Top 10 PS3 Games of 2010

Honorable Mention

I find Bad Company 2 to be an exceedingly difficult game to discuss; I blame that on personal bias. Whereas the original Bad Company had a more focused single-player campaign and took a truly distinct game play approach, this sequel feels too by-the-numbers in comparison to its predecessor. Make no mistake about it, though, it's most certainly a game that any fan of first-person shooters should at least look into. But no matter how much I enjoyed it, I'll admit to still coming away from my initial playthrough unexpectedly underwhelmed. Gone are most of the first Bad Company's more interesting attributes - like pseudo-open world progression and in-game cut-scenes - and in their place is a game that seems a little too eager to ditch said ideas and replace them with current FPS trends. Two of the most interesting facets of the original - those being firm emphasis on vehicle use and a reliance on witty, humorous dialogue - have been dumbed down considerably. The four likeable soldiers that make up the titular B Company are still interesting, and the gunplay is well and truly perfected, but I found myself wanting a little more Bad Company and a lot less cribbing from other popular military shooters. Even with that said, Bad Company 2 is still a fun experience, warts and all. What's more is that, as any sequel should do, it fixes a lot of the original's glaring flaws while improving on the things that did work. I'm glad to see that DICE have found their footing and I hope with that that the inevitable Bad Company 3 brings back some of what made the series so enjoyable in the first place.

It may not be the most refined game, Alpha Protocol offers up a deep, satisfying RPG/action experience set in the world of top-secret espionage nonetheless. The action elements on display aren't particularly noteworthy, but where the game excels is in its excellent conversation system where each conversation can have a lasting effect on future character interactions and also play a part in how the story unfolds. The story and voice-acting are absolutely top-notch and the content-rich experience will provide patient, forgiving players with a unique experience. I'd also like to add that if you're into character customization half as much as I am then I'm confident you'll have a ball with Alpha Protocol. You can change the look of main character Michael Thorton slightly, but deep ability and weapon customization allows for some really creative thinking. Are you going to make him into a bad-ass hand-to-hand combat expert? How about a gung-ho, guns-blazing, ask-questions-later kind of guy? Or maybe he'll be the stealthy type with a knack for computer hacking? The way one plays is entirely up to the one holding the controller. Those looking for top-of-the-line graphics will undoubtedly find themselves disappointed, however, but if you're on the hunt for an involving - albeit technically deficient - action/RPG blend, look no further than Obsidian's underrated Alpha Protocol.

I've stuck by the 007 franchise for years, but allow me to elaborate on that further. I'm not overly enthusiastic when it comes to the films, but I've always enjoyed playing through the series' vast array of video games whether they be direct movie tie-in's or those with completely unrelated storylines. Even if some fell well below the bar set by the Nintendo 64's smash-hit GoldenEye, based on the 1995 movie of the same name, they have always held a special place in my heart. Where Blood Stone manages to set itself apart from the rest is simply in its execution. Activison developer Treyarch helmed the movie-based Quantum of Solace - released late 2008 - and managed to get right what most other developers (excluding GoldenEye's Rare Software) got wrong; you actually felt like James Bond. It's obvious to me that Blood Stone developers Bizarre Creations carried over the intensity of Quantum of Solace and then proceeded to toss it into a much better, overall more focused 007 game. Although some may not understand why, forgoing the popular first-person perspective that so many associate with the series was the smartest thing they could have done. First-person shooters are fine and dandy for player immersion purposes, but we play James Bond games to take direct control of him, not to necessarily see unfolding events through his perspective. The 007 character in and of himself practically begs to be played in third-person, which is what I'm thankful Bizarre has done here. Not only does Blood Stone play as I would expect, it's also arguably better than any of the recent movie sequels. I'm sure Blood Stone will remain massively overlooked by the general gaming populace simply because it's not being shoved down our throats by way of endless ad banners and overblown TV commercials, but it damn sure did for this gamer exactly what I wanted it to do: make me feel like I was in control of my very own Bond film.

