This list is based not on critical reception, sales figures, or even my own personal enjoyment of these games (e.g. I adored Alan Wake and found Super Meat Boy just not to be my cup of tea), but rather on my feelings regarding these games overall effect.
Red Dead Redemption was simply superb based on its all-around excellence. It breathed new life into the sandbox genre, possessed unique multiplayer, and advanced video games as an art medium. I enjoyed it more than any other game in 2010.
I tried to find reasons to dislike SMG 2, but found it to be an incredibly accessible and fun experience. A reminder that modern video games need not be gritty, edgy, or dark to be artistically relevant.
We need more games of this calibre to revitalize PC gaming. I feel like this, Steam, and some fabulous indie games are all that's keeping the PC a somewhat viable platform.
It may not have been as much of an improvement as GoW II was over the first game, but the epic setpieces, unadulterated violence, and compelling (but deviant) mythology never fail to entertain. Plus, the graphics and art direction are some of the best in the industry.
New Vegas rivals RDR for being one of the most absorbing games of the year. The mind-boggling amount of content and depth in this game is fabulous, and Obsidian made a myriad of noticeable improvements to gameplay and interface compared to Fallout 3. However, the game was severely hampered by the aging Gamebryo engine and the deluge of bugs that came with it. Hopefully it'll age like a good wine through patches and good DLC.
For me, Alan Wake had the best atmosphere of any game I played in 2010, and coupled with the flashlight game mechanic, I was engrossed. The mind-bending story, over the top characters, hammy manuscripts, and other small but luscious detailwork were gripping. Unfortunately, there was an occasional but noticeable lack of depth in level design, combat, and storytelling.
This lovingly-crafted, endearingly low budget indie masterpiece will probably induce controller-destroying rage - the kind that keeps you coming back for more. A great nostalgic platformer.
The gold standard in music games, and for a good reason. The innovation didn't stop here and the keyboard and pro instruments are welcome additions.
The only handheld title on this list, primarily because it proved you could get the full Metal Gear experience without a home console. Kojima once again fails to disappoint.
'Haters gonna hate' - at the end of the day, the multiplayer is as thrilling as ever and Treyarch has finally matched Infinity Ward (in their latter days) for providing an exciting (if silly) singeplayer experience.
