Game of the Year 2009 Nominees

Sat, Nov 28, 2009

Below find our nominees for this year’s Game of the Year as selected and voted by you the players. You can select one game from each category – use the drop-down box at the end of each section to make your selection. When finished, click on the send button.

User votes will count for 75% of the total votes, and JPS’ editor/writer votes will count for 25% of the total votes. Voting will end December 10th and winners will be awarded December 12th.

Best RPG of 2009 Nominees:

Demon's Souls
Publisher: Atlus
Release Date: October 5, 2009
There have been many releases that have challenged gamers over the years, but none of them compare to PS3s exclusive Demons Souls. With its deep leveling system, amazing boss battles, unique online play, and extreme difficulty, this game was a no brainer GOTY choice. Because of the games uniqueness and being set to the hardcore gamer, we reviewed this game with a 5/5.

Dragon Age: Origins
Publisher: EA/Bioware
Release Date: November 2, 2009
From Bioware, the creator of games such as Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and Mass Effect comes Dragon Age Origins. This title offered game play that could range hundreds of hours. The game can be compared to Mass Effect, but think of this game as a fantasy epic and not futuristic. We loved the way choices made a difference in the world, and with multiple origin stories to start with, this was a game we can see ourselves playing long into 2010.

Star Ocean: The Last Hope
Publisher: Square-Enix
Release Date: February 24, 2009
Star Ocean: The Last Hope is a Japanese RPG that takes place before the events of the first Star Ocean game that was released on the PlayStation. One of the things that we found interesting in this game is the addicting battle system. With a colorful cast of characters and a story that would take days to complete, this is one of the few JRPGs to be a hit here in the U.S.

Borderlands
Publisher: 2K Games/Gearbox Software
Release Date: October 20, 2009
Borderlands is a RPG/FPS hybrid built around cooperative action in a sci-fi universe. With four player support, over three million weapon combinations, and a unique art style this game really separated itself from the others this year.

Please cast your vote for Best RPG:

Best Fighting Game of 2009 Nominees:

Street Fighter IV
Publisher: Capcom
Release Date: February 18, 2009
Some classics never die. That is defiantly the case for Capcoms rival of the classic Street Fighter series with Street Fighter IV. Introducing stunning visual effects and solid core fighting mechanics, this classic revival produced a new instant classic. With over twenty characters to choose from and combos a plenty, this game turned the heads of all fighting fans. With extra features and a solid online mode, Street Fighter IV is one of the best fighting games of the year!

Tekken 6
Publisher: Namco Bandai Games
Release Date: October 26, 2009
Namco brought back the original 3D fighter this year to consoles with their U.S release of Tekken 6. While it has been around in Japan since late 2007, this game still owns its own unique charm with its 2009 U.S release. With over 40 characters to choose from, a lengthy single player campaign, and an intense online mode, this fighter had Tekken fans and new comers a like in awe.

Marvel Vs. Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Release Date: September 2009
One of the best fighters of all time has returned this year with the re-release of Capcoms Marvel VS Capcom 2! Though the game has been around for seven years, the game was released summer of 2009 for PSN and XBLA. The graphics were cleaned up and polished for a full HD look and was also given a solid, lag free online mode to boot. Over fifty characters from the Marvel and Capcom universe collide in this updated version of the fast paced, button mashing, finger aching, 3 on 3 fighter. Now the question is, did the game Take You for a Ride?

Blazblue: Calamity Trigger
Publisher: Aksys
Release Date: July 2, 2009
2D High-Resolution fighting brilliance. That is one of the many descriptions of Aksys Games Blazblue: The Calamity Trigger. This fast based insane 2D fighter turned the heads of hardcore fighting fans and new comers alike. With its amazing cast of crazy characters and a wide verity of special attacks, this is one of the best 2D fighters to be released in years. Throw in a competitive online mode that can sync up with players all around the world, and a unique story line and you have a sure contender for fighting game of the year.

Please cast your vote:

Best Shooter Game of 2009 Nominees:

Killzone 2
Publisher: SCEA
Release Date: February 28, 2009
After a bad reception for the first game in 2004 the Playstation exclusive sequel rose up and came back with a vengeance. Killzone 2 presented players with stunning visuals and an in depth multiplayer experienced that rivaled Call of Duty 4.

Left 4 Dead 2
Publisher: Valve
Release Date: November 16, 2009
We relive the zombie apocalypse this year’s fast paced zombie FPS Left 4 Dead 2. With a strong emphasis on co-op and never playing a game that is exactly the same as the last, Left 4 Dead 2 is a truly unique shooter experience. With more believable survivors, more zombies, more weapons, and even more brutality, this is far better than the original, and is one of the best shooters to be released in 2009!

Modern Warfare 2
Publisher: Infinity Ward / Activision
Release Date: November 9, 2009
Following the most critically acclaimed shooter of 2007 Modern Warfare 2 hit shelves this year. By adding spec ops, extending its intense campaign, and amping up its already amazing multiplayer experience it was able to build upon an already proven and successful formula.

Halo 3: ODST
Publisher: Bungie Studios / Microsoft Games
Release Date: September 21, 2009
Following the most critically acclaimed shooter of 2007 Modern Warfare 2 hit shelves this year. By adding spec ops, extending its intense campaign, and amping up its already amazing multiplayer experience it was able to build upon an already proven and successful formula.

