My top 10 games of 2009

There was quite a few games I really enjoyed in 2009. This list is limited to games that were released in 2009. Also this list only reflects MY opinion and nobody else’s. If you got a problem with any of the items I’ve listed, you can voice yourself in the comment section. Bear in mind though that I and nobody else I know own a Xbox 360, so games coming out for that console just go past us.

#10 Oboro Muramasa (Wii)

Oboro Muramasa (朧村正) is a game that is one of a kind really. Well there’s Odin Sphere… but anyway. Oboro Muramasa features the most beautiful art style I’ve ever seen, with attention detail beyond my wildest dreams. Playing the game in 480p widescreen is a sight to be hold. Especially when you realize and pause for a second… am I really playing on a Wii right now? The controls are great, although a lot of people complain about “up” on the analog being jump. Then again with the amount of fighters I am playing to me this is perfect. If you haven’t played the game yet, give it a spin. I’ve also done a complete playthrough of Momohime’s story on my YouTube channel.

#9 Arc Rise Fantasia (Wii)

Talk about innovation while properly sending you back to old school. Arc Rise Fantasia has an interesting in battle mechanic which allows you to line attacks up. You are also able to see what your enemies have lined up. Although you don’t know for sure as you can only see icons. And you have to make judgement calls of what you’re gonna do. The strategy in Arc Rise Fantasia is key to most battles in a new area that you access. Once you levelled your characters you can just plow through like you do in any other RPG. Also the skill system in which your weapons carry skills in forms of blocks that once you have enough experience you can remove the blocks and put them on top of other weapons and thus create your ultimate weapon of your choice. ON TOP OF THAT the space where you enter those skill blocks are always the same size, but the blocks come in all forms and shapes. If you manage to fill out the whole block without any gaps you unlock the SECRET of the weapon which is a special skill of that weapon. Be warned though, the game although, beautifully worked out with decent storyline, goes back to basic when it comes to difficulty – if you’re under-levelled and you fuck up, trust me that Game Over screen is gonna be an occurrence that you better get used to!

#8 New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Wii)

Seriously, I don’t think I need to say much about this game. It’s the ULTIMATE platformer of this generation! Hell I’d even go as far as to say, that Mario Bros. 3 has finally been toppled!

#7 Resident Evil 5 (PS3)

Some were disappointed others, like myself loved it. Yes it is more or less Resident Evil 4 in HD. But trust me, the Multiplayer in RE5 kicks ass. And I don’t mean these weird battle DLC things. I mean the actual main game! The unlockables, costumes, Mercenary mode, weapons, upgrades, story, gameplay, milage, everything! This game ROCKS! In fact I am downloading Lost in Nightmares while I am writing this!

#6 Tales of Graces (Wii)

The style of Tales of Graces reminds me a lot of the style of Tales of Rebirth, this mostly due to all the “shiny-ness”. Tales of Graces is a very fast paced RPG when it comes to the battle system. Comparing it with Tales of Vesperia is almost hard, see just how different the battle system is. Of course to some random button masher both are the same though… ;) The story in Tales of Graces isn’t really anything that rocks the boat, but it keeps you interested, and the characters are very lovable. I am not sure if this game will ever make it to the west, but if you speak Japanese and like RPG’s you need to give this a go, let’s face it your Wii needs something to do!

#5 Half-Minute Hero (PSP)

Half-Minute Hero, oh hells yeah! 8bit graphics, an awesome soundtrack, and saving the world in 30 seconds around a 100 times? Trust you got yourself a winner just with the idea itself, never mind them being able to properly realize this as well. Half-Minute Hero, although a homage to RPG’s isn’t exactly an RPG, it’s more of a strategy game with, captain obvious, time management components. It doesn’t matter what sort of games you like, unless you’re a douche who says crap like “eewww those graphics are shit”, you’ll love this game from the very first second onwards.

#4 Tales of Vesperia (PS3)

Yes 360 owners knew this for quite a while already, but for me 2009 was the year when I was finally able to play Tales of Vesperia as it was released for the PS3. And damn, what a ride! I am not gonna go too long on this one, as the game has been dissected in and out for almost two years now. But jesus I absolutely love this game to pieces!

#3 Final Fantasy XIII (PS3)

Ok screw all of you, I like Final Fantasy XIII. I also loved Final Fantasy XII. VIII, IX & X were the ones I wasn’t tooooo impressed with. Anyway XIII is a great game, the story stops making sense around chapter 10 or so, BUT I dare you to find a battle system that keeps you going for a 100 hours plus. And I am serious, the battle system alone just keeps you going – it’s that good! I am still on the hunt for my last trophy and I am still not exactly bored of the battle. What I am bored with though is that neither Admantaimai nor Rongui really WANT to give me the fucking Platinum Ignots I need!!! Final Fantasy XIII is coming out in a few weeks, I am sure I don’t need to tell anyone to go and get it, you’re doing it anyway lol.

#2 Bayonetta (PS3)

I was seriously considering to put Bayonetta up on #1 for me, but in the end there was still one other game that just had to take that place. Bayonetta is the perfect follow up to Devil May Cry in my opinion. Yes Devil May Cry 3 was that, but what I mean is, Bayonetta is the perfect evolution. Devil May Cry 3 was finally a great improvement, where as Bayonetta is, again, evolution! Perfect controls, a great array of enemies, boss fights that take your breath away. She’s hot!!!!! Secret bosses, secret costumes, secret weapons, etc. etc. etc. – Bayonetta is a perfect game as far as I am concerned. Yes I know the PS3 version is a bit shoddy comparing it to the 360 but for a lot of people, like myself that would rather die than to give Microsoft any money (Remember? I am a Mac user), we don’t give a toss! :)

#1 Street Fighter IV (PS3)

With a count of over 700 hours played on this game (and that’s just what my save file says under “play data”), and still hitting practice mode, going to the arcade, ranking battles, SF4 events, etc. – there’s absolute no other game in 2009 that could’ve beaten this game for me. As for 2010… yeah SSF4 WILL take #1 probably… most likely… I’d be surprised if there’s ANYTHING that could prevent that lol.

Well that’s that!