It's the end of the year and I thought I would get some lists of game sites, such as best games of 2009, best quotes, etc. Darn I'm far behind, been so busy and let this blog kinda just stagnate. I'm hoping next year I can keep up with the industry on a regular basis.

The Best Industry Quotes of 2009

Words matter. And in a world where the Internet makes sure that anything you write or say will never, ever disappear (so long as no one detonates a weapon to wipe out all technology like that totally rad scene at the end of Escape from L.A.), they matter more than ever -- which is something we're not quite sure the video games industry has fully appreciated yet. And with any luck they never will, because the world would be a lot more mundane without deliciously insane quips like these flowing through the digital ether.

Top 10 Wii Games of 2010

While the Wii has had to contend with the "good first-party and a ton of waggle-enabled shovelware" reputation in the past, it looks like 2010 will help shake said reputation. Besides known first-party superstars like Super Mario Galaxy 2 and Metroid: Other M, we have some solid third-party games like Epic Mickey and No More Heroes 2 slated to hit shelves in 2010 as well. Heck, even the download-centric Wii gamer has something to look forward to. And not on this list, due purely to "wow, we don't know much about it," is the fabled "next Zelda game" that Miyamoto hinted at. Google Slapper

2009 Sleepers: The Best Games You Didn't Play

Even with all the fall 2009 releases that were delayed into 2010, it's still been a heck of a year for games. Blockbusters everywhere! You couldn't walk to the bus without tripping over one, it seems. And with all that obsessing over the big-name hits, a huge number of worthy also-rans have gone almost completely overlooked by gamers at large. Well, that just doesn't sit right with us. Sure, we like the triple-A titles as much as the next batch of game-obsessed nerds, but we love the little guys, too. So, we've put together a baker's dozen of overlooked or sleeper games that you might have missed amidst all the furor. At the very least, they'll give you something to do before March hits and we're drowning in goodness again. Google Slapper

The most wanted PC games of 2010

Our countdown of next year's most anticipated games continues! So far you've seen the Xbox 360 list, the PlayStation 3 list, and the Wii list -- today you'll get to see what Anthony and I are most looking forward to for the PC.

Almost every year in recent memory has been a year where people have declared that PC gaming is dead, and every year it continues to do just fine. With some major PC-exclusive releases coming up and Steam's continued success, it seems like 2010 is going to be another solid year for PC gamers.

Hit the jump to see what games have us excited for the new year. Google Slapper Review

2010 Video Game Predictions

We gaze into our crystal ball and make some predictions about what we'll see in the year ahead from video game publishers, developers, and platform holders.

Call them what you will - predictions, educated guesses, stabs in the dark, flights of fancy - but what follows are our predictions for the year ahead in video games. With what has already been announced for 2010, it's already shaping up to be a very exciting year, but as the current console generation fast approaches its fifth year, and the way we all play games is starting to evolve, we can expect some bold moves from publishers, developers, and platform holders. Secret Gold Guide

IGN's Most Anticipated Games of 2010

December 30, 2009 - The past year was filled with hit games, but it was also a year when we saw plenty of hit titles delayed until 2010, a year that was already crowded with major releases. Now we stand on the precipice of one of the greatest years ever in digital entertainment. The IGN editors have put together a list of their most anticipated games, and why they can't wait to play them. Gold Secrets

2010: The Year of Xbox 360 Domination

Out with the old and in with the new is the usual quid pro quo that comes at the end of each year and with everything gamers have been exposed to, 2009 will without a doubt be a tough act to follow. However, as Microsoft Game Studios flaunts what the 360 has to offer, the console stands to seize the market and become the centerpiece of the game industry in 2010.

