Cary’s “Best Video Games of 2013 SO FAR Awards Show!”

ACICONWow, 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

Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch (PS3)

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:

Project X Zone (3DS)

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

Game & Wario (Wii U)

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:

Brain Age: Concentration Training (3DS)

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.

Poker Night 2 (360)

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

Toki Tori 2 (Wii U)

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

Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon (3DS)

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

Battleblock Theater (360)

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:

Bit.Trip Runner 2 (Wii U)

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

Animal Crossing: New Leaf (3DS)

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!

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