2009 In Review Part 2 feature

The Beta test was a huge success and it was clear from our feature on the game that Microsoft had a potential killer app in the works for its Xbox Live program. With series 2 kicking off in 2010, Gamestyle can only recommend that you enjoy your last days of freedom before the addiction takes over. Microsoft also relaunched its homebrew area of the Live series, renaming it Indie Games. Historically this section played host mainly forgettable badly produced titles but the tide is turning with an improvement evident and a surge of new interest. I MAED A GAM3 WITH Z0MB1ES!!!1 is a fine example of a simple idea executed perfectly and pitched at an attractive price point. With most titles offering decent demos we do recommend that you visit the area now and again to see what is proving popular and add your support to a growing and vibrant community. Another strong title for the 360 was Halo 3: ODST that divided opinion at Gamestyle with many enjoying the new adventure and refreshed online options. The backtracking and audio files may have sparked debate but Bungie did provide us with a meaty title that began life as an expansion pack. Speaking of which those unable to go online were delighted when Rockstar released each of the epic GTA episodes in a bargain retail version. Yes, youll note the lack of a link for this game, we do actually have it, but this writer blames Dragon Age: Origins for taking over his life and preventing a full appreciation of the Ballad of Gay Tony and Lost & Damned. Rest assured well address this problem in the New Year.A major surprise for both Xbox 360 and PS3 owners was the arrival of Batman: Arkham Asylum. From the pre-release screenshots we knew that it was shaping up to be a great looking title but Rocksteady Studios had surpassed all expectations. Garry summed it up best when reviewing the game by summarising everything has been crafted with love, and some proper hard graft has gone in to it. Simply put, you have to play Batman: Arkham Asylum to be reminded why you love games in the first place.Before the onslaught of Christmas releases another annual event is the continuing battle of FIFA versus Pro Evolution Soccer. This year was no different with EAs money-spinner proving to be more than a match for the previous champion. Konami have their work cut out to reclaim the title and offer some much needed competition to Electronic Arts slick production. Sadly neither offered a worthwhile management option and this is one gap in the market that many of us are waiting to be filled.The Nintendo Wii continued to offer unique experiences from unlikely sources such as Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles. After the disappointment of Resident Evil 5, Nintendo owners could lay claim to a more enjoyable experience using Resident Evil 2 and Code Veronica as a backdrop to plenty of gun action. The real highlight of the year for the Wii was arguably the arrival of Dead Space: Extraction. A spin off from the marvellous and atmospheric Dead Space, which in our opinion was the best game of 2008, Nintendo owners now had the opportunity to experience an exclusive side story that added more depth to an eerie setting.Formula 1 finally arrived on the starting grid with F1 2009, the first title to benefit from Codemasters agreement with Bernie Ecclestone. While limited by the hardware the game was a more playable title than many of Sonys previous efforts and bodes well for the 2010 editions. A bolt out of the blue for Wii owners was A Boy And His Blob from WayForward Technologies. An enchanting game that will remain overlooked by many and sadly not receiving the recognition it deserves.It seems almost anyone with a console bought Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and made the migration online to the new combat experience. We were impressed by the overall package commenting that Modern Warfare 2 offers you more of the same, but with enough new content and options to demonstrate just what a firm foundation Infinity Ward has built. In terms of size, lifespan and revenue this is the Godfather of all sequels. Yet were fairly pleased with the risks the developer has taken when it could have been so easy to churn out another carbon copy. The end result is a mighty experience full of shock and awe.The great games kept coming with BioWare releasing their take on the classical fantasy setting in Dragon Age: Origins. The result of an epic vision, this huge sprawling RPG will continue to grow in 2010 and represents fantastic value for money. And when Gamestyle took a break from chasing the Darkspawn we could be found on the track in Forza 3, where Turn10 had crafted a powerful sequel that managed to receive our maximum score. Bradley was so enmoured with the experience that he tackled its critics head on; many moaned that the lack of weather effects, the lack of a day night cycle and the omission of minor little bits of personal preference, had meant Turn10 hadn't produced the game they should have. The truth is though, what they have done is refined an already fantastic racing game, given it a much needed lick of paint and really thought about the community.Our resident musical expert Daniel has enjoyed a bumper year with both the Rock Band and Guitar Hero brands going head to head with a variety of releases and exclusive content. Perhaps the most enjoyable music based title of 2009 was The Beatles: Rock Band that introduced a new generation of fans to the fab four and the future for the genre looks bright as if this is the sort of standard we can expect from any future band-exclusive Rock Band titles, then we say bring it on.Sadly we have to end this 2009 appreciation somewhere and no doubt weve overlooked one or two titles, but the consensus of the staff is that weve saved the best for last with a Sony exclusive thats actually worth buying the console to play. Naughty Dog were responsible forthe brilliantJak series on the PlayStation 2 and for its replacement theyve gone from strength to strength with the Uncharted series. In Uncharted 2: Among Thieves they gave us perhaps the game of the year and something to tempt even the most hardened Xbox 360 owner. Such has been the impact of the game that weve struggled to find a copy of the first Uncharted: Drake's Fortune in the shops. Chris said it best in his review stating that Gamestyle recommends Uncharted 2: Among Thieves to all PS3 owners, and would even go so far as to advise people to get the console just to play the game. It's truly an adventure from start to finish, and something that every gamer should experience. It sets the bar for action and storytelling, and although there are a couple of low-points with regard to predictable AI, it's by far the most entertaining game Gamestyle has played all year.We hope you have a Merry Christmas and a great New Year from everyone involved here at Gamestyle. Weve got some fantastic ideas and improvements on the agenda for 2010 so thank you for your support and heres to more great games.