We played a good few games in 2009, so after patiently waiting for the year to end we’ve decided to share our favorite games from ol’ ’09. These are really personal choices and should be taken as such, it’s not necessarily a “Best of” collection because to call something the objective best is just silly. So take ‘em as you will; these were the games we loved, our “Games of the Year.”
Tom, King of the Site:
“Wow… Game of the year… such an honorary title that gets thrown around a lot… I’ve got two picks, a mainstream title and a lesser-publicized one.
First off, you saw this coming: Batman Arkham Asylum. Not only is it a great game, it is a great Batman game. Something that hasn’t been done since the days of the Genesis. One of the first branded games in a very long time that doesn’t just wrap branding around an existing genre, or re-skin an already-made title, Arkham isn’t an action game, a stealth game, a beat-em-up game; Arkham Asylum is a Batman game. As Rocksteady’s second game, they’ve truly outdone themselves. Arkham is my mainstream GOTY pick.
For the lesser known one: Machinarium. Not only is it a return to the classic point-and-click adventure genre that filled many hours of my childhood, it is a stylish return. Penning a beautiful story without using a single word, everything from the soundtrack, to the memorable coo-inducing characters, everything in Machinarium is polished to a mirror-shine. Running on virtually every computer platform out there for a minimalistic price, Machinarium is a game you owe it to yourself to play.”
Skizz, Reviewer:
“My favorite game of 2009 would have to be “Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days.” Although it’s a handheld, it has kept me pinned to the DS for hours on end. If you feel like stretching out the KH experience, you’ll have plenty of things to consume your time. Playing as Roxas, Sora’s Nobody, you’ll experience the world of Organization XIII and their activities during Sora’s one year slumber. Your level, abilities, items, and weaponry are determined by how you organize your panels. When you complete a mission you earn a Slot Releaser to… “release” a slot, enabling you place panels and to further customize your experience.
Believe it or not, it actually looks pretty damn good for a DS game. Granted, it doesn’t look perfect, but that’s because the point of reference is KINGDOM FUCKING HEARTS. Despite what you think it should look like, the quality of the graphics in no way hinder the quality of the game. You can even replay missions and earn Sigils to redeem for panels. Play “Mission Mode” with friends or by yourself to earn Crown Sigils. Within mission mode you can play as members of Organization XIII, or even (as I’m just now learning) members of the original KH trio. I miss the double jump, but they make up for it with the Air Dash, which you can eventually do multiple times if you play your panels right.
I’ll put it this way, I’m not even done with the game yet because I’m savoring everything I can get out of it. Then again, I’m a Kingdom Hearts freak who enjoyed Chain of Memories. This is a great game if you’re looking to delve into the series even further. And don’t worry, the challenges that splintered into your psyche still exist in this title. The rewards are worth it if you’re looking to get the most out of your time in the KH Universe.”
More coming tomorrow…
