Giant Bomb's PC Game of the Year, 2009

Posted by Jeff (3081 posts) - 3 years, 4 months ago

While the release of Windows 7 certainly grabbed a lot of headlines, there were also plenty of games out in 2009 that really took special advantage of the benefits that being on a PC brings. But none took better advantage of that extra power and control than our PC Game of the Year!

PC Game of The Year

Dragon Age: Origins

It's pretty fitting that the best PC game of 2009 is a game that, if not for its impressive graphics, feels like it could have been released on the platform a decade ago. No other 2009 release felt more like a PC game than Dragon Age: Origins. Hell, even if you were playing BioWare's latest on the PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360, you probably still felt like you might be able to Alt-Tab away to a browser to read up on spell combos. And you know what? That's awesome.

There's a reason why party-based, strategic, 50-hour epics were fun ten years ago, and that reason is why Dragon Age still works today. That part wasn't really much of a surprise, though. It was the ease at which this type of game shed its Dungeons and Dragons backdrop and ruleset and fully embraced a whole new world that really made it work. BioWare came up with something that not only kept the complexity of its lineage, but made it accessible to a new crop of high-fantasy players. That's pretty hard to do when you consider the game's main audience were the same people that ripped Fallout 3 to shreds last year.

Similar parallels could be drawn to Dawn of War II, which proved that the PC is still the only place you really want to play a real-time strategy game, even when it removes the need to manage dozens of on screen troops like the latest Warhammer 40k game did. Both titles showed that old tricks still work, and work even better with a new perspective.

Runners-Up: Trine, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II

Staff

#1 Posted by Jeff (3081 posts) - 3 years, 4 months ago

While the release of Windows 7 certainly grabbed a lot of headlines, there were also plenty of games out in 2009 that really took special advantage of the benefits that being on a PC brings. But none took better advantage of that extra power and control than our PC Game of the Year!

PC Game of The Year

Dragon Age: Origins

It's pretty fitting that the best PC game of 2009 is a game that, if not for its impressive graphics, feels like it could have been released on the platform a decade ago. No other 2009 release felt more like a PC game than Dragon Age: Origins. Hell, even if you were playing BioWare's latest on the PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360, you probably still felt like you might be able to Alt-Tab away to a browser to read up on spell combos. And you know what? That's awesome.

There's a reason why party-based, strategic, 50-hour epics were fun ten years ago, and that reason is why Dragon Age still works today. That part wasn't really much of a surprise, though. It was the ease at which this type of game shed its Dungeons and Dragons backdrop and ruleset and fully embraced a whole new world that really made it work. BioWare came up with something that not only kept the complexity of its lineage, but made it accessible to a new crop of high-fantasy players. That's pretty hard to do when you consider the game's main audience were the same people that ripped Fallout 3 to shreds last year.

Similar parallels could be drawn to Dawn of War II, which proved that the PC is still the only place you really want to play a real-time strategy game, even when it removes the need to manage dozens of on screen troops like the latest Warhammer 40k game did. Both titles showed that old tricks still work, and work even better with a new perspective.

Runners-Up: Trine, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II

Staff

#2 Edited by cstrang (2381 posts) - 3 years, 4 months ago

Oh, YEAH, go DA:O. Pretty easy choice for me.

#3 Posted by Jeffsekai (6948 posts) - 3 years, 4 months ago

Very good choice.

#4 Posted by jt1080 (59 posts) - 3 years, 4 months ago

I'm enjoying The Witcher (Enhanced Edition) more than DA:O actually...

The combat in DA:O makes me feel like an idiot because I feel like I'm doing it wrong half the time. Great story/bioware game though.

#5 Posted by Cerza (1653 posts) - 3 years, 4 months ago

DUDE YES!!! Excellent choice.

#6 Posted by piderman (202 posts) - 3 years, 4 months ago

No surprises here :D

#7 Posted by harrypmgaga (162 posts) - 3 years, 4 months ago

No surprises -- but definitely not my PC GotY.

#8 Posted by KnifeySpoony (1150 posts) - 3 years, 4 months ago

Good to see a mention of Trine as well, but no surprise Dragon Age took it.

#9 Posted by The_Philosopher (570 posts) - 3 years, 4 months ago

Fucking love me some Dragon Age. Not many PC exclusives worth mentioning this year but at least Dragon Age is a PC game at heart.

#10 Posted by Dyram (145 posts) - 3 years, 4 months ago

Not a surprise, really. Happy to see DoW2 mentioned, though.