Well, there's tons more but that's cool for this post. Next year is going to be awesome. Happy New Year.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 reviews are finally here and they are pretty much all positive. It looks like Infinity Ward kept the magic intact in the highly anticipated sequel.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Review - With real-world locations and bombastic set-pieces, Modern Warfare continues the thrill-ride experiences and multiplayer fun of its predecessor. http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3176856

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 - We would've loved to have been able to tell you how fantastic Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is before the game was released. But Activision had those embargo shackles tied tightly round our wrists until this morning. Sorry. Computer and Videogames Modern Warfare 2 Review Gold Secrets

Modern Warfare 2 Review - It's no surprise that we played most of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 with our mouths open. Activision and Infinity Ward's soon to be critically acclaimed first person shooter unmercifully threw us from one fantastical mission to the next, with painstakingly designed environments crawling with bad guys that possess lightning quick reflexes, expert shooting skills and a nasty habit of throwing multiple grenades at the same time. Snipers lodged bullets into our skulls, hungry canines shredded our throats and explosions quickly removed us from battle. And yet we happily soldiered on, firing numerous weapons (the true stars of the show), rescuing hostages and doing some questionable things in an airport that made us cringe. It's therefore fitting that Modern Warfare 2 appear on cans of Monster "Assault" Energy Drink, since that caffeine powered beverage perfectly fits the game's feverish pace. http://www.gamedaily.com/games/modern-warfare-2/xbox-360/game-reviews/review/7927/2369/

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 - Infinity Ward returns with a follow-up to the critically acclaimed Modern Warfare that has already stirred up controversy over the now infamous airport level. But don't let that distract you from the real discussion: is the game any good? Reviews Editor Tae K. Kim spent two days playing every available mode and his impressions follow. The game definitely has potential but its place in video game history will ultimately be decided by the fanatic online community who may take issue with some of the n00b friendly changes. http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/212892/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2/

Review of Modern Warfare 2 - Modern Warfare 2 represents Infinity Ward's first work since Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare raised the developer's profile (and increased the bulge in its wallet) several orders of magnitude. But rather than taking a ton of huge big-budget risks, Modern Warfare 2's multiplayer carefully builds upon the developer's previous success in ways that will astound people who have spent the last two years learning every corner of every map in the previous game. Instead, the risky stuff is saved for the single-player campaign, which offers tightly packed thrills and rock-solid gameplay, though the narrative is so wild it can get exhausting. http://www.giantbomb.com/modern-warfare-2/61-24713/reviews/

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Review - Over the years the Call of Duty series has set the bar for immersive, action-packed, cinematic FPS gaming, and no matter what camp you're from there's no denying the franchise's influence on the industry. When Infinity Ward moved from the ****c World War II setting and blazed new ground with Modern Warfare we saw the first obvious split within the world of Call of Duty. The series dropped its historic focus, created a new cast of characters, and began treading on new ground by taking the first-person shooter genre to new locales, and pushing the boundaries of what military games are willing to show. With Modern Warfare 2, the sheer amount of hype has been practically inescapable, with preorders alone setting it up as one of the biggest selling games of all time, the addition of even more multiplayer modes and features, and the game's new Special Operations mode has set Infinity Ward's lastest up as the game to beat this year. http://pc.ign.com/articles/104/1043744p1.html

Well, Halo is still my favorite franchise even if I haven't played it in a few years. It's at least my favorite for the FPS genre. I don't anything in a FPS (maybe Far Cry for PC) had the impact that Halo had when I first played it on the Xbox. The franchise just gives an epic feel to everything it produces. Well, I finally got to see this: Halo Legends: Babysitter

I was not disappointed.

I'm not a huge fan of anime, but this was good. Again, the story ended with that nostalgic epic feeling that I got from the first Halo game. It was a sad ending, but if you've read the Halo novels then you already know how many Spartans fought and died during the war against the Covenant.

Here's a snippet of a review from Jesus at Couch Campus

The Halo Legends anthology is an toon adaptation of the Halo series consisting of seven short films animated by five different Japanese production houses. The Babysitter is the first installment of Halo Legends which was recently released on Halo Waypoint for a limited time.

Animated by Studio4°C, The Babysitter tells the story of four Helljumpers, sent on a mission to eliminate a key covenant prophet on a distant planet and to photograph ancient architecture that predates both the humans and the Covenants. Their biggest concern being the Spartan sent to accompany them on this mission. The Babysitter focuses on the rivalry between the Spartan-II Commandos and the ODST. http://www.couchcampus.com/2009/11/halo-legends-the-babysitter/

I suggest you read it all but it contains spoilers so be careful if you haven't seen it.

