There Can Only Be Two Games Considered For Game of the Year 2010, And Here's Why

It has been one phenomenal year in gaming. There were absolutely amazing titles from every single publisher out there this year, and gamers have rarely been able to enjoy so many good things in such a small amount of time. I literally have not been this happy with gaming releases since 2007.

[donniebaseball]

Some people will probably argue for Black Ops, Halo Reach, etc but this is a well written argument for two amazing games. No complaints here.

[mike9077]

yea im betting on it being Mass effect 2

[Dark_Charizard]

and some people will argue for Super Mario Galaxy 2. But you don't have to mention that.

[Dramscus]

I think I missed the rdr boat.
I played it hrough, did the online, and some dlc. In all honesty though it's not all that special.
Mass effect 2 is definitely a top runner though I would have God of war 3 in there because it's a rare thing for a game to have me shouting (AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!) from sheer adrenaline and excitement as I kill an enemy.

[AndrewRyan]

@Dramscus

You are right, I believe it's either Mass Effect 2, God of War III, or Super Mario Galaxy 2. In all honestly from experience I think Mass Effect 2 has the upper hand over God of War III. Both games are great, the graphics are amazing in God of War II, yet Mass Effect 2 is a much longer game.

It comes down to Impressive Graphics vs. Game time, and too me it would be gametime that has the upper hand since I think Mass Effect 2 on PC is quite close to God of War III, but God of War III is a spectacle, amazing how a game like that could run on a 4 year old console!

[heroicjanitor]

The Golden Joysticks include Uncharted 2 this year. I think that should win it.

[BulletToothtony]

if they add tomorrow's trailer of Uncharted 3 vs any game released this year.. U3 trailer would win!

[Theoneneo81]

Yeah I agree on God of war and ME 2 Both great Games but ME2 was longer and with the recently added Shadow Broker it was just a better feeling overall and I'm going on my 4th play through of ME 2. God of war was a great game but I played it once and haven't had a urge to play it again much as i did the first two god of war games.

[Red_Orange_Juice]

Black Ops and Halo, LMAO, thats would mean it was a weak year if the Cod or Halo was named GOTY

[pixelsword]

Mass effect is longer, but if you're counting length, you have to deduct for those side missions because they felt a little repetitive.

[jony_dols]

I own both a 360 & PS3 (and a PSP),
I bought every major title this year for both systems,including Heavy Rain,GOW3,Halo Reach,GT5,Alan Wake,Black Ops,Splinter Cell,MGS Peace Walker,Ghost of Sparta...

And it is true that these 2 games (ME2 & RDR) are the best games of 2010.

I would personally choose Red Dead Redemption as my favorite.
That game was amazing. John Marston was the first VG character I felt actually empathy for,the story telling and the sheer atmosphere is unparalleled by any other game I have ever played (ME2,UC3 & Bioshock are the only comparable games that have as near as much atmosphere as RDR).

It's only a pity that AW came out the same week....I would have put it at joint 3rd with GOW3...

[tablav]

I'm with you...I got RDR on day 1 expecting it to be the most amazing game ever...and it was a great game.

But for all it's faults, I still preferred GTA. I found RDR to be like Assassin's Creed in that it was spectacularly impressive to begin with, but after a while it just became repetitive and I lost interest. And while the ending was a nice touch, I found myself just unable to care about the result.

...but that's just me...

[RedDevils]

Same here, I was really enjoying RDR but after awhile for some reason I don't feel like playing it anymore, I might sell it or trade it or sell it in the future

[joydestroy]

i agree with the choices

[AKS]

Red Dead Redemption and Mass Effect 2 are actually my #1 and #2 picks currently, but I could also definitely see how others might prefer God of War III, Super Mario Galaxy 2, Gran Turismo 5, Star Craft II, or Heavy Rain. I think all of those games are quite good and worth of consideration.

[Aaroncls7]

GOTY is Mass Effect 2, which is 2010's Uncharted 2.

[ngecenk]

well GoW3 should be mentioned. its the game with highest metacritic this year.

[NeoBasch]

Honestly, I'd sooner consider God of War III, Heavy Rain, and Bayonetta, over Red Dead Redemption. RDR was not nearly as good as critics made it out to be. As mentioned before, the side missions are repetitive. The controls left something to be desired: horse gameplay, need I say more. I'd mention RDR, but I wouldn't give it GotY. That's just the way I see it.

