FlamingHobo

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Favourite Games of the Half-Year (Part 1)

By FlamingHobo 22 Comments

So, with the first half of 2010 coming to a close I took a moment to reflect on some of my favourite games which have really made gaming worthwhile during these first sixth months of what could be a very succesful year. 
 

In Fourth Place...

 
 Raaaaaaaaaaawr.
It was all there:
  • Two of the greatest Sci-Fi franchaises, ever.
  • Two of the greatest Sci-Fi creatures, ever.
  • A studio returning to a franchaise who had already made one succesful installment.
 
So...
 Why was it below average? (Jesus Christ...)

Well, personally, I didn't enjoy the original Aliens Versus Predator (PC) and massively preferred Monolith's sequel. However, from the trailers that were being shot out to promote the game I had some hope at least. (This was despite the fact that I knew that Rebellion released the train wreck of a game Rogue Warrior recently.)  
 
 How can this not be scary?!
There are many reasons why the game was nowhere near as good as it could have been. The main reason for me personally, was that Rebellion didn't take full advantage of what each of the Alien and Predator franchaises had to offer. In both the Alien and Predator franchaises there are interesting characters that we grow to care about as well as becoming interested in the xenomorph enemies. The game offered none of that and didn't take full advantage of what each of the franchaises had to offer. I never really saw the interesting characteristics of the Predator or the fear factor of the Alien come into play during any of the campaigns, which were all far too short.
 
I could go into huge detail about everything that was wrong with Aliens Vs Predator but there are a couple of reasons that I have included it in this list.
 
I love both the Alien and Predator film franchaises, (except Ressurection, that was just awful), and in turn loved Aliens Versus Predator 2. And whilst Rebellion could've done a massively better job in terms of taking advantage of all of the characters it was still very cool to sneak up behind an unsuspecting Marine and rip out his spine... and then stroke it.

In Thrid Place...


 Who is your daddy, and what does he do?
 Looove yoooou.
I was, and still am a long time fan of the original BioShock. BioShock was so unique of a title that I couldn't possibly have not fallen in love with it. The unique setting and interesting characters really drew me into the world of Rapture, as well as its well told story.  Whils it might not have been the game that Ken Levine promised me it was still a blast to play through. (So much so, that I went back and immediately played it again after finishing it.)
 
It had so much promise...
So, when BioShock 2 was announced, like the majority of the community, I was sceptical. I just didn't see a need for there to be a sequel for BioShock and that if there were to be a sequel it would only tarnish the sparkling goodness of the original or fall short of its predecessor. Then, when I heard there would be multiplayer (which was being developed by Digital Extremes) I thought that all hope was lost.
 
Thankfully, I was proven wrong, for the most part. Whilst BioShock 2 inevitably fell short compared to BioShock it was still a good game in its own right. 2K Marin had successfully expanded on what made the original BioShock so good whilst introducing new mechanics to the gameplay at the same time. Though I do believe that they could've done a few things better, (I really didn't find Sophia Lamb a particularly interesting villian), they could've done many things a lot worse.  
 
Part 2 coming soon!
22 Comments
23 Comments
Posted by FlamingHobo

So, with the first half of 2010 coming to a close I took a moment to reflect on some of my favourite games which have really made gaming worthwhile during these first sixth months of what could be a very succesful year. 
 

In Fourth Place...

 
 Raaaaaaaaaaawr.
It was all there:
  • Two of the greatest Sci-Fi franchaises, ever.
  • Two of the greatest Sci-Fi creatures, ever.
  • A studio returning to a franchaise who had already made one succesful installment.
 
So...
 Why was it below average? (Jesus Christ...)

Well, personally, I didn't enjoy the original Aliens Versus Predator (PC) and massively preferred Monolith's sequel. However, from the trailers that were being shot out to promote the game I had some hope at least. (This was despite the fact that I knew that Rebellion released the train wreck of a game Rogue Warrior recently.)  
 
