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Best Of 2009: GI Staff And Reader Picks

Feature
by Jeff Cork on January 15, 2010 at 05:45 PM
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Late last year highlighted the best games of 2009, giving special accolades to the best across a variety of genres and across platforms. For the first time, we gave our readers a chance to weigh in as well. For 10 days, gameinformer.com visitors took part in a poll and made their voices heard. Some of the winners lined up neatly with our picks, but there were some notable differences. Here are the complete results. We’d like to thank everyone who participated.

GAME OF THE YEAR

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

Nathan Drake’s quest to find Marco Polo’s lost fleet sets players on a high-octane, action-packed journey that keeps our hearts pounding from one daring leap to the next. Uncharted 2 seamlessly blurs the line between cinematics and gameplay with incredible set pieces complemented by some of the most remarkable writing and voice acting seen in games. With a memorable cast, epic orchestral score, awe-inspiring exotic locales, and solid multiplayer component, Naughty Dog has not only shown what the PS3 is capable of, but also set the bar for action games to come.

BEST ACTION

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

Drake’s second outing hit crescendo after crescendo with its jaw-dropping setpieces. Toppling buildings, runaway trains, savage yeti-beast battles, and nonstop gunplay combine to form one action-packed game that would make any summer cinema blockbuster green with envy.

BEST FIGHTING

Street fighter IV

More than mere nostalgia or fan service, Street Fighter IV takes everything that made SF II an all-time classic and reinvents itself to be exactly what you’d hope from the series. It may embrace the 2D plane like its predecessors, but a total graphical overhaul results in one of the most visually stunning fighting games ever made. Flashy and powerful Ultra attacks, colorful new characters, and fast and furious combat make SF IV the best fighting game of the year.

BEST PUZZLE

Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box

In this popular puzzle sequel, Layton’s mentor mysteriously dies after opening the ever-so-dangerous Elysian Box. It is up to Luke and Layton to investigate his death through intricate puzzle solving. The game introduces new and engaging brainteasers that require a lot of thought and make you feel like you deserve a pat on the back for solving them. Other puzzle titles should start taking notes.

Scribblenauts

In Scribblenauts, developer 5th Cell empowers players with the most powerful weapon in the universe: their imaginations. This DS title allows you to type any word into the DS, and have that object appear onscreen. It breaks the barriers of the puzzle genre, letting players pass levels by using a cornucopia of items, from mythical creatures to machine guns. While some complained about the admittedly loose controls, there’s no question Scribblenauts is the year’s most inventive game.

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  • by Friday, January 15, 2010 at 05:53 PM

    No comment.

  •
    by Friday, January 15, 2010 at 05:56 PM

    first

  •
    by Friday, January 15, 2010 at 05:56 PM

    epic fail

  •
    by Friday, January 15, 2010 at 05:59 PM

    nice

  • by Friday, January 15, 2010 at 06:03 PM

    I wish I had the privilege of playing uncharted 2

    =[

  • by Friday, January 15, 2010 at 06:04 PM

    HELL YEAH UNCHARTED 2 WINS

    BEST PS3 GAME OF ALL TIME

  • by Friday, January 15, 2010 at 06:04 PM

    HELL YEAH UNCHARTED 2 WINS

    BEST PS3 GAME OF ALL TIME

  • by Friday, January 15, 2010 at 06:08 PM

    I like the fact Chinatown Wars got one, even from the staff. And also Assassin's Creed 2. Not that surprised that most wins went to Modern Warfare 2... no surprise Mario is one of few good games the Wii has.

  •
    by Friday, January 15, 2010 at 06:08 PM

    I haven't gotten the chance to play the "masterpiece" Uncharted 2 yet, but I definitely agree that SFIV is the best fighting game of '09. Scribblenauts is also my favorite puzzle game. 2009 was definitely a great year for gamers.

  •
    by Friday, January 15, 2010 at 06:09 PM

    Absolutely couldn't agree more with GOTY.  I was really worried that people (and GI) were going to pick MW2.  Hate to break it to everyone but the game isn't that good.  I consider myself a pretty hardcore gamer, but will admit that today was the first time I actually sat down to go through the single player for MW2 (borrowing it from a friend, played spec ops when he first got it)and have all ready found a few glitches and annoyances.  UC2 undoubtedly deserves GOTY.  It is without a doubt the best game of 2009, possibly of the decade.  It shatters the mold for gaming.  The graphics are beyond amazing. The controls are flawless and the story keeps you gripped from start to finish.  Not to mention that the online play is innovative and is thrown in as a bonus instead of the premise.  Take note people, there is a reason why UC2 is getting GOTY from every gaming establishment in media... it is just that good.  If you're one of the people that hates on it because you're a Microsoft fan boy, do yourself a favor, go pick up a PS3 and this game.  It will change your mind about what games are supposed to be...

  •
    by Friday, January 15, 2010 at 06:21 PM

    Not bad at all. I gave Uncharted 2 Among Thieves my vote along with my favorite game yet.

  •
    by Friday, January 15, 2010 at 06:24 PM

    it's good to see that Uncharted 2 one-upped MW2.

    and, @ bosoxagain, I couldn't agree with you more. MW2 is one of those games where if you win, you keep winning, and the game rewards you for winning.

  •
    by Friday, January 15, 2010 at 06:25 PM

    good year for games. but i thought that madworld was better than that mario game.

  •
    by Friday, January 15, 2010 at 06:32 PM

    Also, it's good to see Empire: Total War good Editor RTS of the year, that game is just wonderful, it's hard to stop playing.

  •
    by Friday, January 15, 2010 at 06:35 PM

    I just got the new Mag...they went all out.

    I am currently making my way through Assassin's Creed 2. Top 10 Moment of 2009 -- The Truth: Assassin's Creed 2. YOU TEASE ME! Now I can't sleep til I beat it.

  •
    by Friday, January 15, 2010 at 06:56 PM

    Street Fighter was garbage to me.

  •
    by Friday, January 15, 2010 at 06:59 PM

    i really want to get a ps3 to play uncharted

  • by Friday, January 15, 2010 at 06:59 PM

    it should go 1. COD; MW2

                2. Borderlands

                3. Assasin's Creed 2

                4. Resident Evil 5

    these first cuz they were released on multi-consoles, then u can count games released on one system only, or download content  

  •
    by Friday, January 15, 2010 at 07:15 PM

    i agree with luke, madworld should have won

  •
    by Friday, January 15, 2010 at 07:23 PM

    it was a good list.... i think that it should have gone multi-console then down to the specifics...

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