GOTY 2012
Here it is, my 2012 Game of the Year list. Feel free to comment, agree or disagree with me, and maybe even recommend the list to others. The power is yours!
List items
-
The gameplay. This is what makes PlayStation All-Stars my Game of the Year over everything else I played this year. It plays like no other fighting game ever released before. Every character plays differently and has a different strategy of how you use them. Because the only way to kill your opponent is with supers, it leads to some very tense moments in stock matches especially. Then there is the customization. You can change everything from you intro and outro to your taunt and victory music, making your character truly your own. I actually spent more time on the Vita version then the PS3 one, but it plays the same, and the online community is the same, and that is pretty damn impressive. But once again I want to stress how fantastic the gameplay is. The controls are simple, and combos don't require any ridiculous button inputs. However, the strategies are deep, and knowing when you should use your super, when you should roll out of the way, and who you should focus on taking out first all make the mind games at work really fantastic. I had more fun playing this then any other game this year, and thus it gets my number one spot.
-
To call this game Uncharted Portable would be a disservice. This is the Uncharted game, the best in the series. The combat is just as great as in previous games, but the exploration and characters are outstanding. Drake has someone with him throughout almost his entire adventure, which means the great banter never stops. It was also great to see other characters refer to Drake as "the professional". He knows his shit and in this game they really do acknowledge it. There is also a lot of traversing without any over the top set pieces. Then there is the ridiculous amount of treasures to unlock, charcoal rubbings to do and scraps of paper to put together to make a bigger image. In this game, more then in any other Uncharted game, you feel like a treasure hunter.
-
The shit finally hit the fan. Zombies, bio-organic weapons and evil scientists are all out to create a new world order and it takes seven protagonists to try and prevent shit from getting out of hand. The story is appropriately over the top and this is really what these games have been building to since the start. Once you change the settings and choose the laser sight option, it plays like a better version of RE5 (which was a better version of RE4). Things like sliding, quick shots, and melee at any time give you more options with how you want to take out the enemies. The stories all had a different tone and pace and it felt like four different games. Then there is the mercenaries which is as addicting as ever. This game is different, amazing and my number 3.
-
As someone who used to always visit the library to read "Give Yourself Goosebumps" books, I have to say this game was just like one of those. It is an interactive story, and an impressive one at that. You really start to feel attached to certain characters and will regret some of the decisions you make. The gameplay itself is ridiculously simple making it a game everyone should experience at least once.
-
An adorable single player campaign filled with the most charming characters you will ever see. The levels are beautifully detailed and the soundtrack is equally impressive. The touch controls feel perfect and included mini-games are also awesome. The included levels are more then enough to put it on this list, the level creator and user generated content are just icing on the cake.
-
Asynchronous multiplayer and multiplayer. This game does both so very beautifully. Driving through billboards and hitting speed traps trying to get the best score is great fun. The multiplayer is also wonderful as it moves at a consistent pace and you are never doing the same thing for too long.
-
My most anticipated game coming into the year was not as hot as I had hoped. The multiplayer was pretty much busted at launch and they just took too long to fix it. That said, the single player campaign is tons of fun. The FMV cut scenes are impressive and appropriately twisted. The local multiplayer is also the best in the franchise. The levels are gargantuan in size and the cars and weapons all have a unique feel.
-
This is modern day excitebike. The levels are challenging and frustrating but it makes it that much more rewarding when you finally finish. Comparing scores and trying to get a better time then your friends also adds to the fun and frustration.
-
The LittleBigPlanet aesthetic is beautiful, and this is also a solid kart racer on top of that. The controls are very simple and it is very easy to pick up and play. The level editor is better then it was in Modnation Racers but still difficult to get used to. This is fun in both local and online multiplayer and is great game to just unwind with.
-
The controls are just like a normal Ratchet & Clank, and the tower defense campaign is fun to go through with a buddy. The story is funny and the weapons are diverse (although recycled from old games). It is tough and short but very fun while it lasts.
0 Comments