake and company on a roller coater ride of a quest to discover Marco Polo’s lost fleet, and find the hidden city of Shambala. The characters are among the most amicable available in games today, and let’s be honest folks, if archaeology included this many rocket launchers and machine guns, ever red-blooded male in North America would be taking it in university. Though I did think that the gun fighting towards the end was a bit much, the moving train and Buddhist monastery levels alone are worth the entry fee. And it certainly doesn’t hurt that it’s possibly the prettiest game of all time.
Why it’s off the A-List:
95% of Uncharted 2 is immeasurable badassery. The remaining five percent is comprised of the seemingly limitless gunfire that begins once the temple of Shambala has been infiltrated. I sweare the last 90 minutes of that game is playing hide and shoot with Lazaravich’s goons. Oh, and let’s not forget history’s most frustrating last boss battle. Nathan Drake combats a busted camera and a roid raging lead villain in a showdown based around a gimmick that belongs in The Legend of Zelda. Only the timing is so precise, and the bad guy has teleporting grenades. 5o attempts later and I no longer care if i ever finish Uncharted 2.
5. Brütal Legend (PS3, XB360)
What do you get when you take real-time strategy, epic hack and slash game play, and coat the entire thing in heavy metal? Brütal Legend was 400 horsepower bad ass. A soundtrack encompassing more epic heavy metal licks than most gamers have ever listened to, a great voice cast, and a hilarious (and often touching in a cliched way) story, and one of the greatest in game beheadings ever designed, Brütal Legend is the type of game I think any player with an open mind should spend some time with. All you My Chemical Romance fans who whined that the demo miss sold the game, or the RTS segments were too difficult and the too much a departure, your emo sniveling is not true metal, this game is.
The Contrarian Fanboy Speaketh: Brütal Legend suffers at its halfway point from a serious case of schizophrenia. After about 6-8 hours of pummeling Hair Metal sellouts and charging, axe in hand across a exultantly over-the-top Heavy Metal game world, Brütal Legend up and decides that the bitter war between Eddie Riggs, and the Black Tear transformed second act villain needs to be taken somewhat seriously. The laughs are sadly dialed down, and one of the missions in particular really slogs as a result. It’s like watching Delerious, only to have Eddie Murphy suddenly transform into post oscar win Jamie Foxx.
Jack Skellington shirts and your sister's jeans are not True Metal!
4. InFamous (PS3)
Sucker Punch; easily the most underrated of Sony’s in-house developers, followed up their critically acclaimed ‘Sly Cooper’ trilogy with InFamous, an open-world action game steeped in the mythology of the early to mid 90s comic boom. This title combined breathtaking parkour style acrobatics, with surprisingly well-crafted 3rd person shooter mechanics and a genuinely interesting storyline, and blended it all within a breathtaking city full of citizens to either save or enslave villains to either overcome or enlist, and a bevy of incredible lighting based super-powers. The best thing about it, is that you get to do it all twice. This was probably one of the strongest PS3 exclusives to be released all year long. If you haven’t checked this out yet, give it a spin.
The Contrarian Fanboy Speaketh: How is it, that in a game portraying an everyman’s struggle to still maintain his humanity in a world that is becoming more savage, whilst he himself is rapidly becoming a god; did Sucker Punch manage to make every primary character so unlikable? Cole is like the love child of Batman and a T-800 terminator, only without all the warm and fuzzy. Trish is the picture perfect ice queen, her boyfriend survices the explosion that claimed the life of her sister, so she hates him for surviving. And Zeke? Ugh. Zeke is like every Rob Schneider movie role ever, only fatter and even more obnoxious. Even the strongest willed heroes out there would be hard pressed not to throw a lightning bolt down these joker’s paths.
Unlimited POWAAAAHHHHHHH!!!
3. Batman: Arkham Asylum (PS3, XB360)
Wow! Smash hit of the third quarter of 2009; Batman: Arkham Asylum is not only one of the finest superhero titles that has ever been crafted; it’s simply one of the greatest games of this current generation. Rocksteady were an underdog going into this title, having only the lackluster ‘Urban Chaos’ for the PS2 and original Xbox. They delivered in spades however, giving gamers a chance to really feel like the Dark Knight, pitting him against an assortment of foes on what was advertised as the longest night of batman’s life. Moody and atmospheric in places, darkly humourous in others, and pretty much balls to the wall intense the entire time; Batman: Arkham Asylum looks like it will only be one-upped by its own sequel. I’ve heard certain jaded old gamers say that it suffered from ‘Bioshock’ syndrome, only doing as well as it did in the absence of more competition, but I honestly believe that even released in November, Batman: Arkham Asylum would’ve cleaned house. It’s the first time in nearly 20 years that a Batman title has been a must-play. Besides, that inverted take-down never EVER gets old.
The Contrarian Fannboy Speaketh: I guess if I was forced to complain, the recycled army of thugs that Batman pummels his way through for the entirity of the game could have used a little more variety. As well, more than a couple of the big boss fights fell a little flat for me. Something a little more epic or well though out for Bats’ big baddies could’ve served as a nice break from all that stalking and puzzle solving.
You can't tell me that Danny Elfman's theme isn't playing in your head right now.
2. New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Wii…duh)
Don’t even read this section, just go buy the game, buy a Wii, and be transported back to a more innocent era of gaming. New Super Mario Bros. Wii is a triumph, a complete improvement on its predecessor for the DS, and a celebration of the most creative and fun titles in the Mario franchise. Amazing levels, fun power ups, and a multiplayer campaign that borders on Lovecraftian madness. Honestly, just grab a copy…if you can find one.
The Contrarion Fanboy Speaketh: Certain…volatile couples may experience certain marital issues if they attempt the more than a little loose multiplayer aspect of New Super Mario Bros. Wii. I know Mrs. Aspersclager still has those papers stashed in her desk for the next time Erich knocks her into a pit to grab that Propellor Suit.
Though it's cold and lonely in the deep dark night, I can see paradise by the dashboard lights.
1. Street Fighter IV (Ps3, XB360)
Lighting a fire under the glutamus maximus of not only the Street Fighter franchise, but the entire genre in general, Street Fighter IV was hands down my game of the year for 2009. There have been a bevy of Triple-A titles released in its wake, but none have even compared in the amount of time I’ve spent Cannon Spiking the competition online with SFIV. Colourful visuals, explosive music and absolutely flawless game play spelled an easy KO for the returning king of fighting games. And what’s even better is the upcoming release of Super Street Fighter IV, an updated version with a rumored 10 extra fighters, four extra backgrounds, and new special and super moves; all of which look to make not only a potent online fighting cocktail, but also a front-runner for my game of the year in 2010.
The Contrarian Fanboy Speaketh: Shut it Shakespeare! I’m trying to play Street Fighter IV!
Pictured: Things about to be restored to their natural order.
Well, there you have it. My picks for the top five titles of 2009. And believe me; I tortured myself over whether any of the other countless great titles released over the course of the year also deserved a spot. It’s been a great 2009 for gaming, and its looking like 2010 is going to hit even harder right out of the gate. I’m hoping for more greatness from the franchises we all know and love, praying for success for new IPs like DarkSiders, and wishing that Microsoft will finally deliver me a good reason to fire up my 360 again. That’s it for me for the rest of the year. Everyone have a great New Year, and whatever you do, don’t drink and drive. You can’t play me online in Street Fighter IV if you’re in the hospital or on a slab.
By Jon Mercer