Because I Said So is the only game of the year awards you should care about...because I said so.
If you missed Part 1, check it out to see my 2012 choice for most disappointing, favourite unplayed and best old game. If you'd prefer to see which game had the best set of costumes or virgin sacrifice, Part 2 is where it's at.
On to Part 3, the platform awards. My GOTY will emerge from this list, so be sure to pay close attention!
WINNER - Sleeping Dogs
Everything just worked in Sleeping Dogs and worked really well. Coupled with the beautifully detailed backdrop of Hong Kong and you've got yourself an awesome game.
RUNNER UP - Spec Ops: The Line
It seemed like any other shooter at first, but then the story takes a horrible twist and becomes deep and dark.
WINNER - The Walking Dead Series
I've purchased episodic games before, but few had me eagerly awaiting the next episode as The Walking Dead did. I've never read the comic or watched the TV show, but now I'm a fan.
RUNNER UP - Guild Wars 2
Until Guild Wars 2, EverQuest 2 had been the only other MMO I'd given any decent attenton to. It's so good I'd almost agree to pay a monthly subscription if they asked...or not.
WINNER - Mass Effect 3
Despite the whole "revised" ending scenario, I was quite satisfied with how it ended and never bothered to download the updates. It was a great way to wrap up the series.
RUNNER UP - Halo 4
It's a space shooter about this dude in armor who kicks alien butt. I thought it was pretty fun.
WINNER - The Unfinished Swan
I loved the fairy tale story, I loved the unique gameplay and I loved the creative visual presentation. If you're lucky, it may even be one of those games that hits you on an emotional level. Everyone else will probably say it sucks.
RUNNER UP - Yakuza 4
While the story isn't quite as good as the previous game, the gameplay improvements were a welcome change. I love the series and can't wait for Yakuza 5. Oh, that zombie spin-off wasn't too bad either.
WINNER - New Super Mario Bros U
New Super Mario Bros U feels like a step back in quality from the latest 3DS Mario game, but you can forgive it thanks to the beautiful HD.
RUNNER UP - Assassin's Creed III
Once I realised I could play this on the gamepad, I traded my PS3 version in for the Wii U version. After a disappointing experience with the Vita's AC Liberation, it almost feels like I got the handheld AC I deserve.
WINNER - Gravity Rush
Atmospheric is the best word to describe this game. I was sucked into the world, the story, the characters and the music. It was so refreshing in a year full of so many sequels and remakes.
RUNNER UP - Uncharted: Golden Abyss
Not quite as stunning as the console versions, but quite an achievement for a handheld game.
WINNER - Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask
I'm a sucker for Layton games and as long as they keep releasing them, they'll continue to be on my end of year list.
RUNNER UP - New Super Mario Bros. 2
The whole coin collecting thing was a touch of genius. It gave me a reason to explore every bit of a level, rather than doing a power run through as I usually do.
WINNER - McPixel
One of the few games released this year that lets you sacrifice virgins, piss on anything and kick every person in the groin.
RUNNER UP - The Act
An interactive game from a team of guys who once drew for Disney. You can see it in this game and it looks fantastic.
That's it for Part 3. Keep an eye out next week for Part 4 where I'll announce my NUMBER 1 (and probably 2 and 3) GAME OF THE YEAR! Be sure to share your favourites below, but just remember mine are what matter...because I said so.
1 Like I agree with almost everything in that list... except for ME3 and Halo 4 been best Xbox 360 games.
- Dishonored ( because is original )
- Far Cry 3 ( because the creative mix of FPS and RPG )
I f you talking about Xbox 360 exclusive .. I apologies in advance. ;)
@CaesarIIII I played Dishonored on PC, and it just missed out on my list. I'm yet to play Far Cry 3, but I've got it installed on my PC and looking forward to starting it soon!
1 Like ME3 was a great game but i wouldn't say "It was a great way to wrap up the series" a fan might get mad at you for saying that lol
1 Like @modernsocks Sleeping Dogs was my top PC game and Yakuza was my runner up on the PS3. So they weren't in competition here. However, I would give Sleeping Dogs the edge over Yakuza 4.
1 Like @mjc Oh, of course, for some reason I completely ignored that distinction. I'll chalk it up to my desperation for another game in the same class as Yakuza.
1 Like Great lists! One suggestion I have is to link the title of the game to the GS page for it. I think that would really complete your lists/rankings/whatever. :)
Never even heard of the PS3 game that you said was the best, neither did i yakuza....lol.
@DiamondDM13 I was assuming you thought I had just played it and was about to change my mind :P So, yes, I still find Yakuza and Swan better than Journey.
@mjc But it wasn't a question of being now. Question is, you find them better than Journey?
@DiamondDM13 @jollyjoel23 I played Journey when it was first released, so yeah, nothing on my list has changed ;)
1 Like ME 3? I'm surprised by that. The game was fun to play but the miserable problems post-release took it off my list. The way they tried to tie the single-player campaign to multi-player, forcing Renegade decisions even if you had played Paragon, and the way they set up the ending so that nothing you had done previously actually mattered were pretty big mistakes in my book.
1 Like @Wango_Tango I didn't encounter any problems, I didn't bother with multiplayer and the ending was fine in my books. I know they promised more with the whole "your decisions" thing, but it wasn't that big of a deal for me. Still, I can see why some were upset with it.
@Drilbit777 I've also noticed Persona 4 Golden isn't out here in Australia until next year (I imported it) so if it ends up being really good it may win my 2013 GOTY thanks to that little loop hole ;)
@Drilbit777 Check Part 1 - I mention that I only just purchased it and it's sitting in my unplayed pile. However, I rated it as one of my favourite unplayed games!
