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2013 is nearing an end and what a year it has been. There have been some really amazing games released this year plus the launch of the Xbox One and PS4, the industry is booming. Now I did not play ANY console exclusive releases this year so that means my list may lack a few important titles but I do believe at the very least, I should give honorable mentions to the following:
The Last of Us (PS3)
Super Mario World 3D (WiiU)
Zelda: A link between worlds (3DS)
Grand Theft Auto V (Xbox 360, PS3)
Hopefully next year I will be able to play GTA V, The Last of Us and Zelda (I recently bought a PS4 which has plans to bring PS3 games over next year using their Gaikai system and I also got a 3DS) so I can comment further and experience some of the top games I missed. Anyway, back to business. The time has come to reveal my list for Game of the Year!
10. Hammerwatch
Insanely addicting game that brings me back to the days of the original Gauntlet for NES. I have gotten tons of enjoyment out of this simple hack/slash game released in August. The game is very straightforward and very easy to get into. I made my first Let's Play video to this game and finally got around to playing the game multiplayer last night which adds a whole new level of crazy fun to the game. Hammerwatch further proved to me that you don't need a AAA budget with state of the art graphical fidelity to create one of the best games of the year.
9. Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon
While not exactly a fully released game, Blood Dragon was an expandalone title following Far Cry 3 from last year. To me, Blood Dragon was what Duke Nukem Forever wanted to be. Incredibly fun and overall an enjoyable experience. The game itself is a bit on the short side but what do want from a $15 DLC that you don't even need the original game to run? Blood Dragon captured everything I love about 80's culture. The soundtrack, the futuristic setting, the voice acting, the story, all incredibly cheesy but in a fun, nostalgic way.
8. Monaco
Simply, one of the best Co-Op experiences ever. Monaco is a game in which up to 4 players work together to get through each level pulling off various heists. The more players, the more chaos, the more fun! The sound design is great and the visual elements in the game are beautiful. The gameplay is very very simple and really lets the player focus on the heist at hand instead of fumbling around the keys to perform specific actions to get to the next stage. The one flaw I have with the game is that the single player while good, is not great. It is a great way to learn the game but other than that it is rather boring alone so pick it up and bring friends!
7. ARMA III
Pushing graphics to the next level, ARMA III may melt your machine but its SO WORTH IT! A lot of people prefer Call of Duty or Battlefield because they are more accessible to the average gamer but ARMA III is hands down the best modern war experience of the year. The engine is truly the next step up and the immersion factor cannot be denied. And with the full release out now, next year I expect to see mods mods and more mods created by the community. ARMA III, while flying under the radar with major reviewers this year, is the best military experience in a game to date.
6. Don't Starve
This quirky rogue-like game brought me great enjoyment. I usually don't really like rogue-like games but this one stuck with me. The art direction and the oddly satisfying sounds were a nice touch to this game of survival. The crafting system is easy to use and the game has a very high replay factor. The Tim Burton-esque style of this game is what first caught my eye and after playing for a while I can firmly state that Don't Starve was one of the years best. If you are looking for a good challenge while still able to relax and enjoy a game on your own, go grab it.
5. Tomb Raider
I never played any Tomb Raider games prior to this installment and to say this was a delight was an understatement. This being my first introduction to the Tomb Raider franchise blew my mind. Great overall story, great graphics, great gameplay. Tomb Raider had it all for me. The survival aspects that were woven into the game really played well and the grim setting was perfect for the game. The overall level design really helped this game for me. There were no repetitive tombs and the combat was fluid and memorable for me. And how could I go on and on and not mention the VOICE ACTING! Everyone did such a great job on this and I am looking forward to the next installment and I am eager to get into the backlog of the franchise. Square Enix handled the game very well and they deserve all the praise in the world for reviving a stale franchise. (Oh and HAIR PHYSICS!!!)
4. Bioshock Infinite
I love the original Bioshock, it is one of my favorite games of all time and was one of the very few "life changing" games I have ever played. I must say that my expectations were not incredibly high for Infinite just because of how good the original was and then how underwhelming (Note* Not Bad!) Bioshock 2 was. Playing through Infinite brought back some of the nostalgia of the original for me in that the world was vibrant and full of interesting nuances so that was a plus. While the overall combat system was a bit flawed, the story 100% made up for that. In my opinion the story of Infinite is the second best of the year (first is coming up soon!) and the world of Colombia was everything I wanted it to be and more. Elizabeth, while a sort of handicap during combat, was an incredible character and really made the game a triumph. The voice acting in general was AMAZING (Troy Baker deserves all the praise in the world for the year he had) and really pushed the game over the edge in terms of making it a memorable game. Bioshock Infinite, while not as good as the original, was one of the most immersive and visually impressive games of the year.
