Gamasutra's Top 10 Games of 2010, or "A List Worth Reading" - Polidicks

[url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/6246/gamasutras_best_of_2010.php?page=16]Source[/url] Here's yet another "top 10 games of 2010 list". However, there's something that makes this one a bit better than most - it's from a site that's about game development, not game playing, like most. Thus, the list is much less affected by popularity, as shown by the complete absence of Black Ops and Halo. (To be pedantic about it, they only got an "editor's pick", which is a bit lower than an "honorable mention"). I'm only including an abbreviated version of the reasons each game got the award. For the full one, see the source in the first line of this thread. You might want to check it out anyways - they have a bunch of other "biggest __ of 2010", like "top 5 cult games" and "top 5 biggest controversies", which are worth a read if you're into that. 10: Civilization V "It launched with some issues, but like past Civilization games, there will be ongoing updates and improvements to the complex system. Despite any issues, even on release day, Civilization V was still was fun enough to play for hours straight. To call this game a timesink is a disservice." 9: Mass Effect 2 "A sprawling universe, unexpected, clever story developments and a memorable ending (much more so than the original Mass Effect) means this RPG finds fans on both sides of the PC-console divide." 8: Minecraft "The basic human instinct to practice survival through play is woven into the DNA of all video games, but in Minecraft, the indie title that dominated PC gaming in 2010, it's hewn into the very rocks that make up its randomly-generated world." 7: Fallout: New Vegas "So maybe it needed a little more time, but in a year of big blockbusters, a project with a little subtlety, a richly-realized world and a thoughtful, multilayered story came much appreciated." 6: Rock Band 3 "Rock Band 3 has evolved into the ultimate party game not just because everyone loves to play, but because Harmonix puts real thought into making it simple and accessible -- and the studio is at the forefront of U.I. design in the industry." 5: Starcraft II "Innovation was never Blizzard's goal with StarCraft II -- the goal was peerless execution. Just the fact that the incredibly-polished StarCraft II delivered on such inordinately high expectations is enough for it to make the top of this list." 4: Super Mario Galaxy 2 "Galaxy 2 highlights the franchise penchant for inventive design by spreading the by-now-familiar collectible stars across many more areas than previous 3D Mario adventures, each making inventive use of the game's gravity-warping physics and tight controls. The result is shorter, more distinct levels that feel more focused on a single theme, yet without losing the sprawling sense of open exploration that has been a series hallmark since Super Mario 64." 3: Bayonetta "Bayonetta is like a slick, glorious pulp movie, its excesses as celebratory as a Tarantino film. It wages such a calculated, eloquent war on taste that it creates its own style, riotously pleasing to play. It doesn't hurt that the combat feels brilliantly-executed, fluid and hooky as choreography, and that the action sequences are in large part tautly plotted and exhilarating, with storyline and interface that stay wisely out of the player's way." 2: Super Meat Boy "This tough-as-nails platformer is so chock full of content that it'd be a bargain even at boxed retail price, with alternate versions of each level, retro throwback mini-stages accessible through warp zones, and unlockable characters and modes." 1: Red Dead Redemption "RDR presented a compelling open world that players hadn't really been exposed to in games before (at least not this effectively), and the result was a slew of accolades and massive sales. The game does a fantastic job of making the player feel like they're making significant choices, forming relationships (especially with horses), and discovering locations on their own, when in fact their options are rather limited - that kind of trickery is to be praised, since the intent is to entertain the player."\ And, since no list will ever please everyone, I'm going to wager that the games most people are going to complain about are Mario and Bayonetta. I'm going to ask that you don't flame over anything unless you've actually read why it got the award, and preferably have at least played the game being judged.

fuck yeah super meat boy

I was suprised to see Bayonetta in that list. Nice to see the big sellers don't always get a spot on the top 10 lists.

Mostly agreed except for bayonetta better than starcraft 2, mass effect 2 and civilization 5 really?

Another list that is over 50% sequels.

[QUOTE=not_Morph53;27104219]Another list that is over 50% sequels.[/QUOTE] Cause the sequels were the best games?

As much as I like RDR, I have to disagree. It's far from the best game of the year. Also, I lol'd at "forming relationships (especially with horses)". Any sort of positive feelings I felt for my steed ended the moment it wandered into a river of its own accord. Anything that stupid deserves to die.