Enslaved: Odyssey to the West is exactly the kind of game we need more of. There is no quicky single-player campaign (in fact, Enslaved's is quite lengthy), no elaborate multi-player mode(s), and nary a gun in sight. It offers up, instead, an engrossing story rich with deep characterization, sharp combat, and satisfying platforming. Enslaved is essentially celebrated PS3 franchise Uncharted's doppelganger, only replacing gun combat with fleeting moments of melee fighting. Enslaved focuses more on exploration and platforming than fist-fighting and explosions, so I urge ADD-riddled gamers to steer well clear of this title. But what I find most fascinating about this game besides a complete absence of a multi-player mode and its unique approach is how the story and its characters take center stage while still maintaining its lesser utilized facets right to the very end. The game's developers, Ninja Theory, also helmed the rather generic PS3-exclusive Heavenly Sword, but if this is any indication of their future work then they're definitely taking a step in the right direction.

Nothing burns my ass more than watching finicky gamers verbally berate an excellent game simply because it's not what they felt it should have been. Before Mafia II's August release, developer/publisher 2K Games had been heavily advertising it as a sort of Grand Theft Auto set in the 1940s. Gamers that went into this anticipating a sanbox game brimming with limitless game play opportunities and numerous side-tasks were beside themselves, I'm sure. What Mafia II is, though, is a dramatic actioner set in an immersive open-world that unfolds in a more traditional linear fashion. Beautiful graphics aside, if any recent game proves that involving single-player campaigns are certainly not a thing of the past, it's this one. The voice-acting is superb, the story twists and turns with unbelievable effectiveness, and the attention given to even the most minoot details is astounding. New school gamers may not feel Mafia II to be worth it's current $60 price tag with the absence of a multi-player mode, but it's exquisite storytelling, rich characters, and fine-tuned action elements combine to deliver one of this year's biggest surprises in absolutely any respect. Don't let the underwhelming review scores fool you, if you've been itching for a different kind of open-world crime game, Mafia II does everything short of placing a pistol in your hand and a fedora on your head in order to immerse you into its gritty take on the life of 1940s wise guys.

What's better than playing through critical favorite Grand Theft Auto IV? How about playing through two bite-sized Grand Theft Auto IV's for a fraction of the price? Those who found themselves disappointed with Rockstar's long-awaited sequel will have very little to complain about here. Each of these games - that being The Lost and Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony, respectively - can be completed in roughly ten hours each. Couple that together and you have a solid 20 hour experience in story missions alone. That's not including the various side-missions that many felt Grand Theft Auto IV was sorely lacking. Each of these expansions offers up unique game play additions and side missions as well as different storytelling techniques and approaches. The Ballad of Gay Tony has more in common with past GTA games - more specifically the off-beat, humor-laden Vice City and San Andreas - whereas The Lost and Damned imports the grounded nature of GTA IV into the world of cutthroat biker gangs. If you were one of the many who complained about too little to do after the main game was finished and not enough of that familiar GTA feel, look no further than this two-fer which is not only a satisfying compilation for GTA fans, but a fantastic value in its own right.

I'm sure I'm not the only gamer who will admit to writing off the Medal of Honor series after 2007's solid, albet flat Medal of Honor: Airborne. Despite my doubts EA has managed to pull a rabbit out of its proverbial hat and deliver one of the finest first-person shooters this year. It takes everything current-gen shooters have injected into the genre and sprinkles liberal amounts non-fiction and realism into its satisfying concoction. If you're looking for an FPS that redefines the genre than Medal of Honor is definitely not for you. But if you're on the hunt for a war-based FPS game and have grown tired of the Call of Duty formula - that being Hollywood-like set-pieces and a total lack of realism - Medal of Honor should fill that void nicely. The single-player campaign, developed by Danger Close, is genuinely exciting and the multi-player component, developed by none other than the beloved DICE of Battlefield fame, should keep you glued to the screen into the wee hours of the morning. Perhaps not as technically efficient as the Call of Duty series, it is decidedly more grounded, and that alone earns it a spot on this list.

