Eurogamer's Game of the Year 2009

By Eurogamer staff Published 31 December, 2009

"Man only interested in the climax."

"Man only interested in the climax. You must be a real hit with the ladies."

12 months have passed since we crowned LittleBigPlanet our writers' game of 2008, and as your mousewheel has no doubt just informed you, Sony has made it two in a row. Having compiled votes and considered pleas from over a dozen staff and contributors, we can reveal that Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is Eurogamer's Game of the Year for 2009.

As was always the case with the business end of what used to be our Top 50 Games list, the vote was far from unanimous, with strong support for Batman: Arkham Asylum and Demon's Souls in particular giving Sony and Naughty Dog's action-adventure a run and a jump for its money. But unlike last year's victor, Uncharted 2 does enjoy the honour of being more of our writers' number one choice than any other, as well as appearing on virtually every voting form.

As you may know, it's already the first 10/10-scoring PlayStation 3 exclusive in Eurogamer history, and we've lavished it with praise once already in our festive rundown of the games of the year. But apparently we just can't get enough. Read on to find out why Uncharted 2 won so much of our applause - and, in strongest Eurogamer end-of-year tradition, why a few disagree.

"You just count to five and pull the cord. Easy, right?"

'Eurogamer's Game of the Year 2009' Screenshot 1

Dan Whitehead has contributed to Eurogamer for nearly four years. In 2009 he reviewed Batman: Arkham Asylum and Killzone 2 among many others.

"A thoroughly deserved victory," Dan argues. "It was a close race between this and Batman to receive my sloppiest of kisses this year, and the fact that the caped crusader squeaked into my top spot may simply be due to the fact I spent a lot more time on his game than in the company of Nathan Drake.

"Much like Batman, on the surface Uncharted 2 doesn't do anything particularly noteworthy. It doesn't redefine genres, or reinvent physics. There's no eye-catching gimmick or new twist. It's a game built around solid, well-crafted gameplay mechanics rather than marketable press-release bullet-points. The result is simply a phenomenally polished action-adventure, packed with instantly gratifying spectacle and adventure - the core of what gaming is all about."

"Great, power's out, and a girl's trapped. I swear to God, if there's a Zombie around the next corner."

'Eurogamer's Game of the Year 2009' Screenshot 2

Ellie Gibson is Eurogamer's deputy editor. The past 12 months have brought her face to face with Mark Rein and Milo and Molyneux, and foot to backside with Tony Hawk: RIDE.

"After all those years of brown first-person shooters and games set in mutant-infested post-Apocalyptic American cities," says Ellie, "I was glad to see beautiful, colourful action-adventure games make a comeback in 2009. Especially following Tomb Raider Underworld, which was something of a disappointment despite the fact it marked a return to the series' roots and had Keeley Hawes in it.

"Good job, then, that Naughty Dog decided to return to Tomb Raider's roots too with Uncharted 2. I'll always love Lara more than Drake, but his silly wisecracks and stubbly chin grew on me this year. Tight pacing, rock-solid gameplay and a storyline that is almost not completely rubbish despite the fact it's in a videogame are combined in one visually stunning package.

"It makes you realise you're not the only one who still likes games about climbing and puzzle-solving, and glad that studios like Naughty Dog are still putting in the effort to make imaginative, great-looking games like this."

"Oh crap."

'Eurogamer's Game of the Year 2009' Screenshot 3

Simon Parkin is one of the nicest people you can possibly hope to meet, and has been politely taking names for Eurogamer for over four years. This year he went all Columbo on Tim Langdell and also reviewed Modern Warfare 2 and Street Fighter IV.

"This is the problem with blind democracy: it reveals the group's true feelings. Because, ask any of Eurogamer's writers to individually name their favourite game of the year and I doubt many would hoist this unapologetic blockbuster onto their shoulders," Simon begins, having clearly not read the intro.

"There's nothing wrong with a big, dumb feel-good matinee, and Uncharted 2 certainly deserved every accolade laid at its feet, but is that really what we're going to point to as our very medium's best in the last 12 months? Dead Nazis, yetis, stubble and one-liners? It's like picking The Temple of Doom over the Seventh Seal.

"As a piece of spectacle, Nathan Drake's rip-roaring adventure is certainly peerless in 2009: not even Modern Warfare 2's airport massacre scene could top its parade of arresting set-pieces. It's also a technical marvel, effortlessly outclassing anything else on the platform. Naughty Dog's gleeful trading of the washed-out, desaturated colour schemes that have characterised the mainstream gaming aesthetic for three years for exuberant high-contrast tones bespeaks the developer's wider aim: a celebration of childlike wonder over try-hard maturity.

"But at the end of the rollercoaster ride, there's a nagging feeling: was I, the player, really an integral part of all that? Peel away the visuals and put a sock in Nolan North's mouth (so he can no longer win you over with his warm quips) and the systems that underpin Uncharted 2 are straightforward and lightweight. There are relatively few places for players to feel as though they're doing something particularly well or changing the story in tangible ways. It's closer to an interactive movie than we might wish to admit.

"It may be a stunning, game-changing interactive movie, but in its cozying up to the triumphs and techniques of that elder medium, there's a danger that Uncharted 2's success may take us away from the potential that videogaming has twitching in its womb."

"There's a guy below you, there's a guy below you!"