This video shows the coolness of the universe of Halo. I'm looking forward to the rest of the toons but I do have some gripes about this one. It was a bit bland looking, the detail wasn't really there and the color palette didn't do it for me. Massive gold blueprint. I thought maybe it was just a tad rushed? Don't know, but it could have been a bit longer and maybe just a tad deeper in story. My guess is that they are introducing these new Spartans so that later they may use them in games or video features. My guess is the Spartan in this toon will be in the new game Halo Reach.

Here's a Halo wiki if your interested in learning the story and universe of Halo. Halowiki

Well, it's Sunday and a slow day, especially this early in the morning. I thought I would post some of the news out there today because there is some stuff worth checking out.

Looks like the PC gamers are getting slowly squeezed out by the industry: Activision 'Not Overly Concerned' With Modern Warfare 2 PC Backlash

This one is a heartbreaker! Zelda Wii might miss 2010

Staring into the crystal ball

During a recent sales meeting, Nintendo president, Satoru Iwata, admitted that the Wii was losing momentum. Sales were down, interest was slightly dissolving in favor of higher-definition systems and the holiday season, with only one big release (New Super Mario Bros. Wii), looked grim. But cheer up, Nintendo. Your future isn't nearly as bleak as you may think. Here's what we expect from the world's biggest video game publisher. Nintendo's Next Move

Microsoft's social hub for all things Halo-related successfully launched yesterday, and the new animated show "Halo Legends" will kick off tomorrow. Halo Waypoint is being dubbed "the new virtual home for all things Halo." Launched yesterday as part of the Xbox Live service, Waypoint will serve as a social hub for Halo players, as well as a place to go for daily updates of Halo-related content. Microsoft promises "daily updates of fresh, exciting content such as developer interviews, trailers and screenshots, exclusive video footage, community activities and the latest Halo news." Halo Waypoint live, Halo Legends starts tomorrow

Rock Band 3 Won't Be Just a Rhythm Game - Don't expect the next Rock Band to be a rehashed title with an updated set list. It appears Harmonix is hard at work on reinventing the music game genre.

Dhani Harrison, son of Beatles legend George Harrison and developer on The Beatles: Rock Band, told the Chicago Tribune new details on the still unannounced Rock Band 3 project. Ultimate WoW Guide

NetFlix In Action on the Playstation 3

That's just a few of the cool stories I found. That's it for gaming news but I'll put up more later if I get a chance.

On another note, I'm finally playing Company of Heroes, yet another of the cheap videogames I bought during the Direct2Drive $5.00 special. I'll write a review once I'm done.

Dawn of War - Winter Assault Review

Winter Assault is definitely a game I would recommend for RTS fans like myself. It has all of what you would expect from a good expansion; New characters; new multiplayer modes, etc. But it definitely scores lower than the original (as is usually the case) for a couple of reasons. First, the story is not as compelling. Yeah, I know the first DoW got criticized by some for it's story, but I actually enjoyed the storyline and the voice acting was pretty good and it was epic in scope. In contrast, Winter Assault's story is just lacks the compelling nature of the original, it's just not as interesting. In addition, the voice acting is at times way too cartoony. I expect some exaggerated voice acting for the Orc's, they are after all the comic relief faction of the game, but the over the top character and voice acting for Chaos was just a step too far. It contributed greatly to making the game feel more like a cartoon rather than an epic RTS.

The online package is really nice though and adds alot to the game as a whole. With the new races and new features and maps, it really does improve on the original. Each race feels distinctly different for the most part. There is a bit of crossover, but each race does feel different and makes for playing it differently than the others. All in all a great video game, and a cheap game for me since it's one of the ones that I bought during the Direct 2 Drive $5.00 sale's special.

All in all a good game but don't expect the epic story line of the original Dawn of War release. I gave it an 8.0 on my Gamespot review.

I enjoyed the game but it was not as good as the original Dawn of War. I thought it seemed to lack the seriousness of the original, sort of a bit cartoony. Nonetheless it is well done. Here are some reviews of the game:

Gamespot 8.3 - Sometimes recommending a game is easy--as with Winter Assault, the new expansion pack for last year's excellent real-time strategy game Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War. That game brought to life the universe created by Games Workshop's popular sci-fi tabletop game with beautiful graphics and fast-paced gameplay that was focused on three things: offense, offense, and more offense. Winter Assault adds a new playable faction, new units to existing factions, a new single-player game, and some tweaks and additions that should make most Dawn of War fans very happy, and might win a few converts, too.