[Vaud-Villian]

Im no Einstein but I do think Mass Effect 2's 96 and Red Dead Redemptions 95 beats God of War III's 92.

[princejb134]

gow 3 for me
i cant say mass effect 2 since i havent played it

[The_Devil_Hunter]

I know I might get bashed for this but I really enjoyed Castlevania: LoS. I know to some it isnt anywhere near GotY but I enjoyed it lot, the story especially.

As for RDR the Im barely halfway through and its a really awesome way but for some reason, I loose interest in it every now and then. But its still an awesome game, no doubt.

[whitbyfox]

This article is daft. Mario Galaxy 2 is the highest rated game of all of these on gamerankings and metacritic.

[TheLastGuardian]

Red Dead Redemption is my favorite game of this generation. I didn't even like westerns before this game. I wasn't even planning on buying it until a week before it's release and I'm so glad I did. I've sunk 100 hours into RDR and Undead Nightmare Single player and 200 hours into multiplayer. I haven't gotten that much out of one game in a long time.

[tony6767]

red dead loll goty no way its just another gta style. its should be ME2 and Gow3 period.

[donniebaseball]

Yeah, GoW 3 is pretty freaking amazing too, no doubt

[Areeb11]

honestly it seems like the editor is just butthurt because he couldn't play UC 2 last year ergo his nominees this year are games available on the xbox 360.

I think the only way to consider a game for GotY is for there to be just ONE game for every major console.
not counting handlhelds ofcourse.
so it would ultimately be Mass Effect 2/RDR vs God of War 3 vs Super Mario Galaxy 2.

[George Sears]

Im sorry but judging by your biased comment I see you have not played Red Dead Redemption at all. Everything R* has accomplished throughout there years as sandbox dominance company have all been cultivated into this well crafted masterpiece.

Not only has there gameplay system been revamped, but everything but the physics engine and graphics have all been more tolerable from past games. Obviously, the newer the game, the better the graphics so lets nub this out for comparisons sake.

This game has on overall compelling story and incredible immersion. Basically, everything you do feels western, everything you do feel 1912. The scenery of the game makes the game downright epic.

Everything from horseback riding, cow herding, horse lassoing, arm wrestling, horse shoe throwing, hunting animals towards other things like helping (or killing) those in needs, challenging bold yet stupid strangers to Mexican showdowns, bounty hunting, poker playing (if you are caught cheating you have hell to pay) blackjack playing all help give that over all western feel. And this my friend is just replay value.

The atmosphere is downright perfect. The incredible scenery towards the vast desert landscape all gives that great western feel. That moral based decision system of wether being a legend of the west or just a downright outlaw gives you this plateau of options of what you as a player would morally do if you encounter an individual in need of assistance throughout your journey.

I would really appreciate for you to comment as to why you think this game is just like GTA. Because if this is the case than any game that is in X type of genre is nothing but the a mockup of past titles.

[George Sears]

Wow and here I expected a great response but I see I'm talking to a ten year old. Nevermind kid.

[Mista T]

I disagree, the game turned out boring. and the replay value is bad. straight and to the point

[deadreckoning666]

Thx for ruining the ending Tony

facepalm/

[Parapraxis]

George Sears, you've made it blatantly clear that you think RDR is a masterpiece and nothing will change your mind.

You also claimed that tony6767 didn't play it because he doesn't share the same affection for the game which you do (maybe a bit too much affection?)

So from the get-go you called him bias and said he hadn't played it, and yet you expect HIM to read your little review and simply change his mind or give you a heartfelt reply?

Give it up man.
I like RDR too, but you have gone a bit overboard, not to mention you were insulting.

[dragon82]

It suffers from the same problems as GTA IV for me. The game is great but there is a clear lack of direction at some points in the game. I find myself just wandering around and doing nothing because I have no idea what I should be doing next. It also feels like the same old thing after about an hour of playing. Don't get me wrong I do love the game its just not what its hyped up to be.

[tablav]

I disagree entirely (EDIT: okay, not entirely) with Mr. Sears here, but that response was pathetic. For one thing, you ruined the ending for anyone that hasn't played it!!!!

