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galacticdonut

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Best of 2009

GalacticDonut: Best of 2009
 
While 2009 ended up being the year that I appreciated the world of multiplayer a little bit more I was surprised to remember that some very strong single-player experiences came out this year, which was why I spent the longest deciding which of my top 2 I should choose to head the list. In the end there were just enough variety, challenge and "woah this is cool" factors that helped Batman edge his way to the top.
 
For us over in the European lands 2009 had its moments of release date delays, largely to publishers having no presence here (hi Atlus / Bamco), but we got most of it eventually. It's improving!
 

Games that would totally be in this list (and the top half of it) if you counted EU release dates:


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Persona 4!
Released in March over here. Slammed about 90 hours into this and re-lived it all when I found the endurance run.
Much improved over P3 (although I think 3 is still my favourite) and further proof that Atlus are awesome.
Don't really to need explain this one do I?
 
 
 
 
 
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Tales of Vesperia
Took near enough FOREVER to get released over here. I really (really) enjoy the Tales games and this ended up being my second-favourite of the series. Probably the most amount of playtime I've ever sank into a single, non-multiplayer game and my first solo 1000/1000. 
LIkeable, well-rounded characters, a decent story, fun battle system and a protagonist that wasn't a amnesiac/whiny git/complete retard. Also Vic Mignogna
 
 
 

Games removed so far/Honourable mentions:


Demon's Souls - Appealed to the RPG masochist in me
Pokémon Platinum - The most streamlined and feature-full entry so far. Deservedly better than Diamond/Pearl purely for speeding the damn battles up!
1 vs 100 - Who doesn't love quiz shows? With prizes! And random network errors and disconnections. But mostly prizes! Another game great for the multiplayer experience. It gets another plus because it also won me Puzzle Quest

List items

  • An extremely well put together single-player experience that really surprised me, mainly thanks to my low expectations going in. The story was interesting, the Asylum had a great atmosphere and there was enough variation in gameplay as I progressed that made sure it never got dull. It's one of those games where the whole complete experience was so polished it's just fun. Also the Scarecrow sequences were a particular highlight.

  • What didn't you like in AC1? Repetition? Ok we'll get rid of the mandatory eavesdropping/preparation stuff. Not enough to do? Here's a ton of different side missions. Oh and some simcity-ish ecomony too! Altair was a bit boring? Here's a likeable protagonist given plenty of backstory and a believable transition to become an assassin. Too much Desmond and future bits? Ok you'll only see him twice after the beginning!

    And as someone who truely appreciates a good soundtrack, some of the music in this game is stunning.

    Engaging, varied (the tombs were a great diversion) and one of those games where you can tell a huge amount of effort has been put it to try and address the criticisms of the first one. Along with my inner history nerd grinning at all of the 'Truth' sections, I almost had this at no.1 based on the ending alone. The last 3 words before the credits sum it up beautifully. Can't wait for AC3

  • Football? Game of the year? While it's arguably the best of the series so far, this is up there purely on multiplayer fun. Creating my virtual pro and playing in the online team with a few friends has been really, really fun.

  • Another one I don't think I really need to explain, but as an ex-WoW addict this one reminded me of all the good bits of that game. The group working together, discussions about tactics/'story' and most importantly arguing about loot. Best summed up by the maniacal cackling from someone swiping the purple, quick health regen shield milliseconds before I could.

  • Rather than repeat all the good bits people tend to focus on, I knew this game would be great because Greg Edmonson did one of my favourite video game soundtracks ever on the first game and he's done the same again. Give me some well-done orchestral backing tracks in a game and I'll forgive anything.

    Sharper, wittier and just as cinematic as the first one. I feel bad that I still haven't got around to finishing it, but it's the first game to make me turn on my PS3 since Uncharted 1.

  • You know what? I LIKED the RTS bits. Not at first, but I got used to them and found myself having fun with it. Amazing soundtrack, an excellent (if not agonizingly short) story and a mountain of references/in-jokes/tributes to metal culture.

    One of those games that you look back on and forget about things like the dodgy vehicle physics, and spend your time going "This bit was amazing" "Oh, and this part was funny as hell" "The music in that scene was so fitting".

    If a game has that many moments I like, I'm happy to overlook its faults. Also Jennifer Hale, possibly my most favourite voice actress ever.

  • All of you that talk about how hard Demon's Souls is and how rewarding it is to finally beat a boss after playing it for hours?

    This game is HARD. Beautifully hard, with a difficulty curve that starts like a small hill and suddenly has you wondering whether the Konami code works for more lives.

    An old-school 2D platformer with a clever puzzle game that ties in with your powerups, all with a charmingly over the top characture of victorian-era, British explorers.

    Oh and one of his powerups is shouting "TEA-TIME!" whilst he jumps into the pilot seat of A GODDAMN MECH and proceeds to punch the everliving hell out of everything. Sleeper hit of the year!

  • I'm not a massive Beatles fan, and given the chance I would happily just play While My Guitar Gently Weeps on repeat over and over, but you could just feel the amount of work that went into the game. The dreamscapes, the 'story mode', the menu layouts/stylings and even the crowd animations looked like they'd been carefully crafted and scrutinised for months.

    This is how you made a band-specific rhythm game.

  • More Shin Megami goodness. I usually dislike SRPGs, so this one helped me out by having an attack system I was familiar with. Good story, solid translation and a bunch of character-specific interaction and endings. Sorted.

  • While I dabbled with Skate, I didn't really get into it much until number 2. Using the right analogue stick for your tricks takes some getting used to but now it just feels natural. I spent a long time with this game, usually just skating around the world or beating specific scores. Definitely the most complete, and realistic, skating package available. No 350m double-kickflip, somesault, double-christ airs into a grind here. If you want to land a trick the game makes you earn it.
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