With Black Friday lingering and just a small handful of games left in 2009, it’s high time to take a refresher course in some of this year’s biggest and best reviews. I’ve broken down most of our most illustrious verdicts, platform by platform, to pick out some samplings of read (and watch) worthy material. Yesterday, I focused on handheld and PC highlights from 2009. Today, I'll be focusing in on the best multiplatform and downloadable games. And, because you need something to do either before eating turkey or before camping out in the freezing cold for a $200 game console and free games, tomorrow brings the best reviews across platform exclusives.

Come back tomorrow at 1pm PST/4pm EST for our final day of recaps.

Put on your reading glasses; without further ado, here’s G4’s The Reviews of 2009...In Review!

Multiplatform

People will argue back and forth over the Internet for eons about what version of a game is better and which game console sucks. And then there are people too busy playing games to sweat the platform pie fights. Here’s a look at games across multiple platforms (and before the tin-foil hats come on, I pulled the review links based on pagination, not platform preference): 

Street Fighter IV - 5/5
Available on Xbox 360, PS3, PC

“The fighting game has evolved considerably since Street Fighter II exploded the genre into superstardom in the early ‘90s. Street Fighter IV proves that Capcom still has what it takes to dominate the genre almost two decades later. The fourth installment may, at long last, have trumped the second. Anyone with even a passing interest in one-on-one brawling owes it to him or herself to get into Street Fighter IV. Even if you haven’t touched a fighting game since the 16-bit era, one match of Capcom’s new masterpiece will remind you why you spent so many hours at those now long-shuttered arcades.”

Skate 2 - 4/5
Available on Xbox 360, PS3

“While it’s basically just a more polished version of the first game with a few additions here and there, Skate 2 is easily the best skating game on the market. The city is massive, the trick system still feels like butter on wheels, there are endless challenges, events and places to discover, and the online features are plentiful. It would have been nice to have seen a truly new city, more fluid off-board controls and maybe a more engaging narrative, but in terms of giving players plenty of skating bang for their bucks while being consistently fun and satisfying, Skate 2 is a worthy addition to any library, especially for anyone who missed the first ride.”

Red Faction: Guerilla - 4/5
Available on Xbox 360, PS3, PC

“Overall, Red Faction: Guerrilla manages to distinguish itself enough from the competition to be a fun change of pace. The sci-fi atmosphere and destructive landscape are great, and there's plenty to do. While the story itself is fairly linear, the ways to accomplish your objectives are anything but ordinary. Grab a hammer and get out there. There are a lot of walls and even more heads to crack if you’re hoping to liberate this little red planet.”

Fight Night Round 4 - 5/5
Available on Xbox 360, PS3

“Fight Night Round 4 offers that all too rare experience of seeing stunning visuals have a profound effect on gameplay – yes these boxers look amazing, but the way that you box move will have an effect on how long you’re standing. Factor in a highly improved career mode and an in-depth online title chase and you’re looking at one of the years finest titles across any genre. The franchise is in new hands, and after several hours of jabs and hooks, I’m happy to say that it’s in good hands.”

Batman: Arkham Asylum - 4/5
Available on Xbox 360, PS3, PC

“Ultimately, Batman: Arkham Asylum succeeds because it’s a great game, with or without the license. It seamlessly transitions between beat-‘em-up brawler, intense stealth action, and exploration-friendly adventure without missing a beat. When broken up, they’re not necessarily strong enough to stand on their own -- Challenge Mode is an afterthought – but together, the components make for a lean, tight experience. If you’re a huge fan of the Dark Knight, this will go down as one of the best games you’ll play in 2009. If you’ve got a passing interest, there’s still plenty to dig into and enjoy.”

Guitar Hero 5 - 4/5
Available on Xbox 360, PS3, Wii

“It's hard to believe we're already on Guitar Hero 5. I remember sneaking into Red Octane's pint-sized E3 booth years ago to see the first Guitar Hero prototype. There was no hype. These days, music games are a dominating force in the industry. The Guitar Hero series has been playing catch-up since Harmonix split to make Rock Band, however, and while Neversoft has admirably picked up the slack, each edition since the divide has been a little…off. Guitar Hero 5, however, is a return to form for the series.”

The Beatles: Rock Band - 4/5
Available on Xbox 360, PS3, Wii

“It could be argued that The Beatles: Rock Band transcends being ‘just a game’ and is more of an experience, but at heart, it is simply an exemplary casual game that capitalizes (possibly literally) on the love and admiration people share for the world's biggest music sensation. The Beatles iconography readily lends itself to a standalone title, and what it lacks in difficulty, it makes up for in charm and sheer authenticity.”

Need for Speed: Shift - 5/5
Available on Xbox 360, PS3, PC

“There’s always something to strive toward in Need for Speed: Shift beyond finishing first, and the actual driving is rewarding thanks to the amazing cockpit camera (the best I’ve ever experienced in a racing game) and spectacular controls.  If you’re a racing game fan, go ahead and pick up Need for Speed: Shift. It brings back a lot of the fun that has been missing from sim-oriented racers for a while.”

