Game of the year 2013: Verdict is in

[Moniker]

I'd say Zelda:ALBW is my GOTY.

Probably my favorite Zelda after Zelda 1... maybe including, tbh. Still need to play it in Hero Mode. Haven't played enough of 3D World to put it up there. GTA V was great, but suffers from most of the same old Rockstar issues that probably aren't worth mentioning. Path of Exile deserves a mention, as well. And XCOM:EW, although it's just an expansion.

Didn't realize how few 2013 titles I actually have played until the lists started rolling.

[replayme]

I've been listening to several podcasts where the hosts have had really good things to say about the Tomb Raider reboot.

Okay...

It's mediocre as all hell. Tries way to hard to implement every new gimmick in modern gaming: QTEs out the ass, skill point allocation, hunting, item collecting, stealth, gunplay--all done poorly. The game switches gears in a hearbeat to try and shove all this shit in, never really keeping each gameplay element in the game longer than a few scenarios. Tries to take itself way too serious to "reinvent" a dead series, but only achieves a poor man's Uncharted with a thousand stupid gimmicks and a lackluster experience. It's such a pile of shit, either as a Tomb Raider game or a stand alone title. Pure drivel.

You are entitled to your opinion, just as the podcast hosts are entitled to theirs.

Edit: the podcasts in question are 'Gamers With Jobs' and 'Rebel FM'.

[drauch]

Yes, they are definitely entitled, but I don't see why their opinion would carry any weight or why such a vague comment was even necessary. "Some guys said it was good" means absolutely nothing.

[replayme]

I don't know man... You originally came out with the assertion that whoever it was that recommended TR must have been desperate. And I countered your opinion by stating that a number of highly prolific commentators had also recommended TR.

David Jaffe also recommended the game - positioned Number 4 - as seen on this tweet: https://twitter.com/davidscottjaffe/sta ... 7912298497

What would you argue are your Top 5 games for 2013?

[drauch]

I'll just stop, sorry. I don't have any games to counter, and the more I think about it, I don't think I even liked anything this year! Tomb Raider just reallly pissed me off, for the reasons I mentioned. I had high hopes and really wanted to enjoy it, yet found myself incredibly disappointed.

[trap15]

I don't know man... You originally came out with the assertion that whoever it was that recommended TR must have been desperate. And I countered your opinion by stating that a number of highly prolific commentators had also recommended TR.

David Jaffe also recommended the game - positioned Number 4 - as seen on this tweet: https://twitter.com/davidscottjaffe/sta ... 7912298497

What would you argue are your Top 5 games for 2013?

Argumentum ad populum, yo.

[replayme]

Argumentum ad populum

Ha ha...

I am sooooo using the phrase against Skykid in future when it comes to our Nintendo debates.

Edit: I haven't played that many games from this year, as I tend to buy older games that are no longer at RRP price.

[CMoon]

Let's not forget this is the shmups forum--in general, you are going to see people here prefer games that are pure gameplay. I haven't played The Last of Us (and trust me, I want to), but I guarantee I will play it once, and that will be that. Games like this are a cinematic gaming experience, which I think you're going to find true fans of on this forum. I think Tomb Raider fits in this same camp, but yes, mediocre was the take I heard on it.

Overall I've heard people saying the new assassins creed isn't as good as its predecessors, and I didn't much care for those games. GTA? Well, maybe I'll pick it up on the cheap at some point, but the GTA series is love it or leave it, and I'd be playing it just to see how much dumb shit I could do.

Ni No Kuni was the one thing here seriously on my list (especially now that it is going for pennies), but goddamn that demo was a piece of hog shit. I love Ghibli, but no real clue on the game.

Edit: Sorry, the point I really wanted to make here is that most of us are looking for games that are as close to pure gameplay as possible--not cut scenes, not QTEs, not hand-holding with stupidly long tutorials. What's cool about Nintendo getting the nod is that everything they've been putting out this year, whether you are a big fan or not, is effectively pure gameplay. I'll drink to that.