...and George, your arguement is concise and well put, but I would have to disagree with the replay value of the title. For me, at least, everything was fun to do the first time around, but after the story the side quests and minigames just weren't that absorbing.

It felt like so much work went into the authentic game world and physics that the gameplay itself suffered.

The writing was genius though.

[Theoneneo81]

How is he bias He has a Right to opinion if he doesnt like it he doesnt like it.

[George Sears]

Yeah, I guess I went a bit bias myself right at the start but I just don't really like it when people call something as if it's exactly like the rest as if it doesn't have an identity of its own. Case in point, Red Dead and GTA series. Sure, there are both based on the same genre and created by the same devs but beyond that they are not the same. It's like saying God of War 3 is the same as Bayonetta or that Forza 3 is the same thing as GT5.

[JUDALATION]

I have played all three games... and for just pure fun it has to be GOW3! Mass effect is a great game with a nice story but the controls and new system was not perfect... and the story is even keel with no real suprises or great moments except the end...
I expected more from Mass EFFECT.

Red Dead starts out slow and the controls are TERRIBLE! it takes way to long to get interesting and the cut scenes were too long and boring... but when the story picks up it get very exciting but the controls still hurt the game... WHY CANT YOU CANGE THE SETTINGS? this is still a great game even though you can see the twists a mile away... but goty??? its not even a top ten game of all time...

NOW... God of war 3 is! the game does not pretend to even have a story... nor does it have a tutorial on how to attack... its just a stupid excuse for hardcore kratos fans to see him beat the fuck out of some annoying gods! the battles are epic... the twist are unpredictable... the graphics are jaw dropping... its simply a masterpiece that is right there with uncharted and whats more THE ENDING MEANS ITS THE LAST IN THE SERIES... we should semd the creators of gow away with goty!

[NeoBasch]

Surprisingly enough, I agree with Judalation. I think he hit it on the head really. I've played all three as well, and I prefer God of War III for the time being. I might cave and switch back to Mass Effect 2 (game has master-class direction), or I might side with the more emotional experience Heavy Rain. But so far, God of War III has been leading for some time now for me. The experience is unparalleled. I'd rather play play that over and over, than play a game just because it's longer. Quality > Quantity. Also, I'd consider Bayonetta. The game has literally some of the best action scenes I've ever seen.

[Areeb11]

Just like any other GTA;

Protagonist brought in to crime world either by choice or obligation.
endless hours of exploring (discounting time to and from side missions and Main story)
Unsolid shooting mechanics and cover system
Bugs including horse-faced ladies and the like etc.etc.
Does that answer your question? or can you get more butt-hurt about not having a ps3? and if u have a ps3... seriously wtf is wrong with you? you have multi-platform games for 360 because they are literally running out of ideas. and Alan Wake crackdown 2 are not worth considering (maybe Alan Wake but not C2)
and honestly name me ONE thing unique in RDR that we haven't seen in a sandbox game or any game in general?
God of War 3 has 1600 foot titans
Heavy Rain has a very powerful and inter-active narrative
Mass Effect 2 has actual replayability and is just downright awesome in its concept and execution.
go on... enlighten me?

[NecrumSlavery]

Well I personally think that GTA IV was such a mediocre game, that some people who got turned off by it attack R* for no reason. Red Dead Redemption is one of the best games this generation, and the best western game of all time.

Of course titles like Mass Effect 2, RDR, and God of War 3 easily deserve GotY.

But my personal GotY goes to HEAVY RAIN, for it's unique originality, which also included photorealistic environments, endless story paths, great dialog, interesting plots, real adult maturity over cheap thrills of gore, nudity, or profanity. It was a really deep and immersive experience, and I thought it did something no other game did(This blew Indigo Prophecy out of the water as well.)

[MariaHelFutura]

My personal GOTY is GT5.

But it`ll probably be RDR in the gaming media.

[GenericUserName]

Your avatar is disturbing. For that reason I hope gt5 wins nothing. Probably won't unless there's a category for "best ps3 exclusive released in november that isn't a psn game or an HD remastering" then it will clench it for sure

[MariaHelFutura]

It wins my GOTY and that`s all that matters to me.

