In less than 1 week the PS4 will be released marking the start of the next console generation. Before that happens we need to decide which of the hundreds of titles that came out this generation should be crowned the Giant Bomb community's Game of the Generation. Rather than do the usual tallying of everyone's individual top 10 lists, which you can do here, I thought it would be more fun if we pitted the games against each other in a fight to the death i.e. a knock-out bracket. The idea for this was inspired by Grantland's recent Best Song of the Millennium tournament which they described as "totally arbitrary, completely ridiculous [and] utterly infuriating", which is basically the Giant Bomb way of doing things in a nutshell.
This gen had a lot of stellar titles so a 64 entrant bracket made the most sense to me. There'll be a poll on the forums for each match-up and the winner of the poll will go through to the next round. The only rule is that the game has to have come out on either 360, DS, PS3, PSP, Wii or on the PC after the 360 was released (Nov 2005).
Remember, the bracket is all about compromise. Through the process of elimination we should be left with a game which may not be your personal favourite but is one that everyone can appreciate. What I want most from the bracket is to inspire some heated debate. It's one thing listing your favourite game but it's much harder trying to convince others why the game you like should go through to the next round.
Winner - Mass Effect 2
Games it beat on the way: Crusader Kings II, Burnout Paradise, Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, Fallout 3, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, and Dark Souls.
Final [Complete]
Dark Souls (48%) vs. Mass Effect 2 (53%) [1714 votes] - poll
Semifinals [Complete]
Dark Souls (57%) vs. Portal 2 (43%) [1295 votes] - poll
Mass Effect 2 (66%) vs. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (35%) [1158 votes] - poll
Note: votes cast after a poll has been locked do not count.
Quarterfinals [Complete]
Results
Dark Souls (52%) vs. Red Dead Redemption (48%) [1234 votes] - poll
Grand Theft Auto IV (25%) vs. Grand Theft Auto V (77%) [334 votes] - poll
Gears of War (27%) vs. Gears of War 2 (30%) vs. Gears of War 3 (43%) - poll
999 (17%) vs. Elite Beat Agents (11%) vs. Ghost Trick (26%) vs. Phoenix Wright: Trials and Tribulations (17%) vs. The World Ends With You (16%) vs. Professor Layton and the Curious Village (13%) [155 votes] - poll
I think if this is going to be done properly there has to be a place for multiple sequels in the same franchise i.e. AC2 and Brotherhood, Mass Effect 1 and 2 etc. I'd put Demon's Souls and Dark Souls on that list even though they're very similar. It needs to a big love-in.
Hey. Aoun Hussain here. Hope I was able to help you with some of my input. :)
Appreciate that you considered putting Assassin's 2 in there instead of Brotherhood. At the same time though, I realize that such a choice is a particularly personal one and I can totally understand if the community chooses Brotherhood over 2. It's the same thing with me and Mass Effect. I prefer the first one 100% over Mass Effect 2, even with the glaring technical issues.
Should be entertaining I would think. That list looks agreeable to me. Of course the more Mass Effects there are in there to possibly win the whole thing the better in my opinion so I may be a bit biased.
Dark Souls And or Demon's Souls.. I dont care which, but I vote for both as I Love both equally as strong as I love my right and left hand and my crotch.
I think a good rule of thumb for multiple entries in a series, with the exception of a series with entries that are truly divergent, is go big or go home. Pick the one that had the most impact, the game that really symbolizes that series. For example I enjoyed Mass Effect 1 more than Mass Effect 2, but I feel like you kind of have to use ME2 because it had bigger reach. Assassin's Creed is tough because 2 had a far superior story, but Brotherhood introduced the awesome multiplayer.