[replayme]

I'm not a fan of Assassins Creed, but I hear the new one is a return to form in many ways. Regarding GTA, I think Saints Row IV has more of the dumb stuff (dialled up to 11) that you may be looking for.

I haven't played the recent Zelda titles on console, but one of the biggest complaints which people have had regarding recent entries in the franchise (not ALBW) is that there was too much "hand-holding with stupidly long tutorials". Of course, the notion that Nintendo are purely focused on "gameplay" is merely your opinion of course, since you are a fan of the company, but to argue that the company offers the "purest" form is to pour scorn on the achievements of industry luminaries such as Hideo Kojima, David Jaffe etc. Naughty Dog (as evidenced by the numerous accolades which their TLoU game has received) also tend to favour a more modern approach to "gameplay". As to whether you are a fan or not ultimately doesn't change the fact that hardly any major gaming publications cited Mario 3D World as being "Game of the Year". If major gaming publications don't pedestalise "pure gameplay", then surely this must mean that your definition of "gameplay" doesn't correlate with theirs, and that the definition of "gameplay" is fluid and always in flux according to subjective paradigms (as evidenced by the "games as art" argument which many auteurs appropriated so as to get respect for the medium and their work).

Edit: Just an after-thought, but how "pure" can the gameplay from Nintendo titles be if the company has to rely on "gimmick" hardware? Because I could argue that utilising one screen (Vita/PS360/PC) is infinitely more "pure" in comparison.

[Jeneki]

Volgarr the Viking is my favorite from 2013.

[Moniker]

Edit: Just an after-thought, but how "pure" can the gameplay from Nintendo titles be if the company has to rely on "gimmick" hardware? Because I could argue that utilising one screen (Vita/PS360/PC) is infinitely more "pure" in comparison.

Erm, none of the great Ninty games this year really used hardware gimmicks, much less relied upon them. At least if we're talking 3D World, ALBW, and Fire Emblem. Although, I guess 3D World has its odd touchscreen/blow-in-mic moments.. but those hardly define it.

[Zaarock]

The games that I really enjoyed were Ginga Force, Metal Gear Rising, Armored Core: Verdict Day and Sonic All-Stars Racing Transformed.
Chronicles of Mystara as well though that's a port.

Sounds like I need to check out Volgarr huh.
Starting to regret not having any nintendo consoles

[KennyMan666]

I really haven't played enough to make a really good list, but my tentative list with most of the middle positions not really locked in essentially looks like this:

10. Touhou Kishinjou ~ Double Dealing Character (PC)
9. Mount Your Friends (X360)
8. Divekick (PC)
7. One Finger Death Punch (X360)
6. Magicians & Looters (X360)
5. Phantom Breaker: Battlegrounds (X360)
4. Charlie Murder (X360)
3. Mega Pony (PC)
2. DoDonPachi Saidaioujou (X360)
1. Diablo III (X360)

It's been a very Xbox 360 year for me.

[Skykid]

Argumentum ad populum

Ha ha...

I am sooooo using the phrase against Skykid in future when it comes to our Nintendo debates.

Er, why? It doesn't apply to me. You're using multiple opinion sources to re-enforce what you believe to be some kind of fact. I tend to use one source, and I don't give a shit if anyone agrees with me or not. I certainly wouldn't claim something like Tomb Raider is anything except trite current gen press-X-to-advance-through-50%-of-game nonsense based on a panel of comedy media pundits - and especially nothing from Kotaku. They're bloggers yo.

but to argue that the company offers the "purest" form is to pour scorn on the achievements of industry luminaries such as Hideo Kojima

:spits drink:

Edit: Just an after-thought, but how "pure" can the gameplay from Nintendo titles be if the company has to rely on "gimmick" hardware? Because I could argue that utilising one screen (Vita/PS360/PC) is infinitely more "pure" in comparison.

