Monday, December 27, 2010

The SuperPhillip Central Best of 2010 Awards - Opening Night

SUPERPHILLIP'S NOTE: I apologize that this is late. I was hospitalized for a little bit. No worries-- I'm doing well!

It's that time again! Time for the third annual SPC Best of Awards! The awesome year known as 2010 is finally nearing its end. Like many other sites and publications, I'm taking note of my favorite games in a variety of humbling categories. Which game will win the coveted SPC Game of 2010? You'll have to wait till Friday for that answer! For the time being, check out last year's award show here:

Best of 2009 Awards - Day One
Best of 2009 Awards - Day Two
Best of 2009 Awards - Day Three
Best of 2009 Awards - Day Four
Best of 2009 Awards - Day Five

With the pleasantries out of the way, it's time to kick off this award show! I promise it will be less retarded than Spike TV's VGAs!

[Best Original Soundtrack]

Music is fun. I love conducting to various music tracks as a way of meditation. That's enough about me though! This year had so much great music to listen to, it's a challenge to pick the best, isn't it? Well, I did so anyway and persevered! Here's the nominees...

Final Fantasy XIII (PS3, 360)


Nobuo Uematsu is nowhere to be found this time around, but that doesn't deter the new batch of composers from coming up with one of the more memorable soundtracks in recent years! Everything from the radical battle theme to impressive boss theme demands the listener's attention. Not bad for a bunch of unknown composers, huh?

Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii)


The Mario series of historic and important video games have always had impressive music in them. Recreate the Mario sound with an orchestra and choir, and you have an even more impressive sound. Mahito Yokota whose previous work was the original Galaxy and composing veteran, Koji Kondo, bring us this excellent and lively soundtrack. And hey! It's actually memorable unlike so many Western soundtracks! Oooh.... diss!

Bowser's Lava Lair
Throwback Galaxy
Melty Monster Galaxy

Kirby's Epic Yarn (Wii)


Kirby games also have a wonderful history of having great, cute, lively soundtracks as well which is why I simply HAD to nominate Kirby's Epic Yarn. This game has such a good soundtrack that I would call it Kirby's best. Oh, yes. I went there, peeps. From the same composer that took it to the fridge with Wario Land: Shake It!, Kirby's Epic Yarn is an incredible game with a great soundtrack to go along with it.

Fountain Gardens
Rainbow Falls
Butter Building

Sonic Colors (Wii)


Sonic speeds into the SPC Best of 2010 Awards in style with a fantastic soundtrack to match! Composed by a plethora of SEGA's most talented composers, the Sonic Colors soundtrack features styles of music such as trance, rock, and classical for your ears to dance to as you race through loop de loop after loop de loop. So the main theme might seem a bit "hinky". That doesn't stop Sonic Colors from having one of the best soundtracks come this year.


Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers (Wii)


This game came out at the end of 2009, but it was around the same time of the 2009 Best of Awards that I felt it needed some spotlight. And so it is. Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers has some excellently composed music. There are some familiar themes to listen to and enjoy, but most of it is all-new and a delight to the ears.

Lett Highlands
Selkie Guild
Catch and Throw

God of War III (PS3)


Kratos, the former God of War, has returned, and this time, he's pissed! Well, truthfully, when isn't he pissed? I mean, seriously! Regardless, this epic soundtrack to go along with this epic game is one for the masses indeed! With choir chanting, intense strings, and banging drums, the God of War III soundtrack is as epic (third time I've used that word in this description already) as the game it represents!


And the winner is...








Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii)

Mahito Yokota and Koji Kondo, the dream team, have done it again. Super Mario Galaxy 2 isn't just hummable, but it's intense, carefree, lovable, and lovely all at the same time! Some may call this soundtrack inferior to the original Galaxy, but I love this one just the same. Both soundtracks have their ups and downs, but that doesn't stop Super Mario Galaxy 2 from having the soundtrack of the year!

Runner-Up: Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers

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[Best Multiplayer]

Playing by yourself is fun. I mean, any man knows that if you know what I mean, but playing with others is just more social. And you don't want to be anti-social, do you? No, of course, you don't. Regardless, these are the nominees for best multiplayer game of 2010. Strap on your jock straps, and get ready to roll.

Call of Duty: Black Ops (PS3, 360, Wii, PC)


I'm not going to say "ooh-rah". Not yet anyway! I'll save that for the next category this game is nominated in! Regardless, Call of Duty: Black Ops' multiplayer isn't severely that different from past games. You kill people, you win games, you earn experience and prestige that levels you up to unlock new weapons and abilities. The maps are varied and fun to play on, and the system of leveling up lets even the n00biest of n00bs proceed and level up.

Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing (PS3, 360, Wii, DS)



Sonic and SEGA's best and brightest line up on the starting line to race against one another. You can, too, y'know! The multiplayer is set up in a fashion where a host sets up a room for up to seven other players worldwide or nationally. He (or she) selects the course to race upon, and then you earn SEGA Miles which is the currency the game uses to buy new tracks, music, and characters. For a fun online racing experience, none come close to Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing.

GoldenEye 007 (Wii)


I'm humming the James Bond theme while typing this. I politely ask that you hum it, too, while you read this nomination description. Or you sing the Goldeneye theme song like Tina Turner. I don't really have a preference. Using Call of Duty's leveling up system is a cool trick, but it also unlocks new guns, modes, and abilities for your little secret or double agent! Not only some great online for Wii owners, it's simply an awesome multiplayer title in general.

ModNation Racers (PS3)


I loved building my own tracks and having my PSN friends race on them. Or you can simply race on the greatly-designed premade courses that are also buckets of fun. Either way, you're in for a tubular time. The lobbies are made so that you wait a minimal amount of time to race as you earn precious XP to climb the ranks in the ModSpot. Mario Kart, move over, as you have some new competition on the online front!

MAG (PS3)


When your name stands for Massive Action Game, you better have the tools to bring it. MAG did such a thing. This PlayStation 3 exclusive proved it could be a multiplayer-only game, and get away with it! Working as a massive team in this massive game on massive maps is massive fun. Enough with the massive already, Super! Nonetheless, the intense firefights against hundreds of players is just an awesome feeling giving this title an edge in this award show!

And the winner is...








MAG (PS3)

I was just impressed massively (there he goes again) with MAG. How so many players duking it out on one map could be so much fun escaped me until I played the game. Working with a large (synonym of massive) team is such a cool feeling as I stated before in the nomination description. MAG has the guns, it has the goods, and it's an immensely wild experience.

Runner-Up: Call of Duty: Black Ops (PS3, 360, Wii, PC)

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[Best Presentation]

Looks aren't everything, but I'll be damned if they don't look pretty! These games are the best-looking of the best-looking. The creme de le creme, if you'll excuse my French. What game looks the best though? Let's find out with our nominees...

Call of Duty: Black Ops (PS3, 360, Wii, PC)


Ooh-rah! Do armed forces really say that? I don't know. Do Black Ops say "ooh-rah" as well? I don't know the answer to that either. What I do know, however, is that Call of Duty: Black Ops takes the AAA blockbuster to a whole 'nother level with its intense cinematography, brutal, visceral graphics, and grade A voice acting and score. Even on the weak Wii, the action is not compromised to an extent that it ruins the experience. Now that's class!

Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii)


What a wonderful universe Mario shares his platforming adventures in! The visuals don't have the moniker of being good "just for the Wii". They, in fact, look good next to the big boys in my opinion. Perhaps all my medicine is souring my mind, but I love the colorful galaxies, triumphant orchestral score, and intricate camera angles that Mario Galaxy 2 possesses. Mario, you're a star!

Kirby's Epic Yarn (Wii)


Yep, I'm joining GameTrailers in nominating Kirby's Epic Yarn for best presentation. Y'wanna fight about it? No, let's make love, not war. Regardless, Kirby's Epic Yarn supports several unique art styles with a world consisting of yarn and fabrics of various varieties. The groovy soundtrack accompanying this gorgeous game is wonderful as well. This presentation package is as interesting as it is a joy to gaze upon!

God of War III (PS3)


With some of the most impressive HD graphics, period, God of War III stands tall with its jaw-dropping visuals, awesome orchestral score, and HD oh-my-goodness-I-think-I-just-orgasmed presentation. It looks even better on an HDTV, but do not worry, SD only owners, the game looks just dandy in standard definition. No worries on being left out on the fun!

And the winner is...









God of War III (PS3)

What else could it be besides God of War III? Hey, kids, that rhymed! I also noticed I ended every description in this nomination category with an exclamation point. My apologies if that was annoying. Nonetheless, God of War III outclasses every other game in this category severely with its eye candy, awesome artistic visuals, and impressive settings and backdrops. The wonderful music and voice acting only further complements this radical title. There's no wonder why God of War III outshines, outclasses, and outdoes every single title released this year.

Runner-Up: Kirby's Epic Yarn (Wii)

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I hoped you enjoyed night one of the SPC Best of 2010 Awards. This is always my favorite time of the year. I love looking back on the most awesome games of a given year and awarding them. Stay tuned tomorrow night for three more categories of nominations!

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