Kristan Reed edited Eurogamer for over five years and remains one of our most passionate and outspoken contributors. This year he reviewed Resident Evil 5 and, among many other things, played Fallout 3 long enough to cover The Pitt, Broken Steel, Point Lookout and Mothership Zeta.

"As a piece of cinematic entertainment, I loved it more than any game this year," Kristan begins. "The characterisation is superb, the pacing is spot-on, and the action unrelenting. As a spectacle, there's nothing quite like it. Naughty Dog can feel justly proud of its efforts.

"But purely in gameplay terms, was it really that outstanding? The shooting mechanics felt resolutely old-fashioned, and the over-reliance on excessive headshots to bring anything down felt cheap, repetitive and eventually irritating. I kept wondering why Naughty Dog didn't go for something more flexible and interesting, such as allowing players to target limbs to slow enemies down. In many ways, it still felt like a game bogged down in early-decade design.

'Eurogamer's Game of the Year 2009' Screenshot 4

"And as for the platform-puzzling elements, I couldn't escape the feeling that Uncharted 2 was content to play itself half the time. Being nudged along at every turn, and being able to make hilarious leaps of faith - and succeed nearly every time - wears thin after a while.

"If the game did anything brilliantly, it was giving players the illusion of success, with none of the frustration associated with so many videogames. But with so many concessions to player skill now present, the challenge was utterly neutered to its ultimate detriment."

"Despite my prattling niggles, I still enjoyed the game immensely, but it was by no means as outstanding as the potential suggested."

"Yep, that's my blood... that's a lot of my blood..."

'Eurogamer's Game of the Year 2009' Screenshot 5

Tom Bramwell is editor of Eurogamer. He wrote all sorts of rubbish in 2009, probably the most relevant rubbish being our Uncharted 2: Among Thieves review.

"So, last year LittleBigPlanet, this year Uncharted 2. What price next year Heavy Rain? We shall see, but you can already observe something fascinating about the mythical console war: following 2005's grand old E3 faceplant, Sony's grand old fightback is being fought by sharing, accessibility and drama - a far cry from the shock and awe of Xbox 360.

"Anyway, Uncharted 2 is a game I would recommend to any Eurogamer reader, and I do. As others have pointed out, it is slick and easy to play, beautiful to look at and charming and funny to spend time with. It is, as the TV ads keep reminding me that I said, an 'action-adventure masterpiece'. It may be a game about running around the world trying to beat a mad Russian to buried treasure, but few if any games have ever combined the qualities with which it has been imbued with this much confidence, style and mass appeal - and I doubt many will do so again, either.

"All the same, Simon and Kristan's criticisms elsewhere today are all valid. The mechanics are old-fashioned - flashing hidden treasure, for goodness' sake, and clumsy and shallow combat - and at times it's second only to Ubisoft's flawed but well-intentioned 2008 Prince of Persia in holding your hand through grand platform puzzles, which you just as frequently ride along with as solve.

'Eurogamer's Game of the Year 2009' Screenshot 6

"And while Uncharted 2 is a breakthrough, gaming still does lack its Ingmar Bergman, even though it does - thankfully - already have its Ken Levines, Clint Hockings and Chris Avellones. It is easy to raise Uncharted 2 up to mainstream scrutiny and watch it thrive, but if this is to be our champion in the battle for broader cultural recognition then it is slightly depressing to realise it projects a medium that hasn't moved on very much from the days when videogames literally were just childish pursuits.

"But perhaps, in our desire to appear all growed up, we're forgetting a few things. It may be dull to applaud Uncharted 2's technical qualities - the fact that characters are able to interact convincingly with each other, even embracing and finishing one another's sentences - but these are qualities so rare that you might be better off looking for your own Cintamani Stone than seeking out another game to offer them.

"It's also attractive to describe Uncharted 2 as a matinee adventure, as common as muck, and it would be excessive to claim this is our Raiders of the Lost Ark or Star Wars, but it wouldn't be excessive to argue that key sections could live comfortably in the same sentence as either, nor that getting even vaguely close to those would be a triumph. Just ask George Lucas how difficult it is.

"Finally, those disturbed by its success and the message it may be sending out - however benign and basically wholesome - are perhaps forgetting the game's ultimate comfort; the one section of Uncharted 2 that I would happily show friends and relatives who probably last saw me playing games when it was Super Mario World, and need an update. It's still my favourite thing in the entire game, and my most memorable gaming moment of 2009 from arguably 2009's best game: the bit where everything stops, and you walk through a village where nobody speaks English, observing people going about their lives and smiling nervously to the locals.

"If Uncharted 2 is a sign of things to come, I'm really happy with the smallprint on the signposts as well as the whopping great headlines. In our lust for subtlety and substance, we must not forget that its success and inherent quality is founded in both."

Check out the Eurogamer Readers' Top 50 Games of 2009 for another take on the year.

Picture of Eurogamer.

About Eurogamer staff

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Comments (95) Latest comment 2 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Segnit #1 2 years ago

    Wow, a bit early for a new years present isn't it? But thanks EG for a fantastic year!

    Haven't yet played U2 but its now the next game on my list this! Happy New year everyone!

  • Bill Gates is Evil #2 2 years ago

    Mentioning you are 'first' means you're very likely 'last' in many other, more meaningful aspects of life.

  • buggrit #3 2 years ago

    Really? Not exactly for me, but I can see why others love it so much and it is certainly one of the best-looking games of this gen.

