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Giant Bomb's Game of the Year 2009, Day Four

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What's Giant Bomb's best download-only game for 2009? More importantly, which game had the best big-ass ramp? The answers lie within!

Are you an awesome multitasker? Then listen to today's awards podcast while you read the awards below! It's like 3D for your mind!

Best Download-Only Game


Shadow Complex


Last year, we had a category called "Best Downloadable Game." But with the number of retail-sized games hitting digitally as well as in boxes on a steady rise, we felt the need to tweak the title, starting with "Best 'Small' Game," transitioning to "Best Downloadable Game But Not Retail Games You Know What Me Mean Stop Harassing Us," and finally coming to "Best Download-Only Game." You... know what we mean. It's been a great year for PlayStation Network, Xbox Live Arcade, and PC-focused releases that are only available via services like Steam or Direct2Drive.

The winner in this category was an easy choice for us. Shadow Complex is terrific game that spoke to our nostalgic side without feeling like some kind of weird throwback. Chair Entertainment made great use of the Unreal Engine, offering up a side-scrolling action-adventure that practically demanded to be played again and again and again. And you know what? Even after finishing all of the side stuff and collecting all of the items, Shadow Complex is still a total blast. If you're looking for a game that represents the best of what digital-only delivery has to offer, this is Exhibit A. 

Runners-Up: Shatter, Noby Noby Boy 
 
 

Second Annual Soulja Boy Award for Games To Play If You Drink And Get Drunk or Smoke And Get High


Modern Warfare 2


We should probably do the right thing here and say that we in no way condone this sort of behavior. We are not rappers, Miss Katie. But some of 2009's releases manage to evoke that certain wink-and-nod to altered states better than others, and that's what we're "awarding" this year. Actually, Modern Warfare 2 almost redefines the category by being way less of a wink or a nod, and more of a blinking sign that says YO CHECK THIS OUT. And you'll probably see every time you play multiplayer.

The blatant display of weed leaves and titles like "Blunt Trauma" and "Joint Ops" to go along with them let the "420 friendly" players out there wear their affiliation like a badge of honor. And judging by how frequently they seem to pop up, there are a lot of you out there that smell like Otto's jacket. The references are hokey and, well, a little garish. But then, so is Soulja Boy, right? Winners don't use drugs.

Oh, we should probably also state that this category is not actually endorsed by Soulja Boy. 


Runners-Up: Noby Noby Boy, Flower 
 
 

Best Big-Ass Ramp


Borderlands


Though 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand was the initial spark that led to our hardcore addiction to big-ass ramps, this year's award for the biggest-ass ramp somehow ended up going to a bigger-ass ramp than 50 Cent can handle... the gigantic structure sitting right outside of Fyrestone in Gearbox Software's Borderlands.

As if to totally lock this category up, this huge structure of vehicle launching is a required visit as part of one of the game's main story quests. So there's no way you'll miss this big-ass ramp... though you might miss Tony Yayo or one of the other G-Unit guys shouting about the big-ass ramp that you may or may not have just hit. That's just the way it goes.

 Runners-Up: 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand, Modern Warfare 2 
  

Character We'd Most Like To Party With


Eddie Riggs

 
Brutal Legend, Double Fine's grand tribute to the glory and the triumph of pure, soaring, fist-pumping heavy metal music, was not a game without problems. But if there was any good reason to look past its design missteps and technical shortcomings, it was the main character Eddie Riggs, the world's greatest roadie, a man whose considerable talents get put to far nobler use as he fights the forces of evil in a mythical realm of metal. As someone who has lugged Marshall stacks to hell and back, quite literally, who wouldn't want to party with Eddie Riggs?
 
Beyond the obviously amazing stories he'd be able to tell, whether it be about bacchanalian backstage antics from the road or that time he split a battle nun clean in two, Eddie's a guy who understands not just how to have a good time, but how to make sure the whole operation's running smoothly. The kegs would always be plentiful and ice-cold, the gender ratio would be golden, and he'd have no qualms about kicking unnecessary dirtbags to the curb.


