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

One day left till the big awards, but we had to knock out a few more special mentions first.

Does reading words make your brain tired and confused? Try listening to today's awards podcast instead!
 

Best New Non-Player Character


Tenzin



 Dependable.
 Dependable.
Tenzin is an ally you meet in the second half of Uncharted 2, an indigenous dweller of the arctic mountains where Nathan Drake finds himself in no small degree of peril. And thankfully, Tenzin is the sort of guy who always seems to turn up right when you need him the most. He's a fighter, an explorer, an incredibly capable dude who you just know can get things done with a minimum of hassle and no word of complaint. 
 
It must say something about the quality of his actions that he won us over without ever speaking a word of English. In fact, he wins Drake over too, who comes to depend on him not just as a comrade in arms but as a friend, in the face of what seem like impossible odds. If you were deep in the mountains, fighting against ferocious yak demons, an army of well-armed mercenaries, and a psychopathic warlord bent on world domination, you'd want a guy like Tenzin on your side. 
 
         
No Caption Provided
Runners-Up: Ghost, GIRL
 
 

The Northies - Best Performance By Nolan North


Nathan Drake

 
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It's been a prolific year for voice actor Nolan North--even if you don't know him by name, this unnervingly ubiquitous performer's dulcet tones have likely brightened some of your favorite games, perhaps even as the main character. In fact, this apparent workaholic has lent his voice to so many games in 2009, we felt compelled to call out our favorite Nolan North performance. There were so many to choose from, but we are proud to present this year's Northie to Nolan North for his performance as Nathan Drake in Uncharted 2: Among Thieves. No slight against his other performances, but this is the definitive North: an assured balance of self-aware swagger and an enthusiasm for absurdly dangerous situations, but with enough room for some genuine pathos when he's not cracking jokes about his own imminent demise. He's a funny, relatable character, and if you found out that, in addition to Sir Francis Drake, Nathan shared lineage with Indiana Jones or John McClane, it wouldn't be terribly surprising.
 
The performance-capture technology Naughty Dog used for Uncharted 2 also means that Nathan Drake actually shares some of Nolan North's physicality. Frankly, the first time we saw an actual image of Nolan North, it was a little surprising, and more than a little disappointing, that he didn't look like a flesh-and-blood Nathan Drake. This pretty much sums up how quintessentially Northian the role of Nathan Drake is, and why it easily wins the 2009 Northie.

No Caption Provided
Runners-Up: Jason Fleming ( Shadow Complex), Sgt. Forge ( Halo Wars), Desmond Miles ( Assassin's Creed II), Romeo ( Halo 3: ODST), War Machine ( Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2), Guard ( The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena), Additional Voices ( Dragon Age: Origins, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, InFamous, X-Men Origins: Wolverine)
   

Most Disappointing Game

 

Scribblenauts


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It's not that we hate the games in this category or anything; they just didn't deliver to the full extent of what we perceived their potential to be. Whether due to extensive marketing campaigns, misleading appearances, or just good old-fashioned runaway hype, we expected more with these games than we got. And in no case was that disparity greater than Scribblenauts, a wildly unique open-ended puzzle-action game for the DS that, honestly, sounded kind of like the best thing ever. Come on, the tagline itself of "Write anything, solve everything" sets up grandiose expectations that perhaps no game could live up to.  
 
But we didn't expect Scribblenauts' controls to be so wonky and hard to handle, its puzzles and challenges so inconsistent. What good is the ability to create a zillion objects if only a minority of them behave like you want them to? Most of us ended up picking half a dozen functional tools and playing through the whole game with them... which kind of defeats the whole concept. That concept is still an enticing one, but Scribblenauts could have used some more time in the hopper before it made its way to shelves.
 

No Caption Provided
 Runners-Up:  Ghostbusters: The Video Game, Br ü tal Legend 
 
 

Best Competitive Multiplayer


Modern Warfare 2


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The best part about Modern Warfare 2's multiplayer is that it gives players significant choices to make about what weapons they want to use and how they want to play. If you'd like to specialize in accuracy, the powerful three-shot burst rifles are there for you. If you're into dumping lead everywhere and hoping something sticks, a light machine gun like the RPD or the AUG lets you remain effective, even if every bullet doesn't hit its mark. Then, of course, you've got the sniper rifles, which let you reach out and smoke someone via your thermal scope.

