Fandomania’s Favorite Video Games of 2010

With 2010 coming to a close, it’s time for us to revisit our annual tradition of looking back at our favorite releases of the past year. We polled the Fandomania staff and asked for everyone’s favorite video games of 2010. This list is a compilation of the results.

Alan Wake

“Brilliant game. That ending? So worth playing for.” – Summer Suzuki

“A compelling and intelligent narrative, unique light-based gameplay, and setting of a quirky town in the beautiful Pacific Northwest combine to make Alan Wake one of the best games of the year. It has amassed a cult following — of which I am part — thanks to its layered psychological-cum-supernatural story that encourages speculation and discussion.” – Celeste Monsour

Pinball FX2

“It takes me back to when I was a kid and we had a pirate / mermaid themed pinball machine.” – Summer Suzuki

“This year’s surprise hit for me was Pinball FX2, ZEN Studios’ downloadable game for the Xbox Live Arcade. The assortment of tables and awesome pinball action are only the beginning of the fun. The clever leaderboard integration that takes advantage of your friends list and prompts you to keep playing is what completes the game.” – Jason Dorough

Rock Band 3

“It would have been so easy for Harmonix to churn out a glorified song pack and call it Rock Band 3, but they really went above and beyond the call of duty (pun possibly intended) to deliver a revolutionary music game. The addition of keyboard and pro modes turn Rock Band into an entirely new game. Additionally, everything about the playing experience from song selection to friends list rankings have been overhauled into the best rhythm game ever released.” – Jason Dorough

Singularity

“Reminiscent of BioShock, but with a Russian setting that adds an extremely interesting — and fun — gameplay element of time manipulation. Time travel is one of my favorite things ever, and this game really does it well, with a great sci-fi story to boot.” – Celeste Monsour

Heavy Rain

“The depth of the characters, the careful writing, and the overall emotional impact this game delivers catapulted Heavy Rain to the top of my games list for 2010.” – Jason Dorough

BioShock 2

“Part sequel, part prequel, BioShock 2 fits seamlessly with the original by expanding on the mythology of Rapture, its inhabitants, and its fall, all while retaining the spirit of the first game. All the same gameplay elements are back, with some interesting additions — including new baddies and abilities — and the setting is as creepily gorgeous as ever. The subsequent DLC continued the trend by filling out the backstory of Rapture even more.” – Celeste Monsour

Limbo

“Dark, moody, subtle little game that keeps me thinking. Oh, and cackling like a witch every time I hit those bear traps.” – Summer Suzuki

Just Cause 2

“With an enormous game map and gorgeous vistas as the setting, Just Cause 2 is a beautiful and brilliant sequel to the original. The whole game is geared toward fun and toward making you feel like you can do anything. The main story is fairly straightforward to complete, but there are so many fun side missions that you literally could play this game for more than a hundred hours without getting close to completing everything (and believe me, I’m trying!).” – Jason Dorough

The Misadventures of P.B. Winterbottom

“A game about a time traveling, mystical pie set to a vaudevillian type soundtrack? Yes, please!” – Summer Suzuki

Dragon Age: Origins – Awakening

This expansion pack is really a full game in itself, with hours of gameplay that allow you to either import your DA:O character or create an entirely new one. Though much of the game is similarly combat-based, there are some new political aspects, new enemy types, and new companions — making a fresh, yet familiar, experience.” – Celeste Monsour

Civilization V

“The fifth entry into the classic turn based strategy series revamps and changes enough elements to make the whole play experience feel fresh while maintaining the beloved ‘one more turn’ feel of the franchise. Changing the maps to hex grids and eliminating unit stacking are but two of the seemingly small changes that work to perfect an already awesome game.” – Jason Dorough

Minecraft Alpha

“I have not played this, but my husband absolutely adores this game. It has an unique style and a creative take on gameplay. The current alpha version has the player use mining and building mechanics as protection from monsters and as a viable way to get valuable ores out of the ground. The alpha version is all about creativity; my husband has spent countless hours designing and exploring in the virtual world of Minecraft, where he has had to plan navigable and functional structures carefully to withstand creatures such as creepers.” – Amanda Bauer