Yes, 2009 was quite a tumultuous year. It wasn’t quite the explosive year in gaming it was made out to be, but we laughed, we cried, and we broke several controllers. We ran to our favorite gaming forum to complain, and buddy, you know we had plenty to complain about. Similarly, we had plenty to rejoice about, with some of the biggest names in gaming bringing us several adventures we won’t soon forget. In 2010, things are only going to get better, or so we hope. But what of the games we were presented with this in 2009? Which one moved us the way no other could? Which game made us weep with tears of joy at how impossibly beautiful it was? And which one made us revile at the very sight of its hideous character models? Well, faithful Spawn Killer, you’re about to find out. We’re happy to present the first annual Spawn Kill Game of the Year Awards.

Best Retro Throwback: Retro Game Challenge

Cuatro Chihuahuas:
If you haven’t heard of this game, I wouldn’t be surprised.  It was a bit of a sleeper, sadly, but a great game nonetheless.  Especially if you grew up playing the NES until your hands cramped up, you will definitely want to check out this gem.  Rather than remaking or doing sequels of hit games from the 8-bit days, Retro Game Challenge is set up in a creative way.  You are transported back in time so that you are a kid again, and you must complete various game challenges in order to finally be able to get back to your present adult form.  Sounds a little weird, but it works.  You get to play various games throughout the adventure that are completely original and new, yet will feel very familiar: space shooters, racers, and even an old-school RPG all appear, and for the most part, they are as much fun to play as any of the games they are tribute to were.  One other neat thing is you get access to various issues of game magazines in order to read about upcoming releases as well as learning tips and tricks (not to mention cheat codes) to help you achieve your challenges.  Once you make all the challenges for a particular game, you can then play the game in free mode whenever you like.  This game was one of the freshest and most fun games I played all year, and I cry a little tear each night that we haven’t gotten the sequel localized.

Game That Freaked You the @!$# Out: Demon’s Souls

K-Tuck:
Demon’s Souls, the PS3 exclusive RPG from From Software, aims to provide something no other game on the market can. It strives to intimidate, to dishearten, and to terrify its player. In this regard, Demon’s Souls excels. Every interaction the player character has with a base-level enemy is a potentially fatal one. Of course, this is to say nothing of the larger, more powerful foes littered around every unsuspecting corner. How should a player feel, dodging death at every step forward, when he is suddenly facing massive Tower Knight, an epic fire-breathing dragon, any of the Archdemons, or the invading force of a Black Phantom? Freaked out, of course.

Game Hardest to Categorize: Brütal Legend

K-Tuck:
Brütal Legend, Tim Schafer’s love child between games and heavy metal, was tracked closely by fans of many different mediums: anything from music, Schafer’s past work, Jack Black himself, to the promise of an open-world game where the environments were inspired by classic metal album covers. Curiously, how the game was actually played didn’t get much coverage before release, and when the game finally hit store shelves gamers were a bit befuddled. The title brings bits of adventure games, action games, car combat and racing games, rhythm games, and real-time strategy games into one ambitious mixture. Although the blend leans more towards specific aspects, Brütal Legend does so many things that its hard to discern which of them were the developer’s original intentions.

Scariest Monsters: House of the Dead: Overkill

Tigresa:
Not only is House of the Dead: Overkill my personal favorite Wii game of 2009, it had some impressive monster models for “just a zombie game.” The insanely wild ride of a story the game takes you on leads you to confront some seriously fudged up boss battles. From Total Recall’s creepy Kuato look-alike with the fetus’ head extending from a monster’s body to the crazy screamer hiding in corners and running up to you to the mindschlock ending boss fight that I refuse to spoil because it’s so damn outrageous and freaky — makes for some a mix of some creepy, some disturbing and some scary fights.

Game That Made You Swear: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Molotov Cupcake:
I’m very impatient. Patient when it counts, but when it comes to douchebaggery and unacceptable online behavior, I can get downright nasty. Plenty of vitriol was spewn out of my mouth when it came to what was possibly my biggest letdown of the year regarding the multiplayer department (I found it to be a superb single-player endeavor) — Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. I’m sure I’m not alone in the fact that that game singlehandedly elicited more foul language out of my mouth due to cheap deaths and unbalanced gameplay than I’ve ever heard myself allow. Chants of the “gamer’s prayer” did abound as people traipsed around with ridiculous perk and weapon combinations, and the overall frustration with that game grew and grew with every day that passed until finally I decided I’d forget about the multiplayer entirely and never unleash that much anger again. Not worth it. And I’m sure many of you are wanting to follow suit for more greener pastures and cleaner mouths.

Most Unattractive Characters: Dragon Age: Origins

Snarkasaur:
This definitely requires some explanation, because for the most part Dragon Age is a great-looking game, particularly on the PC. It’s not stellar by any means and doesn’t compare to some of the visually gorgeous work we’ve seen this year, but it does the job. But where it gets unattractive are in its portrayal of “nudity” and a few of its nastier bosses. The brood mother is quite possibly the grossest thing we’ve seen in a game, with her multiple protruding teets and weird appendages. And the darkspawn in general are just a nasty looking bunch. Being unattractive in that capacity is a good thing because it adds to players wanting to kill these monstrosities. The half-baked nudity in Dragon Age, particularly during sex scenes and whenever a character sheds his or her armor is where the unattractive part really hits. The human body in prime condition is a beautiful thing. BioWare’s portrayal of that body was unappealing to say the least.

