5:
Valkyria Chronicles 2 (PSP):
Even after all the trials Sega has had to face in the last 10 years ranging from the demise of the Dreamcast to the myriad of really abysmal Sonic the Hedgehog games, there is one positive that has occurred for them in the form of the Valkyria Chronicles. The original game came out for the PS3 to glowing praises for it innovative take on the SPRG genre and its beautiful water painted look of the graphics. Valkyria Chronicles 2 walks in the path of the previous game, but this time on the PSP. What really surprised me was how Sega bought the game in the portable system without losing any of it visual pizazz and adding depth to the game play. Valkyria Chronicles 2 round off a truly spectacular year of the PSP.
Valkyria Chronicles story was lauded with is fictional portrayal of World War II, and the PSP iteration goes in the same vein but with a civil war motif and a novel high school like/military academy setting. So on one hand the story deals with the horrors of civil war and on the other hand follows a high school anime strapping which ultimately comes off a little lazy. But the game play is still top notch with its hybrid of SRPG and real time mechanics.
Valkyria Chronicles had robust RPG elements, but Valkyria Chronicles 2 had added a lot more depth with 4 news classes to choose from and detailed customization of characters and vehicles. The thing which gets me going that this game would had been awesome for PS3, but I am still NOT disappointed that PSP got this game (even if the PS3 fanboys threw a massive tantrum). The visuals of the original game for the PS3 were really amazing but it was obvious that the graphics would be scaled down for the PSP but that does not mean that game doesn't look good. The game is technically very solid along with a decent art style.
PSP had pretty lousy 2009 and all the sign pointed that PSP had its last hurrah but 2010 changed all that with a string of really good games of major franchises and Valkyria Chronicles 2 stand at the top of the heap.
Fragile Dreams: Farewell Ruins of the Moon (Wii):
The Wii has be subjected to some very unnecessary and harsh criticism from the so-called 'hard core' gamers who love to point out the shovelware and the casual gamers littering its game library. But the Wii has gone about its business and has garnered a few gems along the way. Fragile Dreams is one of those games. Here you have game which boasts a terrific storyline, some lovely visuals and a solid, slightly flawed game play. On the face of it the 'hard core' audience won't be satisfied but if one keeps their bias on the side and accept Wii has a viable game console, they will get to play some amazing games like Fragile Dreams.
A post-apocalyptic game where all human have vanished off the face of the earth, expect for the main character, Seto. As he starts his journey to find more people like him , he has chance encounter with a human girl and from there the focus of the story is Seto trying to find that girl. Fragile Dream had quite a profound effect on me with is subtle yet powerful plot, beautifully orchestratde sound track and a captivating world. Throughout the game Seto encounters unexpected denizen of the ruined world, and the relationship these characters have with Seto is something to behold. Each relationship is nurtured through the course of the game and each relationship arc is revolved as well which makes up for some really poignant and powerful moments of the game. I mean I still fondly remember some of these moments and to be honest no game this year comes even close in this regard.
The reviews of this game on many game sites are really harsh and that frustrates me no end. I agree that some of the game play elements in Fragile Dreams are strange, but not as broken as the reviews will lead you be believe. This is one of the those games which I remember not for its mechanics but rather for the melancholic mood it creates and how it enveloped me with its multifaceted storyline and its beautiful yet bleak world. The art style of the game for me was one of the most strongest as the world is filled with little artistic touches and many of the characters on show have some bizarre yet inspired look to them and all these things make the art style go off the charts.
Hence for all its worth Wii easily had the best year in terms of pure gaming bliss. A year which was filled with stellar Wii games and the return of some big names to the arena, Fragile Dreams was the 'little game that could'. The game is clearly is a labor of love of the developers and that makes Fragile Dream the game with the most heart. (Just on a side just follow the link and watch a beautiful trailer for Fragile Dream just to get an inkling of why I am drooling all over this game.
As this list winds down, the games that will be featured were the cream of 2010. So join me tomorrow for number 4 in my Games of the Year Awards 2010.
