3. Grand Theft Auto 4
-35 Game of the Year Awards
MTV Europe.de
ExtremeGamer
IGN AU
Cinema Blend
TIME
Giant Bomb
Spike TV VGA
Los Angelos Times
WhatIfGaming
EuroGamer (German)
AreaGames
GameTrailers
The Leisure Lab
GamerVision
Guardian Reader's Choice
Gameplayer (Sweden)
3DJeugos (Spanish)
GamesNation (Italian) |
Thunderbolt
The New York Times
Kotaku
Digital Spy
GameInformer
Console Monster
GamerLand Reader's Choice
Techtree.com (India)
4PLAYER.de Reader's Choice
ActionTrip
CheatCodeCentral Reader's Choice
Play.tm
EMA 2009 VGA
Cybershack People's Choice
GamesMaster
Inside Gamer (Netherlands)
3DJeugos (Spanish) Reader's Choice |
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"My children must be so proud of me! |
Rockstar's highly anticipated sequel to one of the best-selling video game franchises of all time takes 3rd place, using its open-world sandbox gameplay to win the hearts of TIME, IGN AU, GameTrailers, and many more. While the graphics have been improved greatly since the last GTA, gamers were quick to point out its lack of features from the past games. Many also felt that the game did not take big strides for the franchise, and so GTA4,which was touted to be a shoe-in for First or Second place, ends up taking the third position in this list, which is still a mind-boggling achievement. Set in the fictional Liberty City, designed to be reminiscent of New York City, gamers play through the eyes of Niko Bellic, a Serbian immigrant in pursuit of the long sought-after American Dream. After arriving in America, he soon finds out that life isn't what was promised to him. Now determined to build a life for himself, he'll accomplish that with what ever means necessary. With access to unlimited freedom and replay-value, GTA4 is truly a pinnacle in gaming.
2. Fallout 3
-46 Game of the Year Awards
Paste Magazine
WorthPlaying
Lansing Lowdown
EvilAvatar
Hooked Gamers
NextGen Player
The Daily Vanguard
411 Mania
DailyJoystick
Binge Gamer
GameStooge
Game Focus
2old2play
Ars Technica
Gamers' With Jobs (GWJ)
Yahoo! Games
Newsvine
UGO
MTV Europe
Citizen Game
GameSpy
Pelit (Finnish) |
GamesRadar
IGN
Multiplayer (Italian)
Virgin Media
GameFly Q Awards
Check Out
Game Industry News
EuroGamer (UK) Reader's Choice
NTSC-UK
Golden Joystik
LoadingReality
Gamasutra
Game Critics Awards
Gaming Obsession Australia
Game Developers' Choice Awards
Crispy Gamer
IGN AU's Select Awards
Colony of Gamers' Reader's Choice
G4TV G-Phoria 2009
Tech2
Eurogamer (Spanish)
Eurogamer (Netherlands) |
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"Honey! I'm home!" |
This isn't Bethesda Studio's first game to hit the top 3, and certainly won't be the last. Following it's blockbuster hit The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, which took firstplace in the 2006 list, Bethesda scores another major win with Fallout 3. Set 200 years after the deadly nuclear war that ended civilization, players scavenge across the nuclear wasteland that was once Washington D.C in search of their missing father. The strong RPG elements and impressive karma system result in the ability to craft your character into any way you like. Roam the wasteland as a messenger of peace, or become the very meaning of evil. This, and along with some pretty graphics and over 100 hours of quests made Fallout 3 win the hearts of juggernaut critics like IGN, Game Critics, and GameSpy. While the RPG section of the game was heavily praised, many criticized the combat mechanics and the V.A.T.S system, even to the point where critics addressed Fallout 3's shooting as "garbage". Nevertheless, it's massive open-worlded scale and mind-boggling amount of side-quests give Fallout 3 a very well-deserved second place. We look forward to whatever more Bethesda has in store for us!
1. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
-50 Game of the Year Awards
GameSpot
WildGames Community Choice
GameSpot Reader's Choice
CriousGamer
The Daily Vanguard
VGChartz Reader's Choice
OXCGN
PCWorld.ca
Gamezine
GamesOnSmash
TGS Grand Award
IGN Reader's Choice
Gamereactor Reader's Choice
VG-Reloaded
Project Mena
TheBitbag
SuperHeroHype
Foxnews
GameSponge
Mersistation
GiantBomb People's Choice
Four-Star Gaming
Level Magazine
GamesAreFun
GameTech (Russian) |
ConsoleGamer
WildGames
ALT+F4
Whirlpool Reader's Choice
EuroGamer (PT)
PS3ThEvolution
Gamekult Reader's Choice
1UP 2008 Awards
Playfire Reader's Choice
Gamer's Land Reader's Choice
Monster Vine
Multiplayer.it Reader's Choice
Colony of Gamers
4PLAYER.de
PALGN
Worthing Herald
Student Direct
JackCentra
DLB-Network
GamingIndians
NeoGAF
Ripten Reader's Choice
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
SpazioGames (Italian)
GameStar (Italian)
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"What have you stuffed down here! |
Being universally acclaimed by almost every major critic, and scoring perfect scores from publications who hadn't handed one out since 1998, MGS4 squashes all the competition to reach the godly first place. Legendary video game designer Hideo Kojima goes all out for the final part of Solid Snake's Saga, featuring unparalleled graphics, extremely tight and precise controls, ingenious game mechanics, amazing voice-acting, remarkable boss fights, and so many unforgettable moments, it is no surprise to see MGS4 here. Set 5 years after MGS2, the world is in terrible chaos. No longer is warfare confined to small hotspots, war is now the sustaining force of the global economy. Independent armies that rival the size of the U.S army are now common and up for sale. It is this world that the legendary Solid Snake, who is now suffering from advanced aging, is sent to infiltrate and take down his arch rival Liquid Snake and the mysterious Patriots, who play a gigantic role in this war-controlled world. Using stealth, Snake must delve deep into the enemy's world and outsmart them using his many new and powerful gadgets. While the game is a result of enormous dedication and high production values, some criticized the story for being way too over-the-top and confusing. Often, one had to refer to the past games to catch up with the plot. Nevertheless, Hideo Kojima's masterpiece won the hearts of an unbelievable number of critics, including veterans such as Gamespot, PCWorld, PALGN, and gamers alike, leading MGS4 to win the most Reader Choice awards of any game for quite some time. Now Snake can rest in peace, knowing that he has truly left his mark on the world. We salute you, Solid Snake! 
[10-4] [3-1]
