Because money doesn't grow on trees - and good games sure don't, either - I'm breaking down my top-five video games of 2010 based on the 35 new ones I played.

You'll notice that all of these games are sequels, and there's a reason for that: The originals were good, too.

But it's more than that. All these sequels feel and play superior to their predecessors, and that speaks volumes about the commitment of development teams. They not only provide us with entertainment for today, but give us hope that bigger and better things are coming in the future, and for that I thank them.