Game of the year 2013: Verdict is in

[replayme]

Stop editing!

I've been told to use the editing button (so as to stop "spamming"?).

Er, well I dunno. What was the Xmas lineup for PS3/360/PC?

I'd say any game that was released in the run up to Christmas was part of the Xmas lineup. For consoles, this included AAA blockbusters Cod, GTA, Battlefield, Assassins Creed. As well as first party exclusives and downloadable indie games.

Martin Robinson also highlighted pretty much all of 2013's key releases as being central to his argument that owning a Wii U was a good idea. Games like Wonderful101, Zombi U, Pikmin 3, that Lego game (whose name I can't recall) made the list, but star billing was reserved for the unreleased Mario 3D World.

As stated, I never had a bad word to say against Martin Robinson per se, but one must wonder as to how relevant his opinions are in a mainstream context when Knack outsells Mario 3D World?

Wat? You said it was Tom Bramwell who reviewed Hot Pursuit in your last post, what's Martin suddenly got to do with it?

Tom Bramwell (as Editor) would still have gotten tremendous final say in what was GotY, and given the level of bias that Martin Robinson has shown in the past towards Mario 3D World (and bearing in mind that he's a more central component to Eurogamer's roster of primary staff), the final decision isn't at all surprising.

It was Destructoid. Yes, similar thing.

Yeah, sorry. My mistake.

[Skykid]

AAA blockbusters Cod, GTA, Battlefield, Assassins Creed.

Well I'd most definitely take M3D World over that pile of trash.

"AAA Blockbusters"

As stated, I never had a bad word to say against Martin Robinson per se, but one must wonder as to how relevant his opinions are in a mainstream context when Knack outsells Mario 3D World?

Surely massively relevant if you consider Knack is a piece of shit?

Wat? You said it was Tom Bramwell who reviewed Hot Pursuit in your last post, what's Martin suddenly got to do with it?

Tom Bramwell (as Editor) would still have gotten tremendous final say in what was GotY, and given the level of bias that Martin Robinson has shown in the past towards Mario 3D World (and bearing in mind that he's a more central component to Eurogamer's roster of primary staff), the final decision isn't at all surprising.

We were talking about the reviewer of Hot Pursuit. I don't understand how the focus keeps slipping.

[replayme]

Well I'd most definitely take M3D World over that pile of trash.

"AAA Blockbusters"

Obviously, this is all a matter of opinion. I don't have much time for the aforementioned titles either, but their place within the marketplace cannot be understated.

Surely massively relevant if you consider Knack is a piece of shit?

Some people say it's quite good. I wouldn't buy it though (not even for £5), but I wouldn't dismiss it straight away either. It's "one for the kiddies", and a successful one at that.

I don't understand as to how Martin Robinson's opinion is "massively relevant", and to repeat ad nauseam, when the Wii U doesn't live up to its function as a console that should be hosting a library of games (both first and third party), and if the targeted audience don't heed his "advice", then it's pretty easy to argue that Martin Robinson's opinion isn't "massively relevant" - like the sales figures, it's niche at best. Obviously, I say this in terms of cultural influence, without imposing any kind of barometer in terms of his writing ability.

We were talking about the reviewer of Hot Pursuit. I don't understand how the focus keeps slipping.

Tom Bramwell was the reviewer for Hot Pursuit. He's also the editor of Eurogamer. I cannot fathom how you can't comprehend as to why I take Eurogamer's GotY recommendation with a pinch of salt when Tom and Martin are obviously working in tandem to gush about Mario 3D World.

[Skykid]

I don't have much time for the aforementioned titles either, but their place within the marketplace cannot be understated.

No, but it certainly should be.

Surely massively relevant if you consider Knack is a piece of shit?

Some people say it's quite good. I wouldn't buy it though (not even for £5), but I wouldn't dismiss it straight away either. It's "one for the kiddies", and a successful one at that.

'People' say all sorts of things. I was playing it last week and it's just as shit as it was at EG Expo.
And when was success ever a measure of quality?

I don't understand as to how Martin Robinson's opinion is "massively relevant"...it's niche at best.

Instant relevance.

