2009 Video Games of the Year

We all end each year and enter the next with a singular hope in mind: certainly this year has to be better than the last. 2008 greeted us with promising titles towards the end of the year and 2009 is looking a bit dull at the end of the term with only a few titles to keep us entertained. Naturally, we tend to forget that there was 364 more days than this one with a video game worth a look, so here's my Top 10, can't-miss Video Games for the 2009!

1. F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin (Windows PC, 360, PS3)

Just as the acronym suggests, be prepared for goosebumps. The thrilling take of the horror genre stepped into new light with the F.E.A.R franchise and its sequel to the best-selling title. Released on multiple platforms, this game still holds its weight even after its initial shipping date at the beginning of the year.

2. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (Windows PC, 360, PS3)

This sequel to the original Call of Duty: Modern Warfare brings the players back to combat-ready scenarios with an intriguing yet short first-person story that introduces players into a thrilling multi-player online campaign. Multiple modes and options makes this series one of the best first-person shooters to date!

3. Left For Dead 2 (Windows PC, 360)

Following the trend of award-winning sequels is none other than Valve's latest addition into the first-person and survival horror genre. Players are picking up the fight right where they left off and once again attempting to escape the hordes of zombies. Four player team play makes this as unique as it was before with some unique aspects such as a more revealing, connecting storyline.

4. Street Fighter IV (PS3, 360)

The overdue sequel to the popular series(not that we're complaining), Capcom bounces back into the ring with Street Fighter IV. While it originally saw releases in the Arcade in 2008, we'll be counting the 2009 home editions. All the characters are re-imagined in 3D while they still remain two dimensional with a cel-shaded, hand-drawn look. Fan favorites return with new characters and fighting mechanics for the players to master. For the fanboy this is an essential Win.

5. Assassin's Creed II (PS3, 360)

The year of the sequels continue with Assassin's Creed II. Altair, the main protagonist, finds himself in other situations where he utilizes his acrobatics made famous earlier by the Ubisoft Montreal studios' Prince of Persia in a free-roaming, open world. Delving into the mysteries of secret societies and the shoes of a martyr-now that's priceless fun.

6. Tony Hawk: Ride (Wii, PS3, 360)

This is as close to sports without being sporty as we can get on this list. Not only is this a sequel that doesn't quite qualify for being one, given its unique changes and the 'controller', it's hardly worth mentioning in the same breath as a sequel. Tony Hawk's Ride requires you to get on board, literally, on top of a skating board controller that has built in motion and infrared sensors that require you to pull off that big air yourself. Just don't expect to jump off the ramp any time soon as the board lacks some essentials, such as wheels.

7. Dragon Age: Origins (Windows PC, Mac OsX, PS3, 360)

BioWare, notorious for the Knights of the Old Republic and Mass Effect series comes out with Dragon Age, with pen-and-paper propaganda and books based on the world. Merchandising aside, the player is welcomed to a world of his or her own doing based on his own choices. Every choice determines the overall story and as such, this game follows the familiar non-linear storylines that BioWare is known to bring us. A hit bound to be a classic and who knows, maybe we'll see its sequel in the Top 10 of 2010.

8. New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Wii)

No Top 10 list is complete without Mario, and it's no wonder-Super Mario set standards then and Nintendo manages to pull off yet another miracle by re-introducing the world to Mario in all his two-dimensional glory! You read it right. 2-D! Similar to the original "New Super Mario Bros", the game characters are rendered in 3-D with the background world being two dimensional. Somehow, even if the concept of a two dimensional platform seems absurd this day and age, it works! There has never been so much fun-factor crammed in a single game since the original Super Mario Bros.

9. Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena (PS3, 360, Windows PC)

Vin Diesel reprises his role as Riddick to help create additional content to an already great game released back when to the original XBOX, Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay. Tigon studios pulled some magic not only beefing up the graphics of the original game but also introducing new intrigues to the storyline, giving a chance for everyone to re-experience the rare gem to not get bit by the Hollywood movie-game curse.

10. Madden NFL 10 (PS3, 360, PSP)

A new roster for the new year? Check. Slight graphical fixes? Check. Still, addicting, fun game for the football fan? Check and check. If you're one to get the newest Madden release every year, then you probably have this in your arsenal, if not, it's time to go out there and grab it. EA has priced it some dollars less than a normal title, and by now it should hit the cheap bin. If not, there's always the down-loadable and cheap 5-on-5 arcade version available for under $15 on the XBOX Live and PSN services.

Here it is. The Best Video Games of 2009. This list is by no means complete but just like the end of any year, there is still a chance that a couple of last minute releases might get squeezed in before the bell drops.

Don't agree with the list? Then tell me your own picks for 2009.