This is the remaster of "Games of 2010." It is a list of games I played in 2010. It is a mix of "Level 1 – 2010" and new stuff. That post is an introduction to the website Your Personal Gamer to give an idea on what the website was about. Most of my thoughts about the games come from this post. For some of the games I reference older blog posts. I include a link to the post below the paragraph if I did. For the rest I had to write from memories.
Each game has statistics from my time playing. I was able to scavenge save files and achievements to complete many of the stats from 2010. I hope you find them interesting.
Peanut Butter and Chocolate
Darksiders (PS3)
Release date: 01/05/2010
Date played: 01/09/2010
Hours played: 19.25
Completion status: Complete
Achievements: 31/43 (72%)
Screenshots taken: NA
Acquisition date: 01/05/2010
Acquired from: NA
Price: $59.99 (List $59.99)
I kicked off the new year with Darksiders. I really like this game. It has great reviews, as well as not so good reviews. I thought it was great. I like the Zelda meets God of War feel of it. Vigil Games made a kickass art style. I highly recommend it.
"Darksiders: Wrath Of War," 1/11/2010
"What's Goin' On Here?!," 2/8/2010
Good Excuse to Replay 1
God of War Collection - God of War (PS3)
Release date: 11/17/2009
Date played: 03/14/2010
Hours played: 8.50
Completion status: Complete
Achievements: 33/36 (92%)
Screenshots taken: NA
Acquisition date: 11/17/2009
Acquired from: NA
Price: $39.99 (List $39.99 for God of War Collection)
I did not need an excuse to replay God of War, but the God of War Collection on Playstation 3 is an easy excuse. Replaying the Playstation 2 title with upscaled graphics and 60 FPS is a treat. I enjoy the combat and blood. The story of Kratos is great. Reliving he his rage is fun.
Good Excuse to Replay 2
God of War Collection - God of War II (PS3)
Release date: 11/17/2009
Date played: 03/29/2010
Hours played: NA
Completion status: Complete
Achievements: NA
Screenshots taken: NA
Acquisition date: 11/17/2009
Acquired from: NA
Price: $39.99 (List $39.99 for God of War Collection)
Pretty much the same as the first. The God of War Collection was a great excuse to replay God of War II. The story is a little more personal than the first. It is hard to compare the two games, but I think the sequel is better. I do love both.
All I See Is Red... So Do Gods
God of War III (PS3)
Release date: 03/16/2010
Date played: 04/12/2010
Hours played: 8.75
Completion status: Complete
Achievements: 32/36 (89%)
Screenshots taken: NA
Acquisition date: 03/16/2010
Acquired from: NA
Price: $99.99 (List $99.99 for Ultimate Edition)
I am a God of War fanboy, so it is no surprise that I love God of War III. It is an exceptional game. Fighting on top of a titan, beating the crap out of a god's face in first person view, and confronting Kratos's father are all highlights from this game. It is another highly recommended game from me.
So Bad It's Good
Earth Defense Force 2017 (360)
Release date: 03/20/2007
Date played: 05/19/2010
Hours played: 60.00
Completion status: Complete
Achievements: 4/6 (67%)
Screenshots taken: NA
Acquisition date: 12/03/2009
Acquired from: Amazon
Price: $22.19 (List NA))
Earth Defense Force 2017 is so bad it is good. A friend and I played coop together. The graphics are bad, the frame rate is bad, and the glitches are bad. However, the game is so much fun to play. There are so many weapons to unlock. We unlocked a missile launcher that locks onto an enemy. It does a ton of damage, but it moves really, really slow. It is entertaining to have one enemy left, and watch this missile fly around the map chasing a lone ant.
"The Winding Road," 5/7/2010
As Good As the Original
Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii)
Release date: 05/23/2010
Date played: 06/19/2010
Hours played: 27.00
Completion status: Complete
Achievements: NA
Screenshots taken: NA
Acquisition date: 06/02/2010
Acquired from: NA
Price: $49.99 (List $49.99)
I love me some Mario. Super Mario Galaxy 2 builds upon everything that made the original Galaxy great. If you love the first Galaxy, you will love the sequel. In fact, you probably already own it.
