2010: you were a jackass. Let's go over what the last year of days brought to the table:

- A papier-mâché worldwide economy
- The BP oil spill
- Bluetooth popularity
- The Last Airbender, Sex and the City 2, Jonah Hex
- More terrorism
- Justin Bieber's autobiography
- Final Fantasy XIV
- The Denver Broncos record
- Your peacock...cock..........cock
- No 'first contact'
- No zombies
- No fun

Yep, 2010 took in all our hopes and dreams, absorbed their precious nutrients, and laid an egg of sadness. I thought 2009 was bad, but then the next year burst in like a tornado of suck, demolishing all hopes of a better and brighter year. Thanks, buddy. Thanks a lot.

With so much to not be thankful for, it's good that we were offered such a wide array of quality games into which we could escape when things outside were ugly. Here are my five best digital alternatives to heroin presented in 2010.

5: Starcraft II

I'm torn here. On one hand, this game was terrific. The gameplay was great, the graphics made my computer wheeze with happy asthma, and Battle.net's sexy new makeover made it the prettiest girl at the prom. Everything was great in Starcraft town.

...except that its story was shorter than Daniel Radcliffe's post-Harry Potter career.

When I play a Starcraft, I want three chapters - one for each race - so that I can have a full dose of story. With more than just a Terran chapter, Starcraft II would be better ranked on this list.

4: Civilization V

Anyone who doubts that absolute power is addicting should watch a non-gamer sit down at a computer and play Civilization V for twelve hours straight. This game has a way with people... and that way involves gluing people to a computer screen for unhealthy hours without end despite the desperate pleas of their forgotten families.

Lost friends and loved ones aside, Civilization V was a perfect upgrade to the classic series. Less military units, a historically understandable social upgrade system, and shiny new graphics improved everything smoothly and effectively (except for maybe the AI). There are hundreds of strategies you can use to win, from combining a race with a certain social upgrade, to obsessively courting lesser city states or mixing science and diplomacy in order to keep large, militaristic opponents at bay.

Keep doing what you do, Sid.

3: World of Warcraft: Cataclysm

What to say about Warcraft that hasn't been said a thousand thousand times... In every possible way, shape, and form, this game has been done to death. So why was Cataclysm better than Civilization or Starcraft II? Because after sporadically returning to Warcraft for over five years, I'm still not bored. Cataclysm's new low-level zones and dedication to story have kept it sexy through a long and often arduous marriage, causing me to come back to it despite numerous shallow affairs (City of Heroes, Champions Online, Star Trek Online, et cetera). Cataclysm is the latest outfit in a series of spicy, exciting costumes which WoW has donned in order to hold the attention of millions.

2: Heavy Rain

The best parenting game since Octodad.

Anyone who has skim-read two sentences of any of my articles knows that the value I place on a game's story is paramount. You can make the best damn game design in the history of time, but if it doesn't make me laugh, cry, or have an asthma attack in anticipation, then I couldn't care less. Games need to make me feel, or they're not worth my time.

Heavy Rain had more feelings than a pregnant woman watching Fried Green Tomatoes in a Ben and Jerry's factory. It takes modern game design, mates it with Choose Your Own Adventure novels, and makes something great.

If you fundamentally don't want to play a game that doesn't involve killing twelve-thousand Space Nazis with a spoon before ripping off your shirt and yelling your own name (in my own special way, I just attempted to describe Call of Duty), then avoid playing Heavy Rain tonight. You probably have a Klan meeting to attend anyway.

Otherwise, though, you have no excuse.

1: Red Dead Redemption

Without question the greatest game released in the last three or four years. You may disagree, saying that Red Dead is boring, overly violent; a juvenile portrayal of the American West. That's fine. Though I disagree with what you say, I'll fight to the death for your right to say it. But as I lay my head on the block for your inherent natural rights, my last words will follow thusly:

"You. Are. Wrong."

Red Dead Redemption brings all the ingredients of an amazing, memorable game to the table: great gameplay, a powerful emotive soundtrack, badass, well-developed characters, terrific voice acting, competitive online play, a treasure chest of endgame secrets, downloadable content, and endless replayability. But what does Red Dead Redemption do best? What is the aspect of it that makes it one of the greatest games of all time?

It creates a world.

Hundreds of game journalists have done reviews on Red Dead Redemption, and they all cite the feeling they experience while playing: the exhilaration that only comes when a person immerses themselves fully in a setting that is not their own.

