Game of the Year

We’ve had some brilliant games this year, some may say too many to play but we finally managed to narrow down the massive list down to a select few. Now obviously we can’t honor every single game that was great last year because we would still be here until next year so if your favorite game isn’t here feel free to let us know why we should care in the comments below.

Gears of War 2

The original Gears of War was a brilliant game that stunned gamers with it’s excellent graphics and interesting cover system. It had it’s flaws though and by no mean have they all be eradicated at the second time of asking but what they have fixed and added has had a brilliant affect on the game. Horde mode, improved online and a much better singleplayer campaign have all contributed towards an excellent cinematic rush.

Grand Theft Auto 4

Well where do you start?  Last generation Grand Theft was taken to the next level by venturing into 3d and it paid off and then some. This generation they have reinvented the reinvented by moving to a realistic city that feels like it’s living along side you. One of the best stories in gaming ever turned Niko into a household name and although GTA4 might not have pleased everyone it is by far the best experience you can have within this universe. Then when you consider previous GTA games you realize how much of a feat this game was.

NHL 09

Back in 2007 one of our favorite games was Skate. Its innovative way of controls made the game excellent and still original and fresh to this day. The NHL hockey series has never been high up on our list of quality games until the last few years until it started to implement the same analog controls that Skate had. Now they have been tweaked and are surpassing anything you would expect or wish for. Defensive controls have now been moved to the right stick and the Be A Pro mode will keep you coming back for more.

Metal Gear Solid 4

Snake’s final adventure took him all over the globe and into new scenarios and environments along with a few throw backs to how far the series has come. The epic cut scenes and action stages are crazier than ever. A new control scheme totally switched up the gameplay to more of a western game and although it losses some of it’s cinematic charm and Japanese influences by doing so it gains them back through the games crazy story that some how manages to wrap up everything you could ask about that series.

Little Big Planet

Eccentric endless platformey fun is the only way to describe this under appreciated gem that Sony have put out for us to marvel at. Endless levels with charm levels and materials to play around with made this a hit before we saw how truly great it was. The level editor is easy to play with but can be used to make complex out of this world levels if you are willing to put the time it. A brilliant game that some how hit on nearly everything it promised.

GRID

Well some people might be shocked by this addition to the list but I’m more shocked by the lack of respect and recognition that the game really deserved. Stellar graphics and lighting effects provided some excellent eye candy while you race around bends at high speeds is what GRID is all about. A lengthy yet engaging singleplayer campaign allowed the team here at Nidzumi to really sink our teeth into this solid racer and if we are honest one of the best racers of the year.

Yet our game of the year is….

Burnout Paradise

Another game that reinvented it’s self and introduced loads of new game innovations is the ever expandable Burnout Paradise. Criterion took their high octane racer to new levels with a fully open city and genius of drop in and drop out multiplayer. To change the entire focus of the game and make it work within a difficult environment is one thing but to continue expanding upon it to make the game more relevant with free updates it’s a completely different kettle of fish. In a world were games are made then pushed aside it’s amazing to see the excellent and incomparable post-release support this game has gotten. It’s hard to pinpoint what makes this game click with us so much but the combination of all these things help immensely. A game of the year for us means a game we would still play in 2009 and although the above would easily fall under this catergory, Burnout Paradise has more reasons to keep us coming back for more. It’s also the prospect that at the end of next year Burnout Paradise will be a whole new experience and that’s what excites us the most.

GOTY: Burnout Paradise

Congratuations to all award winners and nominees and thanks for reading.

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Best Shooter – Best Sports – Best Platformer – Best RPG – Best Action Adventure – Best Rhythm – Best Driving – Best Puzzle – Best Downloadable – Best Platform Exclusives – Best Soundtrack – Best Graphics – Best Artistic Vision – The Line Up – Game of the Year

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