The Lager of Excellence had a humble beginning. Originally awarded on a weekly basis to whoever was the biggest fuck up on all the internet, the award has evolved into a badge of honor that we only bestow on what we feel are the best games of the year. With 2009 only hours away from finally being over (thank Christ), we believe that now is the ideal time to announce our Lager of Excellence winners.

Because we believe in waiting until the year is actually over before announcing which game was the best of 2009. But before we get to the best games of the past twelve months, let’s look back at a couple of other games that are worth some kind of mention…

Now that we have those out of the way, let’s get on with the show and present to you the BEST games of 20-Ought-9.

Look, nobody is saying that Left 4 Dead 2 is by any stretch a bad game. In fact, with a group of friends it can be quite fun. That doesn’t excuse it from being, with a few minor tweaks, Left 4 Dead.

Basically what we’re doing is finding another excuse to give Left 4 Dead an award. To that end, we’ve done quite well. -JW

Kodu Game Lab is the perfect game for the Miscellaneous category. Kodu can’t help that comparisons to LittleBigPlanet must be made since they are both ‘create-a-game’ titles. The difference is that Kodu is a $5 download where not only you can make platformers, but other game types as well. With few boundaries in genres of games, this title helps any person even thinking about making a game. A beginners tool that is easy to learn and actually manages to teach you skills that you may use on more complex/advanced programs. -MM

There are two things that go incredibly well together in videogames: sugary-sweet visuals and buckets of gore. Based on this criteria, Titan Studio’s Fat Princess is already a win. However, it doesn’t stop there. Titan Studios managed to create an incredibly fun and addicting multiplayer experience where cooperative play is really the only way to win. Fat Princess also packs in so much personality and charm that it’s really hard not to love it. And, of course, now we finally have a game that proves that fat chicks really do need lovin’ too. -RS

Flower was one of those games that, when you first saw it, you didn’t think much of it. And then you would have a stressful day at work or an afternoon of the supposed “better half” nagging you about taking out the trash that somehow would evolve into a fight that culminates with her shouting “YOU DON’T LOVE ME”… and you’d need to relax.

Cue Flower.

With perhaps the only example of SIXAXIS being used properly, Flower had you take control of the wind itself as you guided flower pedals through what amounted to very pretty mazes. Everything from the simplicity of simply tilting your controller to the visuals that, unlike other games today, don’t assault your every sense, Flower is arguably the most relaxing video game ever made. -JW

When we think of Best Online Game, we don’t limit ourselves to just multiplayer fighting type titles, but also those that make great use of the online component to games. 1 vs. 100 is a game show that always has thousands upon thousands of players all buzzing in on various trivia questions. Two reasons to instantly love this title is that it is free and you can win real prizes. Well played Microsoft, well played. -MM

Let’s make this perfectly clear: We are NOT referring to Versus mode, which boiled down to a game of muskets. We are speaking strictly about the online component to Resident Evil 5’s “Mercenaries” mode, which let you and a friend run around, hoarding ammunition and trying to one-up each other on who killed more of what. Was it the most technically impressive online component? No. Was it the most varied? Certainly not. But what makes “Mercenaries” special is that it can maintain its entertainment value for nearly a year while being so simple.

Also, it doesn’t have any game-breaking glitches like a certain FPS everyone seems to love. -JW

As was stated in our review back in March, MLB 09: The Show is not just the best sports game of 2009, it may very well be the best baseball game ever made. Solid gameplay, a near-perfect presentation and a vastly improved “Road to the Show” mode (think RPG-meets-Baseball) put The Show over the top. -JW

We fought about this one for a while. While some of the BG staff suggested The Beatles: Rock Band, others argued LEGO Rock Band and Guitar Hero 5. It eventually came down to a debate about tracklist, and Guitar Hero 5 is easily the strongest of the three. Sorry, kids, but artists like David Bowie, the White Stripes, and Bob Dylan are just too fucking sweet to ignore. Not to mention that all the other “Hero” games this year were totally lame and that Beatles Rock Band doesn’t include David Bowie at all. Can you believe that? Bowie FTW! -PP

A lot of fighting games saw their way to consoles in 2009. A lot of fighting games. And hell, most of them were pretty damn good. But despite all the sweet brawling action we saw this year, one steps up, takes the cake, and throws it on the ground. BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger generates the illusion that it’s an accessible, easy to learn fighter and proceeds bludgeon you with its immense depth and utter awesomeness. Sure, while anyone can pick up and play BlazBlue and get by, mastering the play mechanics is something else entirely, demanding that even the most die hard fighting fans exercise their minds and reflexes to learn any of the game’s well-balanced and original characters. With absolutely gorgeous character design, a spectacular online mode, and a unique and intricate fighting engine, BlazBlue is one fighting game you must not miss. Play this game, or it’ll beat you up and steal your Microsoft Points. -PP

2009 was a bit of a shallow year for good RPGs, so in some respects Dragon Age: Origins wins almost by default. But don’t think for a moment that this “this outta hold ‘em over ’til Mass Effect 2” game from BioWare is somehow an inferior product.

After all, it’s a BioWare game.

Described by the company as the ’spiritual successor’ to Baldur’s Gate, Dragon Age: Origins surpasses all other BioWare games in terms of bring able to illicit emotions from the player during the game, and will surely be looked back upon when we talk about the evolution of storytelling in games.

