Either way. 2010 is now over (I had to check that up because time scale means very little in the universe of Churchy) and it is time for me to tell you about what I feel were the best games from last year. Although gaming is getting more clogged up with more crap than you'd find in a gorilla's toilet (they don't make good plumbers you see) 2010 was actually a good year. Today gaming is now being run for the purpose of solely making money (Yes I'm looking at you THQ and Activision) rather than making anything that could be within the following categories:
- Making something that is imaginative
- Making something that is individual and fun
- Something that is creative
- Something that does something new with the medium or furthers it
- Something that is intelligent and makes you think
- Something that furthers the way a story can be told in a game (Braid is the perfect example of this)
- Something that is fun spirited
- Something that is different
- Something that wallows in it's own arsekickery
- Something that is artistic
- An experience where the studio goes further than just developing the game
Any good game should fall into at least 3 or 4 of these categories to be even be considered anywhere near good. Of course some these conditions are subjective but it is still my criteria.
Here is my overview of games released in 2010 that were actually great with a snippet review of each!
Super Meat Boy
Wow. One of the best platformers I have ever played. Yes it is up there with all the greats you care to mention. What's even better is it is independent, created only by 2 awesome dudes of virtue true. The characters are interesting and fun, taking in the cream of the indie scene's crop, featuring characters like Tim from Braid and the Alien Hominoid. The levels are imaginative and varied. The music by Danny Baranowsky is untouchable and this is all topped off with a great sense of humour and heart which is rare in gaming nowadays. Get it now. It has become one of my favourites of all time. It takes a lot for me to say that.
Golden Sun: Dark Dawn
Anyone who knows me knew I have been waiting for this for a long time. I'd always say that Golden Sun should make a revival. How does it measure up. Quite simply, it's fantastic, building upon what we all knew and loved from the original games but still branching out to create a whole new experience and improving the whole game system even further, unafraid to cover new ground. One of my favourite RPG series of all time has shown that you can find an experience on a handheld that can easily rival the big power consoles.
Last Window: The Secret Of Cape West
Unfortunately, this is the last game ever from Developers, Cing. They were one of my favourite recent developers because they were never afraid to try something different. Whether they always succeeded in creating something great doesn't matter, for they made some unsung classics in their time. Most notably, Hotel Dusk which precedes this game. Again in the shoes of grumpy but oh so lovable ex detective Kyle Hyde, this game tells a new story which makes you feel closer to the characters to before and is just as an enthralling as Hotel Dusk. The puzzles are back, more backstory is elaborated upon and the simple charm of Cing shines through once more. These guys have really gone out on not just a great note, but a beautiful symphony of a game.
Red Dead Redemption
These days, most bigger titles tend to be a poor effortless money making attempt. *cough* Activision *cough* But Red Dead Redemption is worthy of all the praise it gets. It really is that good. I would go so far as to say that this is Rockstar's masterpiece and I'm not sure they'll ever top it. Everything about this game is fantastic. The story is just sublime, the characters are well defined and they go into huge depth. You actually care about them and it's interesting to see where their lives turn next. The thing I applaud the most is that things don't end up all peachy and lovely for everyone. There is angst, reams of subtext and canned emotion. But the fun gameplay and satirical edge of Rockstar still threads itself in seamlessly. Looking at this and all the Grand Theft Auto series, I actually prefer this over all of them. The GTA series dipped with 4 especially but all of the games feel like a footnote for this game. It is fantastic and well worth playing. However, Rockstar's future now looks a little less bright, with titles that don't look nearly as impressive as this.
Alan Wake
Unfortunately, this was released in the same week as Red Dead Redemption. I imagine whoever conceived that idea is now sleeping with the fishes (Remedy are a vengeful bunch, just ask Max Payne). The successor to Mr Payne's antics takes a differently deranged turn. Sam Lake is back in the position of writer for the story of ironically, a writer whose memories and sense of the world is turned inside out in what is correctly described as "a psychological thriller". There are elements of horror here but it is nowhere near the fear levels of the Project Zero or early Silent Hill games. However, the writing of the game is ridiculously intelligent that's impossible not to get sucked in from the get go. I will say no more as I don't wish to spoil it but it is an underrated gem that everyone should play.
Games that are new for me, but were not released this year, but are still great anyway:
Braid
This game is just wow. Completely left field, indpendent and simply breathtaking. A game I would happily say is pure art. I will actually write a full review of this because it really deserves it. This is one of the best video games ever made.
Machinarium
A point and click game that reminds you of the likes of Broken Sword in it's mechanics and Beneath The Steel Sky in it's setting. The story takes place in a desolate waste world populated only by robots. The art is jaw dropping and the story is remarkable as not a single word is uttered. This is a great game that revisits an old genre that really shouldn't have fallen off at all! It is a wonderfully imaginative game.
Here is a list of overhyped shit:
- Call Of Duty (insert subheading here)
- THQ's Wrestling Game O' Fun (insert yearly subheading here)
- Limbo (to be fair this game was okay in my humble opinion, it's just that everyone went batshit crazy over it)
As per usual. Here is another fantastic piece of music from a video game soundtrack. Today it is from the more obscure horror game Haunting Ground for the PS2.
Until next time friends, keep on gaming!
