Well it’s that time of year again and 2010 has seen some immense games roll around – as well as continued support via DLC for some of 2009 biggest titles.
Sadly I didn’t have time to play every game that was released so if I’ve missed anything worth checking out shout me in the comments and if it’s not already in my ‘to play’ pile I’ll get it added.
Right, let’s go!
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BEST GAME INNOVATION
WINNER: Destruction 2.0 (Battlefield Bad Company 2)
This was a tough one to call this year but I definitely think Destruction 2.0 is something that has helped put Battlefield head and shoulders above most other shooters out there. Enemy hiding in a house? Just blow the wall up in front of them and it’ll leave a nice big hole to shoot them through. Or just blow the building up completely and have it crush them to death.
RUNNERS UP:
Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood (Online Assassination Multiplayer)
Modnation Racers (Easy Track Creation)
Playstation Move
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BEST DLC (CONTENT)
WINNER: Undead Nightmare (Red Dead Redemption)
No question of the winner here – with around 6 hours of single player and the fantastic Undead Overrun & Land Grab online modes, Undead Nightmare packs a lot of bang for your buck. This is one of the more comprehensive DLC packs out there and if you liked Red Dead Redemption then this is a must have. Props to Uncharted and Battlefield though – two strong modes added there but Undead takes this one.
RUNNERS UP:
Heavy Rain: The Taxidermist
Uncharted 2 Seige
Battlefield: Onslaught
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DOWNLOADABLE GAME OF THE YEAR
WINNER: Dead Nation
I honestly didn’t see anything taking this award away from the excellent Joe Danger and then Housemarque’s Dead Nation arrived at the beginning of December. Dripping in HD visuals comes a twin stick shooter that makes you think about your every move. When to use the SMG and how much Shotgun ammo to conserve become regular questions. Your score gets added to total score for your country and you can keep a tab on which country is the best at fighting the Zombie invasion. Very cool indeed.
RUNNERS UP:
Joe Danger
Shank
Scott Pilgrim Vs The World
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MOST ANTICIPATED GAME OF 2011
WINNER: Killzone 3
Wow, this was a tough call – it had to be Killzone 3 or Uncharted 3. I’m sure Uncharted 3 will be awesome but having played Killzone 3 I can’t wait for this to arrive in February. Continuing the story from the second game and adding substantially to the multiplayer, I think this could be a game of the year contender.
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BEST GAME TRAILER
WINNER: L.A Noire
The standard of trailers has been so high this year I’ve decided to pop the runners up on here as well for you to have a look at. L.A Noire takes the crown though and man, those Rockstar guys know how to make a trailer! Another contender for most anticipated, L.A Noire sees you take on the role of Cole Phelps, a detective in 1940’s America. Great stuff and the trailer really captures that feeling of the time.
RUNNERS UP:
Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood
Spec Ops The Line
Battlefield: Bad Company 2 – Vietnam
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PSP GAME OF THE YEAR
WINNER: Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker
Unfortunately I haven’t had a chance to pick up God Of War: Ghost Of Sparta yet so that hasn’t made the cut. I’m sure it would’ve been a close call regardless as Metal Gear also oozes quality and is such a deep game that there is always something different to do. Whether it’s going on missions or recruiting more soldiers for your army, Peace Walker will keep you entertained for hours. My play through clocked in at 16 hrs, which puts a fair few PS3 titles to shame.
RUNNER UP:
Half Minute Hero
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BEST SPORTS GAME
WINNER: FIFA 11
FIFA 11 is more of a refinement than anything else but it’s amazing the difference the changes make. While FIFA continues to dominate it’s interesting that PES gets a nomination this year – it shows that the series has made great strides this year to try and close the gap.
RUNNERS UP:
Formula 1 2010
Modnation Racers
Pro Evolution Soccer 2011
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BEST GRAPHICS
WINNER: Heavy Rain
No doubt on this one as Quantic Dream’s stunning thriller has some of the best motion capture and facial animation ever seen in a game. Whether it was evading masked men as Madison, talking down a robber in a shop with Shelby or shouting ‘JASON!’ repeatedly in a mall as Ethan, Heavy Rain looked gorgeous. Gran Turismo 5 certainly deserves a heads up in this category as when it all comes together it looks stunning however Heavy Rain was far more consistent.