 How can this not be scary?!
There are many reasons why the game was nowhere near as good as it could have been. The main reason for me personally, was that Rebellion didn't take full advantage of what each of the Alien and Predator franchaises had to offer. In both the Alien and Predator franchaises there are interesting characters that we grow to care about as well as becoming interested in the xenomorph enemies. The game offered none of that and didn't take full advantage of what each of the franchaises had to offer. I never really saw the interesting characteristics of the Predator or the fear factor of the Alien come into play during any of the campaigns, which were all far too short.
 
I could go into huge detail about everything that was wrong with Aliens Vs Predator but there are a couple of reasons that I have included it in this list.
 
I love both the Alien and Predator film franchaises, (except Ressurection, that was just awful), and in turn loved Aliens Versus Predator 2. And whilst Rebellion could've done a massively better job in terms of taking advantage of all of the characters it was still very cool to sneak up behind an unsuspecting Marine and rip out his spine... and then stroke it.

In Thrid Place...


 Who is your daddy, and what does he do?
 Looove yoooou.
I was, and still am a long time fan of the original BioShock. BioShock was so unique of a title that I couldn't possibly have not fallen in love with it. The unique setting and interesting characters really drew me into the world of Rapture, as well as its well told story.  Whils it might not have been the game that Ken Levine promised me it was still a blast to play through. (So much so, that I went back and immediately played it again after finishing it.)
 
It had so much promise...
So, when BioShock 2 was announced, like the majority of the community, I was sceptical. I just didn't see a need for there to be a sequel for BioShock and that if there were to be a sequel it would only tarnish the sparkling goodness of the original or fall short of its predecessor. Then, when I heard there would be multiplayer (which was being developed by Digital Extremes) I thought that all hope was lost.
 
Thankfully, I was proven wrong, for the most part. Whilst BioShock 2 inevitably fell short compared to BioShock it was still a good game in its own right. 2K Marin had successfully expanded on what made the original BioShock so good whilst introducing new mechanics to the gameplay at the same time. Though I do believe that they could've done a few things better, (I really didn't find Sophia Lamb a particularly interesting villian), they could've done many things a lot worse.  
 
Part 2 coming soon!
Posted by spankingaddict

Yup, Bioshock 2 was awesome. I want at least one more Bioshock to finish up the series...

Posted by Meowayne

My prediction:
 
4. guns and explosions
3. guns and explosions
2. guns and explosions
1. guns and explosions

Posted by FlamingHobo
@spankingaddict said:
" Yup, Bioshock 2 was awesome. I want at least one more Bioshock to finish up the series... "
I wouldn't mind a third installment but it should be treated with the same amount of care that both BioShock and BioShock 2 received.
 
@Meowayne said:
" My prediction:  4. guns and explosions 3. guns and explosions 2. guns and explosions 1. guns and explosions "
Is that all you take me for? I'm almost offended. :(
Posted by Hitchenson

This reminds me that I should seriously finish BioShock 2. I adore the first BioShock, it's up there in my all time favourites, didn't really get gripped by BioShock 2 though. Here's hoping they don't run the IP into the ground completely with a every other year sequel.

Posted by FlamingHobo
@Hitchenson said:
" This reminds me that I should seriously finish BioShock 2. I adore the first BioShock, it's up there in my all time favourites, didn't really get gripped by BioShock 2 though. Here's hoping they don't run the IP into the ground completely with a every other year sequel. "
The end battle is a lot better than BioShock's was and the events towards the end are pretty great as well. I can see why you didn't become fully gripped by BioShock 2 but it is definitely a game worth finishing.
 
As for running the series into the ground... 2K seem pretty careful with their IP's and I don't think we'll be seeing BioShock IV.
Posted by zudthespud

Mass Effect 2 is way above everything else for me. Bad Company 2 is 2nd.

Edited by Hitchenson
@FlamingHobo: I'll get to it. Summer's coming up so I'll finish all my outstanding back catalogue that I never finished. That or play StarCraft 2 for six weeks, I don't know which yet. 
Posted by NutForest

So far BIT.TRIP.RUNNER is one of my favorites this year.