I think your list is really well thought out. Here's my opinions on it:
Keep Bioshock, remove Infinite
Can Half Life 3 just include the episodes as well? I feel like just having episode 2 really limits that entry. They are really the same game when you think about it
Portal over Portal 2. Portal had a huge impact on the industry, Portal 2 is just a really good sequel
Not sure on Heavy Rain. It certainly got people talking though
I think GTA IV over GTA V. The shine has faded on IV a bit but that game was fucking huge and is still a landmark
I think Amnesia and maybe battlefield 3 could be included
I agree that for the most part, franchises should have only a single entry on the list (BioShock might be an exception). So, that will probably open up some spots on the bracket. So, I'd vote to remove Mass Effect and flip a coin to decide whether to keep in Portal or Portal 2.
Also, I'd probably swap out Gears of War and Rock Band for GoW3 and RB3. While the first entries in those franchises were big and important, I think the rise in overall quality by their third iteration is hard to ignore.
I don't think Demon's Souls should be added - it was good, but I feel Dark Souls is genre defining.
I'd much rather you keep Fallout 3 over New Vegas.
Heavy Rain deserves to stay.
What do people think of ArmA 2? DayZ has spawned something of a new genre during this generation. See Infestation: Survivor Stories (formerly The War Z), State of Decay and Nether to name a few. Worth a mention, or disqualified because ArmA 2 is the foundation for a mod?
An honourable mention to Valkyria Chronicles too. It's not the game of the generation, but if you own a PS3 you ought to play it.
This will be a good test for the GB community. Every time GameFAQs does a contest like this their community goes to shit and the site's board becomes one of the worst cesspool of human filth on the internet.
For multiple games from the same franchise if all the games share the same continuing story and gameplay and are all generally perceived to be of similar quality (e.g. Gears of War) we should go with the first one. If a sequel in the franchise sees a major leap in quality (Uncharted 2, Assassin's Creed 2) then we should pick that game instead.
If the gameplay and/or story/characters are radically changed then multiple games from a same franchise could be included.
9 of the top 10 games i listed in the other thread are included so i'm good with this list. I also know better than to try and convince people about the tenth game that didn't make the list.
@video_game_king: Pandoras Tower is good, but with a better controller would have been great. I found controlling that game awkward for what it tried to do.
I honestly think that Ouendan 2 should be on the bracket, as it's structurally the most advance in the series and representative of a form of rhythm game that isn't based on the plastic instrument model like Rock Band. I would also give consideration to VGK's suggestion of Pandora's Tower, which has been sadly overlooked by a lot of people as it's a Wii game and didn't see a domestic North American release until earlier this year. VGK could probably speak more at length on why to include it.
Also, is Alan Wake really a good candidate for this? I know that the game has its fans, but as I recall, the game ended up being kind of disappointing and didn't really live up to the amount of time it actually took to make. Sort of like how many view Final Fantasy XIII, which is noticeably absent from the first draft. (I could try to argue for Final Fantasy XIII's inclusion, but I know that's a battle I would never win despite how much I enjoy the game because so many people are determined to hate it for existing).
Ok guys, real talk: I know we all like different games, all these AAA shooters and weird-ass JRPG's and whatever, but... Geometry Wars 2 is the only one that really makes any sense to me. Like, at all.
@video_game_king: Pandoras Tower is good, but with a better controller would have been great. I found controlling that game awkward for what it tried to do.
But the motion controls are absolutely necessary to the story that Pandora's Tower tells. It's a lot harder to highlight just how horrible your actions are without the direct, personal feeling that the motion controls lend them.
I'd like to keep franchises down to one game, but I'd prefer having the whole series be an entry.
Mass Effect, for example: I like 3, most people like 2, some even prefer 1. It just seems like a needless complication. When I think back to Mass Effect in this era, I think of the whole thing as one entity. Saren's story and your conversation with you-know-who. This hurts you and this is my favorite store on the Citadel. Shepard vs. Kai Leng and the last mad dash for everything (even some cool multiplayer).
@video_game_king: Pandoras Tower is good, but with a better controller would have been great. I found controlling that game awkward for what it tried to do.
But the motion controls are absolutely necessary to the story that Pandora's Tower tells. It's a lot harder to highlight just how horrible your actions are without the direct, personal feeling that the motion controls lend them.