3. Starcraft 2: Heart of the Swarm
This is my biased choice. Sorry, I love Starcraft and Heart of the Swarm pushed the game further in terms of gameplay and competitiveness. While the campaign lacked a bit of charm, the game really shines in Multiplayer. I follow the Starcraft e-sports scene very closely and the innovations (haha get it?) that HOTS brought to the table really showed this year in tournaments. When Wings of Liberty was getting stale towards the end of last year and the beginning of this year, HOTS really stepped up and gave new life into the game. The balance patches continue to be churned out and Blizzard is really stepping up and listening to community feedback and it showed in HOTS. I cannot wait to see what Legacy of the Void brings to the table and how the scene will grow next year but right now, Starcraft is the most skillful e-sport out there. I said that correct. While I enjoy DOTA and respect the immensely popular League of Legends, when it comes to skill, Starcraft outshines any MOBA game. One on one, mind vs mind, Starcraft is our generations chess.
2. Path of Exile
What Diablo III should have been. That's the first line I always give when someone asks me about Path of Exile. At first glance, the Free to Play tag may scare some people away who might think that there are tons of micro-transactions within the game that make it more of a "Pay to Win" title. This is 100% not the case. The developer, Grinding Gear Games, implements what they call "ethical micro-transactions" meaning anything you can buy in game does not actually affect the gameplay (ex. all transactions are purely cosmetic). Grinding Gear Games developers put their all into creating this and it shows. The passion that the development team had made me as a player feel comfortable enough to trust them and they delivered on their product and then some. PoE was everything I wanted in Diablo III and more. The skill tree is MASSIVE and the gameplay brought me right back to the much loved Diablo II days. While I keep mentioning Diablo, don't confuse that with me trying to say this is a clone of the game, PoE is not a clone, it is its own entity that adds new elements to the Action RPG genre. Go pick it up on Steam if you don't have it yet and I guarantee you will fall in love with it if you are a fan of Action RPGs. Go get it now and I will see you out on Wraeclast.
GOTY. Metro: Last Light
One of the most immersive experiences I have ever had in a game to date. Metro: Last Light is a hauntingly beautiful game that is hands down the best of the year. In a year filled with tons of heavy hitting titles, Metro comes out on top for me because I felt like I was part of the world throughout the entire game. The gameplay feels perfect and the graphics are (in my opinion) the years best. I had such a great time playing through and I do expect I will be returning soon to play through again. The original Metro 2033 was a good game when I played it but that's it, just a good game. Last Light expanded on the world of Metro and the developers over at 4A Games really stepped up and put their all to deliver. With all that said I must give all the praise in the world to 4A Games. What they had to endure during the development cycle and then put out a game as amazing as this really shows their passion for the game. It was stated by former THQ president Jason Rubin that the development team faced extremely difficult working conditions, "From unreasonable budget demands, to literally freezing office working conditions due to frequent power failures, to having to smuggle computer equipment into the offices to avoid corrupt customs officials. Rubin goes on to say, “If you care about the art of making games then you have to care about more than the final product,” and “The struggle and the journey becomes part of the story. Like sport, you cheer when the underdog comes from behind, and triumphs in the face of incredible odds."" And boy, did 4A Games triumph with this masterpiece. I suggest you all go out and experience the beauty that is Metro: Last Light and you will see why it is my pick for Game of the Year and why it deserves that title.
Wow! So many amazing games this year and I only could choose 10 to include on the list! I cannot wait to see what next year holds in store for us with the next gen console releases, that means more quality games are coming our way. Right now I can say the big titles on my list for next year are: Titanfall, Destiny, Metal Gear Solid, Watch_Dogs, Dark Souls II, Infamous: Second Son, and The Division. Here's to next year and I hope to see everyone out in the wasteland!
Thanks for reading and until next time:
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www.Hypersmash.com
Sunday, December 22, 2013
Monday, December 16, 2013
Let's Play! Hammerwatch
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Over this past weekend while I was waiting out the snow storm that hit CT, I put together my first Let's Play video! I choose the game Hammerwatch from my long list of games frankly because it is relaxing and nostalgic for me and the day called for a very laid back, lazy playthrough that I could mindlessly drone through. That in no way means that I think Hammerwatch is a bad game, in fact, it is up there with one of the best games of the year for me! Sure its not story driven and it doesn't have "OMG NEXT GEN GRAPHICS!", like i said, it is a nostalgic trip back to when I was growing up and playing NES games. Hammerwatch is a throwback to the old hack n slash games such as Gauntlet which I spent hours playing as a child. The boss fights are very enjoyable and the game itself is extremely enjoyable with friends. Go grab it on Steam and check out my Let's Play below.
Overall the gameplay is straight forward and the classes are pretty self explainitory. Playing the game singleplayer is sort of dull but I enjoyed it and playing with friends is a blast. Grab Hammerwatch here.
