GOTY 2010 - Sports

Much like the FPS and Action Genres, Sports games this year were dominated by sequels rather than brave new IPs. Oh wait… that’s the case every year, isn’t it? Games in this genre have traditionally had the tougher task – convincing people to buy an updated version of the game they bought last year, which is why the yearly improvements become so vital.

Even then, aside from a few failures here and there, developers have managed to improve their games significantly this year. This was an awesome year for sports games, make no mistake about it – we got franchise reboots, licenses changing hands etc. Still, there were a few games that stood out and left their mark on 2010 and they are our nominees for Sports Game of the Year 2010.

Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 (360/PC/PS3)
Konami’s football franchise’s heyday still brings a twinkle to the eye of most football gamers. However, Pro Evo has struggled with the switchover to the current-gen while EA Sports’ FIFA has been taking big strides and has completely taken over the title of “Best Football Game on the Planet”. The last three confrontations between the two series have been total washouts – Pro Evo just couldn’t compete with the overall polish of FIFA. But that trend ended this year.

Pro Evo vs Fifa - Messi vs Ronaldo again?

Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 saw Konami bring its A-Game. The introduction of 360-degree dribbling and passing, the overall improvement of the passing system, improved defense AI and just the general slowing down has made the gameplay seem incomparable to the previous editions. The addition of Online Master League to the lineup of already solid Master League and Be a Legend modes saw the game grow in its replay value, especially because online multiplayer was polished up quite a bit this year.

Is the King back? No… not really, not yet. But Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 has moved the franchise from being a lowly knight to a prince battling over ascension to the throne. Which I say, and I'm sure the fans would agree, is its rightful place.

F1 2010 (360/PC/PS3)
When it was announced the F1 license was changing hands after years of inactivity on the games front, fans of the motorsport rejoiced. Even more so because the license was going to Codemasters, tried and tested publishers who’d put out a slew of racing titles like Dirt, Grid and so on. They didn’t disappoint – F1 2010 featured some fantastic visuals, great gameplay, an immersive career mode and fun multiplayer. Adding to this was the fact that the game was extremely accessible yet challenging – something that would please sim racers and casuals alike.

Vroom Vroom

Yeah, alright. It’s a racing game – but one that features a motorsport, so that makes it a pretty valid entry.

NBA 2k11 (360/PC/PS3)
Visual Concepts and 2k Sports’ entry last year was a game oozing with potential but one that was brought down by innumerable game-breaking bugs. They got it right this year though, as NBA 2k11 was a highly polished title with outstanding presentation, fantastic gameplay and great game modes. In terms of improvements, it was completely unrecognizable from last year’s effort – and for a sports game, saying that can only be a good thing.

2k11 brought the Heat this year

Oh and did I mention Michael Jordan? MJ23 plays a huge role in this game, as you have the Jordan challenges, where you try and better Jordan’s accomplishments in several key games spanning his glorious career. Nostalgia for the win, I say!