Genre Awards

Action Game of Show:
Assassin's Creed II (PS3/360/PC)

Ubisoft's 2007 epic Assassin's Creed was almost bigger than the sum of its parts, but a few repetitive design decisions and just-shy-of-a-button-masher combat mechanics held it back from greatness. Thankfully, the developers have returned with full intentions to get things right this time around. In Assassin's Creed II, engaging enemies is a more fluid affair, and the varied mission structure promises far less predictability. Leaping off a building to stealth-stab an enemy in the neck has never felt better.


Runners-Up: Brutal Legend, Darksiders, God of War III, Sin and Punishment 2, Splinter Cell: Conviction, Uncharted 2



Adventure Game of Show:
Heavy Rain (PS3)

Writer/director David Cage and the rest of his team at Quantic Dream (who you may remember from 2005's stellar Indigo Prophecy) are creating something special with the PS3-exclusive Heavy Rain. It's a gritty, mature-themed trip that tells the intertwining story of four investigators on the hunt for a serial killer. We've met two of these characters so far, one an FBI profiler with a drug problem, the other a photojournalist forced to endure a frightening sexual assault. The thought-provoking themes, and the powerful ways in which interactivity and storytelling converge, kept us on the edge of our seats -- just like a quality adventure game should.


Runners-Up: The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition, Tales of Monkey Island



Downloadable Game of Show:
Shadow Complex (XBLA)

Shadow Complex is a modern take on an older-style game, with action that harkens back to classics like Super Metroid. Powered by Unreal Engine 3, it not only looks better than most downloadable games, it also utilizes physics in ways that a lot other downloadable games simply can't. And at over 10 hours in length, this is one game we're ready to pay Microsoft some space dollars for.


Runners-Up: Fat Princess, Marvel vs. Capcom 2, Reflection, 'Splosion Man, Trials HD



Fighting Game of Show:
Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All Stars (Wii)

With the publishing rights to Tatsunoko's various anime properties scattered to the four winds here in the U.S., everyone -- even folks in the know at Capcom -- labeled 2D fighter Tatsunoko vs. Capcom a domestic impossibility. Miracles happen, though, and this spiritual successor to the Marvel vs. Capcom 2 gameplay model will finally find a wider audience later this year. The cel-shaded art style, simplified four-button control scheme (down from Capcom's traditional six), and eclectic cast of characters (one that's rumored to grow even larger for the localization) prime this to be 2009's dreamiest 2D deathmatch this side of Street Fighter IV.


Runners-Up: The King of Fighters XII, Marvel vs. Capcom 2, Tekken 6



MMO Game of Show:
Star Wars: The Old Republic (PC)

BioWare and LucasArts team up once again to bring their unique vision of the Star Wars universe to gamers, taking us (and all of our friends) back to the age of the Old Republic. It's a massively multiplayer online role-playing game that refuses to neglect storytelling. The Old Republic introduces an innovative multiplayer dialogue system and will be the first MMO to feature full voiceovers for every character, from start to finish. While the MMO market is an increasingly crowded space, our behind-the-scenes demonstrations left us ready to whip out our credit cards and sign up for accounts right on the spot.


Runner-Up: DC Universe Online



Music/Rhythm Game of Show:
The Beatles: Rock Band (PS3/360/Wii)

The Beatles, the one band that's been blatantly absent from Rock Band and Guitar Hero until now, finally get their own game. This latest version allows us to finally play some of rock's greatest songs ever, and the harmonizing vocals really complete the package for us. After all, it's always less shameful to sing with friends.


Runners-Up: Def Jam Rapstar, DJ Hero, Guitar Hero 5