I want to first say that I did omit God of War 3 from this list, only because I wanted to approach a more unbiased list. God of War 3 would actually stand where Bayonetta is, since both are very similar action games in gameplay and even in the way the narrative is told, but being surrounded by Western sources, I felt that if I did include God of War instead of Bayonetta, I was being biased towards Bayonetta because of culture. I wanted this list to encompass the best of the West and East that would cover genres across the board. So without further ado…


5)Final Fantasy XIII [International Trailer]
[Storyline]
It’s Final Fantasy, the entire story falls under the “epic” style. You have two large overseeing organizations of the world (Pulse and Cocoon) that cooperated with one another to balance the world. Of course, they erupt into war with each other, and to the present day, Cocoon’s denizens fear the people associated in any form, with Pulse and its peoples. The story opens as Lightening and Sazh are stuck in a vehicle transporting people who have come in contact with Pulse, out of Cocoon. The rest of the story still retains its unique Final Fantasy style with the fancy names so if you’re familiar with any Final Fantasy narrative, FFXIII is no different.

Of course, of all of the things to praise about FFXIII, it would be its graphics. Cutscenes are more incorporated into the gameplay and the animation is simply spectacular. In the story department, FFXIII lacks no beauty and elegance.

[Gameplay]
The improved and smoother turn-based battle system is here! Although I’m alittle disappointed that I can only control one character, FFXIII keeps the traditional ATB (Active Time Battle) system and FFXII’s concept of monsters on an open field. For the characters you don’t control, you have the Paradigm system, where you can set the type of AI for your character (ie, if they’re an attacker, they should be a warrior type. This concept is a little hard to explain, but it is similar to the Gambit system in FFXII). The transition to and from battle is much smoother and combat is much faster. ATB uses time gauges to keep the turn-based system more realistic. FFXIII increases the amount of time gauges and adds an improvement: you can cancel an attack and still use the remaining time in your time gauges. Since the amount increases as you progress in the game, now managing the “time” you spend in combat becomes a new strategy. In addition, the monsters get a gauge too– a chain counter, which also comes into play with strategy.

I never really had this issue, but some have complained about grinding. FFXIII is definitely an anti-grinder. It seems like Square Enix was trying to solve FFXII’s problem– if you finished most of the sidequests before a major plot point, chances are you would be way too strong for the current level’s bosses. From what I can tell, it’s working. So a lesson to all of you… don’t grind. The game can grow pretty impractical if it happens.

[Final Thought]
FFXIII was an overall strong game in a lot of its departments. I agree with most people who would put this in a top 5 for 2010, because it’s a great game to not only to look at, but also to play through. However, amongst the dissenters, FFXIII is mainly attacked for not living up to the “Final Fantasy Legacy” as I would call it. FFXIII is really linear in storyline (it’s like walking in a straight line for a really long time, and then get a cutscene/boss battle and start walking in a straight line again). In addition, in English, FFXIII’s script can sound generic at times. If you’re an fan of the older FFs, then this game might not be the best, but if you want a solid traditional RPG, then FFXIII is a great way to start.

4)Bayonetta [Launch Trailer]
[Storyline]
Bayonetta features a very typical process– the main character is rather amnesic, so the gamer will know as much about her as she will. And then you blindly fight your way through places. In the beginning, you’re introduced with an epic battle scene that summarizes the backstory to Bayonetta– two clans meant to maintain balance, somehow erupts in war against each other, totally annihilating both sides in the process. And here is where Bayonetta takes storytelling in its own unique twist– you’re not left with answers or questions. Instead, you’re given pieces of facts that are shown to you and its completely up to the gamer to tie them together. Bayonetta is in fact, a master of the “show-&-tell” device. There is not one instance in this game where a character leads you to an epiphany explicitly, which understandably makes this game hard to understand. However, if you take a step to review the new information you’ve learned at each cutscene, the story of this witch named Bayonetta, becomes a deep and sorrowful tragedy. In fact, this is the real story of Bayonetta which Platinum Games artfully hidden under the “you must save the world and kill this guy” story.

