There were plenty of games released in 2010, some good, some bad and others, well, they were OK. Some games were just carbon copies of games released in 2009. (I’m looking at you “Call of Duty.”) A few rose above and were exceptional. Today, we celebrate those games. The qualifications being that it had to be released between Jan. 1, 2010, and today, and they had to be released on some gaming system.
5. “Heavy Rain”
“Heavy Rain” is a PS3 exclusive with one of the best stories in gaming. While it had goofy controls at times, the choose-your-own-adventure style of it was like what other games have tried to do and failed. There are points that gamers might intentionally fail just to see how the story would play out. The PS3’s Blu-ray technology really shines here as it makes some beautiful graphics. PS3 owners should definitely give this gem a look.
4. “Super Meat Boy”
“Super Meat Boy” brings gaming back to basics. Platforming at its simplest and most difficult at the same time. Many of “Super Meat Boy’s” levels will bring a smile to those of us born with a controller in hand. Also at $15, it’s the cheapest game on the list. The crisp 2D graphics stand in contrast to the rest of the platformer market, but it all works. It’s also really hard. “Super Meat Boy” is the most fun you will ever have when you are angry.
3. “Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood”
This game is more of the same from “Assassin’s Creed,” but unlike other games I’ve recently dissed in this article, Ubisoft doesn’t make a new one every year. And let’s face it: Stabbing guards with a hidden blade from three stories up never gets old. An addictive single-player campaign gets mixed with a great multiplayer for really great results. Multiplayer stands out in a sea of generic first-person shooters as one that tries something different.
2. “Halo: Reach”
“Halo” did what people expect of “Halo”: solid single-player campaign mixed with some awesome multiplayer. Given all that, “Reach” was still the best in the series by adding armor abilities that mix up the core gameplay and keeps it fresh and engaging at the same time. Bungie added just the right thing for their game and the maps they put in were really memorable.
1. “Red Dead Redemption”
In short, this game can be described as “Grand Theft Auto” meets cowboys. Playing cowboys is still as much fun as it was when you were a kid. This game has great graphics, killer gameplay and more of the awesome story elements Rockstar has been putting into their games. Put in some multiplayer, and you have yourself the game of the year.