Party On Easy
Red Faction: Guerrilla (PS3)
Release date: 06/02/2009
Date played: 06/26/2010
Hours played: 18.75
Completion status: Complete
Achievements: 16/61 (26%)
Screenshots taken: NA
Acquisition date: 01/05/2010
Acquired from: NA
Price: $5.00 (List $19.99)
I got Red Faction: Guerrilla for five bucks since I bought Darksiders. I thought the first Red Faction game was alright. I like Guerrilla. Destroying buildings is fun. The party mode to create as much destruction as possible is a blast (hehe, puns). The main game is open world, which is new to the series. I thought the game was more enjoyable on easy. It is the first game I switched to easy after starting the game. I did not like being in the middle of nowhere, when marauders would suddenly show up and killed me. It is cheap, so I recommend it. A sequel is coming out this year, and it looks cool.
Good Licensed Game
Transformers: War for Cybertron (360)
Release date: 06/22/2010
Date played: 07/01/2010
Hours played: NA
Completion status: Early
Achievements: 4/50 (8%)
Screenshots taken: NA
Acquisition date: 07/01/2010
Acquired from: NA
Price: $59.99 (List $59.99)
I think Transformers: War for Cybertron is good. However, I have not beaten it. What I did play, I found enjoyable. It is a third person shooter with Transformer abilities. It is a good licensed game.
LMAO
DeathSpank (PS3)
Release date: 07/13/2010
Date played: 07/20/2010
Hours played: NA
Completion status: Complete
Achievements: 12/12 (100%)
Screenshots taken: NA
Acquisition date: 07/15/2010
Acquired from: Playstation Store
Price: $14.99 (List $14.99)
DeathSpank is from the mind of Ron Gilbert (Monkey Island, Maniac Mansion). It is hilarious. All the dialogue is voiced, which is a plus in my book. There is a lot of it. It is a simple loot-based RPG, but is a lot of fun. The names and descriptions of items are also humorous. There are not a lot of video games in the comedy genre, so I think I will come back to this series.
Clever Girl
Braid (PC)
Release date: 04/10/2009
Date played: 07/24/2010
Hours played: 14.00
Completion status: Complete
Achievements: 11/12 (92%)
Screenshots taken: NA
Acquisition date: 04/24/2009
Acquired from: Steam
Price: $14.99 (List $14.99)
Braid is one of the first modern-indie success stories. It was released during the golden age of indie games (in my opinion). Braid is a special game. It is a standard platformer, but with a time bending mechanic. The game has several clever puzzles, and has an even more clever story. I like that.
Reliving a Classic
The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition (PC)
Release date: 07/15/2009
Date played: 07/24/2010
Hours played: 7.00
Completion status: Complete
Achievements: NA
Screenshots taken: NA
Acquisition date: 07/24/2009
Acquired from: Steam
Price: $9.99 (List $9.99)
Buy The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition from Steam, Direct2Drive, or Xbox Live now. It is a fantastic game. It is a remaster of the original Monkey Island. It has updated graphics, voice acting, and remixed music. For hardcore fans it has the option of toggling the old graphics and music. I relived some good memories playing through this game. I played the original in 2001. Good times.
"Maybe It's Funny to Be Divine," 8/3/2009
Hell, It's About Time
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty (PC)
Release date: 07/27/2010
Date played: 08/01/2010
Hours played: NA
Completion status: Complete
Achievements: 72/154 (47%)
Screenshots taken: NA
Acquisition date: 07/27/2010
Acquired from: NA
Price: $59.99 (List $59.99)
I was still playing the original Starcraft up to the release of Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty. It only took ten-plus years to get a sequel. The story in the sequel is great, the gameplay is great, the controls are great, and just everything about the game is great. I hate Battle.net 2.0. It is the worst thing to ever happen to a Blizzard game. It is a necessary evil to play this great game, and I still recommend it.
