Scanning the interweb you’ll notice most of the major gaming sites have been releasing their game of the year for 2009, or top ten. Seeing that Gamer Limit has also released a list today I’ve decided to release one of my own.
I’m only listing PC games and games that I discovered or started playing in 2009, and also to keep within the theme of my bog. Hence the blog title “What’s Komplex Playing?”. Now some of you may say “Lame! some of these games didn’t even come out in 09!” Wellllll tough sh$@, this is my blog. Read or leave 
#10 Modern Warfare 2 - I was so hyped for this game, my clan was going to start its own ladder and we’d be playing this game for years! Welll, we were wrong.. No dedicated servers, hackers galore, the shittiest matching system I’ve ever seen, and no built in clan scrims/matches was what we got. Granted the game graphics and gameplay are great, but once you bet the 3-4 hours of single game play and get romped by hackers a few times in multiplayer you get sick of it. It’s still on my list as I DID spent tons of hours playing to level my prestige up, and playing with clan members. However if I could go back in time I would have skipped this one all together.
#9 Aion - Wow killer? No, but still pretty fun. Though My attention span only keep me in the game till level 20ish (Dragon age, then MW2 were released). I might return in the future and give it another whirl.
#8 BorderLands - GUNS GUNS GUNS! Though a direct console port with a somewhat annoying menu system, this FPS/RPG was a very fun play through. I’m sure I’ll return for another round after I bet the game I’m currently playing (Heroes of might and magic 5, again… I know.. I just love it!).
#7 Hearts of iron 3 - Hoi3 was probably the worst of the HOI series. However that’s like saying it was the worst of Porsche’s. It was still a good game compared to all the other trash out there these days. BTW if you don’t know what the HOI series is. SHAME ON YOU! Go buy it or do the research! For those of you saying “Well HOI might be the best WW2 simulator of all time, but its way to complicated”. I don’t want to hear it, go back to your 5 button console game, and leave the real strategy games to the gamers who don’t flip burgers for a living.
#6 Space Trader Merchant Marine - Obscure trading game, that doubles as a crappy shooter anyone? Yes, yes. The game might have been outdated, and the FPS element was almost sad. However I loved this game for the dynamic trading elements. It very much reminded me of Gazillionaire (anyone… no one remembers?). Bahhh anyway, besides the concept of buy low sell high, there were some other bounty/quest roles adding in. This is probably why it sucked up so much of my time, as I keep replaying to get a better high score to submit online to the boards.
#5 Need for Speed Shift - I’ve always been a fan of the NFS series and Shift didn’t let me down when it came to the physics they created for this game. Being an ex-street racer myself, and occasionally taking my own Porsche to the track I can tell you they did a VERY good job on this game. I know allot of gamers complained that the game was too hard or different from other racing games. That’s completely true! It’s realistic.
#4 sins of a solar empire entrenchment - Ahhh Sins! The space based RTS game released an expansion this year, and as its a not a NEW game it really shouldn’t be on this list but… I’ve logged a ton of hours in the original game and unlocked 95% of the achievements. I’ve also been playing Sins on an off when I get bored with other games. This is a “true” RTS game, like TA or Supreme Commander, you have to win via strategy instead of attrition like other RTS. In real rts’s all of your resource mines/etc never run out. Gathering solar power, why would you ever run out? These games focus on this point and force you to think differently. Don’t get me wrong Stracraft and other “normal” RTS’s are still fun, but they aren’t as strategic or engaging as real RTS’s. It’s like comparing checkers to chess. while both fun, chess is so much more dynamic and strategic.
#3 World of Goo - That game with the little alive balls? Yup, that’s the one! This indie game caught me off guard as I was expecting something for kids. It was instead a very cool brain teaser game with a few interesting quarks. All in all I don’t think the game play was long enough, but I’m glad they put in an “OCD” mode, though I think some of them aren’t achievable.
#2 Dragon Age - I love Bioware! Their games are always so rich, their gameplay dynamic and re-playable. Ever since Baldur’s Gate and then KOTOR (Knights of the old Republic) I’ve been a fan. Dragon Age appears to have a similar game mechanics engine with amazing graphics and detail. The storyline and characters were well thought out and very engauging. I can’t wait to see the next expansion they release as I assume this will be a series of games all using the same DA engine.
#1 Mount and Blade - No game was more satisfying to play this year then M&B. There’s nothing quite like mounting up and charging a line of foot soldiers, hacking your way to glory. Or assaulting a castle with your hand picked heroes knights and soldiers by your side.
The game is simply amazing! A strong RPG element for leveling your character and heroes (even basic troops gain EXP and can be leveled up). Dozens of paths to choose, (outlaw, lord, knight, slaver, trader, bounty hunter, etc). You can also build your party up and lead hundreds of soldiers to the field. Sure the graphics may be a little outdated, and there is no multiplayer. However the sandbox environment and the shear volume of mods available for the game will keep you racking up the playtime hours. Easily my #1 pick for 09. SIMPLY LOVE IT!