    /waves Trials HD banner

  • Shrui #4 2 years ago

    Loved Uncharted 2 so much. At first I was frowning at the gameplay criticisms but when I thought back to the game I couldn't actually remember having much meaningful input into it either.

    Its a comment you could make about a lot of games I'm sure but not a cause for concern. That UC2 & Batman has shown the game can still be absolute entertainment anyway and we love them for it. It's nothing new, I felt the same about Half Life 2 and I'm sure others if I could be arsed thinking about it. With these games they are great for the experience, Uncharted 2 for the blockbuster film feel, Batman for immersing you in Batman world. They also have a set story to tell, which could be diluted if you try to bring too many other gameplay mechanics into it.

    And I wouldn't worry this is becoming the norm - There are also plenty of games that let you do things your own way as well. Dragons Age, Infamous, Mass Effect, Fallout 3 etc. Games where your choices have a notable effect on the feel of the game and some of the outcomes (but not always the actual main plot).

    And then you have some in the middle with minor upgrades, like Red Faction:G or most MMORPGs where you have some choice to your own development but has little effect on anything else (yeah, I know Batman has some upgrades but I didn't feel it affected the overall gameplay much).

    I reckon this just reflects that we have a range of different types of games in the same way as other entertainment media do and we should be quite happy about it. As long as we are getting the quality in some respect that we don't feel we've wasted £40 (or more if its an activision title). If Naughty Dog feel like making Uncharted 3 somehow a magical mix of all of the above and get it just right then I'll only be too pleased of course!

  • EmiliasHorse #5 2 years ago

    I really must stop using the PS3 as a Blu-Ray player and buy UC2, I know I am missing out.

  • Kapo! #6 2 years ago

    2009 has been a great year to own a PS3.

  • freakzilla #7 2 years ago

    @ Emilia'sHorse

    Honestly people like you really piss me off. PS3 was never just a bu-ray machine, have you been watching your blu-rays in a cave during all of 2008 to now?

    I'm getting sick of people with the backhanded compliments.

  • Fatallyflawed #8 2 years ago

    I was pretty late in getting a PS3 but got Uncharted with it. I enjoyed it so much as soon as I had finished it I bought UC2,which was even better. I'm not saying that it isn't a great game but it's no where near my game of 2009

  • drxym #9 2 years ago

    "There's a guy below you, there's a guy below you!"? Thought it was "There's a guy above you, there's a guy below you!".

    I thought Uncharted 2 was a great game and it managed to avoid the worst cliche of the first game - exploding barrels. A well deserved win for some of the most mind blowing set pieces in ANY game on ANY platform. Some levels are such a technical tour de force that you can't help wonder how they possibly managed it.

    If I had to gripe (and its a minor one), the game overused fire ladders as a way to block access to new areas. Must have been 4 or 5 times where you boost someone up and they kick down a ladder for you. You'd think Drake (who has no problem jumping 3 metre chasms in ice caves) would just stand on a box or something.
    Edited by 1 at 31/12/09 @ 08:29

  • Fletche #10 2 years ago

    Yup, my game of the year simply due to the cinematic experience that was wrapped up in a lovely game. Was a close call with Borderlands though, which for me was the surprise game of the year.
    Edited by 1 at 31/12/09 @ 08:40

  • merkdot #11 2 years ago

    Hated the shooting in the first one. No intention of buying the second one.

  • Charlie_Miso #12 2 years ago

    Must be a hell of an improvement. Am currently halfway through Uncharted One and it's a bit crap.

    Looks good, if you're into that sort of thing. It's no Dragon Quest V, that's for sure.

    Happy New Year people.

  • AHiFi #13 2 years ago

    Please go back to a Top 50 format...

  • sakealex #14 2 years ago

    So the editors didn't really like it but gave it game of the year because the fanboys would be flooding the comments section. This game is so good looking people can't see the shortcomings and would knife you if you said something negative about their game.

  • GitSomE_UK #15 2 years ago

    @drxym

    I didn't mind the kicking down ladders bit. For some reason I just didn't get tired of looking up and watching the female characters climb up ladders.

  • Rack #16 2 years ago

    Great, another article taunting me about buying a 360.

  • FogHeart #17 2 years ago

    Well! I'm not surprised to find it as GOTY. It might not make it as Reader's GOTY, not based on merit, but its console exclusivity may hobble it...there are several multiplatform contenders that can pip it to the post. I shall now stop the racehorse metaphor.

    However there appears to be a reluctance among some EG staff to put their full weight behind it, citing that it simply does what's been done before to the highest possible standard, and essentially we are merely asked to prod Nathan through his story. Here's my take on that...it's often stated that video gaming is still in its infancy. If you accept that, then this baby has to learn to crawl before it can walk. Time after time we see the infant attempting to walk, but to casual observers its movements are sclerotic, imperfect, even unnatural. UC2 is seeing the baby doing the most natural-looking, energetic crawl that it can. As such we're reading anecdotes here of the game observed by non-gamers who watch the game being played with rapt attention. Every game developer should ensure that their game can crawl this well before they try to make it take any kind of baby step.

    Another bloody metaphor...sorry.
    Edited by 1 at 31/12/09 @ 10:07

  • MyAfroAndMe #18 2 years ago

    This is a fantastic game, best I've played this year. Nice one EG. Happy new year.

