Ben-DutkaThe year is almost over, which means it's time to issue our list of nominations for the many awards we plan to hand out.
There were plenty of amazing games this year but perhaps the three that stand head-and-shoulders above the rest are Uncharted 2: Among Thieves , Killzone 2 and Assassin's Creed II . This unbelievable trio of the best of the best nailed down the majority of nominations, although we of course had to pay tribute to other gems, like Batman: Arkham Asylum , inFamous , Dragon Age: Origins , Street Fighter IV , and others. The question is, which titles do you think will win? That's the entire point of this little preview, after all; to generate a good amount of discussion. Also, if you have an idea for an award that we haven't thought of, feel free to let us know. It's certainly not too late to add one!
The winners will be announced when the year closes, on either December 31 or January 1, so stay tuned…
2009 Game of The Year Awards Nominations
Best Graphics
Best Music
Best Sound Effects
Best Acting
Best Writing
Best Multiplayer Game
Best Artistry/Art Direction
Most Original/Innovative
Most Overlooked
Most Anticipated Game
Best Downloadable Game
Best Puzzle Game
Best Music/Rhythm Game
Best Racing Game
Best Sports Game
Best RPG
Best Fighting Game
Best Shooter
Best Action/Adventure Game
Game of the Year
Only two RPGs … what a sad state of affairs.
And neither a true JRPG.
Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 12/22/2009 12:35:51 AM
Stop bitching! It was a great year for gamers and you shoud be proud. So stop moping about the lack of rpg's and play some kz2,UC2,AC2 and R&C wile looing forward to heavy rain, GT5, GOWIII and of course Final Fantasy. So shut it we don't want to hear it.
@ kevinater321 – Hey buddy you know I respect you. I do have those games you mentioned and I do play them almost daily (except KZ2 because I just got it last week and I'm too deep into AC2 to stop). Admittedly though, I'm not one to sit around and "look forward" to stuff. I play what I got, but I'm a little perturbed at the lack of RPGs this past year. Ben's nominees kinda point out the sad state RPGs are in.
@ WEWE – If it weren't for WRPGs, we'd have no RPGs at all. Count your lucky tomatoes.
@Kevin
What the hell was that? Haha
i think nhl 10 should be added to the list with all the improvements from 09. thumbs up and maybe it will happen 😉
ben you should have a best new IP category in there.
O and a most improved sequel category also.
best IP would either go to infamous or batman AA, but my pick is obvious.
and most improved sequel would either go to killzone 2 or assassins creed 2, but again my choice is obvious.
as for most anticipated game of 2010 do you really need to ask?
seriously?
thats like asking if the reader would like a brand spanking new Ferrari for free, no strings attached.
i think we all know what the answers going to be………….
I'd take a brand new Farrari for free and sell it. Here in Florida there's a requirement to have auto insurance so I can imagine how much insurance would be for a Farrari. ;x
HA!
yea me too since i would not be able to get insurance for a WRX let alone a Ferrari.
thats one thing i hate about Australia if your under 40 you cant drive a turbo, supercharged or V8 vehicle.
well you can but not many insurance companies will want to know you, and the ones that do will charge you 2 legs, 2 arms and a eye.
I can't choose just one. My top 5: BatMan, Demon's Souls, UC2, AC:2, and DA:O.
btw… I'm surprised RE5 isn't getting a nod for anything. Maybe it should be added to the most overlooked list.
Woah your right. I had a blast playing resident evil 5, it should definately be winning some "best action game" awards. Many were disapointed that it wasn't a horror game but I don't think anyone was disappointed in it as an action title.
It wasn't that good, but I had fun with the co-op.
Got to admit that I had Resident Evil on my shelf for ages and barely touched it. Now i have finally sat down to play it and am really enjoying it. Perhaps it's a love hate thing with this game for some people, im not sure.
Last edited by Larsperson on 12/26/2009 5:35:01 PM
Best sound effects goes to killzone, IMO.
Here are my predictions… or rather what I think should win.
Best Graphics
* Batman: Arkham Asylum
(I really gotta give the edge to my man Batman here, those graphics were just so well done. The PC version really shows what the designers really put into this game.)
Best Music
* Guitar Hero 5
(Still like Rock Band 2 better though)
Best Sound Effects
* Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
(Great environmental sound effects.)
Best Acting
* Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
(As I said before, overall goes to Uncharted 2, single best performance, which could be its own category, would go to Mark Hamill)
Best Writing
* Dragon Age: Origins
(Uncharted 2 had a great movie like story, but Dragon Age just has a lot more depth and breadth in my opinion.)
