Pads & Panels

#2 – Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (360, PS3, PC)

Publisher: Activision – Developer: Infinity Ward

Our Review

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Yes, the story may be a bit jumbled when compared to the first Modern Warfare, but damn it, this was the most balls-to-the-wall action-packed single-player experience in a first-person shooter. Spec Ops is an excellent test of individual skills and teamwork in challenging and downright cruel missions. Then there is the absolute best multiplayer component that makes so many leave their current shooter of choice to join the ranks. It makes me abandon my Halo devotion and obsessively dole out the punishment to my enemies. Never before have I been so focused on my kill-death ratio or on learning map layouts in such a hardcore fashion – and I played Halo 2, 3 and MW professionally, so to me that is a feat in and of itself.

There are checks and balances to every weapon/perk/tactic that the excuse for failure rests on the player’s skill and lack of communication. It is the most balanced shooter on the market, bar none. Infinity Ward lived up to the lofty expectations placed on its sturdy shoulders and created the pinnacle of online shooters that all others will be compared against. –John (more…)

#3 – Plants vs. Zombies (PC)

Publisher: PopCap – Developer: PopCap

Our Review

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Popcap strips down the tower defense genre so anyone can jump in, then level-by-level builds it up to perfection. Players place various plants to defend the house from waves of the undead. Everything’s got character, and it is damn near impossible to play this game not sporting a big smile. The pacing is perfect and is constantly mixing things up before any repetition sets in. Plants vs. Zombies is rounded out by a good sense of humor and a soundtrack guaranteed to get stuck in gamers’ heads. (more…)

#4 – Assassin’s Creed II (360, PS3)

Publisher: Ubisoft – Developer: Ubisoft Montreal

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Assassin’s Creed II is the best example one can give of a developer listening to the criticisms of its first game and addressing the problems, adding compelling elements and continuing a tradition of innovation. For an open-world game, Assassin’s Creed has purpose in all of its actions and activities, creating a sense that even when running around jumping and climbing it is all part of a larger, grander scheme. This interconnected nature lends thematic credence to Ezio and his revenge quest through Italy during the Renaissance.

The first Assassin’s Creed was a successful title that sold extremely well, but turned out to be a polarizing game, dividing its audience for a number of reasons. It is a testament to Assassin’s Creed II that it can easily bring back the wayward souls that abandoned the first title and create passionate fans who will anticipate the inevitable third game. Assassin’s Creed II is a stunning achievement that should not be missed. –John

And the “Best DLC of 2009” is… (more…)

#5 – Street Fighter IV (360, PS3, PC)

Publisher: Capcom – Developer: Capcom

Our Review

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It’s the game that not only brought fighting games back to the forefront, but reminded game fans that side-by-side fighters are awesome. Street Fighter IV makes a striking first impression with its three-dimensional fighters represented in oil paint and water color graphics on a two-dimensional fighting plane – then blows gamers away with its technical prowess and sophisticated combat system. Street Fighter 2 was gaming’s widespread introduction to the fighting genre. SFIV is a reintroduction to the glory days and a commitment to the future. –John

Street Fighter IV had a lot to live up to and pretty much nails it. The only thing missing is the arcade cabinet. In true Street Fighter fashion, a pseudo sequel is on the way. –Kevin

And the “Best Sports Games of 2009” are… (more…)

#6 Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time (PS3)

Publisher: Sony – Developer: Insomniac

Our Review

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As a PlayStation 2 gamer who has played every title in the Ratchet & Clank series, I fully expected more of the same with A Crack in Time when I received my copy for review. A hell of a lot of fun, dialogue packed to the brim with puns and double entendre, and gameplay remaining mostly the same, with some fun new additions and small mistakes here and there. To my surprise, I found the game was damn near perfect, a culmination of everything I have loved about the series for years. And the addition of the time-bending elements gave the game some new flavor, and for a series that has always excelled in interesting characters, this is the best story they’ve received yet, with an incredibly touching ending for the heroic duo. As redking pointed out in a comment following my review (and accurately), there is one piece of audio dialogue missing (though the subtitles still appear) during one specific portion of the game. So, maybe it’s not “perfect,” but no game really is. If that’s the kind of thing that kills the deal on a game for you, then maybe Ratchet & Clank is worth skipping. If you see it as a minor indiscretion that does little to kill the momentum of a great game, then Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time is yet another great reason to own a PS3 this year. –Bill