  • rotmm #19 2 years ago

    @FogHeart, "It might not make it as Reader's GOTY, not based on merit, but its console exclusivity may hobble it...there are several multiplatform contenders that can pip it to the post. I shall now stop the racehorse metaphor."

    This is the other new article on the front page ;)

    http://ww w.eurogamer.net/articles/euroga...

  • FooAtari #20 2 years ago

    @freakzilla

    Have to say I am in exactly the same position as Emilias Horse. My PS3 is almost exclusivly used for BluRay and streaming media from my PC. Never really buy or play games on it. But then the Xbox is exactly the same. Last game I bought for it was Forza, and it's currently the only game I own for it. Havent played it for weeks either.

    I pretty much only game on my PC now.

  • Fab4 #21 2 years ago

    I game for fun....UC2 was the game I had the most fun with this year. So its my own, personal GotY...and isnt that what really counts? Whether you personally enjoy a game, not whether someone likes something else.

  • Vanmunt #22 2 years ago

    I really must stop using the PS3 as a Blu-Ray player and buy UC2, I know I am missing out.

    well, you could do what the xbot person I work with did this christmas... sell his ps3 for £100 and buy a bluray player for £180, serious, he really did it.. now that is brand loyalty.

  • bad09 #23 2 years ago

    @ FooAtari

    You sound like me there! :)

    I will get round to playing UC2 at some point next year though as I did like the first one and like I said on the readers 50 comments I do have access to 2 as the Mrs already owns it.

  • linea #24 2 years ago

    I was expecting to click on this and see Trials HD come up as GOTY to be honest.

    I know the intention of the abandonment of a top 50 was to avoid sniping at exclusions but talking about fewer games, not more, seems like an odd way of going about it. I read EG because it, you know, rates things. I think most readers are grown-up enough to realise that a 1-50 ranking is always going to have a degree of arbitrariness to it but it's still a format which works, and importantly probably stands a chance of giving at least the lion's share of the deserving games which came out this year a mention.

  • Santino #25 2 years ago

    i played and enjoyed this game but i am a bit confused about the sheer amount of overwhelming praise this game gets, to the point where you feel its not safe to make a comment about any of its flaws without getting jumped on. it does what it sets out to do very well but there were a few times i found myself getting a bit bored of the repetitive gameplay elements and there were also a few too many cutscenes for my liking.

    As a technical showcase the game does a superb job but i wasn't blown away by any other aspect which is why i dont really understand the reputation this game has generated, i thought it was a very good game but not a great one.

    Happy new year everybody

  • byakuya83 #26 2 years ago

    I found the gameplay challenging, especially taking out some of the well armoured baddies. Running, ducking, leaping and rolling into cover then popping out to blast the enemies - this game made you feel like an action hero! The train bit was especially thrilling. It even has a fully fleshed out online component that includes co-op play.

    I don't see a problem with being prodded in the right direction when it comes to the puzzle sections - Nathan Drake is an adventurer who takes an interest in ancient artifacts and tales, of course he's going to have a journal with useful notes in it!

    To mention the difficulty of some of the gun fights whilst at the same time criticise the hand holding makes no sense to me.

    Fantastic game and well deserved.

  • chukcyQ #27 2 years ago

    For fuck's sake, stop taking bribes Eurogamer. I bought U2, played that linear tunnel 3rd person shooter for five hours, got stuck many a times, sold away the piece of shit on the second day. We've seen such games for over 10 years, nothing new here.

  • J_C_X #28 2 years ago

    I didn't think it was that good.

    The story and character's are cliched. The gameplay brings nothing new to the table and I don't think it was a vast improvement over Uncharted. It was all a bit samey.

    Game(s) of the Decade - Bioshock/Chrono Cross.
    Edited by 1 at 31/12/09 @ 09:45

  • KayJay #29 2 years ago

    "and as your mousewheel has no doubt just informed you"

    :-)

  • Widge #30 2 years ago

    Best thing I've played all year. Just wanted to absorb it all from beginning to end and actually felt gutted when I felt it coming to a close.

  • J_C_X #31 2 years ago

    Sorry, my game of the year - Batman Arkham Asylum.






  • Katsumoto #32 2 years ago

    @chukcyQ I presume you want the readers to stop taking bribes as well, judging by this

  • IneptPercy #33 2 years ago

    As great as this game looks I just can't justify £250 to play it, as it is with some other PC gaming has taken over.

    Strangely one of the games I enjoyed most was FEAR 2, many won't agree etc but I just couldn't keep off it.

    I suppose tahts the the beauty of opinions, it would be dull if we all liked the same things.

  • irve77 #34 2 years ago

    You know i like this article ... it perfectly shows Uncharted 2's flaws but still doesn't shy away from the fact that it is an excellent experience.

    Like Simon I'm not convinced of it's GOTY credentials or it's 10/10 score ... I would have been tempted to say that BATMAN: AA was a better game and story.

    But anyone who doesn't think it's up there with the best of the year has some pretty large blinkers on. At the end of the day it's hard to be upset with the choice

  • JohnnyWashnGo #35 2 years ago

    Uncharted 2 deserves to be everybodys game of the year. It helped make good on Sonys promise of the PS3 being something special and not just a BluRay player. ND put in a ton of effort to get this game just right and I reckon they got pretty close.