But plenty of games have offered you a choice in weapons. Modern Warfare 2 goes beyond the gun with its extensive perk and attachment system. So if you're constantly firing that machine gun so much that ammo is becoming scarce, then you can slap the Scavenger perk on that class to make ammo pickups plentiful. If you want to be fast or quiet, there's stuff like Lightweight, Ninja, and Commando, which makes that knife of yours stick out just a little bit more than the other guy's.

While everyone claims to have found the "best" loadout that unbalances the game and always ends up getting shouted down as "cheap" by message board fans around the world, it's less about the class you build and more about effectively matching a class to your playstyle. When you finally get that stuff honed in, Modern Warfare 2 takes on a whole new feel.

Of course, it's got the modes to back all of that up and make the run from level 1 to level 70 exciting, and the fast-moving, almost arcade-like feel of the action makes it high-powered. Modern Warfare 2 is a constantly-on kind of game, and that's just another reason why it's the best competitive multiplayer game of 2009.
    
No Caption Provided
Runners-Up: Street Fighter IV, Left 4 Dead 2 
 
 

Weirdest Game


Noby Noby Boy


Look, if you can figure out what's going on in Noby Noby Boy, write to us care of this station. Actually, you know what? Forget about it. We don't want to know the truth about Keita Takahashi's stretching game, where BOY must stretch himself out as often as possible and report his length to GIRL, who is stretching her way past multiple planets thanks to the reported lengths of all the people playing BOY around the world. We can't even bring ourselves to see what the recent planet unlocks add to the game. All we know for sure is that this game is weird. So weird that it's barely even a game. But if there is a game in there somewhere, we're pretty sure that we're winning said game. And we're pretty sure that it's the weirdest thing to come out in 2009, too.

Press PAC-MAN PAC-MAN for more information!

No Caption Provided
Runners-Up: Zeno Clash, Demon's Souls

138 Comments

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freezerr

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Edited By freezerr

My guess - the guys settle on 1. Batman AA, 2. Uncharted 2, 3. MW2 for GOTY.

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toadstule

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Edited By toadstule

 I knew Nolan North did voice acting for many games but damn that's a lot of games.

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NinjaHunter

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Edited By NinjaHunter
@General_D23 said:
" @ITSSEXYTIME said:
"Also, Demon Souls for "Weirdest game"?  Really?"
I've noticed that some of the runner-ups have been wierd.   I'm still trying to remember a late-title card in inFamous.... "
If it's the one I'm remembering it would be at the end. The latest of title cards.
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willr

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Edited By willr

For me Chloe from Uncharted 2 is easily my Best New Non-Player Character, however Alistair form Dragon Age is the best playable new character despite his moaning and sarcasm
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ITSSEXYTIME

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Edited By ITSSEXYTIME
@Meteora:

Yeah, considering that Batman AA got a best graphics nomination over non - UE3 engine games that ACTUALLY HAVE BETTER GRAPHICS (Art style of polygons, multiple games that exceed batman in both)



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mordukai

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Edited By mordukai
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tebbit

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Edited By tebbit
@Mordukai said:
" @Brad:  
I am really surprised you did not have Nolan's performance as Sigmund in Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack In Time.  "
Was he really Sigmund!? I thought that was Teddie's voice actor.
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elephantjewls

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Edited By elephantjewls
@Gabriel: That's because Killzone sucks
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Blackout62

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Edited By Blackout62

So what? Once Nolan North stops acting the Northies will become a legitimate award for audacious voice actors with a impressive amounts of work? This could actually become somewhat of a prestigious honor.

