Adam Sessler & Abbie Heppe's Five Recommended Games From 2009

61 Comments

Posted December 14, 2009 - By Andrew Pfister

It turned out to be quite the interesting year, didn't it? Even though a batch of games got pushed back to next year, 2009 still had a pretty impressive roster of titles. The obvious ones we've already covered, but we wanted to break down our favorites from the year on a more personal level. All this week we'll be featuring G4tv.com and X-Play staffers' picks from 2009 -- whether they were the best games we've played, the most interesting, or the most under-the-radar, these are the ones that stuck with us the most.

Click here for our official Best of 2009 nominees, and tune in to X-Play on Tuesday, December 15 to find out who won!

* * *

Adam Sessler -- The Lone Gamer

Through a mixture of only having single-player games when I grew up and now having a thoroughly unreliable schedule I tend to gravitate toward games that are just me, the console, and my profanity. Looking at this list, I also realize that I favored games that satisfied gaming desires that are harder and harder to placate.

1. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

Kinda backed myself into this one when I said that it was the best single-player game I had ever played. Still believe it. I’ve now played through again and the game still produces action set pieces that are what I had to invent in my head when I play other games. A joy to play and a thrilling refinement of the genre.

2. Ratchet and Clank Future: A Crack in Time

Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time

I love platformers and the Ratchet series has been my sole refuge for the forgotten genre. Regardless, Insomniac outdid themselves with this installment, producing a challenging game that blows me away with the thoughtfulness of the storytelling and visuals that allow me to feel lost in the cartoons of my youth.

3. Borderlands

Borderlands

Yeah, I know I said I like to play alone and the game is a phenomenal experience with others, but what compels me above all else is just how damn good the guns feel in the game. It brings me back to playing any shooter that crossed my PC back in the old days just for the visceral joy. Here, those urges are satisfied ten-fold and amidst an art style that feels like the Best Ralph Bakshi film never made.

4. Shadow Complex

Shadow Complex

Man I forgot how I missed games like this until I played it. My love of exploring a game environment I based on a child-like fixation on mystery and discovery, and given how many nooks and crannies are littered about this title, I almost turned in my review late because I had…to find…everything.

5. Dragon Age: Origins

Dragon Age: Origins

I miss Baldur’s Gate, I miss sitting at my PC for countless hours fiddling around with loot, combat placement and getting lost in the small details. This game is like a banquet of every comfort food I like, cooked to perfection.

Abbie Heppe -- Under the Radar

I love the games in our “Best Of” short lists and most need no further endorsement (they already occupy most of my waking hours) so here’s my list of awesome -- and affordable! -- games from 2009 that didn’t make it into our nominees:

1. 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand

50 Cent: Blood on the Sand

No, this is not like the first 50 Cent game. It’s a very fast paced, over-the-top arcadey shooter that borrows its core gameplay from The Club. Incredibly replayable and offering a fresh take on the sometimes stale shooter genre, Blood on the Sand deserves far more respect that people want to give it.

2. Pinball Hall of Fame: The Williams Collection

Pinball Hall of Fame: Williams Collection

If you are a pinball enthusiast like I am, you’ll notice that PHOF has the most faithful recreations of classic pinball cabinets with sound, style and feel that is, I daresay, perfect. For the love of games, please buy this one that they can make more and perhaps include licensed cabinets in the next iteration.

3. Style Savvy

Style Savvy

Style Savvy is the game that needs to come bundled with Modern Warfare 2. Pick this up for a wife or girlfriend now and you’ll thank me for the extra hours you get to slaughter people online later. A quirky and detailed take on running a fashion boutique, it defies being another guilty pleasure by just being so damn fun.

4. House of the Dead: Overkill

House of the Dead: Overkill

Det. Isaac Washington has to be one of my favorite new characters this year and the dialogue and campy grindhouse feel of HOTD is spot on. The downside is that Wii graphics (quite literally) muddy up this exceptional railed shooter, but I wouldn’t let that stand in the way of playing this game. (Grossest. Final boss. Ever.)

5. Droplitz

Droplitz

It’s easy to overlook how satisfying the most simple games can be (Minesweeper anyone? Solitaire? Peggle?), and the simplest and sweetest one that sparked my interest this year was Droplitz, Atlus’ first downloadable title for PSN and XBLA. You have to create pathways to steer rapidly falling droplets through the pipeline before they run out, and before you know it, it’s 4 AM and you aren’t sure if you’ve playing for hours or maybe days but dammit, there are still more things to unlock so you power through it.

Tags: Nintendo DS, PC Gaming, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Videogames, Wii, Xbox 360

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mastered

way to go Abby. as someone who almost never has any cash thanks for putting good games on your list under $50.

you rule!!:) ( Abby haters can go fry an egg)

Posted: December 24, 2009 2:45 PM
beastabubbles

Thank you Abbie :)
I rented 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand the day it came out because I had a free rental and it was the only thing in stock lol. But when I played it I was surprised because it was freaking awesome. I'm glad it's atleast getting some recognition.