    Both single player and multiplayer offer something for most people and the constant weekend specials that keep cropping up for the multiplayer portion of the game just make it more fun to play. Can't wait to see what they do for valentines day weekend ;)

    If you haven't got a PS3 and U2 yet, what are you waiting for?

  • rotmm #36 2 years ago

    @EarlBasset, "....but a snooty point of view like that is not welcome."

    And there was me thinking that a snooty point of view pretty much defines you.

  • youhavenomail #37 2 years ago

    While neither Nathan Drake nor Indiana Jones has anything to do with Christmas, the Uncharted series delivers over the festive period in the same way that watching Indy's adventures on Christmas Day used to.

    Simple crowd-pleasing big bangs entertainment of the highest order. I pity us for having to live with the fact that Naughty Dog won't be able to offer us one every year.

  • Ryze #38 2 years ago

    No mousewheel required.

    Your Shop.to advert was an immediate spoiler.

    Great, great game, by the way. Now I just need to buy it once it drops under £30.

  • Widge #39 2 years ago

    I think its £29.99 on Game at the moment...

  • Widge #40 2 years ago

    http://ww w.game.co.uk/Games/PlayStation-...

  • TheBrow #41 2 years ago

    Good choice although I wouldn't have cribbed if Batman had won either, they're two excellent games.

    Out of curiosity, what is gaming's Seventh Seal?

  • rotmm #42 2 years ago

    @insane_cobra,

    That comment gave me a slight double-take too. Not that he's wrong about the most popular 360 games being about shock and awe, but the comment from Tom "Sony's grand old fightback is being fought by sharing, accessibility and drama - a far cry from the shock and awe of Xbox 360" seems a little strange when praising UC2.

    At the end of the game I had a killcount in the region of 1000 humans. And why did I kill all those characters? To save the world from being forced to speak German? To fight off an alien invasion? To try and stop a nuclear war?

    Nope.

    For a trinket.

    Not exactly what I would want to promote as good, healthy family fun ;)

  • septimus #43 2 years ago

    Good read. A lot of bitter responses from some of the staff there eh?

    /edit - love the person going through applying '-' to anything positive about UC2. Grow up.
    Edited by 1 at 31/12/09 @ 10:38

  • des #44 2 years ago

    Another pathetic article from EG...yay

  • neems #45 2 years ago

    I have been a (mostly) dedicated pc gamer for a decade now, and I daresay a bit of a gaming snob with it - in platform terms at least, not in relation to the actual games I play. I guess I tend to regard consoles as kinda second rate compared to pc (not trying to be inflammatory, just saying where I'm coming from).

    So I decided to get a PS3, mostly for Demon's Souls and Bluray playback, and it duly arrived this Chrimbo. Of the 3 games I had waiting for it - Demon's Souls, WipeOut HD Fury and Uncharted 2 - it was U2 that I was least looking forward to. I'd heard the hype, and I wanted another game, so I figured why not give it a shot?

    So I popped it in, waited for the install to run its course, and fired it up, waiting to be distinctly underwhelmed from my viewpoint as a member of the pc gaming master race.

    I was wrong. Very very wrong. I don't honestly know if this is the best game I've ever played, or my favourite game, but I do know that this is the most impressive, most incredible gaming spectacle I've ever seen. Yes, it uses well worn mechanics. Yes it is linear. But the design and scale, the epic set pieces, the acting (both voice and digital) - they all raise the bar to a ludicrous degree. And yes it is very pretty, and insanely polished. It is the very definition of a 'Triple A Game'.

    I can understand the gameplay criticisms, but I honestly don't think it matters. It's all about the context, the package as a whole. Prince of Persia may come across as half a game, but I don't think you could say that about Uncharted 2. The game is what it is - balls to the wall, jaws to the floor oh my fucking God spectacular.

    Personally I would say it's more 'Raiders of The Lost Ark' than 'Temple of Doom'. And I would rather watch Indy than Ingmar Bergmann any day of the week (well, maybe not Kingdom of The Crystal Skull).



    Edited by 1 at 31/12/09 @ 11:07

  • makeamazing #46 2 years ago

    I loved the story aspects of UC2, there were some things that i didnt like and one or two levels that were alittle boring, but overall (and thats what counts right), its an amazingly well put together fun game.

    For me AC2 just pips it to game of the year, but its certainly a great game and deserves GOTY. Even if its not my GOTY you can see exactly why it is... its right up there with the best releases of the year. Anyone who doesnt agree, must just enjoy totally different games, and I can respect that, but those that are complaining, please go amd do something else as a hobby

  • Nephirion #47 2 years ago

    Can I vote Infinity Ward and Activision as most customer unfriendly company of 2009?

    These guys even beat Sony and EA as having no respect for the playerbase and communities that make up the gaming scene

  • InfiniteFury #48 2 years ago

    I miss the old countdown format. I'm all for trying a bit of change and there's nothing wrong with this new way of doing things but the 50-1 countdown had become a bit of a nice Christmas tradition.

    Can we have it back next year please?

  • Benno #49 2 years ago

    well deserved, its my goty anyway

  • KayJay #50 2 years ago

    Very impressive post there neems. Enjoyed reading that.

  • MrChuckles #51 2 years ago

    I bought a PS3 this year to play Demon Souls, Valkyrie Chronicles and Disgaea 3 (Yes i'm a geek).. Uncharted 2 came free with teh deal i took, and not being a fan of action adventure games i wasn't that excited... However, best game of the year is a fair assessment.

