Western games dominate Japanese developers' best of 2010 list

A late survey of Japan's development luminaries has seen Heavy Rain and Red Dead Redemption top a list ripe with international releases.

Andriasang posted the results of a Dengeki poll on the past year's best games. Heavy Rain was the clear winner with just under a third of respondents honouring Quantic Dream's noir thriller.

Red Dead Redemption came in a close second, earning praise from the likes of Jun Takeuchi, Goichi Suda, Hideo Kojima and Yousuke Hayashi.

Although no other title managed so many nominations, there were several recurring Western entries, including Limbo; Alan Wake; Infinity Blade; and Call of Duty: Black Ops.

Several other traditionally Western games made single appearances, leading to a list heavily weighted towards non-Japanese titles.

Of Japanese development, hard-as-nails action shooter Vanquish turned up a few times, along with the phenomenally successful Monster Hunter Portable 3rd, and notoriously divisive JRPG Nier Replicant/Gestalt.

Mario Galaxy 2, Pokémon Black and White, and Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker each scored a small number of mentions.