#11 Posted by Sargus (656 posts) - 3 years, 4 months ago

@jt1080: The Witcher didn't come out this year, though. Only the "Enchanced Edition" did, and that doesn't really count.

#12 Posted by AndrewB (6872 posts) - 3 years, 4 months ago

This is one of those moments where if you pick any other game, I tell you you're wrong. My common theme between games of the year (last year would have been Fallout 3) is that I spent over 120 hours on them, and I'm still going strong.

#13 Posted by Luke (1609 posts) - 3 years, 4 months ago

Awww, Torchlight didn't even make runners-up? :(

#14 Posted by jt1080 (59 posts) - 3 years, 4 months ago

@Sargus: Yeah I know, just as someone who recently picked up both and is playing both simultaneously I'm finding it odd that I'm enjoying Witcher more. Dave's making me want to go try a mage out though..looks hella more fun than my warrior.

#15 Posted by Rebirth1337 (795 posts) - 3 years, 4 months ago

What are the specs on the PC this is being played on?

#16 Posted by Jacob816 (135 posts) - 3 years, 4 months ago

Just started playing it a few days ago. Even on PS3, it still feels amazing.

#17 Posted by Undeadpool (4513 posts) - 3 years, 4 months ago

When I finished the 80 hour campaign...I immediately started my second playthrough.

Good. God. I love this game.

#18 Posted by BenderUnit22 (1145 posts) - 3 years, 4 months ago

I liked DA:O quite a bit even though I played the PS3 version and the controls can't quite hide the game's PC origins. BioWare created a deep, lore-filled universe with some amazingly interesting characters and the combat and skill system is much improved from the at times dreadfully slow-paced D&D. As great as the interactions between characters were though, the overarching story was rather bland and predictable and sadly, I for one never had a real wow-moment with the game. Still great choice.

#19 Posted by InfiniteGeass (2004 posts) - 3 years, 4 months ago

Not my cup of tea, but it looks like a great game.

#20 Posted by Gregomasta (1540 posts) - 3 years, 4 months ago

57:40 hours and some seconds, 24% completed, first play through, great choice giant bomb.

#21 Posted by handlas (2258 posts) - 3 years, 4 months ago

Cryoooooostasis

#22 Posted by Rhaknar (5791 posts) - 3 years, 4 months ago

whoa didnt know morrigan was the same voice actress as chloe from U2 :D

#23 Posted by MmmSkyscraper (296 posts) - 3 years, 4 months ago

I'm more interested in playing this after the second QL.

#24 Posted by Darkstar614 (1091 posts) - 3 years, 4 months ago

man I agree with all these picks for Platform GOTY, with the exception of maybe DS.

Giantbomb knows 'what's up' with gaming.

#25 Posted by captain_clayman (3164 posts) - 3 years, 4 months ago

i still really need to try this

think i could get it at a decent framerate with an ATI 2600 with 256mb?
at least on medium settings?

#26 Posted by monster9999 (393 posts) - 3 years, 4 months ago

Really glad Dow 2 was at least nominated but of course this had to win

#27 Posted by Octaslash (380 posts) - 3 years, 4 months ago

Next time, bring Zevran into the church. He has an awesome line about orgies.

#28 Posted by Delta_Ass (3193 posts) - 3 years, 4 months ago

Jesus. It seems to work for Dave but I'd rather claw my eyes out then pause that often while playing.

#29 Posted by EternalInfinity0 (163 posts) - 3 years, 4 months ago

This is Dragon Age's third quick look...

#30 Edited by Cornman89 (1579 posts) - 3 years, 4 months ago

This game makes me with I could tolerate using a mouse and keyboard to play a game. And have a computer that could do more than surf the web and type shit.

#31 Posted by Linkyshinks (9884 posts) - 3 years, 4 months ago

Well deserved, far more so than Trine I think.

Are these runners up put in order of preference, anyone?

#32 Posted by Kajaah117 (1070 posts) - 3 years, 4 months ago

@Linkyshinks said:

" Well deserved, far more so than Trine I think. Are these runners up put in order of preference, anyone? "

Runners up look to be in alphabetical order.

#33 Posted by JoelTGM (5584 posts) - 3 years, 4 months ago

YES.

#34 Posted by zombie2011 (4665 posts) - 3 years, 4 months ago

Hells Yeah.

#35 Posted by Marz (5469 posts) - 3 years, 4 months ago

I totally agree with this choice.

