A list that recaps the hottest video games in December has three advantages. First, it wraps up the year in interactive digital entertainment, listing all the dope video games you have -- or should have played. Second, if you're still stuck for presents, it's a gift guide for your friends (or yourself). And finally, with your free time, you can hunker down and get some quality time with your console.
The Five Hottest Games of 2010
#5 Assassin's Creed Brotherhood
Travel back in time to Renaissance Italy to battle the Borgias and the Knights Templar, conspire with Machiavelli and put Leonardo Da Vinci's weapons to the test in the streets of 16th Century Rome. In other words, screw up history in a way only Dan Brown could dream of. In your face, history.
OK. So the plot is more dopey than dope, this one made a bit of history itself by becoming Ubisoft's fastest-selling European title of all time. Despite some unpredictable controls, this one's worth it for the online multiplayer combat alone. Medieval death on a stick.
#4 Mass Effect II
Mass Effect is the closest thing to digital Tofurky. It took two genres previously thought incompatible and combined them – only unlike the faux poultry, BioWare made the fusion yummy.
Taking the character building depth in RPGs and the thrilling action of a third-person shooter, Mass Effect II takes off where the last game ended, placing you in Commander Shepard’s space shoes in what is a suicide mission (naturally). Combining character development, strong storyline and great gameplay, Mass Effect II has the rare ability to give an RPG game mass appeal.
#3 Call of Duty: Black Ops
We have a confession. We enjoyed Call of Duty: World at War – like thoroughly enjoyed. While it was no Modern Warfare, it was still good fun.
The playability was in line with the rest of the COD franchise and there’s a sick (guilty) thrill putting down a Japanese soldier running at full Banzai Charge. Treyarch, the Activision developer behind the red-headed World at War, is back with Black Ops and the Cold War has never been so much fun.
#2 Gran Turismo 5
With every iteration of Gran Turismo, the folks over at Polyphony Digital manage to push the boundaries of auto-realism. And with GT5, other than going down to the dealership with a pocketful of cash and A-plus credit, it’s about as real as it gets – especially the premium cars modelled down to the last detail.
Plus, it’s the only game where you can drive the Red Bull X2010, the fastest car in the (digital) world.
#1 Red Dead Redemption
If you like Grand Theft Auto and Clint Eastwood (pre-director days), chances are, you’ll like Red Dead Redemption.
Developed by Rockstar, of GTA infamy, Red Dead takes place during the waning days of the wild west, where you play John Marston, a former outlaw still down to do some dirt. While there are no cars to jack, “hot coffee” to drink and the only thing you ride is a horse, there are more than just a few redeeming aspects to the game.
Other Hot Video Games from 2010
- Michael Jordan is back in NBA 2K11
- Halo: Reach revamps the legendary franchise
- DJ Hero 2 comes back with a more robust song list
- Xbox 360 Kinect gets you in shape for the new year
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