[nskrishna2]

Pwned

[Richard_Hammond]

Gran Turismo 5 is the GOTY of '10

[dragon82]

GT5 is my personal GOTY as well. I do think Super Mario Galaxy 2 should get it though as its the highest rated game this generation and is nearly perfect in every way. The only reason it wont win is because its on the Wii and released early in the year.

[Boody-Bandit]

I agree MariaHelFutura.

GT5 is my favorite game of 2010.

[King-Leonidas]

Maria
so do I GT5 is GOTY for me

[BABY-JEDI]

GT5 gets my vote because of your disturbing avatar, also because it's a damn good game; P

[NovusTerminus]

I am voting for Resonance of Fate for my GoTY. Allot of thought needed in the gameplay. And the characters are great.

Don't worry about the disagree's, I know I am a loner in my opinion. And I am not saying ME2 and RDR are bad, I own and liked both of them.

[NeoBasch]

You, sir, deserve a bubble. Your opinion is what counts. Don't listen to the naysayers.

[ajlopo]

Red Dead could have been awesome, but as usual with Rockstar games the controls are crappy. I really wanted to finish the game but it was not nearly as immersive for me as Mass Effect 2.

[vickers500]

There's nothing wrong with the controls in Red Dead, unless you were hoping for some light arcadey type controls with no weight or realism at all.

[ajlopo]

sorry John Marsten controls like he was drunk and the controls are not intuitive at all. I've been playing games for over 25 years I should not have to think about the controlled or constantly get out the wrong weapon type, etc when I am playing. It takes you out of the experience.

[vickers500]

There's this little thing called "adapting" to controls. Not every game is supposed to feel like you're hopped up on speed and can make a full body turn instantaneously without even actually turning around. Red Dead is a more realistic game, not some ADD induced sandbox arcade game where most of your time is spent blowing up cars with rocket launchers or racing cars off a building, it's a game about the wild west, and if you were expecting something other than a western game or didn't like westerns, then you have no place complaining about the quality of the game, because it wasn't made for you.

[ajlopo]

Unbelievable, you didn't think I knew what I was getting when I picked this game up?? Of course I wanted a western, and I've played a ton. Also there are plenty of games out there that have realistic movement in characters that doesn't feel like a chore to play like Alan Wake, ME2, Call of Duty, etc. Your comments are a cop out.

[vickers500]

Well no sh*t those games don't feel like a chore to play, they're unrealistic. In CoD you're a super commando infantry man who can run faster than any man on Earth, in ME2 you're a space soldier trying to save the human race from aliens, those games use that unrealistic approach because they're unrealistic games.

Face it, you just hate the fact that you have to learn something new and can't just zip across point A to point B within a nanosecond. That's not the fault of the game that you can't stand that, it's yours. Red Dead isn't supposed to be the same formulaic third person shooter that the industry is flooded with these days, it's a game that requires a bit more skill to play.

[VenomProject]

Mass Effect 2 or God of War III for me.

[Vesemir]

My Goty is GT5

[Xusuyzus]

Heavy Rain

[dragon82]

My GOTY is Gran Turismo 5.

[fucadastates]

Heavy Rain og Gow3 for me.
but great games like Halo.reach, GT5 and Yakuza 3 are there too.
Madnation, Mag, Alan wake, 3d dot game heroes are great games.

damn 2010 was awsome

[tablav]

What's Yakuza like gameplay wise? I've been tempted to pick it up a few times but it feels a little too much like an arcade beat em up from reviews.

If you've ever played 'The Bouncer' (Capcom I think), it seems like that with the ability to walk around. Or is that completely wrong?

[josephayal]

DONKEY KONG,GT5,GOD OF WAR 3,RDR,.......... PLZ NO FPS

[FuckinUsername]

Minecraft

[Taker_129]

GOW3, Heavy Rain, Splinter Cell Conviction or Mass Effect 2 for me. Tried to get into Red Dead Remption, got bored, and trade it in for another game.

[alb1899]

Mass Effect 2 GOTY!!!!

[Dr_Handsome]

who's keeping tally?

[cereal_killa]

It will be no surprise to me to see most neutral gaming sites stick with a multiplat game for GOTY.

[Skadoosh]

1. Mass Effect 2
2. Red Dead
3. Halo Reach

[Snarkasaur]

This article is incredibly well written and valid. I wish more people took the time and consideration with their work that the author seems to. It was a pleasure to read.