#36 Posted by lamegame621 (975 posts) - 3 years, 4 months ago

Seems like the right choice. After I run myself out of Borderlands I may just pick up DA:O

#37 Edited by Fubar (164 posts) - 3 years, 4 months ago

I like this .... but sad to say i havent finished it yet

By the way i play as a mage and i called him Mordicai as an homage to Dave

#38 Posted by Tfruit (1680 posts) - 3 years, 4 months ago

Good choice guys

#39 Posted by VisariLoyalist (2988 posts) - 3 years, 4 months ago

YES! no game will occupy as much joyful time as dragon age.

#40 Posted by StingingVelvet (382 posts) - 3 years, 4 months ago

Good choice, it may not have been an exclusive but it felt like one. Dragon Age is a statement that the PC still offers some gameplay not able to be done nearly as well elsewhere. I personally think that is still true for shooters but obviously the mainstream disagrees with me, still this time it was good to see the PC get its due.

#41 Posted by wrecks (1883 posts) - 3 years, 4 months ago

I guess I should probably play this.

#42 Posted by AgentofChaos (1565 posts) - 3 years, 4 months ago

GOTY Windows 7. Not really, Im surprised Plants vs. Zombies didn't get a mention.

#43 Posted by AhmadMetallic (18957 posts) - 3 years, 4 months ago

Trine isnt a PC exclusive ..

#44 Posted by Pie (6430 posts) - 3 years, 4 months ago

@Ahmad_Metallic said:

" Trine isnt a PC exclusive .. "

Neither is Dragon age.....

#45 Posted by AhmadMetallic (18957 posts) - 3 years, 4 months ago

@Pie said:

" @Ahmad_Metallic said:
" Trine isnt a PC exclusive .. "
Neither is Dragon age..... "

lol you're right.. then what are we talking about here?
best PC game not necessarily an exclusive? Kay.

hey paa

#46 Posted by Seedofpower (3743 posts) - 3 years, 4 months ago

@Dyram said:

" Not a surprise, really. Happy to see DoW2 mentioned, though. "

Word.

#47 Posted by StingingVelvet (382 posts) - 3 years, 4 months ago

@Ahmad_Metallic said:

" @Pie said:

" @Ahmad_Metallic said:

" Trine isnt a PC exclusive .. "
Neither is Dragon age..... "
lol you're right.. then what are we talking about here? best PC game not necessarily an exclusive? Kay. hey paa "

They probably decided the PC did not have enough big name AAA exclusives to have a PC-only award. The PC has a ton of exclusives but they are mostly smaller titles like Zeno Clash or League of Legends, nothing that gets the mainstreamers excited.

#48 Posted by dagas (2606 posts) - 3 years, 4 months ago

@captain_clayman said:

" i still really need to try this think i could get it at a decent framerate with an ATI 2600 with 256mb? at least on medium settings? "

Doubt it. It's still a great game on consoles though so you shouldn't miss out just because you don't have a gaming PC. It's graphics (compared to a good gaming PC) and the GUI isn't quite as good on consoles, but everything else is very much the same game.

#49 Posted by Pie (6430 posts) - 3 years, 4 months ago

@Ahmad_Metallic said:

" @Pie said:
" @Ahmad_Metallic said:
" Trine isnt a PC exclusive .. "
Neither is Dragon age..... "
lol you're right.. then what are we talking about here? best PC game not necessarily an exclusive? Kay. hey paa "

MAKE THEM UNBAN ME! FOR THE LOVE OF GOD MAKE THEM UNBAN ME!
Breaks down

#50 Posted by AhmadMetallic (18957 posts) - 3 years, 4 months ago

@Pie said:

" @Ahmad_Metallic said:
" @Pie said:
" @Ahmad_Metallic said:
" Trine isnt a PC exclusive .. "
Neither is Dragon age..... "
lol you're right.. then what are we talking about here? best PC game not necessarily an exclusive? Kay. hey paa "
MAKE THEM UNBAN ME! FOR THE LOVE OF GOD MAKE THEM UNBAN ME!
Breaks down "

naaaaaao thei dawnt lyke you and thei sed you be floodin' and trawllin (trollin')

Dragon Age: Origins

Dragon Age: Origins is an epic fantasy role-playing game featuring a rich story, personality-driven characters, and tactical, bloody combat. It is considered a spiritual successor to the Baldur's Gate series.

PC Game of The Year

Dragon Age: Origins

PC Game of The Year

Dragon Age: Origins

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