    For me it is the best Action Adventure Game ever because i actually enjoyed it the whole way through (Apart from the final battle), Batman i gave up pretty early... To make me play a genre that i generally dislike is high praise, the last of which was Braid doing the same for Platformers.

  • curtlikesmeat #52 2 years ago

    I've owned an Xbox since it was launched - finally decided to pick up a PS3 this week mostly for Blu-ray and Little Big Planet (but also since this generation looks like it might last quite a while).

    Uncharted 2 came with it, I'm about 95% done and I thoroughly enjoyed it although I have to say it did at times give me that feel of just pressing a button every now and then to continue the story. Having said that, there's no doubt now that the PS3 is starting to put out some quality to match the 360.

  • AC!D #53 2 years ago

    Best game ive ever played. Rollercoaster ride from start to finish! Well done Naughty Dog!

  • Mysjkin7 #54 2 years ago

    I have to agree with previous posts on the lack of diversity in the new Games of.. -format. The point of the top 50 was not merely a sensational countdown, but also a way to highlight games that escaped many gamers attention, and you don't get that with just ten personal favorites. In places 31-50 you could find some obscure and some less-than-brilliant games that nevertheless told you a lot about the games and trends of the year in general.

    What this year's articles also lacks - except a tiny bit in this last one - is the banter between different writers that I always found worthwhile. So what if some readers can't keep it together in the comments? Surely the top of the year should be a place for discussion and gossip, not a formal and fragmented series that only serves the function of not pissing off Peter Moore.

  • local_celebrity #55 2 years ago

    Some eloquent dissing by Messrs Parkin and Reed there. Tom's a great writer, but I found his defence a bit lacking. It read like a rushed sixth-form essay.

  • gareth886 #56 2 years ago

    Surely nobody can argue with this. It truly is an outstanding game. Its been years since I've played a game that captured the sense of adventure that this game has.

  • Edz72 #57 2 years ago

    As much as I enjoyed U2, imo Demon Souls was easily the best game of 2009.

  • imamazed #58 2 years ago

    fail

  • dsmx #59 2 years ago

    This is the first year where I actually agree mostly with the list. Although I still don't think MW2 should be that high up it was a massive let down in all areas.

  • penguin_overlord #60 2 years ago

    A well deserved victory and, alongside MGS4 and Killzone 2, testament to what the PS3 is capable of. Looking forward next year to the joys of MAG, GOW3 and GT5. Not sure about Heavy Rain yet. The PS3 has certainly found new legs recently.

  • dahsif #61 2 years ago

    Someone just got me Uncharted 2 for Christmas.
    YAY!

  • muscleblade #62 2 years ago

    Its one of very few PS3 games ive finished. I liked it better than Killzone 2 and Infamous (the other 2 PS3 games ive played this year). My GOTY is still Batman AA. RE5, SFIV and even MW2 and AC2 is better games than UC2 IMO. UC2 is the best PS3 exclusive though.

  • fluff_the_tiger #63 2 years ago

    chukcyQ : Do you ever post a positive comment?

  • swelt #64 2 years ago

    I loved almost every minute of Uncharted 2. However I have no real desire to go back and play it again. When I finished Batman, I went on to find every secret, and once I get done with a few other games, I would certainly consider going back and doing a 2nd playthrough. Both fantastic games to be sure, but for me I think Batman had the edge.

  • HokutoNoKen #65 2 years ago

    Merry Christmas and a happy new year to all of you...

  • Killerbee #66 2 years ago

    I loved Uncharted 2 and this accolade is certainly deserved - for me, only Demon's Souls comes close to warranting the top spot instead and since that hasn't had a European release I suppose it'd seem a bit unfair to award it Eurogamer's GOTY.

    But whilst Demon's Souls will undoubtedly soak up more hours of play time, is far deeper and (possibly) even better in terms of its level design and gameplay, Uncharted 2 was a fantastic adventure and it kept me glued to the controller from start to finish - the story, the characters, the set pieces and even the combat, platforming and puzzling were all spot on. It may not be breaking boundaries, but it's one of the finest examples of a video game adventure ever made and for that it deserves all the praise it gets.

  • metalgearsolid4rox #67 2 years ago

    Well done Naughty Dog !
    Well deserved GOTY ! This game is so beautiful that there were moments that I died while looking at its wonderful environments while ignoring whats going on with the game.

  • RESIDENT_nEVILe #68 2 years ago

    @neems

    Totally agree with you statement: "It is the very definition of a 'Triple A Game'." That is why it's a deserving winner.

  • Weezer #69 2 years ago

    I think my copy of Uncharted 2 must be broken cos I think it's tragically overrated.

    EDIT: And yes, I'm painfully aware of being alone in that opinion. Let the marking down commence...
    Edited by 1 at 31/12/09 @ 15:35

  • Beano #70 2 years ago

    Great to see U2 getting EG's GOTY award... a exellent game and well deserved. But my 2009 favorite was Demon's Souls - a shame it was never released in Europe :(

  • Stomp224 #71 2 years ago

    I bought it boxing day (the hints didn't hit home, apparently), and i would say this is 100% justified. Its exactly what ive always wanted since i was 8: to play "Raiders of the Lost Ark". It really is a phenomenal adventure, snap for batman, but that didn't really capture the feeling of being in a Saturday afternoon adventure film as Uncharted did.

