Downloadable games are quick becoming a major part of any gamer’s experience. While not the tiny quick arcade games they used to be, downloadable games have opened gamers up to a smaller, more affordable yet sometimes mind blowing selection of titles.
We had a massive list to choose from this year, but managed to round them down to only five. We are also very happy and proud to have a fantastic local indie game, Desktop Dungeons by South African developers QCF Design make it into our nominees.
Here are the nominees for best downloadable game :
Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light
Limbo
Super Meat Boy
Dead Nation
Desktop Dungeons
And the award goes to:
Winner: Limbo
When searching up a screenshot of Limbo to use for this post, I found myself being filled with a strange emotional sensation upon finding the image above and I can’t really think of any better way to explain why Limbo won in this category.
Limbo is quiet, black and white and only about 3-4 hours long but stands tall as an achievement in conveying emotion in a video game as well as possibly being the greatest example of video games as art.
Limbo could never, ever simply be called a side-scrolling platformer because anyone who has played it knows that it’s way, way more than that. A well deserved win.
This is one of the those categories where it feels as though every nominee deserved to win. Desktop Dungeons is not only free at the moment but insanely addictive but sits at a large disadvantage when compared to the other titles in its category thanks to its true indie roots (seriously, someone throw these people a massive wad of money so that we can all benefit). Lara Croft takes runner up with its fantastic gameplay and co-operative mode and then there is Super Meat Boy, which also seems as though it should never leave any awards without a trophy of some sort.
Runner-Up: Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light
Last Updated: December 15, 2010
Milni
December 15, 2010 at 09:19
Hard to argue with this one. Limbo was amazing. That atmosphere and those damn creepy spiders *shivers*
Miklós Szecsei
December 15, 2010 at 09:22
LIMBO was my gaming highlight of the year. Beat Mass Effect 2, RDR, Fallout NV… everything. :heart:
Syth
December 15, 2010 at 09:26
FreaaK!
Geoffrey Tim
December 15, 2010 at 09:28
Nah, Limbo was amazing. 😀
Syth
December 15, 2010 at 09:30
I wish I could find out. I’m a tiny bit jealous thats all :whistle:
Uncle
December 15, 2010 at 09:42
Is this game still 1600 points? I need to get hold of it ASAP.
Uberutang
December 15, 2010 at 09:44
Dead Nation!
ReAVeR
December 15, 2010 at 09:49
Ok, my name is Reaver, and I have a confession to make: I haven’t played Limbo yet.
You may now commence with the name-calling and stone throwing.
moegoe
December 15, 2010 at 09:54
A well deserved win! This game is as great as BRAID! I loved every moment. The puzzles weren’t very predictable and always kept you thinking, wondering and wishing!
Awesome gameplay and great music to compliment the surroundings you find yourself in.
Noodle
December 15, 2010 at 09:59
This is just an unfair category it should read the best Limbo game of the year.
Milni
December 15, 2010 at 10:01
Another one you are most welcoe to play at my place bud 😉
Milni
December 15, 2010 at 10:01
He’s a witch, burn him, burn him!
Do yourself a favour and get it ASAP!
Dooza
December 15, 2010 at 10:02
I played the demo and I really loved it but unfortunately for me when I played the demo I already migrated my xbox live account so now I can’t buy it anymore :cwy:
eXpZA
December 15, 2010 at 10:07
I wish to make sweet love to the little boy from Limbo.
Great game.
JohkerZA
December 15, 2010 at 10:09
I can’t decide between Guardian of Light and Dead Nation. I am also one of those poor fools who haven’t played Limbo yet.
Flameboy
December 15, 2010 at 10:12
I also haven’t played it. I seem to spend my MS points only on SSFIV costumes. 😉
Milni
December 15, 2010 at 10:14
Others might be surprised, possibly even shocked at this statement of yours. I however, am only surprised how unsurprised I am :-p
Uncle
December 15, 2010 at 10:14
Thanks 🙂
Gavin Mannion
December 15, 2010 at 10:22
Guardian of light was my runner up in the voting… not sure if it was the final runner up though.. Loved that game
Fox1
December 15, 2010 at 10:27
What’s this Gamer’s Unanimous?
Fox1
December 15, 2010 at 10:28
And I spend all my points on Forza 3’s car packs :blush:
Fox1
December 15, 2010 at 10:29
Movember is over dude :blink:
Fox1
December 15, 2010 at 10:31
Guardian of Light doesn’t outshine creepy dark Limbo :alien:
GreenAvitus
December 15, 2010 at 10:32
Limbo looks amazing wish I was at home for the holidays to try it out.
Milni
December 15, 2010 at 10:42
I am shocked that a certain someone hasn’t mentioned Scott Pilgrim yet… *taps foot*
GooseZA
December 15, 2010 at 10:48
Me neither, although I’m dying to try it. Need to get some more points first
Scratchy
December 15, 2010 at 11:03
Can’t argue with that. Limbo was epic
Krypty
December 15, 2010 at 11:05
My problem with Limbo is that it was totally too short.
Aequitas
December 15, 2010 at 11:15
Wow … I didn’t expect to see Desktop Dungeons up there *blush*
I hope when we release the next version to Steam/iDevice that we can make you all so addicted that we win next years awards ^_^
On a side note, Limbo is amazing, and if you haven’t played it you are doing yourself a disservice.
RSA-Ace
December 15, 2010 at 11:16
I played for about an hour or two. Really enjoying it so far – a little challenging on the difficulty I chose though!
Fox1
December 15, 2010 at 11:20
Yeah he is kinda short.
EtienneK
December 15, 2010 at 11:20
How was Minecraft NOT considered for this category? It was easily the most hyped downloadable game of the year.
eXpZA
December 15, 2010 at 12:39
Creepiness knows no month.
Squirrely
December 15, 2010 at 13:02
Limbo – played it for the first time last week, pretty? yeah! Artsy? yeah! but it stops there for me. The puzzles were easy and I felt “disconnected” from the game. I haven’t played any of the other games so I can’t comment but I really did enjoy braid last year!
pantsula
December 15, 2010 at 13:48
It has surely been a great year for downloadable games. Limbo was just a stand out. Super Meat Boy would be my very close second, although Ms Croft’s adventure was great as well.
DEATHEATER69 ZA
December 15, 2010 at 14:27
Im about 3/4 way through… but I definitely think it deserves its award. the epicness of when you *spoiler* that spider…. omg
Fred
December 15, 2010 at 14:35
Dead Nation for me , have not played Limbo.
xdvd
December 15, 2010 at 20:16
Along with Shadow Complex, Limbo is one of my favourite arcade titles of all time, so yes.