I think this is the silliest thing you've ever posted. Hardware innovation coupled with good game design is a marriage. Purity depends on the skill.

[ratikal]

Ginga Force

This nigga knows.

[bulbousbeard]

Super Mario 3D World is so painfully overrated. It's boring. New games should be better than old games. They should be such a step forward that going back and playing a previous game should make you feel like you're missing something.

It's not like this with the Mario games. In fact, in many ways, they're much worse than they used to be. When I play Super Mario 3D World, I wonder why I had more capabilities in Yoshi's Island or Mario 64 than I do in this game. Why is this game _less_? Why is there less to do? Why is it more limited?

New Mario games don't have tight, precision controls anymore, either. They feel goofy and sloppy. Mario games were defined by the crispness of precision of their controls. The NES and SNES Mario games have tighter control than every Mario game from New Super Mario Bros. and onward. The multiplayer in the games is just a mess, too. It's so unorganized and messy. Nintendo didn't solve any of the hard problems associated with making 4 player local multiplayer work. They just band-aided it with sloppy catch up mechanics.

Super Mario 3D World, frankly, feels like a budget or mobile game that's masquerading as a triple-A title.

What's sad is that Guacamelee is actually a better game than anything Nintendo's put out in years. If I were Nintendo, I'd feel completely embarrassed that Mario is not only treading water but taking steps back and that the Metroid franchise has basically been ruined.

[trap15]

but to argue that the company offers the "purest" form is to pour scorn on the achievements of industry luminaries such as Hideo Kojima

I'm sorry, I know this is ENTIRELY off-topic, but the first few times I read this, I misread "pour scorn" as "scour porn" I'm too drunk sorry.

[replayme]

Dealspwn(?) have Rayman Legends up as their GotY.

http://www.dealspwn.com/game-year-award ... 013-163624

Side note: even though I asked to cancel my purchase, the seller shipped the game anyway. Now I need to sell some of my back-catalogue. So far, I've stuck Tatsunoko Vs Capcom (Wii) up for sale - and I've never played it (despite owning for over a year), and am eyeing up a few more titles (such as Dead Rising) to justify the expense. I guess I'm looking for games that I can say I can live without.

New Years Resolution is definitely to play more games (as in get through my back catalogue), and to only buy games that I want to play.

Edit:

You're using multiple opinion sources to re-enforce what you believe to be some kind of fact. I tend to use one source, and I don't give a shit if anyone agrees with me or not. I certainly wouldn't claim something like Tomb Raider is anything except trite current gen press-X-to-advance-through-50%-of-game nonsense based on a panel of comedy media pundits - and especially nothing from Kotaku. They're bloggers yo.

You predicate the notion of Nintendo making "the best games" as being some sort of fact, and that if people don't enjoy their titles, then there must be something wrong with them. It's not a fact. It's an opinion, or a preference.

I also don't really pay attention to Kotaku, but I really like another blogging site's podcast - namely the one by Joystiq. There isn't much of a difference between a "blog" and a traditional CMS "website" anyway. Just the manner in which content is presented. And to dismiss Kotaku as being just a blog is to also dismiss the likes of Destructoid etc.

And to be fair, Kotaku or Joystiq posted a really good long-form article earlier this year. But for the life of me, I just can't remember as to what it was.

[Skykid]

Dealspwn(?) have Rayman Legends up as their GotY.

Who?

[replayme]

Dealspwn(?) have Rayman Legends up as their GotY.

Who?

They're like Savvy Gamer, but incorporate a more traditional content oriented approach.

[Skykid]

Dealspwn(?) have Rayman Legends up as their GotY.

Who?

They're like Savvy Gamer, but incorporate a more traditional content oriented approach.

Who?

(Sorry, I honestly don't follow many sites at all, never heard of these.)

[replayme]

http://savygamer.co.uk/

Geared towards enlightening gamers about sales and price drops.

