Best games of 2010

[Flying Arrow]

I don't think I've had too much experience with 2010 games in general. I only got my PS3 in February, so I've been playing catch-up most of the year. At this point I'm caught up more or less on everything that's interested me, so I'm looking forward to having a more "relevant" 2011.

Anyway, 2010.

Overall, a bit disappointing. Bunch of the heavy hitters really didn't hit hard enough for me:

Final Fantasy XIII: Huge disappointment! It's no coincidence that I got my PS3 a month or so before its release (my console purchases are usually centered on FF in some way) so to say I was looking forward to it is an understatement. Nevertheless, it might be the worst game I've played to completion in years. I've played bad games that were broken or overly-buggy in some way. FFXIII isn't this kind of bad - technically it's fine. The game's major sin is being boring, uninspired, badly written, and more or less content-free. It had a few moments, but in hindsight they were only good because it originally seemed like the game would go somewhere with them.

Super Street Fighter IV: Best game of the year for me, although it's basically just a re-jigged expansion on last year's game. But I'm still logging plenty of hours into it and having a blast with my friends is Vs. mode (the only way to play). Unfortunately the buttons on my stick are about to give, so I may have to set it aside for a while. No matter though, since the PSN community seems to have degenerated into an endless string of Ryus, Kens, and Akumas these days. Shame.

Bayonetta: A surprisingly excellent game! I had no idea what to expect and was really intrigued by the demo. I ended up buying it used and put a good deal of time into it. As a whole, the game frustrates me (I'm a perfectionist who isn't happy without a Pure Platinum in each encounter) but I can't say it's not a blast. I'll probably pick it up again to see if I can get through Infinite Climax mode. No witch time - should be interesting. The only thing I hate about the game is the completely pointless cutscenes and very sudden QTEs that MAKE ME LOSE MY NO-DEATH RUN THROUGH REALLY TOUGH STAGES.

Heavy Rain: An interesting concept, but I think it could have been handled a little bit better. Some people say that the identity of the killer should change depending on how you play, but I don't think that necessarily needs to be the case. My problem with the game was that it was outright boring in parts. I get realism, but opening a car door, putting on a seat-belt and turning the ignition aren't interesting. It's neat at first, but a few hours in I started to roll my eyes. On the other hand, when a scene climaxes the game can be really thrilling. It just doesn't keep that momentum up throughout, and the times it tries to come off as forced and really, really stupid (almost any scene with Madison, who really only exists because the gaming demographic is made up of manchildren). For such a story-driven game, you'd think they'd have put more effort into constructing a proper story.

God of War III: Disappointing. Not bad, but not particularly good either. It's basically just God of War with shinier graphics. The combat is absolutely untouched and the level design seems less interesting than last games (or maybe that's only because they've gone to the well one too many times). It's still a good time though because it's God of War, and God of War is always a good time. Still, it could have been better and it just feels clunky and old in 2010. The complete opposite of the wonderfully fluid Bayonetta.

Being a PS3 owner, I also didn't get a chance to play that other big game that everyone is raving about: Mass Effect 2. Luckily it comes out for PS3 in about a month in a package that is for all intents and purposes a GOTY. I didn't get to play Mario Galaxy 2 either since I don't own a Wii. I'm also not really into open world action games, RTSs or FPSs, so no RDR, Starcraft, COD or Halo here either.

Overall, 2010 was a little underwhelming. Here's hoping 2011 will be stronger with Deus Ex 3, Skyrim, Arkham City, Journey, and The Last Guardian. Definitely more my style!