It's Just Bad
Deadly Premonition (360)
Release date: 02/23/2010
Date played: 08/06/2010
Hours played: NA
Completion status: Early
Achievements: 1/12 (8%)
Screenshots taken: NA
Acquisition date: 05/05/2010
Acquired from: Amazon
Price: $19.99 (List $19.99)
I bought Deadly Premonition on the premise that it is so bad it is good, like Earth Defense Force 2017. I feel lied to. Deadly Premonition is just a bad game. It has bad controls, bad graphics, bad gameplay, and bad everything. It has some humorous dialogue, but I do not want to sift through that much crap to get to it.
"The Winding Road," 5/7/2010
Special Features The Game
Twisted Metal: Head-On Extra Twisted Edition (PS2)
Release date: 02/05/2008
Date played: 09/10/2010
Hours played: NA
Completion status: Early
Achievements: NA
Screenshots taken: NA
Acquisition date: 02/05/2008
Acquired from: NA
Price: $19.99 (List $19.99)
I am a Twisted Metal fanboy, and I bought Twisted Metal: Head-On Extra Twisted Edition just for the special features. I enjoyed the game on Playstation Portable. I played this game a little bit, but mostly played the special features. It includes the cut live-action cutscenes from the first game, concept art, downloadable soundtrack, playable builds of the beta version of the canceled Twisted Metal: Black sequel, and a 3D platformer where I was able to control Sweet Tooth and read developer commentary on the Black sequel. It is worth it to me.
Excuse To Play
Burnout Paradise DLC (PS3)
Release date: 01/22/2008
Date played: 09/25/2010
Hours played: 43.75
Completion status: Complete
Achievements: 64/98 (65%)
Screenshots taken: NA
Acquisition date: NA
Acquired from: NA
Price: $22.97 (List $22.97 for Toy Cars, Legendary Cars, and Big Surf Island DLCs)
I started playing Burnout Paradise again. I am playing it, because there has been a lot of DLC released for it, including Big Surf Island. The new cars are cool. The new island is a lot of fun. It is a lot more stunt based, which I enjoy. Really, it is just a good excuse to continue to play this great game.
LMAO While Wearing A Thong
DeathSpank: Thongs of Virtue (PS3)
Release date: 09/21/2010
Date played: 10/04/2010
Hours played: NA
Completion status: Complete
Achievements: 10/13 (77%)
Screenshots taken: NA
Acquisition date: 10/06/2010
Acquired from: Playstation Store
Price: $14.99 (List $14.99)
DeathSpank: Thongs of Virtue was developed side-by-side with the first game. That is why it was released so close to the original. It is great, because I did not have to wait for more DeathSpank. On the other hand, it is just more DeathSpank. It is not bad, but there is not much new. I still recommend both of the games.
Under Appreciated
Enslaved: Odyssey to the West (PS3)
Release date: 10/05/2010
Date played: 10/14/2010
Hours played: NA
Completion status: Complete
Achievements: 26/49 (53%)
Screenshots taken: NA
Acquisition date: 10/05/2010
Acquired from: NA
Price: $59.99 (List $59.99)
Enslaved: Odyssey to the West did not sell well, which is a shame. It is a fantastic game and you should buy it. It is a story driven game with fantastic voice acting and dialogue. Andy Serkis (Lord of the Rings, Heavenly Sword) and Lindsey Shaw (Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide, 10 Things I Hate About You) did the mocap and voice acting for the two main characters. They have a great rapport. The combat is simple, but fun. I was able to upgrade my weapons, which made the combat even easier. The platforming in the game okay. I was never in danger of messing up a jump. I highly recommend this game.
Who's A Good A.I.?
