Continuing with the second half of my personal picks of 2009…
Best Handheld Game of 2009
“The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks”
“Spirit Tracks” and all of The Legend of Zelda’s “Windwaker”-style games make me happy. The style and stories make them an instant cure for a bad mood.
“The World Ends With You” was actually my utter favourite I played in 2009, but it was released in 2008. It still gets a sly mention, though.
Runners Up: “Professor Layton: Pandora’s Box”, “Persona DS”
Best PC/Console Game of 2009
“Batman: Arkham Asylum”
“The Secret of Monkey Island” remake could have won, except that up against TLoZ is feels a bit short. Sorry, Monkey Island – I still love you.
My gaming life tends to be a mix of playing games for myself, and watching games being played by others. I’m quite happy to sit and watch someone go through a good game – I’ve seen a lot of people playing through “Batman: Arkham Asylum” now and it hasn’t gotten old. It’s nothing to do with the brilliant Batman graphic novel of the same name, but still provides an excellent story and stays very true to the series.
Runners Up: “Assassin’s Creed 2”, “Plants Versus Zombies”.
Best New Webcomic 2009
If you’re a webcomic fan and haven’t heard of HiNaBN yet, you’re not trying hard-enough. This quirky story of a hyperactive paranormal investigator, narrated by the zombie following him around throughout it all.
Difficult to describe, just go read it. ;P Best typography since Sarah Zero and best layout work of any comic I’ve read.
Runner-Up: “The Meek”. With smooth lineart and gorgeous artwork for the start coupled perfectly with a smart, planned plotline, the Meek is a professional, beautiful and funny work. I can’t wait to see how it unfolds in 2010. (Contains stylised female nudity.)
Take some of the greatest rock classics ever recorded. Add pyrotechnics, PVC and vampires. The end result is “Vampires Rock”, a tongue-in-cheek musical featuring songs by Meat Loaf, Rainbow, AC/DC, Alice Cooper, Rolling Stones, Bon Jovi, Queen, White Snake, Bonnie Tyler and Cher.
It was exactly as much fun as it sounds (meaning very fun). Steve Steinman is an incredibly funny and charismatic bloke who constantly banters with the crowd. Once the crowd starting getting involved it became a great fun night, and a great way to celebrate my birthday.
Runner Up: Circus of Horrors
. . .
No TV Show of the Year this time round – nothing that really stuck out for me. Being Human wasn’t on this year (though it may end up my show of 2010) and Mock the Week, while and integral part of my evening, is mid-series and not new at all.
Still, this was a fun excercise in picking out what stood out for me. This year I’ll be aiming to add in a bit more live shows, a console GOTY that I’ve actually played instead of just watched, and a ‘Graphic Novel of the Year’. That, and read some new books other than the ones sent to me by publishers to review. Good times. =)
How could monkey island not win!
YOU FIGHT LIKE A DAIRY FARMER!
How appropriate, you fight like a cow. ;D
I felt reallllyyyy guilty not giving MI the prize. My comic book geek side and point-n-click geek side had an insult sword fight and Batman won, somehow.