[DaBadGuy]

Red Dead Redemption for me.

I've played plenty of RPGs, but besides Gun and Tin Star on SNES, I haven't played many westerns, and RDR was the quintessential western game. The atmosphere, setting, characters, etc. was all spot on....at least in my vision of how the west was....not like I was there or anything.

Mass Effect 2 was great and all, but I love western games because they are few and far between.

If your GOTY is Mass Effect 2 or something else than that is fine with me, I loved Mass Effect 2 and it was a great game. GOTY is subjective and is based on each individuals opinion.

[Dr_Handsome]

I love Mass Effect 2, I connected with that game on such a deep level, it is no doubt my GOTY.

Biggest disappointment of the year? Bioshock 2!

[Redempteur]

Mario galaxy 2 , GT5 , god of war 3 , heavy rain ?

Only Two in this packed year full of good titles ?
ROFL

[FAGOL]

RDR is the GOTY for me. I have'nt played ME2 so can't comment on that. I'll have to wait till January for that.

[metsgaming]

If i had to choose i would probably say mass effect is better even though i didnt play it, yet. RDR was a mess the controls were laggy once again just like gta4 and the graphical problems were so annoying i couldnt get immersed.

[yamzilla]

STAR .
CRAFT.
TWO.

end of story....there is no other game even close

[RankFTW]

So many amazing games this year to choose from.

Bayonetta
God of War III
Heavy Rain
Final Fantasy XIII
Just Cause 2
BioShock 2
Yakuza 3
Nier
3D Dot Game Heroes
ModNation Racers
Split/Second
Mafia 2
Enslaved: Odyssey to the West
Fallout: New Vegas
Medal of Honor
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow
Red Dead Redemption
Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
Call of Duty: Black Ops
Gran Turismo 5
Mass Effect 2
Halo Reach
Alan Wake
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm
Starcraft 2
Civilisation V

Too name a few...

[GigaGaia]

Too bad, the guy has good arguments, but I don't think either of those will win. Maybe Red Dead Redemption might win an award, but ME2 won't. There is too many other RPGs that were released and are better candidates.

[Heavy_Rain]

Dunno why this hate for RDR. I think it was one of the most sublime games made this gen. Again sometimes games are just about those moments and when 'Far Away' soundtrack started playing as I reached Mexico during sun set and the gorgeous mountains bathed in orange and some of the most exquisite water I have seen at the bottom I realized how powerful this experience was. RDR is and for ever will be the greatest open world game this gen. Sorry GTA4 you acc to me will never come close to RDR.

@Sinner101GR - I agree but again games like GOW3 has redefined what action games should do henceforth. Its manipulation of scale and camera work IMO is some of the best I have ever seen in an action game. I still think there should not be a singular game of the year but only best game of xyz genre. It is the only fair thing to do. To expect GOW3 to be as long a ME2 or to have character upgrades like an RPG or have moral dilemma's is unfair. Similarly to expect RDR as a western to have a cinematic OMG moments like UC2 is again unfair. Yet all have raised the bar in each of their genre's. I therefore think there should never be a single universal GOTY award. IMO

[cb4g]

...RDR created one of the most convincing game worlds I've ever played.
Rockstar also crafted one of the most realistic characters created for a videogame - Bonnie MacFarlane. Subtle and multi-dimensional.

[Sinner101GR]

Think of the story from this perspective: Game of the Year needs to represent all that is best in gaming in a particular year. Last year we had Uncharted 2, Assassin's Creed II and hell, even MW2. 2008 showed us Fallout 3, GTA IV and MGS4. In the past two years, we've got the biggest titles in gaming; not just because they are triple-A, but because they advanced what gaming should be considered. A grand list of showings like Assassin's Creed Brotherhood, Civilization V, Starcraft II, Alan Wake and even GT5 might be a good list of Great Games...but the consideration needs to be made for games that raise the bar. It is in that regard that this article discusses the ideology of each game, and why it does more to strengthen an argument for gaming as art, entertainment and experience.

So, Mass Effect II, yes please. I can't deny that this year has been phenomenal, but my god, Mass Effect 2 just went above and beyond to show us what a studio can do with a game. Thank you BioWare.

