1 you loved, 1 you disliked and 1 that surprised you

[fingersmaloy]

This is a broad, broad question you've posed. Off the top of my head:

Liked: God Hand. For the reasons I've stated here. Or in short, because it's so smart, and really nothing like a 2D beat-'em-up at all.

Disliked: BioShock. Great aesthetic and atmosphere, but ruined for me by the nitty-gritty of the mechanics. Found it boring, confusing, and somehow too challenging and too easy at the same time, which is almost a feat in and of itself.

Surprised by: Lost Planet 2! Definitely my game of the year (well, so far, I guess). Though not particularly original in any one way, this game is fun! I don't think it's done too well in the mainstream press, which is extremely unfortunate because it's incredible. Sort of like living through a sci-fi blockbuster fantasy, and you can do it all with friends! Also lots of fun things to unlock, and some great, gigantic bosses and other setpieces.

In fact, if anyone wants to co-op with me, PSN handle's fingersmaloy.

[saturnfan]

Hated - while I wouldn't say I "hate" it, I have never been a fan of the GTA series. I don't see the entertainment value in glorifying the dregs of society.

It was actually the "sandbox"gameplay that I found intriguing about Grand Theft Auto 3. Then I played Vice City, realized it was more of the same(but slightly more refined)and pretty much lost interest in the GTA franchise. I only picked up Liberty City Stories on the PSP because I was amazed that the PSP could run a proper GTA game and had to see it with my own eyes

Hence why I don't really hate it, as I pointed out. I appreciated the open world gameplay that lets you chose what you want to do on any given day. One day you might be interested in furthering the story, the next you might want to do some side mission, on another you might just want to drive around and explore and so on.

It is mostly the theme of the games and its similarity between titles that I don't really enjoy.

[Crabmaster2000]

Loved: Fire Emblem PoR and RD

Hated: God of War series

Surprise: Persona 3 and 4

[aeon]

Loved: Okami (Wii) - CGR Undertow said it best: "This is the best Legend of Zelda that isn't a Legend of Zelda", that single quote made me buy the game.

Disliked: Conkers Bad Fur Day (N64) - I know this is a bit old, but from all the praise I heard from others I thought this would be awesome. It's funny, don't get me wrong, I just thought it would be on par with Banjo Kazooie.

Suprised: Dead Space Extraction (Wii) - Bought some Wii guns just to play this and HOTD Overkill. Extraction is so well executed in both arcade quality and spot on story, I was blown away by how it really invigorates on rail shooters.

[puke_face]

Loved-
Fable series
Call of duty up until modern warfare 2
Katamari series.

Disliked-
Call of duty: modern warfare 2
Folklore

Surprised-
Flower.. this game is just ridiculously fun.
Trash Panic.. another simple but fun game.

[soul_hacker]

loved: Front Mission. I have never been disappointed with this series. Never.

disliked: Call of Duty. I can't even express how much I hate this series and I really don't know why.

surprised: Disgaea. Everyone told me that they were really good, but I just thought that they looked way over the top. But then I borrowed my friend's copy and now I'm hooked.

[ProfessorK]

Loved: Transformers War For Cybertron. It was finally a good Transformers game (REALLY good) AND based off of G1! Amazing!

Disliked: The GTA Series Aside from Vice City. No style, no class.

Surprised: Spider-Man Shattered Dimensions. A good Spider-Man game that isn't 16-bit? No way!

[KDub]

Loved: Half Life 2 - I don't know what can be said about this game that hasn't already sooo...yeah I love it and both episodes.

Disliked: Animal Crossing City Folk - I was/am a big fan of the first Animal Crossing. I could not wait for the wii version it sounded so fun. But in reality it was a very lazy game and a huge let down. The city was pointless, you couldn't do much in it. The city should of been an online thing where people could meet up at any time with many shops for different trades and purchases and some special things or they should of taken what they had and expanded the regular town. A lot of other good things from the past were missing and replaced with something not important and the "animal tracks" thing was awful. The idea of walking killing all of your grass (which it does and will) is so awful and it doesn't grow back unless you plant trees and flowers and don't walk on it again for a VERY long time. Many people had mud towns in a month or two if they actually played it daily.

Surprised: Portal - I got the game when it was free and I honestly wasn't sure about it; I had no feelings one way or the other. So I was very surprised to find how fun it was and that I've wanted to replay it several times.

[Gamerforlife]

Loved: Transformers War For Cybertron. It was finally a good Transformers game (REALLY good) AND based off of G1! Amazing!

Disliked: The GTA Series Aside from Vice City. No style, no class.

Surprised: Spider-Man Shattered Dimensions. A good Spider-Man game that isn't 16-bit? No way!

Actually, I think all of the best Spider-Man games weren't 16-bit. That's an interesting viewpoint you have though. Not one I've heard before

I enjoyed War for Cybertron, though I disliked certain aspects of its design. I think they got more right than wrong and even wrote a review for it, which isn't something I typically do. That may be the best compliment I can give it

[Amon]

Loved: Phantasy Star Online V2 but if that is too old... Halo
Disliked: GTA
Surprised: Sonic Colors, I played it at pax and will buy it at some point.