"Yeah, Jim, I think we've got this one wrapped up this year."
This is going to be an interesting year, because I get the feeling that the list of titles up for the ever-so-prestigious Game of the Year could be rather long.
But more importantly, I also feel that the battle lines for the people’s choice will be broken into two distinctive camps: single player versus multiplayer. There it is. Whoever has more people in their respective camp will walk away with the title this year, because some of the biggest titles out there are split evenly down this divide.
The three that I can think of off the top of my head? Batman: Arkham Asylum, Uncharted 2, and Modern Warfare 2. Of course, MW2 hasn’t even come out yet, but the buzz associated with the upcoming sequel is enough to whip the gaming community into a frenzy.
If you are a big single player fan boy like myself, Batman: AA and Uncharted 2 were both unparalleled in their execution. Obviously, Batman has redefined the superhero genre in video games…ironically, just as the original Modern Warfare did for first person shooters. Uncharted 2, while a sequel, was done in such breathtaking cinematic fashion with some great action sequences that people have to immediately consider it a contender.
However, the multiplayer kiddies are already sounding the rallying cry over MW2, heralding it as the game to trump all game experiences (despite the fact it hasn’t come out yet). Of course, if you’re talking about MW2, you’re usually talking about the multiplayer experience, despite the original MW having a really bang up Tom Clancy-esque storyline in their single player. So all your headshooters and noobtoobers are already sending in their nominations and getting ready to fire off hate mail at me for even suggesting that anything might stand in MW2’s nod for game of the year.
So who will win? If it were up to me, I personally think Batman should take it. Firstly, it doesn’t have a damn sequel number tacked on to the title: that should get it +10 points right out of the gate. The game has literally raised the bar across the board for both licensed games and superhero titles, showing that the words “great” and “superhero game” can be used in the same sentence together. And while MW2 will sell a metric boatload more games, will it really be coloring outside the lines from the original? Oh, boy, new perks.
Isn’t that what the title of Game of the Year should be about? It shouldn’t be about game sales, because if that were the case in movies, the pile of schlock that was “Transformers 2” should be nominated for a slew of Oscars. It should be about new and innovative titles that re-invent how you think of video gaming as a whole.
And, no, I’m not talking about Flower.
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The ‘no sequel’ argument holds no merit. It’s Batman. It’s not a new IP.
Batman first appeared in 1948 and has had more content published with his name on it than any IP in video game history, including Mario.
Uncharted 2 all the way.
I agree with you, on all points. I would be disappointed if MW2 wins, because as good as it will be (I’m not even a FPS fan, but I’ll be at least renting it), it is going to be a lot like the first one. Batman hit that perfect stride of being easy to get into, but hard to master, and the cinematic presentation was right up there with the best. I don’t have a PS3 (yet…fingers crossed for christmas though), so I haven’t gotten to play Uncharted 2, but again, I’ve heard it’s alot like the first one. They are all great games, but I think Batman should come out on top.
Okay, yes, Batman wasn’t INVENTED this year.
You got me, Keith.
/eyeroll
In your defense, Batman is really damn good. In my mind a solid contender for number 2.
But if you take a step back and really look at it, you’ll realize that why it’s good is because Rocksteady did absolutely nothing new. They took the established character and followed it like a blueprint without deviation. They didn’t ‘create’ anything. They didn’t make their engine. They didn’t even cast the VO. They were given a winner on a silver platter and they ran with it.
Keith has a point. It didn’t take much for them to be better than all the other Super Hero games out there. The best one before this was Wolverine. And that was just decent. So to be better than something decent isn’t really an accomplishment :p
Here’s the thing. Batman shouldn’t be penalized for doing all of that right. The whole problem with batman games up until this point is that they didn’t take the time to build the game around the character. Rocksteady finally did that. Every game borrows from other things, it’s just how you put it together. Naughty Dog slapped indiana jones and Laura croft together and “pop” out came nathan drake. Does that him any less of a great character, no, but he’s also not the most original character ever created. They already had a framework from uncharted, and built off that. I haven’t seen a combat system like batman’s ever, yet uncharted has gunplay and cover, which we’ve seen in almost every other action game this year. Just sayin, I think you’re selling batman short. Oh, and quick thing to Timewarp, calm down man. It’s game of the year, not an election.
Batman is by far the best game of this year. No game ever to me at least as been as immersive as this game has been. During Extra Life I played Gears 2 for a couple of hours but Arkham Asylum for the rest of the time and I wasn’t bored at all. The combat is fairly easy to master and the upgrades add a new depth. The story and voice acting is superb. I regret that I got the 360 version for this game as I have no doubt the PS3 version is nicer. The only thing I didn’t like was retracing my steps to find all the riddles but you’re doing it with new gadgets so that’s a plus but still annoying. Also there’s no charge for DLC at least as of right now that I know of.
Modern Warfare 2= Modern Warfare 1 plus stuff
Uncharted 2= Uncharted 1 plus stuff
Batman: AA= …..?
That’s what I’m saying with “sequel”. Taking an already large game with 75% of the game mechanics in place and improving on the baseline. What did Batman have to start with?
in what world is batman AA better then uncharted 2? I know i’ll be insulted by every single person on this site but there’s no way a game as awesome as uncharted 2 can be beaten by anything this year. GAME OF THE YEAR. Also for batman NOT to be a sequal you would have to forgot all the comics, games, movies, cartoons and toys made for batman where as uncharted has only had two games. If anything uncharted 2 is way more original.
