For Ask PSLS this month, we’ll be looking forward to 2014, while also looking back at 2013. To kick things off, we asked the staff: What were your top 3 games of 2013?
Anthony Severino – Meow (@Sev_Anthony)
The Last of Us is my top game of 2013 because I feel it’s the most meaningful experience I’ve ever had while playing video games. Next, I’d give it to Super Mario 3D World as being the most fun and time-consuming game of the year. I really had a blast playing it and it made me think a lot about how I got my start gaming on the NES and SNES.
Finally, I’ll give the nod to BioShock Infinite. While the gameplay left much to be desired, the narrative and sound design stands out as some of the best ever. Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag was a close runner-up, strictly for the naval-based gameplay.
Chandler Wood – Ni Yes Kuni (@FinchStrife)
Picking only three from a year of great games is tough to do, but I have to give a nod to Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag on PS4. I had a ton of fun with it (social glitches aside) and I think it was a great way to jump into this new generation of consoles.
I also am loving getting back into Ni no Kuni because it has been so long since I have really devoted myself to an RPG, and Ni no Kuni is filling that void. Last spot is a toss up between BioShock Infinite and The Last of Us. They are such different games with many great things between them and it is hard to pick only one… Can I count them as tied because they both have Troy Baker?
Jason Dunning – The Missing Link (@Jasonad21)
Since the amount of 2013 games I actually had the chance to play was less than I would have wanted (Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag and Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons are at the top of my list), my top 3 will likely change over time, but for right now it’s The Last of Us, The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, and BioShock Infinite (in that order).
I don’t think I can add anymore about how much I enjoyed The Last of Us, so I’ll talk about how Zelda wasn’t really on my radar until it finally released in November. After seeing all the positive buzz, I picked it up and couldn’t stop playing until I beat the final boss. Being able to choose the order of dungeons by renting which items you wanted was a great mechanic, sticking to walls added another layer of gameplay, and the music is just awesome.
When it comes to BioShock Infinite, I truly think it will be bumped down from my top 3 as I continue to catch-up on 2013 games, but it did offer a great story, some good gameplay (I still prefer the shooting and powers of past games), and a really crazy ending.
Joseph Fait – Mirror of Fate (@AcesHigh291)
My top 3 are BioShock Infinite, FarCry 3: Blood Dragon, and Warframe:
- BioShock is just, in my opinion, fantastic at all fronts. Irrational Games not only improved combat from BioShock, but went from a completely enclosed spaces to a world wide open.
- Blood Dragon was something I would never see a AAA publisher greenlight. Humor and parody is spot on, so hopefully we’ll see more in the franchise.
- Warframe is a ton of fun to play and free to play done right.
Russell Ritchey – Knee no Kuni (@RussellCRitchey)
Ni no Kuni is an excellent, fantastic title. Fun to play and really evokes the late SNES/Early to mid PS1 JRPG feel. There were a few moments that nearly brought a tear to my eye as well. The game is just a fun, magical journey.
Ys: Memories of Celceta is probably the odd game out across the whole Ys series, but by the time the credits roll, no other Ys game is capable of portraying who Adol is as a character as opposed to the rest of the series; which is more about what Adol does. Celceta is no slouch in the gameplay department, either.
Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn has just been extremely fun to play. Even though its first time out was panned, I would have liked to play the original simply to enjoy the story. I’ve logged in several hundred hours easy this year.
Sebastian Moss – Too Hot to Handle (@SebMoss)
The Last of Us wins, as I’m sure you guessed, but after that it’s harder for me to say. Gone Home is a game I wish was on PlayStation (and I’m sure will come eventually), as it’s a huge leap forward for the medium and an incredible title.
Next? I need to spend more time thinking for a definitive answer, but candidates include the technological masterpiece that is Grand Theft Auto V, BioShock Infinite and Hotline Miami.
What were your top 3 games of 2013? Let everyone know in the comments below.
