Game of the Year 6 and 5
The bottom four games this year have caused turf wars between those that like costumed vigilantes and those that like creepy little girls used within the greater military industrial complex. What will the top six games do: Divide the sides more or close the gap?
6. Uncharted 2- There was never a doubt in anyone’s mind that Uncharted 2 wasn’t going to be a great game, but did anyone expect the game to be as good as it was? “Oh this is just a popcorn game. There’s no real substance outside of the Indiana Jones archetype.” This game proved to be much more to anyone that was willing to listen and there sure as hell weren’t any Crystal Skulls.
“In order to understand the greatness that is Uncharted 2, we have to discuss it as a single player game with the added bonus of multiplayer. The visuals, voice acting, and set pieces are better than any other game on the market. Drake’s character manages to tread the line of Duke Nukem and Indiana Jones, essentially meaning his dick is larger than anything any of you could ever hope to achieve, and this is a virtual creation by the same guys that brought you Crash Bandicoot years earlier. The multiplayer does leave much to be desired, but we should’ve never asked for it in the first place. This is supposed to be a single player experience.” -Dan
5. Assassin’s Creed 2- Correcting most the mistakes of the first outing, Ubisoft immersed us into deep experience through the streets of 15th century Italy. We were given more gadgets, more assassinations, and less flags. Desmond becomes a real character rather than the catalyst for a convoluted plot.
“While it isn’t really my favorite genre to play, Assassin’s Creed II rebuilt and corrected nearly every mistake that plagued the original. With more diverse game play and some new fun ways to kill people, Assassin’s Creed II kept my full attention while trapped in the past.” -Brett
“Hand’s down the best experience I’ve had in gaming this year. I am not the kind of gamer that needs to have 100% on a game, but this title made me want it.” -James
Uncharted 2 was more spectacle than miracle. The only weapon it had to break up its pop-n-lock gunplay was uninteractive marvel. The whole experience washed over me like the second-rate summer blockbusters it admires. By contrast, the fantastic co-op options make the verticality of the level construction sing. Suddenly, the game comes alive with opportunity where it was languid with teeth-gnashing cover mechanics. When Naughty Dog goes again, the campaign should be built around the 6 feet on the ground co-op. Otherwise, National Treasure is 2 bucks on DVD.
At first I was not at all excited to play Assassin’s creed 2. If it was ANYTHING like the first one, it was going to be a bust. Luckily they revamped a lot of things and added entirely new side quests, weapons, accessories, etc. If you haven’t tried it yet, it is definitely one of the better games of the year.
That’s just it, nowadays the presentation of a game is almost more important than the game itself. (At least for me) I’m drawn to games like Metal Gear Solid IV and Uncharted 2 because I’m looking for an interactive movie. Uncharted 2 filled this role so deliciously well that I hope Bruce Willis is in the next game.