Posted: December 19, 2009 5:53 PM
TommyBoy777

that Abbie chick's choice are pretty lame... 50 cents game for first place???
but Adams is good I wanna try out borderlands and dragon age.. I would try out uncharted 2 I just dont have a ps3..

Posted: December 19, 2009 1:22 PM
Syzgu

I'm glad someone else loved the new R&C as much as me. It's my #2 this year after Street Fighter IV.

Posted: December 18, 2009 10:03 AM
sirisles

abbie,
i like that you put a pinball game on your list ,do you own a real pinball machine? if yes does it compare?
thanks and keep gaming!!!!

Posted: December 17, 2009 3:58 PM
EpicAmbu

LoL style Savy i luv u Abbie

Posted: December 16, 2009 8:57 PM
ghettoe

I just remembered minesweeper. Damn is there a way to win it?

Posted: December 16, 2009 12:49 PM
Resist_4_Ever

My personal faves are:

- Diablo 3
- Starcraft 2
- Duke Nukem Forever

Huh? what do you mean "not out yet"? But weren't they supposed to.. Oh right.
Sorry.

Posted: December 15, 2009 2:38 PM
Rawlph

I actually picked up Style Savvy because of your recommendation. I liked it so much I bought it for my sister's birthday and she liked it too. Thanks Abbie, you're awesome!

Posted: December 15, 2009 11:35 AM
sandboxgamer

My Top 5 of 2009

1. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
2. inFamous
3. Assassin's Creed II
4. X-Men Origins: Wolverine
5. Killzone 2

Posted: December 15, 2009 9:56 AM
WhiteWallsBTBAM

1. Assassin's Creed II
2. Batman:AA
3. MW 2
4. DiRT 2
5. Left 4 Dead

Still a few game that I haven't played yet though like Borderlands and Brutal Legend

Posted: December 15, 2009 9:25 AM
kwfang

My list
1.Modern Warfare 2 (PS3)
2.Left 4 dead 2 (PC)
3.Uncharted 2 (You know already)
4.Tekken 6 (PS3)
5.God of War Collection (You know already)

Posted: December 15, 2009 8:29 AM
TNT93o

1)Uncahrted 2
2)Assassin's Creed 2
3)inFAMOUS
4KILLZONE 2
5)Demon's Souls

rock on world \m/

Posted: December 15, 2009 5:56 AM
rigzz21

1)Uncharted 2
2)Call of Duty MW2
3)Zelda Spirit Tracks DS
4)Assassins Creed 2
5)LittleBigPlanet PSP

I cant believe how much I have played my DS and PSP this fall, great titles overall. But the one game that sits in my console the most......Uncharted 2!! GOTY

Posted: December 15, 2009 1:07 AM
popsickle59

1) Brutal Legend
2) Halo 3: ODST
3)Assassins Creed 2
4) Left 4 Dead 2
5) the Halo: Reach Trailer lol :3

Posted: December 14, 2009 11:46 PM
austin43

1. Modern Warfare 2
2. Mx vs Atv Reflex
3. Halo 3:Multiplayer Disk (Lol i used it more than ODST)
4. Halo 3:ODST
5. Trials HD

Posted: December 14, 2009 10:52 PM
mronoc89

1. Brutal Legend
2. Battlefield 1943
3. The Beatles: Rock Band
4. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
5. Left 4 Dead 2

Granted I've yet to play Arkham Asylum, Infamous, R&C, Demon's Soul's and Assassin's Creed 2. Mostly because I don't have PS3 yet.

Posted: December 14, 2009 10:46 PM
furiousgeorge

I totally agree with Abbie on 50 cent: Blood on the Sand. That was a really fun game. I don't even like 50 cent.

Posted: December 14, 2009 10:41 PM
alchen21

ok here my list for this year!

1. Dragon Age: Origins ( ones i start playing it, i can't stop for the next 3 days. )
2. Call of Duty MW2 ( so we have a No Russian, get over it we all seen worst in live, after that it was silver Metal for the whole game. )
3. Shadow Complex ( Like a Hot Ride, is so old school mode, but yet so nice looking, and still sweet to ride for the summer. )
4. Assassin's Creed 2 ( what happens in Italy... would get you to the future later. spoiler* )
5. DJ Hero ( yeah! you think i wasn't going to give you an add one, mix that up B' )

* I cant wait to see what would get next year!

Posted: December 14, 2009 10:29 PM
NickAnguiano

1. Dragon Age Origins (PC VERSION)
2. Uncharted 2

Every other big and small game that I am playing I have enjoyed roughly the same. There wouldn't be a point in ranking them because because I like em all. Just Dragon Age on the PC and Uncharted 2 really stood out to me this year have really earned a special place in my heart.

Posted: December 14, 2009 10:13 PM