Games of the Year 2013 Thread

[BreakABone]

Well figured this is a place to talk about all our favorite games from 2013 and all that jazz (and I realize a few more days on the clock but a slow moving forum!)

I don't have a list yet (because haven't finalized what we're doing for the site/podcast), so feel free to offer up some suggestions on what to talk about!

Just to get the ball rolling though

Game of The Year (NO-Brainer)

Technical Achievement of the Year
Visual Achievement of the Year

Favorite Boss Battle?

Favorite Soundtrack?

[Jason1]

Probably my most enjoyable game ive played this year is Gone Home. Im in the middle of a Link Between worlds and enjoying it a lot! I haven't played a TON of games this year. The Last of US was great, as was Bioshock Infinite although I think Infinite was a little over-rated.

[Angrist]

Best fruit game: Pikmin 3.
Best 4 player 3D platformer: Super Mario 3D World.
Best 4 player 2D platformer: Rayman Legends
Best 'year of' character: Luigi
Best Zelda release: A Link Between Worlds
Best LEGO game: LEGO City Undercover

That's all I've got.

[Vampyr]

I don't really have a list of categories, but I do have a list. My list is composed of my favorite games that I played in 2013 (not necessarily released in 2013.)

5. Dishonored - This is probably the best first person game I have ever played. I typically don't like FPS games because combat only consists of pointing, clicking, and walking backwards while you do so. Dishonored has a combat system, but it's not the focus of the game. On my first play through I did "low-chaos" on all the missions, meaning I killed as few people as possible and tried not to be spotted. It was extremely satisfying to get through a level and get the "ghost" award at the end, meaning you were never seen by anyone.

I actually restarted this game as soon as I finished it, and I can't remember the last time I did that. Now going through on a high chaos playthrough, I still stealth through most things, but kill everyone as I go. The multitude of options the game gives you for dealing with enemies is amazing. You can "blink" behind people and assassinate them, you can stop time and kill everyone, you can possess a bad guy and shoot other bad guys, you can freeze time, possess a bad guy, and move him in front of his own bullet to kill him, you can rewire their electrical security system then cause a distraction that causes the enemies to run through it and be turned to ash.

4. Fire Emblem Awakening - I've always been a huge Fire Emblem fan, and this installment is the best one so far. Wonderful characters, amazing and funny dialogue, and extremely difficult if you want it to be.

3. The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds - This is probably the best Zelda I've played since OoT. Skyward Sword was very disappointing to me, so it was great to return to the style of Zelda I love so much. It's very cool to get all your items right off the beginning, and the "wall merge" mechanic actually provides some very difficult puzzles.

2. Super Mario Bros 3D World - Fun refined. This is everything a video game is supposed to be, and finally a Nintendo game in HD. The level design here is just...magical. I don't know how the people at Nintendo come up with so many consistently interesting levels.

1. Hotline Miami - My favorite game of the year. I got super addicted to this. I started playing it the day I got my wisdom teeth pulled, so I was high on hydrocodone the entire time. This, combined with the pulsating neon visuals and sublime trance soundtrack provided a unique game experience. After I beat the game I replayed every level to get the highest possible rating. I got every achievement on this game, which is not something I've ever bothered to do before.


Honorable mentions: Shadow Warrior, League of Legends, Rune Factory 4

[BreakABone]

Finally finalized (mostly) the list for the site so if you wanna fill it out

Best/Worst Game

Year of Luigi: Game of Luigi (Dr. Luigi, Luigi's Mansion 2, Mario and Luigi: Dream Team and New Super Luigi U)

Best/Worst Character

Best Franchise Revival

Worst Prequel of 2013 (Gears judgment, God of War Ascension, Batman: Arkham Origins and Assassin's Creed 4)

Biggest Disappointment

Best Soundtrack

Best Voice Actor/Actress

The Nolan North Lifetime Achievement Award of Being in Every Game of 2013 (Goes to Troy Baker)

Biggest Surprise

Most Innovative

Best Original Game Mechanic

Best Subtitle

Best Writing

Best Boss Fight

Worst Box Art

Biggest News Story

Technical Achievement in Graphics

Visual Achievement in Graphics

The Over The Top Moment of Craziness

[Angrist]

Best/Worst Game

Game of Luigi Luigi's Mansion 2

Best Character Chase McCain (LEGO City U)

Best Franchise Revival Tomb Raider

Biggest Disappointment Aliens: Colonial Mariners

Best Soundtrack Zelda: A Link Between Worlds

Best Voice Actor/Actress Joseph May (Chase McCain in LEGO City U)

Best Original Game Mechanic Become a painting in ALBW

Best Subtitle Let's Explore The Dungeon Because Oh I Don't Know (or whatever it is exactly)

Biggest News Story Rayman Legends delayed at the very last moment to make it multi-plat

Visual Achievement in Graphics Tomb Raider (PC)

The Over The Top Moment of Craziness Half of the levels of Super Mario 3D World