Chris Goes Award Show For Games

On 12/23/2013 at 11:45 AM by goaztecs

Hello Pixlbit! For today’s blog, I thought I’d try something new. For a month or so I’ve been thinking about how to showcase the games I really enjoyed in 2013, so I figured why not have an awards show? It’s a perfect way to “nominate” games I enjoyed in the various categories, and then announce a winner. Sounds like fun? Cool, let’s get started!

Favorite PS3 Game

Unfinished Swan

NFS Most Wanted

NCAA Football 14

Grand Theft Auto V

Lego Marvel Superheroes

And the winner is: Unfinished Swan

Reason: I loved the art style, and concept of this game. The only thing that is holding me back is that it is in First Person, and I would get motion sickness. At some point I will finish this game.

Honorable Mention: There were a bunch of games that could have been here. GTA V, God of War Ascention, NCAA Football among others, but Unfinished Swan was was different, and I wished it was actually a physical game

Favorite XBox 360 Game

Forza Horizon

Shadow Complex

Project Gotham Racing 3

Forza 4

Crackdown 2

And the winner is: Forza Horizon

Reason: This is the first Forza game I finished and enjoyed every minute of it. From the giant map of Colorado, to the various types of racing, and who can look past the cars, Forza Horizon is the perfect mix of a Forza, and a Need For Speed game. When I wasn’t racing, I would take random drives looking for billboards, or taking on random “rivals” on the open road. This game was well worth the $30.

Honorable Mentions: Shadow Complex is such a good game, and there moments when I really enjoyed Crackdown, but Horizon was just such a big favorite of mine.

Favorite Vita Game

Treasures of Montezuma Blitz

NFS Most Wanted

Smart as…

Lego Batman 2

Asphalt

And the winner is: NFS Most Wanted

Reason: This was the driving force in me purchasing a Vita. I enjoyed the Android/iOS game so much that I wanted to experience the game on the Vita. For a handheld the graphics, controls, and racing was enjoyable. When I finally picked up the PS3 version, I didn’t notice any difference (other than the jump in graphics).

Honorable Mentions: Montezuma Blitz is easily the game I spent the most time playing because I’ve been playing it constantly since I bought the Vita. Smart as… is such a fun brain testing game, but I’m not too interested in the daily games. Lego Batman 2 is fun because it’s different enough from the console version that it feels like a different game completely.

Favorite Android

Simpsons Tapped Out

X-Men Arcade

Real Racing 3

Asphalt 8

Temple Run 2

And the winner is: Simpsons Tapped Out

Reason: This is a game that I’ve been playing consistently for over a year. This is my first game from this genre that I’ve played since Sim City 2000. I love having control of the layout of Springfield, having the various characters complete tasks, and the humor of the game keeps me playing daily.

Honorable Mention: Real Racing 3 has been improved to the point where it could be a good PS3/360 arcade game. A lot of the grinding has been removed, and it’s a lot easier to earn in game currency to purchase cars and upgrades. The addition of cloud saving has made a solid racing game. If you like games like Forza, give this game a shot!

Favorite iOS

Fairway Solitaire

Injustice Gods Among Us

Color Zen

Temple Run 2

NFS Most Wanted

And the winner is: Temple Run 2

Reason: I first got hooked on these constant running games, when the original Temple Run was my first iOS game I got sucked into (I think before Simpsons Tapped Out). What I liked about the TR2 is that it actually improved the game with new gameplay like waterslides, and zip lines. The collecting coins, upgrading characters, and purchasing new limited edition characters add to this game. Having characters like Usain Bolt and Santa Claus add to this fun casual game.

Honorable Mention: Color Zen is the perfect example that jaw dropping graphics isn’t everything. Having a simple concept, with easy to use controls whether on a tablet or a phone, make this game a must try. Fairway Solitaire is such a fun solitaire game, it’s easily worth the $3.

Overrated Game

Lego Lord of the Rings Vita

Candy Crush - iOS

Words With Friends - Android

Bad Piggies - iOS

Disney Infinity – PS3

Fast and Furious 6 The Game – Android

And the winner is: Disney Infinity

Reason: I was excited about this game because it was supposed to be the Disney version of Skylanders, and people love Skylanders. This was one of the few games I bought on release day and soon encountered the first major problem of connecting to the internet. I had a couple of corrupt game saves, and when I finally got it to work I couldn’t use the figures in other universes other than their own. How awesome would it have been to be Mr. Incredible in the Pirates of the Caribbean Universe or Captain Jack Sparrow in the Monster University Universe? The figures were useless unless you use them in the toy box, and the power discs are pointless.

There was another option of playing the game on iOS which is a nice concept which lets you use your figures. You type in the code your figure came with on their website and they’re supposed to be available in the app. I do wish that my iPad was newer so it could play this game, and I would have like to have seen this app available on Android.

There was so much promise with this game only to have it be squandered with a lack of execution. If this game didn’t have the figures it would be a really good collection of small games fitting for the Wii. The one game that in the starter set that could be a good stand alone game is the Pirates of the Caribbean. The ship battles alone would make this one heck of a stand alone title.

And finally for the last category of the evening...

Favorite Game of 2013

NCAA Football 14 – PS3

NFS Most Wanted – iOS/Android/PS3

Forza Horizon - 360

Simpsons Tapped Out – Android

Grand Theft Auto V – PS3

Treasures of Montezuma Blitz - Vita

And the winner is: NFS Most Wanted

Reason: This is the first multi platform game since NBA Jam that I constantly wanted to play. For me it started with the Android version. I spent the most time with this version, because I completed the game on I think my NOOKie Tab, and then on the 2012 Nexus 7, and then on iOS. My gaming continued on the Vita and most recently the PS3. The best thing about this is that they all use the same login, which means my experience points carry over.

