Over the last few weeks, we asked IVG members to name their own top 5 games of 2010. There were no nominees to choose from, so members were free to name any five games they wanted, as long as they released in 2010. Over 50 games were voted for and 24 of those made it to number 1 on members’ lists; proof that 2010 was a year full of great games.
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We put all the votes together to arrive at IVG’s Overall Top 10 Games of 2010, and here they are:
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IVG Review: 8/10
“Fast exotic cars on tracks purpose-built for high speed races and cop chases. It’s hard to believe that the last few Need for Speed games managed to get such a simple basic philosophy so horribly wrong. With Criterion at the helm, however, that focus has now returned. But as good as Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit is, it’s hard to ignore the missed opportunities in terms of event types and the unfulfilled potential in the free roam design of Seacrest County. This game could have been a lot more, but even what it does offer is immensely enjoyable. Hot Pursuit doesn’t do much to move the genre forward; if anything it’s built around an eight-year-old formula. But it will remind you of why you used to love Need for Speed games, and it will make you fall in love all over again.”
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IVG Review: 9/10
“Despite whatever flaws you can find across platforms, Bad Company 2 is such a team-focused game that buying it on the platform your friends are buying it on is the only advice I can hand out. All in all, it’s a fairly hearty recommendation. This is one of the best multiplayer games to come out in recent times and every one should give it a go.”
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For several reasons, we didn’t get around to reviewing Halo: Reach on IVG, so here’s an excerpt from Gamespot’s review, which awarded the game 9.5/10
“Halo: Reach is not only brimming with excellent content, but it’s also bursting with possibilities. The exciting campaign, addictive Firefight mode, and dynamic competitive multiplayer make it one of the best shooters around. The extensive customization options, powerful Theater tools, and staggering Forge capabilities make it one of the most malleable and socially engaging games on consoles. And the slick menu system brings it all together with remarkable simplicity. Though its deep roots may not win over those who haven’t enjoyed previous games in the series, Halo: Reach is a towering achievement that delivers an enormous amount of engaging content that players will no doubt be enjoying for years to come.”
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IVG Review: 8/10
“It is very easy to get lost in Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood. Yet, despite the great refinements, innovative multiplayer and the mountain of content, it is important to acknowledge the fact that Brotherhood ignores what the series has established – the joy of exploring a world that is completely new. It might be unfair to call it a cash-in for all the effort that has gone into crafting it, but in light of the stunted story progression, are the incremental changes and a multiplayer component worth a full disc release? It’s a difficult question to answer. I’m inclined to call it a cash-in worth every penny it charges, but a cash-in nonetheless.”
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IVG Review: 9/10
“Gran Turismo 5 isn’t a perfect game, but it’s got its heart in the right place. It lays a heavy emphasis on a love for cars, driving, and motorsport, even if at times it borders on overindulgence. There are some technical issues, and some of the design decisions are bewildering, but once you get behind the wheel, and you hear the engine roar and the gears shift, it makes that five-year wait so worth it.”
Next page: IVG’s Top 5 Games of 2010
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IVG Review: 9/10
“Heavy Rain is an unforgettable, groundbreaking spectacle of compelling story-telling, which ventures where video games have rarely gone before, and manages to stand its ground triumphantly. In a jaded market ruled predominantly by guns, fast cars and extreme action, it ambitiously emerges as a refreshing change, encouraging both the gaming industry and its patrons to stop and smell the roses. Kudos to Quantic Dream for creating a well thought out, emotionally engaging experiment that is sure to pave the way for the future of gaming.”
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IVG Review: 7/10
“Black Ops is a perfectly playable game, serviceable owing to its me-too design ethics. While I didn’t regret my time spent with it, it did open my eyes to how important everything else around the gameplay is. This could (and should) have been a better game, one that took Modern Warfare 2′s level of polish forward. It doesn’t. It isn’t.”
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IVG Review: 10/10
“Mass Effect 2 is everything a sequel should be. Bioware has stripped the franchise off all that held it back and has taken some major risks with the design, but in the end, it all works. Even the most skeptical RPG fans will appreciate the fresh new take on the classic RPG template and newcomers to the genre will feel right at home with its accessible gameplay. But even more than that, the game deserves credit for bringing to life an entire universe full of great locations, intergalactic politics, fantastic technology and quirky characters. The Mass Effect universe may borrow a lot from other sci-fi franchises, but it’s still one of the best fully realised game worlds you’ll ever experience.
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IVG Review: 9/10
“God of War III is not innovation. Neither does it walk too far away from the shadow of its predecessors. Instead, God of War III is redefinition. It redefines our understanding of scale in video games. God of War III is restoration. It restores the meaning to a word we reviewers often throw at the drop of a hat – epic. It is the most beautiful violence you have ever seen in a video game. In all its moments of brilliance, you will revel in delicious bloodlust while the blades of exile are on song, and your most primal instincts will scream with delight. Pull out your most wicked smile for this one.”
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IVG Review: 10/10
“Red Dead Redemption is an outstanding tribute to the Western film genre and trumps said inspiration on several occasions. Having been used to spending Rs 2,499 or more on games that provide six hours of engagement, it is thoroughly pleasing to dive into a game that offers not just a rollicking good ride, but a long one at that, without getting derailed halfway through the journey. Players will carry fond memories of it for years to come, and once you have played it, any future Western, whether game or film, will be measured by the yardstick that is Red Dead Redemption.”
Click here to find out which games won in our other 12 Game of the Year categories