Runners-Up: Ellis, Chris Cashman, John Vignocchi
 

Best Classic Revival

 

Street Fighter IV


Properly reviving the classics is probably one of the toughest things a developer can take on, because you're not actually striving the develop something that improves upon an old thing. Instead, your goal is to deliver something that improves upon a fan's memories of that old thing. You don't need us to tell you that this is a gargantuan task, as gaming's most beloved classic franchises have millions of fans, all of them just waiting for something messed up to happen so they can say "well, this isn't as good as the old thing" and move on.

Street Fighter IV is better than the old thing. Even more, it's just about as good, if not slightly better than our memories of the Street Fighter II era. It's almost enough to inspire some sort of "back in my day, you'd do the dragon punch motion and it wouldn't even come out!!" rant, but instead we'll just lean back in our rocking chairs and tell you that you damn kids are lucky to have it this good.


 

Runners-Up: Punch-Out!!, Tales of Monkey Island
Filed under:
Eddie Riggs
Borderlands
Modern Warfare 2
Shadow Complex
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Posted by Brad

Are you an awesome multitasker? Then listen to today's awards podcast while you read the awards below! It's like 3D for your mind!

Best Download-Only Game


Shadow Complex


Last year, we had a category called "Best Downloadable Game." But with the number of retail-sized games hitting digitally as well as in boxes on a steady rise, we felt the need to tweak the title, starting with "Best 'Small' Game," transitioning to "Best Downloadable Game But Not Retail Games You Know What Me Mean Stop Harassing Us," and finally coming to "Best Download-Only Game." You... know what we mean. It's been a great year for PlayStation Network, Xbox Live Arcade, and PC-focused releases that are only available via services like Steam or Direct2Drive.

The winner in this category was an easy choice for us. Shadow Complex is terrific game that spoke to our nostalgic side without feeling like some kind of weird throwback. Chair Entertainment made great use of the Unreal Engine, offering up a side-scrolling action-adventure that practically demanded to be played again and again and again. And you know what? Even after finishing all of the side stuff and collecting all of the items, Shadow Complex is still a total blast. If you're looking for a game that represents the best of what digital-only delivery has to offer, this is Exhibit A. 

Runners-Up: Shatter, Noby Noby Boy 
 
 

Second Annual Soulja Boy Award for Games To Play If You Drink And Get Drunk or Smoke And Get High


Modern Warfare 2


We should probably do the right thing here and say that we in no way condone this sort of behavior. We are not rappers, Miss Katie. But some of 2009's releases manage to evoke that certain wink-and-nod to altered states better than others, and that's what we're "awarding" this year. Actually, Modern Warfare 2 almost redefines the category by being way less of a wink or a nod, and more of a blinking sign that says YO CHECK THIS OUT. And you'll probably see every time you play multiplayer.

The blatant display of weed leaves and titles like "Blunt Trauma" and "Joint Ops" to go along with them let the "420 friendly" players out there wear their affiliation like a badge of honor. And judging by how frequently they seem to pop up, there are a lot of you out there that smell like Otto's jacket. The references are hokey and, well, a little garish. But then, so is Soulja Boy, right? Winners don't use drugs.

Oh, we should probably also state that this category is not actually endorsed by Soulja Boy. 


Runners-Up: Noby Noby Boy, Flower 
 
 

Best Big-Ass Ramp


Borderlands


Though 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand was the initial spark that led to our hardcore addiction to big-ass ramps, this year's award for the biggest-ass ramp somehow ended up going to a bigger-ass ramp than 50 Cent can handle... the gigantic structure sitting right outside of Fyrestone in Gearbox Software's Borderlands.

As if to totally lock this category up, this huge structure of vehicle launching is a required visit as part of one of the game's main story quests. So there's no way you'll miss this big-ass ramp... though you might miss Tony Yayo or one of the other G-Unit guys shouting about the big-ass ramp that you may or may not have just hit. That's just the way it goes.