I really think you should just put *all* games of a series - this is best *GAME* of the generation. Not Best Series.
If someone wants to vote AC1 over AC2 because the first was technologically a massive jump for games, then that's on them, and if I want to pick Fallout 3 over 4 (as I do) it should be up to me.
Edit: You somehow missed FTL, the best downloadble game ever made.
It occurred to me earlier today that we need separate brackets for downloadbles. I know peeps feel that is "ghettoizing" them but there's just too many that are excellent to be swallowed up by the AAAs.
I really think you should just put *all* games of a series - this is best *GAME* of the generation. Not Best Series.
If someone wants to vote AC1 over AC2 because the first was technologically a massive jump for games, then that's on them, and if I want to pick Fallout 3 over 4 (as I do) it should be up to me.
There's only so much space on the bracket, and if were to be dominated by sequel after sequel in a few select franchises, that would hardly be representative of the generation as a whole.
i think fez could leave the list, id argue braid has way more importance and defines a generation of indie games more than fez.
id take out just cause 2.
id get rid of hitman blood money, was that really an influential, super super high quality game?
mortal kombat and street fighter has to stay on this list, they repopularized what was a stagnant genre. MK is important as it raises the bar in fighting game story telling, while street fighter just generally renergized the genre.
I really think you should just put *all* games of a series - this is best *GAME* of the generation. Not Best Series.
If someone wants to vote AC1 over AC2 because the first was technologically a massive jump for games, then that's on them, and if I want to pick Fallout 3 over 4 (as I do) it should be up to me.
There's only so much space on the bracket, and if were to be dominated by sequel after sequel in a few select franchises, that would hardly be representative of the generation as a whole.
I suggest we hold separate polls for each popular series. We could do polls with Assassin's Creed, Persona, Mass Effect, Batman, Halo, Gears of War, etc. and allow everyone to vote for the Community Series Representative.
Otherwise, frankly, it's kind of BS to just pick Mass Effect 2 and say it's the "Community Pick".
You know me. You know that I take an entire review to explain what could be said in a paragraph.
That doesn't help you here. The fact that the game has some of the best use of motion controls on the Wii, that it has a really interesting mix of action-platforming and relationship gameplay elements, and that it is, in some ways, what 3D Castlevania should have aspired for, are all things that can be pointed out without needing seven paragraphs and a Sponge Bob Youtube clip.
I really think you should just put *all* games of a series - this is best *GAME* of the generation. Not Best Series.
If someone wants to vote AC1 over AC2 because the first was technologically a massive jump for games, then that's on them, and if I want to pick Fallout 3 over 4 (as I do) it should be up to me.
There's only so much space on the bracket, and if were to be dominated by sequel after sequel in a few select franchises, that would hardly be representative of the generation as a whole.
I suggest we hold separate polls for each popular series. We could do polls with Assassin's Creed, Persona, Mass Effect, Batman, Halo, Gears of War, etc. and allow everyone to vote for the Community Series Representative.
Otherwise, frankly, it's kind of BS to just pick Mass Effect 2 and say it's the "Community Pick".
Then we'd be here until the end of the new generation.
I really think you should just put *all* games of a series - this is best *GAME* of the generation. Not Best Series.
If someone wants to vote AC1 over AC2 because the first was technologically a massive jump for games, then that's on them, and if I want to pick Fallout 3 over 4 (as I do) it should be up to me.
There's only so much space on the bracket, and if were to be dominated by sequel after sequel in a few select franchises, that would hardly be representative of the generation as a whole.
I suggest we hold separate polls for each popular series. We could do polls with Assassin's Creed, Persona, Mass Effect, Batman, Halo, Gears of War, etc. and allow everyone to vote for the Community Series Representative.
Otherwise, frankly, it's kind of BS to just pick Mass Effect 2 and say it's the "Community Pick".
Then we'd be here until the end of the new generation.
Naaah, not really.