"With Red Dead Redemption, Rockstar succeeds in creating one of the most impressive open worlds I've ever seen in a game, and it's telling that — even after playing for over 30 hours — all I want to do is get back on my horse and gallop back into the wilderness."
- Will Tuttle, GameSpy

"Red Dead Redemption is a must-play game. Rockstar has taken the Western to new heights and created one of the deepest, most fun, and most gorgeous games around. You can expect the occasional bug or visual hiccup, but you can also expect a fantastic game that offers the Western experience we've all been waiting for."
- Erik Brudvig, IGN

"The leading edge of interactive media has a new face. [...] In the more than 1,100 articles I have written for this newspaper since 1996, I have never before called anything a tour de force. Yet there is no more succinct and appropriate way to describe Red Dead Redemption."
- Seth Schiesel, New York Times

My critic colleagues and I agree: Red Dead Redemption is one of the best games ever made.

Labels: 2011, Cataclysm, Civilization, Civilization 5, Games of 2010, Greg Mengel, Heavy Rain, Red Dead Redemption, Starcraft II, World of Warcraft, World of Warcraft: Cataclysm

It’s a new year in the videogame kingdom and that means out with the old and in with the shiny. But, before we traverse the pleasantries of 2011, how about revisiting some gems that might have passed you by from the last three-hundred-and-sixty-five days? Here are the games that I found to be 2010’s defining moments.

Before we get to the juicy, tender centrepiece you should know that I didn’t possess the innate power to manipulate time this year, and so I missed a lot of critically-acclaimed titles. For that, I am ashamed. Still, I think you’ll find my choices to be a mixture of unique and awesome. Mostly awesome.

7: Super Meat Boy

What else can I say? The name of the developer is 'Team Meat'. These guys know how to make a game that harkens back to the days of brutalisation. Thankfully, though the difficulty is through the roof, it’s so much fun you’ll forget that you’re actually attempting to cross the demon-hydra-laser-spinner-of-doom for the eighty-ninth time. The controls are solid, the visuals are captivating, and the game is riddled with hordes of homages to videogames of the past. I couldn’t ask for much more. Oh, the music is pretty damn catchy too.

6: NHL 11

Woah: a sports game in someone’s best of the year list?! You better believe it. NHL 11 builds upon the incredibly streamlined and intuitive gameplay of last year’s title. Not only does it add a multitude of varying gameplay quirks, like breakable sticks and the best passing system yet to enter an NHL game, but the Ultimate Team mode isn’t bad either. Whether you want to create your own pro, control behind-the-scenes action or just jump into a match carefree, it’s all readily available and accessed within a few button presses.

5: God of War III

I still remember the first day I placed the original God of War in my Playstation 2. The game, being so shockingly gorgeous and smooth to play, set the bar for how action games were conceived. Saying that, with how stunningly cinematic the third instalment is, it’s hard not to assess the prize for 'Best of Series' to number three. Gameplay wise, not much has changed but Sony Santa Monica managed to keep the experience fresh with newfound weapons, moves, and the most savage boss fights you could hope for. The only game to rival the cinematic quality of Sony’s masterpiece would be the sly folks over at Konami and their classic Metal Gear Solid 4. Now that’s saying something.

4: Bayonetta

You will probably argue that God of War’s combat and cinematics are superior in quality to Bayonetta’s, but I’d tell you you’re wrong. You see, there’s nothing out there that can match the quirky habitat that Platinum Games' feminine star resides in. Witches killing angels, suits made out of hair, shooting dudes in all directions with high-heeled bullet hoses. Quite honestly, I can’t even begin to explain what’s what in this damn universe, but once again, I don’t have to. I guess that’s what makes Bayonetta so delightfully original; it doesn’t care about anything and pays homage to everything. It also doesn’t hurt that Hideki Kamiya blends his famed Devil May Cry gameplay perfectly with a host of over the top moments that must be experienced to be believed. By the way, the fight against the final boss... it’s the best in gaming. No joke.

3: Mega Man 10

You won’t find a more hardcore, purist Mega Man fan than yours truly. After the holy grail of Mega Man’s in number nine, I was pumped when the tenth made its way onto my screen. Exacerbated and classic in every way, Capcom outdid themselves this time around. First off, let me stress how gut-wrenchingly difficult some of the bosses are. THEY ARE GUT-WRENCHINGLY DIFFICULT! If you can beat Solar Man with only your Mega Buster and no Energy Tanks, you’re as awesome as I am. But in true Mega Man fashion, after your ass gets handed to you many, many times you adapt to the pain and pull through in glorious victory. The music is still completely rockin’ - not as good as Mega Man 9’s was, but still excellent (see Nitro Man and Staff Roll). Being able to play as Proto Man was just icing on the cake and for ten smackers, it doesn’t get much better than this.