General cloaked-PR about Black Flag/CoD/Insert-AAA-Blockbuster-here means absolutely nothing. Besides, we're talking about someone recommending a great game to the public, which is his job. What part of that isn't relevant?

We were talking about the reviewer of Hot Pursuit. I don't understand how the focus keeps slipping.

Tom Bramwell was the reviewer for Hot Pursuit. He's also the editor of Eurogamer. I cannot fathom how you can't comprehend as to why I take Eurogamer's GotY recommendation with a pinch of salt when Tom and Martin are obviously working in tandem to gush about Mario 3D World.

I'm going to be nice and do a recap for you:

You mention TB reviewed Hot Pursuit too highly which you didn't appreciate.

Then you mentioned, in relation to Hot Pursuit, "think of all the people who got burned by Martin Robinson's short-sighted purchasing recommendation."

To which I explained MR didn't review the game.

In response, you then diverted from Hot Pursuit to how the two are in cahoots over Mario 3D World for GotY, which is a bit silly, as they're grown men and can make up their own minds as individuals - they just happened to be in agreement.

I'm sure you can understand my confusion.

[replayme]

'People' say all sorts of things. I was playing it last week and it's just as shit as it was at EG Expo.
And when was success ever a measure of quality?

I played it momentarily at EG Expo. Not for the game, but to see how the DS4 pad measured up. Great pad. Not so great game.

Besides, we're talking about someone recommending a great game to the public, which is his job. What part of that isn't relevant?

A leader without followers is not a leader.

I'm going to be nice and do a recap for you:

You mention TB reviewed Hot Pursuit too highly which you didn't appreciate.

Then you mentioned, in relation to Hot Pursuit, "think of all the people who got burned by Martin Robinson's short-sighted purchasing recommendation."

To which I explained MR didn't review the game.

In response, you then diverted from Hot Pursuit to how the two are in cahoots over Mario 3D World for GotY, which is a bit silly, as they're grown men and can make up their own minds as individuals - they just happened to be in agreement.

I'm sure you can understand my confusion.

It's a conspiracy. Something which I have no interest partaking in. EG's "recommendation" in this context will fall on deaf ears, which is why I will scout out sources which appeal more to my sensibilities. And there's nothing childish about that.

[Skykid]

EG's "recommendation" in this context will fall on deaf ears, which is why I will scout out sources which appeal more to my sensibilities. And there's nothing childish about that.

I'd beg to differ. Essentially you're choosing to be absolutely closed-minded and completely unmovable to the possibility that someone recommended you play a fine piece of videogame software (in 2013, no-less, what a feat!) because it doesn't appeal to your sensibilities.

This isn't how evolution works.

[replayme]

The thing about talking to you, is that I learn something new everyday.

[replayme]

Joystiq have "published" their Top 10 list for 2013:

http://m.joystiq.com/2014/01/04/super-j ... icid=(2:3)
#10 - Fire Emblem: Awakening
#9 - The Stanley Parable
#8 - Saints Row 4
#7 - Device 6
#6 - Gone Home
#5 - Tomb Raider
#4 - Super Mario 3D World
#3 - Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons
#2 - The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
#1 - The Last of Us

Edit: notable omissions...

11-15
Splinter Cell Blacklist
Bioshock Infinite
Skulls of the shogun
Devil May Cry
Far Cry 3 Blood Dragon

16-20
Pokemon X/Y
MGS Revengeance
Guacamelee
Don't Starve
Wonderful101

[hecheff]

Pretty shitty year, to be honest. I'd just go for SOUND VOLTEX II.

Played it in Hong Kong, it's amazing.

First played it during my travels to Osaka earlier last year, had another go at it once I was in Hong Kong again.
Don't get to play it much, but it's been fun even if I outright suck at rhythm games in general.

Can't help but feel like I'm not enjoying it as much as others though; especially with the sheer amount of Touhou-themed content which I hardly dwell into.

[drauch]

Well, now I know to steer clear of Joystiq.

[Formless God]

First played it during my travels to Osaka earlier last year, had another go at it once I was in Hong Kong again.
Don't get to play it much, but it's been fun even if I outright suck at rhythm games in general.

Can't help but feel like I'm not enjoying it as much as others though; especially with the sheer amount of Touhou-themed content which I hardly dwell into.