RUNNERS UP:
God Of War 3
Red Dead Redemption
Gran Turismo 5
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BEST STORYLINE
WINNER: Red Dead Redemption
Unexpected. Not a word you’ll often type when talking about the story of a game but that’s what you get with Red Dead. John Marston’s story of gunslinger gone good who is brought in by the government against his will to track down his old gang trundles along at a pace and has plenty of stand out moments but it’s the final third of the game that stands out as some of the best I’ve played in a game. Not to mention the ending, which is one of the most impressive I’ve ever experienced in a game. Genius. 😎
RUNNERS UP:
God of War III
Mafia II
Heavy Rain
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BEST SOUNDTRACK (SCORE)
WINNER: God Of War III
The final part of Kratos’ epic trilogy hit PS3 owners with everything it had back in March and as usual Gerard K Marino’s score didn’t disappoint. Dipping and soaring in the right places this was the perfect accompaniment to the on screen carnage. The score really does push the story on and is definitely well suited to Kratos’ character.
RUNNERS UP:
Heavy Rain
Red Dead Redemption
Bioshock 2
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BEST SOUNDTRACK (LICENSED)
WINNER: Mafia II
The music in Mafia II is a huge part of what makes you feel like you are actually back in that era. I remember the first car I got into had “At The Hop” by Danny and The Juniors playing. It was one of the coolest things I’d had happen in a game for ages. A wonderful selection of old tracks that are well worth checking out in their own right but that combined with gameplay help make for a memorable experience.
RUNNERS UP:
Bioshock 2
FIFA 11
Call Of Duty: Black Ops
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BEST VOICE ACTING
WINNER: Red Dead Redemption
Rockstar usually deliver on the voice front with the GTA titles and Red Dead Redemption certainly doesn’t disappoint. Every character feels well rounded and has a voice to suit them perfectly. Even the supporting cast: Bonnie McFarland, Seth, Irish and, of course, West Dickens. This was a strong category this year with Mafia II in particular impressing but with such strength in depth it has to be Red Dead Redemption.
RUNNERS UP:
God Of War III
Mafia II
Heavy Rain
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SINGLE PLAYER GAME OF THE YEAR
WINNER: Red Dead Redemption
Red Dead Redemption tells a well crafted story in a beautifully rendered environment. There is so much to do and see that I still don’t feel like I have fully explored the world of the wild west. Rockstar have created a varied and expansive playground with enough going on to keep even the most hardcore of gamers entertained for hours and hours.
RUNNERS UP:
Heavy Rain
Mafia II
Alpha Protocol
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MULTIPLAYER GAME OF THE YEAR
WINNER: Battlefield: Bad Company 2
It was nice for me personally that my most anticipated game of 2010 lived up to expectations and Battlefield: Bad Company 2 nailed team based multiplayer like no other game I’ve ever played. The sense of satisfaction at winning a tense round of Rush and the feeling of being part of a bigger team is hard to beat. With the upcoming Vietnam expansion pack this game will only get better and better.
RUNNERS UP:
Modnation Racers
Red Dead Redemption
Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood
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GAME OF THE YEAR
WINNER: Red Dead Redemption
There could really only be one choice this year, with Rockstar’s Western epic taking the title of Game Of The Year. With a brilliant single player campaign and an ever improving multiplayer mode, Red Dead Redemption is a title that will keep you entertained and provide you with plenty of value for money. Battlefield: Bad Company 2 comes a close second as that has been my most played multiplayer title but overall Red Dead pips it.
RUNNERS UP:
Battlefield: Bad Company 2
Heavy Rain
Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood
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So there we go. Another year of gaming done and dusted with Red Dead Redemption taking home an unprecedented FIVE awards!
Some great games didn’t even make the nominations – that’s how tough it’s been to make decisions.
The likes of MAG, Bayonetta, Just Cause 2 and Vanquish unfortunately didn’t make the grade but goes to show how strong the line up of game releases has been in 2010.
So what games would you guys have given awards this year?
3 Comments
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GregHorrorShow 
Good call on Mafia II for best soundtrack. I can’t really say I like oldies but the soundtrack just added to the atmosphere of that game and made Empire Bay an awesome city. Also agree on GOTY, Red Dead hands down.
[…] on from the stunning Red Dead Redemption, which took home my Game Of The Year award for 2010, Rockstar Games have served up Undead Nightmare – a large enough slice of […]
Good stuff. I agree with you about Red Dead Redemption being the game of the year, it’s one of the best games to come out in a while. I think Heavy Rain and God of War III would round out my top three, but I am still catching up on other games I missed last year. There were definitely some quality titles though.