GRcade Game of the Year Awards 2010: Chat thread

[Dalagonash]

Not enough Blaz Blue love in them 'best fighter' lists.

Its too complicated.

Bayonetta is a better choice. Definitely not enough Bayonetta all round in fact.

I view Bayonetta as an action game or a 'beat em' up', I class fighters as purely the one on one, mano a mano situations with health bars, or the subversions of such a formula in the likes of Smash Bros and Power Stone.

Bayonetta is more the long distant cousin of the likes of Streets of Rage and Golden Axe, and I certainly wouldn't class them as the same type of game as Mortal Kombat or Street Fighter. Although in a way they are both approaches to the same idea, but I feel their virtues lie in different areas and thus should be looked at separately.

As for complexity, perhaps. But I think it's still possible to have a lot of fun with Blaz Blue without reading a hundred page instruction manuel before hand and like many other games, it does a fairly good job of slowly revealing its depths over time. I just don't think that many people have played it in all honesty.

[HSH28]

Not enough Blaz Blue love in them 'best fighter' lists.

Its too complicated.

Bayonetta is a better choice. Definitely not enough Bayonetta all round in fact.

I view Bayonetta as an action game or a 'beat em' up', I class fighters as purely the one on one, mano a mano situations with health bars, or the subversions of such a formula in the likes of Smash Bros and Power Stone.

Bayonetta is more the long distant cousin of the likes of Streets of Rage and Golden Axe, and I certainly wouldn't class them as the same type of game as Mortal Kombat or Street Fighter. Although in a way they are both approaches to the same idea, but I feel their virtues lie in different areas and thus should be looked at separately.

Historically that has been true. But generally the reason theres been a difference is I think because in a 1 on 1 fighting game (or a limited number of opponents in a small stage) the fighting has been made to a higher standard, seeing as thats the only thing the game has to offer it makes sense. However I think the fighting system in Bayonetta stands up on its own to the 1 on 1 and other types of fighters traditionally looked as as part of that genre in a way that more adventure type games haven't in the past. Which is why I've voted for it in that category. For me it betters games like SSFIV and BlazBlue at their own game.

[Wedgie]

In fact I could always bump off Alan Wake on my list and put in Lego Harry Potter Years 1-4...

Shows how much I rely on bargains of old games.

[Zombitedesade]

I think it'll have to be Enslaved for me. Kinda caught me off guard this one, i didn't really rate ninja theory's previous work: Heavenly Sword and really paid no attention to Enslaved as a result.

But what a game it is! Absolutely gorgeous to look at, some of the best (if not THE best) characterisation in video games I've seen, a simple but effective combat mechanic and a lovely non frustrating platform game too. Enslaved is testament that setting your game in a post apocalyptic world doesn't have to mean grey, brown and more grey. Its proof too that old school video game design doesn't have to stay rigid to constantly punishing the player and still provide rewards to the player through other means.

[Dalagonash]

Good points HSH, and well made, the fighting in Bayonetta is indeed deliciously deep and thrilling fun to try and master so while I can't bring myself to voting for it, I can understand your reasons.

Should be awards for Best Story, Best Voice Acting (or Performance by Male/Female Actor), Best Original Soundtrack and Best Use of Contemporary Music.

I agree with this. Most of this. I don't necessarily see the need for the last catagory, but all bar that yes.

[Frank]

It would appear that again, most of the games I've played and enjoyed this year came out last year

[rudderless]

Good points HSH, and well made, the fighting in Bayonetta is indeed deliciously deep and thrilling fun to try and master so while I can't bring myself to voting for it, I can understand your reasons.

Should be awards for Best Story, Best Voice Acting (or Performance by Male/Female Actor), Best Original Soundtrack and Best Use of Contemporary Music.

I agree with this. Most of this. I don't necessarily see the need for the last catagory, but all bar that yes.

Well, the VGAs had Rock Band, Guitar Hero and other music games all up for Best Soundtrack, but I always think that should be reserved for original compositions. I was also thinking of Alan Wake and Red Dead here.

[rudderless]

But what a game it is! Absolutely gorgeous to look at, some of the best (if not THE best) characterisation in video games I've seen, a simple but effective combat mechanic and a lovely non frustrating platform game too. Enslaved is testament that setting your game in a post apocalyptic world doesn't have to mean grey, brown and more grey. Its proof too that old school video game design doesn't have to stay rigid to constantly punishing the player and still provide rewards to the player through other means.

Totally agree with all that. It's a real shame it flopped, as in many regards, it's a real pace-setter, certainly for characterisation.

[HSH28]

Definitely could do with some more categories.

I think 'Shooter' is much too wide a genre for starters, also there should be a handheld category and I'm sure others would be sensible additions too.

[Christopher]

Not enough Blaz Blue love in them 'best fighter' lists.

Have you got it on PSP?

[BID0]

There hasn't been many standouts for me this year. I think I may be going off of videogames again.

MAG, Mass Effect 2 and Rock Band 3 are some of my favourite games of all time though.

[Wedgie]

There hasn't been many standouts for me this year. I think I may be going off of videogames again.

MAG, Mass Effect 3 and Rock Band 3 are some of my favourite games of all time though.

Further proof of time traveling is possible.

[Christopher]

There hasn't been many standouts for me this year. I think I may be going off of videogames again.

MAG, Mass Effect 3 and Rock Band 3 are some of my favourite games of all time though.

Further proof of time traveling is possible.

Yeah but BID0? I'd like to think a time traveller would be someone with a little class.

[The People's ElboReformat]

More people need to vote for NGamer as best magazine. Dala, Jimmy and HoC know the score.

[BID0]

Whoops. I better go check my list in the vote thread

I'm going to blame the amount of [insert game title] 3 just lately

[Christopher]

More people need to vote for NGamer as best magazine. Dala, Jimmy and HoC know the score.

I would, but Retro Gamer has been amazing this year.

[The People's ElboReformat]

More people need to vote for NGamer as best magazine. Dala, Jimmy and HoC know the score.

I would, but Retro Gamer has been amazing this year.

Well then use your mod powers to edit NGamer into other peoples votes.

[Dalagonash]

Not enough Blaz Blue love in them 'best fighter' lists.

Have you got it on PSP?

Not yet, I've heard it's good though so I really should get my mitts on it.

Good points HSH, and well made, the fighting in Bayonetta is indeed deliciously deep and thrilling fun to try and master so while I can't bring myself to voting for it, I can understand your reasons.

Should be awards for Best Story, Best Voice Acting (or Performance by Male/Female Actor), Best Original Soundtrack and Best Use of Contemporary Music.

I agree with this. Most of this. I don't necessarily see the need for the last catagory, but all bar that yes.

Well, the VGAs had Rock Band, Guitar Hero and other music games all up for Best Soundtrack, but I always think that should be reserved for original compositions. I was also thinking of Alan Wake and Red Dead here.

Yeah, it was the Rock Band/GH games that immediately sprang to mind and made me doubt the award, but to be honest I'd forgotten about Alan Wake's excellent use of contemporary music, and some of the good moments in Red Dead so fair enough, it makes more sense to include it now.

[Corazon de Leon]

My top five of the year:

Rock Band 3
Rock Band 3
Perfect Dark
Dead Rising 2
Pokemon Heart Gold

[Kanbei]

Something needs to be checked, is Mass Effect 2 an action/adventure game or an RPG?