Eddie's 2010 GotY picks

5 - Halo Reach


  I have to give the guys at Bungie props for this game.  Now I'm not a huge Halo guy, but Reach really hit it home for me.  It overall still has that Halo feel to it, but there are moments in the game that really just get you pumped and really set the tone (first time running into the elites, oh yeah).  Lots of good set pieces, nice changes in the pacing and some much needed revamp to the engine.  A beautiful swan song, and quite frankly one of the best ways to end a game.

4 - Red Dead Redemption


  Rockstar Games did a wonderful job crafting a believable setting for RDR.  The world was full of characters that made the west feel alive - each person living out their normal lives, hitting the bar and playing cards; but what made RDR more amazing was the character you played.  John Marston is a good man, he is an honorable man, and he is a terrible man.  His character really pulls the setting together as you see his character throughout and seeing Rockstar do this kind of golden heart character is really great.  There were a few missteps taking with his character and some plot devices that I cannot forgive, but all in all, you will find no open world game quite like RDR.  The whole package just came together.

3 - Dragon Quest IX - Sentinels of the Starry Skies


   Truly Square-Enix has outdone themselves this time on the DS.  DQ9 takes all the traditional stuff that makes the series great, adds in the idea that you are playing a handheld MMO and even gives you DLC to boot.  The fact that every armor looks different, every weapon looks different, and there are 100+ hours of gameplay just in side quests alone makes this a very impressive cartridge.  The graphics are really solid, the setup is superb and the whole game is an addicting as all get out.  If you have not picked up this game for your DS, you are crazy.

2 - Mario Galaxy 2


   Honestly, I think this is the best Mario game there is.  The level design is wonderful, the platforming is spot on, and the game is just so simple to jump into and have a blast with.  Graphically this game is super polished as well, to me even looking like it could be on the "next gen" consoles.  Honestly though, it's all about how smooth this game is, and I can't put it into words.  I really enjoyed just playing this game.

1 - Mass Effect 2


   Yeah, I know, another vote for ME2; but can you really be surprised.  The game has it all.  You get a very well done third person cover based shooter, you get the great dialog option trees like the original, and you get a stellar story to boot.  Now I know that some people hated the lack of RPG elements and armor customization, but I'll just keep it simple by saying they missed the point.  By making the game a better shooter, you can now focus the RPG elements on other parts of your game like ship enhancements and research for you equipment.  The game gives you a really good feel of what makes Commander Sheppard the man he has been built up to be.  As you progress through the game and all of it's DLC, you feel like the hero doing what must be done and leaving your mark on the galaxy.  Everything to me was improved from the first game, and when Mass Effect 3 concludes the trilogy I can only assume that I will not be left unsatisfied.