Gaming Target's Favorite Games of 2009: Part 1

Written by GT Staff  on December 28, 2009

Special: We begin our weeklong look back at our forty favorite games from 2009.

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Part 1 | Part 2
Part 3 | Part 4
The Best of the Best
The end of the year is nigh. And while 2009 wasn't the best year for the video game industry (what with all the studio closures, game delays and lowered sales), there was still plenty of great new games released. And they need to be honored.

So sit back and relax as the editors of Gaming Target take you alphabetically through our favorite games of 2009...

Afro Samurai
Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Developer Namco Bandai
Release Date: January 27, 2009

"There is no denying that Afro Samurai does it with Style. Everything from the swordplay to Samuel L. Jackson's banter to the graphics has a signature feel that defines the game. This look and feel does a great job of complimenting the gameplay, actually going so far as to overshadow the game's few faults. You can be cautious of Afro Samurai's short narrative but you are bound to have a good time hacking off limbs and heads on your way there." - Kyle Williams
Read the Full Review



Ar Tonelico II: Melody of Metafalica
Platforms: PS2
Publisher: NIS America
Developer Gust
Release Date: January 20, 2009

"Ar Tonelico II is easily representative of what makes JRPGs so alluring. From an incredible soundtrack to endearing characters, Ar Tonelico II could have been easily one of the best RPGs on the PS2 aside from Final Fantasy X and the Persona series. It takes hold of what made the first game extremely solid, and improves upon them for the better." - Jason Young
Read the Full Review

Assassin's Creed II
Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360
Publisher: Ubisoft
Developer Ubisoft Montreal
Release Date: November 17, 2009

"2009's winner for most improved game franchise easily goes to Assassin's Creed II. After the first game turned out to not be as good as expected, the interest in a sequel waned, but AC2 did a great job of redeeming itself and with any luck those who were turned off by the original will at least give the sequel a try, because it truly is a greatly improved game. It's not a revelation or anything, but it takes what worked and kept it, and fixed what needed to be repaired. It's obvious the team at Ubisoft Montreal were inspired, and took all player feedback to heart in these last two years." - Adam Woolcott
Read the Full Review

Batman: Arkham Asylum
Platforms: PC, PS3, Xbox 360
Publisher: Eidos Interactive
Developer Rocksteady
Release Date:

Before this year, the Caped Crusader had a long and completely undistinguished video game career. That all changed with Rocksteady's Batman: Arkham Asylum. Tapping the considerable talents of the Batman: The Animated Series writing staff and voice cast, the heretofore unknown developer has created the quintessential Batman game. - John Scalzo