On the bright side, The original songs are actually pretty good.
There hasn't actually been any new Tou-- EoSD content in a month (seriously, remixing EoSD songs 2,000 times isn't gonna make them any less shitty.) Now they just need to also stop with all the Vocaloid shit.

[Friendly]

ITT: A couple of shmups forum members who have not played The Last of Us.

[hecheff]

On the bright side, The original songs are actually pretty good.
There hasn't actually been any new Tou-- EoSD content in a month (seriously, remixing EoSD songs 2,000 times isn't gonna make them any less shitty.) Now they just need to also stop with all the Vocaloid shit.

Well, I admit that I am enjoying the hell out of Ha・lle・lu・jah and candii ever since I heard them at 2012's GTI Show in Taipei.

As you mentioned though, the Vocaloid and infamous Black MIDIs (I think that's what they're called) stuff seems to be saturating the FLOOR player submissions...

[Friendly]

...And some who have

An original survival horror action/adventure from Naughty Dog is far more deserving of the GOTY award than yet another Mario platformer(the fourth in two years).

[Formless God]

...And some who have

An original survival horror action/adventure

I don't think so.

[Friendly]

Feel free to elaborate.

[iconoclast]

ITT: shump farmers who have not played The Wonderful 101 or Earth Defense Force 4

[Formless God]

- There is nothing remotely original about TLoU. The third-person shooting trash looting item combining playstyle has been done before and it's called Resident Evil 4.

- There is no "survival horror" because Listen shows everything. And even with Listen off, you spend a huge chunk of the time killing humanoid enemies in plain sight.

- It has less gameplay than a visual novel, let alone an action/adventure. In five hours, Persona 3 managed to pitch me against two bosses, while all I did in this game in that amount of time was slaying three enemy types over and over while mumbling to myself "whoa, those are some nice graphics and animations, but what kind of retard would pay 50 bucks for that?"

[Skykid]

Pretty shitty year, to be honest. I'd just go for SOUND VOLTEX II.

Played it in Hong Kong, it's amazing.

First played it during my travels to Osaka earlier last year, had another go at it once I was in Hong Kong again.
Don't get to play it much, but it's been fun even if I outright suck at rhythm games in general.

Can't help but feel like I'm not enjoying it as much as others though; especially with the sheer amount of Touhou-themed content which I hardly dwell into.

Me either, and I don't really go in for rhythm games generally, but the interface and trippy visuals are loads of fun to connect with. You spend the first few goes fumbling with easy tracks and then suddenly get it, and it really zones you in.

- There is nothing remotely original about TLoU. The third-person shooting trash looting item combining playstyle has been done before and it's called Resident Evil 4.

- There is no "survival horror" because Listen shows everything. And even with Listen off, you spend a huge chunk of the time killing humanoid enemies in plain sight.

- It has less gameplay than a visual novel, let alone an action/adventure. In five hours, Persona 3 managed to pitch me against two bosses, while all I did in this game in that amount of time was slaying three enemy types over and over while mumbling to myself "whoa, those are some nice graphics and animations, but what kind of retard would pay 50 bucks for that?"

This man knows games.

[Friendly]

Says another guy who hasn't played The Last of Us.

It's good to have an opinion.

[Skykid]

Says another guy who hasn't played The Last of Us.

It's good to have an opinion.

That's true, I can't really comment since I haven't played it any more than briefly in the local store. I just approach any current gen "AAA Blockbuster" with a natural degree of skepticism, and formless god painted a good picture of why.

Nice graphics though, and an Anita Sarkeesian pleasing protagonist to keep the gender equilibrium in balance.

[replayme]

I actually finished listening to the Joystiq podcast this morning. With regards to Mario 3D World, the staff stated that the game is worth owning a Wii U for. As for TLoU, they stated that the game is very un-blockbuster like, given the way it plays - almost like a big budget indie game. It certainly piles on the tension, and the staff stated that they are amazed it even got greenlit.

Take that as you will.

