Our staff's best games of 2013!
Looking back, BioShock Infinite had a lot of hurdles to overcome. It was not only the third game in a series whose previous release, BioShock 2, had a rather lukewarm reception, but it was the first game from Irrational since the groundbreaking debut of BioShock in 2007. Thankfully, Infinite was able to jump those hurdles, and even if it stumbles occasionally, it is easily one of the most memorable games of 2013.
Yes, BioShock Infinite follows the same formula as BioShock before it. We have an exotic setting that is billed as some sort of utopia based on man’s singular ideals on how things should be run. We have first person combat that involves the use of old-timey guns combined with an element of sci-fi super powers. We have barrels and trashcans full of money and food to scrounge for. Heck, we even have those ubiquitous audio logs. However, for all that BioShock Infinite has that could be disregarded as “been there, done that,” it’s what Irrational adds to the mix that makes this game special.
Simply put, this game would not be nearly as effective if it wasn’t for the interplay between the main characters, Booker DeWitt and Elizabeth. Giving the protagonist a voice adds a new level of depth to the story telling, and the game doesn’t really swing into gear until Elizabeth is found. She’s like a steampunk Disney princess: locked away from civilization and desperately wanting to start her life. The emotional journey that these two disparate characters take keeps things moving towards an ending that has to be experienced to be fully appreciated. This is one not to be missed.
It's interesting to see two Wii U exclusives on your list given the year the console has had overall. Hopefully it's a sign of things to come for the system as a whole. I'm not sure if i'll ever purchase a Wii U but i'm sure we'll see better sales this year. More competition is only ever a good thing for consumers.
Anyway, funnily enough and beside the point, I have played zero of your top 5 and I still thought it was a great year for new games.
Well, A Link Between Worlds was one of the best games that I played this year. I devoured it over the course of a week. I probably could have done it in a day but whenever I set my 3DS down for a minute my brother snatched it up.
The one other game that totally surprised me this year was Tearaway. It was the best 3D platforming experience I have had since Super Mario Galaxy 2.(I haven't gotten around to playing 3D Land or World yet.)
I like that 3 of the games on the list are Nintendo games.
It's interesting but not surprising. This community has a lot of gamers with no brand loyalty. We play games, not favourites.
As I've already said out of the new or newish consoles out there the Wii U is the only one that has any games I give a rat's rectum about.
Maybe if I ever have some spare cash again I'll get one.
Pretty spicy list, I like it.
Pretty cool list. I haven't played any of them yet, but I've already read a lot of good things. At the very least I'll snag a copy of A Link Between Worlds when I have the opportunity.
So can't wait to play Pikmin 3.
Nice list! BioShock Infinite was my Game of the Year but I haven't played any of those others yet. Hoping to get all of them though. A Link Between Worlds sounds like a great choice. My 3DS was used almost constantly all year long and that will probably be a similar story this year.
It's great to see Zelda get some love after so many games in the series have been pushed aside due to "been there done that" syndrome. ALBW is the only game on your list that I've played, and it's incredible! The hype is true, people, so please get this game because Zelda needs more love!
Last of Us has been on almost every favorites list I've seen, but none of them actually taught me something by prompting a Wikipedia search for "cordyceps."
According to their "in popular culture" section of that article, those Pokemon crabs, Paras and Parasect, had a form of cordyceps on their backs. The source they used is bulbapedia.
And Nick's appraisal of Link Between Worlds and complaints against most modern 3D Zeldas read very similar to EgoRaptor (Aaron Hanson, Game Grump)'s appraisal of Link to the Past and complaints against most modern 3D Zeldas.
I guess I just got used to the 3D Zeldas, growing up with them, and don't mind them as much.
Nice. I played A Link Between Worlds and Bioshock Infinite. They are great games.
dammit I haven't played any of these. But I will soon, I promise.
This is a damn fine list! 2013 has been a great year all around, and I love that the awesome Nintendo titles of this year are getting some love! You can't get more disparate gaming experiences in terms of tone than The Last of Us and A Link Between Worlds, but they both sure as hell deserve their spots on this list.
Now this is a real award show! F U Polygon and giving Gone Home GOY? 
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