By Jeremy Hannaford (Contributor) – Email
Print Edition: January 15, 2014
1. The Last of Us
The Last of Us is the game of the year for many reasons, beginning with its engaging characters, its meticulously laid out post-apocalyptic world, and its nerve-wracking gameplay. The beauty in this game is both inspiring and heartbreaking. From surviving a brutal winter to roaming among giraffes in an abandoned zoo, protagonists Joel and Ellie endure a gripping journey to the very end and leave a permanent impression that won’t be forgotten for many years.
2. Grand Theft Auto V
Rockstar North has shown what a studio can accomplish with supposedly limited technology — pushing the Xbox 360 and PS3 to their limits and still maintaining a fully functioning open world game. The scope of the game is immense: from pedestrians’ reactions to your acts of crime to the mind-blowing detail of Los Santos. Its vastness gives players the means to do whatever they want on a different level from the next-best in the genre. Along with a fun and innovative online counterpart, GTA V tops out the processing power of the seventh generation of home consoles.
3. Gone Home
One of the shortest games on this list also happens to be one of the deepest in terms of story. Gone Home has its protagonist return home to find their house deserted and things in disarray. What unfolds next is a brilliant look at high school ideologies, sibling bonding, and an exploration of foreign relationships. A great puzzle game hidden within a deep and passionate story, Gone Home shows that every home holds many stories — it just takes one to look to uncover them.
4. Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons
For a game that featured a simple (yet at times aggravating) control setup, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons innovative system is a key reason for the game’s success. The idea of using two characters at the same time via the two analogue sticks is definitely difficult to grasp at first but it proves to be highly engaging. Despite the characters being mute, the brothers’ quest for their father is full of emotional imagery that proves words are not needed to describe their family bond.
5. Tomb Raider
For years, the Tomb Raider games have shown a sexy, charismatic version of Lara Croft. The fifth in the series, a reboot for the character, provides a completely different look at the heroine. Aside from the great voice-acting and incredible artwork, Tomb Raider is still a great survival game. Through its gameplay, developer Crystal Dynamics make you care about Lara as she traverses through harrowing obstacles. Along with a bow mechanic that brings back memories of Far Cry 3, Tomb Raider is the change the series desperately needed.
6. Papers Please
A game that brings the most astounding and cruel decisions out of some gamers, Papers Please was a definite surprise for 2013. Playing as an immigration officer analyzing people’s documents — choosing whether to let them into the country or not — sounds horrible as a premise. But in truth, it’s very engaging and unsettling at times. Set in the ‘80s, Papers Please is a view of the harsh reality some eastern European countries had to face during the Cold War Era. Between dealing with illegal immigrants and trying to support your family, the game forces its players to encounter some difficult choices, leading to some surprising decisions.
7. Super Mario 3D World
Whether through the creative co-op puzzles or incredibly cute cat costumes, Super Mario 3D World exceeds the already-high expectations always placed on a Mario game. The type of great game the Wii U mostly lacks, 3D World provides addicting gameplay and hilarious co-op sessions. Despite the negativity following its announcement (as opposed to another Galaxy game), 3D World will prove to be another classic Mario game.
8. Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag
Not since Assassin’s Creed 2 has there been as much intrigue, as well as overall fun, in the atmosphere of an Assassin’s Creed game. Taking place before Assassin’s Creed 3, Black Flag puts the player right in the golden age of privateering. Within an expansive open world holding many quests and treasures, Black Flag truly rewards the player for doing whatever they want. Along with a finely tuned ship battle mechanic, Black Flag is a great outing in the series, all while shrugging off most of the conventions of being an AC game.
9. Bioshock Infinite
From the opening moments of arriving on Columbia, Bioshock Infinite players are treated to a majestic and beautiful place that rivals the sky that it hides in. But Columbia is also plagued with the horror of racism and segregation owing to its 1920s period setting. Replacing the horror of splicers with the horror of human exclusion is a interesting new venture in the series, and along with traditional Bioshock gameplay mechanics (including a Skyhook device that never gets old), Infinite is a solid entry in Ken Levine’s continuing narrative.
10. Pokémon X&Y
With each iteration of Pokémon comes a new and better game in the series. Pokémon X&Y is no exception. Featuring an improved online community that’s seamlessly incorporated into a stunning 3D world, X&Y also introduces new mega-evolutions and exciting new animations. While it follows the same Pokémon story of every Pokémon game, this iteration is quick to the punch and pulls PokéMasters-to-be into its world immediately.
