Your GOTY 2010, Runner-up, and Surprize of the Year

[liangnv]

So all the big releases are in, you’ve had a chance to experience some fantastic gaming moments, but now it’s time to choose your favourite, any platform.
Poll is not an option since there’s simply too many games, and I don’t want to spread it over a couple of threads.

So list your GOTY 2010 here, along with a close runner-up, and your surprise(s) of the year. EDIT: feel free to list multiple surprizes.

Here’s mine:

GOTY 2010 – Bayonetta

Without a doubt the most fun I’ve had all year, Kamiya created a combat system that’s truly something special. No DLC required, all the awesome content is right there for you to unlock. The bar has been raised.

Runner-up – Gran Turismo 5

Even with all its little idiosyncrasies, the game excels in the parts that matter. More events as DLC is a must, along with credits and XP for online races, but I’ve put close to 30 hours into the game, (I’m nowhere close to being done with the game) and enjoyed every single moment of it, from the throw-my-controller-into-the-pillows moments, to the oh-so-satisfying highs of wining nail-biting races on The Ring.

Surprise(s) of the year – Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey.

Castlevania: Lords of Shadow

LoS was a game I was only passably interested in, yet it took me by surprise by being more compelling in many aspects than similar games with 10 times the budget. It has some technical niggles, but it was a great adventure with loads of content, a truly memorable ending, and personally more enjoyable than similar games of its ilk. (GOW3, Darksiders)

Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey.

Not really a surprise as all SMT games rock, but I was surprised at the amount of depth and content for this little handheld RPG. 70+ hours on my 1st playthrough, it’s the reason I bought a DS, and it’s fantastic.

PS3 Jailbreak
ps3 wireless controller
nintendo ds r4

 

[Jake]

GOTY: Even though I'm little more than an average player. CoD Black Ops has been the stand out title for me. It was a make or break title for the franchise imo, considering the controversy surrounding the infinity ward split. Treyarch nailed it and i fully expect a MW3 made by Treyarch to be equally as mind blowing when/if it arrives.

Runner Up. Tied for Runner up simply because i cannot seperate them are 3 very different games.

Red Dead Redemption is a truly truly epic game, especally when you add the zombie pack into the equation. Critics say its just GTA in the wild west. But thats exactly why i like it, because its been done perfectly.

Heavy Rain. PLAY THIS GAME NOW IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY. AND IF YOU HAVE, PLAY IT AGAIN. The most immersive, mind fuckingly beautiful game I've ever played.

Fallout New Vegas. A massive game, I've only really scratched the surface despite having 15 hours of play time. I've never played a fallout before this one, but when i'm done with it, I'll certainly go through the back catalogue.

Surprise: Metro 2033. Set in post apocalyptic Moscow, mostly in the underground metro system. Metro 2033 is part survival horror, part fps. It's pretty scary, enemies include nuclear mutants, nazis and soviets. You are often alone, in darkness, with various strange phenomena and noises going on around you. Often you are navigating in total darkness by torchlight only, with a limited HUD and absolutely no map. A very pleasing game despite its glitches.