First of all, we're not done with the games of *this* generation (AC, Watch Dogs, et al)
I figure you do series polls until the new year. Then go ahead with the Best of the Gen. What we should be concentrating on *now* is GOTY, not GOTG.
Or you know, just rush it with your fake community pick!
Also, I know that Deadly Premonition has its fans, and it has its upsides, but is it really fair to include it in a bracket judging the best game of the generation?
I really think you should just put *all* games of a series - this is best *GAME* of the generation. Not Best Series.
If someone wants to vote AC1 over AC2 because the first was technologically a massive jump for games, then that's on them, and if I want to pick Fallout 3 over 4 (as I do) it should be up to me.
There's only so much space on the bracket, and if were to be dominated by sequel after sequel in a few select franchises, that would hardly be representative of the generation as a whole.
I suggest we hold separate polls for each popular series. We could do polls with Assassin's Creed, Persona, Mass Effect, Batman, Halo, Gears of War, etc. and allow everyone to vote for the Community Series Representative.
Otherwise, frankly, it's kind of BS to just pick Mass Effect 2 and say it's the "Community Pick".
Then we'd be here until the end of the new generation.
Naaah, not really.
First of all, we're not done with the games of *this* generation (AC, Watch Dogs, et al)
I figure you do series polls until the new year. Then go ahead with the Best of the Gen. What we should be concentrating on *now* is GOTY, not GOTG.
Or you know, just rush it with your fake community pick!
*tantrums*
...You're one of those people that liked Mass Effect 3 the best, aren't you? :P
Also, I know that Deadly Premonition has its fans, and it has its upsides, but is it really fair to include it in a bracket judging the best game of the generation?
I would say yes because it is a bracket, to do it right there would have to be 64 games, that or two "leagues" of 64 which is probably too many games to be honest. Will Deadly Premonition win? No of course not. But is there room for it in the top 64? I would say yes.
So yeah if I were running it this is how I would do it.
64 games.
Two Brackets of 32 A and B.
No more than 2 games from one series IE: You can have Mass Effect 1 and Mass Effect 2, but if you want to include Mass Effect 3 you have to drop ME1 or ME2.
Each game is sorted in alphabetical order, then they are assigned A then B then A then B and so on. This makes it impossible for "series games" to ever face each other unless it is the final matchup.
Once the 32 games of each bracket is decided they are then assigned a random number 1-32 by a random number generator again in alphabetical order. Game 1 faces Game 2 and so on down the line.
Also, I know that Deadly Premonition has its fans, and it has its upsides, but is it really fair to include it in a bracket judging the best game of the generation?
I would say yes because it is a bracket, to do it right there would have to be 64 games, that or two "leagues" of 64 which is probably too many games to be honest. Will Deadly Premonition win? No of course not. But is there room for it in the top 64? I would say yes.
So yeah if I were running it this is how I would do it.
64 games.
Two Brackets of 32 A and B.
No more than 2 games from one series IE: You can have Mass Effect 1 and Mass Effect 2, but if you want to include Mass Effect 3 you have to drop ME1 or ME2.
Each game is sorted in alphabetical order, then they are assigned A then B then A then B and so on. This makes it impossible for "series games" to ever face each other unless it is the final matchup.
Once the 32 games of each bracket is decided they are then assigned a random number 1-32 by a random number generator again in alphabetical order. Game 1 faces Game 2 and so on down the line.
I would say that there are significantly better options that could take DP's slot for a more competitive going.
I would say that there are significantly better options that could take DP's slot for a more competitive going.
I don't know Hailinel I have bought Deadly Premonition twice now, I don't do that often. Again, I think with a list of 64 games and no more than 2 from a given series... there is a spot for it. That's just me though, what games you like are subjective. If it were up to me no Battlefield or CoD game would make the cut.
While I am here I would like to see Dragon's Dogma added (the Dark Arisen version if you have to be specific though they are the same game). Don't forget Pokemon X/Y, yes they are the same game. Oh and as an aside.... Watch Dogs et all are not "this gen" games. If it is releasing on the Xbone or PS4 you can't count it as "this gen".