Most Narcissistic Game: Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

Molotov Cupcake:
For me, graphics do not make the game. I am just as impressed with flat, polygonal characters as I am with fleshed-out organic beings who mirror the human form with finesse and unbelievable polish. Unfortunately, many titles sacrifice engaging and solid gameplay for glossed-over looks and a plastic exterior to mask the ugliness underneath. Luckily, one shining example this year proved that we could have our gorgeous, expansive landscapes and fluid gameplay as well. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves was home to some of the most breathtaking expanses of land, mythical setpieces, and gorgeous scenery I have seen in my 18 years of gaming. Where it excelled in providing impeccable interaction between characters and solid gunplay, it mastered the art of presentation. Snowy cliffs, ornately decorated sacred grounds, and lush jungles dotted the landscape in-game, and each time I arrived at a brand new location I was floored by the exhaustive attention to detail and the obvious amount of dedication it took to bring the game to live. An absolute pleasure to play and even more of a visual treat, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is most deserving of the Most Narcissistic Game award, and it should be proud.

Best Music Game: The Beatles Rock Band

The Herp:
Ever since Harmonix stepped onto the scene of music games they have always delivered the best that the genre has to offer. Don’t forget that they were behind the first couple Guitar Hero games before branching off to create Rock Band. It was a surprise to me that they were able to snag the rights to The Beatles tracks and after seeing what they did with it, I don’t even want to think about how it would have ended up if were in Guitar Hero’s hands. Harmonix could have easily coasted when creating this game, riding the coattails of The Beatles’ expansive library, but they didn’t. The style, presentation and storytelling in The Beatles Rock Band stands out in a genre that is flooded with throwaway titles. Even though the core gameplay remains the same, they were able to bring a brand new experience for all gamers. The Beatles: Rock Band could not be more deserving this year for Best Music Game of 2009

Least Hype, Most Delivery: Borderlands

The Herp:
Though some were following Borderlands from the beginning, many of us were not. The most I heard about the game was regarding the insane amount of weapons you can find and shift in graphics. The decision to change them from hyper-realistic to cel-shaded was done very late in production. I didn’t hear much else and I’m sure that had something to do with the media not being too impressed by its early iterations. Borderlands seems like such a simple concept. It’s a first-person shooter mixed with MMORPG elements. It wasn’t until after I played it that I realized how much fun the game actually is. It brings together a ton of MMORPG elements to create a very exciting game, not to mention the art style and the story work so well together. I can’t imagine the game being any different. With all the loot-gathering, the different classes and skill trees, the ability to play the game entirely via co-op, Borderlands is a very unique experience for anyone who wants just a bit more from their shooters. I always describe Borderlands as “baby’s first MMORPG” but it definitely is a game that had very little hype and definitely delivered.

Most Hype, Least Delivery: Scribblenauts

Snarkasaur:
Before E3 of 2009, very few people had heard of Scribblenauts.  After E3, it was about the only thing people could talk about.  Final Fantasy XIV?  Cool, but what ridiculously off the wall thing can I write in for Scribblenauts?  So it was that we all boarded up the hype train, strapped in, choo choo’d, and took off for a few months.  Then Scribblenauts released in September and everyone kind of smiled and looked around and realized that the train had stopped and our tea was cold and we hadn’t been eating fillet migon just now but Manwich.  In fact, what might have been lauded as a fantastic game this year was marred by the praise it received before its release.  If nothing else, the experience proved that bringing new concepts to a show floor isn’t always going to bring positive results.

Best DLC: Batman: Arkham Asylum

Snarkasaur:
Arkham Asylum’s DLC did right just what the game did right. It kept everything similar to the challenge modes that came with the game, but mixed it up a little, threw in some extra difficulty, and best of all was totally free. And if you had a PS3 version, you were granted access to actually controlling the Joker himself. Most people would probably assume they’d take Batman and just re-skin him, but Rocksteady surprised everyone yet again by giving him his own methods and feel entirely. The Joker maps were a treat and a great departure from the style players had been used to while controlling the Batman.

Worst Game of the Year: Valhalla Knights: Eldar Saga

Cuatro Chihuahuas:

Read my review, and you will know why this game won in this category.  I have played a few stinkers on the Wii, but undoubtedly this is one of the worst games I’ve ever played on any system.  The combat is shallow and boring, the sound is annoying, and the graphics aren’t just bad, they make the game painful to play.  Overall, the game has the feeling of being rushed out the door about half-way through, which is disappointing, as it has some deep elements.  Nevertheless, you shouldn’t ever play this game for any reason.