2: StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty

Maybe you knew this was coming. Maybe. The original StarCraft was a personal favourite of mine, and after that heinous wait for the sequel, just looking at the title screen sent tingles down my spine. Yes, yes it’s the same ole’ formula but think of it like this; it’s a revitalisation formula which resurrects and rejuvenates classic RTS gameplay. Build orders still exist but the balance of this game is so near perfection that it almost hurts to deliberate it. Every single thing has a counter in this game so think about that when you declare that Void Rays are the devil incarnate; they are but you get what I mean. The single player mode lacks the emotional grasp the original held over me but it remains entertaining nonetheless. I love the Wing Commander throwback style of the ship screens and the new Battle.net is refined beyond belief. Even if you don’t care about the single player or competitive multiplayer experience, you can still build maps or play custom ones all night long. In summation, there’s way too much to like here.

1: Mass Effect 2

BioWare’s follow up to the praised original is miles – no, light-years - ahead of its predecessor. As a matter of fact, if you play Mass Effect 2 there’s no possible way you can ever retreat back to the clunky, cluttered mess that was the first game. That’s not to say that Mass Effect was bad, but when a sequel is this refined it’s pretty hard to go back to the roots.

Anyway, so much has changed that you could pretty much call Mass Effect 2 a completely different game. The combat, menu systems, weapons, classes: every single thing has seen an overhaul and it’s all the better for it. Classes, like the Vanguard, have specialised functions like warping through solid matter, that make combat engaging and pure fun. There’s nothing like sitting behind some cover, waiting for several guards to come running your way when, like the magic-space-ninja you are, you throw out a ball that bursts into a void of energy that tosses the cretins around like little Geisha dolls with bobbling heads.

Combat is great but the number one factor in Mass Effect 2’s victory is its unparalleled writing. Never have I been more interested and enticed to find out more about my crew members in a game – save perhaps Baldur’s Gate II. Conversations are twice as good this time around and, to make matters even more awesome, you're sometimes allowed to interrupt conversations. Don’t like how this guy is treating your dudes? If the renegade icon jumps on-screen you just might take that laser-wrench and... well, you know. This kind of characterisation only augments an already stunning story, and with the DLC and extra support the title’s been getting, the wait for Mass Effect 3 is a little easier. There’s still so much more to tell. Alas, space and its constraints.

If I had to say one thing to describe my experience in its entirety with this game - and I still can’t believe I’m saying this - it would be that I consider Mass Effect 2 to be one of the greatest games I’ve ever played.

Labels: 2011, Andrew Whipple III, Bayonetta, Feature, Games of 2010, God of War III, Mass Effect 2, Mega Man 10, NHL 11, Starcraft II, Super Meat Boy

It’s been twelve years since the original StarCraft graced us with its interstellar presence. During this epoch, the StarCraft name became a gaming pandemic that would slow for no man. So great was its influence that certain countries play the game as a literal sporting event. Now, Blizzard’s sequel to the impossibly successful strategy game is here and, believe it or not, it’s pretty damn good.

StarCraft II kicks off just about four years after the events of Brood War, StarCraft’s only expansion. Jim Raynor and his band of Raiders are in isolation, and in desperate need of manpower for their fight against the Dominion. Much to Raynor’s dismay, Arcturus Mengsk - the self-proclaimed Emperor of the Terran Dominion - still reigns unhindered, his implacable taste for vengeance haunting Raynor’s every move. Not only that, but Kerrigan’s Zerg forces have been strangely quiet, keeping the galaxy ever so nervous. It’s been rough for Raynor and his troops, and things aren’t about to get easier.

If you haven’t played StarCraft you’re likely very confused at the above description. Actually, you’ll find that a whole lot of StarCraft II’s story doesn't make much sense. Thankfully, Blizzard does a commendable job at explaining the events that transpired without you ever having to play the first game. Hell, even the game installer gives you a synopsis of what’s happened. But even with all that story-telling goodness at your fingertips, know that StarCraft II isn’t exactly composed of the most intelligent plot. Space marine dudes need to kill these other dudes because they’re corrupt, but everyone needs to work together to destroy the greater alien threat. You’ve seen this plot a myriad of times and it’s predictable beyond imagining, but it’s simple and it works very well for what it is.

Blizzard’s way of telling a story, as simplistic as it might appear, consistently keeps you on-edge and remains entertaining throughout. Characters feel fully fleshed out and you’ll definitely find yourself caring about them, especially if you’re a StarCraft veteran. The cinematics are nothing short of mind-blowing, and be reassured that Blizzard is second to none when it comes to presentation.