Plus the game was pretty damn fun. Guess that counts for something. -JW

Before Batman: Arkham Asylum, there had not been a good Batman video game since 1989. What Arkham Asylum was able to do that other games failed miserably at was being able to combine the hand-to-hand combat that is accustomed to most Batman titles with the detective work that is the basis for the nickname “The World’s Greatest Detective” (dude was even introduced in “Detective Comics”). No game prior had been able to properly implement the arsenal of gadgets and toys Batman has at his disposal and you were tasked with using each of his tools in the right situations to navigate the maze that is Arkham Asylum.

The voice-over work by Kevin Conroy (Batman), Arleen Sorkin (Harley Quinn) and the man of a million voices, Mark Hammill (The Joker) brought back shades of the animated TV series, further cementing Arkham Asylum as a classic. -JW

Oh the flaws Modern Warfare 2 had and has. It all started with the famous Javelin glitch, then mass care package droppings, unlimited ammo glitches, the whole PC Gamers vs Infinity Ward fiasco, and of course let us not forget the biggest flaw of them all, the 1887 Akimbo.

Still, amazingly, compared to the FPS titles that came out the rest of the year, everyone on my friends list, including myself, is still playing the hell out of this game. It has great maps, huge levels of customization, and they didn’t change the formula otherwise. You have your basic (and quick) action packed campaign and just about the same multiplayer game types plus a little more. Best of all, in objective/team based games, no more party chat, meaning you have to be in the game with people. Modern Warfare 2 isn’t breaking ground in innovation, but despite the flaws is still is the number one first person shooter. -MM

As far as tower-defense games go, Plants vs. Zombies is, by far, leagues ahead of the rest of the pack. The simple, yet surprisingly deep play mechanics make this game appealing to both causal players and the more hardcore strategy buffs. Plus, it’s always fun to watch a bunch of pea shooters and cherry bombs take down waves of zombies. And that’s the real reason Plants vs. Zombies is the best PC game of 2009. -RS

Apparently, people couldn’t get enough of Rock Band in their living rooms, so Harmonix let them take it on the go with Rock Band Unplugged. How does this game work without the instruments? Magic!

Not really.

What it comes down to is an intuitive, button-tapping, rhythm game dressed in Rock Band’s clothing. So whether you’re at work, school, or taking some sort of public transportation, you can headbang through some portable Rock Band goodness. And believe me, the strangers around you will definitely appreciate you wailing on your PSP or iPhone and flailing like a retard. Yes, we need more of that in the world. -RS

Forget the well-crafted, hack-and-slash gameplay. Forget the beautiful soundtrack, and forget the drop-dead gorgeous ukiyo-e inspired visuals. What really drew everyone to Muramasa: The Demon Blade this year was the tentacle-rape advertising (just kidding… or am I?)

In a year wrought mostly with Wii gimmick games, it was easy to pick out the few actual games released for the system and even easier to narrow it down to the best. With its combo-heavy gameplay and huge boss battles, Muramasa wasn’t just pretty to look at; it was damn fun to play. Definitely a reason to own a Wii in 2009. -RS

It was a sad, sad day when Beautiful Katamari skipped over PlayStation owners like kickball captains picking teams during recess and sought refuge on the Xbox 360. With the 360’s staggered stick layout and the ridiculous notion of paying to download levels already on the game disc (an increasingly common crime among publishers in the industry), Beautiful Katamari, while fun, just didn’t feel right. Katamari Forever changes all of that, and as the franchise’s triumphant return to the PlayStation platform, it’s the game that Katamari lovers have been begging for. The story and dialogue is just as quirky and mind-boggling as every, and the gameplay is as rock-solid as the always excellent soundtrack. Katamari Forever is easily the strongest entry into the series, with the greatest appeal going to longtime fans of the series. No longer is Katamari about mere relaxation; it’s now about challenge and collection. It’s about speed and determination. The developers Namco Bandai gave fans exactly what they needed, and it wound up as our best PlayStation 3 game of the year. -PP

As far as Xbox 360 exclusives go, Halo Wars deserves the number one spot. It took a genre that has not historically worked that great on consoles, and made it easy enough for everybody to play. The single player was decent, but the multiplayer is where it’s at. Halo Wars grabbed the fans of Bungie’s franchise and tricked them into playing strategy game. I know most end up rushing rather than building up, but there is still strategy. Congrats to developers Robot Entertainment and Bonfire Studios, we all hope you both come out with other great titles soon. -MM

If you’ve listened to The Bender once in the last six months, you’ve heard something about this game. Mike and Perry talk about it every podcast—and with good reason. You can literally blow up everything (except maybe some mountains and the very ground you walk on) and best of all, the game rewards you for it. Between your hammer and a plethora of sweet futuristic weapons, who knew liberating Mars could be so damn fun? Unfortunately, this game went terribly unnoticed and—in our eyes—not enough people recognize its greatness. With an online multiplayer mode that appeals even to I (Perry) and a single-player mode that managed to keep Mike off Xbox LIVE long enough to clear it completely, Red Faction: Guerrilla is easily the most well-rounded game of the year and is without a doubt the ‘Greatest Game Never Played’ in 2009. -PP

Uncharted 2 is more than just another third-person action/adventure game. A well-penned script, excellent acting and over-the-top set pieces like a rooftop battle/retreat from a helicopter and a gunfight in a collapsing building puts Nathan Drake’s second outing in the realm of interactive movie. Furthermore, a rock-solid multiplayer mode ensured that gamers would be coming back for a long, long time… or at least until they bought Modern Warfare 2. -JW

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