[Gameplay]
Stylish, fast, over-the-top, exaggerated, and set to the music of some up-beat jazz remix– Bayonetta’s gameplay is flawless and absolutely thrilling. Viewtiful Joe can’t beat its vibe and speed, and Devil May Cry can’t beat its style. You use pairs of weapons at the same time– a combination of devil boots, guns and a katana. The move-set for each weapon on the other hand, is beyond abundant and the variety of chained attacks are infinite. What’s even more impressive is that this game is so smooth shifting between gunfire, physical combat, and magical sorcery/summons that even if you get interrupted by the enemy, you’ll get back into your groove in no time. In addition, you get to battle hordes of angels to a very poppy and upbeat remix of Fly Me To the Moon. Bayonetta’s gameplay is all about gettin’ the groove on.

(Understandably, a lot of people have thought this game to be way to over exaggerated–but that’s a matter of personal taste. In terms of the video game, the gameplay is absolutely vital to who and what Bayonetta is.)

[Final Thought]
I have never had that much fun with a game before. Director Hideki Kamiya was absolutely brilliant for emphasizing one thing about the game– it’s a game, so if the player is going to have fun, what about Bayonetta? In a lot of action games recently, it’s all about saving the world and how grim the circumstances have become, which gets reflected by how serious the action-combat is. Bayonetta on the other hand, wants to have fun while trying to save the world. She has guns on her heels, hair that can turn into demons, and you have endless attacks to chain and murder your enemies with. Definitely a must-play for all gamers who love action, difficulty, and comedy.

3) Red Dead Redemption [Launch Trailer]
[Storyline]
Welcome to 1911, the good (but declining) glory years of the cowboys in the grand American West. You play as John Marston, a former outlaw, unfortunately, on the hunt for his former gang members. His wife and son were taken hostage by the government in exchange for his services as a bounty hunter. Thus, without a choice, he sets out for his former gang members. The narrative of Red Dead is refreshingly accurate historical fiction, as you can easily learn a few history lessons on the declining American West, the growth of romanticism, and the stigma of the industrial revolution on American society. Although the story seems a bit generic at times, there is that old American West allure to it that is simply irresistible.

[Gameplay]
Red Dead, if the story isn’t satisfying, is definitely one of the greatest games to physically play. You’re essentially in a sandbox world, where you freely roam across a prairie on horse, and interacte with the environment as you please. Where FFXIII, as I have mentioned above, is very linear and strict in guiding your narrative, Red Dead gives you the leisure to travel around and enjoy the open air like a cowboy. Of course, being set in the age of cowboys, outlaws, and criminals you get a fame system! So you can get “negative” or “positive” honor from what you do on the side. The type and amount of honor you can get will then affect the NPCs’ responses. In addition, you get yourself a bounty too. So unless you want to start running around like Altair with bullseye on your back, I reckon you do good for the people.

In combat, Red Dead is similar to any shooter– you get to cover and shoot as you normally do. However, Marston gets his own special skill– “Dead-Eye” targeting system. Essentially, you get the ability to slow down a bullet, so you can take precise aim or multiple shots at multiple enemies. When the targeting sequence ends, Marston will fire in quick succession on targeted people and objects. Dead-Eye gets three levels– Level 1 simply slows down time, Level 2 allows Marston to target and shoot enemies while time is slowed, and Level 3 allows Marston to precisely target specific body parts–one used in duels.

[Final Thought]
Aside from being a cowboy, riding your horse across a praire in the 1911 and doing as you please in a beautiful virtual sandbox world, Red Dead is extremely fun. Sometimes sandbox games give too much freedom and no story or the gameplay simply becomes boring because there’s a way to abuse your weapons. Red Dead has none of those problems. It is one of the most well-rounded games that incorporates an open environment (because let’s face it, it’s the American West– you can’t ride a horse under land restrictions), that suits and enhance both story and gameplay. If you feel a little rebellious, with a need of some good ol’ fashion shoot-em-ups, this game is a must.

