In the world of video games, the year of 2010 could be said to be “2007: Strikes Back.” Many franchises were born or really came into their own in 2007. I have even argued many times that 2007 was the best year of this generation and maybe the best of all time. Now many of these titles return. Here is the list of the cream of the crop from 2010.
Mass Effect 2
Commander Shepherd is back with his “dirty dozen” to continue his quest to save the galaxy from total destruction. This game appeals to the average gamer in every way. At its core it is a near perfect role-playing game with a story that is a science fiction wet dream. But the appeal is much greater than that. The game has a gripping action-packed story that is smartly told through interactive cut scene conversations. It is a perfect sequel as everything bad about the first game is gone with the good being even better. Luckily the game will appear on the Sony Playstation 3 early in 2011 as it is readily available on the Microsoft Xbox 360 and PC.
Sid Meier’s Civilization V
Civ V has been long in the making as its last iteration was five years ago. The game was founded in 1991 when PCs were creeping their way into the home. The game has clearly grown by leaps and bounds. The premise is simple: start at the dawn of civilized man and build your empire (through culture, science, survival or, my personal favorite, war). Many of the world’s greatest civilizations are represented, from Genghis Khan of Mongolia to Otto von Bismarck of Germany. Each race has certain unique units and buildings that balance the game well. If you are new to the genre, the game has been streamlined closer to its console brother but without sacrificing the nuances that keep veterans playing for hours. Plus with integrated mods and expansive multiplayer, it is a great game to have “one last turn.”
Red Dead Redemption
In the spiritual successor to Red Dead Revolver, Rockstar Games takes the successful Grand Theft Auto formula to the Wild West in this title. I will admit that I am not a big fan of sandbox games but if there is only one that you play it has to be from Rockstar. Red Dead Redemption takes place in 1911 just as the Wild West was becoming less wild. It follows a former outlaw trying to get his wife and son back after they are abducted by the government in order to get him to do their dirty deeds. The game has all of the polish you would expect from Rockstar with the story to go with it, enabling you to spend hours in this world. The multiplayer aspect is unique which should keep the serves alive for a while.
Alan Wake
If you have not heard of Alan Wake, do not worry. The game was vastly overshadowed by the number three choice as they were released on the same day. Although the game suffered in sales, it was a critic success and immediately became a “cult” favorite. The game starts with a dream, something the game explores with great depth, of a bestselling author. Alan Wake is the “Stephen King” of this universe and his writer’s block has forced his wife to take him to a small American northwest town for a little recuperation. However, when they get there strange things start to happen and eventually Alan’s wife is taken by the “darkness” that haunts the town. The game is a great balance of survival/horror and storytelling that will leave you with more questions than answers. If Lost, X-Files or Twin Peaks ever interested you, give this game a try.
God of War 3
Kratos, an ancient Spartan warrior who just happens to be a demigod, returns to finish what he started five years ago. It is really difficult to try to explain why this game is on this list without spoiling the other two games (which were released as High Definition remakes for PS3). Beyond the intuitive and creative combat, the game weaves Greek mythology to its will to tell a gripping story that brings the player into this ancient world. The production values for this game are phenomenal as the settings and locale are gorgeous. While this is an action game which could have been poorly done to round out the series, it is nothing but show stopper after show stopper.
Call of Duty: Black Ops
Finally, the “red headed step child” developer of the Call of Duty franchise, Treyarch, had its “Cinderella” moment as it got the keys to the kingdom after Infinity Ward’s fall from grace. The game manages to keep all of the “Bay/Bruckheimer effect” of Modern Warfare but brings it to the Cold War. The game takes place in many locations through the recollection of a special operations soldier being interrogated. Beyond the campaign the epic multiplayer returns in a more fleshed out version. With a video editor of past matches, wager matchers (betting with the new currency used to purchase equipment) and the standard fare of new weapons, the multiplayer is a must play. And who could pass up the chance to play as historical figures defending the Pentagon from a zombie hoard?
Starcraft 2: Wings of Liberty
PC gaming titan Blizzard created the Starcraft franchise in 1998. Over ten years later, its sequel, uniquely designed to be a trilogy, was released to become the fastest selling PC game of all time. The science fiction real time strategy can be overwhelming for those new to the genre but it is the game that fans of the series have been waiting for. With its lengthy campaign consisting of three races and its epic multiplayer, the game can keep gamers playing for hours. Not to mention that there is an integrated map editor that will keep players entertained for another decade with community involvement.
Halo: Reach
Developer Bungie’s swan song to the Halo franchise is the second sequel to 2007’s completion of the trilogy that launched the Xbox in 2001. While this installment (actually a prequel) does not feature Halo poster child “Master Chief,” it does include the Spartan team Noble. Reach is the birthplace of the Spartan program and now under attack by an onslaught of alien invaders. The game attempts to tell the story of impending doom through this team and connect it to the game that started it all Halo: Combat Evolved. While the mechanics of the game have not changed much, “Why fix what ain’t broke?” Besides, the changes to multiplayer will be alluring to new players and keep pros coming back for more.
Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood
As with the last entry, Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood is more of the same from the hit game Assassin’s Creed 2. Now I highly recommend playing the previous title before picking this up because the story does not have a “Last time on Assassin’s Creed” for new players. However, the story is just as good as the past two games as it tells the struggle of the Assassins versus the Knights Templar. Renaissance Rome is the character’s playground to fight against the Borgia who controls the city. Historical figures like Leonardo da Vinci and others help you throughout your quest. This game introduces a unique multiplayer that lets players experience competition like never before.
Super Mario Galaxy 2
Super Mario Galaxy 2 is the sequel to (you guessed it) Super Mario Galaxy. Now this game is at the end of the list because if any game on the list is a “.5,” it is this one. Super Mario Galaxy 2 is nothing more than the same. Not that the same is bad— it is just not innovative in any way. While some games on this list are more of the same as well, their stories make up for it. Mario’s storyline consists of more “Princess Peach gets captured by Bowser.” It is a good game; it just doesn’t bring anything new to the series.