 Runners-Up: 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand, Modern Warfare 2 
  

Character We'd Most Like To Party With


Eddie Riggs

 
Brutal Legend, Double Fine's grand tribute to the glory and the triumph of pure, soaring, fist-pumping heavy metal music, was not a game without problems. But if there was any good reason to look past its design missteps and technical shortcomings, it was the main character Eddie Riggs, the world's greatest roadie, a man whose considerable talents get put to far nobler use as he fights the forces of evil in a mythical realm of metal. As someone who has lugged Marshall stacks to hell and back, quite literally, who wouldn't want to party with Eddie Riggs?
 
Beyond the obviously amazing stories he'd be able to tell, whether it be about bacchanalian backstage antics from the road or that time he split a battle nun clean in two, Eddie's a guy who understands not just how to have a good time, but how to make sure the whole operation's running smoothly. The kegs would always be plentiful and ice-cold, the gender ratio would be golden, and he'd have no qualms about kicking unnecessary dirtbags to the curb.


Runners-Up: Ellis, Chris Cashman, John Vignocchi
 

Best Classic Revival

 

Street Fighter IV


Properly reviving the classics is probably one of the toughest things a developer can take on, because you're not actually striving the develop something that improves upon an old thing. Instead, your goal is to deliver something that improves upon a fan's memories of that old thing. You don't need us to tell you that this is a gargantuan task, as gaming's most beloved classic franchises have millions of fans, all of them just waiting for something messed up to happen so they can say "well, this isn't as good as the old thing" and move on.

Street Fighter IV is better than the old thing. Even more, it's just about as good, if not slightly better than our memories of the Street Fighter II era. It's almost enough to inspire some sort of "back in my day, you'd do the dragon punch motion and it wouldn't even come out!!" rant, but instead we'll just lean back in our rocking chairs and tell you that you damn kids are lucky to have it this good.


 

Runners-Up: Punch-Out!!, Tales of Monkey Island
Staff
Posted by spankingaddict

eddie riggs is the man!

Posted by wwfundertaker

Another great list of awards, who the hell is soulja boy.lol

Posted by aurahack

Johnny V will just never win, will he. Guess he can add "2 years running" to his resume.

Edited by Venatio

Funny categories

Posted by DBrim

The best big-ass ramp is clearly on Big Surf Island.  Ski jump, anyone?

Posted by fisher81

lol @ Johnny V

Posted by CoolDrMoney

Dave smells like Otto's jacket

Posted by Mushir

Great to see the Soulja Boy award return! ;)

Posted by Fate8
@spankingaddict: If Batman AA is the game of the year I will cry. I would much rather see Uncharted 2 make it even though my favorite game of the year was Borderlands.
Posted by Bigandtasty

Blood on the Sand didn't win the Best Big-Ass Ramp category? Blood on the Sand is the Best Big-Ass Ramp category.

Posted by TheMikelGuereca

That ramp in Borderlands is BIG!

Posted by Sarumarine

Yo Roland! Hit that big ass ramp award!

Posted by HT101

A great day once again.  Can't wait to see what tomorrow's list has in store for us.
Posted by Video_Game_King

I don't know, I think I'd like to party with Zangief up there. Give me one reason why not.

Posted by lolgreg

SPOILER:  Ghost is Soulja Boy

Posted by Pkshields

Didn't even think of Borderlands when thinking about the Big Ass Ramp award, but its awesome that it won!

Posted by SofaKing

Street Fighter IV for Best Game of 2009. That's right. You heard me.

Edited by Linkyshinks

I didn't like Shadow Complex, I thought it was severely over hyped. My favourite download game of the year would be Lost Winds 2.

Posted by TheYear20XX

That is one big-ass ramp.

Posted by SofaKing

Shadow Complex is brilliant.

Posted by Electric_Zen

I'm not quite sure how Chris Cashman gets nominated.

Posted by Dan_CiTi

I don't know how much I like SFIV. I've probably played 100 hours of it, yet I get angry at the game constantly. Also, there are almost no characters in the game I like. Also, I bought the TE stick.

Posted by Jeffsekai

Completely agree with SF4.

Posted by giyanks22

Shadow Complex is the best Download only game ever.