7/10
Thanks for reading and until next time:
Like it: https://www.facebook.com/TheOnlySurvivor
Watch it: http://www.youtube.com/user/theonlysurvivordan
Follow it: Follow @IMxGONNAxDIE
Hyper Smash
Over this past weekend while I was waiting out the snow storm that hit CT, I put together my first Let's Play video! I choose the game Hammerwatch from my long list of games frankly because it is relaxing and nostalgic for me and the day called for a very laid back, lazy playthrough that I could mindlessly drone through. That in no way means that I think Hammerwatch is a bad game, in fact, it is up there with one of the best games of the year for me! Sure its not story driven and it doesn't have "OMG NEXT GEN GRAPHICS!", like i said, it is a nostalgic trip back to when I was growing up and playing NES games. Hammerwatch is a throwback to the old hack n slash games such as Gauntlet which I spent hours playing as a child. The boss fights are very enjoyable and the game itself is extremely enjoyable with friends. Go grab it on Steam and check out my Let's Play below.
Overall the gameplay is straight forward and the classes are pretty self explainitory. Playing the game singleplayer is sort of dull but I enjoyed it and playing with friends is a blast. Grab Hammerwatch here.
7/10
Thanks for reading and until next time:
Like it: https://www.facebook.com/TheOnlySurvivor
Watch it: http://www.youtube.com/user/theonlysurvivordan
Follow it: Follow @IMxGONNAxDIE
Hyper Smash
Friday, December 13, 2013
Back on Track with the Week in Review!
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In case you missed it, here is my video from last week detailing my return and what has been going on in the past few weeks:
Basically, I finally moved and now have plenty of time to stream and record gameplay! Contests will be coming soon and I am thinking next week I will make a video for my top 10 games from this year. For now, its time to get back to business as usual with the week in review
Steam OS released along with the 300 beta Steam Machines
Today Valve is releasing their first version of the Steam OS to the general public. Gamers around the world rejoice! But, Valve has issues a statement that "unless you’re an intrepid Linux hacker already, we’re going to recommend that you wait until later in 2014 to try it out." So I am still on the fence on whether I should get this right away. I know a little bit of Linux but not enough to be a master so I think at the very least I will wait until the more experienced users write up some reviews and work out the initial kinks in the system before I boot up. A little while longer is not a big deal to me. I have plenty of other things that need to be done. With all that said though, I am starting to count down the days I have left using Windows and I will be happy to convert over once the time is right. Valve also has shipped out its 300 beta Steam Machines to those lucky enough to have been selected. I will be trying to stay as up to date as I can with all the information about the machines and if any of you readers were one of the 300, I would be thrilled if I could score an interview with you detailing your experiences with the device so contact me if you would like.
Multiple sources reporting Fallout 4 does exist and is on the way
So while I took some time off to move I missed a ton of stuff in that month. One of the big stories of the month was thesurvivor2299.com. It was a countdown page with the fallout vault logo and morse code in the backround that had people scrambling to decode every bit of information and lead people on the believe that a Fallout 4 announcement was days away. In the end Bethesda confirmed it was all a very elaborate (and fun) hoax which really felt like a punch in the gut to the whole Fallout community. Earlier this week however, Kotaku released an article stating they have received leak documents confirming the existence of much anticipated title. Whether you want to believe it or not is up to you. I know I was truly heartbroken when thesurvivor2299.com turned out to be a fake and I really really want to believe that Fallout 4 is coming but only time will tell and we can all hope there will be something, anything at all, coming from Bethesda shortly to confirm. Tunnel Snakes Rule!
VGX wrap-up
Last Sunday, Spike hosted the VGX awards. While the event itself was not great, some cool announcements did come out of it. Telltale seemed like the big hitter of the night announcing a new Game of Thrones game as well as a team up with Gearbox to deliver a new game set in the Borderlands world titled Tales from the Borderlands. A dark horse appeared in a game called No Man's Sky which is being developed by 4 guys and seems to be quite an ambitious task. The trailer looks amazing and I cannot wait to hear more about that one. Bungie announced a release date for the much anticipated Destiny for September 9, 2014 and CD Projekt Red released yet another trailer for The Witcher 3. Last but not least, Tomb Raider is getting an upgrade. The latest title in the franchise is getting a face lift for the PS4 and Xbox One and should be out early next year. Overall, as I said before, the show was very dull but the announcements kept my interest.
Elder Scrolls Online gets a release date
After many closed beta tests and much posturing in the community, a release date of April 4, 2014 was announced this week. I was involved with some of the beta testing for the game and while I can't say much due to the NDA, it does look impressive. Just follow along with all the gameplay and preview trailers that Bethesda has released and you can see how its shaping up. I'm sure an open beta is right around the corner and more information will become available shortly. The only big question left is will this really be the mythical WoW killer? Only time will tell.
