God is a Geek’s Top Games of 2009

2009 has, once again, been a great year for gaming with many quality titles being released. Uncharted 2, Batman: Arkham Asylum, Resident Evil 5, Dragon Age: Origins, Killzone 2, New Super Mario Bros Wii, Assassin’s Creed II and inFamous are just a few of the titles that spring to mind immediately. Those are all quality games and “big releases” in their own right but the biggest title that was released in 2009 was, without a shadow of doubt, Modern Warfare 2. Infact if it wasn’t for Infinity Ward’s baby we would have had many other quality titles released in 2009. Whether or not their respective publishers would like to admit it but titles such Bioshock 2 and Splinter Cell: Conviction were the most high profile titles to get caught up in the Modern Warfare 2 release date hurricane.

We also can’t forget some of the quality titles that were released over the downloadable services offered across all gaming formats. Flower, ‘Splosion Man, PixelJunk Shooter, Shadow Complex, Trials HD, Torchlight, Machinarium and Trine are just a few of the stand-out titles that were available to download in 2009. Proof, if it was ever needed, that even the most simplest of games can provide maximum enjoyment. Taking all that into consideration the team here at GodisaGeek.com voted for our top five games of 2009 and by clicking here you can view the results along with some honourable mentions.

Aaron’s Honourable Mentions

Tales of Vesperia – Dragon Age?! I say Tales of Vesperia is by far for best RPG of 2009. In a time when JRPG’s are becoming increasingly less popular Tales of Vesperia manages to captivate with its gorgeous graphical style and real time combat system synonimous with the series. The sheer amount of things available for the player to do outside of the main story kept me coming back for more and will be the reason I shall be coming back for more with the impending PS3 release.

Street Fighter IV – Street Fighter IV deserves praise not only becuase it brings something fresh to a long established franchise but because of it’s ability to pretty much single handedly reinvigourate the fighting game genre. This game made it “popular” to go to your local arcade and play fighting games again.

Aryel’s Honourable Mentions

Dragon Age Origins – The best game Bioware has put out and, for me, it is undoubtedly the best RPG ever made. Dragon Age borrows from main stream Tolkien fantasy to bring a content filled experience so good it will leave you wanting another 50 hours plus of gameplay.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii – A great addition to the Mario series introducing up to 4 player co-op. Great fun is to be had with friends whether you wish to compete or comply.

Asim’s Honourable Mentions

Resident Evil 5 – For all intents and purposes this is pretty much the same game as Resident Evil 4 which is by no means a bad thing but addition of local and online co-op is what elevates this game to “must play” status. The addition of co-op allowed you to experience some great set pieces and those classic Resident Evil “panic moments” with a friend by your side or on the other end of a headset.  There is nothing like shouting at your co-op buddy for help or screaming at him/her just before they get their head chopped off! Awesome!

Flower – The stand-out downloadable title of 2009, just pure magic and such a unique gaming experience. It’s just you, the wind, the grass and some flowers. Simple but yet so engrossing and immersive. My words can’t even do this game justice, I urge you to go buy it and try it out for yourself. You will not regret it.

Calvin’s Honorable Mentions

Aion – Good shot at an MMORPG. Excellent graphics and some very decent gameplay.

Rock Band iPhone – Not unlike many of the other really good rhythm based games for the iPhone this is a good time-killer but Rock Band specifically stands out thanks to the fantastic bluetooth multiplayer mode.

AND NOW FOR OUR TOP 5 GAMES OF 2009…..

Aaron – It took a while for EA to get there but FIFA 10 finally deserves the title of undisputed number one football game. This by far the best rendition of the franchise yet takes everything good from FIFA 09 and adds to it. No football game to date makes you feel like your participating in a REAL game of football such as this.

Aryel – The only true next-gen football simulation on the market FIFA 10 is flying the flag well, improving upon the series with great additions such as 360 degree dribbling to complement the already free flowing realistic gameplay.

Asim – FIFA 10 is well and truly the King of football games. Fluid animations combined with some incredibly realistic gameplay make it the best video game representation of the beautiful game to date.

Aaron – Killzone 2 was a technical achievement for the PS3. We all knew what Sony’s console was capable of but none of us had experienced it untill Killzone 2 came along. It was (and in some ways still is) undoubtedly a treat for the eyes. Couple this with solid gameplay mechanics and a multiplayer experience with immense variety and you get one of the best games of 2009.

Aryel – One of the best looking first person shooters on the market that delivers on the single and multiplayer experience.

Asim – Not just one of the best looking console first person shooters but one of the best looking console games period! However Killzone 2 doesn’t just rely on its fantastic visuals, it plays superbly too. There is a real sense of weight to the gunplay, a certain amount of “realism” if you will. Couple the top notch gameplay with some great enemy AI and you have one of the best console first person shooters available right now. Oh and the multiplayer is awesome too!

Aaron – Not many games continue to keep going strong long after the single player has ended but this game certainly does just that. Modern Warfare 2 is pretty much the complete package. Engaging single player experience? Check. Fun cooperative multiplayer experience? Check. Addictive competitive multiplayer experience? Check.
What more could you ask for?!

Aryel – Not just gaming but the biggest entertainment product ever! Modern Warfare 2 has the best all round experience with the holy trinity of a well paced cinematic single player experience, progressive fast paced multiplayer and a tense co-op mode. Superb.

Asim – How do you follow up one of the best first person shooters ever made? Well if you’re Infinity Ward, you improve every possible aspect of the original. You ramp up the action level in the campaign, you make the multiplayer even more addictive and you add a superb co-op mode. You release Modern Warfare 2 and wow the gaming world with its sheer brilliance.

Calvin – Great FPS action and a marked improvement on the original. Brilliant multiplayer aspects especially the inclusion of the Spec Ops mode. Matchmaking does need a little work but everything else is just fantastic.

Aaron – When you speak of Uncharted 2 you have to mention narrative in games in general. In a medium that is still in it’s infancy when it comes to expressing a coherant story Uncharted 2 managed to raise the bar that little bit higher. It also doesn’t hurt to have fun action packed set pieces to go along with that.

Aryel – The best PS3 game of 2009. Uncharted 2 puts you in the driving seat of the best action movie/game ever made. The graphics in this game are stunning with every moment taking you to the edge of your seat.

Asim – Jaw dropping visuals, check. Great characters and story, check. Engrossing and fun gameplay, check. Uncharted 2 has it all, a superb action/adventure game. As close to an interactive movie experience as you will probably ever get. Nathan Drake rules!

Aaron – A beautiful adaptation of one of the best Batman comics I have ever read. This game managed to effortlesly make me feel like the Dark Knight himself. The best thing about this game was the focus on every character involved not just Batman himself. Every characters voice acting and mannerisms were spot on leaving you completly immersed in the world.

Aryel – Undoubtedly my choice for the best game of 2009. Batman: Arkham Asylum is an amazing original experience that truly makes you feel like the Dark Knight.

Asim – Batman: Arkham Asylum is the best comic book based game ever made, simple as that really. A superb mature storyline combined with some fantastic gameplay. Rocksteady made gamers feel like the Dark Knight himself, something which many developers before them have failed to do. Infact Batman: Arkham Asylum is not just a great comic book game, it is great game full stop!

The majority of the games we have mentioned in this article can be purchased for bargain prices at Zavvi.com. Would you believe it?! They are even cheaper than Play! What you waiting for?! Click the banner above to start shopping at Zavvi. Also keep an eye out at GodisaGeek.com as we will hosting a competition courtesy of Zavvi.com where you will have a chance to win our Game of the Year, Batman: Arkham Asylum.