WelcometoExtremeGamer

GOTY10


• Graphics • Sound • Innovation • Mojo • Multiplayer • DL Game • DLC • Follow-up • Character • New I.P.









 
BEST GRAPHICS 2010

Alan Wake
Microsoft / Remedy Entertainment

Remedy Entertainment showcased a product of refinement in Alan Wake, a suspenseful tale that uses its graphical prowess to tell a story of shadow and light. Alan Wake is a prime example of how build atmosphere and use dynamics to make an engrossing experience, one that wouldn't be attainable with anything less then a showcase of the best. Remedy this one is for you.
Review Quote "More than a chess match with shadow puppets, 'Alan Wake' is one of the most alluring titles of the year that surpasses its lit up gimmick."









 
BEST SOUND 2010

Alan Wake
Microsoft / Remedy Entertainment

Following Remedy's exemplary work in the graphical production, Alan Wake snags another award because of its superb use of audio. In conjunction with our review of Alan, everything from the vaporous sounds to the real life delivery from the voice actors, everything works and is believable. Topping an already impressive visceral experience is Petri Alanko's soundtrack that is simply phenomenal, making Alan Wake our clear choice for Best Sound of 2010.
Review Quote "Every sound will feel amplified as your senses heighten to adjust to the spooky disposition of the game world, half the battle for a developer when creating a suspenseful horror-influenced game. This level of quality is captured by a superb balance among ambiance noise, creature sounds (the darkness), character banter, and the soundtrack. It also doesn't hurt that the quality of the sound production is high, with a strong showing from the cast and 'Alan' who narrates your adventure."









 
MOST INNOVATIVE 2010

Heavy Rain
SCEA / Quantic Dream

Learning from their past exploits developer Quantic Dream took their idealism for an interactive gaming experience one step further in the Playstation 3 exclusive Heavy Rain. This "interactive drama" introduced a new way of storytelling with an emphasis on realism and gritty drama through multiple perspectives with an one-of-a-kind control scheme. While Heavy Rain wasn't for everyone, you had to admire Quantic's drive to create something new, and this time standing out from a crowd works. Heavy Rain is our pick for this years most innovative title.
Review Quote "Heavy Rain is an experience like no other, and one that will be different for everyone who lets themselves fall into its spellbinding narrative. Quantic Dream has done an amazing job engrossing the player into a deeply felt story that has all the care and production of a feature film."









 
MOST MOJO 2010

Red Dead Redemption
Rockstar Games | RS San Diego

If you're a fan of Westerns, "Red Dead" is your ultimate gaming vice and overflowing with gun slinging mojo. Almost every inch of "Red Dead" is filled with interesting characters with more personality in it's opening cinematic then entire games. From Marston to the grave robbing Seth, "Red Dead" has the mojo. I like to call this one "The Good, The Red and The Dead."
Review Quote "'Red Dead Redemption' is a must buy. Every Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 owner should play this game (as long as they’re over 18 and not a member of PETA)."









 
MULTIPLAYER GOTY 2010

Halo: Reach
Microsoft | Bungie

The shooters came out in full force this year and despite their respectable offerings from Battlefield: Bad Company 2 and COD: Black Ops, Halo: Reach came out as 2010 breakout multiplayer experience. Surprising? Not really given the fact that this is Halo and this is Bungie. From the upgraded Forge to the streamlined matchmaking and beyond solid gameplay with co-op support, Halo: Reach is the best-of-the-best when it comes to multiplayer.
Review Quote "Almost everything about Halo: Reach is perfect. The campaign feels great other than a few slow spots and stupid AI - and the multiplayer and matchmaking set a standard that all FPS games should be following. On top of that, the customization that Bungie has given players access to is second to none."









 
DOWNLOADABLE GOTY 2010

Limbo
Playdead

If you've been make your way through our GOTY 2010 awards, it shouldn't be too alarming that Limbo is our pick for downloadable game of the year. Limbo is an outstanding title that had to be that much better given the expanding landscape of downloadable games. From motorcycles to squishy meat-boys, we've seen it all, but there can only be one, and that one is Limbo.
Review Quote "There are so many things to be appreciated about Limbo, both in the ideology of games as art, in which Limbo is a prime example, and the design philosophy that games need to be fun."









 
DOWNLOADABLE CONTENT 2010

RDR - Undead Nightmare
Rockstar Games | RS San Diego

Red Dead Redemption's Undead Nightmare add-on sounded like it might be a nightmare cash-in on the current zombie crazy in gaming, although what we found was an outstanding add-on that changed the entire landscape of the original game. In this unconventional marriage of the wild-west and zombies, Undead Nightmare provided a fun, unique setting for Marston to explore and without a doubt the best downloadable content this year.
Review Quote "'Undead Nightmare' is a fairly lengthy DLC pack with a bunch of new features. The story is straightforward and there are not a lot of mission types but the Stranger quests, new weapons, new mounts, and the challenges all add much needed variety."









 
BEST FOLLOW-UP 2010

Mass Effect 2
EA | Bioware

Bioware is always striving to create the ultimate role-playing game and Mass Effect continues this lineage of excellence with its more streamlined sequel. Improving on almost every aspect from the original, Mass Effect 2 attempts to more the action RPG even more accessible, and you know what? it actually worked. Bioware has built an astonishing game that is redefining the "action RPG" genre with its smooth melding of 3rd person action built on a hardcore role-playing base. If you want to live out the ultimate space oddity, Mass Effect 2 is it, as it expands on the concepts started in the original.
Review Quote "If you don't have this game already, run to the store right now and pick it up, and slap yourself in the face for not doing so earlier. In my humble opinion, this is the best game ever released for the Xbox 360."









 
BEST CHARACTER 2010

John Marston
Red Dead Redemption

The stand-out character of 2010 comes from the masters of characterization Rockstar Games with their outlaw turned family man John Marston, the lead protagonist in Red Dead Redemption. John Marston (voiced by Rob Wiethoff) human qualities translated flawlessly from within the game making John's quest and morals stand out just as much as the characters he had to deal with in his world. While we likely won't be seeing John return in further Red Dead adventures, we appreciated his company through the long travels across the barren plains.
John Marston Quote "MY NAME'S JOHN MARSTON, FRIEND!"









 
NEW I.P. 2010

Alan Wake
Microsoft / Remedy Entertainment

Most of 2010 was a year filled with follow-up titles, however a few publishers took chances with some new titles that could likely spawn into future franchise players. Out of the top "new" games, Alan Wake gets the vote from our panel for Best New I.P. in 2010. Rightfully deserving we love Alan and would love to see more of Mr. Wake and his confounded endeavors.
Review Quote "Alan Wake is a stellar experience that will live on in your mind days after the final credits role. The pacing, storytelling, and light based gameplay is astounding, making Alan Wake one game that fans of narrative driven games shouldn't miss."









 
BEST GAME "MADE IN CANADA" 2010

Mass Effect 2
EA | Bioware

"Made in Canada" is a new category to reward the best home grown game released this year. Since our audience is primary Canadian, why not lead the charge in our 2010 awards. Claiming the igloo at the top of the Canadian rockies is Alberta's Bioware Corp. and their space epic Mass Effect 2. The Bioware team is no stranger to awards, so why not give them one more... I think they deserve it.
Review Quote "If you don't have this game already, run to the store right now and pick it up, and slap yourself in the face for not doing so earlier. In my humble opinion, this is the best game ever released for the Xbox 360."

"Platform" awards -->