No less than a month ago you could have counted me in as one of the Call of Duty: Black Ops doubters. By this point in the franchise I had absolutely no idea what Call of Duty 3 and World at War developers Treyarch could have done to keep the series fresh. With that said, allow me to ask to have all of my recent harsh remarks directed towards this series stricken from the record. Not only is Black Ops an absolutely amazing shooter, it also takes the CoD franchise in a direction so far removed from its roots that it could have easily passed as a stand-alone game. In fact, I think Activision are doing Treyarch a huge disservice by slapping the Call of Duty name on the front of the box. It really is so much more than that. Those looking for a through-and-through follow-up to last year's Infinity Ward-developed Modern Warfare 2 will have to color themselves disappointed. Aside from the very basics, Black Ops is an entirely different beast. It's a horrifying, nightmarishly violent, and often disturbing experience that most will walk away from feeling worn out, exhausted, and maybe even a little dirty. This is also probably the only occasion in the franchise's history post-Modern Warfare where the single-player campaign actually seems to have been its main focus. The story is not only compelling, but brimming with fantastic plot twists and accompanied by brilliant visuals and an outright gritty, creepy atmosphere. The voice-acting is, as always, top-notch, and the series' trademark set-pieces are as wonderfully over-the-top as always. A truly excellent addition to the franchise that any shooter enthusiast should check out ASAP.

The minute I finished God of War III I knew it would forever be the bar future hack-and-slash games would find themselves fervently trying to raise. Not only is God of War III a graphical marvel, it is also one of the single most ferocious, exciting, downright jaw-dropping games I've ever played. The series' trademark melee combat is so polished that I simply can't imagine it getting any better, the variety of weaponry and move combos at Kratos' disposal are absolutely beautiful to watch in action, and the numerous boss fights are some of the best I've ever seen in any video game to date. God of War III's production values and presentation far exceed past games in the franchise, and I feel no hesitation in saying that other developers will now be hard-pressed to create a game of any genre this fun, wholly satisfying, or head-bashingly epic.

Heavy Rain is as love it or hate it as I think a video game could possibly be. Whether or not you'll enjoy it has more to do with being able to appreciate a well-told and intelligent mystery complemented by unique game play mechanices as opposed to actually "playing" the game. More of an interactive movie than a full-fledged game, developer Quantic Dream's ambitious follow-up to their equally ambitious last-gen title Indigo Prophecy has more in common with PC point-and-click adventures than it does anything else; and that is nothing but a compliment coming from this nostalgic gamer. Although this may seem like a misleading statement, there isn't any real game play per se, just navigating one of four playable characters at a time to different spots in a given environment and interacting with highlighted objects. I suppose those with an interest in film direction will be the ones walking away from this one grinning like the Cheshire Cat, and not the ones looking for a quick rush of adrenaline. And therin lies its Achilles Heel - it's not for just anyone. One of the most fascinating aspects of Heavy Rain is that no two players will likely have the same outcomes. Every action has a negative or positive reaction in the Heavy Rain universe. The graphics are also top-notch, and the marriage of simple interactivity coupled with an engaging story and interesting characters makes Heavy Rain a must-play for any PS3 owner looking to invest themselves into a game rather than just play it. And with the free PlayStation Move patch recently made available, Move owners will be able to experience the game in a way that completely and totally makes the player part of the action in a way so far unrivaled.

Anyone who has spent time with Rockstar's latest masterpiece should lack no understanding as to why I've crowned this, hands down, the best game of 2010. If you like westerns than that definitely sweetens the pot, but Red Dead Redemption's reach undoubtedly extends far beyond an easily pigeon-holed niche title. Rockstar have always been the unrivaled go-to guys for the best open-world sandbox games money can buy, and Red Dead Redemption shows us in impressive detail why that is. Not only is the well-presented story one of the most harrowing in video game history, it's also both marvelously poignant and gut-wrenchingly heartbreaking. It brilliantly portrays the lengths a man will go to to better a life he's only come to regret. The game play utilizes an outstanding cover mechanic to be used during its exhilirating gun battles while also giving players unparalelled variety in mission objectives and ways in which to complete them. Story missions alone should run you a solid 20-25 hours, and after you've completed the story there are a daunting number of side-tasks to undertake. If you find yourself bored of those, Red Dead Redemption also offers up a multi-player component so deep and satisfying it could have easily been issued as a separate product. Any self-respecting gamer who hasn't yet purchased this gem needs to take themselves down to their local gaming retailer and do just that. Not only is Red Dead this year's best, but one of the best games ever made. Point. Blank. Period.