Speaking of presentation, StarCraft II launched with a brand new version of Battle.net, Blizzard’s proprietary internet battleground. It’s required to activate the game and has an immaculate look to it. Above all, the new Battle.net manages to streamline the experience with easy access to replays, ladder ratings, friend lists, and even achievements.

One of my favorite things about the campaign is the throwback tribute to point-and-click adventure games. Take a game like Wing Commander: Prophecy, where during the interim missions you’d have to click on doors to travel from section to section, or maybe a person to speak with them. You interact with Raynor’s Battlecruiser, Hyperion, in this very way and it couldn’t be more awesome. The setup is very intuitive and while you make your way through the 29 missions (and one hidden mission) StarCraft II offers, you’ll constantly be upgrading your troops, doing DNA research, and otherwise interacting with people and objects like televisions on the Hyperion. On several occasions you’ll also be tasked to make a choice, each having permanent repercussions on the rest of your missions. All of this makes the campaign that much more enjoyable.

Once your foray into the world of single-player StarCraft ends, you’ll probably be curious enough to explore the definitive mode of the game; multiplayer. Being such a popular component, if the game didn’t live up to the impossible standard its predecessor set, rest assured that the gaggle of rabid fans would storm Blizzard’s stronghold. With that said, Blizzard’s perpetual development time didn’t fail here: the multiplayer game is fantastic.

Battle.net incorporates a brand new matchmaking system that accurately pits you against evenly ranked foes, or close to it. Actually, before you get into the ladder ranked matches, you’re required to complete a series of five placement matches. Depending on how you do, you’ll be placed in the Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, or Diamond leagues. Placement matches are unique for every division of play including 1v1, 2v2, 3v3, and the giant 4v4 games. So if you play a 2v2 by yourself, you’ll be matched up with a stranger and have to complete five separate placement matches before being ranked. If you team up with a friend, you’ll have to complete five placement matches with them to begin ladder play. It’s very easy and doing this certifies the most fun and the most accurate way of pitting players against one another. And if you keep on winning, you’ll find yourself moving up in your division and even upgrading to different leagues.

Like standard Blizzard fare, the triumvirate of races are well balanced and a ton of fun to play. Just be aware that StarCraft II adheres to the old school form of RTS, not like newer Dawn of War II style. The game almost requires knowing build orders; that is, a specific set of when-and-where to build structures and units, which can be daunting. It’s frustrating to constantly lose, but every time you play a match you’ll become more knowledgeable on how to counter your adversary and what works against what. Once again, the matchmaking system is pretty good about pitting you against equally skilled opponents, avoiding constant undeserved thrashings. Even so, the learning curve behind the game is very steep. It will require practice, observing replays, and just overall tooling your strategy for every game.

It sounds like a rough place, and it is, but the online experience is completely worth it. Blizzard wants you to get involved and to combat the learning curve, and they’ve even set in place a series of single-player challenges that will help hone your skill online. Even after a match ends, the game gives you an in-depth analysis of what went wrong, your economy, graphs of army charts, and even gives you the build orders of your enemy all in an effort to get you better.

StarCraft II is a RTS masterpiece. Its presentation is unparalleled and contains a certain polish that only a company like Blizzard can pull off. While the game certainly has a giga-learning curve, there are an infinite number of tools in place to get you on the winning side. The real challenge now is waiting for the already announced expansions for both Zerg and Protoss.

10/10 [?]

Labels: Activision Blizzard, Andrew Whipple III, Blizzard, PC, Review, Starcraft, Starcraft II

When Starcraft II finally hits shelves, players will find a new, more modern Battle.net attached to it than the one we came to know back in days of yore. It will be so shiny, in fact, that its ongoing development has pushed back the release date of the game into 2010. Bittersweet news for millions of nerds across the globe.

In a recent statement, Blizzard CEO Mike Morhaime addressed just how different the new Battle.net service will be. "Our vision for Battle.net is ambitious - we view the next generation of it as crucial to the future of our company." CEO Bobby Kotick added that the new Battle.net will look and feel "similar to XBOX Live," and that it will be "an investment in the future of gaming."

That sounds great, Bob. Super. Tremendous. Super f**king tremendous. But Starcraft II... pushed back... a year... a whole year...

*sigh* ...damn you, God.

Well, time to pass a year the old-fashioned way: getting drunk and rebeating Super Mario World seventy-something times. How will you pass the time?

Greg

Labels: Activision Blizzard, Battle.net, Greg Mengel, Starcraft II