Here are our top 10 favorite game selections, of games released in 2010. These are the games we sunk our hours into throughout the year. Based on our personal top picks, our GamingBits.com Game of the Year is Mass Effect 2. Congratulations BioWare! Mass Effect 2 will be introduced to PlayStation 3 players in January 2011, so don’t miss out on it. Let us know what your favorite games of 2010 were with a comment below!
Alexis’ Top 10 games of 2010 picks:
1- Mass Effect 2 (Xbox 360, PC)
BioWare topped the introductory Mass Effect game release with Mass Effect 2, improving on the game’s pacing, visuals and combat. The story was engaging, the soundtrack memorable and the voice acting delivered a solid, high caliber presentation. Not only was the core out of the box experience worth it, but Mass Effect 2 was the game that kept giving throughout most of 2010. Since its January debut, plenty of downloadable content was released. From some excellent paid episodes to a few freebies and even some unique giveaways. Mass Effect 2 is a must play.
2- God of War III (PlayStation 3)
Sony delivered an amazing God of War debut on the PlayStation 3 with God of War 3. More over-the-top action, creative weapons, challenging puzzles and gorgeous graphics made God of War 3 a rewarding game to play. This is one of those games that you can’t put down, from start to finish. God of War 3 may have been out fairly early in 2010, but still leaves an indelible impression today.
3- Castlevania: Lords of Shadow (PS3, Xbox 360)
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow finally delivers a high quality Castlevania game for this generation of home consoles. Konami and MercurySteam boldy re-imagined and relaunched the series. The gameplay is a crescendo, all the way through the post-credits cutscene. There are many moves to master, plenty of dark lore explored and re-interpreted, and an amazing orchestral soundtrack that accompanies the rich tapestry of Castlevania: Lords of Shadow. An excellent game. A tragic tale.
4- Alan Wake (Xbox 360)
5- Transformers: War For Cybertron (multiplatform)
6- PAC-MAN Championship Edition DX (PS3, Xbox 360)
7- Infinity Blade (iOS)
8- Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (PSP)
9- Bayonetta (PS3, Xbox 360)
10- Halo: Reach (Xbox 360)
Geoff’s Top 10 games of 2010 picks:
1- Mass Effect 2 (Xbox 360, PC)
This game did come out in January, but captured my heart and mind throughout its sweeping campaign. With an engrossing story and a myriad of DLC (both free and paid) adding greatly to the already lengthy story. The improvements over the first game are apparent even at first glance. It is a game that kicks you in the teeth from the opening cutscene and the ride doesn’t end until the final battle. I have never played a console game that left me wanting more than Mass Effect 2, therefore it is my personal game of the year.
2- Alan Wake (Xbox 360)
The survival horror genre is something which I have never gotten into very much in my years of playing games. Along comes Alan Wake from one of my favorite developers, Remedy Entertainment. I played it thinking I wouldn’t like it. I was dead wrong. Alan Wake is filled with mystery, challenging gameplay and a story that rivals most other great games of 2010. Somewhat overlooked, Alan Wake was not my favorite game, but was a close second. It confused me, shocked me and in the end was a truly unique, satisfying experience that everyone should at least try.
3- Red Dead Redemption (PS3, Xbox 360)
Rockstar Games has a reputation for pushing the boundaries of what gaming is and forever shall be. With Red Dead Redemption, Rockstar San Diego took the spaghetti western and created a story unlike any other released. Melding a massive virtual world, filled with interesting characters that you grow attached to over the course of the single player campaign. Not too far from the Grand Theft Auto formula, Red Dead Redemption is a critical and retail darling, and I cannot wait to see what comes next.
4- Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood (PS3, Xbox 360)
5- Costume Quest (PSN, XBLA)
6- Battlefield: Bad Company 2 (PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
7- Comic Jumper (XBLA)
8- Enslaved: Odyssey Into The West (PS3, Xbox 360)
9- Transformers: War for Cybertron (multiplatform)
10- PAC-MAN Championship Edition DX (PS3, Xbox 360)
Roly’s Top 10 games of 2010 picks:
1- Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood (PS3, Xbox 360)
While Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood is not the actual sequel to its predecessor, the sheer depth of gameplay says otherwise. The story of Ezio Auditore is “completed” within this chapter of the Assassin’s Creed mythos and Ubisoft continues improving the game’s superb story and action. For conspiracy theorists, fans of beautiful architecture and of course old world action, Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood is a must play.
2- Mass Effect 2 (Xbox 360, PC)
Mass Effect 2 takes what was great about the original and amplifies it once again, to Hollywood proportions. While the first is far more dependent of RPG elements, BioWare has created a sequel which will appeal to fans of shooters without alienating its original fan base. Exceptional voice acting to garnish the game’s compelling story make this a must buy for fans of action-RPGs.
3- Red Dead Redemption (PS3, Xbox 360)
This is the game that single handedly raised my appreciation for anything western, and it’s more than just a cowboy themed GTA. Red Dead Redemption is a sandbox game with a great story, action, voice acting and soundtrack; the online play is also fun. It has a broad range of missions and side missions, which never grow tiring. A gamer will easily get 50+ hours alone of gameplay from (in my opinion) Rockstar’s best sandbox game to date.
4- Halo: Reach (Xbox 360)
5- God of War 3 (PlayStation 3)
6- Shank (PS3, XBLA)
7- Angry Birds (Android)
8- Super Meat Boy (XBLA, PC)
9- Doodle Jump (Android)
10- Lunar: Silver Story (PSP)
James‘ Top 10 games of 2010 picks:
1- Halo: Reach (Xbox 360)
The Halo series holds a very special place in my heart and the wait for Halo: Reach was nearly unbearable. I played through the entire Halo series and even re-read The Fall of Reach before release. I got very little sleep those next two days as an epic tale unfolded right before my eyes. Hundreds of Covenant troops fell before the credits rolled and I was left breathless and slightly heartbroken. Bungie’s last entry in the Halo series is simply a masterpiece. Much like the previous Halo games, Halo: Reach will have an active community for years to come.
2- Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood (PS3, Xbox 360)
For a series with only three games so far, the Assassin’s Creed games have matured exponentially. What was a rigidly structured and laborious experience in the original Assassin’s Creed has become completely open and diverse in Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood. Tired of the main story? Spend some money rebuilding Rome. Having trouble with a mission? Recruit assassins to your guild for help. Finished with the main story? Jump in to multiplayer or replay your missions to receive 100% synchronization. With all the options available and the cliffhanger ending, I can’t wait for the next game.
3- Mass Effect 2 (Xbox 360, PC)
I’ve never been much of an RPG fan, but Mass Effect’s Sci-Fi universe hooked me instantly. After playing Mass Effect and reading the first two Mass Effect novels, I was ready to be blown away by the next entry in the series. Offering a much more streamlined interface and revamped shooting controls, Mass Effect 2 did not disappoint.
4- Red Dead Redemption (PS3, Xbox 360)
5- Rock Band 3 (multiplatform)
6- Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Conviction (Xbox 360, PC)
7- UFC Undisputed 2010 (Xbox 360, PS3)
8- PAC-MAN Championship Edition DX (PS3, Xbox 360)
9- BioShock 2 (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)
10- Puzzle Quest 2 (DS)
NOTE: For an expanded list of recommended 2010 games by system platform, see the following lists:
Top games lists for:
PlayStation 3 & PSN games
Xbox 360 and XBLA games
Wii and WiiWare games
Nintendo DS and DSiWare games
iPad, iPhone and iPad games
PlayStation Portable and PSP minis games
PC games