Please cast your vote for best FPS / Shooter:

Best Action Game of 2009 Nominees:

Assassin's Creed II
Publisher: Ubisoft Montreal
Release Date: November 16, 2009
Assassin's Creed II continues the story of Desmond and his ancestors to help better understand the modern day motives of the Templars. This time around the game dropped the repetitive nature of the first and added variety throughout all aspects of the game.

Batman: Arkham Asylum
Publisher: Warner Bros.
Release Date: August 24, 2009
Guide Batman in Gotham's Arkham Asylum as he tries to stop the evil Joker once again. The game has gotten a near-perfect score from majority of critics on the internet.

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
Publisher: Naughty Dog/ SCEA
Release Date: October 12, 2009
Uncharted 2 continues the journey of Nathan Drake where he has to uncover the secrets of Marco Polo. The game is a PlayStation 3 exclusive and it received a near perfect score. Critics said that Uncharted 2: Among Thieves can be compared to a Hollywood movie.

Resident Evil 5
Publisher: Capcom
Release Date: March 12, 2009
Resident Evil 5 is the first Resident Evil game that offers an online/offline co-operative gameplay. It features several things from Resident Evil 4 and it brings back the fan-favorite, Chris Redfield, from the first Resident Evil game.

Please cast your vote:

Best PS3 Exclusive of 2009 Nominees:

iNFAMOUS
Publisher: SCEA
Release Date: May 26, 2009
What do you get when you mix up the acrobatics of Assassins Creed with super powers that rival famous comic book heroes? Playstation 3’s Infamous of course! In this high voltage action game you got to take on the role of Cole, a normal guy turned super hero when he gains electrical powers. One of the great things about this game is how your powers developed throughout the game, changing depending on if you are good or evil. With a fantastic story and frantic action, this title is a easy candidate for action game of the year!

Please cast your vote:

Best XBOX 360 Exclusive of 2009 Nominees:

Forza Motorsport 3
Publisher: Microsoft Games
Release Date: October 26, 2009
The famous motorsport racing series returns onto the 360 with Forza Motor Sport 3. This title set the bar in realistic racing and realistic visuals for racers on the XBOX 360. With its deep customizing abilities, ability to sell your cars and designs over XBOX live, and solid racing mechanics, this is one of the best racing games to be released in 2009!

Halo Wars
Publisher: Bungie Studios /Microsoft Games
Release Date: March 2, 2009
Taking on the fight against the covenant in a new perspective for the Halo series, Halo Wars was a solid strategy game based in the Halo Universe. Taking place before the events of the first Halo game, command your marines and Spartans in an all out war to stop the covenant. With a strong plot and good character development, this game was truly a treat for those who are fans of Halo lore. Though not a FPS, this strategy game was a great add on to the Halo series, and one of the more tactical orientated games of 2009.

Please cast your vote for best 360 Exclusive:

Best Nintendo Wii Exclusive of 2009 Nominees:

Muramasa: The Demon Blade
Publisher:Vanilla Ware/ Ignition Entertainment
Release Date: September 5, 2009
Fans of Vanilla Ware's Odin Sphere should take a look on this colorful world where a Samurai must uncover the secret behind its demon blade in this Wii-exclusive side scrolling game.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii
Publisher: Nintendo
Release Date: November 14, 2009
New Super Mario Bros. Wii is an all new Super Mario Bros. game for the Nintendo Wii. It follows the past Super Mario Bros title and it's great to see Mario again in a platformer genre.

Punch Out
Publisher: Atlus
Release Date:May 20, 2009
The famous motorsport racing series returns onto the 360 with Forza Motor Sport 3. This title set the bar in realistic racing and realistic visuals for racers on the XBOX 360. With its deep customizing abilities, ability to sell your cars and designs over XBOX live, and solid racing mechanics, this is one of the best racing games to be released in 2009!

Resident Evil: Darkside Chronicles
Publisher: Capcom
Release Date: November 18, 2009
Return to the events where Resident Evil 2 and Code Veronica took place and uncover deep secrets that Umbrella has. This is a rail-shooting game and the second installment of the hit, Umbrella Chronicles for the Nintendo Wii.

Please cast your vote for best Nintendo Wii exclusive:

Other Nominees for:

Best Handheld Games

Most Anticipated Game of 2010

Best Downloadable Game of 2009

Game of the Year 2009

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Rating: 9.7/10 (15 votes cast)

Rating: +1 (from 1 vote)

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2 Comments For This Post

Madusha Says:
November 28th, 2009 at 12:58 AM
Great list. Uncharted 2 will easily take the win for overall best GOTY.

In the YourEMGN awards, over 1000 votes cast for overall GOTY with 80% for Uncharted 2.

-Madusha
UN:F [1.8.5_1061]

Rating: +1 (from 1 vote)
Chance Says:
November 29th, 2009 at 6:15 PM
This is the first GotY list I’ve seen where I didn’t give a smug harrumph at one nomination or another – all the noms seem perfectly reasonable to me. Good on ya.
UN:F [1.8.5_1061]

Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)