The lines between sandbox, shooter and action adventure games are starting blur with every release. But at the heart, there are clear elements that link them all. One fact that links all the nominees is that all have received a coveted five star review from the staff here at Nidzumi. It was tough to decipher which title was worthy, when all had been so positively received. Nevertheless we persisted and found the one game that towered head and shoulders above the rest.
To me, a great action adventure game is chock full of memorable characters, well-directed set-pieces and varied and vast locations to explore. When you boil it down to these three elements only a handful of games come to mind, Tomb Raider being one of them. Lara Croft is the definitive action adventure heroine but has there really been a male comparative? Well, after many years with failed attempts, Nathan Drake does for male leads what Lara Croft did female leads; memorable, likeable and instantly recognisable. He’s even got the sex appeal, but let’s not go there… because we all know, you would.
Nathan and his motley crew are easily a tick next to ‘memorable characters’, mainly the always likeable and slightly shady Sully, but you also need varied locations and set-pieces. Don’t fret because anyone who has played Uncharted 2 (and believe me if you know anyone who has, you’ll know that they played it) will let you know that Uncharted 2 has them in droves. One minute you’re exploring long lost tombs in Borneo and the next moment you’re struggling with the language barrier while swinging around the ice caves of the Tibetan Mountains, all in breathtakingly realised HD goodness. Can games look better? We could dream.
Finally we’ve got the final box to check, well-directed set-pieces. I’m not going to babble on about how excellent the opening scene was or how stunning the truck chase was, my words couldn’t do it justice. Instead I’m simply going to re-direct you to a link of the latter, and if you care at all you’ll watch it in HD.
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
Assassin’s Creed 2
It gave us a reason to care about the ‘real world’ and delivered on the tantalisingly epic potential of the original. Easily the best sandbox game of the year, AC2 justified our past-interest in this previously self-appointed AAA franchise.
inFamous
If every other game in Q4 ran scared of Modern Warfare 2 this would have been a shoe in for this award. inFamous came out of nowhere and shocked us with its electrifying pace and empowering gameplay. I’ll stop now…
Batman: Arkham Asylum
How well can you refine a combat system? Rocksteady showed admirers that you could aspire to more with their excellent example, Batman Arkham Asylum. Let’s hope the sequel doesn’t taint the legacy that this game should have.
Brutal Legend
As we evolve as a medium, script and acting is becoming more vital. Brutal Legend is a great example in how a good narrative and a smart script can culminate in a great experience, even if flaws are evident.
Stay tuned to Nidzumi all week for more Best of 2009 Awards as we celebrate the past 12 months in gaming
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