[drzmvp554]

Mass Effect 2 is my game of the year all the way

[bjh089]

mass effect 2 was a blockbuster game that just sucked you into the story like no other. But there was also another game that did the same and that game was heavy rain. say what you will about it but if you didnt get immersed into the story of that game there is something wrong with you. Oh and red dead was great but not goty material IMO.

[MarkusMcNugen]

lol, its all a matter of opinion like N4G has it categorized. Ill vote for whatever game on the list I feel was best overall.

[TruthbeTold]

There were alot of great games this year. But there were a couple that we can truly say might be 'the gems of this generation'. GoW3 was much moreso than ME2 imo. That being said, Super Mario Galaxy 2 is definitely in that class, only not quite as important to gaming for the long term as GoW2. The original definitely. But 2 was literally a positive and minor tweaking of it.

[gam3fr33k]

For all those who keep comparing red dead to gta either don't have the game and played it at a friend, rented it and didn't play much because they went into it closed minded, or havent played it at all. Red dead is definitely GOTY, mass effect 2 got really boring, great story but gameplay didn't match.

[CombineElite]

Super Mario Galaxy 2 Mass Effect 2 PC Red Dead Redemption God of War 3 any of these titles could win GOTY but.....

Let's not forget Starcraft 2 Arma II Operation Arrowhead Civilization V or Stalker Call of Pripyat
STALKER call of Pripyat gets my vote and the game has the best A.I. I have ever seen. I can't wait till 2012 when consolers get a taste of this awesome franchise.

ME2 great story but lacks intense game play, GOW3 totally epic, RDR is a masterpiece, SMG2 3rd best Mario ever, STALKER FPS w/ real ballistics, adventure, w/ RPG elements in an OPEN WORLD versus NPC A.I. that can do everything you do.

Regardless of the politics it was a great year for games and gamers and I'm sure other games deserve to be mentioned as well.

[danielle007]

My personal GOTY is Bayonetta.

These games, along with lots of others this year, were undoubtedly great, but Bayonetta is just pretty much perfect.

It feels as though it's being forgotten, since it came out all the way back in early January, even though it was very well received at the time, at least by the critics.

Team Bayonetta.

[Kos-Mos]

If these games are the best titles in 2010, it really confirms how a bad gaming year it is/was.
Oh, it actually did when I had to go back to play Demon`s Soul`s in frustration of the lack of good games.
Shooters and shooters and navy seals I spit on thee.
Ps: Yes I have tried both games.

[allyc4t]

Well written article, we need more stuff like this on N4G.

My GOTY is easily ME2. I tried RDR, it's a good game, I just never felt as compelled to the story as I did when I played ME2.

[nskrishna2]

Both the games...this years GOTY will be hard for me...If ME2 wins i'll be sad for RDR...if RDR wins, I'll be sad for ME2

Is there some kind of award sharing possible??

[ELite_Ghost]

both are multi plat so no one should complain :)

[XabiTheHumble]

I never bothered picking up RDR when I played the demo it gave me the same feeling I got when I played gt4 and I just couldn't pick it up anymore.

[divideby0]

both both RDR, ME2 and also Reach and GOW

god of war is my Goty

[eARThRiot]

GOW3 or SMG2 are my top picks for GOTY but there are so many other great I didn't get a chance to play. RDR was amazing, Heavy Rain was different but pretty badass. I don't know, this is a tough call for the judges of GOTY. I didn't play ME2 but after reading this article it seems like this might be a frontrunner. I don't know about you but I'm ready for the VGA's and the UC3 trailer.

[Inzo]

RDR was a great game and is a strong contender as with Heavy Rain but unfortunately HR is not a game for dumb people and I dont think there is enough smarts on the VGA panel. Ultimately it will be between GOW3 and ME2

[0oAngeluso0]

Mass Effect 2 all the way. Not only did it surpass all my expectations, but it was the best game I've ever played! Importing every decision you made from the first game and having every little choice impact the next game was brilliant and wonderfully done.

[MrBuffalo]

Mass Effect 2 for me but other notable mentions are RDR, Galaxy two and F1 2010. I know F1 2010 want come up in many peoples lists but despite the bugs doing a long race with no assists is hardcore racing at its best. I liked GOW3 but like alot of games this gen it was one I completed and put back on my shelf and there it still sits. Mass Effect 2, RDR and even brotherhood had alot of depth for me.

