Loved a lot of these games. I really want to try Journey. Looks awesome. I think Xenoblade is the best game I have played in years. However, I thought FFXIII-2 was a POS. I have said it many times, and I say it again. That ending killed any goodwill SE had remaining with me. And the game was a drag. Was like they put together with a focus group. And I couldn't give a crap about the main characters. I was one of the few that liked FFXIII. But the sequel rates up there with FFX-2 to me. Just my two cents.
Game of the Year 2012 - Console Awards
Our picks for the best on each console in 2012.
Journey - Winner
Journey is representative of a changing landscape in gaming. It wasn’t long ago that it would have been unfathomable that a download-only indie game would even be considered the best game on any given platform. We would have laughed off such a notion and calmly explained that’s why we have categories for best indie game and downloadable game, that there’s no way such a title could possibly stand a chance against the AAA studio offerings. Now with Journey being only one of many such titles, we begin to reconsider our stance; we wonder if there’s actually a need to differentiate between indie games and studio titles at all – we decide that this is the last year for best downloadable title.
It’s only fitting that Journey brings us to the end of the “Downloadable Game of the Year” category. When played with the sole purpose of getting to the end, Journey is short, yet still impactful. But the joy in Journey isn’t simply reaching the end. It’s exploration. It’s introspection. It’s the joy of having someone share the experience. It’s the sorrow seeing them go. Journey is a lot of things, but it is mainly cyclical. Reaching the end signifies the beginning of a new Journey – as we award this category for the last time, we look forward to the future and the many journeys we will soon embark on.
Write-up by Jesse Miller
Fez - Runner Up
Whether it’s the lowered bar of entry for indie devs or the ability to deliver a concise experience that doesn't meet the retail criteria, downloadable games have been providing some highly memorable experiences lately. For this reason, Fez's victory only serves to underscore just how impressive of an experience it is.
The minimalistic world is easy to get lost in and is absolutely crawling with secrets. From the tetrominos to the cryptic language on the walls, Fez is hiding so much in plain sight. While traversing the world is a treat in and of itself, discovering and deciphering all of its mystery produces an almost entirely new game to explore when the last has been completed.
Though it doesn't offer a new mold to build games within, it stands as a testament to the talent of indie game developers and their incredible ability to deliver unique experiences.
Write-up by Nick DiMola
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