I’ll do exclusives:
1. Resistance 2 - The campaign was ok and all but this is really all about that multiplayer. The PvP was a bit uneven but had fantastic and unique moments to it. The real star is the class based co-op with up to 8 players, where you could not complete a map without all three classes present. True teamwork was required through the synergies of the different roles and I haven’t played anything as dependant on these types of interactions between classes since. Which makes the fact that the servers are turned off even more painful; no lan and only two player splitscreen.
2. God of War 3 - This series used to have the best melee combat out of any Sony game, and I don’t think they’ve had anything as good since. In my book, GoW is only second to DMC and Ninja Gaiden. For the most part, I’d put it on par with Platinim Games output, altough there are outliers with brooms. Ascension might be the peak gameplay-wise, but as a package GoW3 takes it.
3. Motorstorm: Pacific Rift - I like all three games, and for different reasons too, but I still come back to the second game the most. It really has something extra to it, other than the terrain based driving the series excel at. Fantastic track design that lends itself well to repetition, especially considering all the different types of vehicles. I might never stop playing this game.
4. Warhawk - This game really felt like Battlefield made arcade for consoles. With easy to pick up and play, that had less emphasis on aiming and more relaxed approach to movement, it was great as a splitscreen experience. Too bad the amazing sequel didn’t catch on as it should’ve.
5. InFAMOUS - Some things are greater than the sum of its parts. Infamous wasn’t particulary good looking and it didn’t have the deepest mechanics or the greatest story, but it was its own thing and had a strong vibe to it. The sequel improved on most aspects and I wish we would get a third entry in the series. Second son was cool and all but it wasn’t the continuation infamous deserve.