    And it has Blue Skies! UK:Resistance must be finding it hard to critisize :)

  • trimblepa #72 2 years ago

    Yawn. Just the top game is rather boring. I and everyone else is aware this is a top game of the year.

  • El-Dev #73 2 years ago

    muscleblade amuses me.

  • SchumiF1 #74 2 years ago

    MGS4 is better, but those idiots called it the 30th best game of 2008.

    That said, Uncharted 2 deserves GOTY.

  • TRUTH #75 2 years ago

    My fav games where in this order:

    1)Demon's Souls (Ps3)
    2)Assassins Creed II (360)
    3)Uncharted II/Batman AA (PS3/360)
    4)Forza 3 (360)
    5)Fight Night 4 (360)

    But the most game I looking forward to in 2010 is actually Dante's Inferno & Darkstalkers - GOW III has seems to lost my interest. For some reason I always found GOW does not interest me as much after seeing and reading and playing the demo of Bayonetta. For a pure action game i'll go for Baynetta as far the best fighting mechanics ever( though only comapring this to Danteo's Inferno & GOW III demos) ...But it's Darkstalkers that seems to give that adventure aspect missing from most games today...I also like the atmosphere and look of Danteo's Inferno (Hell), also developed by the same guys who gave us Dead Space...Can't forget Bayonetta - so-far has the best fighting mechanics ever and got rave reviews everywhere.

    Darkstalkers seems to be getting more & more a must have game!...It's more combat rpg with a mixture of adventure Zelda/Metroid adventure rather then a God Of War fighting clone. The reviews have been AAA ratings so far!

    PS Play Magazine 100%
    Xbox360 Gamer 9/10
    IGN AU 93%
    IGN UK 89%

    Please do not play this game on Default (Normal) setting, as it stripes away the depth and simplified the combat ...For a deeper experience and combat set to 'Apocalyptic' setting.

    Closing Comments (IGN review)
    It's this level polish and creative assuredness that really make Darksiders such a delight in the end. It's bold and recklessly inventive in ways that games rarely are these days, and virtually ever aspect of Darksiders shines with quality, making for an experience that, while not exactly original, still feels fresh, satisfying and, above all else, enjoyable. It's far from the soulless fighter THQ's marketing would have you believe and the deft mix of combat, platforming and puzzle-solving makes for an action adventure that genuinely does feel like an epic endeavour. It's a genre too few developers try their hand at these days and one that's rarely done well. Despite some flaws, Darksiders is an expertly designed, frequently dazzling spectacle - and if it really is the first in a series as Vigil suggests, we're genuinely looking forward to seeing more.

  • oldergamer #76 2 years ago

    Uncharted 2 was, without a doubt, one of the best of the year. But the memory of it has already faded for me. Like a summer blockbuster.

  • drumbaby #77 2 years ago

    I preferred the first Uncharted by a whisker, but yes, U2 = GOTY.

  • rotmm #78 2 years ago

    @Weezer, "I think my copy of Uncharted 2 must be broken cos I think it's tragically overrated."

    No, I don't think it's broken... just that not all games appeal to each gamer in the same way ;)

    Hell, I can't understand all of the hate that GTA4 and Bioshock seem to get these days, as those are two of my fave games of the last few years. However, I appreciate that not everyone has the same taste as me and are perfectly entitled to not feel teh same way about those titles.

  • ziggy_played_guitar #79 2 years ago

    "Sony's grand old fightback is being fought by sharing, accessibility and drama - a far cry from the shock and awe of Xbox 360"

    Shit..., that was painfully childish and most of all inacurate and a public display of ignorance. I think I'll have that Vicodin and a glass of that pink champagne.

  • neems #80 2 years ago

    "Sony's grand old fightback is being fought by sharing, accessibility and drama - a far cry from the shock and awe of Xbox 360"

    I just want to say that if ever there was a computer game that could be said to 'shock and awe', it would surely have to be Uncharted 2?

    Anyways, HAPPY NEW YEAR to one and all. See you in 2010.

  • Jonny5Alive7 #81 2 years ago

    Still would have liked to have read about the other 49 games on the list. Bring back the top 50 next year!

  • Widge #82 2 years ago

    I wouldn't hold out much for Dante's Inferno just because the Dead Space guys are at the helm. It just felt like a "not as good" God Of War. The demos side by side are light years apart in class. DI is going to have a hard time in a market that sees Bayonetta and GOW coming around the same time.

  • merkdot #83 2 years ago

    Bayonetta won't sell that many, sorry. It will have next to no impact on DI.

  • Faldrath #84 2 years ago

    So I've just re-read the 2008 top 50 list after reading this - and I read all the "games of the year" articles as well - and, I'm sorry to say, the top 50 is simply much more interesting and entertaining. It was an idea, and it was worth trying, but... let's go back to the old formula next year, please?

  • TRUTH #85 2 years ago

    Bayonetta scored 10/10 and more then average rate for AAA titles inc Edge magazine and a perfect 40/40(360 version - PS3 scored slightly less 38/40) on Japanese infamous Famtusi games magazine.

    The boss battles, graphics, animation, fighting mechanics and art design all point at this one of the best fighting games ever - yet people simply can't except that it could be better then GOW.

