Best Xbox 360 Exclusive Game: Forza 4
This category was hard to decide upon for two reasons. The first being that none of the core consoles have a deep catalog of exclusives. The second being that there were two very good Xbox 360 exclusives that were vying for peoples attention. And both are deep and have a lot to keep you busy. Both were solidly the best of the year in their respective categories. But when it comes down to it, Forza 4 is a highly polished, very deep racing sim. There is no reason any racing fan would not want this game, with over 450 cars, over 20 tracks, and a deep community that offers custom paint jobs, car setups, and pictures. The driving mechanics are incredible, and every last car in the game is painstakingly recreated. The game is a bit unfriendly to beginners but there are enough driving aids that, given some patience, you could ease yourself in without too much trouble. Really the only thing missing are Porsches (curse you EA!)
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Best Downloadable Game: Bastion
This is the only category I honestly had no trouble deciding. The story is excellent, the art style is unique and vibrant, and the soundtrack is one of the best in any game. The combat, while not inventive, is incredibly fun, and the huge variety of weapons and special abilities offers lots of possibilities. And it's not just the things that are clear in front of you that make this game incredible. There's all sorts of amazing things waiting to be discovered that add to the story and to the experience. The omnipresent narrator is also a really cool touch, and helps flavor the game even further. This is one of those games you need to play.
Image source: Supergiant Games
Best PC Exclusive Game: The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings
Perhaps it was because of Skyrim, perhaps it was because the game was released in May. Whatever the reason, a lot of people seem to have forgotten just how good The Witcher 2 is. It is one of the best examples of storytelling in a game. Nearly every decision you make drives the game forward or alters how the game will end. The plot moves along at a fast pace, sometimes so much so that several big revelations and shocking moments coincide. These moments are made even better by a wide array of characters who feel like real people. The environments are gorgeous, and the music and sound just add to the experience. The fast paced combat always keeps things entertaining, and the deep customization and crafting encourage exploration. The Witcher 2 also doesn't shy away from being gritty or offensive, often going places few games have tread before in terms of content. It is without a doubt one of the finest RPG experiences ever created.
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Best Playstation 3 Exclusive: Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception
Uncharted 3 offers more awesome exploits from Drake, Sully and co. and it might just be the best game in the series. It further refines the experiences of the past two, opening at a breakneck pace and continuing that way for much of the game. The story is solid, even if it is starting to become a bit formulaic, and the characters and voice acting continue to be highlights. The soundtrack is impressive, as are the environmental audio effects. The graphics are beautiful as well. The gameplay is better than it's ever been, but the shooting mechanics still feel a bit jumpy at times, and some segments of the game are extremely frustrating to play through. But this game still shines through as one of the best experiences to be had, PS3 or otherwise.
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Best Wii Exclusive Game: Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Legend of Zelda turned 25 years old this year. Fitting then, that the best game in the series revolutionizes it as well as marks the anniversery of the series. Skyward Sword changes the control style, the design, and even the relationship between Link and Zelda. Yet, the story that Skyward Sword tells is powerful, and is easily one of the most memorable in gaming history. The watercolor art style is stunning, and will standout for years to come, and the musical score, while not quite the best in the series, does an incredible job of providing emotion. The controls are intuitive, they just feel right. You will never want to play Zelda any other way again. Ocarina of Time has long been the standard by which all other games in the Legend of Zelda series are judged. Skyward Sword may finally be the game that tops Ocarina of Time, a feat few thought possible. And it goes to show just how incredible an experience Skyward Sword really is.
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Best Handheld: Radiant Historia
Radiant Historia may not be the choice people were expecting, but the game itself is not what people were expecting. Raidiant Historia walks a fine line between a traditional RPG, and something entirely different, and the game takes a lot of chances. The result is a game that is refreshingly different and fun. The story is solid, and though it can get a bit text ridden sometimes, it always makes you feel engaged and your decisions will make you feel responsible for what happens because of your choices. It does take a bit to get going, maybe longer than it should, but once your into the heart of the game you will be on the edge of your seat until the end. The combat is incredibly fun, offering a very interesting shakeup to the usual turn based style seen in most RPGs and it allows some very different strategies for combat while remaining somewhat familiar to longtime RPG players. The retro sprite graphics are also stunning and detailed, the soundtrack is absolutely incredible and a large game world offers plenty of exploration. It might not be what you were expecting, but that isn't always a bad thing.
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