[replayme]

Found the top 10 from "Mark from CGR". Pretty unconventional list.

http://classicgameroom.com/vaultpages/v ... ellaneous/

10- Rayman Legends
9- Match 5 (Intellivision?)
8- Assassins Creed 4
7- MGS Revengeance
6- Tomb Raider
5- Gran Turismo 6
4- Drunken Robot Pornography (???)
3- Resogun
2- Far Cry 3 Blood Dragon
1- Sturmwind (Dreamcast)

[Ed Oscuro]

Seems to be all the stuff the indie gamerz scene people hyped all year, really. No idea if that makes it a bad list though. Yes, Drunken Robot Pornography is a game. I think of it as a genre first, though.

[hecheff]

With regards to Mario 3D World, the staff stated that the game is worth owning a Wii U for.

I've been visiting a friend of mine who got the Wii U and this game more often, so I got to agree with that bit.

(I'm stalling for a possible Smash Bros. Edition)

[replayme]

So Polygon have put up their GotY recommendations:

http://www.polygon.com/2013-game-of-the-year

10 - Tearaway - no surprise here.
9 - Kentucky Route Zero - somewhat unwarranted imho as it still only has a small number of episodes out.
8 - Super Mario 3D World - SM3DW hasn't figured inside the upper regions of most peoples Top 10 lists, so it being No 8 isn't surprising - especially given that most people think of it as being a slightly nicer looking 3DS game.
7 - GTA5 - many "open world" connoisseurs regard GTA 5 to not be as good as Saints Row 4. But both haven't been in that many Top 10 lists.
6 - Brothers - everyone has been raving about Brothers, so I guess it being on the list is somewhat deserved - especially at No 6.
5 - The Last of Us (typo???) - cements Sony's reputation as being able to go toe to toe with Nintendo's finest.
4 - Bioshock Infinite - surprised that BI made it so high, even though a lot of people were disappointed by the game - but found the story to be interesting.
3 - Towerfall - don't know much about this.
2 - Zelda ALBW - not surprised by this, as everyone has stated that it's a return to form for the franchise.
1 - Gone Home - less a conventional game, and more of a brave storytelling experience - allegedly.

To be honest, that list is pretty "arty". Not surprising, given that Arthur Geiss is the Reviews Editor.

[dan76]

The Last of Us is GOTY for me. It contains so many elements that 99% of the time makes current games shit, but does them just right it's a real anomaly. The combat is satisfying, especially the bow. The Tomb Raider reboot was also good (it also had a bow) though I don't really play games like these too often.

Maybe I just like bows.

[replayme]

I did suffer from a slight case of buyers remorse when purchasing Dragons Crown (Vita), as it meant that I was eliminating the following alternatives:

The last of us
The puppeteer
Zelda ALBW

In the end however, I decided to stick with DC as the game is highly rated in some quarters, and still hasn't dropped in price - despite being out on the market for 6 months.

I will endeavour to buy TLOU after I complete Brothers (XBox360), but by then, Castlevania: LoS2 might be out.

Decisions, decisions, decisions...

Edit: I started playing, and completed Brothers this evening. Took about 3.5 hours to complete. It's less a game in the traditional sense, and more of an interactive storybook that attempts to convey meaning in relationships. Starbreeze have always favoured story over polished game mechanics, and the same is true here. The dual stick control method is sometimes unwieldy, not as responsive as it could be, and definitely takes some getting used to. But the story, although rather simple, is lovingly told and has heart. The music is also pretty impressive and fits the onscreen action perfectly.

I'm not sure if it's necessarily GotY material, but I do however recommend that everyone should play it. Just for the experience. But as it stands however, and for what it has to offer, I give it 8.5/10 (which I guess makes it a 9/10 according to some people).

Edit x 2: might have to pass on buying TLoU so soon after buying DCrown.

[replayme]

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/44 ... ce-awards/

The Last of Us won:
- Game of the Year
- Outstanding Animation
- Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction
- Outstanding Achievement in Visual Engineering
- Adventure Game of the Year
- Outstanding Innovation in Games
- Outstanding Achievement in Sound Design
- Outstanding Achievement in Story
- Outstanding Achievement in Character Performance (Ellie)
- Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction

The naysayers can say what they want, but TLOU will be my next purchase.

[Formless God]

Here, I just saved you 50 dollars. There are many others but I like this one the most because the title is simply gold.