2009 was quite a year, no matter how you spin it. Whether you liked adventure, puzzles, RPGs or shooters, there was bound to be something tailored for you. As always, there will be one game that stands out as a clear winner, but I'm here to list my top 5 games of 2009. Yes, I'm vey late, but I've had the privilege of playing some of the games of last year in this year, so I hope I can be forgiven for that transgression. No more stalling, then. Here are my top 5 games of 2009:
5. Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride (DS)
If there is one thing I love, it's cIassic JRPGs, and it doesn't get any more cIassic than Dragon Quest. DQV originally came out on the Super Famicom in 1992 (or to be exact, 39 days after I was born), but it has been remade on both the PS2 and the DS (the version presented here). There are a number of reasons why I love this game. First of all, the story is one of the best I've seen in a game. I won't spoil anything, but it's unforgettable, to say the least. The gameplay is awesome, the option to employ monsters adds a lot of choice to the gameplay and it isn't overly complicated or difficult to learn. It's just RPG gameplay at its best, IMO. Not only that, the team working on the remake have done an amazing job at making the game look incredible on the DS. Being able to spin the camera 360 degrees is also mind-blowingly awesome. Add the great music and great post-game, and DQV is just too good to be true. If you have a DS, and love RPGs, this is a must-buy.
GS review: 8.5
4. Braid (PS3)
OK, I'm breaking the rules a bit, but just an eensy weensy bit, right? Anyway, the PS3 version of this amazing game was released in the latter part of last year, so it technically counts. Now, I had heard of how good this game was beforehand, so I had high expectations. Little did I know the game would exceed them. The puzzles in this game will stretch your mind in ways you never thought possible. Time is just a tool to use, going from one place to another in the endless field of time is as simple as pressing a button. That's the magic of Braid.You'll have to learn, adapt and be willing to fail over and over. However, another, more surprising factor is the story. I just love it, how multilayered, complex and emotional it is, under its standard philosophical cover. To solidify Braid's place as pretty much art is the wonderful visual styIe and ingenious music. There really is no game quite like Braid out there. The biggest puzzle, though, is not the game itself. It's figuring out why this game has a user score of 6.9 here on GS. Blasphemy, I say.
3. Assassin's Creed II (PS3)
Assassin's Creed II is an example of how to do a sequel right. Take every flaw in the first game, get rid of them and still retain the great gameplay at its core. If I am to be completely honest, I doubt I would have liked the first game. I seriously dislike stiff gameplay, and it seems the first game has a lot of it. But the sequel is just pure awesomeness. First of all, I love Italy. It's such a beautiful country, and having been to both Florence and Venice, revisiting them in a video game is surreal and wonderful at the same time. The gameplay is immensely satisfying, the story is just brilliant (I'm a sucker for conspiracies) and every character is brilliantly presented. Just to show how much I like this game, this is the first game I got a platinum for. I can't believe I actually did that. All in all, if you liked the first game, there is no way you will not like the sequel. It's amazing from beginning to end. There's little as fun as leaping from a building and stabbing two men straight in the throat when you land. Swish!
2. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (PS3)
This, incidentally, is also an example of how to make a great sequel. Actually, not only is it a great sequel, it's an amazing one. Pretty much perfecting 3D adventure gameplay, everything is so...good. From the cinematic presentation, the gorgeous visuals, pumping soundtrack, charming characters, tight gameplay, great multiplayer... everything shines ten times brighter than you could imagine. Playing it is like watching an Indiana Jones movie (one of the good ones) and never tiring of it at all. It's adrenaline-fueled from beginning to end. Naughty Dog has literally upped the ante when it comes to games as an experience. I've always been an avid fan of ND, but this is something even I didn't expect. The game is simply unbelievable. If you own a PS3, but not this game, then you should seriously consider checking it out. In fact, I order you: get it! Get it now! You will definitely not regret it.
1. Demon's Souls (PS3)
This is my game of the year for a number of reasons. First, I'd like to point out that first, I wanted UC2 to win GS's GotY award. However, at that point, I had only played a few levels in Demon's Souls, and thus hadn't gotten the full experience. Once I had played it all the way through, however, everything made perfect sense. This is simply one of the toughest, most unforgettable, unique experiences of not just this generation, but possibly ever (for me, at least). The gameplay is simply addictive, infinitely rewarding and is not for the faint of heart. You will die. Repeatedly. But that's also the game's charm. You will learn after every death, you won't ever feel like it's the game's fault. If you die, it's your mistake that caused it. It's incredible that From Software managed to do such a perfect balancing act. The bosses show perfectly that they can make a game simply better. The worlds are simply stunning in detail and the monsters are all fantastically crafted. And tough. Oh yes, they are tough. I also love the music that appears in boss battles, and the main theme is just incredible. There is so much to do, find and explore in Demon's Souls, it's astounding. However, there are more aspects that make DS so unique. It's best played online, where you can employ the help of random strangers to help you, use the messages they leave or see how they died. It's this subtle addition that makes Demon's Souls so incredible. The only question left is why hasn't the game found a publisher in Europe? This is one of the most imported games ever, so I don't see how they could think it's a bad move. This game isn't for everybody, just to make that absolutely clear. But if you want a challenge, an incredibly refined experience and some of the best bosses in gaming history, you can't go wrong with Demon's Souls. I might have given it a 9.3 as a score, but that was due to how inaccessible it is for certain gamers. I simply can't forget this game. For all of the reasons above, I choose Demon's Souls as my game of the year 2009.