I just can't see what the fuss was over RDR. I enjoyed playing it, but I can't really see what makes it so special.

why do people like meat boy so much, it is a game based on trial and error and the difficulty is more of a HUR AR U UP FOR CHALLENG PLAY THIS, everything in it is just difficult level design and it is not anything new, not even close to being as good as a fully modeled, textured game from big developers. Making meat boy higher than ME2 is giving all of the developers that made mass effect a big middle finger.

I really gotta ask how this is news. It's 1. An opinion piece and 2. not about current events.

[QUOTE=Lemonator;27104341]why do people like meat boy so much, it is a game based on trial and error and the difficulty is more of a HUR AR U UP FOR CHALLENG PLAY THIS, everything in it is just difficult level design and it is not anything new, not even close to being as good as a fully modeled, textured game from big developers.[/QUOTE] maybe they just actually like a game that's a challenge?

[QUOTE=Lemonator;27104341]why do people like meat boy so much, it is a game based on trial and error and the difficulty is more of a HUR AR U UP FOR CHALLENG PLAY THIS, everything in it is just difficult level design and it is not anything new, not even close to being as good as a fully modeled, textured game from big developers.[/QUOTE] becaue most fully modeled, textured games from big developers are either a variant of Rock Band, Guitar Hero, or another shitty Call of Duty title. Super Meat Boy is original and creative in that it's the only game to come out that is not soley based on "SHOOT THAT BAD GUY, GET POINTS, LEVEL UP" it's about actually trying to do something not just point a gun at someone and press the trigger. With the exception of Minecraft.

[QUOTE=w 1 z;27104428]becaue most fully modeled, textured games from big developers are either a variant of Rock Band, Guitar Hero, or another shitty Call of Duty title. Super Meat Boy is original and creative in that it's the only game to come out that is not soley based on "SHOOT THAT BAD GUY, GET POINTS, LEVEL UP" it's about actually trying to do something not just point a gun at someone and press the trigger.[/QUOTE] Actually you are right get from point A to B after dying 40 times is innovative and has never been done before, the talent of those developers should not go unnoticed.

[QUOTE=gman003-main;27104112][url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/6246/gamasutras_best_of_2010.php?page=16]Source[/url] Here's yet another "top 10 games of 2010 list". However, there's something that makes this one a bit better than most - it's from a site that's about game development, not game playing, like most. Thus, the list is much less affected by popularity, as shown by the complete absence of Black Ops and Halo. (To be pedantic about it, they only got an "editor's pick", which is a bit lower than an "honorable mention"). I'm only including an abbreviated version of the reasons each game got the award. For the full one, see the source in the first line of this thread. You might want to check it out anyways - they have a bunch of other "biggest __ of 2010", like "top 5 cult games" and "top 5 biggest controversies", which are worth a read if you're into that. 10: Civilization V "It launched with some issues, but like past Civilization games, there will be ongoing updates and improvements to the complex system. Despite any issues, even on release day, Civilization V was still was fun enough to play for hours straight. To call this game a timesink is a disservice." [b]9: Mass Effect 2 "A sprawling universe, unexpected, clever story developments and a memorable ending (much more so than the original Mass Effect) means this RPG finds fans on both sides of the PC-console divide."[/b] 8: Minecraft "The basic human instinct to practice survival through play is woven into the DNA of all video games, but in Minecraft, the indie title that dominated PC gaming in 2010, it's hewn into the very rocks that make up its randomly-generated world." 7: Fallout: New Vegas "So maybe it needed a little more time, but in a year of big blockbusters, a project with a little subtlety, a richly-realized world and a thoughtful, multilayered story came much appreciated." 6: Rock Band 3 "Rock Band 3 has evolved into the ultimate party game not just because everyone loves to play, but because Harmonix puts real thought into making it simple and accessible -- and the studio is at the forefront of U.I. design in the industry." 5: Starcraft II "Innovation was never Blizzard's goal with StarCraft II -- the goal was peerless execution. Just the fact that the incredibly-polished StarCraft II delivered on such inordinately high expectations is enough for it to make the top of this list." 4: Super Mario Galaxy 2 "Galaxy 2 highlights the franchise penchant for inventive design by spreading the by-now-familiar collectible stars across many more areas than previous 3D Mario adventures, each making inventive use of the game's gravity-warping physics and tight controls. The result is shorter, more distinct levels that feel more focused on a single theme, yet without losing the sprawling sense of open exploration that has been a series hallmark since Super Mario 64." 3: Bayonetta "Bayonetta is like a slick, glorious pulp movie, its excesses as celebratory as a Tarantino film. It wages such a calculated, eloquent war on taste that it creates its own style, riotously pleasing to play. It doesn't hurt that the combat feels brilliantly-executed, fluid and hooky as choreography, and that the action sequences are in large part tautly plotted and exhilarating, with storyline and interface that stay wisely out of the player's way." 2: Super Meat Boy "This tough-as-nails platformer is so chock full of content that it'd be a bargain even at boxed retail price, with alternate versions of each level, retro throwback mini-stages accessible through warp zones, and unlockable characters and modes." 1: Red Dead Redemption "RDR presented a compelling open world that players hadn't really been exposed to in games before (at least not this effectively), and the result was a slew of accolades and massive sales. The game does a fantastic job of making the player feel like they're making significant choices, forming relationships (especially with horses), and discovering locations on their own, when in fact their options are rather limited - that kind of trickery is to be praised, since the intent is to entertain the player."\ And, since no list will ever please everyone, I'm going to wager that the games most people are going to complain about are Mario and Bayonetta. I'm going to ask that you don't flame over anything unless you've actually read why it got the award, and preferably have at least played the game being judged.[/QUOTE] So you are telling me, that a very good game gets number 9 and a retarded "Super Meat Boy" gets on the second place?