    The fighting once learned id beyond any before it inc GOW. The boss battles are simply amazing...This game is most surly game of 2010.

    Edge 10/10
    Gamesradar 10/10
    Famutsi 40/40 (360) 38/40 (PS3)
    1UP 100/100
    IGN UK 96/100
    NowGamer 94/100

    Better then any DMC, Ninja Gaiden and GOW (not inc III as it's not out) - YES!

    CVG 9/10 (paragraph taken from CVG review)
    Before you write off Bayonetta as a straight Devil May Cry clone, a weird Japanese hack'n'slash, or another sad attempt by a game to be sexy - STOP. Although it has elements of all these things, Bayonetta rises above such simple classification by being the boldest, most explosive and downright unashamed game we've played for years. It isn't a whacky genre game - it actually defines the genre it sits in.
    Edited by 2 at 01/01/10 @ 00:46

  • Murton #86 2 years ago

    I'm kinda surprised that MW2 didn't get this to be honest, I mean for weeks before and after the release it seemed that EG writers were looking for any excuse to drop another MW2 article on the front page, but I guess at the end of the didn't EG must have realised that MW2 just didn't live up to the hype whereas Uncharted was bang on the money exactly what it said it would be, something which is rare in itself these days.

    Personally I'd say that both Uncharted games are must-have titles for any PS3 owner and there was never any doubt in my mind that Uncharted 2 would come out with many GOTY awards, it just has so much going for it. Of all the great games of 2009, and there's been a lot of them, Uncharted 2 is the first one that comes to mind as bringing the complete package. It has a fantastic story and the cinematic feel throughout makes it one of the most engaging games of the year, you just keep going until you're done and clocking in at 10-12 hour depending on player skill it's not exactly short for an action title. The voice acting is truly second to none and nobody will argue that it's not a looker either, I mean it has to be one of the best looking games ever made and maintains a strong technical performance throughout. Though perhaps being a PS3 exclusive it shouldn't be compared to cross platform titles in terms of performance, at least until developers start working on the PS3 properly rather than porting from 360 code.

    But for me, the big winner is that Naughty Dog managed to build game with not only a great single player experience but also a decent multiplayer experience too, something which is all too rare these days where multiplayer is seen as a way of beating the second hand market and therefore takes priority over the single player, which in my opinion is the wrong way to go if you want to win these sorts of awards.
    Edited by 1 at 01/01/10 @ 01:22

  • GamesConnoisseur #87 2 years ago

    UC2 got the accolades, flaws including, the biggest irritant I found was the numbers of times I BUMPED into NPC when I changed direction but not found similar issue with say HL2. So hoping Naughty Dog will take this and other criticisms to make UC3 even more better! Just as they did with first one.

    This game put LittleBigPlanet in it's place, I mean put both head to head... No contest. Still 2009 was a good year for plenty of games, Batman, Trials HD etc.

    Looking foward to 2010 and let us plays even more better games!!

  • Zappa #88 2 years ago

    PS3 owns with back to back GOTY!!

    2010 will be GOW3:)

  • Decap #89 2 years ago

    I havent even tried U2. I remember how everyone praised the first uncharted so highly, and when I tried it It was just a huge disappointment. Nice game yeah but nothing special or noteworthy.
    So after all this hype and seeing the actual gameplay... It just feels all too familiar.

    Maybe from a bargain-bin someday.

  • TRUTH #90 2 years ago

    I was disappointed with UC 1 too!...I enjoyed Unchated 2, but it got a bit seen it done it towards the end. Hated the slow mo fist fighting and the puzzles where way too easy and unoriginal. I also felt it was fairly liner for an adventure game (Tomb Raider Anniversary did a much better job with exploration), also the risk of missing a jump was NON (way to user friendly).

    Good game but I still think ACII did better with gameplay/adventure and graphics where just as impressive too!...also open ended/sandbox and more happening.

    Demon's Souls still my fav GOTY - though dam frustrating at times.
    Edited by 1 at 01/01/10 @ 17:57

  • muscleblade #91 2 years ago

    @truth

    Darkstalkers? You must mean Darksiders right?

    I would like to play Demon Souls but its Bayonetta time now.

  • TRUTH #92 2 years ago

    Yhea sorry I meant Darksiders not D/stlakers - which has been getting positive reviews and more a adventure/puzzle similar to Zelda/Metriod/Castlevania rather then GOW inspired game. Though has plenty of action (Play on higher difficulty to play a more deeper fighting game - not Default setting)

    Bayonetta is the champion in fighting games - Then demo does not do it justice.

    40/40 Famutsi
    10/10 Edge
    10/10 GameRadar
    100/100 1UP
    Edited by 2 at 01/01/10 @ 22:09

  • upselo #93 2 years ago

    It's always disheartening to see you award Game of the Year with such reluctance. Like Uncharted 2 wins but doesn't get much love from the staff.

  • GreyTheColour #94 2 years ago

    Like Bramwell says, gaming lacks its Ingmar Bergman. So, until it does, we can praise our peerless Temple of Doom.

  • onyxbox #95 2 years ago

    I'm still suprised to see Batman AA discussed as a potential GOTY, I didn't think it came anywhere near game of the year. Don't get me wrong, it was entertaining and a well crafted game... but I never got any kind of adrenaline rush from it and it was pretty predictable all the way to the end.

    Perhaps I'm not a big enough Batman fan or something.