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 (360)
Release date: 03/18/2008
Date played: 11/07/2010
Hours played: NA
Completion status: Complete
Achievements: 9/47 (19%)
Screenshots taken: NA
Acquisition date: 04/11/2010
Acquired from: NA
Price: $19.99 (List $19.99)
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 is the first game in the series I have ever played. I love this game. The campaign is fun, and playing the terrorist mode is even more fun with friends. The tactical shooter aspects are satisfying. For $20, there is not much of an excuse for you to not get it.
Nostalgia
GoldenEye 007 (Wii)
Release date: 11/02/2010
Date played: 11/07/2010
Hours played: 3.50
Completion status: Early
Achievements: NA
Screenshots taken: NA
Acquisition date: 11/06/2010
Acquired from: NA
Price: $69.99 (List $69.99 with golden classic controller)
I have a lot of memories playing GoldenEye 007 for the Nintendo 64. GoldenEye 007 for the Wii makes me nostalgic. It has elements of what made the original fun, while modernizing it. The developers, Eurocom, walked a thin line remaking this game, but did a good job. I recommend it to people who have fond memories playing the original.
Still Playing
Borderlands DLC (PC)
Release date: 10/26/2009
Date played: 11/09/2010
Hours played: NA
Completion status: Complete
Achievements: 44/80 (55%)
Screenshots taken: NA
Acquisition date: NA
Acquired from: NA
Price: $19.98 (List $19.98 for Mad Moxxi's Underdome Riot and The Secret Armory of General Knoxx DLCs)
I have been playing a lot of Borderlands in between other games. Gearbox has released two DLCs, which is another reason I have been playing. The Zombie Island of Dr. Ned has better writing than the main game. It also plays different. The enemies are different, and the bosses are more interesting. It is short, but well worth the $10.
The other DLC released is Mad Moxxi's Underdome. It is definitely a coop DLC, so I played with friends. There are three different arenas. Each arena has five rounds with five waves of enemies in each round. Once we beat the initial arenas, the challenge mode arenas unlocked. These arenas are the same three arenas, but now we had different perks and challenges to the rounds. There are also 20 rounds instead of five. The biggest problem with this DLC is that there is no progression. It is for balancing reasons, but it leaves no satisfaction for completing arenas. It is fun for a bit, but gets old. I only recommend it, because it introduces a stash for items.
"No Rest For The Wicked," 1/27/2010
"What's Goin' On Here?!," 2/8/2010
"The Winding Road," 5/7/2010
Steals The Best Ideas From the Best Games
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow (PS3)
Release date: 10/05/2010
Date played: 12/04/2010
Hours played: 21.50
Completion status: Complete
Achievements: 24/43 (56%)
Screenshots taken: NA
Acquisition date: 10/05/2010
Acquired from: NA
Price: $49.99 (List $49.99)
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow sold better than Enslaved, but it is not selling great. Maybe good enough to greenlight a sequel. I think this game is great. I am not a big Castlevania fan, but I do like a few of the games. This one is a reboot of the series, so it is not original canon. Throughout most of the game I was wondering why they even bothered calling it Castlevania. There was no castle! By the end, I got my answer. I will not spoil it, but it is a great ending. I recommend this game to anyone new to the series. For fans, give it a shot; you might like it. I am really hoping for a sequel, because the setup is epic.
Good Burnout Game
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit (PS3)
Release date: 11/16/2010
Date played: 12/14/2010
Hours played: 26.75
Completion status: Mostly
Achievements: 27/51 (53%)
Screenshots taken: NA
Acquisition date: 12/05/2010
Acquired from: NA
Price: $34.99 (List $59.99)
I am not a big racing game fan, but I do love the Burnout series. When I heard Criterion, the team behind Burnout, was making the new Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit, I knew I was going to buy it. I bought it. This game is definitely more Need for Speed than Burnout. I still enjoyed this game. I recommend it to arcade racing fans.