SavyGamer is where you go if you like both Video Games, and money, and would like to have as much of both as possible. I keep track of all of the best deals on video games, so that you don’t have to.

Now you know why I end up buying more games then I know what to do with... Although shopping from Cash Convertors/Cash Generator in Carlisle, Preston, Glasgow etc surely helps.

[Skykid]

http://savygamer.co.uk/

Geared towards enlightening gamers about sales and price drops.

SavyGamer is where you go if you like both Video Games, and money, and would like to have as much of both as possible. I keep track of all of the best deals on video games, so that you don’t have to.

And these are reputable sources for GotY awards?

You predicate the notion of Nintendo making "the best games" as being some sort of fact, and that if people don't enjoy their titles, then there must be something wrong with them. It's not a fact. It's an opinion, or a preference.

I didn't say they make the best games full stop - that would be overarching. Good, sometimes great games? Sure, of course. That's factually accurate. I would assume that's a given, no?

I also don't really pay attention to Kotaku, but I really like another blogging site's podcast - namely the one by Joystiq. There isn't much of a difference between a "blog" and a traditional CMS "website" anyway. Just the manner in which content is presented. And to dismiss Kotaku as being just a blog is to also dismiss the likes of Destructoid etc.

And to be fair, Kotaku or Joystiq posted a really good long-form article earlier this year. But for the life of me, I just can't remember as to what it was.

I do dismiss Destructoid most of the time. Especially after the Kid Icarus review.

Joystiq has some integrity though.

[replayme]

I respect Tom Bramwell for running Eurogamer, but I take his reviews with a pinch of salt. He tends to give games a 9 or 10, and I tend not to pay attention to him after being burned with Need For Speed Hot Pursuit.

As for Mario 3D World getting GotY at Eurogamer... The article is written by Martin Robinson - the same person who idolised the Wii U's "Christmas Lineup" on the basis of one game. And I think it was around this time that I was arguing (vehemently) against owning such a device.

The only reviewer who I really respect from Eurogamer is Simon Parkin - as he tends to opt for the niche, oft kilter titles that I enjoy (and it was also on the basis of his review that I picked up Shelter for the PC). I'll therefore take his opinions over Eurogamer/Martin Robinson anyday (as his gaming tastes strongly correlate with mine)...

http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/e ... -2013.html

1. Papers Please (PC)
2. The Stanley Parable HD (PC)
3. Super Mario 3D World (Nintendo Wii U)
4. State of Decay (Xbox 360, PC)
5. Pikmin 3 (Nintendo Wii U)
6. Ridiculous Fishing (Apple iOS)
7. Saint’s Row IV (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)
8. Candy Box (Web)
9. The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (Nintendo 3DS)
10. Tearaway (PS Vita)

Not sure if the above list is in order of "excellence".

[Formless God]

Since The Stanley Parable is on there, it isn't actually a serious list.

[Skykid]

I respect Tom Bramwell for running Eurogamer, but I take his reviews with a pinch of salt. He tends to give games a 9 or 10, and I tend not to pay attention to him after being burned with Need For Speed Hot Pursuit.

As for Mario 3D World getting GotY at Eurogamer... The article is written by Martin Robinson - the same person who idolised the Wii U's "Christmas Lineup" on the basis of one game. And I think it was around this time that I was arguing (vehemently) against owning such a device.

The only reviewer who I really respect from Eurogamer is Simon Parkin - as he tends to opt for the niche, oft kilter titles that I enjoy (and it was also on the basis of his review that I picked up Shelter for the PC). I'll therefore take his opinions over Eurogamer/Martin Robinson anyday (as his gaming tastes strongly correlate with mine)...

To be honest, buying any Need For Speed title is your own fault man. I wouldn't buy one even if it got tens across the board. And if I got sent one I'd sell it for a hot dollar without breaking the shrink wrap.

Martin Robinson is a man dear to my heart and I won't have a bad word said about him. He brought EG awesome retrospectives on Shenmue, Gradius V, and full coverage of M2's Sega Classics 3DS revivals. Man's got taste. And GotY was an article that collected the independent views of all the primary staff - he just published the article.