And the “Buy It For the Kids, Play It Yourself” Award goes to… (more…)

#7 – Batman: Arkham Asylum (PS3, 360, PC)

Publisher: Warner Bros. – Developer: Rocksteady

Our Review

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I still remember when I first started seeing screens of what was to become Arkham Asylum in magazines and online. The graphics looked phenomenal, but the number of times Batman has fared poorly in the game realm combined with my general distaste for licensed games over original IPs left me incredibly skeptical about it. Sometimes it feels so great to be proven wrong. Not only is Batman: Arkham Asylum one of the best games I played all year – from the brilliant Scarecrow moments to the general ability of Rocksteady to turn Batman’s traits into a game, successfully – but it is so faithful to the property, with a great new story written by Paul Dini, a great use of the villains and a setting that left me in wonder as it changed throughout. I know at some point I’ll regret it, but Arkham Asylum quickly changed my impressions from skepticism to begging for more of this comic property. –Bill (more…)

#8 – Shadow Complex (XBLA)

Publisher: Microsoft – Developer: Chair Entertainment

Our Review

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Take equal parts Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, Super Metroid and the technical prowess of today’s consoles; put them together and you’ll get Shadow Complex. As the standout Xbox Live Arcade game of the year, Shadow Complex has erased the public’s preconceived notions of what a downloadable title can be, and what the next year might have to offer. Shadow Complex could have been released as a disc-based game and I’d still snatch it up. –John (more…)

#9 – Left 4 Dead 2 (360, PC)

Publisher: Valve – Developer: Valve

Our Review

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Despite weak complaints that the game is only an expansion of last year’s original, Left 4 Dead 2 clearly stands as one of the year’s best games. It significantly expanded upon multiplayer mode, and additional special infected and arsenal upgrades provide for a deeper and more entertaining experience than ever before. Scavenge mode alone will provide gamers with hours of online value without having to dedicate large chunks of time to the single playthroughs of the campaign. On the other side, campaign scoring has been refined, and games are much more intense due to the variables presented by the upgraded AI director and more detailed and expansive levels. Teamwork for the survivors is more important than ever, as the new infected are excruciatingly difficult to handle when wielded by adept teams, and playing as special infected becomes more of a pleasure because of the new additions. Graphically, the game looks great, and frame rates hold up well, even when the hordes get overwhelming. The sound and overall art direction also deserve commendation, as they really complete the game and make it feel as desperate and tense as the zombie apocalypse should be. Although this is the game everybody expected last year, L4D2 is a multiplayer masterpiece, and deserves its spot in our Top 10. –Dan

And the winner for “Best Peripheral” is… (more…)

#10 Forza Motorsport 3 (360)

Publisher: Microsoft – Developer: Turn 10

Our Review

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There were a number of notable racing games that released this year and many of them were great, but then Forza 3 hit the pavement. With its assortment of racing variations, abundance of vehicles, beautiful tracks, perfect controls and stunning graphics, it’s a no-brainer that Forza 3 officially begins Pads & Panels’ inaugural list. Hardcore simulation fans have so much to tinker with and delve into while arcade racers can sit back and relax. The accessibility offered to players of all backgrounds is the most impressive feature and all but guarantees an obscene amount of playtime when combined with the excellent career mode. –John

And the award for “Best Distraction” goes to… (more…)

Honorable Mentions

Creating a Top 10 list for a year that’s been as great as 2009 is no easy task, and some really awesome titles must be left by the wayside, especially when five people are trying to collaborate and come to a consensus on the definitive best of the year. We just didn’t have the heart to leave these five titles without recognition, though, as they are all incredibly deserving of spots on any year-end list. So the honorable mentions are effectively our #11-15 picks, but they are presented here in alphabetical order, rather than ranked. Enjoy!

The Beatles: Rock Band (360, PS3, Wii)
Publisher: MTV Games – Developer: Harmonix

Our Review

I gave The Beatles: Rock Band a perfect score when I reviewed it on the premise that it is the best example of the music genre to date and sets the bar for creating a licensed title with absolute respect. At the end of the day, is The Beatles: Rock Band another rhythm title, varying little from the others in the series? Sure. But that doesn’t take away from the pure bliss of playing through The Beatles’ career with different generations in the same room, using three microphones to create true harmonies. Add to that recreations of the early days of the band’s career and dreamscape studio moments, and it is the best music installment yet, handily earning a spot as an honorable mention for 2009. –Bill (more…)