The year 2009, many good games came out this year but I wouldn't know, because I don't own any games that came out this year. I've always been pretty slow with getting and beating games. The reason is probably because I'm really cheap and tend to buy games when they go on sale, on greatest hits, or used. I know I'm not supporting developers when I buy games used but I'm a college student and spending 60 dollars is quite a bit for a video game.

Anyways, 2009 was a pretty good video game year regardless. I got a Ps3 in January as a late Christmas present from my mom (I managed to persuade her to get it for me by getting the Sony card deal which got me the Ps3 for only $250, the price of a Wii). With it I got Ratchet and Clank: Tools of Destruction. Honestly, I thought it was the worst in the series and I didn't even beat it more than once which is what I usually do with Ratchet and Clank games. It was still pretty good, but in my opinion it did not hold a candle up to the greats such as Going Commando or Up Your Arsenal. Unlike most people, I thoroughly enjoyed Deadlocked. I beat that game so many times with my cousin, and the commentary was hilarious.

The second game I got was of course Metal Gear Solid 4. The game was amazing, but I don't think it was the best game ever made or the best in the series which most people have said. The improved camera and controls were quite nice; using R1 to shoot was much better than square. Like Metal Gear Solid 2, Metal Gear Solid 4 had a confusing story but not as confusing as MGS2. In order of my favorite Metal Gear Solid games from favorite to least favorite: MGS3, MGS4, MGS2, MGS. I found Metal Gear Solid 3 to be the best because to me, it was the most well done. It felt like a movie, exciting from start to finish, and it stirred emotions more than any of the others. I liked having to hunt animals and fix your wounds. Wearing camo and blending in with the environment without having the map in the upper right corner was challenging and satisfying. The boss battles were the most memorable ("I will give you a fear such as you've never experienced before... *stands on head* Come into my web!") and the story was much easier to follow and more relatable. MGS2 was the first one I played and probably the one I played most. I found it to be quite easy and I liked Raiden. MGS2 was definitely the weirdest and possibly funniest of the series. MGS1 was a fantastic game also, but I think my experience was ruined because I played the twin snakes version with a crappy Gamestop controller.

I believe the next game I purchased was Warhawk. I have been eyeing that game for while and it did not disappoint. The game is incredible. It had variety and depth such as huge maps and different modes such as zones and hero. It still is my favorite online game. I reached 2nd Lieutenant and then stopped playing ranked that much and focused more on playing for fun. There are so many funny stuff you can do in that game such as placing mines on jeeps and kamikaze-ing someone.

The next game I purchased was Grid. I got it on sale from when Circuit City was going out of business. Unfortunately, I did not beat it yet so it doesn't belong in the blog really. It's a great racing game, my only gripes are no splitscreen and it needs more cars/customization. The damage is amazing though.

Bioshock was the most surprising of the games I beat this year. At first, I thought it was way too weird and a bit scary to play but boy, was I wrong. The story is arguably the best I've ever seen in a videogame. The plot twists were shocking and the gameplay was great. The tonics were great also, I remember going around with just a wrench and beating the crap out of Big Daddys with it. I almost got the platinum trophy for this game until it over-written my file when I went back to play my other file I had, it automatically saved over the one I was working on.

I beat Resistance: Fall of Man with my cousin in two days, a pretty good game but I have not touched it since. I then purchased Skate which is by far the best skateboarding sim I have ever played. I skateboard myself and watching how your character does tricks are incredibly realistic, apart from the ridiculous high ollies and gaps that you can land. I had a lot of fun with that one. My Dad bought Battlefield: Bad Company and I rank that as the best first person shooter I've ever played, besides the original Medal of Honor. It was incredibly entertaining and hilarious. The online component was great also. It promotes teamwork which is what I enjoy the most. The game has immense lag for me unfortunately, I'd find myself teleporting but it was still enjoyable. I still need to get to General of the Army; i'm just a major.

Having felt nostalgic, I beat Final Fantasy 8 for the umpteenth time, but this time I beat it without any of my characters leveling up, not even once. Boy was it satisfying, beating Omega Weapon, without gaining a level, and without upgrading any of my weapons. Yes, that means I beat him without Lionheart. The game still stirred the same emotions I remember having so long ago. It is my favorite in all of the Final Fantasies, with Final Fantasy 9 a close second.

A next generation RPG I beat this year was Valkyria Chronicles. Man was that game good. I love turn based strategy and that game was incredibly innovative. The story was really good too albeit cheesy at times, but I didn't mind it. In terms of downloads, I bought Pixel Junk Monsters, which was incredibly good. I love co op and the ability to play your own music. I borrowed Uncharted from my cousin and thought it was pretty good. I didn't think it lived up to the hype unfortunately. I did not like having the tumble button being the same as the stick to cover button. It was a great experience though.

Those are all the games that I beat this year that I can remember. It has been a great year videogame wise and 2010 looks even better, especially since I'll finally purchase the great games that came out in 2009 next year. I wonder when I'll finally keep up with the times.