2) Heavy Rain [E3 Trailer]
[Storyline]
You play as four different people (Ethan Mars, Madison Paige, Norman Jayden, and Scott Shelby) in different chapters of the game. They are however, all tied together somehow because of the “Origami Killer”, criminal who abducts a young boy during the rainy fall season, and leaves this bodies in some remote location discovered a few days later (drowning being the cause of death) along with an origami animal figure in their hands, and an orchid on their chest. This game is extremely grim and almost depressing because of each character’s own anxieties relating the murders and their personal lives. Although the game feels jumpy at first with four characters, eventually everything will come together.

Aside from the plot, the characters of Heavy Rain are amazing pieces of art. Since its your choice to delve into personal matters in your little thought sequences, you get to dive deeper into each character’s mind and relate to them on such a personal level. Heavy Rain proves that in the 21st century, an interactive mystery case still has some magic without the help of a gun.

[Gameplay]
Of all of the games of 2010, I will honestly say that Heavy Rain’s was the most unique. It wasn’t about fighting (but should a fight scene happen, the battle sequence is incredible!) or pure touch-and-analyze investigation. It was about choosing your own options and feeling the the consequences and rewards that follow it using your own intuition. For example, there actually isn’t an immediate “game over”– a character can die, and they just won’t be present later in the game or you’ll just get a different ending. (Expect a few of the endings by the way). In addition, you get to interact a lot with the environment– every little action you do requires a button. At first this seems tedious (since Ethan should know how to climb a small hill without a button for each step), but as you progress, this system almost forces the gamer to coordinate and concentrate as much as they should if they were the character.

[Final Thought]
Heavy Rain is like a psychological and emotional rollercoaster. Even if the general atmosphere is collective, grim, and calm, there is a surprise around every corner for the character. Heavy Rain really takes the interactive mystery genre to new heights on the PS3. It pulled off something that never seemed possible in a videogame, which was watching character development. Sure you can easily spot when the “young boy becomes a man” theme in a lot of video games, but in here, you take each step at a time with each of the characters, following their psychology (and a little bit of yours) to fully understand that character. If you really enjoy a good mystery and great characters to sympathize with, Heavy Rain is just it.

1) Bioshock 2 [Launch Trailer]
[Storyline]
You are back in the underwater dystopia known as Rapture and things just could not get any worse. You play as “Subject Delta”, the very first Big Daddy ever created and he is coming back to save his Little Sister. Of course things are never easy in Bioshock– your Little Sister happens to be the daughter to Sophia Lamb, a woman who is trying to resurrect the lost city of Rapture. Rapture met its downfall years ago when it was promised to be a utopia for all people, featuring genetic enhancements via “Plasmids” which lead to its decline. The story incorporates more of the lovely history Rapture has as you wander about as a Big Daddy trying to stop Lamb from trying to revive Rapture.

Bioshock approaches the narrative in a really different way that doesn’t hinder gameplay at all. You don’t get distracted by a cutscene, in fact, there really aren’t any cutscenes in the game. Everything that is plot-related is actually spoken and described to you. It really makes the game run smoothly and almost uninterrupted.

[Gameplay]
A highly improved battle system– if you love FPSes, this is one with a nice twist. You get your choice of heavy guns, but also a drill (a Big Daddy standard) in addition to Plasmid powers (shooting a lightening bolt or fire, and related magic powers). The game design is much different then a traditional duck-and-cover shooter– you don’t have the luxury to stay still, especially when the game introduces the new Big Sister models. Instead, you have to combine your weapon’s abilities along with your plasmid powers, as well as the environment around you because 1) Delta is extremely slow, 2) a Big Sister loves to run around you, jump, and stick a giant syringe in you, and 3) you want to utilize everything you can. Ammo can run out pretty quickly in this game if you’re not careful. Like its predecessor, the game is dark and grim– you have no idea what’s going to come out at each corner so a battle can ensue almost everywhere.

And the winner for Best PS3 Game of the Year goes to:
Bioshock 2 definitely takes the game of the year for 2010. It’s a very unique FPS that doesn’t take the format of “fight here in this area marked X” and “cutscene after it” and rinse and repeat. The full story of Rapture, Subject Delta, and Sophia Lamb comes from the environment itself. Dairies are spread everywhere in Rapture for you to collect and listen to the stories of Rapture, in addition to in-game character dialogue. Mystery, magic, and terrifying gameplay all rolled into one– this game is absolutely flawless.