Welcome to Cary’s “Best Video Games of 2013 SO FAR Awards Show!” Featuring special guests Drippy, Ulala, 9-Volt, Luigi and Polterpup, plus Blathers the Owl. And now here’s your host: Cary!
Thanks Announcer! Wow, can you believe the year is already half over? As I always like to do this time of the year, here’s a list of my most favorite games of 2013 so far. I know that most of the top games are released at the end of the year during the Christmas season, and sometimes the games released at the beginning of the year can tend to be forgotten. So that’s why I wanted to take the time to give recognition to the best games of the first half of the year!
Now, keep in mind that this list is my personal preferences ONLY. No outside influences or voters, just my opinion. Plus, I can’t play ALL the games out there, so if your favorites are missing, don’t be too mad at me! I can only do so much. OK, with that out of the way, let’s take a look at the winners!
BEST RPG
This would’ve probably won my Game of the Year SO FAR award for overall best game, too. But another title that you can probably guess took that spot. I’m kind of sad that so many reviewers panned this game. It was one of the best RPGs I’ve played since Tales of Legendia and FF9! I hate it that some reviewers couldn’t enjoy it as much as I did. Ni no Kuni did have a few problems here and there, to be sure, but they were a lot of the same problems other RPGs have, too. I liked how the battles were like a mix of Pokemon and Tales action-based gameplay. Best of all was that the characters and story were done by Studio Ghibli, which helped add to the vast charm of the game. I had family members who would walk by as I was playing and couldn’t tell if I was playing a game or watching a movie!
Runner Up:
The strategy RPG action gameplay isn’t much to write about. But the draw of this game is all the crossover characters from Namco, Capcom, and SEGA working together to fight evil. Plus, the game has Ulala in it, so it can’t be all bad, right?
WEIRDEST GAME
It’s a WarioWare title, so naturally it’s the king of weird. It’s unfortunate that the game is a bit light on content, as this series tends to be, and it is one of the weakest entries in the series. But it’s almost worth it for Miiverse Sketch alone. Click on the link on the game title above to read more about it in a blog I wrote.
Runners Up:
Educational games can be weird on their own, but what makes this one especially weird is Dr. Kawashima’s floating head. Especially when he turns into a devil head for the game’s Devilish Training.
A poker game doesn’t sound too weird initially, until you realize the other players are from games and movies like Venture Bros., Borderlands, and Sam & Max. Best of all, the dealer is GlaDOS from Portal!
BEST PUZZLER
I have the first Toki Tori game which was originally released on GBC more than ten years ago. So I was glad to review this sequel. Two things I really liked about this game. They show you how to play and reveal the storyline with no words at all. You figure things out just by playing. The other cool thing is that later on, it turns into a Metroidvania style of game, and you learn to reach new areas with just using two skills, peeping and stomping, in very creative ways. If you have a Wii U or Steam, you definitely should download this.
Runner Up:
Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move (3DS)
This was an eShop title I downloaded before I took a trip, in case I got bored. It’s everything a downloadable title should be. There is no story, so the game isn’t a memory hog with extra unnecessary junk. It’s just a version of Pipe Dream where you guide little wind-up Mario character toys from point A to point B. There’s lot of creative puzzles and gameplay modes, and the game gets pretty tough, too! Plus you can design your own levels and share and play others online. It’s not the best in the series, but still fun if you like that sort of thing.
BEST 3-D ADVENTURE
I loved the first Luigi’s Mansion game for GameCube. They changed a few things in the 3DS sequel that I didn’t like. For one, it’s more mission based rather than letting you explore the whole mansion. I know why they did this, as it’s on a portable game system now. But even then, I thought the missions were too long. But other than that, this is one of the best 3DS games I’ve ever played. It’s nice to see Luigi get some quality attention, as I feel he’s way cooler than Mario. I also love the Polterpup ghost dog in the game. I won’t spoil the ending for you, but it’s exactly what I wanted to happen in the end. It’s so sweet. If you have a 3DS, get this game! Not too easy, but not too hard either.
BEST 2-D ADVENTURE
This 2-D platformer/puzzler may just be an enhanced version of the PDA games from Alien Hominid, but the mix of Smash Bros. competitiveness, puzzles, and wacky humor made it a hit around the house with me, brother Jeff, and his friends. Download it and check it out, especially if you loved Behemoth’s other hit: Castle Crashers.
