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Like flOw before it, Flower is one of the most relaxing experiences on PS3. Beautiful landscapes and glorious petals are brought together to create a tremendous artistic performance.
With scale to rival Shadow of the Colossus and power to rival anything, the bosses in Demon's Souls are nothing short of devastating. It's not just their ferocity though, they're entire design is truly inspired.
The sequel to one of the best games of 2007 improves on the original game in every way. Among Thieves is a stunning action title that deserves huge recognition of its incredible achievements. A fantastic game.
Featuring huge areas to explore, insane weaponry, unique characters and a brave, but effective, graphic style, Borderlands is the most enjoyable shooter of the year, narrowly beating out Red Faction and Ghostbusters.
Ratchet and Clank Future: A Crack in Time
Insomniac have led the way in the platform-gaming world on Playstation 3 every year so far, and 2009 is no exception. Continuing the plot from Tools of Destruction and Quest for Booty, A Crack in Time is simply superb.
Getting battered and beaten by a game might not sound like fun, but the sense of reward at accomplishing even the smallest thing in this tremendous game sets it apart from the competition. Demon's Souls is incredible.
With new tracks, new ship designs, new modes and new music, Fury is possibly the best-value expansion of all time, and the best racer in 2009. The wait for Gran Turismo 5 continues.
Runners up
Command and Conquer: Red Alert 3
The most famous real-time strategy series of all time arrives on PS3 and immediately takes the strategy crown for the year. Despite some deficiencies, there's a huge amount to enjoy in Red Alert 3.
Surviving impressive opposition from Critter Crunch for this year's title, addictive puzzler Lumines Supernova is a deserving winner, thanks to its unique combination of puzzling and music.
Ratchet and Clank Future: A Crack in Time
Simply load up the game and wait for the music even at the main menu. Ratchet and Clank games have always had terrific scores, and A Crack in Time takes things one step further, narrowly edging out Uncharted 2 for the win.
Ratchet and Clank Future: A Crack in Time
Last year's winner, Dead Space, used effects to build tremendous atmosphere. While this isn't the case for Ratchet, A Crack in Time is this year's best for its comic genius, with superb weapon effects for classics such as Mr Zurkon and the Rift Inducer.
Narrowly edging out the glorious cast of Uncharted 2, Batman takes the award due to its array of ingenious, interesting and inimitable criminals and crusaders, featuring The Joker, Scarecrow, Poison Ivy and more.
Unquestionably the most incredible looking game of the year, possibly of all time (to date of course), Uncharted 2 has set new standards for visuals in games. With superb character models, terrific environments and beautiful lighting, there's nothing to fault.
In no way here for it's competitive play, Modern Warfare 2 is the best online game of 2009 due to its incredible Special Ops mode, taking cooperative play to new levels of excitment and tension. With decent variety and different challenge levels, there's plenty to do.
Though it might not be as original as Demon's Souls or as neatly contained as Batman: Arkham Asylum, the story in Uncharted 2 is gripping from start to end; an adventure that pushes the boundaries of excitement and interest without ever going too far.
Despite excellent voicework in this year's Ghostbusters video game, the cast of Uncharted 2 are unrivalled, with Nolan North, Claudia Black and more all producing superb performances in one of the most convincing displays on PS3.
Though it's expensive to get set up with all the kit, once you're there, it takes a lot to beat a good session of Guitar Hero with friends, especially with the full band experience involving drums, guitars, bass and singers.
Tranquility, relaxation, peace. Flower is an emotional journey that begins in one of the most delightful settings and conjures more emotions along the way than any full-length game. Every petal in the game appears to have purpose in this unforgettable experience.
Despite lowering expectations well in advance, Killzone 2 was still too great a disappointment to bear. So much potential, such huge resources, all thrown at the wrong areas of game development. Story, control, character development, variety and motivation were all totally lacking.
This year has seen masterpieces like Uncharted 2 and Ratchet, but still neither game can match the surprise package Demon's Souls presents. This challenging, masterful RPG is an incredible experience to play and Game of the Year 2009.
Fight fire and foe with water and lasers in Q-Games' latest Playstation Store gem: Shooter.
Take on PS3's greatest challenge traversing Boletaria at the mercy of devastating demons.
Eat your way through an island full of colourful critters in Critter Crunch.
Infinity Ward return with the next installation of the Modern War franchise.
Join Ratchet and Clank once again as time itself comes under threat.
