gamrReview 2010 Game of the Year Awards - Overall Part Two - Article

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It's kind of scary how many great games were released this year. We thought 2009 was the best year ever, and 2008 before it, but 2010 may really top them both. It was an incredible year for all platforms, with exclusives and multiplatform titles of the highest quality which every home console, handheld, and PC gamer could possibly ask for. Blockbusters abound, new IPs flourish, and the gamers rejoice in the bounty of incredible games across the genres. However, while it was tough, we have narrowed down our final votes for our favorite games of this astounding year. This list includes our overall picks for the specialty awards, and of course our pick for the best game of 2010. We look forward to hearing your (hopefully respectful) feedback, and hope you've enjoyed our Game of the Year Awards. And without further ado, I present the final part of the gamrReview Game of the Year awards in 2010.


 Best Downloadable Game: LIMBO

It's hard to describe LIMBO, because it's almost more of an experience than a game, but most of the (fortunately) many who played it can tell you that experience is forever burned into their minds. It's haunting, engrossing, and shockingly deep. We really can't recommend it more. LIMBO will enthrall you for every moment you spend in the game, and you'll wish it never had to end. It platforms its way into our favorite downloadable game of 2010.

Runner-up: Shantae: Risky's Revenge

Reader’s Choice: Scott Pilgrim vs. the World


Best Graphics Technology: God of War III

In the smallest of details, God of War III may not be that impressive, but taken as a whole, it's real-time graphics on a scale which has never been seen in gaming. A truly astounding achievement, God of War III operates on a scope that will simply leave you in awe. The events really do feel like they are on a scale of the entire world, and they are executed in an awe-inspiring manner which will make passing friends and family stop and stare dumbfounded at the glorious gore. God of War III easily takes our award for the best Graphics Technology.

Runner-up: Mass Effect 2

Reader’s Choice: God of War III


Best Art Direction: Kirby's Epic Yarn

It was a tough battle with the hauntingly gorgeous LIMBO, but the bright and incredibly unique Kirby's Epic Yarn won out. This is absolutely an example of artistic excellence completely removing any sign of technical limitations. There are few games in existence more enchanting than Kirby's Epic Yarn, no matter the console. This light and fluffy game stole our hearts and our award for Best Art Direction of 2010.

Runner-up: LIMBO

Reader’s Choice: Final Fantasy XIII

Best Original Music Score: Mass Effect 2

If you're a movie fan, you know that the right music score makes a big difference in how immersive a film is, and nothing immerses you in its world like Mass Effect 2. Ranging from haunting to adrenaline-inducing scores, Mass Effect 2's music feels alien and wondrous, and is just one of many things that make it an incredible experience from start to finish. It blends extremely well with the universe, and it's got our favorite Original Music Score in 2010.

Runner-up: Halo: Reach 

Reader’s Choice: Final Fantasy XIII

Best Licensed Music Score: Rock Band 3

Well, maybe it's not a big surprise, but Rock Band 3 really did deliver the excellent track list we were expecting from the now champion music franchise. Jamming to your favorite tunes has never been better, and with new DLC constantly pouring in, Rock Band looks to maintain its crown with the most extensive music-game library in existence. With excellent scores from excellent artists, it's hard to fault the audio design of Rock Band 3.

Runner-up: Gran Turismo 5

Reader’s Choice: Rock Band 3

Best Use of Motion Controls: Sports Champions

A new award for changing times, Sports Champions takes home our first ever Best Use of Motion Control award. While there was quite a lot of competition on all consoles, Sports Champions provides an incredibly smooth, polished, effective, and most-important fun motion gaming experience. You'll be hard-pressed to find a better showcase of the potential of motion controls on the market today.

Runner-up: Dance Central

Reader’s Choice: Sports Champions

Most Innovative: Tie - Super Scribblenauts and LIMBO

Rarely have there been two games tied for the same award which were so opposite one another in design. Super Scribblenauts bursts with innovation through the incredibly impressive use of adjectives to really push the limits of your imagination, while LIMBO boasts dark yet simple ambiance in a puzzle-platformer design the likes of which has never been seen. The power to do anything and the weak and powerless collide as Super Scribblenauts and LIMBO tie  for our Most Innovative game of 2010 award.

Runner-up: Heavy Rain

Reader’s Choice: Heavy Rain


Biggest Disappointment: Metroid: Other M

The cheers when Metroid: Other M was announced a year and half ago were deafening. Metroid developed by Team Ninja with incredibly awesome CGI cutscenes? Yes, please. Unfortunately, the final result isn't what fans expected. A weak and overly feminine Samus shoehorned into a submissive role is not the bounty hunter we grew to love over the original 2D entries and more recently the incredible Metroid Prime trilogy. This is not what Metroid fans have come to expect from the franchise, and it's a pretty big departure in style from previous entries. Metroid: Other M is by no means a bad game, but it is a disappointing one.

Runner-up: Final Fantasy XIII

Reader’s Choice: Final Fantasy XIII


Best Game No One Played: No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle

No More Heroes 2 fixed everything frustrating about the already enjoyable original No More Heroes... except the sales. Coming in at less than half the life to date sales of its predecessor, No More Heroes 2 is a sadly under-appreciated epic gem in the Wii's 2010 library. Crazy anime antics and epic battles and insane humor make this quirky Suda title one that should not be missed. Shame on you Wii owners for letting this game fall to our Best Game No One Played in 2010.

Runner-up: Valkyria Chronicles II, BlazBlue: Continuum Shift

Reader’s Choice: Vanquish


Best New IP: LIMBO

I can't really rant about LIMBO anymore. No, wait, I can. But really, just go buy it. If you don't have a 360, go buy one, then buy it. It's an incredible and unique experience, and I cannot impress upon you enough how much it stands out among other games. The word "unique" gets thrown around a lot in gaming, when things rarely are, but believe me, in this case it's appropriate. I can't wait to see what else we get from the incredible indie talent behind LIMBO, and it's our favorite new IP of 2010.

Runner-up: Heavy Rain

Reader’s Choice: Heavy Rain


Most Anticipated Upcoming Game: The Last Guardian

Did it really win a second year in a row? Yes. Yes it did. If you aren't incredibly hyped for this game, you probably didn't play ICO and/or Shadow of the Colossus. If you did play them and aren't incredibly hyped for this game, I hate you, and all fans of the franchise will join me in collective looks of scorn. Haunting, gorgeous, original, and clever, the games of Team Ico stand out in any environment, and we can't wait to see the fruits of their latest labor of love. Please just don't delay it another year. Please.

Runner-up: LittleBigPlanet 2

Reader’s Choice: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim


Game of the Year: Mass Effect 2

If you've been following our other awards, this probably isn't that much of a surprise, but let me be clear: Mass Effect 2 is something special, and I don't mean special like that kid who sat behind you on the bus and ate things stuck under the seat. It's the kind of game that's really better referred to as an experience. It is an incredible unification of masterfully executed gameplay, rich lore, enthralling design, and near-perfect pacing which leaves us ravenous for the conclusion of this epic. It stands out among a year of incredible releases on all platforms, and Mass Effect 2, you are our Game of the Year for 2010.

Runner-up: Red Dead Redemption, Super Mario Galaxy 2

Reader’s Choice: Mass Effect 2

Be sure to check out our other Game of the Year Awards here!

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