For the Love of Gaming

With 2010 coming to a close the 4LOG crew has chosen their favorite games of 2010. These games are what we had the most fun playing in 2010, and games that we will continue to play well into 2011

Michael: Splinter Cell: Conviction

“…whoa.” That was my first thought when playing the multiplayer campaign of this game. It was deep. It made you feel connected to the characters. And the end just blew my mind into little tiny chunks like I had done to countless baddies with my super sexy, sleek, UMP45. It’s hard to say anything bad about this game. As far as quirks go, they were few and far between and I never experienced anything more than glitches where I would melee kill and enemy and his body would be in some other crazy place, like above me, next to me, or behind me. But I didn’t care because it was just that good. But enough doting, time for details. This game is the fifth installment of the Splinter Cell series and a great addition indeed.  Granted, the graphics aren’t the most brilliant thing I’ve ever seen but they are noticeably good. The layouts of levels were expansive and interesting because of all the different routes you could take to kill and had just enough detail to make it feel real. Sound was also a huge part of this game, both the game noises and the effect of noise in the game. Guns sounded like guns. When I shot down a baddie with my shotgun I felt genuinely sorry for him. It hurt me. But then I got over it. Because he wanted me dead too.

Gameplay itself was phenomenal. The mark and execute feature was ingenious.  You were granted use of it after one melee kill and could mark between two to four targets, depends on the gun, and when activated you took them all out. Perfect, drop-dead headshot accuracy. It was fun AND extremely useful. Fun because I could destroy my enemies with precision, useful because I could take out enemies in dangerous positions, aka where there was a lot of light where I could be seen, shot, and killed. So if I needed to make an opening to continue through the level, this was all I needed. The weapons themselves were great though I felt out of place using my pistol for everything. It was my best friend. My scoped, silenced, extended mag-ed, best friend. The other weapons (sub-machineguns, assault rifles, shotguns) felt less spy-like and I could only silence half of those weapons which defeated the overall feel of the game. The shotguns and the few assault rifles you can’t silence guaranteed two things: your enemies would find you easily, and they wouldn’t be alive for long. The game gave you a tough choice when it came to those weapons. Power? Or stealth?

What’s that you ask? What about the single player story? Well, funny you should ask. It’s about Sam Fisher. Step two, add about three cups of betrayal and mix it in a bowl of revenge. He’s on a mission to get revenge on the man who killed his daughter and the organization that betrayed him. Unfortunately I can’t say much more because I don’t want to spoil it. All I have to say is that it’s amazing. Twists, intensities, and the whole story is recapped through Sam Fisher’s old friend Victor Coste telling an unidentified man the story. Amazing. The multiplayed campaign, in my opinion, trumps this though. You follow American Third Echelon secret agent Archer and Russian Voron secret agent Kestrel through a slowly evolving friendship/story. It starts out the way you’d expect. Archer dislikes Kestrel and Kestrel dislikes him but each mission you do brings them closer together and they actually become…friends! And then tragedy. I can’t tell you what it is but I will tell you it is the single best, most surprising, intense plot twist ever. Ever. Aptly named, the only thing this game should be convicted of is being too good not to own.

Runner Up: Battlefield: Bad Company 2

Chris: Mass Effect 2

There are plenty of reasons why I chosen Mass Effect 2 as my number one game. First off the concept for this game is smart and well constructed. This series is about picking your own adventure of either heroism or destruction for a galaxy, based off the decisions that the player makes. The details in these decisions are what makes this game stand out, and causes the player to get lost into the story. I play games to be entertained by a great story, and with Bioware’s creativity, I can construct my own stories and pursue them in many different directions. There’s also the amazing transfer feature where the player’s choices, actions, and Commander Shepard can be imported from Mass Effect 1 to Mass Effect 2, and soon to Mass Effect 3, that can affect the storyline. There are great connections between these games, that will determine the players overall outcome. The games action and suspense kept me on the edge of my couch throughout my play throughs. I enjoyed overcoming the Geth, uncovering the true identities of the Collectors, and kicking a giant Reaper’s ass. Then there’s also Shepard’s team, a group of outcasts with their own skills, stories, and alien races. I enjoyed understanding each characters background, and how they contribute to the team. My top two choices were preferably Garris with his soldier skills, and Miranda with her biotic abilities. Mass Effect 2 is also a great looking game with its smooth textures and visuals. The worlds and space station’s atmosphere and lighting are beautifully constructed, and the characters facial features seem so real. Most importantly Mass Effect 2 is a fun game. I’ve put many hours into this game and still find it exciting. Mostly because I can take a different direction every time I play. Now I can’t wait to see how my actions and decisions will transfer over to Mass Effect 3, to find out the ultimate fate of humanity, Reapers, and their galaxy.

Runner Up: Bayonetta

Josh: Assassins Creed: Brotherhood

Firstly, I need to explain something.  My wife DOES NOT buy me video games.  She thinks I play them too much, as it is, and doesn’t want to contribute to that.  However, she has watched me play AC1 and AC2, understands the story and is intrigued by it.  She bought me AC:B as an early Christmas gift.  That in itself is huge.

The setting of this game is perfect.  Ubisoft has taken a time period & actual historical figures and morphed it to a point where it’s their own story.  The added information about people and places only makes it THAT much more interesting.

The story sets itself apart in so many ways.  It’s not a typical “shoot this guy because he’s bad”, it’s (again) taking two iconic groups from history, the Assassins and the Templars, and putting a spin on their past in a way that is entirely unique.

The game additions were also very nice.  I feel like there is some customization in the game now — which is a MUST in 2010.  The assassin’s hideout (and objects within) gives a sense of building your own army to take down the tyrant and obtain the Piece of Eden.  I enjoyed burning the Towers each and every time, rather than feeling like it was a grind.

And multiplayer.  I was sceptical at first, but having played a game or two, I NEED to give credit where it’s due.  Multiplayer requries patience, but while you’re forcing yourself to be patient, you’re on the edge of your seat the entire time.  It’s so well done, I can’t put the feeling into words, it simply must be experienced to understand what I mean.

Runner up: Call of Duty: Black Ops

Cory: Super Mario Galaxy 2

Super Mario Galaxy 2 is the definition of fun. Out of every game I played in 2010, Galaxy 2 was the most fun I had. The best thing about this game was the difficulty. It was hard as hell, and I loved being tested in a way that Galaxy 1 didn’t. Every single galaxy was unique and fun to play. While playing this game I never, not once, got angry or mad. If I died it was because of something I did. It tested my patience and platforming skills to the max and when the credits rolled I felt very accomplished.

It still amazes me how great this game looks. When I play Mario Galaxy 2 I sit and wonder how Nintendo gets this kind of quality out of the Wii while 3rd party developers have not come anywhere close. Nintendo has perfected 3D Mario with Galaxy 2, and I don’t think they can make a better game. I will be replaying this game over and over untill i have explored every single nook and cranny.

Runner Up: Call of Duty: Black Ops