Second Opinion

The Herp: While I didn’t play all the terrible games this year, NBA 2K10 was one of them. The core gameplay was as solid as ever and did offer the best basketball experience; however the amount of bugs, the constant crashing, the horrible online play, the frame rate issues and the fact that 2K Sports thought it was ok to not release a patch until a month after release definitely makes me feel that 2K10 deserves this tag. For a company that has been enjoying being the #1 basketball game for so many years, you don’t have to look too hard to see how 2K Sports can turn something you love into something you despise.

Game of the Year: Dragon Age: Origins

Tigresa:
Dragon Age: Origins had such an immersive world worth getting into. BioWare put so much into the lore of the universe that it was hard not to get completely sucked in. I grew so fondly attached to all of my party members, when in most RPGs there are always possibly two good teammates tops worth making it into the ranks of your battle-going party. In Dragon Age: Origins, since they God-blessedly all level up simultaneously, I constantly found myself strategizing on which teammate to take for which mission, since the majority of them were so likable. The game is phenomenal and so intricate in that every little choice you make has many an outcome on the story to come. With a handful of epic endings to experience, it makes me wonder if there is anything that is considered true “canon” if we are ever lucky enough to receive a sequel.

Dragon Age: Origins does something so well, better than any game I’ve ever played to date. BioWare has outdone even themselves with this one. There is no plain and simple paragon/renegade decisions to be made in the game, there is no “right” and “wrong” points to be attributed. Because of that, you really feel more inclined to make decisions you feel are truly “right” for each individual situation, not simply making “good” choices for the sake of being a paragon. Also, there is no official paragon/renegade path in any sense of the terms, because to some of your teammates they become pleased and approve of your actions when you take matters into your own hands and kill off people during quests, while others might be neutral about some situations, lest others may ask you to be kind and rational. Those are decisions you have to make on who you want to please and who you want on your side, because you will find yourself in many a situation where your teammates will be at each other’s throat in disagreement over what should be done. Everything you do has a consequence both in the game and with your relationship with each character.

I actually am typically more of a sci-fi nerd over the lore of dragons and elves, so I was excited to get into the decision-making shoes of my character, but I didn’t expect to get very “into” the world itself because the times of ye olde don’t usually feel very engaging to me. Being as the making choices and leveling up my devilish Miss Blood Mage was what I was looking forward to, I was more than impressed. The world itself? It must have taken years to craft the depth and histories behind all of the different races, characters, and places to visit in Dragon Age: Origins, and it totally had me at “Hello… Grey Warden.”

Honorable Mention: Batman: Arkham Asylum

Blehmeng:
My heart was set on voting Batman: Arkham Asylum for Game of the Year for taking a franchise that sorely needed a makeover and making it one of my favorite games of all time. With the stealth, fighting, exploration, and fully developed characters in one of the best game worlds I’ve seen in a “sandbox” game, it surpassed all my wildest expectations for it, and made it a game that I intend to devote time to each year to play, much like my favorite games from every generation.

Second Opinion:

The Herp:Personally my game of the year was Killzone 2. When you add everything together, the graphics, the story, the huge battles, the excellent class based multiplayer, the clan system, the voice acting, the great music and sound, the environments, it all comes together to offer an amazing FPS experience unlike anything else released this year.

Third Opinion:

Molotov Cupcake:I played many a fantastic game this year, and some equally terrible abominations. However, throughout this tumultuous year of gaming, one title stuck out to me the most: Uncharted 2: Among Thieves. As a staunch naysayer in the beginning, I simply could not fathom the trance this game was putting many a journalist and layman gamer in…after all, it’s just a third-person action/shooter title that has elements derived from plenty of games before it. However, after sitting down with it, I found myself unable to look away from the screen. My daily ritual became one of getting off work and heading over to my newly-acquired PlayStation 3 Slim for some quality time with Nathan Drake and his motley crew. Nate, Elena, Flynn, Chloe, and even Lazarevic made this a journey I won’t soon forget with their believable and undeniably human personalities and agendas. I formed genuine bonds with this cast of characters, ones that grew stronger with each twist and turn of the epic plot, and ones that brought tears to my eyes near the game’s climax despite its positive (yet not absolutely finite — we could see more Drake) conclusion. The cinematic presentation, superb voice work, tight controls, and charm of Uncharted 2 won me over from start to finish, and I’m not too proud to say I was absolutely wrong about this game. It’s without a doubt my personal game of the year, and a title that I can only hope inspires upcoming releases to do what’s been done before much better. And then we’ll talk about throwing innovation into the mix.

And there you have it. This concludes the first annual Spawn Kill Game of the Year Awards! Did you agree or disagree with the nominees elected to reign supreme? Did we miss anything? What were your personal picks? As always, we’d love to hear what you think so don’t be shy and let us know in the comments below. Happy 2010, everyone!

Don’t forget to check out our companion podcast, episode 5 of the Kill Kast, found here and on iTunes for your convenience!

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Tags: 2009, Game Of The Year, Gaming, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 3, Wii, winners, Xbox 360

This entry was posted on Saturday, January 9th, 2010 at 8:38 pm and is filed under DS, Editorials, Game of the Year Awards, News, PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.