IGN 8.5 - Last year was terrific for strategy games. Titles like Rome: Total War, Kohan II, and Ground Control II helped make the year special. But one of the most exciting RTS titles to be released came from the studio that brought us Homeworld and Impossible Creatures. Only this time, they dove into one of the deepest science fiction licenses around. Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War finally brought the table top game to computers to the sound of screaming explosions. This is a game that I still try to put hours into even with everything else I have to do so when word of an expansion came down, it was just a matter of waiting for the release, which as luck would have it, is now upon us.

Metcritic 85 - Lost amongst the ruins of a leveled city lies an Emperor ****Titan, a war vessel of untold power forged in the planet-wide furnaces of Mars, and revered by billions as the epitome of Imperial dominance. The one who controls it will command the power to destroy, or defend, a world. The Imperials will summon it to overcome great evil, Chaos will corrupt it for their own designs, Orks will destroy it in their bloodlust and Eldar will disregard it in their arrogance. The expansion pack to the award winning Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War will build upon the most exciting, visceral, front-line battlefield ever seen in an RTS game. Winter Assault promises to be one of the biggest expansion packs ever.

1UP Grade A

Eurogamer 8/10

Gold Secrets

Gamespy 4.5/5

As you can see not one bad review all the way around. I'm going to write a review later for here and the gamer ratings for the Gamespot review.

Here's a link to the first review I could find for OFDR. The review tells what I was hoping to here, meaning that OFDR stays true to its roots as a realistic shooter. This is not your typical FPS ala CODMW. Thank goodness, the PC and console community have needed a game like this for a while now. Expect one shot distance kills. This will be a hard game to play.

Operation Flashpoint 2 Review
By Neon Kelly - 06/10/2009 - 10:16am GMT

Something tells me that a lot of people are going to be surprised by Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising. Codemasters has loudly proclaimed that their new game will take players "as close to war as they'll ever want to get," but secretly part of me doubts whether most gamers will know what they're getting into. Call me a cynic, but I suspect that more than a few people will pick up this up in the mistaken belief that it's an alternative to Modern Warfare 2. Anyone who does this is in for a rude awakening, that's for sure.

The reality of the situation will be all too clear to anyone who has played the original Operation Flashpoint - or indeed Bohemia Interactive's spiritual successor, the ArmA series. Like its forebears, Dragon Rising is a brutally tough endeavour - the kind of game that forces its users headfirst into a meat-grinder until they've learned the ropes. This is no run-and-gun FPS: welcome to the realm of the realistic military sim - a world in which your game can end abruptly with a single bullet to the head, fired by a near-invisible enemy from a bush in the far distance. For much of the time you'll be flat on your belly, slowly wriggling your way into a decent vantage point that will let you open fire on that tiny grey smudge on the horizon - the enemy soldier who's trying his hardest to kill you. Operation Flashpoint can be a frightening and disheartening experience, but if you can endure the many hardships you may find a special kind of thrill - one unlike anything on offer in other shooters.

It's a great review, check it out here: http://www.videogamer.com/xbox360/operation_flashpoint_2/review.html

Here's a release trailer: http://www.gametrailers.com/video/exclusive-launch-operation-flashpoint/57295

GTA IV, Street Fighter IV, Left 4 Dead become Platinum Hits

Another review of Uncharted 2:

Perfect ten after perfect ten followed, with Uncharted 2 currently possessing a 97 in Metacritic's aggregation of review scores. Easily, it's considered the very best PS3 has to offer, and one of the best games of this generation.

The funny part about doing a review of a game this big is it makes you hypersensitive to anything that could be wrong with the game. After all the praise, it's difficult not to get your hopes up.

Starting the game, you find protagonist and Indiana Jones clone Nathan Drake in the middle of a rock and a hard place, as he is in a train car teetering over the edge of a snowy cliff. As the wind blows, the metal starts creaking and you need to escape... quick.