I don't agree with 4 and 3.

I agree with Red Dead being GOTY but super mario galaxy is better than Mass Effect? [img]http://images.whatport80.com/images/9/9e/HA_HA_HA%2C_OH_WOW.jpg[/img]

[QUOTE=Lemonator;27104475]Actually you are right get from point A to B after dying 40 times is innovative and has never been done before, the talent of those developers should not go unnoticed.[/QUOTE] how often the player dies isn't the mark of the quality of the game, it's the level design and gameplay did super meat boy kill your grandma or something? Because, otherwise, there's no reason to get so upset over a video game list. Video game lists are pretty much the lowest form of journalism in the world and nothing to get really invested in

I'm fucking surprised Rock Band 3 was on the list. Was it anything special or what?

[QUOTE=doomkiwi;27104377]I really gotta ask how this is news. It's 1. An opinion piece and 2. not about current events.[/QUOTE] "End of the year" is a current event, of sorts. [editline]31st December 2010[/editline] [QUOTE=not_Morph53;27104219]Another list that is over 50% sequels.[/QUOTE] Weren't like, 50% of the games released this year sequels?

Super Meat Boy is awesome but no way in hell is it better than ME2, wtf

[QUOTE=Lemonator;27104341]why do people like meat boy so much, it is a game based on trial and error and the difficulty is more of a HUR AR U UP FOR CHALLENG PLAY THIS, everything in it is just difficult level design and it is not anything new, not even close to being as good as a fully modeled, textured game from big developers. Making meat boy higher than ME2 is giving all of the developers that made mass effect a big middle finger.[/QUOTE] Big budgets, do not a good game make. I liked Meat Boy better than ME2. I liked the finger cramping difficulty and the creativity behind meat boy way more than ME2. Hell I really liked ME2, but I had some real honest to good fun with Meat Boy that ME2 did not deliver.

I agree with everything on that list apart from Bayonetta. It was a pretty-looking game and had a nice gameplay system but the story was terrible from what I remember.

[QUOTE=Passerby Silver;27104832]I agree with everything on that list apart from Bayonetta. It was a pretty-looking game and had a nice gameplay system but the story was terrible from what I remember.[/QUOTE] Gamasutra seems to think the story counts as "so bad it's good". They like quirky things like that.

I'd agree with it more if the list was reversed.

Minecraft is overrated.

I played six of those, liked four. [editline]31st December 2010[/editline] [QUOTE=Dlaor-guy;27104902]Minecraft is overrated.[/QUOTE] I don't know man it was really fun for a while.

That was not worth a read I disagree with it big time.

oh no opinions whatever shall i do i think i'll try to disagree with the ratings that were subjectively given by people who aren't me

9: Mass Effect 2 "A sprawling universe, unexpected, clever story developments and a memorable ending (much more so than the original Mass Effect) means this RPG finds fans on both sides of the PC-console divide." i'm sorry did they just claim that the ending of ME2 was more memorable than ME1? are you joking me? ME2's story was a joke in comparison to ME1.

Bayonetta before Starcraft 2? Hahahahaha (same with SMG2 being above SC2).