So long 2010 and thanks for the fish

2010 is dead. The year that started with the promise of great things and fizzled to nothing more than the year of sequels and expansions has finally been put to rest. So now, as the last Quality Street are being plucked from the tin, the task of naming the best of 2010 begins.

Looking around the internet most people say that 'Red Dead Redemption' is the best of 2010 and while it is an excellent game I'd have to disagree. For me Mass Effect 2 was the best game of 2010.



Mass Effect 2 resumes the story of Shephard as he or she journeys across the outer reaches of space desperately warning people of the impending reaper threat, like a gun toting Cassandra.
From the cinematic opening sequence to the frantic closing mission, Mass Effect 2 is suspenseful, full of action and with a story line so engaging you'll not want to stop playing.

The gameplay is an improvement over the original and while the absence of the 'Mako' is noticeable. It doesn't hinder the game in anyway. Party management has become a slick and easy to use process that means you no longer have to spend hours changing peoples equipment just because a new pistol is available.
The characters themselves are interesting, and for the most part likeable. Often you will find yourself ensuring no harm comes to your favourite characters.

So if you find yourself with a bit of money left over from the holiday season then go pick up this game (and the original too if you haven't played it). You won't regret it particularly as the third and possibly concluding chapter is coming soon.



Honorable mentions go to:
Red Dead Redemption
While the story line is stretched a bit thin the multiplayer more than makes up for any grievences you may have with this game.
Just Cause 2
A fun and chaotic action game, a bit like GTA on Red Bull that is let down by a paper thin plot and slightly repetitive gameplay.
Fallout 3: New Vegas
If you liked Fallout 3 you'll love this game. If you never played Fallout 3 try this, just don't pay any attention to the random bugs and I don't mean the Rad Scorpions.
Dead Rising 2
2010 was also the year of the zombies, if you're the kind of person that loves Dawn of the Dead and the Walking Dead you'll love playing this game.
Alan Wake
Terribly cheesy but at the same time gloriously wonderful, it has the slickness of a wonderfully polished american tv show. Just avoid the DLC.
World of Warcraft: Catacylsm
Technically not game in its own right but the work that has been done to Azeroth and the various realms of WoW has been absolutely amazing. If you've not tried it yet try WoW now, its the best its ever been right now.