I’m not saying this as a PS3 fanboy but as a gamer, uncharted 2 deserves game of the year. Though that being said i would rather batman took the gold then MW2. How can you call it game of the year it hasen’t even been out most of the year! Therefore we weren’t enjoying it for most of the year also to any MW2 fans planning on insulting shanghai. SHUT UP. F**K OFF YOUR OPIOUN IS WORTHLESS!!
@KnightofOA
i know but i think we can both argree that it’s ounce in a fricken blue moon that PS3 gamers have something to be happy about so i really want to see Uncharted 2 get game of the year though if it keeps it away from modern warfare 2 sure give it to batman: AA.
We all knew that PS3 fanboys would want uncharted 2 to win and 360 fanboys would want ODST to win.
Haha, yeah, I’ll give you that.
ANY game of the year nominations are strictly opinions – it also depends how you define game of the year. For some it could be just the game you spent the most amount of time in or had the most fun playing, for me that very well might be MW2 but will that be my GOTY, who knows.
Is this your opinion on Batman because it is your first Platinum Shanghai? you know… the one that popped the cherry?
lol
it’s a fricken platinum not losing your virginity or do you feel the need to make that comparison to insult shanghai becasue you never got laid?LOL ^_^
Apparently, “lol” has to be capitalized, for timewarp to understand. Not to mention the fact that Shanghai is on both my xbl/psn friends list, and was a jab at how excited he was for getting the platinum. Also I believe you violated Rule # 267 in the Blogging/Wordpress Code of Ethics. It states: “One can not post comments, until said commenter’s balls drop”…. sorry bro.
Demon’s Souls, man.
Completely original IP that completely rocked.
The main obstacle with Demon’s Souls being a contender is the game mostly has niche appeal. It is a very good game, excellent in some peoples opinion, but I do not foresee Demon’s Souls being included on the list of nominees.
The no sequel argument does hold water IMO, it’s the first Batman game from Rock Steady. Batman AA would be my choice. It was just too damn good. Uncharted 2 was good too but it didn’t really reinvent itself over Drake’s Fortune, it brought just more of what made the first so awesome. I hate stealth games and I loved Batman AA, that is saying something.
If you’re looking for GoTY material, you can’t go past America’s Army 3.
XD
Modern Warfare 2 should win nothing ever until dedicated server support is back on PC.
If the lack of dedicated servers cause issue with the online gaming experience, then such complications will most likely be factored into receiving awards. However, if the online experience is not affected I see no reason why such a factor would be included in any award decision.
Without a doubt anyone who knows me knows I’m big on PS3. With that said I still do like and enjoy my 360. With that said Game of the Year should be about one thing and one thing only. A game that pushes boundaries, sets standards and delivers on every front. MW2, and Batman are amazing and will be amazing, but both do not push the kinds of boundaries and set bars like Uncharted 2 does. Uncharted2 Delivered Graphically, Mechanically, and Theatrically better then any game before it.
With that said try to remember I’m not knocking Batman or MW2. Both games look great, and play or will play as badass as there predecessors but with that said do you Back a game that is great or do you back the game that is great and setting all new standers to push more games into becoming the best they possibly can?
@droozy
obviously you didn’t spot my LOL at the end either indicating you obviously didn’t notice that my post was a joke. I know your both friends and for the record i’m actually 18 so you kinda messed up there.
I’m not a douche, just a person who would like to think he’s an awesome comedian.
yes your hilarious why don’t you invite me to your next show.
Everyone forgot borderlands, apparently.
Hey, you know other games came ou in the first half of the year. Red faction is my pick, but there’s plenty others aside from the games in the Christmas rush, which always seem to get GOTY because everyone is still talking about them.
i liked that too. The concept of being able to destroy everything is what i liked about RF: Guerrila and not that you mention it that should be a strong contender for GOTY but who cares we all know that Modern Warfare 2 is going to win becasue of it’s fanbase and it being the last game to come out,
that and activision’s the devil and they have devil powers.
All three of the aforementioned titles are worthy contenders. For me though, I’d have to throw Red Faction and – if all goes as well as I hope – Dragon Age: Origins into that list.
“Games Of The Year” is more apt competition I think. And to follow the rules set forth by John Cusack in High Fidelity, a “Top 5″ seems prudent, given that this year has seen some truly exceptional releases (wih more to come).
This arguement is not only retarded, it’s offensive to retards!
“Modern Warfare 2= Modern Warfare 1 plus stuff
Uncharted 2= Uncharted 1 plus stuff
Batman: AA= …..?”
WTF!? Batman: AA = he well used Batman IP layered into an action based Splinter Cell /Syphon Filter hybrid.
98% of all movies, games, books & tv are based on a previous mechanic or idea. So by your reackoning Flower SHOULD be the top game of the year as it is not based on anything else! ACtually screw that Flower is based on Starglider from the spectrum if you take it to a logical conclusion. TAking a few “points” because a game does nothing to improve itself is one thing. Or giving extra credit for an original idea is also fair enough. Just try and at least think through your statements logically before hurling them at the screen mate.
As for GOTY we still have 2 months to go yet so how about we visit these topic in mid to late December – unless of course you meant GOTY so far…
Moose
PS Krelith is spot-on, there have been some cracking titles and a Top 5 is going to be hard enough let alone a a No1.
as much as i hate to say it. He’s right, nearly everything is based on something to begin with as everyone whether your a film writter or a games develpor you always get your inspiration from somewhere. Based on that logic we would have to create a brand new idea/activity based on sheer mind power alone for it to deserve game of the year.