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Branthog

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Edited By Branthog
@Vendetta said:
" @Branthog said:
" @blackbeard said:
" @Gabriel said:
" @Vendetta said:
" @Tuggah said:
" Why do people like Ghost? Seriously, he doesn''t do anything besides get shot. "
Dude, he wears a SKULL MASK. A SKULL MASK!!!!!!!!!11  I never understood the infatuation either. I always thought Soap was much cooler. "
Ghost/Gaz is becoming the Boba Fett of the gaming world, Fuck you people "
A SKULL MASK!!! "
You're all fucking nuts. I've played all of the COD/MW series over the years and though I can name "Ghost" and "Soap" today as characters from the series, it's ONLY because people kepe mentioning them all the time this month. If you had asked me the names of the characters two months ago or six months from now, I'd stare at you and say "I have no idea what the fuck you're talking about - there were some army dude with guns who did stuff". "
 Congratulations? "
I was kind of hoping for a cookie, too... :(
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Reverseface

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Edited By Reverseface

Nolan north he a crazy ass bitch.

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crystalskull2

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Edited By crystalskull2

Most of the awards have gone to Uncharted 2,not surprising.

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Zanthox

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Edited By Zanthox

Zelda was the best non playable character--- OH WAIT! She was playable!
And I think Zeno Clash should have won, but noby noby boy sure is weird...

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Scotto

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Edited By Scotto

I can't believe Kenka Bancho: Badass Rumble didn't get a nomination for "Weirdest Game".  It didn't deserve to win, but it definitely deserved an honourable mention.
 
- Scott

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freakin

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Edited By freakin

I think it's safe to assume from the way these awards have been going so far that your 2009 GIANTBomb GOTY will be... Halo: ODST.   Congrats Bungie.

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freakin

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Edited By freakin
@ITSSEXYTIME said:
"


Also, Demon Souls for "Weirdest game"?  Really?  

"
 
I think the Giantbomb guys were just looking to crowbar in a Demon's Souls nom somewhere, since they know a lot of people like it.    Now people like say, me, can't be like "NOT EVEN A NOM? RABBLE!" and instead are left with a sour patch kid to suck on. 
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Ghostiet

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Edited By Ghostiet

Killzone 2 wasn't even considered for best competitive multiplayer? Brutal Legend as most disappointing also is a bit far fetched - Ultimate Alliance 2, the new Riddick, FEAR 2 or ODST were pretty good candidates.

Also, how the hell Ghost got nominated for best NPC? He ever did anything cool apart from having a ski mask with a skull and getting shot in his stupid face?

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Slab64

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Edited By Slab64

Dammit, I just finished the last mission of Red Faction Guerilla, and oh, who's that in the "other voices" section of the credits? Nolan motherfucking North.

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Griddler

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Edited By Griddler
@Akeldama: About how people can like it so much? If so, me too.
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EpicReflex

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Edited By EpicReflex

Killzone 2 was a below average shooter dressed in tinsel

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f0rk

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Edited By f0rk

I wouldn't even call the MW2 multiplayer competitive. In terms of balance and map design the game is a mess, it isn't a game suitible for tournament play at different skill levels (the people who try are kidding themselves). 
Quake Live went into open beta this year, it is a remake of a 10 year old game so i understand people not including it on GOTY lists (that's not the reason you don't see it though), but in terms of competitive gameplay it blows MW2 out of the water.
you couldn't play MW2 like this
Street Fighter 4 is nominated, and the crew mentioned how it can be played at all levels. THAT is what a competitive game is. Not a huge amount of pointless rewards and a leveling to remind kids how good they are.
you couldn't play MW2 like this
 
it basically comes down to the definition of competitive, and i'm sure alot of people aren't aware that some games are played to a stupidly high level (2 mentioned above, starcraft and cs1.6 being the best imo).
Anyway, nice lists, giant bombs awards are definitely more entertaining (and honest) than any other sites.

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Glitch

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Edited By Glitch

You guys, I think you are taking the competitive multiplayer too seriously.  You have to go with what they mean when they make the categories.  I am pretty sure they meant competitive as opposed to co-op, not which one has a bigger tournament scene, because really that would be a statistic and not any fun at all.