Best Multiplayer Game
* Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
(Mostly I can't stand multiplayer deathmatches for too long but Uncharted 2 made me love it again)
Best Artistry/Art Direction
* Assassin's Creed II
Most Original/Innovative
* Flower
* Braid
* Shatter
(not to sure on this one, just the Demon's Souls isn't it)
Most Overlooked
* Katamari Forever
Most Anticipated Game
* Final Fantasy XIII
(Been waiting for this game since Nov 2006! Definitely most anticipated)
Best Downloadable Game
* Braid
* Trine
* Flower
* Shatter
* Fat Princess
(can't say, don't have them)
Best Puzzle Game
* Cuboid
* Lumines Supernova
* Braid
(same)
Best Music/Rhythm Game
* Guitar Hero 5
Best Racing Game
* DiRT 2
Best Sports Game
* Madden NFL 10
* FIFA Soccer 10
* MLB 09: The Show
* Fight Night Round 4
* Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10
(haven't played them unfortunately)
Best RPG
* Dragon Age: Origins
(really there is no competition here)
Best Fighting Game
* BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger
* Street Fighter IV
* Tekken 6
* Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny
(again, haven't played)
Best Shooter
* Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
* Killzone 2
(haven't played K2 but I played a bit of MW2 and it was decent enough for what it is, though not my cup o' tea)
Best Action/Adventure Game
* Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
(again, despite some of the contenders being very VERY good games, no competition for this category)
Game of the Year
* Dragon Age: Origins
* Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
(In my opinion it is really between these two. My pick would be Dragon Age: Origins. Already on my 3rd play-through and I'm still uncovering new layers. I've played Uncharted 2 twice and while both times were fun. The second time just wasn't quite as good as the first.)
Last edited by TheJackyl on 12/21/2009 11:57:23 PM
really jackyl? Uncharted 2 pretty much puts avereything to shame in the graphics department. ND did so well, they set a standard that a lot of devs. will have a hard time meeting! Not taking anything away from batman but the eyes dont lie!
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y25/TheJackyl/ShippingPC-BmGame2009-10-0614-06-58.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y25/TheJackyl/ShippingPC-BmGame2009-10-0614-07-36.jpg
yep the eyes don't… tell me that's a level of detail that goes beyond anything else we have seen this year
hopefully my image links will be approved soon cause you are right… the eyes do not lie.
i really dont care what links you give me online, and i will not even click on it because its all about whats on my t.v. If its something with true evidence i will look though.
Since i havnt gotten to see that link yet, i assume what your showing me is what batman looks like and ive seen it on my t.v. where it should truly be compared. And i will argue all day that Uncharted 2 is by far superior to Batman in the graphics department (let alone all around). Again im not saying that batman wasnt spectacular but saying it looks better than Uncharted 2 is bold. but your rightful to what you believe!
Last edited by bigrailer19 on 12/22/2009 1:55:50 AM
I still think the level of detail, as you can now see in the links, was just a good bit better in Batman.
Overall I like Uncharted 2 as a better game than Batman. However, graphics-wise, Rocksteady did a fantastic job in th e level of detail put into its characters that I don't think we've ever seen before. Not even in Crysis (which Crysis rains supreme because of the level of detail in a far more open environment) have we seen faces like these.
Graphics are not just the level of detail, it is the sum of many parts, and having all those parts run at a good consistent frame rate. Uncharted pushed the envelope beyond what the Unreal engine can produce on the PS3.
The PC version wouldn't matter in these awards anyway.
PlayStation games only need apply.
I agree it isn't just the level of detail. And Batman ran as smooth as anything else. Now if we want to talk about artistry that's another category.
And since Ben was considering such things as best multi-platform I don't see this being a problem. Also we should be looking this from the stand point of what developer worked on creating the best graphics. In the case of Naughty Dog vs Rocksteady, if we look at what they put out, to me it is clear that Rocksteady has the edge.
thejackyl-
actually we have seen that type of detail in the faces! have you looked at Uncharted 2? The facial expressions alone, coincide with each tragedy, or event, etc. That alone is far better than what took place on batmans emotionless face throught out Batman AA.
Lsten if all your reffering to is detail, (which i still think Uncharted 2 holds better) thats not all graphics are!
I still want to know what you think rocksteady did better than Naughty Dog. Uncharted 2 is unparralelled in all areas of graphics when compared to Batman. So i guess besides those photos you showed me that could have been tweaked for all i know, (although still dont look beter than UC2) i want some factual evidence. i mean gimme something to argue here because all your saying is detail, when its clear there was not as much detail in batman, than Uncharted 2 and thats obvious!