[United4Life]

Starcraft 2 for me.

ME2 and RDR get boring and Repetitive after Some time.

Starcraft 2 is something that i can play for many years to come and watch others play Gleefully as well.

[killalot100]

I say RDR should win. I dont give a shit what Cliff Bleszinski says Mass Effect is not our Star Wars, Halo is. Mass Effect is our Star Trek if anything.

[Big_Dom]

Mass Effect 2 came very early in the year. I was absolutely gobsmacked by it. There were a few monsters over the horizon that I thought could potentially get close to it, the few being Red Dead Redemption, Reach and possibly GT5. Red Dead came out, it was a fantastic experience, but I knew that after 20+ hours or so into the game, that it wasn't touching ME2's experience. Different genre's and such, but it still didn't hold my attention nearly as much as Mass Effect 2 did. I didn't want that game to end. With Red Dead, by 20+ hours, that's all I wanted to happen.

Reach and GT5, the only other two big hitters that could possibly usurp ME in that opinion, failed to do so for the reasons that they just felt old hat. Whereas ME2 felt seminal in it's narrative, GT5 and Reach felt it had already treaded on covered ground - from a generation ago. Again, two completely different genres to take out of context, but I'm talking about expectations and how those games delivered on them.

I'm not so sure about GoTY. Every so often a game comes along and it redifines how you think about a genre and gaming in general. ME2 was one of those rare games that did that for me. In fact, I haven't played a game, a solo experience, that's held my attention like it has in roughly a decade. One of the very best games I've ever played in 20+ years of gaming. Game of the year? No. Game of this generation and possibly even the decade for me. It was that good.

[United4Life]

ME2 Improved a vast amount over the Previous Titles and is one of the Best Solo Experience i have ever played.

But best game of the Decade? No , Just No.
I don"t know how you could come up to such a conclusion if you have been gaming for 20+ Years.
SOTC is far and away the Best Single player experience i have ever played , that is one game you wish would never end.The Ending just wraps up so many emotions in a Single Campaign , Real Emotions.

ME2 is no Doubt the best game this year , and is on equal footing with UC2( i know ME2 has a better Story but UC2 is a complete package + the Side missions were Boring as Fuck)

Then again it"s just your opinion but that last statement just Irked me a bit.

By no means Consider this as a Personal Attack , I'm just a bit Sensitive.:D

[iliimaster]

me 2 is on equal footing with UC2 LMAO... thanks man i was having a horrible morning before i read this comment! lol

[gypsygib]

I'd vote Red Dead then ME2 and GOW3 tied. Te entire time I played GOW3 I felt like ruthless killer, no game has done that

[Ratchet510]

yes i agree because not only the boss battles are the most epic battles in games, but even fighting little small enemies and bosses is also epic. This is not a game it is so good we call it a movie.

[iliimaster]

this guy is drinking way too much.... mass effect? what did it bring to the table? anything groundbreaking? ? no not at all... i agree with red dead but to not even mention gow 3 i cannot take this guy seriously.. gow 3 not only set the standard it made the copy cat dantes inferno (which was a good game) made it look like a fairytale with a happy ending... i will be happy with red dead or gow 3 winning but when you actually think about it its gow 3 hands down

[NYC_Gamer]

these are the games i think could win

galaxy 2
mass effect 2
gow 3

[Ratchet510]

gow3

[Ratchet510]

You guys who vote for mass effects 2 over god of war 3 cuz how long a game is are stupid. God of War 3 is a lot better because it has the best gameplay, story, graphics, camra, lipsing, and characters. none of you played god of war 3 thats why you pick mass efftect 2 over god of war. i rather have super mario galaxy 2 get goty dan ME2.

[gypsygib]

I played GOW3 times and will probably play it more, ME2 I've played once and started a second play through on insane but it's very frustrating, I would have preferred it if the difficulty wasn't sooo frustrating on the hardest level and if it had less bugs (i'm always getting stuck to a cover then having to start ALL over again. Or if it had more checkpoints during battles, it even has re-spawning enemies!) I found Gears insane the perfect difficulty - hard but never frustrating

[MonopolyRSV]

Red Dead was mediocre.

