Written by
GT Staff on
December 29, 2009
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Special: We continue our weeklong look back at our forty favorite games from 2009.
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...
Defense Grid: The Awakening
Platforms: Xbox 360
Publisher: Hidden Path
Developer Hidden Path
Release Date: September 2, 2009
"Defense Grid is a fantastic tower defense game for both beginners and veterans alike, and is a great addition to your XBLA library. And at only $10, it is half the price of the PC version and includes the bonus Borderlands maps and our beloved Achievements. It's a great buy but be warned: once you place your first tower, you'll be hooked for many, many hours of alien blasting fun." - Troy Matsumiya
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Demon's Souls
Platforms: PS3
Publisher: Atlus
Developer From Software
Release Date: October 7, 2009
An uncomprising and challenging RPG like mama used to make. Atlus' Demon's Souls has sprung up out of nowhere (Sony refused to release it in North America even though they published it in Japan) and captivated the PS3 audience that hasn't been seen since the system's last big RPG exclusive, Valkyria Chronicles. - John Scalzo
Dirt 2
Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360
Publisher: Codemasters
Developer Codemasters
Release Date: September 8, 2009
"This is one of those strange games that manages to exceed the sum of its parts, that being a hodgepodge of off-road racing styles thrown together and tied together with the whole X-Games thing. Thankfully those styles resulted in some good racing action, though as one might expect, the rally racing still manages to be the best part of the game. It almost validates some of the crazies who have practically pinned Codemasters to the stake for distancing themselves from the genre. Thanks to a lengthy career mode and solid online, the game has tons of value for its $60 price, and thanks to the meager racing options this fall on PS3, is one of the few choices for genre fans." - Adam Woolcott
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Dragon Age: Origins
Platforms: PC, PS3, Xbox 360
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer BioWare
Release Date: November 03, 2009
"If you're looking for the best RPGs of the Hi-Def Era, this game certainly ranks near the top alongside Lost Odyssey and Valkyria Chronicles. With a decent storyline, hundreds of quests and missions, along with downloadable content, Dragon Age: Origins could easily take anyone over 100+ hours to beat it; and that's not including the game's multiple endings." - Jason Young
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