I really think you should just put *all* games of a series - this is best *GAME* of the generation. Not Best Series.
If someone wants to vote AC1 over AC2 because the first was technologically a massive jump for games, then that's on them, and if I want to pick Fallout 3 over 4 (as I do) it should be up to me.
There's only so much space on the bracket, and if were to be dominated by sequel after sequel in a few select franchises, that would hardly be representative of the generation as a whole.
I suggest we hold separate polls for each popular series. We could do polls with Assassin's Creed, Persona, Mass Effect, Batman, Halo, Gears of War, etc. and allow everyone to vote for the Community Series Representative.
Otherwise, frankly, it's kind of BS to just pick Mass Effect 2 and say it's the "Community Pick".
Then we'd be here until the end of the new generation.
Naaah, not really.
First of all, we're not done with the games of *this* generation (AC, Watch Dogs, et al)
I figure you do series polls until the new year. Then go ahead with the Best of the Gen. What we should be concentrating on *now* is GOTY, not GOTG.
Or you know, just rush it with your fake community pick!
*tantrums*
...You're one of those people that liked Mass Effect 3 the best, aren't you? :P
Ugh!
How dare you Hailinel, seriously.
The first Mass Effect is the best Mass Effect, thank you very much.
Good catch on League of Legends, that deserves to be in the bracket. I'm still not 100% sure what to do with multiple games from the same series. Most of you are saying that only one game a franchise should appear so I'll have to think how to choose which game represents their franchise.
I think that in most cases, only one game from each series should be in the bracket. In cases where there are multiple similar quality titles in the same franchise, you could hold a pre-bracket vote to determine which one enters the bracket. The only possible exception I see to this is Bioshock, where although Bioshock and Bioshock infinite are technically in the same franchise, they're very different games set in different environments with different mechanics and gameplay.
Also, the omission of a Halo game is pretty big. I'm not a Halo guy, but one of the Halo games should be in there. I'd also argue the case for World of Warcraft. Technically it came out prior to the turn of the generation, but the expansions have changed it beyond recognition, and no one would call it a last gen game. It's a funny one because of the release date.
It's tricky trying to fit everything into a 64 game bracket. There are a couple of other games that I'd probably like to see in there, but I don't know what to cut from the list to make way for them.
I definitely feel that that it should strictly be one game per franchise, and to make the choice between them go with the more "important" (i.e. ACII was more important than Brotherhood, even though I think Brotherhood was better).
So in those instances of having multiples on the list, get rid of Portal 2, Mass Effect 1, and Bioshock Infinite. For games where I feel you chose the wrong one from the franchise, replace GTA5 with 4 and Skyrim with Oblivion.
Also there are some definite games that I would remove. Heavy Rain, Deadly Premonition and Asura's Wrath are the ones that stood out.
Replace all the holes with Sleeping Dogs, Vanquish, God of War III, League of Legends, Binding of Isaac and Halo 3.
Sounds like a lot of fun! I enjoy craziness and pointlessness, and I think this will be quite the success in both!
id get rid of hitman blood money, was that really an influential, super super high quality game?
Blood Money was fantastic, it's the best game in the series. I guess you could argue that it wasn't "influential" but it's a unique game series so I think it deserves the spot.
I'd like to see Fire Emblem on this list, but there's already so many worthy games I'm not sure it will get much backing.
I've been thinking this over the past coupleof months, and I have at least 6 that would easily make my top 10: Super Mario Galaxy, Red Dead (shut up Jeff), Portal 2, Arkham Asylum, Forza 4 and Halo 3.
id get rid of hitman blood money, was that really an influential, super super high quality game?
Blood Money was fantastic, it's the best game in the series. I guess you could argue that it wasn't "influential" but it's a unique game series so I think it deserves the spot.
I'd like to see Fire Emblem on this list, but there's already so many worthy games I'm not sure it will get much backing.
id support Fire Emblem over Hitman. not to mention fire emblem im sure had the better story.
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