Last edited by bigrailer19 on 12/23/2009 12:38:48 AM
See what you are talking about is animation. Not graphics. The overall facial expressions of Uncharted 2 are better than Batman… well there is room for an argument even there as since Batman is a very stoic character of course he stays more straight faced while Drake is more emotional and funny and can't keep his emotions from showing on his face. I'd definitely would rather play poker with Drake than Batman! Now on the other hand take the Joker. Rocksteady put a lot into his crazed maniacal expressions.
Also, Uncharted 2 has a ton more (be it many of them brief) cutscenes. Now I'm not entirely but aren't these all prerendered? As for in-game animation who has more? I think Batman may have more. The fluid fighting techniques and stealthy takedowns. Not to say Uncharted 2 doesn't have some great hand to hand fighting and takedowns, I just think animation wise there is probably more that has been done in Batman.
I have to wonder if you have been reading my entire posts as I've stated in my first post how I played Uncharted 2 through twice, plus tons of time in multiplayer. And no those images are not tweaked in any way. Just simple unedited screen shots. Though I'll take your suspicion as a compliment as I wish I had that kind of skill.
As I've said before I love both games though I put Uncharted 2 as a better game than Batman AA. However I am feverishly awaiting the next game that can match or exceed the graphics in Batman. The kind of detail where you can see each piece of individual stubble on a guy's face, the horrible random pockmarks from a bad case of acne, hairy sweaty arms, life-like looking clothing materials. When I first started to play Batman I literally drooled over the graphics. With Uncharted 2 the only drooling was over Chloe.
…Whoops this is still TheJackyl. Just signed into a slightly different account.
Last edited by Jackyl on 12/23/2009 3:29:33 AM
well we agree to disagree lol! its cool i mean a healthy argument is great in my opinion and this it was! the only problem is we'll never be able to sway eachothers decision!
I must say though the way clothes and accessories were rendered on Drake well in Uncharted 2 period, were so good. I love being able to tell ebjects apart, and with great detail. Rather than have them look blended. And as you said the sweat drinched arms in batman, or the way Clothes got soeaked with water in Uncharted 2! I dont know i gotta go with Uncharted 2 still…
I did read your posts cus i wouldnt comment otherwise, that'd be insulting to you and myself.
I'll say again both games are great and both games look great, but in overall quality Uncharted 2 is phenomenal!
Last edited by bigrailer19 on 12/23/2009 2:43:26 PM
Oh, I agree with a lot of what you said. The clothing textures were also very well done for Uncharted 2. Chloe's clothes getting wet during the chase scene with the injured videographer was a… fine example of the PS3's technological achievements.
Still, we'll agree to disagree. I wonder if Ben and the boys are reading all of these comments. I'm sure they are quite thorough in their analysis of these games, though I can also imagine some of what has been said in these comments might shed light on something possibly overlooked.
TheJackly, without even having played the games, most people including ND and RS will disagree with you because U2 was exclusively developed and optimized for the ps3, while Batman wasn't. All the time and resources were spent by ND to get the most out of the ps3's Cell, with new techniques and technology, while RS aimed merely at getting a comparable experience across the ps3 and 360, with the dated Unreal engine.
Now after playing the games, on a proper TV, the difference is obvious, If it isn't to you, I'm afraid you need to get your eyes checked, get a new TV, or both.
Did you bother to read all of the previous discussion or bother to look at the images? Because it certainly doesn't seem like it. If you had you would have already realized that your post is completely without merit.
But then again, as your post said you expect to know which game has better graphics without playing the game, why should we expect you to read before commenting.
Awards I would like to see:
"Most Disappointing Game"
"Most Under-Appreciated Game" (most didn't give Killzone 2 the respect it deserves, for example)
"Most Disappointed Game That Got Pushed Into 2010" (what I mean is what game are you most disappointed that got pushed into next year?)
"Most Overused Game Mechanic"
"Worst Gaming Cliche"
"Flat Out Worst Game"
"PSP Game of Year" (Nothing worth nominating?)
"PSN Game of the Year" ("Best Downloadable?" Does this include PSone classics? "PSN GotY" seems more in line with the type of game that you guys are referring to)
"Best Individual Actor/Actress"
"Game Development Studio of the Year"
"Best Demo"
"Biggest News Story"
"Best Multi-Platform Game That Still Would Have Been Better If It Had Been Exclusive" 😉
Last edited by Kangasfwa on 12/22/2009 12:13:38 AM
Ben, you should check this guy's list, specially
the PSP GOTY and the PSN GOTY
Uhm… Ben, for "best artistry/art direction" category, do you not think Killzone2 should be in there!?!… it really is a close second to Uncharted in my opinion… I would have it listed in that category 🙂
Q!