Posted by Meowayne

Oh fuck, don't remind of RUNNER. 1-11 is still kicking my ass. Hard.

Posted by AhmadMetallic

RDR, Just Cause 2, SC Conviction

Posted by FlamingHobo
@Ahmad_Metallic said:
" RDR, Just Cause 2, SC Conviction "
I've still yet to actually play Conviction past the demo.
How is it compared to its predecessors?
Posted by AhmadMetallic
@FlamingHobo said:
" @Ahmad_Metallic said:
" RDR, Just Cause 2, SC Conviction "
I've still yet to actually play Conviction past the demo. How is it compared to its predecessors? "
As i guy who had a problem dealing with it's predecessors' unusual realism and seriousness, Conviction was a mix of the good ol' SC, and MW2-ish linear games. It helped me swallow the stealth concept and after i beat it, i went back to Chaos Theory and enjoyed it so much. 
hardcore SC fans think Conviction is a disgrace, but i think it was really fucking good and i spent 2 full days on it til i beat it. couldnt take a break ! definitely 8.5 out of 10 for me.
Posted by Hitchenson

I've come back to say Red Dead Redemption had best be number one with Mass Effect 2 being in second place. That is all.

Posted by Hitchenson
@FlamingHobo: I can live with that. 
Edited by DreadAlert

:( - Dark Sector was friggin awesome.
 
And my favourite of last year was Batman: Arkham Asylum. That game was sweeeeeet. 
You should do last year too. 
 
My favourite game this year so far isssss (you guessed it) SUPER STREET FIGHTER FOUR! *dance*

Edited by Roger778

Here's my list, but it's short. 
 
1. Mass Effect 2: The best game of the year so far in my opinion.  It was great to continue with my adventures as Michael Shepherd. 
2. Assassins Creed II: I know it came out for November last year, but I got it Christmas time, and I played it, and finished it earlier this year.  Great story, and great new character: Ezio Auditore Da Firenze. 
3. Dragon Age Origins-Awakening: The first expansion pack I've ever played, and I loved it.  I found it a tiny bit easier than Origins, but the final boss battle against the Mother was very exciting and intense.  I did two playthroughs, one after the other, using my two heroes I imported from Origins: Barnabus the Noble Dwarf, and Caspian, the City Elf. 
 
That's it for now.  I haven't bought a lot of games lately.

Posted by ZanzibarBreeze

Uncharted 2.
 
Wait, that came out last year? Well, you know. I've played more of that this year than any other game. It's probably going to be my game of the year... again.

Posted by dunderri

I don't play or have money to buy games but so far Mass Effect 2. FANBOY I KNOW.

Posted by vagayna

#3: Heavy Rain - This game had a great story (despite some plotholes), and the gameplay was fresh and new for me, so I enjoyed it all the better. The choices and different outcomes were awesome too. The only thing that prevents it from being higher on this list (well, not really) is the fucking Kamikaze trophy! ARGH! I never spewed so much frustration over ONE FUCKING TROPHY! It is, without a doubt, the worst trophy ever in the history of everything, ever and it's the only one that stands between me and the platinum. 
 
#2: God of War III - An awesome, awesome game and a fitting end to an awesome, awesome trilogy. I loved the gameplay, I loved the story, I loved the visuals, I loved the ending, the only thing I didn't like was the ending ending. It was all good up until after the credits.
 
And now the moment you've all been waiting for, the best of the half-year, and what's probably going to be game of the year...
 
*drum roll*
 
#1: Red Dead Redemption - Yes. This game is fucking amazing! I mean, holy Christ, it's so good. The gunplay is flawless, the story is awesome, the setting immersive. the characters interesting, and the ending. Holy shit, it's amazing. Even the secret ending, it's so well made it blows my mind.
 
So there you have it. Best games of the half-year from some guy you don't know.

Posted by FlamingHobo
@vagayna: I probably would've included God of War and Heavy Rain into this list but I don't have a PlayStation that I can play them on.
Posted by Roger778
@FlamingHobo: 
 
Same here.
Posted by bearcat

Bioshock 2 is pretty cool.

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