[replayme]

I respect Tom Bramwell for running Eurogamer, but I take his reviews with a pinch of salt. He tends to give games a 9 or 10, and I tend not to pay attention to him after being burned with Need For Speed Hot Pursuit.

As for Mario 3D World getting GotY at Eurogamer... The article is written by Martin Robinson - the same person who idolised the Wii U's "Christmas Lineup" on the basis of one game. And I think it was around this time that I was arguing (vehemently) against owning such a device.

The only reviewer who I really respect from Eurogamer is Simon Parkin - as he tends to opt for the niche, oft kilter titles that I enjoy (and it was also on the basis of his review that I picked up Shelter for the PC). I'll therefore take his opinions over Eurogamer/Martin Robinson anyday (as his gaming tastes strongly correlate with mine)...

To be honest, buying any Need For Speed title is your own fault man. I wouldn't buy one even if it got tens across the board. And if I got sent one I'd sell it for a hot dollar without breaking the shrink wrap.

Martin Robinson is a man dear to my heart and I won't have a bad word said about him. He brought EG awesome retrospectives on Shenmue, Gradius V, and full coverage of M2's Sega Classics 3DS revivals. Man's got taste. And GotY was an article that collected the independent views of all the primary staff - he just published the article.

You do realise that Hot Pursuit was developed by Criterion, don't you? They developed Burnout 3, and that's probably my favourite arcade racer of all time. Same with the recent Syndicate which was developed by Starbreeze - and is a really good game, despite what common consensus suggests.

I know that EA isn't fondly looked upon by some gamers, but they do put out some good stuff from time to time, even if they end up destroying the ensuing good will through "Sequelitis Sydrome".

Edit: I'm not saying that Mario 3D World is a bad game, but surely even you can't have the heart to defend him when he stated that the Wii U had the best Xmas lineup (on the basis of one game). How is that a "lineup"? I'd rather take my PS360, or even argue for the PC, as having far stronger 2013 lineups.

I might have only bought Hot Pursuit for about £20-odd at the time, but just think of all the people who got burned by Martin Robinson's short-sighted purchasing recommendation. And whilst I don't take Martin Robinson's opinions seriously, I can hardly be accused of insulting him or having a bad word against him. He does what he does. And I don't really pay attention because his tastes don't necessarily correlate with mine. Should I then be arguing that he has bad taste in games, just because I don't agree with his opinions? And isn't that along similar lines as saying that you no longer take Kotaku seriously after they published (whatever writer's opinion it was that you didn't agree with on) Kid Icarus?

Edit x 2: Even if Martin Robinson only "published" the game which the "independent views of all the primary staff" agreed on, he isn't the editor. And I'd also argue that Simon Parkin isn't considered as being a "primary staff" member, as he's always been a freelancer, with his work hardly ever appearing on the site in recent times (because of his recent book maybe?).

[Skykid]

You do realise that Hot Pursuit was developed by Criterion, don't you?

And they're owned by EA.

[replayme]

You do realise that Hot Pursuit was developed by Criterion, don't you?

And they're owned by EA.

I've already stated as to why some people don't appreciate the EA connection.

[Skykid]

Stop editing!

Edit: I'm not saying that Mario 3D World is a bad game, but surely even you can't have the heart to defend him when he stated that the Wii U had the best Xmas lineup (on the basis of one game). How is that a "lineup"? I'd rather take my PS360, or even argue for the PC, as having far stronger 2013 lineups.

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

I might have only bought Hot Pursuit for about £20-odd at the time, but just think of all the people who got burned by Martin Robinson's short-sighted purchasing recommendation.

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

And isn't that along similar lines as saying that you no longer take Kotaku seriously after they published (whatever writer's opinion it was that you didn't agree with on) Kid Icarus?

It was Destructoid. Yes, similar thing.