Runners Up:
This sequel to the popular rhythm-based 2-D platformer is top notch, and very challenging! But it’s still a very quality game with lots of polish.
HarmoKnight (3DS)
This is basically a cuter version of Bit.Trip Runner, and I think some of the timing is off in the rhythms. But it’s still a quality downloadable 3DS romp from the makers of Pokemon. In fact, fans will want to get this one for the unlockable Pokemon songs you can get!
And now for my best Game of the Year SO FAR! Taiko drum roll please…
BEST GAME OF THE YEAR 2013 SO FAR
Coming at no surprise to anyone. Animal Crossing on the GameCube is one of my top five favorite games of all time, right alongside Pac-Man and Final Fantasy 6. Those of you who know me, you know how much I like those games so that gives you an indication to how highly I regard Animal Crossing, too. BUT, just because I like it so much, doesn’t mean I gave all the other titles in the series this level of recognition in the years they were released. They got some recognition as honorable mention runners up, but overall they were too same-y. So what makes New Leaf so special? Well, they’ve added enough new things to make it feel fresh for veteran players. You’re the mayor now, so there’s a whole bunch of extra activities to do.
I feel that the Animal Crossing series is very educational, too. You can learn about all the different fish and bugs you catch, the fossils you dig up, and the artwork you buy and donate for the museum. Kids can even learn a bit about social studies and money management as the mayor. Because of all the reading required, it’s really best enjoyed by older kids, though. And big kids at heart like me! I don’t know if New Leaf will make it as my overall Game of the Year, but considering that I’ll mostly likely still be playing it with family and friends all through the end of the year; it has a pretty good chance! If you haven’t visited my town yet, I hope you can, and here’s my 3DS friend code just in case: 1977-0161-5480
Conclusions
And that’s all for the awards! In the comments section, let me know what you think of my picks. And tell me YOUR favorite games of 2013 SO FAR! And if I had my own awards show like this on TV, would you watch it? Later!
I really need to finish Ni NO Kuni. I hit a wall and haven't played it for a month. It's not what I expected, but I want to judge it on what it is rather than what it isn't. I'm going to play some next week after the FFXIV beta is over.
Animal Crossing seems like a lot of fun, but I didn't order it. I was often tempted though.
There's a lot of RPGs I haven't finished. Many, including Ni no Kuni, are too long and meandering.
Ah, you need to get Animal Crossing!
At least you've started it. Mine's still shrink wrapped.
I try to play the games I buy. Oherwise, you might as well just flush dollar bills down the toilet. Money go down the hoooolllllleeeee! (catch the reference?)
I'm getting better at that but buying is quick and gaming is long, sometimes so long. I get half way through a game and another one comes out.
I don't get the reference. I'm sorry.
All right, here's the reference. Man it's a good thing I'm around to teach you all this important stuff.
Wow. I'm gonna have to share this with a friend of mine. He'll get a kick out of it.
There are two other cartoon shorts starring Baby Plucky Duck (from Tiny Toons). In one, he plays minature golf with his dad (and calls it "Minister Golf." And in the other one he rides the elevator with his mom in the mall. He also made a lot of cameos in Animaniacs.
I mentioned this to a friend of mine and he got it right away. I guess I'm the loser here.
Nah, you just have to be as insane as I am.
If I had to choose one, it would be Fire Emblem. But I haven't played Bioshock Infinite or Last of Us, so...?
I haven't played any of those! Bioshock Infinite's gameplay isn't my cup of tea, but it looks like an interesting game anyway!
Very good picks overall. I have not played Ni No Kuni,but it's greatness is beyond question at this point. If I had to pick my game of the year it would be The Last Of Us. Bioshock Infinite being a very close second. Tomb Raider in at third. Like your pick of Luigi's Mansion too....good one there.
Yeah you know games like Last of Us, Bioshock Infinite, and Tomb Raider wouldn't be on my list. Not silly enough.
I'm interested in Project X-Zone because it has characters from Gods Eater Burst. Alisa and Soma are win!
Oh yeah, there are Gods Eater Burst characters in there. My next three blogs I plan to write will feature the Namco, Capcom, and SEGA characters in Project X Zone, so be on the lookout for those in the coming weeks.
The only game that I've played out of these is Ni No Kuni. I think my favorite game so far this year may be Tomb Raider, but I really haven't played all that many games released in 2013.
If only Tomb Raider were more silly and colorful and happy, then I would play it.