That's all I have for this week. I will be making a video highlighting these points again and talking about other stories in the industry (Youtube copyright is HUGE right now) so be sure to check that out this weekend. I plan on recording some gameplay tonight of probably Hammerwatch or Don't Starve so that should be fun. And as I stated in the beginning, I am getting together my game of the year list and will be doing a huge post about that next week! Stay tuned and spread the word so I can get some contests running!
Thanks for reading and until next time:
Like it: https://www.facebook.com/TheOnlySurvivor
Watch it: http://www.youtube.com/user/theonlysurvivordan
Follow it: Follow @IMxGONNAxDIE
www.hypersmash.com
In case you missed it, here is my video from last week detailing my return and what has been going on in the past few weeks:
Basically, I finally moved and now have plenty of time to stream and record gameplay! Contests will be coming soon and I am thinking next week I will make a video for my top 10 games from this year. For now, its time to get back to business as usual with the week in review
Steam OS released along with the 300 beta Steam Machines
Today Valve is releasing their first version of the Steam OS to the general public. Gamers around the world rejoice! But, Valve has issues a statement that "unless you’re an intrepid Linux hacker already, we’re going to recommend that you wait until later in 2014 to try it out." So I am still on the fence on whether I should get this right away. I know a little bit of Linux but not enough to be a master so I think at the very least I will wait until the more experienced users write up some reviews and work out the initial kinks in the system before I boot up. A little while longer is not a big deal to me. I have plenty of other things that need to be done. With all that said though, I am starting to count down the days I have left using Windows and I will be happy to convert over once the time is right. Valve also has shipped out its 300 beta Steam Machines to those lucky enough to have been selected. I will be trying to stay as up to date as I can with all the information about the machines and if any of you readers were one of the 300, I would be thrilled if I could score an interview with you detailing your experiences with the device so contact me if you would like.
Multiple sources reporting Fallout 4 does exist and is on the way
So while I took some time off to move I missed a ton of stuff in that month. One of the big stories of the month was thesurvivor2299.com. It was a countdown page with the fallout vault logo and morse code in the backround that had people scrambling to decode every bit of information and lead people on the believe that a Fallout 4 announcement was days away. In the end Bethesda confirmed it was all a very elaborate (and fun) hoax which really felt like a punch in the gut to the whole Fallout community. Earlier this week however, Kotaku released an article stating they have received leak documents confirming the existence of much anticipated title. Whether you want to believe it or not is up to you. I know I was truly heartbroken when thesurvivor2299.com turned out to be a fake and I really really want to believe that Fallout 4 is coming but only time will tell and we can all hope there will be something, anything at all, coming from Bethesda shortly to confirm. Tunnel Snakes Rule!
VGX wrap-up
Last Sunday, Spike hosted the VGX awards. While the event itself was not great, some cool announcements did come out of it. Telltale seemed like the big hitter of the night announcing a new Game of Thrones game as well as a team up with Gearbox to deliver a new game set in the Borderlands world titled Tales from the Borderlands. A dark horse appeared in a game called No Man's Sky which is being developed by 4 guys and seems to be quite an ambitious task. The trailer looks amazing and I cannot wait to hear more about that one. Bungie announced a release date for the much anticipated Destiny for September 9, 2014 and CD Projekt Red released yet another trailer for The Witcher 3. Last but not least, Tomb Raider is getting an upgrade. The latest title in the franchise is getting a face lift for the PS4 and Xbox One and should be out early next year. Overall, as I said before, the show was very dull but the announcements kept my interest.
Elder Scrolls Online gets a release date
After many closed beta tests and much posturing in the community, a release date of April 4, 2014 was announced this week. I was involved with some of the beta testing for the game and while I can't say much due to the NDA, it does look impressive. Just follow along with all the gameplay and preview trailers that Bethesda has released and you can see how its shaping up. I'm sure an open beta is right around the corner and more information will become available shortly. The only big question left is will this really be the mythical WoW killer? Only time will tell.
That's all I have for this week. I will be making a video highlighting these points again and talking about other stories in the industry (Youtube copyright is HUGE right now) so be sure to check that out this weekend. I plan on recording some gameplay tonight of probably Hammerwatch or Don't Starve so that should be fun. And as I stated in the beginning, I am getting together my game of the year list and will be doing a huge post about that next week! Stay tuned and spread the word so I can get some contests running!
Thanks for reading and until next time:
Like it: https://www.facebook.com/TheOnlySurvivor
Watch it: http://www.youtube.com/user/theonlysurvivordan
Follow it: Follow @IMxGONNAxDIE
www.hypersmash.com
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