2009 - Top 5 Games

Despite the action and adventure of 2009 I still managed to get my game on.

5. Uncharted: Drake's Fortune

You don't have to be new to be a great game in

2009. For one reason or another I didn't pay this game much mind when it came out, thinking it was a home-hum Tomb Raider knockoff with better graphics designed to sell some PS3s out the game. It turns out to be a great new title from Naughty Dog with an interesting treasure hunt story, fun characters, terrific gameplay. If you've got a PS3, pick this one up at the bargain bin near you.

4. Half Life - Episode 2

The "Games I missed" roundup continued with the next adventure with Gordon Freeman. Thanks to a computer that can actually run games I decided to give this one a spin. Highlights include fun with the gr

avity gun, progressing along a story I'm rather interested in, and the all around superior gameplay for which the series is known. If you're into FPS and haven't played through Half Life, go for it.

This game also marked the first game th

at I downloaded as opposed to buying. Three cheers for instant gratification!

3. Burnout Paradise

Brain: Off. Fun: On! I had a lot of fun whipping around Paradise City burning out, flipping, and road raging my way to Elite status. For those of you that, like me, can't stand the agonizing discipline required to play a "driving simulator", this arcade racer fits the bill nicely for several hours of fun.

2. Bioshock

Proving once again that I'm nothing if not a budget gamer, I picked up a copy of Bioshock for the PS3. To regurgitate what pretty much every review stated, this is one atmospheric game. The world of Rapture is wholly immersive, and when you add to that superior graphics, sound, fun enemies, a sandbox of powers and weapons, and this add some compelling story you make one of the best games I've played. Get out and buy this one before the Big Sister comes knocking in a couple months.

1. Uncharted 2

Hands down game of the year, maybe even game of the decade. For all the reasons I liked the last game, I liked this game. However, the creators took every gameplay mechanic and made it sing. They took the already astonishing graphics engine and took it to the next photo-realistic level. They took the game through all different destinations so it was no longer the jungle/cave/ruins combo of the last game. The characters are well animated and well-acted which added greatly to the enjoyability of the storyline.

I really took note of the pacing of the game, mostly because I found zero convenient opportunities to put the game down. I'm used to reaching a point in a game when I can put down the controller, save, and come back later. For the 12 hours of gameplay I never felt like the pace let up. I was always ready to see what was around the next corner, and I was always delighted at what I found when I got there.

This game is everything that any Indiana Jones move was (or in the case of the 4th one, tried to be). If you have a PS3, get it. If you don't have a PS3, this game is enough fun to consider getting one, and between the lower price point, the upcoming 3rd installment of God of War, and Blu-Ray, it's becoming an easier choice than ever.

The Disappointments

Not all games get the JC seal of approval. He's some lowlights of 2009.

Killzone 2, winner of the "It's not you, it's me" award

Out of about 12 hours of gameplay this first person shooter felt fun for about 2 hours of it. Highlights included the part when I wound up with a lightning gun, mostly because I didn't have to pop and shoot my way through any more gritty environments. I won't deny the game is really beautiful, and the realism of the AI and the challenge is commendable.

I'll give the game the "it's not you, it's me" title. I'm at the point in my life where I have enough frustration and challenge in the rest of my life. That's not to say when I play a video game I want a peaceful walk in the park with only one button to do it all, but even on normal difficulty this game left like a chore. I probably tried playing it the way I wanted to play it, as opposed to how the designers wanted me to play it (i.e. daring to leave cover "guns blazing" which was a sure way to die in 3 seconds)

Ultimately, too hard core for me.