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Hitzel

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Edited By Hitzel

In my opinion, Modern Warfare 2 is absolutely terrible as a competitive game.  I'm assuming that the staff didn't use the word competitive literally enough to say that Modern Warfare 2 is a game meant for competition, but regardless, the game is pro-casual play and anti-competitive way in almost every way a shooter can be.
 
If there was an award for the game best fit for competition in 2009, it would go to Street Fighter IV in a heartbeat.

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penguindust

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Edited By penguindust

The "Northies"!  Ha-ha, someone's been busy this year.  I hope some day there is a "Keithies".

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Gahzoo

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Edited By Gahzoo

Demon Soul's is about as weird as your standard WRPG (yes I know it is japanese). 
  
Noby Noby Boy, on the other hand, is one of the strangest things I have ever witnessed in my life.
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King9999

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Edited By King9999

Demon's Souls is a nominee for weirdest game?  Come on, GB...at least play the thing in its entirety before you come to that conclusion.

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Curval

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Edited By Curval

I thought the picture of Nolan North on the front page was Morrissey.
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DelroyLindo

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Edited By DelroyLindo

Killzone 2 multiplayer is ace, should have been mentioned.

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Twigg4075

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Edited By Twigg4075
@Gabriel said:
" Not even a mention of Killzone 2 for competitive muliplayer, really? "
Tell me about it. Or Uncharted 2. Hell, L4D2's competitive multiplayer pales in comparison to both of those games.
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Teran

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Edited By Teran

I can understand what you folks mean when you give competitive multiplayer to MW2 but I still have to disagree.  This was definitely not a step in the right direction for pc gamers and was a little insulting to buy a game for $60 ($10 higher than the norm for us) and find out it doesn't have some of the most basic features even small no-name fps games manage to include. 
 
On top of all that game balance is pathetic and you know there's something wrong with a game when you login to play and 90% of the people in the game are using akimbo shotguns or drop exploits to get speed knife kills. 
 
This may have just been an isolated incident but as a new player to the game I had no interest in climbing the learning curve with akimbo shotgun wielding campers awaited me around every turn.

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J_Weezy

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Edited By J_Weezy

Killzone 2 should have gotten best multiplayer, Modern Warfare takes the least skill out of any shooter ive ever played, its all about who sees who first because every gun kills in 3 bullets. Modern Warfare is the only game in which you can go 30 and 6 one game and 6 and 30 in another. Utter trash.
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13p

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Edited By 13p

Sadly, you're "most disappointing games of 2009" category pretty much mirrored my personal "most anticipated of 2009" list.  Been a tough year.

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Winternet

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Edited By Winternet

The simple creation of the Northies award is genius. Congratz GiantBomb.

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SyphonFilter0

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Edited By SyphonFilter0
@Lord_Yeti: Actually killzone 2 is not laggy at all. l4d 2 is however laggy ,also the engine is from 2004,the "game" could have easily been an expansion but they fooled people by putting he dlc in a disc to make believe it's a full fledged game.
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I guess I can see MW2 getting best multiplayer because it is addictive, but it's basically the Mario Kart of shooters. Which is to say, it takes much of the skill out of the process and replaces it with random chaos. Deaths in that game almost never feel fair. On the other hand, it probably wouldn't be so damn addictive if it wasn't incredibly random, so it's a double-edged sword. I'm surprised that Killzone 2, Uncharted 2, and Halo 3 ODST didn't get a mention in that category, though. 
 
Oh, and the creation of a category just for Nolan North is just brilliant. I had no idea he was in so many games. It almost seems ridiculous when put into perspective. He will always be Nathan Drake to me, though, as that has easily been his best role.

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Edited By GunnBjorn

Weren't those 'Yak-Demons' in Uncharted 2 actually Yetii...?
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Edited By VilgeDuin
@GunnBjorn: Technically, but more specifically blue genetic freaks wearing Yeti costumes to pretend to be yak-demons to the local villagers. 
 
You know those ancient hidden civilizations. Always have to make things complicated.
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Media_Master

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Edited By Media_Master

Ha! The Northies.