I think I've played only two games so far this year that actually came out this year. So BioShock Infinite gets top billing and HarmoKnight comes in second lol. Both great games. (Am I fogetting something...?)
Yeah your wife has my pick for Game of the Year SO FAR, so go and play that already!
I still have the first Luigi's Mansion, and honestly I think I'd like they made it more mission based. It did get a bit boring in parts for me; mostly it's the fault of the animation that pops up for every ... door ... you try.
But I do like it, and imagine I'd like the sequel, too.
Harmoknight is another I want, and I don't play JRPGs, but Ni No Kuni looks great.
Good blog!
I think they did that door animation thing on purpose. Kind of like a joke to poke fun at door animations in other surivial horror games.
Even if it was on purpose, I really didn't need it every time. That's the issue with parodying something by doing it yourself. I think there's a term for that. If not, there should be.
They already had fourth-wall breaking elements in the game at times, I would have been happy if they had maybe had Lakitu yell at Luigi, "just open it!" after a few times, and then just stopped doing it. Maybe they did, but when I played the game recently, I got past the first boss, and it still happened on every locked door; I know you can see those on the map, but sometimes I wasn't sure exactly where I was on the thing, or didn't feel like checking it. '
That's nitpicky for a launch game, and it was still a fun game, it just bothered me.
Well you'll be happy to know you don't have to worry about the door animation thing very much in the sequel.
That does make me happy, yes. lol
Well you should play the sequel then. You'd probaby like it. Mr. Picky. :) Just kidding.
Ni No Kuni, my copy in the Wizard Edition might forever sealed considering how much it runs for new. Luigi's Mansion 2 is cool but I didnt put my time into it. I am not into Animal Crossing but I just bought New Leaf for my wife. It ws on Amazon for 24 dollars at one point. I couldn't pass up on that deal. Runner 2 was and is an awesome game. I put a lot of time into it. It is very challenging to find everything within that game for such a simple but yet complex premise.
Right now my favorites is The Last of Us, followed by Bioshock Infinite, Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon, Tomb Raider, and Gucamelee.
Aw you should play Animal Crossing with your wife! I love playing it with my family!
Project X Zone looks interesting. I'll have to check that one out.
Like I said, my new few blogs will be about the characters in Project X-Zone. I'm playing it right now. Valkyrie just teamed up with Dante and Demitri and Arthur! Oh silly game!
I've got a lot of game this year but none of really stand out to me. I guess it is also the fact that I haven't finished many of them either.
That's OK, I have a hard time finishing games anymore either.
Neat gamerpic. Killer Instinct, right? I don't think I have a favorite KI character. You can pick one for me if you like.
I thought of you as I was playing Project X-Zone the other day. One stage has fighters from Tekken, Virtua Fighter, and Street Fighter teaming up to battle Juri. Poor Juri. Oh wait, she's mean so I shouldn't say that.
My GOTY so far is Ni no Kuni, and I doubt that's going to change before the end of the year, unless Tales of Xillia or something else turns out to be absolutely amazing. I love Ni no Kuni. Other than Valkyria Chronicles, it's my favorite game of the entire generation. Screw the handful of haters. :)
Other than that, my favorite games so far have been Bioshock Infinite and Project X Zone. Sadly, I've never really liked Animal Crossing all that much, but I'm glad you're enjoying it.
There are Valkyria Chronicles characters in Project X Zone. I don't know who they are, but they're in there. I do know that they are very mad that you don't like Animal Crossing. :)
The characters in Project X Zone are from Valkyria Chronicles 3, which sadly has never been released in the US. Makes me wish Sega had released it here. :(
Yeah there's some games and characters in Project X Zone that I've not heard of before. Endless Frontier? Resonance of Fate? No idea.
My "Little One" totally digs battleblock theatre. She saved her allowance so she could buy a 1600 ms pts card to buy the game at full price!
only for her Xbox 360 to RRoD on her. she couldn't wait so she DLed it to my system under her gamertag. Will be a pain to transfer that game to her system when it's fixed but seeing her play it, and get a laugh out of the opener, makes it worth all the while.
My 360 Red Ringed on me twice, but hasn't done so in years since then.
Animal Crossing, I've thinking about getting that game; however I hardly touched Luigi's Mansion 2 yet. Currently loving DmC: Devil May Cry, The Last of Us, State of Decay, Bioshock Infinite.
Oh you should get Animal Crossing and play more Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon. Those other games just aren't cute enough.:)