I Need Some Space
Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (PS3)
Release date: 11/16/2010
Date played: 12/30/2010
Hours played: 31.00
Completion status: Complete
Achievements: 34/51 (67%)
Screenshots taken: NA
Acquisition date: 11/16/2010
Acquired from: NA
Price: $59.99 (List $59.99)
I loves me some Assassin's Creed. I enjoyed Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, and loved playing it. However, I would have been happier if they had not released another game in the series just one year after the previous game. I had to chose between Brotherhood and another game, and I passed on the other game. Brotherhood perfects what Assassin's Creed II started. The additions are fantastic. Continuing Ezio's and Desmund's journey is exciting. I have one nitpick. Rome does not feel right. The flow is constantly interrupted when parkouring through it. I felt like I was always being stopped by something. I still recommend the game.
2010 Summary
Games played: 23
Total hours: 289.75*
Oldest game played: Earth Defense Force 2017 (360) - 03/20/2007
Newest game played: Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit (PS3),
Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (PS3) - 11/16/2010
Most achievements earned: StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty (PC) - 72
Favorite game to 100%: DeathSpank (PS3)
Most hours played: Earth Defense Force 2017 (360) - 60.00
Total spent: $828.96
Game of the year: God of War III (PS3)
*God of War Collection - God of War II (PS3), Transformers: War for Cybertron (360), DeathSpank (PS3), DeathSpank: Thongs of Virtue (PS3), StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty (PC), Deadly Premonition (360), Twisted Metal: Head-On Extra Twisted Edition (PS2), Enslaved: Odyssey to the West (PS3), Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 (360), and Borderlands (PC) are not included in total hours.
There are a lot of good looking games that came out in 2010. I missed out on a ton of them this year.
Alien Swarm. I actually played this one. It is free on Steam. I played it for a bit and liked it.
Halo: Reach. I did not play the story, but I played a lot of Firefight with friends.
Mass Effect 2. I was not a fan of the series yet. Check out "Games of 2012" for my thoughts.
Red Dead Redemption. I got outstanding reviews, but I did not get a chance to play it this year. Check out "Games of 2011."
Limbo. I got this game as part of a Humble Bundle. I palyed it in 2012, so check out "Games of 2012."
Fallout: New Vegas. I liked Fallout 3 and I have heard this one is better. I just never had time.
Alan Wake. Got great reviews, but I never did get around to playing it.
Heavy Rain. Interesting looking game. The interactive movie element intrigues me, but not enough to buy it.
Amnesia: The Dark Descent. It is a indie-horror game darling that kickstarted Markiplier's career.
Super Meat Boy. I tried to play this game a few times. I have fun, but it is difficult.
BioShock 2. The Bioshock series is a bit too scary for me. I did watch a playthrough of it.
Fable III. It is a highly recommended series from friends, but I just never had time to play it.
Nier. I was following this game up to its release, but never had a chance to play it.
Dante's Inferno. I actually read Dante's Inferno in preparation for this game. However, I never did buy it. I played the demo and it was fun.
Metroid: Other M. It looked so good, until it was released. It seems like this game just destroyed everything fans loved about the series.
Blur. It is sad that this game killed Bizarre Creations. It looked like a fun spin on cartracing, but it did not sell well.
Pac-Man Championship Edition DX. Did not play it this year, but is one of the first game on "Games of 2011."
God of War: Ghost of Sparta. I am not sure why I only played this for a few hours. I completed the PS3 remaster in 2013, so check out "Games of 2013" for my thoughts.
Epic Mickey. It looked fun, but I just had too many games to play.
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game. This game is highly rated. Again, just did not have time.
Back to the Future: The Game. I love the movie trilogy, so I should really play this. It is canon, so that is cool.
Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands. I never did get around the the Sands of Time trilogy. If I had, I might have played this.
Thank you for reading this thing. I worked hard recreating this post. I cannot believe how many good games I played this year. Hopefully you enjoyed the games you played this year.
- Royfuss