The WOW! Buzz

2009 saw an onslaught of new video games for all three major consoles: PS3, Xbox360 and the Wii with the debut of seven more titles which brought the total up to 1,099 games (all consoles, via GameStop). The most graphically intensive games seem to have gotten the most attention from fans and critics but sometimes the classics make their way back to the forefront. Here is just a sampling of some of 2009’s biggest hits.

Left 4 Dead 2 (Xbox 360, PC)

Left 4 Dead 2 continues the Zombie Apocalypse that was unleashed just a year before. Response to the first game was so intense that Valve decided they could make enough improvements and changes to satisfy players. The basic setup is simple: four people thrown together in a Zombie Apocalypse, trying to survive  with a few high powered weapons.

While the first game had individual “movies” to play, L4D2 chose to tie all the “movies” together, creating a more seamless story of escape. The online play (arguably the most fun) is just as good as it is in the first version, though with the second version there are new characters, new weapons and a new artificial intelligence system that throws more Zombies and problems at you just when you think you are in the clear.  Working with the other members in L4D2 is probably even more crucial in this version.  In addition, melee weapons became a BIG focus in this version of the game which make the game play a little more fun. The new weapons provide everything from a baseball bat to a guitar to help fend off the hordes.

L4D2 came out on November 17th and was well received by most critics.  Many fans were excited to have new maps and weapons to play. It was even up for a Spike Video Game Award but lost to Uncharted 2.

Batman: Arkham Asylum (Xbox 360, PS3, PC)

In August, DC Comics released arguably its’ best superhero game to date.  Batman: Arkham Asylum is an action packed game that caught the attention of both critics and gamers early.  The game was nominated for a number of awards in 2009 and an announcement has already been made that there will be a sequel due to the huge success of the game.

This incarnation of the Batman series brings the voice talents of some well known actors, including Mark Hamill as Joker. This game was designed to hold true to the comic book series and serve as a story, not just a game. Sliced into the games are clips that seem to just be a part of the game as opposed to taking it over. They move the story along to the next point of the adventure where you can take over. Gameplay is extremely varied with a mix of stealthy moves, calculated combat, brute force moves, and some puzzles. These different aspects help in play value and when all is said and done, it really feels like you are playing a movie.

New Super Mario Bros (Wii)

Another late-season release, Nintendo came out swinging for the holidays with a new spin on an old favorite. They revitalized this game with a new multi-player feature that allows four gamers to play at the same time.  However, the game does not allow for online play. The game creates a nostalgic feel by using the side-scrolling of the original and makes a distinct departure from the Mario Galaxy type of game play. All the while, the visual style is unique and supplemented by good texturing and a mix of 3D rendered objects making the graphics very clean and appealing. In this chapter, Mario and team find themselves in a very similar situation, saving the Princess.

Nintendo scored big with the release, raking in more than $4 million in sales and three separate awards for Wii Game of the Year. The game was released to good reviews all the way around. Many critics appreciated Nintendo’s attention to detail while working in the 2D world and making sure to keep the difficulty up for seasoned players. The negative feedback largely consisted of disappointment that online co-op was not supported.

What games sparked your interest in 2009? What are you anticipating in 2010?