After a one-year hiatus, guest lists are back and so is the Giant Bomb Moderator team. We started using cold, hard math to determine the Game of the Year long before the staff did, so it's good to see them come to the correct side of history!
We currently have twelve members on the mod team. Two of our #1 picks didn't even make into the top ten. And two of us didn't play anything new this year. So, as I (Marino) started tabulating the results over the course of several days, our list was briefly, very, very odd. In the end, I feel like it's a mostly normal list, but it came down to the wire. Our first and second place games were only separated by a single point. Anyway, let's get to the list!
10. Marvel's Spider-Man 2
From @marino (#5)
Let's just be real for a minute. Insomniac is PlayStation's best studio. Not only are they putting out games quicker than the rest, but they're all stellar. Think about it. Against all odds... they made Kraven the Hunter an actually fearsome villain. For real, though, from start to finish, this game is an incredible ride. Traversing the city is more fun than ever thanks to the wing gliders. All of the collectible side quests have an interesting ending; many of which clearly have implications for future DLC or games. And I still love how Peter has a pre-existing history with many of the characters like Sandman and Mysterio. It makes the world feel more lived-in and real when they don't have to pretend like every interaction is the first time ever. I can't wait to see what Insomniac brings us in the future.
From @rmanthorp (#9)
More Marvel's Spider-Man.
9. Super Mario Bros. Wonder
From @rmanthorp (#5)
Played it all co-op and with a massive smile on my face.
From @marino (#7)
I haven't finished Super Mario Bros. Wonder myself, but I spent an entire weekend playing it with my niece and nephews (5, 8, and 10). While the multiplayer mechanics can be frustrating at times (don't let the 5-year-old have the crown), we had a blast. The level-altering Wonder Flowers add an exciting element every 5-10 minutes, but I felt like the regular power-ups weren't all that great. When given the option, I usually just stuck with a Fire Flower. I did like the addition of the badges, though, and the fun arguments they caused between levels. Now, if my younger nephew and I could just convince the older one to slow down and look for secrets, we'd be golden.
8. Resident Evil 4
From @zombiepie (#3)
Once again, Capcom proves that what was once old can always be reborn into something new. With new characterization that breathes new life into Leon Kennedy, Ashley Graham, and even the goddamn Merchant; the world of Resident Evil 4 is both a trip down memory lane AND a unique experience with plenty of surprises and tricks up its sleeve. I was initially skeptical of the inclusion of new core mechanics like a crafting system or weapon durability, but having now played the game, I realize that these assisted the current team at Capcom in striking a better balance between action combat and survival horror; a balancing act that the original occasionally, but not always, fumbled. The new parry system also leads to fewer frustrating moments where you get pinned into corners and feel like you have no outs, a common issue I had with Resident Evil 4 and 5. From top to bottom, you can more freely enjoy the atmosphere and interspersed character moments without weird gameplay hiccups or interruptions. It also seems entirely unfair to lop in DLC to a game's GOTY case, but Resident Evil 4's Separate Ways DLC is as incredible as the base game as it boils all of its exhilarating highs into a single package but in a bite-sized chunk with none of the lulls.
From @chaser324 (#4)
Capcom continues to be firing on all cylinders with this excellent reimagining of one of the greatest games of all time. While I do have some minor quibbles with some parts of the combat, in general, I think most of the changes here to things like level layout and boss fights are very well done and serve to enhance the experience. This remake can never eclipse the original in terms of how essential or important it is to the overall video game canon, but I do think it can stand on its own merits as a strong modern reinterpretation of the classic.
7. Alan Wake II
From @sgtsphynx (#1)