Read the rest here: http://www.gamedaily.com/games/uncharted-2-among-thieves/playstation-3/game-reviews/review/7840/2348/

Here's a few tidbits put together by Cheapogame.com: Gaming News

UPDATE: Found another review of Operation Flashpoint here: http://ps3.ign.com/articles/103/1031869p1.html

Here's another: http://www.electronictheatre.co.uk/index.php/pc/pc-in-depth-reviews/3217-electronic-theatre-in-depth-review-operation-flashpoint-dragon-rising

I'm amazed that News for Gamers aka N4G.com is getting beat out by little ol me when it comes to some of this news that's coming out. That aggregator needs a serious tune up.

It looks like back to back to back winners on the big name releases. ODST, OFDR, and Uncharted 2 have gotten really good reviews so far. As for me, I'm just buying all the cheap pc games I can find during the Direct2Drive 5th year anniversary sale. I still have no console since I've yet to get to my financial goal, sigh.

Looks pretty cool. The gameplay is definitely reminiscent of Halo but there seem to be a few differences.

ODST preview

Looks like the reviews are coming out. IGN has a couple of good ones. First ODST

Halo 3: ODST Review

Bungie brings Halo back to its roots while taking great strides forward.

September 19, 2009 - Halo 3: ODST began as an idea for a simple expansion to Halo 3. It would be just a few hours long and help tide the fans over until Halo: Reach is ready in late 2010. That little idea grew to be so much more. The end result is a package that no Halo fan should be without, as it is the definition of fan service. You get a six hour campaign that expands the boundaries of what to expect in a Halo game, an excellent new cooperative mode called Firefight, and an entire second disc filled with adversarial maps. This isn't a full-blown sequel, which might disappoint some people, but you'd do well to take it for what it is: another great game from Bungie. Read the rest IGN ODST Review

Here's the Uncharted 2 review at IGN:

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Review

Naughty Dog delivers a stellar sequel that impresses from start to finish, and that doesn't even include the multiplayer.

September 18, 2009 - More than any other game to date, Uncharted: Drake's Fortune seems to define the PlayStation 3. Naughty Dog's 2007 jungle romp starring the one and only Nathan Drake gave gamers a taste of what it would be like to play as an acrobatically-inclined Indiana Jones. With stunning visuals (that still rank amongst the best in gaming today), a fantastically told story, great puzzles and high-octane gunplay, it's easily one of the best titles of this console generation. Read the Rest Here

Update: More ODST

1UP has their review up:

The Halo series has always demonstrated something of a split-personality. On one hand, you have the headline-grabbing multiplayer portion, with its teams of armored warriors running, shooting, punching, and teabagging; on the other, you have the campaign, a galaxy-spanning tale starring Bungie's terse superhero, Master Chief. You can argue all you like about which is more important -- more people play the campaign, though the multiplayer-loving minority likely win out in terms of sheer man-hours -- but the simple fact is that these two aspects of the Halo experience have long been very different creatures designed for very different audiences. Or at least, that was the case before Halo 3: ODST. Read the complete review here

Gold Secrets

Computer and Video Games has its review up:

Halo 3: ODST is epic. Don't be fooled by people saying it's only an expansion. Yes, it has the shortest campaign of any Halo game, but it's marginal. Every second is pure, Halo-flavoured glory and every Halo fan should have ODST in their lives. Read it here

Here are some more reviews of ODST

Destructiod

GameDaily

GamePro

Gamespy

GiantBomb

Joystick

Kotaku

Whew! Alright, you get the picture. Go read them, they are all pretty good and it seems that ODST is a good to great game. Man, January can't come soon enough.

The newest previews have me alot more excited about the game than I was before. Frankly, ODST seemed like a letdown. But now with the new previews I have a change of heart. The idea of playable cutback scenes really excites me. The Xbox 360 will the first console I buy of the current gen once I meet my goal and can get back into gaming. Can't wait.

Wow, I'm digging that Shadow Complex is getting nice reviews. Considering this little game came out of nowhere at E3, it looks like it's going to make an impact in the gaming world. Here are a couple of good video reviews.

Here and here

Metroid Prime Trilogy gets a nice quick review here.

Fable 3's been announced as well here.