Posted by pornstorestiffi

Get rid of that christmas jingle.

Edited by SofaKing

I purchased a Hori Real Arcade Pro EX and modified it with Sanwas. Similar to Vinny, the amount of time and money I put into that game is insanity. I still play it pretty constantly, although not online as much (with my brother mainly). Character selection is certified majesty. Get angry with yourself, not the game. Super Street Fighter IV = most anticipated game of 2010.

Posted by Cerza

Good to see the Soulja Boy award is back. I'm surprised they gave it to Modern Warfare 2 though and even more surprised that Zeno Clash didn't even make a runner up spot.

Posted by SpecialBuddy
@SofaKing said:
" Street Fighter IV for Best Game of 2009. That's right. You heard me. "
Word.
Posted by JJOR64

*inserts get hype joke here*
 
Also glad to see Punchout!! nominated for "Best Classic Revival".

Posted by Evilsbane

Thank you MW2 for making everyone that smokes weed look like a complete idiot *facepalm*

Edited by EVO

Character We'd Most Like To Party With shoulda gone to Sully.
 
On second thoughts, maybe not. He'd probably drink you under the table, blow smoke in your face and steal your girl.

Posted by BionicMonster
@Video_Game_King said:
" I don't know, I think I'd like to party with Zangief up there. Give me one reason why not. "
Hes an angry drunk
Posted by Video_Game_King
@BionicMonster said:
" @Video_Game_King said:
" I don't know, I think I'd like to party with Zangief up there. Give me one reason why not. "
Hes an angry drunk "
See, somebody agrees with me!
Edited by Darkstar614

Jesus, nearly fell out of my chair laughing at the Soulja Boy category. I remember that video, and AOTS's response. So great.
 
 
Borderlands did have some Big ass ramps.

Posted by LeBart

Noby Noby Boy should have won the Soulja Boy award !

Posted by Alphonzo

Not even a nomination for 'Splosion Man? Beat out by Noby frikkin Noby Boy? 
'Splosion Man belonged in the "Download Only" category and the "Party Character" category! What the hell, bruh!

Posted by SquirrelGOD

I saw Ellis as a runner-up for "Character We'd Most Like to Party With" and panicked thinking that I had missed some sort of Die Hard game this year.  Great list, though!

Posted by MildMolasses
@Pkshields said:
"Didn't even think of Borderlands when thinking about the Big Ass Ramp award, but its awesome that it won! "

That's odd, it was the only game I thought of. I assumed that they made the category just for Borderlands
Posted by blackbeard

it is getting really annoying listening to all the pot heads who actually sound high in MW2. and they never shut up either... they ramble and ramble... thank god for the ability to mute. Unless I am playing with people I know, the first thing I do when I get into a match is mute everyone.

Posted by SofaKing

It's true. Everyone who rambles on and on in MW2 is a pothead. That's why when I get into a match, the first thing I do is mute every single person in the list. Because I can't stand these rambling potheads.

Edited by SofaKing

And then I go ahead and mute "figment of my imagination".

Posted by Duckchow

Wow. I thought for sure that Noby Noby Boy would win.

Posted by MeatSim

There needs to be a award for having the best award categories.

Posted by Phished0ne

Shatter and Noby Noby Boy all well and good, Noby Noby boy is barely a game. I personally would've swapped Noby Noby for Fat Princess...and Fat Princess would've won. That game is so much fun, i always come back to it for a good time.

Posted by Gregomasta

good choice of best big ass ramp

Posted by HydraHam

I would rather party with leisure suit larry

Posted by Jimbo

Original big-ass ramp?
 

Posted by Skald
@DBrim said:
" The best big-ass ramp is clearly on Big Surf Island.  Ski jump, anyone? "
You are a GENIUS. 
 
That has the competition beat. Hands down.
Posted by Hot_Karl

Absolute upset in the Big-Ass Ramp Category.
 
Also, I'm sad to see that Johnny V "The Juggernaut" is the bridesmaid two years in a row in the "Character We'd Most Like to Party With" category.

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