"i am home"
Last edited by Qubex on 12/22/2009 12:10:25 AM
I'm pretty sure the results will be quite anticlimactic here, knowing all too well on what game the Administrator tends to lean heavy on. That's fine…..but UC2 has no business even being NOMINATED for "Best Multiplayer". Other than that, it all looks good from what I've played.
Last edited by Hezzron on 12/22/2009 12:20:08 AM
I love me some U2 multi!
Make a category so ACII can have best multiplat, but not goty.
For the recommendations, I just don't understand the Best Studio/Developer thing, even though I know other sources hand that out. What's it saying? That they made the best game…? That they impressed us the most? Isn't that just GotY? Let's just say that whatever wins GotY gets this.
There are a few others I like, though. We might do a Best Multiplatform Game category. That's a good idea. Awards for individual acting performances…eh, I'll think about it. I just think Best Acting encompasses an entire cast and that's far more important. But these are certainly common awards these days.
And we'll steer clear of the negative ones, like "Biggest Disappointment" and whatever. These are supposed to be AWARDS. 😉
I agree with the sentiment about publisher/GotY. Same thing.
However with acting. There is certainly a big difference between a stand out solitary performance and overall performance of the cast. In some cases maybe the best overall cast also has the stand out performance by an individual in that cast. But as is my opinion, Mark Hamill's performance of the Joker was by far better than any other single performance. Better than Drake, Chloe, that guy from the Brutal Legend game.
Never mind this post…
(After re-reading the list, I see what I asked about was already done)
Last edited by BikerSaint on 12/22/2009 2:40:04 AM
Yay my idea was good 🙂
Unless, like Insomniac or Sony Santa Monica or Ubisoft Montreal (and a few others), they manage to push out more than one game in a year.
My List,Its gonna be a long one ok?
Best Graphics: Uncharted 2
Best Music: DJ Hero
Best Sound Effects: Killzone 2
Best Acting: Uncharted 2
Best Writing : Uncharted 2
Best Multiplayer Game: Killzone 2
Best Artistry/Art Direction: Assassin's Creed 2
Most Original/Innovative: Flower
Most Overlooked: Red Faction: Guerrilla
Most Anticipated Game: Oppinion Based/Mine is Heavy Rain
Best Downloadable Game: Flower
Best Puzzle Game: Braid
Best Music/Rhythm Game: DJ Hero
Best Racing Game: Gran Turismo PSP
Best Sports Game: MLB 09: The Show
Best RPG: Demon's Souls
Best Fighting Game: Street Fighter IV
Best Shooter: Killzone 2
Best Action/Adventure Game: Uncharted 2
Game Of The Year: Unchrted 2:Among Thieves
Her's to a wonderful and enjoyable year in gaming! and another year under Ben's belt. Cheers!
Last edited by JMO_INDY on 12/22/2009 1:06:54 AM
I hope MLB 09: The Show wins for the Sports category. The developers seem to actually listen to what the fans want and they add that to the game. Custom soundtracks, custom batter walk up music, online leagues, etc… The game to me has improved every year, something many sports games fail to do in my mind.
That why its on my list
Good job… You made a wise decision! lol
Great nominations. I was a bit surprised not to see Brutal Legend in the best music category. If there were a sixth most anticipated game, I'd add the Last Guardian. Not that I've played it, but isn't Forza a good racing game?
Playing end of eternity(Resonance of Fate) demo…and it sucks! I hate the music I hate the characters I hate the gameplay…if the game gonna be like the demo I declare this my first big disappointment of 2010…yeah we need a list of the worst things too =p.
BTW this is completely offtopic, but with all the final fantasy 13 talk going around I felt the need to bring this up.(I'm also surprised no one has brought it up)
Final fantasy 7, regarded by many as the best rpg ever made, has been on the playstation store for about six months now. The title has been on the top 10 every week since it's release in June. The fact that it been doing really good business on the PSnetwork, might prompt Square into making a remake. It would seem like a perfect business move.
Final Fantasy 7 is the game that established the playstation 1 and helped it beat out the 64, so who knows maybe if square did a remake that was exclusive to ps3 , "lightning could strike twice".
Blazblue should definitely win Best fighting game.
Tekken 6
no tekken 6 sucked!
and this coming from a massive tekken fan, in fact i would go as far to say tekken 5 was better than 6.
best fighter available on the ps3 would have to go to street fighter 4.