FIFA Soccer 10 - 5/5
Available on Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, PC

“FIFA 10’s rich subtleties reward everyone. If you’re looking to pick up a soccer game in time for next summer’s big tournament and kick a ball around, there’s something here for you. If you’ve tracked every evolutionary change year-by-year, there’s an embarrassment of riches... FIFA 10 renders the Beautiful Game more beautifully than ever before.”

Brutal Legend - 4/5
Available on Xbox 360, PS3

“It’s got some bumpy moments, but overall, Brutal Legend is an absolute blast. Between the excellent voice talent, the heavy metal-driven universe and mythology that Tim Schafer and Co. have crafted, and the totality of the game’s vision make this a truly unique and worth addition to the Double Fine canon. That said, there are some plot stumbles, and control issues, and the multiplayer could be much deeper.  However, for those willing to embrace the game’s tone and style, you’re in for one hell of a ride.”

Borderlands - 4/5
Available on Xbox 360, PS3, PC

“Despite (some) issues, the game is incredibly fun and still offers a good amount of loot satisfaction for the treasure-monger in all of us. Above all else, the shooting is incredibly polished and would stand on its own in a game without randomized guns and RPG elements. Borderlands is meant to be played co-operatively and should not be enjoyed alone. Not everyone will rush to start their second playthrough, but it’s definitely worth playing at least once with a few buddies.”

Dragon Age: Origins - 5/5
Available on Xbox 360, PS3, PC

“Dragon Age: Origins is a triumph of RPG design for BioWare -- albeit one that takes some work to truly appreciate. What at first glance seems like a standard-issue fantasy universe with a typical save-the-villagers-from-the-horde plotline eventually morphs into an amazingly deep RPG experience that invites the player to explore and re-explore this rich and incredibly well-drawn alternative reality. You’ll come for the sword-fighting and spell-slinging but you’ll stay because of characters you care about and an amazing world that rewards patient exploration.”

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 - 5/5
Available on Xbox 360, PS3, PC

“Nobody does war like Infinity Ward. Its Call of Duty titles have evolved from excellent examples of the first-person shooter genre to a redefinition of what gamers expect from a war title. With Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Infinity Ward takes the already solid foundation laid in Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare and polishes it to a jaw-dropping shine.”

Left 4 Dead 2 - 4/5
Available on Xbox 360, PC

“Left 4 Dead 2 is a worthy sequel and at no point comes across as a game that should have been released as a downloadable expansion to the original. You are getting a true sequel here. Valve may have produced Left 4 Dead 2 in a single year, but it's a game smartly engineered for fans of the original and meant to frustrate you in the most entertaining way possible while you bleed out on the floor screaming for help.”

Assassin’s Creed II - 4/5
Available on Xbox 360, PS3, PC version coming 2010

“It's not uncommon for a developer to take criticism to heart and incorporate changes in ensuing games, but the structural overhaul done in Assassin's Creed II exposes the indefensible flaws of the first game. Some older things didn't get fixed, and some new things were broken in the process, but the Montreal studio is definitely sending a message: ‘This is what we really wanted to do from the beginning.’ It shows.”

Xbox Live Arcade & PlayStation Network

Summertime is usually a period of gaming doldrums. Most of the big blockbusters are still under development, and if you’re lucky, an unlikely game emerges as the “must-play” experience. Fortunately, thanks to initiatives such as “Summer of Live” and a more flexible release schedule, we saw plenty of great pint-sized games this year that delivered the goods.

Battlefield 1943 - 4/5

“All in all, Battlefield 1943 is a steal.  Great sound, great graphics, great fun, and great price.  That about sums up what we’re all after, right?  It inherits some minor ticks from its big brother, but it’s tough to beat the price.”

‘Splosion Man - 4/5

“‘Splosion Man is a quirky, challenging, stylish platformer with tons of replayability that every Xbox 360 owner should check out. There are few minor issues here and there, but overall, it’s an absolute blast.”

Fat Princess - 4/5

“It’s a fun romp that allows you to use more serious gameplay mechanics in a fanciful world and let’s face it: who doesn’t love force-feeding a woman giant slices of magical cake? The strong core game opens the door for future expansion with more maps and modes, so for $15, Fat Princess is a safe bet for gamers craving some off-beat action.”

Marvel vs. Capcom 2 - 4/5

“Marvel vs. Capcom 2 is unquestionably one of the high points of Capcom’s golden era of fighting games. It’s accessible, vibrant to look at even today, and online play alone makes it a must buy. Sure beats paying $80 on eBay for the PlayStation 2 version.”
 

Shadow Complex - 5/5

“When you add in how gorgeous the game is -- a fantastic display of Unreal Engine 3 grafted onto a 2D template -- to the rest of the game’s accomplishments, Shadow Complex might be the most deceptive game of the year.  It plays so well, looks so good and offers so few obstacles to enjoyment that the elegant crafting of the game disappears behind the veneer of breezy simplicity.   It’s a subtle deconstruction of the core elements of excellent game design and should not be missed.”

Come back tomorrow at 1pm PST/4pm EST for our final recap, which covers platform exclusives!