[MonopolyRSV]

Multiplayer was especially poo.

[Nerox3]

My goty Is God Of War III no doubt
but im suer its either of these 2,but theyre coool too

ill be pissed off if gayonetta,heay rain,GT5 wins goty,,,,some of the worst games ever created

[jonboi24]

Well if you got to go with metacritic then Mario Galaxy 2 should be a contender for GOTY with its 97, only second to GTA4's 98 this gen and tied with Mario Galaxy. In terms of gameplay mechanics its solid to a tee and surpasses Mario 64 in nearly every way. Why the VGAs didn't nominate this and had Reach and COD instead is mind boggling. Only thing it truly lacked was an immersive story, on-line MP and the production cost the other nominees had.

But in terms of story, immersion, production and value it has to to be Mass Effect 2 and Red Dead Redemption, hands down. God of War 3 was a great game and though it sticks to the old formula of the older games it rarely feels like a copy and paste sequel, at least to me. The production cost of that game literally shows in every frame and its simply one of the most beautiful looking games this gen. For a $60 value at launch there really wasn't much there as far as replay value. The overall amount of time I played with that game was like 16 hrs and I ain't no trophy whore. My time with Mass Effect 2 and RDR is more than doubled that. At the end of GOW3 I felt I could have had the same experience if I had rented it, at least that way I could have saved money.

I can only see COD and Reach being nominated because of its value and mainstream appeal. You get so much hours of play out of it for $60. Multi-player literally saves those games' ass from just being an OK game. If those games had the same single player game experience and total value like Uncharted 2 than yes they would be heavy contenders. Seriously online mp can really make or break a game this gen.

Though I do agree with the article with ME2 and RDR, I would have to put Super Mario Galaxy 2 there as well. Just because its from Nintendo and another Mario game it shouldn't be ignored. Though I think Heavy Rain should get some props for trying to move the art of video game making to a new and I'say, better direction.

[Lets-Game]

its gt5 for me and thats what matter most lol.
the games you enjoy most are your goty and doesnt matter what stupid sites say cause they all have no balls or backbone.

[Kran]

red dead all the way

[jsslifelike]

I've spoken to a good bit of my "gamer" friends and they still seem to think that 2008 was a better year for consumer-end gaming experiences, but not myself. I was thinking recently if there was a bridging correlation between the discrepancy and I'm fairly sure I've figured it out: none of them own a Wii. I've played all of the great current-gen titles that they have, but add to that SMG2, DKCR, Epic Mickey, Kirby, Other M, MHTri, etc.

Galaxy 2 is still my game of the year at this point because it utilized all assets(including hardware)to the very best of it's ability. Mass Effect 2 was a damned great game, but it lost some of it's "RPG-ness" along the development cycle. I'd be completely satisfied with either atop any list and, my goodness, has Castlevania steadily crept into third for me. Not until the VERY end can you truly appreciate Lords of Shadow for how great it is.

[menoyou]

No, there can only be ONE game considered, and that's Uncharted 2. Anyone who doesn't say Uncharted 2 is simply out of their minds. There really is no competition. This game blows everything else out of the water.

[ReBurn]

I really enjoyed Uncharted 2. It was beautiful to look at and it had the same great gameplay as the first one. The story was really great, too.

There were games in 2010 that I enjoyed much more, though.

[ReBurn]

I think that Red Dead Redemption was very well done. I liked Mass Effect 2's story, but the gameplay changes to make it more shooter-oriented disappointed me a little.

[El Nino]

My fav games this year have been ME2, GoW 3 & HR

Heavy rain simply because i've not played a game like that before.
ME2 because everything it did, it did well...looked good, fluid gameplay, good story etc

and GoW 3 because it was just so brutal man lol, it looked hot and kratos is a fucking animal!

[BizDaWolf]

God Of War 3,Mass Effect 2,or Red Dead Redemption

[Hozi89]

God of War III!

[yamzilla]

WRONG.....

the only game.....the only one worth even considering due to it's unlimited potential, free content, free maps, 5 million player base 5 months after launch, constant support, perfect balance and perfect stat tracking

fucking perfect in all areas....

STARCRAFT 2 = A+

everything else is an A-