Honorable Mention: Forza Horizon would have made a case if I would have played it earlier in the year. Awesome game that I really enjoyed. Treasures of Montezuma Blitz because it's a game I constantly play and enjoy on my Vita, and GTA V because it was my most anticipated game of the year, and despite it's problems with multiplayer, I really enjoyed the single player, and even after finishing the main story, I like to just drive around, and do crazy stunts.

Well there you have it Pixlbit, Chris’ First Annual Awards Show: Gaming. Hope you enjoyed my views, and here’s to 2014 where I hope to finally tackle such games like Tomb Raider, Mass Effect, Gears of War, and other games that currently call Mount Backlog home, and add some new categories like Favorite PS4 game, and Favorite PC game.

That’s all for now, more later!

-Chris

Matt Snee Staff Writer

12/23/2013 at 11:59 AM

man I really need to play Need for Speed. I think it's pretty cheap for Vita now, that would be a good game for me.

Good awards. I haven't played Unfinished Swan but I want to. I kind of forgot about it. Thanks for reminding me.

goaztecs

12/23/2013 at 04:29 PM

Yeah I think it's at $20 or so. Not a bad price, plus if you play the console version too, your experience transfers over.

Thanks! It's a fun game, and hopefully it goes back on sale

jgusw

12/23/2013 at 01:55 PM

I hadn't heard of Unfinished Swan. I'll have to look more into that game.

12/23/2013 at 04:30 PM

It's a fun game. It's a blank world and you shoot paint balls to find your way around in this storybook land. There might be a demo. Give it a try.

KnightDriver

12/23/2013 at 09:34 PM

Sounds like De Blob for Wii. Always wanted to play that.

deblob

Super Step Contributing Writer

12/23/2013 at 07:01 PM

I forgot all about Unfinised Swan, but I really want to play it. I thought it had a great art style and concept when I saw the trailers. I'll check for it on Steam.

Forza is always the racing game on display at the Gamestop kiosks I see for some reason. They are pretty games, but I've never been all that impressed playing them. This Need for Speed element and racing rivals while going around looking at billboards talk intrigues me, though.

NFS is possibly my favorite racing series, so I can't argue with the Most Wanted choice, though I've never personally played that game.

No surprise with Simpsons being your Android pick. Is it free? I might get it on Google Play.

I never played Temple Run, but I had seen people play it in some of my undergrad courses. It looks fun. I didn't know they added Usain Bolt. Makes sense.

Sorry Disney Infinite was such a let-down. I didn't know you couldn't mix and match the characters and worlds, that sucks. And if the figures are so useless, it sounds like a waste to me.

Again, can't argue with NFS Most Wanted. I think I'll buy Tomb Raider on Steam today. It's on sale for $10. My system meets all the minimum requirements, but doesn't quite meet the right graphics card recommendations, so I'm paying for it with a gift card my parents got me last year. That way I don't feel like I've lost anything should it wind up being too slow.

12/23/2013 at 09:37 PM

I think I just heard Skylanders roll right over Disney Infinity with a CRUSH sound. Infinity's roadkill and Skylanders will go on and on and on.

12/29/2013 at 09:15 PM

What Skylanders does so well is that they let you use any characters in their story mode, while DI locks characters into their own universe. If they would have followed what makes Skylanders so successful, they would have had a product that would have been awesome. Having an entire Disney cast to play off of, as well dipping into Marvel and Star Wars, DI would have been a gigantic hit. It's a shame that it had so much potential yet did little to take advantage of it. I would have bought a ton of figures!

12/30/2013 at 12:24 AM

I was just looking at the Disney and Skylanders characters at BestBuy today. I really want the Disney figures to be cool, and the Wreck-It Ralph figure is pretty cool, but when I turned to look at the Skylanders figures I was completely taken in. Each one really does have a lot of expression and humor about them. They're also really colorful and detailed. And it's great that all of them can be put into any of the games (at least I think that's true). They really did it right. Someone tell Disney to just copy that and I'd be on board because it would be awesome to play as Wall-E or the dogs from UP or magician Mickey from Fantasia and have a figure to boot.

12/29/2013 at 09:12 PM

I do love me some Forza. NFS is always good, and I like both because they offer two different types of racing. Both of which I really enjoy.

Simpsons is free. It's a fun game because you get invovled with other users and during different holidays there are items that can be unlocked with community participation.

Temple Run is fun for what it is, a constant running casual game. I've started playing it again during the holidays.

Man oh man, Steam looks like it always has awesome sales. I think if/when I get my gaming PC, there's gonna be a lot of money spent.

Cary Woodham

12/23/2013 at 07:13 PM

I plan to do my "Cary's Best Games of 2013 Awards Show" sometime in the next week or so.

12/29/2013 at 09:17 PM

Cool stuff! I did a quick scan when I had a free moment, but I'll make sure to read through it soon. I can't wait to see what your favorite games are!

12/23/2013 at 09:32 PM

Your mention of Criterion Games’ Need For Speed Most Wanted on Vita recalled to my mind their first Burnout game on PSP, Burnout Legends. I started it thinking it was impossible to translate Burnout to a handheld device, but boy was I wrong. They managed it beautifully! I'm glad to hear they're still doing great work for the Vita.

12/29/2013 at 09:18 PM

Oh man, I loved the Burnout game on PSP. That was actually my first Burnout game, and I really enjoyed the over the top action. In fact that game sold me on getting Burnout Paradise. That is a game that needs to return to the next gen stuff, and a Vita version.

12/30/2013 at 12:26 AM

I still need to play Paradise. I played the demo and it didn't hit me, but I took a second look earlier this year and I think I ought to give it another shot.

PixlBit